English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Top Stories

PM Modi welcomes Sunita Williams as she returns to Earth after nine-month space mission

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore safely return to Earth after a nine-month space mission. PM Modi welcomes Crew-9, praising their perseverance.

Published

on

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returning to Earth after nine-month ISS mission

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth on Wednesday at 3:27 am (IST) after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-9 astronauts, initially set for an eight-day mission, had their stay extended due to technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft.

PM Modi hails astronauts’ resilience

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams and her crew upon their safe return. “Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you,” PM Modi wrote on X, sharing a picture with Williams. He praised the astronauts’ resilience, calling their journey a “test of grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit.”

“Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions,” he added.

The prime minister also acknowledged the relentless efforts of the teams ensuring a safe return. “We are incredibly proud… They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity.”

Sunita Williams’ journey from Earth to space and back

Williams and Wilmore originally launched aboard NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test on June 5, 2023, for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission. However, as their Starliner spacecraft approached the ISS, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and issues with the reaction control thrusters. Due to these concerns, the Starliner was returned to Earth without the crew.

In August, NASA reassigned the two astronauts to SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission. The original Crew-9 team, which included NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, was downsized to accommodate Williams and Wilmore.

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov later joined the mission, flying aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

After spending 286 days in space, Crew-9 finally returned to Earth. Their spacecraft completed a 17-hour journey before deploying parachutes and making a safe splashdown in the ocean off the coast of Florida.

India News

DMK leader’s son arrested after car rams family in Krishnagiri, one dead

A 20-year-old son of a DMK leader has been arrested for allegedly driving a car into four members of a family in Krishnagiri, killing assistant labour inspector Sivamoorthy.

Published

on

DMK leader

A 20-year-old son of a leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been arrested for allegedly mowing down four members of a family following a heated argument in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. One person died in the incident, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Sivamoorthy, an assistant labour inspector and a resident of Krishnagiri. According to the police, the incident occurred outside his residence after the accused, identified as Adithya, objected to a two-wheeler parked on the road.

Police said Adithya was driving the car and began honking as the two-wheeler was blocking the road. Sivamoorthy and his family members reportedly stepped out to move the vehicle. During the exchange that followed, an altercation broke out.

Investigators allege that Adithya then rammed his car into Sivamoorthy, his son Kirubakaran, daughter-in-law Amsavalli and granddaughter Nilani. Sivamoorthy sustained severe injuries and later succumbed. The others were injured in the incident.

Besides Adithya, two of his friends — Rithik Kumar and Harish — who were present in the car at the time, have also been arrested. A case of murder has been registered against the trio and further investigation is underway.

Kirubakaran, recounting the incident, said the family had attempted to move the parked two-wheeler when the accused damaged it. He alleged that the men appeared intoxicated and tried to assault them with a stick before the vehicle was driven into the family.

Amsavalli said they had tried to defuse the situation peacefully but the confrontation turned violent, resulting in her father-in-law’s death and injuries to her child.

A police officer stated that Adithya’s father is a local functionary of the DMK in Krishnagiri district. The victim’s family has demanded strict action in the case.

Reacting to the incident, state BJP chief Nainar Nagendran criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, questioning the state government over the episode and alleging that party functionaries were misusing their influence.

Police said the probe is ongoing.

Continue Reading

India News

Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

Published

on

Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

Continue Reading

Latest world news

Bangladesh president Shahabuddin accuses Yunus of conspiracy to unseat him

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has accused former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus of attempting to unseat him unconstitutionally and destabilise the country during the interim period.

Published

on

Days after the Tarique Rehman-led government assumed office in Bangladesh, President Mohammed Shahabuddin has levelled serious allegations against former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of attempting to remove him from office through unconstitutional means and destabilise Dhaka.

In an interview to a Bengali daily at Bangabhaban, the President claimed that during Yunus’s tenure, efforts were made to create a constitutional vacuum and disrupt the country’s stability.

Allegations of constitutional breach

Shahabuddin alleged that he was excluded from key state matters for nearly one and a half years. According to him, the former chief adviser did not maintain the constitutionally mandated communication with the President.

He claimed that Yunus undertook 14 to 15 foreign visits but did not brief him upon return or provide written updates, which he described as a constitutional obligation. The President also said he was not informed about major state decisions, including agreements signed with the United States ahead of elections.

Responding to questions about ordinances issued during the interim period, Shahabuddin noted that while some may have been necessary, there was little justification for promulgating as many as 133 ordinances.

‘Palace prisoner’ claim

The President further alleged that he was effectively reduced to a “palace prisoner” during the interim government. He said two of his proposed foreign visits — to Kosovo and Qatar — were blocked by the administration at the time.

He also referred to a purported attempt to replace him with a former chief justice through unconstitutional methods, claiming that the proposal was declined on constitutional grounds.

Recalling events of October 22, 2024, Shahabuddin described protests outside the presidential residence as a “terrifying night,” alleging that mobs were mobilised and attempts were made to storm the premises. He said the situation was brought under control following deployment of the military.

Support from armed forces and BNP

Shahabuddin stated that the chiefs of the three armed services assured him of their support, reiterating that he remained the supreme commander of the armed forces. He also credited the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for helping maintain constitutional continuity during the period of tension.

The allegations come amid political shifts in Bangladesh following the formation of the new government, adding a fresh dimension to the country’s evolving political landscape.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com