Vikram-1 took off from the Indian Space Research Organisation's launch facility in Sriharikota on Saturday What if launching a satellite was as easy as calling a cab? That's the vision behind an Indian private rocket company that achieved its first orbital launch on Saturday. Skyroot Aerospace, which recently became India's first space tech unicorn after reaching $1.1bn valuation, launched Vikram-1 from the Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro) launch facility in Sriharikota in southern India. The seven-storey rocket lifted off at 12:05 India time [06:35 GMT] and travelled 280 miles (450km) to reach the Low Earth Orbit in a 16-minute flight. Skyroot is the first Indian private company to launch a rocket into orbit, making India only the third country, after the US and China, with a private company capable of orbital launches. "Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 has reached orbit... History is made," the company posted on X. The successful Vikram-1 launch will take Skyroot closer to its goal of offering what it calls a "cab service to space", where companies can hire a rocket "to ride to a unique location in the orbit to place a satellite or visit a space station". Skyroot Aerospace Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket inside the company's Infinity Campus in Hyderabad, IndiaSkyroot Aerospace The rocket was named after Vikram Sarabhai, regarded as the father of India's space programme The rocket - named after Vikram Sarabhai, who is called the father of India's space programme - is small and has the capacity to carry payloads of up to 350kg, Skyroot co-founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana told the BBC before the launch. Chandana says today, access to space remains "a major bottleneck, with satellite operators often waiting for months or even years for a launch opportunity" and that their venture expects to change that. He says Skyroot aims to cut long waits for satellite launches by offering dedicated missions for small payloads. Instead of sharing space on large rockets that fly on fixed schedules, customers can book a launch tailored to their satellite and its required orbit - much like taking a taxi instead of waiting for a train. "If you want to just go to a friend's house, you don't need a train, you book a cab, an Uber. What we are offering is a cab service to space, which can be used to ride to a unique location in the orbit to place a satellite or visit a station." Skyroot's model would appear similar to that of Rocket Lab in the US, which provides small-lift launch vehicles. The Indian test launch mission called Aagman - Sanskrit for arrival - has placed into orbit six payloads. They include scientific instruments such as a robotic arm for removing space debris, an Earth observation camera and satellites, including one from a German company.
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Rare Identical Quadruplets Born in Australia After High Risk Pregnancy A Rare Birth Surprises Australian Family An Australian family has welcomed four identical baby girls after an incredibly rare pregnancy that doctors describe as one of the rarest natural pregnancies ever recorded. The babies were born by caesarean section at 28 weeks and four days after doctors closely monitored the mother's condition throughout the pregnancy. Jenitar Na'amoana, 34, and her husband Jortham already had four children. They never expected to hear they were going to have quadruplets. The unexpected news came as a huge surprise to the family. Doctors Call the Pregnancy Exceptionally Rare Medical specialists confirmed the babies are naturally conceived monozygotic quadruplets. This means one fertilised egg divided into four separate embryos. Doctors estimate this type of pregnancy happens in only one out of every 15 million pregnancies. The medical team also explained that all four babies shared a single placenta. Specialists say this makes the pregnancy even more unusual and extremely rare. Careful Monitoring Helped Protect Mother and Babies Because of the high risks, doctors admitted Jenitar to the hospital at 25 weeks so they could closely monitor both her and the babies. Their main goal was to safely reach at least 28 weeks of pregnancy. The medical team successfully managed the pregnancy, and the babies arrived at 28 weeks and four days. Although they were born prematurely, doctors reported that all four girls are healthy and receiving the care they need. Family Celebrates a Remarkable Milestone Doctors described the successful birth as an incredible achievement. Reaching more than 28 weeks with such a rare pregnancy gave the babies a stronger start than many specialists expected. The family is now celebrating the arrival of four healthy daughters while medical staff continue to care for the newborns during their early weeks. A Pregnancy That Will Be Remembered Naturally conceived identical quadruplets are among the rarest births in the world. Medical experts say pregnancies like this are almost never seen, making the birth of these four sisters an extraordinary event in Australia.
