The Department of Posts, Karnataka Postal Circle, today unveiled two commemorative postage stamps and souvenir sheets celebrating the remarkable progress of India’s human spaceflight programme led by the Indian Space Research Organisation. The stamps, released at a function in Bengaluru, trace India’s inspiring journey in space exploration, from the launch of Aryabhata to its ambitious future plans in human spaceflight and orbital infrastructure. The design also highlights India’s rich scientific heritage, symbolised by the iconic Jantar Mantar.

Addressing the gathering, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan outlined the organisation’s growth trajectory across various states and detailed upcoming milestones. He said ISRO is preparing for the Gaganyaan mission, which will include three crewed missions followed by a fully safe crewed mission. He also revealed plans for establishing an Indian Space Station with 52-tonne flight modules, with the first module targeted for launch by 2028. Additionally, studies are underway for a future crewed lunar mission. Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, who was present at the event, shared his experiences in space with students, inspiring young minds about careers in space science and exploration. The programme was presided over by K. Prakash, Chief Postmaster General of the Karnataka Circle.

Nepali feature film Elephants in the Fog has made history by becoming the first Nepali film to be selected in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival. The film follows a family living in a settlement affected by elephant attacks, focusing on the mother-daughter relationship. Written and directed by Abinash Bikram Shah, the film will compete at the 79th edition of the festival, scheduled to be held in France from 12th to 23rd May. Un Certain Regard, a section introduced in 1978 that highlights emerging filmmakers and distinctive storytelling voices, runs parallel to the competition for the Palme d’Or and is considered the second most prestigious section at Cannes.

Veteran playback singer Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai on Sunday following a cardiac arrest and pulmonary complications.

Her son Anand Bhosle confirmed the news of her death and said, "She is no more. Her last rites will be held at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Shivaji Park in Mumbai,'' as per NDTV.

Earlier in the day, news agency PTI reported that the legendary singer remained in critical condition after she hospitalised in South Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday.

Her granddaughter, Zanai, took to Instagram to share details about Bhosle's health on April 11. "My grandmother, Asha Bhosle due to extreme exhaustion and suffering a chest infection has been admitted to hospital and we request you to value our privacy. Treatment is ongoing and hopefully everything will be well and we shall update you positively," she wrote.

The first-ever life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda in the U.S. was unveiled in Seattle, honouring the renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual leader.

The life-size bronze statue, installed at the busy Westlake Square in downtown Seattle, is the first such installation hosted by a city government anywhere in the U.S., officials said.

Sculpted by Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it was jointly unveiled on Saturday (April 11, 2026) by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta.

An Indian Army contingent comprising 60 personnel departed today for the 7th edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise, Exercise DUSTLIK. The exercise, which commenced today in Uzbekistan, will continue until the 25th of this month.

The Defence Ministry noted the exercise is conducted on a yearly basis alternatively in India and Uzbekistan, with an aim to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain. It will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting joint operations and will further strengthen interoperability, operational synergy and joint command and control coordination between the contingents.

The event will also provide an opportunity to enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations. The Indian Armed Forces contingent is being represented by 45 personnel from the Indian Army, majorly from a Battalion of the MAHAR Regiment and 15 personnel from the Indian Air Force. The Uzbekistan contingent also comprises a total of 60 personnel from the Uzbekistan Army and Air Force.

Amid heightened naval deployments driven by energy security concerns in West Asia, the Indian Navy will convene its Commanders’ Conference 2026 in the capital from April 14 to 16, with a focus on conflict lessons and inter-services jointness.

The first edition of the biannual Commanders’ Conference will bring together the Navy’s top leadership for a comprehensive review of operational posture, capability development and strategic alignment with national security objectives.

“This edition holds significance in the light of swift naval deployments to safeguard India’s energy security amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, with convergence of multinational forces in the Indian Ocean Region,” the government said in a statement on Sunday.

The Indian Army has established 88.4 FM Radio Sikkim Sundari, Sikkim's first Border Village Community Radio Station in East Sikkim, to improve communication and information access in remote high-altitude border areas.

According to a press release, dedicated to the citizens of India in Sikkim, the station addresses challenges of geographic isolation, harsh weather, and limited mobile and internet connectivity. It aims to bridge the information gap by providing reliable and timely communication.

As per the release, the radio station will broadcast local news, weather updates, and information on government schemes, while also promoting regional culture and addressing community issues. It will provide an opportunity for local youth to participate, develop communication skills, and contribute to community engagement.

India on Sunday categorically rejected China renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh and said such claims and attempts to manufacture baseless narratives cannot alter the "undeniable reality" that they are part of Indian territories.

China should refrain from actions which inject negativity into relations and undermine efforts to create better understanding, it said.

New Delhi's reaction came in response to Beijing announcing Chinese names for several places in Arunachal Pradesh.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed his military secretary, Major General Roman Gofman, as the next Director of the Israeli Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, Mossad, following approval from the advisory committee on senior appointments.

In a social media post, Netanyahu praised Gofman’s credentials, describing him as an outstanding officer, adding that he had demonstrated “impressive resourcefulness” and an ability to think outside the box, particularly during the ongoing war. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Gofman is set to assume office on July 2, 2026, for a five-year term. The appointment comes at a critical time for Israel’s intelligence and security apparatus, with ongoing regional tensions and evolving security challenges.

Marking World Quantum Day, Andhra Pradesh is set to emerge as a hub for India’s quantum technology revolution with the launch of two state-of-the-art quantum computer test beds under the Amaravati Quantum Valley initiative.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the facilities on April 14 at SRM University, Amaravati, and virtually at Medha Towers, Gannavaram. These Quantum Reference Facilities make Andhra Pradesh the first state in India to host a dedicated quantum test and certification ecosystem.

Developed entirely with indigenous technology, the test beds will enable rigorous testing and certification of quantum computing hardware. The 1Q test bed, set up by Qubitech at Medha Towers, and the 1S test bed at SRM University using superconducting technology, will operate at temperatures close to -273°C.