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.
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.
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.
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.
Aviation Regulator Orders Mandatory Checks on Boeing Jets' Fuel Switches
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered all airlines to inspect the fuel control switch locking mechanisms on their Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft by July 21. The directive follows a preliminary report on last month's fatal Air India crash, which found the fuel switches were cut off just after takeoff. The issue was flagged in a non-mandatory US FAA bulletin in 2018. The new order makes the checks compulsory, impacting over 150 aircraft in India.
Retail Inflation Eases to a 6-Year Low of 2.1% in June
India's headline retail inflation dropped to 2.1% in June, its lowest level in over six years, according to data from the National Statistics Office (NSO). The significant decline from May's 2.82% is attributed to a favorable base effect and falling prices for key food items like vegetables, pulses, and milk. Wholesale price inflation also entered negative territory. The cooling inflation provides relief to consumers and may influence the Reserve Bank of India's upcoming monetary policy decisions.
Supreme Court Upholds Five-Year Ban on Students Islamic Movement of India
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging a judicial tribunal's order that confirmed the five-year extension of the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta upheld the tribunal's July 2024 decision, which was constituted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Centre had extended the ban in January 2024. SIMI was first declared an unlawful association in 2001, and the ban has been periodically extended since.
Centre Urges States to Launch Crackdown on Fake Fertilizers
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has written to all Chief Ministers, urging them to take immediate and stringent action against the sale of counterfeit and substandard fertilizers. He stressed the need for consistent monitoring, systematic sampling, and strict legal action, including cancelling licenses and filing FIRs against offenders. Chouhan also called for an end to the forced tagging of nano-fertilisers with conventional ones and asked states to launch campaigns to educate farmers on identifying genuine products to protect their livelihoods.
Government Pushes for Health Warnings on Popular Indian Snacks
The Union Health Ministry is spearheading a campaign to put health warnings on popular Indian snacks like samosas and jalebis to combat rising obesity and lifestyle diseases. The initiative requires government departments and other bodies to display information on sugar, oil, and trans-fat content in their cafeterias. Starting with a pilot at AIIMS Nagpur, the goal is to expand the campaign nationwide, encouraging citizens to make more informed and healthier dietary choices.