NASA’s miniature robot helicopter Ingenuity made history by performing a successful takeoff and landing on Mars, achieving the first powered, controlled flight by an aircraft over the surface of another planet. The success of this new experiment could pave the way for new modes of exploration on Mars and other destinations in the solar system, such as Venus and Saturn’s moon Titan.
Authorities in Dubai have decided to deport a group of individuals involved in a naked photo shoot on a high-rise balcony in the emirate. Images of the shoot were widely circulated on social media. The decision was taken as authorities believe the incident was out of line with the values of the United Arab Emirates.
Prince William has added another title to his rank by beating the likes of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jason Statham and Pitbull. Researchers found that the 38-year-old Duke of Cambridge was described as “sexy” 17.6 million times in blogs, reports and pages found through Google search, and has hence been named the World’s Sexiest Bald Man.
Nike is suing Brooklyn art collective MSCHF over a controversial pair of “Satan Shoes” that contain a drop of real human blood in the soles. The $1,018 (£740) trainers, which feature an inverted cross, a pentagram and the words “Luke 10:18”, were made using modified Nike Air Max 97s. 666 pairs of the shoes released on Monday in collaboration with rapper Lil Nas X were sold out in less than a minute.
A popular Japanese ‘young female’ biker with a large following on social media for bike-riding skills has turned out to be a 50-year-old man who used mobile applications to alter his face. The shocking fact made it to light when the 50-year-old unwittingly posted a photograph on social media platform Twitter in which his reflection in a mirror raised suspicion.
Authorities in Indian-occupied Kashmir have seized a plane-shaped balloon bearing the name of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The balloon featuring the name, logo and livery colours of the national flag-carrier was found in Sotra Chak village of Hiranagar and was reported to the police after locals spotted it. Authorities have seized the balloon, while the matter is under police investigation.
Switzerland will follow France, Belgium and Austria after narrowly voting in a referendum to ban women from wearing the burqa or niqab in public spaces. Just over 51% of Swiss voters cast their ballots in favour of the initiative to ban people from covering their face completely on the street, in shops and restaurants. Muslim groups have criticised the ban.
In an explosive interview, Meghan, the wife of Prince Harry, accused the British royal family of racism, lying and pushing her to the brink of suicide. The 39-year-old, went as far to claim that she ended up having suicidal thoughts and considering self harm after pleading for help but getting none. She added that her son Archie had been denied the title of prince based upon how dark his skin might be.
India’s status as a free country has been downgraded to “partly-free” in a recently issued report by a US think tank, Freedom House. The report, titled “Freedom in the World 2021 – democracy under siege”, notes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and allies “encouraged the scapegoating of Muslims, who were disproportionately blamed for the spread of the virus and faced attacks by vigilante mobs”.
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday suspended entry to the kingdom from 20 countries, including Pakistan. The Arab state made the move to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Only diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical practitioners and their families will be allowed entry. The “temporary suspension” would be effective from 9:00 pm (1800 GMT) on Wednesday.