THE SPOKESPERSON

  The SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission is set to launch at 10 PM, with ISRO’s PSLV rocket lifting off from the first launch pad at the Sriharikota spaceport. The fourth stage of the launch vehicle will later be repurposed as a platform to conduct 24 experiments, including several from startups. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will close 2024 with a mission that marks a significant milestone towards achieving key future objectives, including bringing back a lunar sample, establishing a space station, and sending a human to the Moon. On Monday, December 30, ISRO will showcase its groundbreaking capability to dock and merge two satellites in space for the first time.Docking is a process where two fast-moving spacecraft are maneuvered into the same orbit, brought closer together, and then joined, or “docked.”  This technique is crucial for missions that involve large spacecraft or equipment that cannot be launched in a single trip. For exam...

  The Taliban offensive comes days after Pakistan launched a series of airstrikes targeting the training facilities of 'insurgents' in Afghanistan. Afghan Taliban forces targeted multiple posts inside Pakistan near the border in retaliation for last week's deadly airstrikes, the Afghanistan Defence Ministry said.  However, details about casualties or the nature of the strikes remain unclear. The Afghan officials also did not explicitly mention the locations of the strike but said it occurred "beyond the 'hypothetical line'", a term Afghan authorities use to describe the disputed border with Pakistan.

  The Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace is expecting a new export deal soon. After the Philippines opted for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, many Southeast Asian countries, especially Indonesia and Vietnam, expressed interest in buying the missile to counter China’s rise. BrahMos’ new director general, Jaiteerth Joshi, has said that the firm is expecting a new export order soon. “There are many countries that have evinced a strong interest in buying BrahMos. We are advancing our negotiations with all the interested parties and are quite hopeful of signing our next export order soon,” he said. The portfolio of orders of the Indian-Russian producer of supersonic missiles BrahMos has reached $7 billion. Earlier in 2024, Managing Co-Director of BrahMos Aerospace Alexander Maksichev was quoted by the Russian agency TASS saying that Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates have expressed interest in the missile. The Indo-Russian missiles have a...

  Kuwait City, Dec 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kuwait on Sunday bestowed its highest honour 'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in appreciation of his distinguished achievements and the efforts made to strengthen the relations between the two countries. This is the 20th international honour given to PM Modi by a country.The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' is a knighthood order of Kuwait and is named after the seventh ruler of Kuwait, Mubarak bin Sabah Al-Sabah, who assumed power in 1896 and took Kuwait to new heights during his reign. The Order is awarded to Heads of State and foreign Sovereigns and to members of foreign royal families in sign of friendship. It has been previously awarded to foreign leaders like Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and George Bush besides other dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth and Prince Muhammad bin Salman.Last month, Prime Minister Modi was conferred with Guyana’s highest civilian honour, 'The Order of E...

  India's unexpected launch of an anti-satellite missile test this week sparked surprise (and some alarm) among international and aerospace-industry experts. The test's success makes India the fourth country capable of destroying an enemy satellite, after the U.S., Russia and China. But how does that technology work? An anti-satellite weapon, or ASAT, is anything that destroys or physically damages a satellite. That's the broad definition.  "The problem with defining an ASAT is that since most space technology is dual-use, ASATs come in many non-overt forms," Joan Johnson-Freese, professor of national security affairs at Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, said in an email to Space.com. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Wednesday (March 27) that the country had pulled off an ASAT missile launch that same day. The launch, "Mission Shakti," likely struck an Indian satellite in low Earth orbit, turning the object into d...

 The global textile and apparel (T&A) industry is projected to expand at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8 percent to reach $1.53 trillion by 2033. India is at a critical juncture in the global T&A landscape, poised to harness its vast potential as a leading textile hub. The Textile & Apparel 360° Report 2024, released by Groyyo Consulting, offers a sweeping analysis of the T&A industry, spotlighting transformative trends and India’s growing stature in this dynamic sector. The report delves into India’s dual role as both a rising exporter and importer, highlighting mixed performance trends and key growth drivers. Global Landscape of Textile & Apparel Trade The global T&A market is experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by evolving consumer demands, technological advancements, and sustainable practices. China continues to dominate the landscape, contributing 30 percent of global apparel trade, with exports worth $154 billio...

  Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday agreed to strengthen relations between the two countries through increased trade, commerce, and exchange of sports and cultural delegations. The two leaders also expressed their desire to extend cooperation in new areas such as the sugar industry and dengue management when they held a meeting at a hotel in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on the sidelines of the D-8 summit. Yunus and Sharif discussed issues of mutual interest, including the revival of the Saarc—a key feature of the foreign policy announced by the chief adviser after he took over as the head of the interim government.Bangladesh's state-run sugar mills. He condoled the deaths from the dengue outbreak in Bangladesh and added Dhaka could benefit from Pakistan's experience in combating the disease. "Our fight against dengue in Punjab about a decade ago was hailed as world-class. We can sen...

