News for 'Earth'

ISRO Transfers SSLV Tech To HAL

ISRO Transfers SSLV Tech To HAL

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has won a bid under which it will receive technology from the Indian Space Research Organisation for the end-to-end commercial production of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), a first for the industry as India seeks to become a global hub for small satellite manufacturing and launches.

Earliest monsoon onset in Maharashtra in 35 years

Earliest monsoon onset in Maharashtra in 35 years

Rediff.com25 May 2025

The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Sunday, making it the earliest onset of the annual rainfall season over the state in 35 years, according to the India Meteorological Department. The monsoon is expected to advance to Mumbai and some other parts over the next three days. The monsoon advanced into some more parts of the Arabian Sea, Karnataka, entire Goa, parts of Maharashtra, north Bay of Bengal, and parts of Mizoram, parts of Manipur and Nagaland on Sunday. The northern limit of monsoon passes through Devgad, Belagavi, Haveri, Mandya, Dharmapuri, Chennai, Aizawl and Kohima. Conditions are favorable for further advance into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, some parts of Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, more parts of west-central and North Bay of Bengal and some more parts of North Eastern states during next three days. The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on Saturday, marking its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009.

Passenger vehicle retail sales dip 3% in May as demand softens: FADA

Passenger vehicle retail sales dip 3% in May as demand softens: FADA

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Passenger vehicle retail sales witnessed 3 per cent on-year decline in May with customers delaying purchases in several states due to India-Pakistan conflict and further softening of demand for entry-level models, dealers' body FADA said on Friday. The passenger vehicle registrations last month stood at 302,214 units, as compared to 311,908 units in May 2024.

Aditya L1 spacecraft begins new trajectory to Sun-Earth L1 point

Aditya L1 spacecraft begins new trajectory to Sun-Earth L1 point

Rediff.com19 Sep 2023

The Trans-Lagrangian Point 1 Insertion manoeuvre marks the beginning of the spacecraft's about 110-day trajectory to the destination around the L1 Lagrange point, a balanced gravitational location between the Earth and the Sun.

Guru Dutt To Waheeda: 'You Don't Look Like A Woman...'

Guru Dutt To Waheeda: 'You Don't Look Like A Woman...'

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

'You have become a big star. How can you play a secondary role to Meena Kumari?'

Shubhanshu Shukla gets ready for historic spaceflight

Shubhanshu Shukla gets ready for historic spaceflight

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others were getting ready for their journey to the International Space Station on board SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket that is scheduled to blast off from the Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) in Florida on Tuesday evening.

Dhoni's gift leaves Chahal beaming until Maxwell steps in

Dhoni's gift leaves Chahal beaming until Maxwell steps in

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was visibly over the moon after receiving a cherished gift from his cricketing idol - MS Dhoni's bat.

SC rejects PIL for security of tourists post Pahalgam attack

SC rejects PIL for security of tourists post Pahalgam attack

Rediff.com5 May 2025

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking safety measures for tourists in remote hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir, criticizing the petitioner for seeking publicity without a genuine public cause. The PIL was filed in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The court stated that the petitioner had a history of filing similar PILs primarily for publicity.

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

'I am not an aspiration-oriented politician.' 'This is the time to redefine politics.' 'Politics of power is not real politics.'

India briefs foreign envoys on Pahalgam attack for 2nd straight day

India briefs foreign envoys on Pahalgam attack for 2nd straight day

Rediff.com26 Apr 2025

India briefed envoys of around 45 nations on the Pahalgam terror attack and its link to cross-border terrorism. The envoys were briefed in two batches by senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). India also announced punitive measures against Pakistan, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post. Pakistan responded by shutting its airspace to all Indian airlines and suspending trade with New Delhi.

Shubhanshu Shukla to dock at ISS on June 11 after 28-hr flight

Shubhanshu Shukla to dock at ISS on June 11 after 28-hr flight

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others are set to embark on the Axiom Space's fourth human spaceflight from National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10 and are likely to dock at the International Space Station on June 11 at about 10 pm IST, after a nearly 28-hour journey.

Astronaut Shukla Taking Gajar Halwa To Space

Astronaut Shukla Taking Gajar Halwa To Space

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

'I carry the hopes and dreams of over a billion hearts.'

'From India-First To India-For-The-World'

'From India-First To India-For-The-World'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

'The next decade will be even more transformative,' says Prime Minister Modi. 'We are moving from digital governance to global digital leadership.'

Sunita Williams to get overtime pay? Trump responds

Sunita Williams to get overtime pay? Trump responds

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

Trump on Friday said he would pay out of his pockets the overtime for astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams, who returned to Earth this week after spending nine months in space.

