WASHINGTON — The State Department will launch a six-month B1/B2 visa interview pilot on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, allowing a limited number of applicants to pay $750 for an interview appointment within 10 business days at selected U.S. embassies and consulates overseas. The paid option will be tested through Thursday, December 31, 2026. It is designed to measure demand for faster interview scheduling at consular posts where regular appointment waits can exceed one

NEW DELHI — India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has asked major domestic carriers and airport operators to submit detailed action‑taken reports (ATR) by June 15, 2026, outlining corrective steps taken to fix safety issues uncovered during its routine and surprise inspections. The deadline and renewed emphasis on compliance come after a series of meetings involving the DGCA, Indian airlines, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, internatio

A U.S. Army Apache crew was rescued by an unmanned boat after a helicopter crash off the coast of Oman, according to U.S. Central Command. The crash happened at about 3:30 a.m. local time Tuesday, though the provided account did not specify the full calendar date. Two aviators spent about two hours in the water before a 24-foot unmanned boat found them and brought them safely to shore. Apache Crew Rescued by Unmanned Boat Near Oma

President Murmu Honors Bravery In a prestigious ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu conferred seven Kirti Chakras, including two posthumously, to personnel of the armed forces for acts of exceptional bravery and selflessness. Among the awardees is Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, an IAF pilot and Gaganyatri, who exemplified courage and dedication in the line of duty. The Kirti

Private Jet Crashes At La Romana Airport A private jet crashed on the runway at La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, June 7, killing the pilot and co-pilot, according to the country’s aviation authorities. The aircraft was identified as a Gulfstream G200, and officials said no passengers were reported on board at the time of the crash. Videos shared online appeared to show t

Allahabad High Court Dismisses PIL Against Cockroach Janta Party The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation seeking an investigation into alleged anti-national activities of the Cockroach Janta Party and its use of social media to influence and incite the youth. The petitioner, S Vignesh Shishir, requested to withdraw the plea after the court raised questions about its territorial jurisdiction. A vacation bench, c

A Denton man drowned near Toledo Bend Dam spillway in Louisiana after going under while swimming with friends, according to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. The drowning was reported on Friday afternoon, May 29, 2026. Officials described the victim as a 22-year-old man from Denton, Texas, but did not release his name in the statement. Texas Man Drowns While Swimming Near Toledo Bend Dam Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said initial

An Indian-origin Delta Air Lines pilot was killed in a Dawsonville helicopter crash after his wedding in Georgia, according to family accounts and federal aviation details. Dave Fiji, 26, an Atlanta resident and Delta pilot, was among two people who died when a Robinson R66 helicopter crashed near Dawsonville in Dawson County at about 10:30 PM EDT on Friday, May 29, 2026. His wife, Jessni, survived with injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. The helicopter pilot also died.

An Ohio diet pill ban proposed under House Bill 943 would stop retailers from selling certain weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to anyone under 18. The bill was introduced on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, by Reps. Jodi Salvo of Bolivar and Rachel Baker of Cincinnati. Ohio Diet Pill Ban Would Apply to Stores and Online Sellers According to the Ohio Legislature’s HB 943 bill page, the proposal would amend Ohio law to prohibit the sale of over-the-coun

