OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Set to Visit India Amid Growing Competition

India has successfully launched a regional navigation satellite, NVS-02, aboard its GSLV-F15 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The launch, which occurred at 6:23 a.m. IST on Wednesday, marks India's 100th space mission, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The NVS-02 satellite is part of India's Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, designed to offer positioning services across India and nearby regions. This development positions NavIC as a competitor to established systems like the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), China's BeiDou, and the European Galileo, and is seen as crucial as global competition in satellite technology escalates. Jitendra Singh, India’s Minister of Science and Technology, emphasized the significance of this launch in advancing the country's capabilities in space-based technologies. Amid increased international rivalry in the space sector, ISRO aims to conduct 30 missions by March 2025, reflecting India's growing role in the global space arena.

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to pilot the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled to launch no earlier than spring 2025 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission marks a significant milestone, as Shukla will become the second Indian to fly into space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic journey in 1984, officials announced on Thursday. Shukla, currently serving in the Indian Air Force, has undergone extensive training for the private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). He was selected for Ax-4 by the Indian Space Research Organisation, which is also preparing him for India's Gaganyaan Mission. In a statement, Shukla expressed his excitement about experiencing microgravity and hinted at performing yoga aboard the ISS, similar to Sharma. Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, will command the mission, emphasizing the importance of teamwork among the diverse crew. Axiom's previous missions have successfully paved the way for private astronauts at the ISS since the inaugural Ax-1 flight in April 2022.

An alarming incident occurred in Chennai on January 25, where a group of women was harassed and chased by men in two vehicles, one displaying a flag associated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party. The event unfolded in the Kanathur area as the women were returning home to Muttukadu. Video footage shows the women screaming for help as the attackers blocked their path and hurled abuses while making obscene remarks. Fearing for their safety, the women managed to escape, driving almost four kilometers back to their homes, pursued by the men who continued to issue threats. Following the incident, the Chennai police have registered a case against the suspects for mischief, criminal intimidation, and wrongful restraint. An investigation is underway to identify the individuals involved. The incident has triggered significant political fallout, with BJP leader SG Suryah criticizing the state government’s handling of law and order. “Is this the beauty of your regime's law and order maintenance?” he questioned on social media, highlighting growing concerns over women's safety in the region.