The Junior Age

Month: July 2025

Historic Wins at French Open 2025: Gauff and Alcaraz Shine

The French Open 2025 was full of excitement, surprises, and history-making moments! Tennis fans around the world watched as two young stars, Carlos Alcaraz from Spain and Coco Gauff from the US, became champions on the famous red clay courts of Roland Garros in Paris.

Carlos Alcaraz: King of Comebacks

Coco Gauff: A New ChampionCarlos Alcaraz, just 22 years old, won the men’s singles title in a match that will be remembered for years to come. He faced Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the final, and things didn’t look good at first—Carlos Alcaraz lost the first two sets! But he didn’t give up. He fought back, saving three championship points, and finally won in five thrilling sets: 4–6, 6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 7–6. The match lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes—making it the longest French Open final ever!  It marked his second straight title at Roland Garros and third Grand Slam title since the start of 2024, also including the 2024 Wimbledon. It is his fifth Slam overall.

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Coco Gauff: A New Champion

On the women’s side, Coco Gauff made history by winning her very first French Open title. She defeated the world’s number one player, Aryna Sabalenka, in a tough three-set match. This was Coco Gauff’s second Grand Slam title, and she became the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams.

Also read Stars of Wimbledon 2024

Fun Facts 

This year’s French Open was special for many reasons:

  • It was the 124th edition of the tournament, held at the famous Stade Roland Garros in Paris.
  • Both the men’s and women’s finals were played between the world’s top two players, something that hadn’t happened at the French Open since 1984.
  • The tournament paid tribute to Rafael Nadal, who won his first French Open 20 years ago.

Watch full video on Interesting Facts about the Wimbledon

Iran-Israel Conflict 2025: What You Need to Know

Big News: What Happened Between Israel and Iran?

Recently, there was a big conflict between two countries in the Middle East: Israel and Iran. Here’s what happened, explained for you:

How Did The Fighting Start?

On June 13, Israel launched a large military operation called “Operation Rising Lion”. Israel carried out a surprise strike against Iran using drones and more than 200 aircraft, targeting nuclear facilities and other key military sites across Iran. A number of military installations were also struck, reportedly resulting in the deaths of several Iranian military leaders and some nuclear scientists. Thousands of people had to abandon their homes and flee Iran. This triggered 11 days of missiles being fired between both countries. 

Also Read Israel Has Declared War On Hamas: Here’s Why

Why Did Israel Attack Iran?

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recent military strikes targeted Iran’s attempts to build a nuclear bomb. He said that Iran was a threat to “Israel’s very survival“.  Iran, for its part, has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, such as generating electricity. US President Donald Trump ordered Iran to surrender and agree to stop its nuclear programme, but Iran refused. 

How Did Iran Respond?

Following Israel’s attack, Iran launched strikes of its own against Israel. Iran also called on other countries around the world to condemn – or criticise – Israel. Iran has also blamed the US for supporting Israel’s attack. 

Watch Full video on Understanding the Israel-Hamas Conflict

The US Military Strikes Against Iran 

On June 22, the US, which is a close ally of Israel, launched military strikes in Iran, attacking three nuclear sites in Iran. Speaking in a televised speech from the White House, US President Donald Trump called the operation a “spectacular military success” and warned that Iran should make peace or face “far greater” attacks. Following the strikes President Trump said: “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated“.

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Iran’s Response to US Military Strikes

In response to the US attacks, Iran launched an attack on Al Udeid, a large US military base in Qatar. The base, which is home to roughly 10,000 soldiers, is used by several countries, including the US and Qatar. Iran’s attack did very little damage and injured no one.

Check Country Facts – Europe Flash Cards

Ceasefire

A few days later the three countries agreed to a ceasefire, which appears to be holding for now. A ceasefire is an agreement between the countries to pause fighting. It was announced by US President Donald Trump on June 24. However, the situation was still very tense. 

What are Nuclear Weapons? 

Nuclear weapons are enormously powerful explosives. They get their energy from splitting or joining tiny particles inside an atom. Nuclear bombs can be more powerful than even the biggest non-nuclear bombs. The explosions they produce are so powerful that just one nuclear bomb can destroy a large city.

What a Ride! Indian in Space after 41-Year Gap

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has created history by becoming the first Indian ever to set foot on the International Space Station.

After multiple delays and postponements, the Axiom-4 mission carrying India’s Shubhanshu Shukla was successfully launched on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Axiom-4 mission took astronauts to the International Space Station (“ISS”). Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who’s piloting the mission, has become only the second Indian to travel to space.

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About The Mission

The astronauts flew in a spacecraft called Dragon. It was made by a company named SpaceX. A rocket called Falcon-9 helped the Dragon go up into space. The Axiom-4 mission marks the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS. The commercial space mission operated by a Houston-based private company Axiom Space is a collaboration  between NASA, ISRO, ESA and Space.  The astronauts reached the ISS after a flight of about 28 hours.

This mission is the first time India will be part of the ISS and is considered a step towards India’s upcoming Gaganyaan space program.

About the Astronauts 

The crew for the mission includes three astronauts who have never been to the ISS before: Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Poland’s Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The fourth and final member of the team is Peggy Whitson of the US, a former NASA astronaut.

“Namaskar to all my countrymen. What a ride! After 41 years, we are back in space and what a ride it has been”. These were the first words of the Axiom-4 mission’s designated pilot and the first Indian to travel to space in 41 years, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. 

What will the astronauts do in space?

The astronauts will carry out 69 experiments; seven of them will be done by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. Some of the experiments include studying how plants and algae grow in space and learning how muscles heal.The astronauts will stay in space for 14 days. 

Also read, Aditya L-1: India’s Solar Mission Reaches Sun’s Orbit

Did You Know? 

The first Indian astronaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, travelled to space in 1984 aboard a Russian Soyuz.

The four astronauts had been in a four-week quarantine since May 25, the longest in any modern space mission.Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was among four Indian air force officers shortlisted last year to travel on the country’s first-ever human space flight, scheduled for 2027.

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