Artificial intelligence is slowly moving from phones, offices and cars into one of the most sensitive areas of modern transport: aviation. Merlin Labs, a US-based aviation technology company, has tested an AI flight system known as Merlin Pilot during an experimental aircraft demonstration. The system is not designed to remove pilots from aircraft. Instead, it is being developed to assist trained pilots by handling selected flight-related tasks after proper approval. This makes the test important because aviation is already dealing with growing pilot workload, pressure on air traffic control systems and a rising need for smarter safety tools. What happened during the Merlin Pilot test During the demonstration, a trained test pilot remained inside the aircraft and continued to supervise the flight. The AI system handled certain approved tasks, including responding to instructions and helping adjust the aircraft’s course. The aircraft used for the test was marked as experimental. This means it was used for research and testing, not for regular passenger service. That point matters because AI-assisted aviation is still in a careful development stage. Commercial passenger flights without pilots are not expected anytime soon. The test showed how AI could become a useful cockpit assistant, especially in situations where pilots need to process several instructions quickly and accurately. How Merlin Pilot helps pilots Merlin Pilot uses natural language flight control. In simple terms, it can listen to spoken instructions, understand the meaning and help the aircraft respond based on approved commands. This kind of system could reduce repetitive workload for pilots. For example, during busy flight operations, pilots must listen to air traffic control, confirm instructions, monitor instruments, adjust the aircraft and stay alert for unexpected situations. An AI pilot assistant could help manage routine actions while the human pilot focuses on judgment, safety and decision-making. This is where AI has real value. The strongest use case is not replacing humans, but reducing pressure on them. Why this matters for aviation The aviation industry is facing serious challenges. Pilot shortages, increasing air traffic and pressure on air traffic controllers are creating demand for better support systems. AI flight automation could help improve efficiency if it is introduced carefully and safely. A system like Merlin Pilot may help pilots handle communication, navigation-related tasks and routine cockpit actions. It may also help reduce errors caused by fatigue or workload overload. But aviation cannot afford blind trust in technology. Any AI system used in aircraft must be tested deeply, monitored closely and approved by regulators before it becomes part of normal flight operations. Can AI replace pilots? No, not in the near future. Passenger aviation still depends on trained pilots for safety, responsibility and emergency decision-making. AI can process information quickly, but it does not replace human experience, accountability and real-world judgment. Aviation safety depends on people who can respond to unexpected problems. Weather changes, technical failures, passenger emergencies and unusual flight conditions still require human decision-making. That is why AI systems like Merlin Pilot are currently better understood as pilot support tools, not pilot replacements. The most practical future is a cockpit where humans and AI work together. AI and air traffic control AI is also being discussed in air traffic control modernization. Busy airports and crowded airspace require faster communication and better coordination. Artificial intelligence could help organize information, detect possible conflicts and support controllers in managing traffic more efficiently. However, just like in the cockpit, AI should assist human controllers rather than replace them. Air traffic control involves real-time decisions, safety responsibility and human coordination. AI can help with speed and accuracy, but final responsibility must remain with trained professionals. What this means for passengers For passengers, AI-assisted aviation could eventually mean smoother flights, better route management and improved safety support. If AI can reduce pilot workload and help avoid communication errors, it may become a valuable part of future aircraft systems. But passengers should not assume pilotless commercial planes are coming soon. The safer and more realistic direction is AI-supported flying, where pilots remain in command and technology works in the background to assist them. The future of AI-assisted aviation The Merlin Pilot test shows where aviation technology may be heading. AI could become part of the cockpit, helping pilots manage routine tasks, understand commands and respond faster during busy operations. Still, the future of AI in aviation will depend on trust, testing, regulation and safety performance. Aircraft systems must prove they can work reliably in real-world conditions before they are used widely. For now, Merlin Pilot represents an important step toward AI-assisted aviation. It shows that artificial intelligence may help reduce pilot workload and support safer flight operations, but the human pilot remains the most important decision-maker in the cockpit.

Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata, India, is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites dedicated to Goddess Kali. The temple is widely recognized as a sacred Shakti Peetha and is closely linked to the legend of Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva and the origin of holy sites across India. Kalighat Kali Temple and the Shakti Peetha Legend

A Pakistan Air Force training jet crashed near Mianwali, Punjab on Wednesday, with both pilots escaping unharmed. The aircraft, a Hongdu JL-8, was on a routine flight when it went down in a rural area. Authorities have secured the crash site, while locals shared photos and videos showing scattered wreckage across fields. Pilot Ejection and Safety The Hongdu JL-8 is widely used for training and is

Unitree Robotics has introduced the GD01, a large pilotable robot that is attracting attention because it looks less like a normal machine and more like something from a futuristic movie. The robot is designed to carry a human operator inside an open cockpit and move using robotic legs instead of wheels. The GD01 is being discussed as one of the latest examples of how fast China’s robotics industry is growing. Unitree, already known for its robot dogs and humanoid machines, is now

