Month: September 2024

NASA is gearing up for a crucial mission this week with the launch of the SpaceX Crew-9 flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-9 mission, featuring astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, has arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and is set to launch for the International Space Station (ISS) on September 26.Hague will serve as the commander, while Gorbunov will take on the role of mission specialist.
However, the mission has evolved into a rescue operation due to recent complications. Originally intended to simply deliver new crew members, Crew-9 is now tasked with bringing back astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded on the ISS following issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This unexpected turn emphasises the importance of flexibility and rapid response in space missions, showcasing NASA’s commitment to crew safety and the effective management of international partnerships in space exploration.

SpaceX Crew – 9 revised launch timing and location

The new launch is set for no earlier than 2:05 p.m. EDT (1805 GMT) from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, accounting for both equipment preparations and weather conditions.

Pre-launch quarantine and mission preparations

Astronauts Hague and Gorbunov have already arrived at the Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. They will now enter a quarantine period at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building, where they’ll practice mission procedures, including dry dress rehearsals, adjust their sleep schedules, and connect with loved ones.
The mission is expected to last five months, during which the crew will conduct over 200 scientific experiments before returning to Earth with Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The launch will be streamed live on YouTube, NASA+, and SpaceX’s official website.

Updated crew composition for Crew-9 mission

The Crew-9 mission will now feature only two astronauts: NASA’s Nick Hague, who will make history as the first active U.S. Space Force Guardian to travel to space, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The original crew members, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, have been replaced by mass simulators, though future missions are being considered for them.

Impact of Boeing Starliner issues and enhanced safety measures

The delay is connected to issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which resulted in astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore being stranded on the ISS. Crew-9 will now act as a rescue mission, safely returning Williams and Wilmore to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
NASA’s decision to delay the launch ensures that all systems undergo thorough testing, meeting stringent safety standards for the mission. This extra time allows both the crew and the spacecraft to be fully prepared for a smooth operation. In addition to transporting new astronauts to the ISS, the Crew-9 spacecraft will also facilitate the return of Williams and Wilmore, highlighting NASA’s adaptable approach to maintaining ISS operations.
The Crew-9 mission emphasises ongoing efforts to keep the ISS functional and maintain crew rotation schedules. It will continue to support scientific research and foster international collaboration aboard the space station.
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AEW was formed by some really popular and influential WWE wrestlers, and many of them have significantly contributed to the development of the company ever since 2019. One such wrestler is Dustin Rhodes, who used to wrestle in the WWE under the moniker of Goldust.
Alongside his brother Cody, Dustin has had some amazing matches in the company so far and is probably in the prime of his career right now.While there have been several speculations that he’ll make a return to the WWE just like his brother, it’s unlikely that is going to happen. According to Dustin Rhodes, AEW is good for his soul.

Dustin Rhodes isn’t leaving the AEW anytime soon

In a post on X, Dustin Rhodes recently exclaimed that he was in love with AEW and has clearly indicated that he’ll be continuing with the company for days to come. He said, “I love AEW!! For 5 yrs I have been on this “One Last Ride”, and I have loved it. This place is good for my soul!”
He’s been putting up some really interesting matches for a while now, and he’s one of the superstars to look out for.
In a recent match, Dustin Rhodes defended his ROH tag-team titles alongside Sammy Guevara and defeated the Undisputed Kingdom in a Bloody Bunkhouse Brawl. The match had some amazing spots and was increasingly entertaining in nature.

