Teenager in Pune Porsche Crash to Be Tried as a Minor, Not Adult
Pune's Juvenile Justice Board has rejected a police plea to try the 17-year-old involved in the fatal Porsche crash as an adult. The May 2024 incident, where the inebriated teen's car killed two IT professionals, sparked nationwide outrage over initial leniency. The board's decision is a major legal development in the high-profile case. The defense argued the crime did not meet the legal definition of "heinous" required for an adult trial under Supreme Court guidelines.
Air India to Restore Flights as Crash Renews Calls for Cockpit Video Recorders
Air India will begin partially restoring international flights on August 1, following a "safety pause" and enhanced checks on its Boeing 787 fleet after the deadly AI-171 crash in June. The crash, which killed 260 people, has also reignited a global debate over mandating cockpit video recorders to supplement existing logs. Aviation safety experts argue video could be invaluable for investigations, while pilots' unions have raised concerns about privacy and potential misuse of such footage.
Odisha College Student Dies After Self-Immolation Over Harassment Complaint
A 20-year-old college student in Balasore, Odisha, has died after setting herself on fire over alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a professor. The student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College sustained 95% burns and succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The incident has sparked outrage, leading to the arrest of the accused professor and the college principal. The state government has announced ₹20 lakh in aid for the victim's family and promised a thorough investigation.
Student's Self-Immolation Death in Odisha Sparks UGC Probe and Political Storm
The death of a 20-year-old student in Balasore, Odisha, who set herself on fire over alleged sexual harassment by a professor, has prompted a national response. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a four-member fact-finding panel to investigate the incident and any institutional failures. The tragedy has also ignited a political firestorm, with opposition parties calling for a statewide bandh and demanding resignations, accusing the state government and college administration of apathy and inaction.
Political Reliance on Caste 'Dangerous for Country', Observes Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has observed that political parties relying on caste considerations are "equally dangerous for the country" as those using religion. The remark was made as a bench dismissed a plea seeking to cancel the registration of the AIMIM party. The court noted that a party's objective to work for the upliftment of backward sections, including minorities, is aligned with the Constitution, and there is no legal prohibition on teaching religious scriptures within the constitutional framework.
Aadhaar for Children at Risk of Deactivation Over Mandatory Biometric Update
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has warned that children's Aadhaar numbers may be deactivated if their biometrics are not updated. Children who obtained Aadhaar before age five must complete a Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) of their fingerprints and iris scans after turning five, and again at age 15. The UIDAI stated that failure to complete the MBU after a child turns seven could lead to deactivation, potentially disrupting access to various Aadhaar-linked schemes and services.
Tesla Opens First Showroom in India, Launching Sales in Mumbai
US electric vehicle maker Tesla has officially entered the Indian market, opening its first "experience centre" showroom in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex. The company will initially sell its Model Y and Model S vehicles. While Tesla has stated it is not currently interested in manufacturing in India, its entry is a significant development for the country's EV market and follows the government's new policy to attract global EV manufacturers. The company has also established a service facility in Mumbai.
Execution of Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya Stayed in Yemen
The execution of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse on death row in Yemen for the 2017 murder of a Yemeni citizen, has been stayed. The last-minute halt follows extensive diplomatic efforts and the intervention of religious leaders, including India's Grand Mufti. The family of the deceased has not yet granted a pardon, but the stay provides a crucial window for further negotiations regarding "blood money" compensation, an accepted practice under Sharia law that could spare her life.
Supreme Court Questions UP Directive on QR Codes for Kanwar Yatra Eateries
The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding its directive for eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display QR codes revealing owners' names and identities. A petition argues this measure facilitates discriminatory profiling and breaches privacy, echoing similar directives stayed by the court last year. The plea contends that mandating the display of religious and caste identities is discriminatory. The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 22.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth After Historic Mission
Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has safely returned to Earth, becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). He and three international astronauts splashed down off the coast of California after a successful 18-day mission aboard the Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft. The historic flight is being celebrated as a major milestone for India's space program and a crucial step toward its own ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, inspiring praise from across the nation.
US Threatens Russia with Tariffs, Pledges New Weapons Pipeline for Ukraine
President Donald Trump has threatened Russia with "very severe tariffs" if a peace deal for Ukraine is not reached within 50 days, marking a shift in his stance. The announcement came during a meeting with NATO's chief, where a new plan was also discussed for European allies to purchase US military equipment, including Patriot missiles, and transfer it to Ukraine. The move aims to pressure Moscow to negotiate an end to the war, which has seen escalating civilian casualties.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar Visits China to Mend Strained Ties
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is in China for the first time in five years, marking a significant high-level effort to normalize relations strained since the 2020 border clashes. During a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing, Jaishankar noted the steady improvement in ties since October and expressed confidence in maintaining the positive trajectory. The visit, which includes an SCO foreign ministers' meeting, comes after the Chinese embassy called the Dalai Lama's succession a "thorn" in bilateral relations.
FAA and Boeing Defend Fuel Switches Amid Air India Crash Investigation
Following a fatal Air India Boeing 787 crash that killed 260 people, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing have asserted that the aircraft's fuel control switch design is not an "unsafe condition." This comes after a preliminary Indian report highlighted that the fuel switches were cut off just after takeoff. Indian pilot associations have raised concerns about a potential bias towards pilot error in the investigation and are demanding a transparent, fact-based inquiry, with some considering legal action for inclusion in the probe.
Indian Railways to Install CCTV Cameras in All 74,000 Coaches
Indian Railways has announced a major passenger safety initiative to install CCTV cameras in all of its approximately 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locomotives nationwide. To protect privacy, cameras will be placed in common areas near doorways. Each coach will have four dome-type cameras, while locomotives will have six. The high-quality cameras are specified to provide clear footage even in low light and at speeds over 100 kmph, with potential for AI-based analysis to enhance security for millions of daily travelers.
Manipur Insurgents Modifying Looted Arms into Sniper Rifles, Officials Say
Security officials in Manipur report a dangerous escalation in the ongoing ethnic conflict, with insurgent groups from both Meitei and Kuki communities modifying looted police weapons into makeshift sniper rifles. By adding specialized telescopes and altering gun butts, they are increasing the range and lethality of standard .303 and assault rifles, enabling long-distance attacks. This development indicates a tactical shift in the conflict. Security forces have recently recovered hundreds of such modified weapons in raids across the state's valley and hill districts.