Adhik Maas 2026 will be observed from Sunday, May 17, 2026, to Monday, June 15, 2026, according to commonly followed India-based Panchang listings. Also called Purushottam Maas, it is an extra lunar month in the Hindu calendar and is considered a sacred period for Vishnu and Krishna devotion. What Is Adhik Maas 2026? Adhik Maas is an additional lunar month added to the Hindu calendar roughly once every three years to help realign lunar months with the solar year. In 2026, the extra month is listed as Jyeshtha Adhik Maas. For devotees, the month is not viewed only as a calendar adjustment. It is traditionally used for prayer, fasting, charity, scripture reading, temple visits and simple devotional living. Why Is It Called Purushottam Maas? Adhik Maas is also known as Purushottam Maas, a name linked to Lord Vishnu, who is revered as Purushottam, or the Supreme Being. Devotional traditions describe the month as especially meaningful for worship, self-discipline and good deeds. Because Krishna is worshipped as an incarnation of Vishnu, the month also carries special importance for Krishna bhakti, especially in Mathura, Vrindavan and the wider Braj region. For deeper understanding of the month’s spiritual symbolism, read our detailed guide on Adhik Masa 2026: Meaning of 33 Gods, Daana and Vishnu Worship.   Adhik Maas 2026 Dates and Panchang Details For New Delhi, Drik Panchang lists Adhika Chandra Darshana on Sunday, May 17, 2026, and Jyeshtha Adhik Maas Ends on Monday, June 15, 2026. The month includes Adhika Jyeshtha Purnima on Sunday, May 31, 2026, and Parama Ekadashi on Thursday, June 11, 2026. US-based devotees should check their local temple Panchang because tithi observance can vary by location and time zone. Mathura, Vrindavan and Braj Pilgrimage During Adhik Maas 2026, many devotees may focus on Mathura, Vrindavan and Braj Bhoomi for darshan, parikrama, kirtan, Bhagwat Katha, Bhagavad Gita recitation, vrat and daan. These practices are believed by followers to bring punya and spiritual purification during Purushottam Maas. Why It Matters Adhik Maas 2026 gives devotees a full month for spiritual realignment. For many Hindu families, Purushottam Maas is a time to slow down, simplify daily life and reconnect with devotion through prayer, service and charity.

On May 8, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that he was expecting a letter from Iran later that night regarding his latest peace proposal. The announcement came amid a tense Friday in the Middle East, where a U.S. fighter jet disabled two Iranian-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that the fighter jet, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, used precision munitions to disable the vessels, preventing them from advancing toward Iran. The Gulf of Oman is a

Supreme Court Restores Abortion Pill Access Nationwide The Supreme Court has temporarily restored nationwide access to the abortion pill mifepristone by mail, blocking new restrictions. Patients can continue receiving the medication via telehealth and pharmacies without in-person visits—for now. What the Ruling Means Right Now In an emergency order issued by Justic

The location of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile remains uncertain nearly two months after US military strikes targeted key nuclear facilities, raising fresh concerns about transparency and oversight. The material, estimated at roughly 22,000 pounds, had steadily accumulated over years following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement. That deal had previously imposed strict limits on enrichment levels and stockpile size, effectively curbing Iran’s ability to produce weapons-grade material. Uranium enrichment remains central to the issue, as the process becomes significantly faster once higher purity levels are reached. While low enrichment supports civilian energy needs, higher concentrations can be used for nuclear weapons. Iran’s move to enrich uranium up to 60 percent in recent years placed it closer to that threshold, intensifying international concern. Efforts to revive diplomatic agreements failed, and subsequent escalation led to direct military action targeting facilities such as Natanz and Fordow, along with storage areas near Isfahan. Shortly after, Iran halted cooperation with international inspectors, effectively ending on-the-ground verification. Without access, monitoring now relies heavily on satellite surveillance, which cannot fully confirm the condition or location of nuclear materials. Experts suggest that even if Iran retains access to the stockpile, converting it into a functional weapon would require additional time and technical capacity. However, the absence of inspections creates uncertainty. Analysts warn that if portions of the uranium were relocated or secured in undisclosed sites, Iran could potentially resume enrichment activities without detection, complicating global efforts to assess the true state of its nuclear program.

US missile stockpile concerns during Iran war

Offline registration for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 has begun, witnessing strong participation from devotees across the country. The yatra will commence on April 19, 2026, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

The Amarnath Yatra 2026 is one of India’s most important religious events, and its registration process will begin on April 15. The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has implemented various measures to ensure that the registration process is smoother, more organized, and secure for devotees from across India. With over 550 designated bank branches participating, the registration process has been made more accessible, making it easier for pilgrims to secure their permits. First-Co