Air India Received Nine Safety Violation Notices in Six Months, Government Reveals
The Civil Aviation Ministry has informed Parliament that national carrier Air India was issued nine show-cause notices for five distinct safety violations over the past six months. The disclosure follows the recent fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8. In response, the DGCA ordered additional inspections of the airline's 787 fleet, which revealed minor issues in eight aircraft that have since been rectified. Enforcement action has been completed for one of the five violations.
NASA-ISRO Joint Earth Observation Satellite NISAR Set for July 30 Launch
The landmark NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is scheduled for launch from Sriharikota on July 30. The collaborative Earth observation satellite is the first to use dual-frequency L-band and S-band radar, allowing it to scan the entire globe every 12 days with high precision. NISAR will monitor subtle changes in Earth's surface, including ground deformation, ice sheet movement, and vegetation dynamics, providing crucial data for disaster response, resource management, and climate change research.
India Plans Major Policy Shift to Allow Private Investment in Nuclear Power
India is set to amend its atomic energy and nuclear liability laws to facilitate private sector investment in the civil nuclear segment. The government aims to address corporate concerns about liability and attract global investment to meet an ambitious target of generating 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047. This major policy overhaul is deemed crucial for India's goal of becoming a developed nation and is more complex than the recent opening of the space sector.
Simplified Income Tax Bill to Be Tabled in Parliament's Monsoon Session
A parliamentary committee's report on the new Income Tax Bill, 2025, is scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on July 21. The bill aims to replace the complex, six-decade-old Income Tax Act with a simplified law that is half its size. By reducing sections from 819 to 536 and using plainer language, the reform seeks to enhance tax certainty, minimise litigation, and streamline compliance for all taxpayers, marking a significant overhaul of India's direct tax system.
Crypto Exchange CoinDCX Hacked for $44.2 Million
Indian cryptocurrency exchange CoinDCX has suffered a major security breach, resulting in the theft of $44.2 million (₹378 crore). The company stated the hack targeted an internal operational account and that customer funds remain safe. CoinDCX founders announced that the company's treasury reserves would fully absorb the losses, so no customers will be affected. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has been notified and a forensic investigation is underway.
Centre Forms Expert Team to Study Frequent Disasters in Himachal Pradesh
In response to recurring natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, the Union Home Ministry has ordered the formation of a multi-sectoral central team to study their causes. The team will include experts from the National Disaster Management Authority and various scientific institutes, tasked with understanding the alarming frequency of flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides. Separately, an inter-ministerial team is also currently in Himachal to assess damage from the ongoing monsoon.
UIDAI to Launch Aadhaar Biometric Updates for Children in Schools
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is set to roll out a project to update children's biometrics for Aadhaar through schools. The initiative, expected to launch within two months, aims to address the more than seven crore children who have not completed their mandatory biometric update after turning five. The program will be conducted with parental consent, aiming to streamline children's access to government schemes, scholarships, and other services.
Government and Opposition Set Agenda for Contentious Monsoon Session
The government convened an all-party meeting ahead of Parliament's Monsoon Session, which begins July 21, to outline its legislative agenda and seek cooperation. The session is poised to be contentious, as the INDIA bloc opposition parties have resolved to corner the government on several fronts, including the investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack, US President Trump's claims of brokering an India-Pakistan 'ceasefire', and alleged irregularities in Bihar's special voter roll revision.
Devastating Monsoon Rains Kill Over 200 People in Pakistan
A severe monsoon season since late June has caused a major humanitarian crisis in Pakistan, with floods and landslides resulting in over 200 deaths, including nearly 100 children. The National Disaster Management Authority reports that over 560 people have been injured, with the Punjab province being the hardest hit. The relentless rains have destroyed thousands of homes and critical infrastructure, submerging entire neighbourhoods and sparking fears of further devastation from glacier lake outburst floods.
Saudi Arabia's 'Sleeping Prince' Dies After Nearly 20 Years in a Coma
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, widely known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away at the age of 36. He had been in a coma since a 2005 car accident in London. Despite extensive medical intervention, he never regained consciousness. His father's unwavering refusal to withdraw life support turned the prince's two-decade ordeal into a nationally and internationally followed story of parental devotion and hope against impossible odds.
India's Pursuit of Fugitives Intensifies as Interpol Red Notices Double
India has significantly ramped up its pursuit of international fugitives, with the number of Interpol Red Notices issued at its request more than doubling annually since 2023. Officials attribute the surge to a combination of diplomatic efforts during the G20 and Interpol summits, institutional reforms within the CBI, and technological upgrades. This strategic shift has accelerated the process of locating and seeking the extradition of criminals who have fled the country.
Comedian Vir Das Champions India's Rising Global Soft Power
Emmy-winning comedian Vir Das declared that India is on the “precipice of an amazing, undeniable global soft power” during a talk at the Asia Society. He celebrated the crucial role played by both Indians at home and the global diaspora in promoting modern Indian culture. Citing examples like singer Diljit Dosanjh's performance at Coachella, Das offered an inspiring perspective, arguing that the world is embracing a diverse and dynamic Indian identity beyond historical stereotypes.
Army to Sponsor Education of Punjab Boy Who Aided Troops During Clashes
The Indian Army has announced it will fully sponsor the education of Shvan Singh, a 10-year-old boy from a Punjab border village. During the recent "Operation Sindoor," Shvan displayed immense courage by supplying water, tea, and meals to soldiers engaged in cross-border firing. In recognition of his selfless service and spirit, the Army's Golden Arrow Division felicitated the boy and committed to covering all his future educational expenses.
China Begins Construction on World's Largest Dam on Brahmaputra River
China has formally commenced construction of a massive $167.8 billion hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Zangbo) in Tibet, near the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh. The project, expected to generate over 300 billion kWh annually, is the world's biggest infrastructure project. Its location has raised significant strategic, environmental, and water-security concerns for downstream nations India and Bangladesh, which rely heavily on the river's flow.
India and US Conclude Fifth Round of Talks for Bilateral Trade Pact
Indian and US negotiators have completed the fifth round of talks for a proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) in Washington. The discussions are aimed at finalizing an interim deal before an August 1 deadline related to US tariffs. Key issues include agriculture, dairy products, and automobiles, with India seeking concessions for its labor-intensive sectors like textiles and the US pushing for market access for its farm goods and electric vehicles. Both nations aim to conclude the first tranche of the BTA by fall 2025.