SampadakExpress

During a recent press conference, Sunita Williams, the Indian-origin NASA astronaut who spent 286 days aboard the International Space Station, was asked how India looked from space. Without missing a beat, she responded, “India is amazing, just amazing,” while describing the stunning view of the Himalayas. Williams shared that each time they flew over the mountain range, the crew captured incredible images, with the land transitioning into vibrant colors. She also spoke about the mesmerizing network of lights visible across India at night, highlighting the bustling cities and the coastlines. When asked if she planned to visit India, Williams expressed her eagerness to collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), saying, "I’d love to be a part of that and help them along."

A joint search and destroy operation was launched early Tuesday morning in Kathua's Panjtirthi area by the Indian Army’s Rising Star Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the CRPF, following intelligence reports of possible terrorist activity. This operation comes just days after a deadly encounter in which two terrorists and four policemen were killed. Authorities believe three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists are trapped near the Panjtirthi temple in the Billawar area. As the operation continues, security forces have intensified their efforts using aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs, with DIG Shiv Kumar Sharma reassuring the public that the mission will persist until all terrorists are neutralized.

Apple has expanded its AI ecosystem globally with the latest updates to iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4, introducing multilingual support and new AI-driven features. The updates include ChatGPT integration, enhanced creative tools like Image Playground and Genmoji, and smarter capabilities for Siri, Photos, and Mail. Apple also introduced Visual Intelligence for on-device tasks like plant identification and text translation. The updates prioritize user privacy while offering seamless, innovative tools for writing, creativity, and productivity.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed claims made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut that Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed his retirement plans and succession with RSS leaders during his visit to Nagpur. Fadnavis refuted Raut’s allegations, asserting that there was no such discussion and reaffirmed that Modi would continue as Prime Minister through 2029. BJP legislator Atul Bhatkhalkar also criticized Raut for attempting to stir controversy, suggesting he focus on leadership issues within his own party. This comes amid repeated opposition predictions about Modi’s retirement, all of which have been consistently rejected by the BJP.

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar has risen to 2,056, with over 3,900 people injured and 270 still missing. The junta has declared a week of national mourning, and flags will fly at half-mast until April 6. In Mandalay, the worst-hit city, many residents have been forced to sleep on the streets due to destroyed homes and ongoing aftershocks. The earthquake also affected neighboring countries, including China and Thailand, where at least 19 people died in Bangkok. The full scale of the disaster is still unfolding, with the death toll expected to rise further.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will launch the "NITI NCAER States Economic Forum" portal on April 1, 2025, providing access to a vast repository of data covering social, economic, and fiscal parameters of Indian states over the past three decades. Developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with NCAER, the portal offers detailed information across five key areas: Demography, Economic Structure, Fiscal, Health, and Education. It will enable users to track state-level progress, compare data against national averages, and facilitate informed policymaking and debates. With an intuitive design, the portal aims to support evidence-based decisions and foster regional development through easy access to comprehensive, historical, and real-time data.

A troubling trend is emerging among young adults across English-speaking nations, where happiness is declining despite advancements in technology, connectivity, and economic growth. A groundbreaking study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research revealed that happiness among youth is on the decline, while older generations are experiencing stable or improved well-being. Researchers found that the traditional U-shaped happiness curve, which suggested happiness dips in midlife and increases in later years, no longer applies to today's young adults. The decline in happiness is linked to rising mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and self-harm, particularly among young women.

A landslide near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday resulted in six fatalities and five injuries. A tree uprooted by a storm and landslide fell onto parked vehicles, causing the tragic incident. Rescue teams have shifted the injured to a local hospital, while medical and police teams are on-site coordinating relief efforts. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed condolences and directed assistance for the victims. This tragedy follows a series of disruptive weather events in the region, including landslides and property damage in Kangra district.

The crescent moon marking Eid-ul-Fitr has been sighted in India, confirming that celebrations will take place on Monday, March 31, 2025. The moon was observed in Lucknow and other major cities, including Kolkata and Bengaluru. The announcement was made by Khalid Rashid Farangi, Chairman of the Central Moon Sighting Committee, who confirmed the moon's appearance on Sunday evening. Eid marks the end of Ramadan, and Muslims across India will gather for prayers and festivities on March 31 to celebrate the occasion.

One person was confirmed dead and seven others injured after 11 coaches of the Bangalore-Kamakhya AC Superfast Express derailed near Nergundi Station in Odisha’s Cuttack district. The incident, which occurred around 11:54 AM, prompted a swift emergency response, with NDRF and fire services deployed to the scene. A relief train was dispatched, and multiple medical teams attended to the injured passengers. The cause of the derailment is under investigation, while alternative arrangements are being made for affected passengers. The Assam Chief Minister has also assured support to those impacted by the tragedy.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) across the entire state of Manipur, excluding 13 police station areas. AFSPA, which has been in effect in Manipur since the 1980s, grants special powers to security forces in "disturbed areas." The act has also been extended to specific districts in Arunachal Pradesh for six months. This announcement comes amidst ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which has claimed over 250 lives since May 2023. The extension of AFSPA follows the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the imposition of President's Rule in the state. Security forces have recently conducted operations in vulnerable areas, recovering significant amounts of arms and ammunition. Despite its aim to maintain order, AFSPA continues to face criticism for its sweeping powers and potential for abuse.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Patna on Saturday for a two-day visit to energize the BJP and its NDA allies ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. During his stay, Shah met with BJP leaders, including Union ministers, MPs, and state officials, focusing on securing 225 seats for the NDA in the upcoming polls. His visit also included public events in Patna and Gopalganj, where he announced initiatives worth Rs 903 crore and highlighted the importance of grassroots mobilization. Shah’s visit is seen as the unofficial start of the NDA’s election campaign.