United States - Ekhbary News Agency
With the Artemis II mission slated for 2026, a new chapter in space exploration is unfolding, marking humanity's return to lunar proximity after more than half a century. This endeavor intensifies the ongoing space race, primarily between the United States and China, as both superpowers pursue ambitious lunar objectives. While NASA's Artemis program aims to land astronauts on the Moon, China's burgeoning space agency is also charting its own course, with plans for crewed lunar missions and the establishment of a research base. This competition is a powerful catalyst for technological advancement and scientific discovery.
In parallel, Pakistan has emerged as a pivotal mediator, successfully brokering a two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. This diplomatic achievement, reportedly influenced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, signifies a major foreign policy success for Islamabad. Meanwhile, India's energy sector faces considerable strain due to the Middle East conflict, impacting its reliance on liquefied petroleum gas imports and creating uncertainty for millions of its citizens working in Gulf states, who are also grappling with exorbitant airfares hindering their return home.