Adverse Weather Delays Axiom-4 Mission
The space journey of Indian astronaut Shubham Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed once again due to adverse weather. The launch has been rescheduled by one day and is now set for June 11 at 5:30 PM IST, according to ISRO’s Axiom update. The journey, originally scheduled for June 9, had to be postponed multiple times due to unfavorable weather conditions.Shubham Shukla will become the first Indian civilian to reach the ISS through this mission. Axiom Space, NASA, and ISRO are jointly conducting the mission. Shukla will spend 14 days at the space station as part of his training for India’s Gaganyaan mission.The launch is scheduled to take place from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubham Shukla, and Mission Specialists Tigor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland.
COVID-19 Update: Kerala Continues to Have the Highest Number of Active Cases in India
New Delhi: The number of COVID-19 cases in India has seen a slight increase. As of 8 AM on Monday, the total number of active COVID-19 cases in the country stands at 6,491.
In the past 24 hours, 358 new COVID-19 cases were reported across the country. However, no new COVID-related deaths were reported during this period, which comes as a relief.
Kerala continues to report the highest number of active COVID-19 cases, with a total of 1,957 active cases. In the past 24 hours, only 7 new cases were reported in the state, offering a small measure of relief.
According to the official government website, 624 patients recovered from the infection across the country in the last 24 hours.
NEET PG Exam Rescheduled to August 3
The Supreme Court has approved rescheduling the NEET PG exam to August 3, after considering a request from the National Board of Examinations (NBE), which cited technical challenges in conducting the exam as initially planned on June 15. The exam will now be held in a single shift across over 1,000 centers in 250 cities. The Court emphasized that further delays should be avoided as it would affect the admission process for medical postgraduate courses.
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.5% to Ease Borrowing
The Reserve Bank of India has reduced the repo rate by 0.5%, bringing it down from 6% to 5.5%, offering relief to borrowers across sectors. This is the second major monetary policy update of the fiscal year. The cut is expected to lower interest rates on housing, vehicle, education, agricultural, and personal loans, thereby reducing monthly EMIs. To improve liquidity in the market, the cash reserve ratio (CRR) has also been reduced by 1%, to be implemented in four phases.
Arrest Made in RCB Victory Celebration Tragedy
In connection with the tragic incident at the Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL victory celebration, where 11 people lost their lives due to overcrowding, an arrest has been made. Nikhil Sosa, RCB’s head of marketing, was taken into custody at the Bengaluru airport while attempting to board a flight to Mumbai. Earlier, the Karnataka Cabinet had authorized action against those responsible. Three employees of the event organizers, DNA Entertainment Networks, were also detained, and FIRs have been registered against the company, RCB, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association.
Kerala Reports Two COVID-19 Deaths; Active Cases Rise Nationwide
In the last 24 hours, Kerala reported two COVID-19-related deaths involving a 74-year-old woman and a 79-year-old man. The number of active cases in the state has risen to 1,679. Across India, COVID-19 cases continue to increase, with over 5,364 active cases currently reported. In response to the rising trend, the central government has advised all states to remain prepared.
Thennila Balakrishna Pillai Passes Away
Thiruvananthapuram: Former KPCC President and senior Congress leader Thennila Balakrishna Pillai (95) passed away at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram. He was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments.
A native of Shooranad in Kollam district, Thennila Balakrishna Pillai served as a Rajya Sabha MP three times, a Member of the Legislative Assembly twice, and KPCC President twice. Known for his exemplary cooperative spirit, gentle demeanor, and reserved nature, he led a political life free of blemish. He was widely regarded as a Congress leader who transcended factional politics.
Shine Tom Chacko Accident; Actor Shine Tom Chacko’s Father C.P. Chacko Dies in Tragic Car Accident Near Bengaluru
Salem: C.P. Chacko, father of Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko, tragically died in a car accident on the Salem-Bengaluru National Highway early this morning, June 6, 2025. The vehicle carrying Shine Tom and his family collided with a lorry near Bengaluru, resulting in fatal injuries to C.P. Chacko. Shine Tom sustained hand injuries in the crash.
The family, traveling from Thrissur to Bengaluru, included Shine Tom, his mother, brother, and an assistant. The accident occurred when their car hit the rear of a Karnataka-registered lorry. Authorities and locals rushed the injured to a hospital in Dharmapuri for treatment.
It is yet to be confirmed who was driving at the time of the collision. The family had departed Thrissur the previous night. C.P. Chacko was recently involved in a legal case concerning his son, Shine Tom, which had drawn public attention.
This tragic incident has shocked fans of the actor, known for his roles in Malayalam cinema. Further details on the accident are awaited as police investigations continue.
Trump Bans Entry of Citizens from 12 Countries
Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, citing national security concerns. The affected countries are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The ban will take effect from Monday.
In addition to this, partial restrictions have been placed on citizens from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