Also read: Booker T claims popular WWE star got “lost in the shuffle” in AEW
Recently, there were rumors of his retirement too, but he shot those rumors down too. He said, “Yes my contract is up in September, and No, I am absolutely NOT DONE. Having the best matches of my life and hopefully, God willing I will get to retire on my own terms, respected with a full heart. Hopefully Negotiations go well because I am damn worth the world.”
Professional wrestlers are usually allowed to stay till the end of their contract before they renew them, so that’s likely going to be the case with Dustin Rhodes too. He’s been putting in some really exceptional work with his matches here, and his fans are absolutely delighted to see him perform in the ring.
Also read: Now, let’s talk RAW’: AEW Star Has Showed Her Concern For WWE’ Hour Cut Amid Shift To Netflix

The journey has just begun for “Laapataa Ladies” at Oscars 2025, says director Kiran Rao while admitting she is still in a state of “slight shock” to find that her film will represent the country at the Academy Awards. The Film Federation of India, which selects entries for the best international film category at Oscars, on Monday picked “Laapataa Ladies” from among 29 titles as India’s official selection.
“The journey has only just begun with being chosen as India’s entry to the Oscars. It’s a long and hard journey because there’s a lot of expertise, money, and support required and campaign strategy that one has to develop and carry through. We will put our best foot forward and try our best to take the film as far as it goes down this road towards the Oscars,” Rao told PTI in an interview.
The filmmaker said she initially thought it was a prank when the first call came through but she is “delighted and humbled” at the honour of representing the country though “Laapataa Ladies”. She produced the film via her Kindling Pictures with former husband Aamir Khan and his banner AKPPL and Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios.
“I’ve not had a moment to breathe and soak it in entirely. But I spoke to Aamir and a few of my actors and team when we got the news. It is a moment of collective joy and disbelief! We’ve poured so much of ourselves into this film,” she said.
“Laapataa Ladies”, starring Nitanshi Goel and Pratibha Ranta, is a heartwarming and empowering take on two brides in rural India in 2001 who accidentally get swapped during a train journey. It also stars Sparsh Shrivastav, Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma.
Based on a story by Biplab Goswami with screenplay and dialogues by Sneha Desai and additional dialogues by Divyanidhi Sharma, the film released in theatres on March 1 to great reviews.
And now that a 13-member select committee, led by Assamese director Jahnu Barua, unanimously decided on “Laapataa Ladies” for the best international category at Oscars, Rao hopes it resonates with the international audiences the way it did at home.
“We are grateful for this recognition and excited about the journey ahead… It is a moment of collective joy and disbelief! We’ve poured so much of ourselves into this film… The first step for all of us is to create a plan by pooling in the collective expertise and also learning from those who have walked this path before.
“While it is an expensive undertaking, we are hopeful that we can build the right support system, both within the industry and through international platforms, to promote the film effectively,” she added.
The director said she first called Khan when she found out that “Laapataa Ladies” was set to represent India at the Oscars.
“Aamir was the first person I spoke to. My producer, the person who found the script for me. We congratulated each other,” she said.
Rao said Khan’s experience and deep understanding of the international film landscape, owing to the campaign of his 2001 film “Lagaan” would come in handy.
“Lagaan”, set in the pre-independence era, was the last Indian film to enter the top five nominations in the best international feature film category (formerly called best foreign film) at Oscars 2002.
Only two other films have previously made it to the final five and they are the Nargis-starrer “Mother India” and Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay!”
“I can only pray and hope that I follow in Lagaan’s footsteps to be nominated in the top five… Aamir’s been through this process before, and his insights will definitely help us make informed decisions. Having his guidance will be a great asset as we navigate the road ahead,” said Rao, who served as an assistant director on “Lagaan”.
About the time the Ashutosh Gowariker directorial made it to the Oscars, she recalled “cheering from the sidelines during that incredible journey”.
“It was inspiring to see how the team navigated the Oscars and created such an impact. I’ve learned a lot from that experience, which will certainly help in shaping our approach this time,” she said.
Rao said the 2023 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, where “Laapataa Ladies” had its world premiere, proved to be a “great launchpad” for the film.
“It really exposed us to a huge market in North America. All the other films and filmmakers who came there heard about the film and we had such a great reception there that it gave us a lot of confidence also in our marketing for India and taking it to other countries,” she said.
She is now gearing up for the release of the movie in Japan theatres on October 4.

