**Gaganyaan’s First Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 to Take Place on October 21, 2023**
Gaganyaan’s Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) is scheduled to be conducted between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on October 21, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This mission conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aims to demonstrate the performance of the Crew Escape System. It will be the first test flight of the Gaganyaan spacecraft, marking an important milestone in India’s ambitious space program.
**Hamas Releases Two American Hostages as Israel Prepares for Gaza Invasion**
In a surprising turn of events, Gaza’s ruling party Hamas has released two American hostages who were among the 200 hostages abducted during the attacks in Israel on October 7. The release of Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan takes place as Israel prepares for a potential invasion of Gaza. Hamas has hinted that more hostages could follow, raising hopes for the safe return of those still held captive.
**Calcutta High Court Urges Female Adolescents to Control Sexual Urge**
The Calcutta High Court has called for the decriminalization of consensual sexual acts among adolescents above the age of 16. In a recent order, the court suggested that every female adolescent should control their sexual urge and protect their right to the integrity of their body. The court set aside the conviction of an appellant, who is the maternal uncle of the prosecutrix, stating that the case involved a non-exploitative consensual sexual relationship between two consenting adolescents.
**Mahua Moitra Questions Media Leak of Hiranandani Statement**
Following the affidavit of Darshan Hiranandani, CEO of the Hiranandani Group, claiming that Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra provided him with her Parliament login credentials, Moitra has questioned the media leak of his affidavit. Hiranandani alleged that he was asked to “post the questions” directly on Moitra’s behalf when required. Moitra also accused the BJP of trying to expel her from Lok Sabha to prevent her from questioning industrialist Gautam Adani.
**Law Commission to Share “One Nation, One Election” Plan with Kovind-led Panel**
The Law Commission has been invited by a panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind to discuss its proposal on holding simultaneous elections. The commission, headed by Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, is working on a plan that would allow State Assembly elections to be held alongside Parliamentary polls in 2029. This move aims to streamline the election process and reduce the frequency of elections, saving time and resources.
**Australia Defeats Pakistan in Cricket World Cup 2023**
In another victory for Australia, they defeated Pakistan by 62 runs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After suffering a defeat to India, Pakistan’s despair deepened with this loss. Chasing a massive target of 368 runs, the opening pair of Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq put on a solid partnership of 134 runs. However, Australia’s bowlers held their nerve and secured an impressive victory.
**Manipur High Court Allows Tribal Bodies to Appeal ST Status for Meiteis**
The Manipur High Court has granted permission for tribal bodies in the State to appeal against a controversial order. The order, issued on March 27, directed the State government to send a recommendation on granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Meiteis. This decision provides an opportunity for tribal bodies to present their arguments and perspectives on this sensitive issue.
**Friday Prayers Disallowed at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid**
Amid increased security concerns, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s administration has decided to close the historic Jamia Masjid, preventing Friday prayers from taking place. The closure comes in the wake of fears of street protests following the civilian deaths in Palestine. The Anjuman-i-Auqaf, the caretaker body of the mosque, has reported that the gates of the mosque were closed by police officials, who warned against opening the premises for Friday prayers.
**SP Chief Questions Congress’ Credibility in Opposition Bloc**
Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party (SP), has raised questions about the credibility of the Congress party. Following the failure of seat-sharing negotiations in Madhya Pradesh, Yadav realized that the newly formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) Opposition bloc is primarily focused on the 2024 general election. This remark highlights the complex dynamics within the opposition and their strategies leading up to the next election.
**BJP Aims to Deepen Inroads Among Dalits and Women in Uttar Pradesh**
With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in mind, the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is intensifying its efforts to reach out to Dalits, women, and other marginalized sections of society. This comes at a time when the Dalit-centric Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is experiencing a decline in relevance among the Scheduled Castes (SC). The BJP’s outreach conferences focus on gaining the support and trust of these groups to strengthen their position in the state.
**Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Criticizes Modi Government’s Policies**
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on the policies of the Narendra Modi government. She accused the government of denying people their rights and making their lives difficult through increasing unemployment and rising prices. Vadra claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is resorting to any possible tactic to cling to power at the Centre and in several states, highlighting the growing discontent and opposition to the ruling party.
**Meta and Google Withdraw from Tech Summit Over Organizers’ Remarks**
Meta and Google have withdrawn from the Web Summit, one of the biggest annual events in the tech sector. The decision comes after the summit organizer criticized Israel’s actions following the Hamas attacks. Both companies announced their withdrawal, indicating their disagreement with the organizer’s stance on the issue.
**England and South Africa Look to Bounce Back in Cricket World Cup Clash**
Following recent losses to Afghanistan and The Netherlands, England and South Africa will face off in a crucial match at the Wankhede Stadium. Both teams will be eager to get their World Cup campaign back on track with a victory. The match promises to be an exciting clash as both sides strive to secure a much-needed win.