As the first anniversary of the Air India Boeing 787 crash approaches, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has raised fresh concerns over the aircraft's technical condition. Claiming there were "electrical failures" and that "motors were changed" before the accident, the pilots' body questioned the current direction of the investigation. FIP urged authorities to examine all possible technical causes and avoid premature conclusions about pilot error. It also called for greater transparency and the involvement of independent experts in the probe. The final investigation report into the crash is still awaited. (PC: X)

India's first domestically manufactured C-295 military transport aircraft has successfully completed its maiden test flight, marking a major milestone for the country's aerospace and defence manufacturing sector. Built at the Tata-Airbus facility in Gujarat, the aircraft is part of India's effort to boost indigenous defence production under the 'Make in India' initiative.   The C-295 will eventually replace the Indian Air Force's ageing Avro fleet and strengthen tactical airlift capabilities. A total of 56 aircraft are being procured, with 40 to be built in India. Defence officials said the successful flight is a significant step towards self-reliance in military aviation.  

India has abolished excise duty on petrol blended with 22% to 30% ethanol (E22–E30), marking a major step in its clean-energy and biofuel strategy. The move is aimed at encouraging wider adoption of higher ethanol blends, reducing the country's dependence on imported crude oil, and lowering carbon emissions. As the world's third-largest oil importer, India has been aggressively promoting ethanol blending to improve energy security and support domestic sugarcane-based ethanol production. The tax exemption is expected to make high-ethanol fuels more attractive for consumers and fuel retailers while advancing the government's long-term sustainability and emission-reduction goals. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday became India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister. Speaking at the NDA conclave in New Delhi, he called it his “supreme privilege” to serve the nation for so many years.   Modi thanked NDA leaders and the people of India for their support. He said he never imagined reaching this milestone and described public service as a spiritual duty. The Prime Minister said political stability has helped India move forward since 2014.   NDA leaders gathered to celebrate 12 years of the Modi government. Modi surpassed the previous record held by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

The newly inaugurated ₹248-crore extension of Mumbai’s Mrinaltai Gore Flyover has sparked controversy after motorists reported uneven road surfaces, visible patches, and sections where vehicle stands reportedly sank into the asphalt just days after its opening. The 750-metre flyover, inaugurated by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on June 6, was built to improve connectivity between Goregaon East and West and reduce travel time. Opposition leaders, activists, and commuters have questioned the quality of construction and project delays. While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) maintains that the structure is safe and the surface appearance is normal, demands for an independent quality audit are growing. (PC: India Today)

A year after the Air India AI171 crash, an unlikely friendship born out of tragedy continues to offer comfort to a grieving family in Gujarat. After Kamlesh Chaudhary and his wife died in the Ahmedabad-London crash, his Pakistani co-worker in London, Omar Ali, began calling Kamlesh's parents every day. The conversations often begin with a simple question: "Kaise ho aap... theek ho?" What started as a gesture of sympathy has turned into a bond that crosses borders and faiths. The family says those daily calls have become a source of strength as they cope with an unimaginable loss. (PC: The Indian Express)

An Indian couple and their nine-year-old son were found dead after an incident at their residential building in London, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. British authorities have classified the deaths as "unexpected" and said the next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.   According to media reports, the family had been caring for their son, who suffered from multiple serious health conditions and required special educational support. While some reports have linked the incident to the child's illness, friends of the family have disputed that claim. Police have not confirmed a cause and inquiries into the deaths are continuing. (PC: India Today)

India's ambitious Zoji La Tunnel project has reached a major breakthrough milestone, marking a significant step towards year-round road connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari participated in the final breakthrough blast, which connected both ends of the 13.15-km tunnel.   Once completed, the high-altitude tunnel will reduce travel disruptions caused by heavy snowfall and improve access to Ladakh throughout the year. The project is expected to strengthen strategic mobility, boost tourism and support economic growth in the region. Officials have described the achievement as a landmark in India's infrastructure development and Himalayan engineering efforts. (PC: X)

Tilfi Banaras has launched 'Becoming', a new visual project created in collaboration with photographer Keerthana Kunnath, spotlighting the lives and journeys of women bodybuilders from Kerala. Shot entirely on analog film, the series brings together handwoven Banarasi textiles and sculpted athletic bodies to explore themes of discipline, craftsmanship and transformation.   The project features four athletes from different walks of life, highlighting their personal stories of determination and self-expression. By placing the women in traditional settings and heritage textiles, the campaign challenges conventional ideas of femininity while celebrating strength and identity. Tilfi says the initiative reflects the shared dedication behind both handloom weaving and competitive bodybuilding. (PC: Tilfi)

An Air India passenger may face a flying ban after allegedly damaging the inner pane of an aircraft window during a Chandigarh-Delhi flight on June 7. Officials said the passenger ignored repeated verbal and written warnings from the cabin crew before breaking the window pane.   The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, and the passenger was handed over to airport security. Air India said the safety of passengers, crew and the aircraft was never compromised. The airline has reported the matter to the aviation regulator and referred the case to its internal committee, which will decide whether the passenger should be classified as unruly and placed on the no-fly list.