“We’re hoping for more international releases after that as well. It (Toronto) was great to start it off on an international journey from last year. Thanks to that, we have some sort of an insight into what we should be doing, how we should be pushing the film going forward in the Oscar journey.

JIND: In Haryana‘s Kaithal district, lies the extraordinary village which is known for having only three voters yet still holding the status of a full village. Astonishingly, there are no houses in this village, and these three individuals have never cast their votes, yet political leaders show them great respect. The village Khadalwa has never held a sarpanch election, and its existence is linked to an ancient Shiva temple, home to the temple priest Mahant Raghunath Giri and his two disciples, Lal Giri and Atma Giri.The temple and school are registered under the name of Bechirag village, but there is no actual population.
Khadalwa is associated with 16 acres of agricultural and non-agricultural land, primarily used for fodder for cows. The village’s temple holds community feasts, and wheat and rice crops are cultivated for this purpose. Visitors can stay for free at the village’s dharamshala for up to three days; longer stays require permission from the temple priest. Facilities like a government senior secondary school, a cooperative bank, a temporary bus stand, and a gaushala (cow shelter) are all located on the village land. According to revenue records, the entire village’s heritage is attributed to the temple, with Lord Shiva regarded as the village’s sarpanch and panch.
Mahant Raghunath Giri shares that the village has a history dating back thousands of years, linked to the ancestors of Lord Rama. Once a thriving community, Khadalwa fell to devastation due to invasions by the Sakas and Huns, after which it was never repopulated. A Shiva temple has stood on this land for over 5,000 years, he said.
The village has a government senior secondary school attended not by local children but by those from neighboring villages. Qualified teachers ensure that the school’s performance is better than many nearby institutions. The school, built on over four acres of land, includes a playground for students. Remarkably, this may be the only school in the region where no local children are enrolled, he added.
Despite having no population, Khadalwa maintains separate officials for its administrative needs, including a patwari and a numberdar. Mahant Raghunath Giri explains that since their village is recognized in government records as a full village, it has its own officials. Whenever administrative tasks arise, the district administration assigns responsibilities to the numberdar from the nearby village of Mator. This arrangement has ensured that they have faced no issues with governance. Although they possess voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, and bank passbooks, the residents have never availed themselves of any government schemes.
“This revered temple holds universal significance, with leaders from all parties seeking blessings here before launching their election campaigns. Notably, despite having no votes in the village, this temple remains the chosen starting point for politicians to begin their electoral journey.”
“Kalayat SDM Satyawan Mann reveals village’s rich history behind its significance” According to SDM, the historic temple here has earned immense reverence in the surrounding area. Notably, the village has just three voters, who will cast their ballots in the neighboring village Mator,” he added.