  PESHAWAR: A woman and her eight children were killed when the roof of their mud house collapsed due to fire caused by a short-circuit in northwest Pakistan on Sunday, officials said.  According to rescue officials, the incident occurred at Tahari village in Abbotabad district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.A woman and her eight children, including four daughters, were killed in the incident, they said, adding that the locals recovered the nine dead bodies from the rubble of the collapsed structure. The age of the victims were not known.Efforts to manage the situation were immediately set into motion, with rescue officials, backed by three ambulances and the assistance of local residents, working tirelessly to extinguish the blaze.Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Arshad Hussain, expressed grief and sorrow over the incident and extended prayers for the eternal peace of the departed souls. The community mourns the loss as authorities work to investig...

National Mathematics Day 2023 : The National Mathematics Day (NMD) is observed on December 22 each year. It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.History December 22 was designated as the National Mathematics Day by the Manmohan Singh government in 2012. Since then, the National Mathematics Day has been celebrated every year. The year 2012 was also termed and celebrated as the National Mathematics Year. Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on December 22, 1887 in Erode, Tamil Nadu. At a young age of 12, he had gained knowledge in Trignometry and at the age of 15, he obtained a copy of George Shoobridge Carr's Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics.leading business news app The National Mathematics Day is observed on December 22 each year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan National Mathematics Day 2023: The National Mathematics Day (NMD) is obser...

Explosives-packed vehicle is rammed into station used by army as a base in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as fighters open fire.  Fighters have stormed a military post in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 23 people in a gun and suicide bomb attack, according to the Pakistani military. The incident took place on Tuesday in the town of Daraban, about 60km (37 miles) from Dera Ismail Khan city, in the restive province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, located at the edge of the lawless tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.The fighters rammed a vehicle laden with explosives into the main gate of the police station, followed by a suicide bombing attack, said a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani army’s media branch. “The resulting blasts led to the collapse of the building, causing multiple casualties,” the ISPR said, adding that six attackers who took part in the assault were killed. At least 34 people were injured and taken to a military hospital in Dera Ism...

 T he telescope utilises eleven different filters to provide detailed observations of the Sun's atmosphere, revealing features such as sunspots, plage regions, and the quiet Sun. The pioneering images cover a wavelength range from 200 to 400 nanometers It offers unprecedented insights into the Sun's photosphere The telescope utilises eleven different filters to provide detailed observations of the Sun The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) aboard the Indian Space Research Organization's (Isro) Aditya-L1 spacecraft has captured the first-ever full-disk images of the Sun in near ultraviolet wavelengths. This remarkable achievement, announced on Friday, marks a significant milestone in  solar observation and research. The pioneering images, which cover a wavelength range from 200 to 400 nanometers, offer unprecedented insights into the Sun's photosphere and chromosphere — the  visible "surface" of the Sun and the transparent  layer just...

Four rare red panda cubs born at two British zoos are thriving, say zookeepers. In a huge success for the European Endangered Species Programme two pairs have been bred in recent months at Whipsnade Zoo and Longleat Safari Park. A male and female cub, named Alex and Priya, were born at Bedfordshire's Whipsnade Zoo, run by the Zoological Society of London in June."It is quite rare to have red panda cubs both out in the wild and in captivity - certainly a zoo setting, it's a massive success for us," said Patrick Lally, the zookeeper at Whipsnade who has been caring for the cubs since birth. "You have to provide the right environment for them to feel comfortable to breed and then become successful. And then after that stage, to survive that rearing process."The adorable pair were born technically blind, with their eyes closed, as is usual for red pandas, but have since opened them and transformed into mini versions of their parents, with russet fur and lon...

The Nepal government has taken a decisive step to impose a ban on the popular short video-sharing app, TikTok. The decision, made during a Cabinet meeting on Monday, cites concerns over the app�s adverse impact on social harmony, as per a report by The Kathmandu Post. The specific date for the enforcement of this ban is yet to be determined.The Nepalese government, while acknowledging the right to freedom of expression, expressed worries about TikTok�s alleged promotion of hate speech, leading to criticism from a significant segment of society.Previously, India had banned TikTok in 2020 as part of a broader prohibition on various Chinese applications. India�s ban on TikTok and other Chinese apps came amid privacy and security concerns, following a violent clash at the Himalayan border. The move was a response to the tragic loss of Indian soldiers� lives in the altercation with Chinese troops.According to the Kathmandu Post, discussions on the matter took place last week between th...

Secret Service agents protecting US President Joe Biden�s granddaughter opened fire after three people tried to break into an unmarked Secret Service vehicle in the nation�s capital, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The agents, assigned to protect Naomi Biden, 29, were out with her in the Georgetown neighbourhood late on Sunday night when they saw the three people breaking a window of the parked and unoccupied SUV, the official said.The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on Monday on the condition of anonymity.One of the agents opened fire, but no one was struck by the gunfire, the Secret Service said in a statement. The three people were seen fleeing in a red car, and the Secret Service said it put out a regional bulletin to Metropolitan Police to be on the lookout for it.Washington has seen a significant rise in the number of carjackings and car thefts this year. Police have reported more than 750 carjackings...