War Doesn't End After A Ceasefire

War Doesn't End After A Ceasefire

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

Because the aftermath of what happened before continues long after. War breeds hostility and hatred and creates mistrust and greed. It extinguishes humanity and breaks the human spirit, argues Aarti David.

Iran, Saudi reach out to India, Pak for de-escalation

Iran, Saudi reach out to India, Pak for de-escalation

Rediff.com26 Apr 2025

As tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Iran reached out to both countries, urging de-escalation. Saudi Arabia also expressed concern, with its foreign minister engaging in phone conversations with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts. Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, emphasized the importance of bilateral relations, stating Tehran's willingness to "forge greater understanding" at this critical time. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, spoke with both India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Amidst heightened tensions, India has taken a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading diplomatic ties. Pakistan responded by shutting its airspace to Indian airliners and suspending all trade. Both countries exchanged warnings, with Pakistan emphasizing its commitment to "respond firmly to any aggression."

'Keeladi Could Be Older Than Indus Valley'

'Keeladi Could Be Older Than Indus Valley'

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

'There is no doubt about the antiquity of Tamil Nadu.'

Will Sunita, Wilmore get overtime for staying longer in space?

Will Sunita, Wilmore get overtime for staying longer in space?

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who returned to Earth after spending 286 days in space, will not receive any overtime for their extended stay, despite their spacecraft malfunctioning. NASA rules state astronauts are treated like "any other government employee who takes a business trip." They do receive a $5 per day allowance for "incidentals", which are typically fees and tips for services like porters and hotel staff.

SpaceX Dragon docks with ISS to bring back stranded astronauts

SpaceX Dragon docks with ISS to bring back stranded astronauts

Rediff.com16 Mar 2025

On Friday, SpaceX and NASA launched a mission to bring back US astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the ISS, where they have been stranded for nine months.

Would you buy Starlink plans at 3K-4.2K/month?

Would you buy Starlink plans at 3K-4.2K/month?

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

The company had announced similar pricing for Sri Lanka, where its application was in advanced stages of regulatory clearance.

Trump pulls NASA nominee Issacman days after Musk's White House exit

Trump pulls NASA nominee Issacman days after Musk's White House exit

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

Isaacman's removal comes just days after Elon Musk's official departure from the White House, where the SpaceX CEO was serving in the role of a "special government employee" leading the Department of Government Efficiency.

Sunita Williams describes how India looks from space

Sunita Williams describes how India looks from space

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

Sunita added that "I hope, and I think for sure, I'm gonna be going back to my father's home country and visiting with people and getting excited about the first, or not the first, but the Indian national who's going up on the Axiom Mission coming up, pretty awesome," she said.

Groundwater pumping tilting Earth's spin, may impact climate: Study

Groundwater pumping tilting Earth's spin, may impact climate: Study

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

Scientists have previously estimated humans pumped 2,150 gigatons of groundwater, equivalent to more than 6 millimetres of sea level rise, from 1993 to 2010. However, validating that estimate is difficult.

Yoga Special, Day 5: Prasarita Padottanasana

Yoga Special, Day 5: Prasarita Padottanasana

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

Welcome to Day 5 of Rediff's week-long celebration of Yoga ahead of the International Day of Yoga. Today, learn about Prasarita Padottanasana, The Wide-Legged Forward Fold.

PIX: Dolphins welcome Sunita Williams after spaceship splashdown

PIX: Dolphins welcome Sunita Williams after spaceship splashdown

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

A pod of dolphins gathered curiously around SpaceX's Dragon Freedom capsule as it landed off the Florida coast with Williams and Wilmore.

First Images: Sunita Williams Returns!

First Images: Sunita Williams Returns!

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

After being marooned in space for nine months, Astronaut Sunita Williams is back on earth along with her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore.

Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission postponed to Wednesday

Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission postponed to Wednesday

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket was scheduled to blast off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Tuesday evening.

Life From A Hospital Room

Life From A Hospital Room

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Thanks to a close one's illness, I have seen quite a few hospital rooms in the past half a year or so. They have revived my respect for life reinterpreted via its essentials, notes Shyam G Menon.

India planning military action in next 24-36 hrs, claims Pak

India planning military action in next 24-36 hrs, claims Pak

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

The statement came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the top defence brass that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, government sources said.

