THE HEADLINES::
- Return journey of Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other crew members of Axiom-4 mission to begin today.
- President Droupadi Murmu to be on a two-day visit to Odisha beginning today.
- Two lakh pilgrims undertake Amarnath Yatra so far this year.
- Jannik Sinner dethrones Carlos Alcaraz to capture maiden Wimbledon crown.
- In cricket, India need 135 runs to win Lord’s Test against hosts England on Day 5.
<><><>
The return journey of Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other crew members of the Axiom-4 mission will begin today. In a social media post, Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the undocking has been scheduled for today at 4:30 PM IST. He said, the crew will arrive back to earth tomorrow at around 3 PM IST.
“After landing, Group Captain Shukla, along with other crew members, will undergo a 7-day rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the Flight Surgeons to adapt back to Earth’s gravity. Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station. He became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station and the second Indian astronaut after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went to space in 1984. During the journey, Group Captain Shukla conducted seven India-specific experiments. In his farewell speech aboard ISS, Group Captain Shukla described his space journey as incredible.
Along with Shukla, the mission had three other astronauts – commander Peggy Whitson from the US, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu of Poland and Hungary. The SpaceX Falcon 9, carrying the crew, was launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. aishwarya rai nigam, akashwani news, delhi.”
<><><>
President Droupadi Murmu will be on a two-day visit to Odisha from today. The President will arrive at the Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneswar this afternoon from where she is scheduled to go to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar to grace its fifth convocation ceremony. Founded in 2003 by great visionary Bharat Ratna Late Atal Behari Vajpayee , AIIMS-Bhubaneswar stands today as a beacon of medical education, research and healthcare delivery in the country.
“President Droupadi Murmu will attend the 5th convocation of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar as the Chief Guest and Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and many other dignitaries are likely to join the convocation. On her second-day visit to her home state Odisha, President Murmu will attend the 13th annual convocation of Ravenshaw University and lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of three buildings of Ravenshaw Girls’ High School at Cuttack. She is also scheduled to grace the birth anniversary celebration of Adikabi Sarala Das, a great Odia poet and scholar born in 15th Century and present the Kalinga Ratna Award for 2024 at Cuttack. Prakash Dash, Akashvani, Bhubaneswar.”
<><><>
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be on a two-day visit to China beginning today. He will attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tianjin city tomorrow.
“The Foreign Ministers will exchange views on SCO cooperation in various fields and major international and regional issues. The SCO grouping comprises 10 member states – India, China, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. China is the current chair of the SCO and is hosting the meetings of the grouping in that capacity.
Dr Jaishankar will also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Dr Jaishankar is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during his visit to China. The two leaders are expected to take forward discussions to normalise bilateral relations and address the long-standing border dispute between India and China. The two countries are currently engaged in the delicate task of normalising their ties after agreeing in October last year to end the face-off in Ladakh. It will be Dr Jaishankar’s first visit to China after the ties between the two countries came under strain following the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. CHIRAG JHA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
<><><>
Indian Army has categorically denied its involvement in any operation that killed 19 United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) cadres including three top leaders of the banned insurgent group in Myanmar. Defence PRO Colonel MS Rawat said in Guwahati that there are no inputs with the Indian Army on such an operation.
The banned group insurgent group, headed by Paresh Baruah, claimed that its eastern headquarters in Myanmar was targeted by Indian Army with drones in the early hours yesterday.
“According to a statement by insurgent group, a total of 19 cadres have been killed and another 19 injured. It said, the outfit’s self-proclaimed – Lieutenant General Nayan Medhi alias Nayan Asom has been killed.
The insurgent group claimed that fresh attacks were carried out during the last rites, in which self-styled Brigadier – Ganesh Asom and Colonel – Pradip Asom were killed.
However, Indian Army has categorically denied any such operation.
Defence PRO Colonel – MS Rawat said in Guwahati that there are no inputs with the Indian Army on such an operation.
Assam Chief Minister – Himanta Biswa Sarma also told media persons that the state police is not involved in this incident. He said, there has been no strike from the soil of Assam. YASHASHVI KIRYAL,AKASHVANI NEWS , DELHI. “
<><><>
The annual 38-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra that commenced on 3rd of this month, is going on peacefully and seamlessly, from twin routes of Nunwan Pahalgam Base Camp in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district and Baltal Base Camp in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The Yatra will conclude on 9th August on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
“During first 11 days of 38 day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the number of Yatris has surpassed Two Lakh mark who had darshan of Shiv Lingam at the Holy Cave, till last evening.
Yatris from across the country are expressing their satisfaction and joy over visiting Kashmir for Darshan at Holy Cave. They are satisfied with all kinds of arrangements & facilities besides multi tier security arrangements along twin routes of Baltal and Pahalgam towards Holy Cave.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has described surpassing of two lakh mark as an achievement for all those devotees who are embarking on a sacred journey of lifetime to discover and experience the divinity. TARIQ RATHER, Akashvani News Srinagar.”