[1/2] People shop in a used clothing shop in Buenos Aires, Argentina May 14, 2019. Picture taken May 14, 2019. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights BUENOS AIRES, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Hard-up Argentines, tightening their purse strings with inflation topping 140%, are increasingly turning to second-hand clothing markets, both to find affordable apparel and raise extra cash from selling old garments.The South American nation, the region's No. 2 economy and a major grains exporter, is facing its worst crisis in decades. Two-fifths of people live in poverty and a looming recession is shaking up Argentina's presidential election run-off next Sunday.Rising voter anger is propelling a radical outsider, Javier Milei, the slight favorite in polls on the presidential election to beat Economy Minister Sergio Massa, the candidate of the ruling Peronist coalition, whose bid has been hobbled by his failure to rein in rising prices."You can't just go to the...

Anti-coup forces say they shot down plane, but military says crash was result of a technical problem. A fighter jet has crashed in eastern Myanmar amid increasing pressure from anti-coup forces on the generals who seized power in a coup in 2021.The Sit-Tat jet crashed in Kayah State near the border with Thailand on Saturday with the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) claiming it had shot down the plane.However, military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun told state-run MRTV the aircraft came down because of a technical issue and that both pilots ejected safely. He said it had been on a training flight.The crash comes with the military facing the most serious challenge from anti-coup forces since it seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.An alliance of ethnic armed groups in northern Shan state launched an offensive two weeks ago that has captured a series of towns and dozens of military outposts near the border with China, emboldening groups in...

Widodo is under pressure over the war, which has killed more than 11,000 in a month, but is likely to take a low-key approach. Medan, Indonesia � Indonesian President Joko Widodo is in the United States this week for a summit with President Joe Biden at the White House, and later to attend the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, amid the continuing Israel-Gaza war.The visit has prompted questions about whether Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, will call for a ceasefire in Gaza.The issue is particularly heated as the Indonesia Hospital, located in north Gaza, has been encircled by Israeli forces.The hospital was built in 2011 with donations from Indonesian citizens and organisations, including the Indonesian Red Cross Society and the Muhammadiyah Society, one of Indonesia�s largest Muslim organisations. It was officially inaugurated in 2016 by the then-Indonesian vice president, Jusuf Kalla.Three Indonesian volunteers with the Indonesian humanita...

Nigeria is gearing up for an "immediate" influx of multi-billion-dollar investments from Saudi Arabia following the signing of a landmark agreement. Bloomberg reported that the agreement creates a corporate council that opens the door for Saudi Arabia to finance a number of Nigerian industries, including technology, telecommunications, energy, oil and gas, and agriculture.Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria's Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, told Bloomberg, "We expect to see significant investment flow immediately" after a productive business round-table between Saudi and Nigerian officials.The reestablishment of the Nigeria-Saudi Arabia Business Council, initially proposed in 2019 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, signals a new chapter in economic cooperation between the two nations.Bagudu said that Saudi Arabia wants to make a successful investment, which might cost several billion dollars in Nigeria by means of this council, similar ...

UK Interior Minister Suella Braverman was fired from her position on Monday (Nov 13) amid a row over her 'hate march' comment for the pro-Palestine rallies. UK's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has now been appointed in her place. Braverman, in a statement said, "It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as home secretary. I will have more to say in due course". Reuters, while quoting sources, reported that UK PM Rishi Sunak asked Suella Braverman to leave her position and that she followed suit.With the country set to go to polls next year, Sunak removed Braverman in a bid to rejig his cabinet. There was a public outcry for the removal of the interior minister after her comments led to a massive outburst of anger on London streets ahead of Armistice Day (Nov 12).Also Read | Saudi Windfall: Nigeria anticipates billions in immediate investmentsMeanwhile, UK's junior health minister Neil O'Brien said that he is resigning from his post citi...

  Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s family has an important link with India. In a meeting with the Minister of State (MoS) for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Elon Musk has made an interesting revelation about his son's Indian connection. The meeting happened in Britain, a glimpse of which Chandrasekhar has posted on X (formerly Twitter). Look who i bumped into at #AISafetySummit at Bletchley Park, UK. @elonmusk shared that his son with @shivon has a middle name "Chandrasekhar" - named after 1983 Nobel physicist Prof S Chandrasekhar," Rajeev Chandrasekhar has tweeted. The middle name of Elon Musk and Shivon Zilis ' son is Chandrasekhar. Shivon is a Canadian venture capitalist specializing in technology and artificial intelligence.Replying to Rajeev Chandrasekhar's tweet, Shivon Zilis tweeted: Haha, yes, that’s true. We call him Sekhar for short, but the name was chosen in honor of our children’s heritage and the amazing Subr...