Bajaj Auto's premium segment revival needs more than just a kickstart

Bajaj Auto's premium segment revival needs more than just a kickstart

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

Bajaj Auto - the country's most valuable two-wheeler (2W) company by market capitalisation - met Street expectations in the January-March quarter (Q4) of 2024-25 (FY25) but still ended Friday as the worst performer on the Nifty 50, slipping 3.1 per cent.

India revokes Pak visas; asks citizens to return from Pak immediately

India revokes Pak visas; asks citizens to return from Pak immediately

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

India has revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals effective April 27, advised Indian nationals in Pakistan to return home, and suspended visa services to Pakistani nationals. The move comes in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and alleged cross-border links to the attack. This escalation follows India's previous actions against Pakistan, including expelling Pakistani military attaches, suspending the Indus Water Treaty, and shutting down the Attari land-transit post.

Pak resorts to unprovoked firing along LoC, India retaliates; no casualties

Pak resorts to unprovoked firing along LoC, India retaliates; no casualties

Rediff.com26 Apr 2025

The Pakistani military fired unprovoked shots across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir for a second consecutive night, triggering retaliatory action from Indian troops. This escalation follows heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Despite the exchange of fire, no casualties were reported. India has imposed a series of punitive measures in response to the attack, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Attari land-border crossing. Pakistan has responded in kind, closing its airspace to Indian airlines and suspending trade with India.

India's First Private Rocket Launch Soon

India's First Private Rocket Launch Soon

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

The Vikram-I rocket will fly with its maximum carrying capacity and put the satellites in a Low Earth Orbit.

India braces for above-normal June rains, cooler temperatures: IMD

India braces for above-normal June rains, cooler temperatures: IMD

Rediff.com27 May 2025

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal rainfall across India in June, with most parts of the country likely to experience normal to below-normal maximum temperatures. The IMD also anticipates above-normal minimum temperatures across most of the country, except for some parts of central India and the adjoining south peninsula. The southwest monsoon reached Kerala on May 24, marking its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009. The monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture-dependent economy, providing vital water for crops and supporting drinking water and hydropower generation.

'Pakistan PM sheltering and nurturing terrorists': Ex-spinner Kaneria

'Pakistan PM sheltering and nurturing terrorists': Ex-spinner Kaneria

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

Former spinner Danish Kaneria suggested that Pakistan has a role in the Pahalgam terror attack in India which led to 26 deaths.

Op Sindoor biggest, most successful anti-terror mission': Modi

Op Sindoor biggest, most successful anti-terror mission': Modi

Rediff.com31 May 2025

"In Pahalgam, terrorists not only shed the blood of Indians, but also attacked our culture. They tried to divide our society and the biggest thing is that the terrorists have challenged the women power of India," Modi said.

Heavy rains lash coastal K'taka for third straight day, red alert issued

Heavy rains lash coastal K'taka for third straight day, red alert issued

Rediff.com26 May 2025

Heavy monsoon rains battered Karnataka's coastal belt for the third consecutive day on Monday, severely disrupting normal life in Dakshina Kannada district, prompting authorities to issue a red alert and deploy disaster response teams. A red alert indicates extremely heavy rainfall of over 20 cm in 24 hours, and will remain in force for the next five days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Several parts of Mangaluru city reported waterlogging and traffic snarls, while minor incidents of landslides were reported from hilly regions across the district. The district administration has directed schools and composite colleges to remain shut on 27 and 28 following the IMD issuing a red alert. Instructions were also issued to relocate residents living in vulnerable hillside and riverside areas to safer locations. The authorities have sought prompt action from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) following complaints of water intrusion in residential areas due to ongoing highway construction works.

'Mom, You Are My Safe Space'

'Mom, You Are My Safe Space'

Rediff.com11 May 2025

Tanvi from Mumbai writes a heartfelt thank you letter to her mother Manisha for standing by her during her good and bad times.

Pak violates ceasefire for 4th night, India gives 'effective' response

Pak violates ceasefire for 4th night, India gives 'effective' response

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

Pakistani troops continued to violate the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) by resorting to unprovoked firing in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Kupwara districts, army officials said. This was the fourth consecutive night that Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC and came amid heightened tension between New Delhi and Islamabad following last week's terror attack in Pahalgam. Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively.

Trump offers olive branch to China after counter tariffs

Trump offers olive branch to China after counter tariffs

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

US President Donald Trump has proposed a deal to China that would see the sale of TikTok's US operations to an American buyer in exchange for a reduction in tariffs on Chinese exports to the US. The proposal comes amid a trade war between the two countries and follows China's retaliation of Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump has also said that tariffs are a powerful economic tool and that he is determined to ensure fair trade between the US and China.