China is set to launch the Chang'e-6 lunar probe on a round trip to the Moon.

The spacecraft is on the launch pad in the southern province of Hainan and has completed a final rehearsal for the launch, covering all relevant systems.

The Chang'e-6 mission marks a significant step forward for China's space endeavours, as it aims to gather soil and rock samples from the far side of the Moon, a region that has remained permanently hidden from Earth's view.

This will be the first-ever attempt to retrieve lunar samples from the far side, providing valuable insights into the early evolution of the Moon and the inner solar system.

The Central Government has approved the appointment of Bhushan Singh (IRTS) as Secretary (at Director level) of National Jute Board, Kolkata under the Ministry of Textiles.

According to an order issued from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Singh has been appointed to the post for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Singh is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) of 2010-batch. “He may kindly be relieved of his duties immediately with instructions to take up his new assignment,” the order read.

“However, in view of declaration of election to the Lok Sabha, if the officer is on election related duty he may kindly be relieved after due clearance from the Election Commission of India to take up his new assignment in the Ministry of Textile," the order further read.

Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batter, Ben Wells has announced retirement from professional cricket at the age of 23 after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition.

The English youngster made his Gloucestershire debut in 2021, struck 40 runs in 94 balls against Glamorgan at Cardiff in his only first-class innings.

Wells produced a match-winning knock of 108* against Durham in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup last season which marked his only professional hundred.

On Wednesday in an open letter which was published on Gloucestershire's official website, Wells disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) due to which he has to retire from professional cricket.

India is set to host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) from May 20 to 30 in Kochi, Kerala. Organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), these meetings aim to facilitate global discussions on environmental conservation and scientific cooperation in Antarctica.

Enacted in 1959, the Antarctic Treaty designates Antarctica for peaceful purposes, scientific collaboration, and environmental protection. Currently, 56 countries are signatories to this agreement

India, a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983, has been actively involved in Antarctic research and environmental protection efforts. It operates two year-round research stations, Maitri and Bharati, facilitating scientific expeditions since 1981. In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act to reaffirm its commitment to the Treaty.

World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3rd, is a significant day honouring and upholding the fundamental principles of press freedom. It is a call to action, urging us to advocate for the independence of the media and the protection of journalists. It recognises the vital role that a free and independent press plays in upholding the public’s right to information and holding those in power accountable.

This year, the Government of Chile and UNESCO will host the 31st World Press Freedom Day Conference in Santiago, with the theme for 2024 being “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.”

As we commemorate World Press Freedom Day today, let us reflect on the importance of free and independent media and recommit ourselves to the protection and promotion of this fundamental human right as together, we can ensure that journalists can continue to fulfil their vital role in informing and empowering the public without fear of reprisal or censorship.

India's GST collections in April surged to a record Rs 2.10 lakh crore, showcasing a 12.4% rise from April last year when collections stood at Rs 1.87 lakh crore, the Government data showed. The previous record was achieved in April 2023, with collections hitting Rs 1.87 lakh crore.

The notable upsurge in GST collections was mainly driven by a 13.4% growth in domestic transactions and an 8.3% increase in imports, as per the Finance Ministry.

As per the data, the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) totaled Rs 43,846 crore, while the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) stood at Rs 53,538 crore.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Wednesday tested a next-generation torpedo release system aimed at boosting the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the Defence Ministry said.

The Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system has been designed and developed by the DRDO. This missile-based mechanism to launch lightweight torpedoes can target submarines hundreds of kilometres away — far beyond the conventional range of lightweight torpedoes. It will be particularly employed in the absence of other assets for immediate action when an enemy submarine is detected.

The system, which can be launched from both coasts and warships, was successfully flight-tested at around 8.30 am from a ground mobile launcher from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast, according to the ministry.

The Israeli embassy and Indian security forces conducted a joint security drill in New Delhi to assess the readiness of security forces for countering potential future threats, the Israeli embassy in India said in a press release.

While addressing the event, Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon emphasised the significance of the security drill.

"This joint security drill with Indian security forces marks a significant milestone. We extend our gratitude for their efforts. These collaborative exercises strengthen our nations' cooperation in security and defence and reinforce our shared commitment to global stability. We remain steadfast in our determination to foster continued collaboration for a safer world." he said.

The ePlane Company, a Chennai-based startup, is expected to develop a certifiable prototype of a flying taxi by March 2025 aiming to alleviate urban congestion.

With this, the company which was incubated out of the IIT-Madras, aims to commercialise its drones in the coming months. The drones have a payload capacity of 206 kg.

Satya Chakravarthy, founder and CEO of The ePlane Company said that it is developing an eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft and to begin with, it will be a three or four-seater plane which can be converted into an air ambulance. “By March next year is when we expect to develop the first certifiable prototype. It will take another couple of years to get the certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),” Chakravarthy added.

In a remarkable achievement, the Indian Institute of Technology-Patna (IIT-P) has been awarded a patent on its indigenously developed lightweight, compact and easy-to-carry inverter from the Patent Office, govt of India.

Informing this here on Monday, IIT-P’s academic dean A K Thakur said the patented technique would go a long way in making the country self-reliant in the field of portable power module (inverter/UPS).

“IIT-P will have a copyright on the commercial use of this technique for 20 years,” he said.