Air India has started a $400-million upgrade of its 26 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners to improve comfort and reliability. The move comes after the June 12 Ahmedabad-London Dreamliner crash that killed 260 people. Seven aircraft will also undergo heavy maintenance. Upgrades include new cabins, updated avionics, and key component replacements. The airline is also refurbishing 27 Airbus A320neo jets, with 16 already completed. “The retrofits will bring our older aircraft up to the standards of the newest in our fleet,” an Air India spokesperson said. Both projects aim to reduce delays and enhance passenger experience, with completion expected by September 2025. (PC: India Today)

During a review of Operation Sindoor on May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Army and Air Force chiefs for their roles. Turning to Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, he said, “I have snatched the morsel out of your mouth, but your turn will come.” The Navy had been ready to launch BrahMos missiles at Karachi port but was ordered to hold back. Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 after the Pahalgam terror attack, saw Indian forces strike militant camps and key Pakistani assets. India’s defences intercepted nearly all Pakistani drones and missiles during four days of cross-border fighting. (PC: News18)

On August 10, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Bengaluru’s new Yellow Line of Namma Metro—a fully elevated 19.1 km corridor connecting RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra with 16 stations at a cost of ₹7,610 crore. The line, set to commence public services Monday at 5 AM with three trainsets running every 25 minutes, enhances connectivity across the city’s southern tech and residential hubs. On the same day, PM Modi flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains, including the Bengaluru–Belagavi service, elevating rail connectivity and reinforcing India’s commitment to modern transportation infrastructure. (PC: PTI)  

Gautam Budh Nagar police have arrested six men from West Bengal for allegedly operating a fake “International Police & Crime Investigation Bureau” office in Noida’s Sector 70. Acting on a tip-off, police raided the premises and seized forged ministry certificates, fake IDs, police-style insignia, cheque books, ATM cards, mobile phones, and ₹42,300 cash. The gang allegedly claimed affiliations with Interpol and other global bodies, soliciting donations via a website to dupe victims. Officials said the operation, running for about 10 days, was designed to mimic law enforcement. The accused face multiple charges under the BNS, IT Act, and Emblems Act. (PC: HT)

Relief operations in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi faced fresh challenges Sunday as rain turned Dharali’s terrain swampy, disrupting search for hundreds still missing after a devastating August 5 cloudburst. Over 1,000 people have been rescued under “Operation Zindagi,” with the Indian Army conducting 33 helicopter sorties and restoring partial connectivity. Five deaths have been confirmed, and aid continues via an aerial corridor. Roads remain damaged, with a 5km stretch washed away. A Bailey bridge on NH-34 nears completion, while radar and satellite tools aid searches. The state has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation per deceased and destroyed homes, alongside ration support for six months. (PC: India Today)

On World Lion Day, India celebrated a 32% rise in the population of Asiatic lions, now numbering 891, up from 674 in 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited community participation, especially tribal and women forest officers for the conservation success in Gujarat’s Gir forest, the only natural habitat of these lions. However, concerns persist as 669 lions have died in the past five years due to illness, accidents, and old age, with no poaching reported. Experts warn that over 48% of lions now live outside protected zones, increasing risks. Calls for translocation to alternate habitats like Barda Wildlife Sanctuary remain unfulfilled, raising questions about long-term sustainability and preparedness for ecological threats. (PC: X)

A year has been passed since the brutal rape and murder case of R.G. Kar junior doctor, a justice rally led by her grieving parents and BJP leaders turned violent near Kolkata’s Park Street. Protesters clashed with police after changing their march route unexpectedly, prompting a baton charge. The victim’s mother alleged she was shoved, pinned down, and struck on the head, resulting in visible injuries and hospitalization. Police denied the assault, citing injuries among their own personnel and claiming the march violated court-approved protest zones. The rally, part of the Nabanna Abhijan, drew over 1,000 participants. The incident has reignited public outrage over delayed justice and raised serious concerns about police conduct and protest rights. (PC: The Telegraph & The Times of India)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bengaluru on August 10 to inaugurate key infrastructure projects aimed at transforming the city’s connectivity. He flagged off three new Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Bengaluru–Belagavi, Amritsar–Vaishno Devi, and Nagpur–Pune raising India’s total to 150 such trains. Modi also inaugurated the 19.15 km Yellow Line of Namma Metro, linking RV Road to Bommasandra with 16 stations, built at a cost of ₹5,056 crore. Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for Phase-3 of the metro expansion, a ₹15,611 crore project adding 44.65 km and 31 stations. These developments are expected to ease traffic congestion, boost public transport, and improve daily commute for lakhs of Bengaluru residents.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2025, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh revealed that 206,378 Indians renounced their Indian citizenship in 2024 . This continuing trend follows 216,219 cases in 2023 and 225,620 in 2022, showing a slight decline in 2024 . The government underscored that individuals’ reasons for renunciation are personal and confidential. It also highlighted the growing importance of the global Indian diaspora—numbering over 34 million, including NRIs and PIOs—and its role as a strategic asset to channel knowledge, networks, and soft power for national benefit. (PC: NDTV)

ICICI Bank has raised the minimum average monthly balance (MAMB) requirement for new savings accounts opened on or after August 1, 2025. In metro and urban branches, the MAMB is now ₹50,000, up from ₹10,000; in semi-urban branches, ₹25,000 (previously ₹5,000); and in rural branches, ₹10,000 (up from ₹5,000). Customers failing to maintain the balance will face a penalty of 6% of the shortfall or ₹500, whichever is lower. The move aims to attract premium customers. Additionally, ICICI revised service charges for cash transactions, ATM usage, and third-party deposits. The bank’s decision contrasts with others like SBI, which have scrapped minimum balance penalties to ease customer burden. (PC: Mint)