On the night of July 16, 2025, IndiGo flight 6E‑6271, an Airbus A320neo, suffered an engine malfunction mid‑air around 9:27 pm, roughly 100 nautical miles north of Bhubaneswar. The pilot issued a “PAN PAN PAN” call—alerting air traffic control to a serious but non-life-threatening issue—and diverted to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The aircraft landed safely at 9:53 pm, ahead of schedule. All 191 passengers and crew were unharmed. IndiGo confirmed a technical snag, grounded the plane for inspection, and arranged an alternate aircraft to complete the journey.  (PC: News 18)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla reunited with his wife Kamna and son Kiash in Houston after completing his 18-day mission aboard the ISS. Shukla, part of the Axiom-4 crew, became the first Indian to stay on the ISS and the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma. “Holding them felt like home,” he said. Kamna shared how daily calls from the ISS kept them connected. Shukla’s next mission may include India’s Gaganyaan in 2027. Kamna is now preparing his favorite meals as he adjusts back to life on Earth. Shukla returned aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule after a 22-hour journey. (PC: Instagram)

A Syrian state TV anchor in Damascus fled live on air as Israeli strikes hit Suwayda’s military targets, sparking viral footage online. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz shared the clip, warning of further “painful blows” until Syrian forces withdraw from the Druze-majority region. Katz reassured Israel’s Druze community of IDF protection for their Syrian counterparts. The strikes targeted Syrian defence ministry sites after violent clashes erupted between Druze fighters, government forces, and Bedouin groups in southern Syria. Reports say dozens have died. Israel insists its actions are to protect the Druze amid rising regional tensions. 

India’s space industry is witnessing a surge in start-up activity following astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic return from the ISS. Bengaluru-based Bellatrix Aerospace called it a “moonshot moment” for India’s private sector, comparing it to Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission. With ISRO and government alignment towards human spaceflight and ₹33,000 crore backing Gaganyaan, investor confidence is rising. Bellatrix is developing green propulsion tech, hoping to extend crewed missions. Experts say India is poised to lead globally in space innovation. Shukla’s mission marks a turning point for India’s ambitions and its rapidly growing private space ecosystem. (PC: NDTV)

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his parliamentary majority after key ally Shas quit his coalition over a proposed law altering military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews. Shas’ exit leaves Netanyahu with just 50 seats, below the 61-seat majority. Another party, United Torah Judaism, also withdrew earlier this week. Despite leaving, Shas says it won’t push for the government’s collapse. The development complicates Netanyahu’s governance but doesn’t immediately threaten Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Analysts warn Netanyahu may now face more pressure from far-right partners opposing any deal while Hamas remains operational in Gaza. (PC: HT)

Syria has condemned Israeli airstrikes on Damascus as a “flagrant assault” aimed at inflaming tensions. Israeli forces struck a military headquarters and areas near the presidential palace, reportedly killing 3 people and injuring dozens. Syria’s foreign ministry accused Israel of targeting government institutions and civilian facilities, causing severe infrastructure damage. Israel claims the strikes protect Syria’s Druze community after sectarian clashes but also carry political motives. Recent strikes have focused on Suweida in southwest Syria, where a ceasefire was reported. Damascus holds Israel fully responsible for the “dangerous escalation” and warned of serious consequences for regional security and stability. (PC: BBC)

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Goa made an emergency landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday night following a reported engine failure. The flight, which took off around 8 pm after a short delay, was forced to divert mid-air and landed safely in Mumbai just before 10 pm. Sources cited by PTI confirmed the engine issue but added that all passengers and crew were safe. Flight tracker data confirmed the diversion. IndiGo has not released an official statement yet. Authorities are likely to investigate the cause. Passengers are expected to be rebooked on alternate flights. (PC: HT)

Air India has completed inspections of fuel control switches across its Boeing 787 fleet, finding no faults, an airline official said. The checks followed a DGCA directive after last month's deadly crash that killed 260 people. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had flagged fuel switches in its preliminary report. Air India confirmed all Boeing 787-8 jets had prior Throttle Control Module replacements. IATA chief Willie Walsh praised India’s transparency in releasing the report. Air India advised pilots to remain vigilant for abnormalities, though pilot groups rejected claims of human error in the crash. Final investigation findings are awaited. (PC: India Today)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned home after an 18-day space mission on the International Space Station. He reunited with his wife Kamna and six-year-old son Kiash in Houston. Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, became the first Indian to stay the longest in space, completing 20 days in orbit. He was part of the private Axiom-4 mission with astronauts from Poland and Hungary. The team conducted over 60 experiments in space. His wife said she is preparing his favourite meals and is proud of his journey. Shukla may join India’s Gaganyaan mission in 2027. (PC: @ISROSpaceflight/X)

US President Donald Trump has hinted that a new trade deal with India may happen soon. Speaking on Tuesday, Trump said, “Another deal is coming up, maybe.” This suggests that talks between India and the US are moving forward. The deal is expected to be an interim trade agreement. Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last met in February 2025 at the White House. Reports say both countries are working on final details. If signed, the deal could boost trade ties and reduce tariffs between the two nations. However, nothing is confirmed yet. (PC: Bloomberg)