Digest for 12 June, 2025
Air India London-Bound Flight Crashes Near Ahmedabad; Rescue Ops Underway
An Air India Boeing 787 (Flight AI171) en route to London Gatwick crashed near Ahmedabad airport shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, went down in the Meghaninagar area. Casualties are feared, and emergency services are conducting intensive rescue operations. Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured central assistance, and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has ordered immediate relief efforts for the injured.
India Ranks 131st in Global Gender Gap Index 2025, Slips Two Places
India has slipped two places to 131 out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025, with a parity score of 64.1%. While India showed slight improvement in Economic Participation and Opportunity (40.7%) and Health and Survival, a decline in Political Empowerment, particularly women's representation in Parliament (13.8%) and ministerial roles (5.6%), contributed to the lower ranking. Full global gender parity is estimated to be 123 years away.
India-EU FTA Nears Finalization, Focus on Non-Tariff Barriers: Piyush Goyal
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated India and the EU are close to finalizing a free trade agreement (FTA), with over half the chapters ready and market access discussions 90% complete. Addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) is crucial for smoother trade. Goyal, in Stockholm, emphasized resolving NTBs and expressed hope for robust solutions. He also commented on the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), terming it a potential NTB requiring a response if implemented.
US on High Alert Amid Fears of Israeli Strike on Iran's Nuclear Facilities
The United States is reportedly on high alert due to concerns over a potential unilateral Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities if US-Iran negotiations collapse. President Trump mentioned moving US personnel from certain Middle Eastern regions due to escalating risks. The State Department has permitted some diplomatic staff to leave Iraq, and the Pentagon authorized voluntary departures for military families in the region, signaling rising tensions and fading hopes for a nuclear deal.
UN General Assembly to Vote on Gaza Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Aid Access
The UN General Assembly is set to vote on a resolution demanding an immediate Gaza ceasefire, release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the opening of all Israeli border crossings for humanitarian aid. The Spanish-drafted resolution condemns using civilian starvation as a warfare method. Unlike Security Council resolutions, this General Assembly vote is not legally binding but reflects world opinion and references a March 28 ICJ order for Israel to open more aid crossings.