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Food Delivery Rider Wins China's Top Literary Prize With Inspiring Poetry Delivery Work Turns Into Award Winning Literature A food delivery rider in China has won one of the country's highest literary honours after publishing a poetry collection inspired by everyday life on the job. Wang Jibing received the prestigious Lu Xun Literary Prize for his book Low Flight, proving that powerful stories can come from ordinary experiences. The award celebrates his ability to capture the emotions, struggles, and hopes of delivery workers through simple but meaningful poetry. His achievement has also drawn attention to the growing number of blue collar workers making an impact in China's literary world. A Journey Filled With Hard Work and Determination Wang Jibing, 56, began working as a food delivery rider in 2019 after spending years doing different jobs to support himself. He worked in construction, collected recyclable waste, and sold goods at street stalls before joining the delivery industry. Although life was difficult, Wang never gave up his passion for reading and writing. Over the years, he shared poems and essays on social media, slowly building a loyal audience that appreciated his honest storytelling. His writing reflects real life instead of fiction. As a result, many readers connected with his experiences and supported his work. Viral Poem Opened New Opportunities In 2022, Wang gained widespread attention after one of his poems, Man in a Hurry, became popular online. The poem came from a frustrating delivery experience when a customer entered the wrong address, forcing him to spend several extra hours completing the order. The success of that poem encouraged him to continue writing. In 2023, he published his first poetry collection, Man in a Hurry: Poems of a Food Delivery Rider, which received positive reviews from readers across China. Low Flight Wins the Lu Xun Literary Prize Wang's latest collection, Low Flight, earned him the Lu Xun Literary Prize, one of China's most respected literary awards. The book was published in 2024 and includes poems based on interviews and conversations with nearly 200 delivery riders. Instead of focusing only on his own experiences, Wang highlighted the challenges faced by thousands of workers in the country's growing gig economy. His poems explore themes such as responsibility, pressure, perseverance, and hope. One memorable line from the collection reads: "Who says spreading your wings means flying high? Flying low is also flying." The message reflects the dignity and value of ordinary working people. Staying Grounded Despite National Recognition After receiving the award, Wang admitted he felt nervous while waiting for the announcement because of the attention surrounding his work. However, he said winning the prize would not change the way he lives. He also confirmed that he plans to continue working as a food delivery rider until he turns 60. According to Wang, he enjoys the work, stays active through it, and values living a simple life more than fame. Blue Collar Writers Continue to Gain Recognition Wang's success highlights a growing trend in China where factory workers, delivery riders, and other blue collar employees are earning recognition through literature. Their writing offers readers a closer look at the realities of working life while giving a voice to people whose stories often go unheard. His achievement shows that talent can come from any profession and that everyday experiences can inspire meaningful literature.
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Ten Killed as Russian Missile Strike on Cargo Ship Escalates Black Sea Shipping Risks Deadly Strike Near Odesa A Russian missile strike on a cargo ship near the Ukrainian port city of Odesa has killed 10 people, making it the deadliest recent attack on a merchant vessel in the Black Sea. The Guinea Bissau flagged cargo ship, Golden Leo, came under attack on Sunday after Russian cruise missiles hit the vessel. The strike started a large fire and forced emergency crews to begin an overnight search and rescue operation. Ukraine's seaports authority confirmed that nine crew members lost their lives. One Ukrainian port pilot also died during the incident. India's Ministry of External Affairs later confirmed that four Indian citizens were among the victims. Search and Rescue Efforts Continue Rescue teams worked throughout the night to search the damaged vessel and recover victims. Officials described the attack as one of the most serious assaults on commercial shipping in the region since the war began. The loss of civilian crew members has drawn international attention because merchant ships continue to play a vital role in transporting goods through the Black Sea. Black Sea Export Route Under Growing Pressure The attack comes as Russia increases strikes on cargo vessels operating near Ukraine's southern coastline. Foreign flagged ships use Ukraine's remaining maritime export corridor by sailing close to the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria before reaching Turkey. This route has become essential after several traditional shipping lanes became unsafe. Ukraine depends heavily on maritime exports, especially agricultural products. Sea trade generates billions of dollars in revenue each year and remains an important part of the country's economy. Odesa Region Faces Continued Attacks The Odesa region has experienced repeated Russian strikes in recent weeks. According to regional officials, 28 people were killed in attacks across the region during July alone. The latest missile strike adds to growing concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and civilian crews working in the Black Sea. International Reaction India condemned the attack after confirming the deaths of four of its nationals. The country's foreign ministry said that attacks threatening civilian crews and freedom of navigation are unacceptable and should be avoided. The incident is expected to increase international concern over the safety of commercial vessels operating in one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. Rising Risks for Commercial Shipping The Black Sea remained relatively stable for commercial shipping during much of the conflict despite ongoing military operations. However, recent attacks suggest that merchant vessels now face greater danger while transporting essential cargo. Security experts believe continued attacks could disrupt exports, increase shipping costs, and create additional challenges for global trade.
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