Soon, the world will see a car rolling on the moon’s surface. Japan has recently announced that it will design, develop, and operate a rover for NASA’s Artemis program. This is a major development in lunar exploration, as it will allow astronauts to travel the length and breadth of the moon, no more limiting research due to restrictions in mobility.
Since 2019, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA) and Toyota have been building research on this pressurized rover, nicknamed the “Lunar Cruiser“.The name is a reference to Toyota’s Land Cruiser SUV, renowned for the image of durability and reliability it has earned over the years The agreement between JAXA and Toyota was signed on June 13, 2019. The expected launch date has been estimated to be in the latter years of 2020.
The rover will support both crewed and uncrewed missions to the moon. It will be launched for the first time during the Artemis VII mission. The mobile laboratory will be an interesting opportunity for researchers to analyze the lunar environment from the safety of their vehicle for extended periods of time.
According to media reports, the hydrogen-powered rover of Japan, will include features such as a solid life-supporting system for longer missions, high-class equipment for comprehensive research, protection from moon’s high radiation, and an airlock facility for easy access to the lunar surface.
According to the official Toyota website, the Lunar Cruiser aims to contribute to JAXA’s lunar ambitions by providing “reliability, durability, driving performance, and FC (fuel cell) technology” that the brand has developed through years of research and development. Due to the vehicle’s mobility, there is a high possibility of exploring never-before-seen parts of the moon.
The Artemis mission, led by National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), aims for extensive exploration of the lunar surface. It also hopes to establish human presence on the moon for the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The Moon is also a testbed for further human exploration missions to Mars. For this, NASA is actively collaborating with not only private companies but also space agencies from around the globe. International partnerships are important, as the discoveries will benefit the entire world.
Presently, four space agencies are collaborating with NASA on the Artemis mission. They include the European Space Agency (ESA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre of the United Arab Emirates. Along with providing technical support, astronauts from these countries will fly on Artemis missions.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is back at Paris Fashion Week 2024, once again turning heads with her style and timeless elegance. After her previous appearance in a stunning outfit, another look featuring Aishwarya and her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan has gone viral on social media.
In the new video, Aishwarya was seen walking down the steps alongside Aaradhya and her team, both dressed in matching black outfits.The mother-daughter duo twinned perfectly, with Aishwarya sporting a long blazer coat paired with black stilettos, while Aaradhya mirrored her mother’s chic look. Aishwarya’s unique hairdo also drew attention. They were also seen posing for photographs with their fans.

Earlier, Aishwarya was spotted in a bold ensemble featuring a brightly printed geometrical trench coat over sleek black trousers. The striking emerald base and vibrant patterns highlighted her fashion-forward presence on the international stage.
Aishwarya’s appearance in Paris also put an end to the persistent rumours about her marriage with Abhishek Bachchan. For months, speculation about their relationship had been swirling, with rumours that the couple was heading for divorce. Aishwarya’s solo outings at various events only added fuel to these rumours. However, her appearance at Paris Fashion Week, notably wearing her wedding ring, reassured fans that all was well between the beloved couple.

Aishwarya and Abhishek’s love story is one of Bollywood’s most cherished. The two first crossed paths in the late 1990s but began developing a deeper connection while working together on the sets of Guru and Dhoom 2. Their on-screen chemistry soon blossomed into a real-life romance.

Abhishek proposed to Aishwarya after the premiere of Guru in Toronto, and the couple tied the knot in a grand ceremony in April 2007. Their union has stood strong for over a decade, and the couple shares a daughter, Aaradhya, who is often seen accompanying them to public events.

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar’s journey to becoming the ‘Little Master’ is a story of talent, discipline and unyielding passion for cricket.
Born in Mumbai on April 24, 1973, Sachin grew up with a love for cricket inspired by his elder brother, Ajit.
At just eleven, Sachin enrolled in the MRF Pace Foundation with dreams of becoming a fast bowler.
However, it was his mentor, coach Ramakant Achrekar, who recognized Sachin’s true potential as a batsman.
Under Achrekar’s guidance, Sachin spent hours perfecting his technique at Shivaji Park, often playing back-to-back matches across the city of Mumbai, building his mental and physical toughness.
At the age of 16, Sachin made his debut for India in 1989 against Pakistan, one of the fiercest bowling attacks of the time.
Despite his young age and small stature, his courage and technique caught the attention of the world.
He was struck on the face by a bouncer from Waqar Younis in one of the matches, but instead of walking off, Sachin continued to bat, scoring crucial runs. His resilience earned him widespread respect.
The nickname, ‘Little Master’ was a tribute to his short stature and his extraordinary skill, reminiscent of another Indian cricketing legend, Sunil Gavaskar.
Tendulkar’s ability to play every shot in the book with precision, combined with his calm temperament and hunger for runs, solidified his place as one of cricket’s greatest batsmen.
Throughout his career, Sachin broke numerous records, including becoming the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries.
His consistency, humility, and mastery over the game made him a global icon, forever etching his name as the ‘Little Master’ of cricket.