<><><>
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Rajasthan, Gangetic West Bengal, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Madhya Pradesh today. Parts of Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Coastal Karnataka, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and northeastern states are also likely to experience heavy rainfall during the next 2-3 days.The Weather Department has further predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds today in places over West Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and West Rajasthan. IMD said hot and humid conditions are expected to prevail over Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal throughout the day.
<><><>
Heavy rainfall is likely at several places in Himachal Pradesh from today till July 17. Meteorological Centre Shimla has issued an Orange Alert for Kangra and Sirmaur districts on July 14, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Yellow Alerts have been issued for Mandi, Shimla, and Solan districts.
“The spell of monsoon rains continues in Himachal Pradesh, significantly disrupting normal life in many areas. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, one National Highway and 196 other link roads remain blocked due to landslides 73 electricity transformers and 787 drinking water schemes are disrupted across the state. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 20, 98 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, 178 people have been injured, and 34 individuals are still missing. The Meteorological Centre Shimla has issued an Orange Alert for Kangra and Sirmaur districts, and Yellow Alerts for Solan, Shimla, and Mandi districts for today. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Shimla.”
<><><>
The monsoon session of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly will begin today. This session will have five sittings and conclude on July 18. During the session, the state government will present some amendment bills.
<><><>
Seven people died in a road accident that occurred last night in Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh. Several were seriously injured in the incident. According to officials, the accident occurred when a lorry carrying mangoes from Rajampet to Railwaykodur market overturned on the embankment of the Reddypalli pond in Pullampeta mandal. The injured have been shifted to Rajampet Government Hospital. The deceased have been identified as residents of Shettigunta village in Railway Kodur mandal.
<><><>
And now news from the world of sports:
“At Wimbledon 2025, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in 4 sets to become the first Italian to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title. Sinner beat Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 6-4 to become the first Italian man to win Wimbledon in the competition’s 148-year history
In cricket, in the third Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India currently needs 135 runs to win the Lord’s Test. On the last ball of Day 4, English skipper Ben Stokes dismissed night-watchman Akash Deep for just 1 run. Earlier, hosts England were bowled out for 192 runs setting up a target of 193 for the visitors. For India, Washington Sundar picked up 4 wickets, while Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah each bagged 2 wickets
In basketball, The Indian women’s team made a strong start to their FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division B campaign, defeating Kazakhstan 85-68 in a commanding performance, in Bangkok, Thailand. The victory marks a positive beginning for the team as they aim to secure promotion to Division A.
Meanwhile in chess, Indian Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh advanced to the Round of 16 at the Women’s FIDE World Cup with impressive victories in the third round.
IN shooting, National Games champion Neeru Dhanda secured an impressive fourth place in the women’s trap event during her debut final at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy. Jigyasa pandey, Akashvani News, Delhi. “
<><><>
In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” at 9.30 PM tonight, we will bring an insightful discussion on – Importance of Rainwater Harvesting and its Role in Water Conservation (वर्षा जल संचयन और जल संरक्षण में इसकी भूमिका) with G. Asok Kumar, Former DG National Mission for Clean Ganga and Dr. Arvind Kumar, Environmentalist.
During the programme, the listeners will have the opportunity to ask our experts questions related to water conservation, effective rainwater harvesting systems and their significance for a sustainable future.
To participate, simply dial the telephone numbers 011 – 23717117 and 011 – 23314444 , 9:30 PM onwards tonight.
Alternatively, you can also send your queries via WhatsApp to the number 9289094044 or post your questions on X with the hashtag AskAir.
<><><>
TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- Almost all papers have on their front page the story of illegal migrants from Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar being found during house-to-house verification by booth- level officers as part of the special intensive revision (SIR) process in Bihar. “Foreigners found on Bihar rolls, says EC,India questions data” headlines The Hindu, The Tribune headlines “After Bihar, EC readies plan for pan India launch of roll revision”
- The story of the Air India Flight 171 June 12 crash investigation report suggesting pilot error is widely covered in most newspapers. The Pioneer headlines ” Pilot’s body dismisses speculations on pilot error in AI 171 crash, The Hindustan Times headlines ” More pilots’ bodies object to probe report on AI crash.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Return journey of Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other crew members of Axiom-4 mission to begin today.
- President Droupadi Murmu to be on a two-day visit to Odisha beginning today.
- Two lakh pilgrims undertake Amarnath Yatra so far this year.
- Jannik Sinner dethrones Carlos Alcaraz to capture maiden Wimbledon crown.
- In cricket, India need 135 runs to win Lord’s Test against hosts England on Day 5.
<><><>