 "Crew members of Axiom 4 Mission including Subhanshu Shukla. File image/AP")
All eyes were on the launch of the highly anticipated Axiom-4 mission, which has now been postponed. Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face a vote which may dissolve Parliament.
Rumour has it that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to be released from prison today. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and JD Vance are expected to attend the opening night of the Kennedy Center’s month-long revival of the hit Broadway musical Les Misérables.
Finally, Australia and South Africa are set to lock horns for the final game of the ICC World Test Championship in London today.
Here is all that is set to take place today.
Launch of Axiom-4 mission delayed
The Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others, has been postponed once again. New dates for the mission will be announced.
The decision to delay takeoff was made due to an LOX leak identified during post-static fire booster inspections.
This mission would make Shukla the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station . The mission, operated by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and Nasa, was previously scheduled for June 10 but was delayed by a day due to unfavourable weather conditions .
For India, the Axion-4 mission is a major turning point, with Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian in space in over four decades, echoing Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 journey aboard a Soviet spacecraft. The 14-day mission also marks a return to human spaceflight for Hungary, represented by Tibor Kapu, and Poland, with Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski joining the crew. All three nations are participating under the banner of Axiom Space’s government-backed commercial spaceflight programme.
Netanyahu to face vote to dissolve Parliament
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to face a critical vote in parliament today that could lead to the dissolution of his government and trigger new elections. This looming crisis is primarily fueled by a long-standing and contentious issue - the military draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men .
The core of the dispute lies in the government’s failure to pass a bill that would formalise and effectively extend the exemption from mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox seminary students. This exemption dates back to Israel’s founding in 1948 but has faced increasing legal challenges and public outcry.
It has been the cause of concern, particularly since the ongoing war in Gaza has put immense strain on the military and led to extensive reserve duty for many Israelis. In June 2024, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that the blanket exemption was illegal, intensifying the pressure on the government to find a legislative solution.
Will Imran Khan be released from prison?
Rumour has it that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to get bail today in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case. Khan has been lodged at the Adiala Jail since August 2023 in multiple cases.
According to a top PTI official, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) is set to hear the petitions on 11 June, which requested the suspension of sentences to Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the 190 million Pound Al-Qadir Trust case.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hear petitions requesting the suspension of sentences for Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the 190 million Pound Al-Qadir Trust case, reported news agency Press Trust of India, quoting top officials.
The chief of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Gohar Ali Khan, stated that June 11 would be a crucial day for both Khan and his wife, expressing confidence that the party’s founder would secure bail.
Trump, Vance to attend Les Misérables at Kennedy Centre
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are slated to be in attendance for the opening night of the Kennedy Center’s upcoming month-long revival of the acclaimed Broadway musical “Les Misérables”. Reportedly, the two leaders will be accompanied by their wives, Melania Trump and Usha Vance, respectively.
Reports also suggest that some cast members may choose not to perform on the evening of their attendance, signalling ongoing tensions within the arts community. Trump, who assumed the role of chairman of the Kennedy Center in February, has expressed his appreciation for Les Misérables, even using the anthemic song “Do You Hear the People Sing?” at his campaign rallies.
ICC World Test Championship final
Australia is set to lock horns with South Africa today at the final match of the ICC World Test Championship. The finals will be played at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London and begin at 10:30 am local time (3:00 pm IST).
This marks a significant occasion for South Africa, as it’s their first appearance in a WTC final, while Australia will be looking to defend the title they won against India in the 2023 final. The match is slated to run for five days, from June 11 to June 15, with a reserve day on June 16 in case of significant time lost due to weather or other factors.
With inputs from agencies