India has made history as the first country to land a spacecraft near the moon's south pole, an uncharted territory with potential reserves of frozen water and precious elements. On August 23, 2023, India became the fourth country to achieve a moon landing, and the first to land a craft on the south pole of the moon. The successful mission has been celebrated by people across India, marking a major step towards unlocking the secrets of the moon.
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Russia and India have launched lunar missions, with Russia's Luna-25 craft taking off from the Vostochny spaceport on Friday. The spacecraft is expected to reach the moon's vicinity in 5.5 days and is part of a larger effort by both countries to explore the moon. India is planning its own mission in 2022, while Russia is aiming to establish a permanent base on the moon by 2040.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to receive a 21-gun welcome salute and a state dinner on Thursday, the first time since becoming prime minister. This honor is typically reserved for the closest allies of the U.S., and is a reflection of the Biden administration's view that India is a vital ally for Washington's top foreign policy goal. Despite criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and advocates over human rights and India's reluctance to break with Russia, hundreds of activists are working to challenge the delicate choreography of the visit.
On Friday night, at least 275 people were killed and hundreds more were injured in a devastating train derailment in eastern India. The crash was caused by an error in the electronic signaling system, leading to a collision between two passenger trains and a freight train. The Indian army, police, and National Disaster Response Force are working to clear the wreckage and identify the victims, as the cause of the crash is still under investigation. This is one of the deadliest rail disasters in India in decades, prompting calls for improved safety measures on the country's railway network.
On Sunday night, a double-decker boat carrying more than 30 passengers capsized in the Poorappuzha River in the southern Indian town of Tanur, resulting in the death of at least 22 people, including children. Rescue teams are expecting to recover more bodies from inside the boat, and an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. The tragedy has shocked the local community, with officials offering their condolences to the families of the victims.
The Indian Income Tax Department has searched the offices of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in New Delhi and Mumbai, weeks after the BBC released a documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rights groups and opposition politicians have denounced the move as an intimidation tactic, and the BBC's employees have asked not to be identified. The Indian government's actions have raised serious questions about the freedom of the press in the country.
Nikki Haley, former South Carolina Governor and US Ambassador to the United Nations, has announced her candidacy for President in 2024. In a video posted to her social media accounts, she highlighted her record as Governor and her foreign policy credentials, and accused the “socialist left” of “rewriting history.” Haley is the daughter of Indian immigrants and is expected to deliver her in-person announcement speech Wednesday in Charleston, South Carolina.