English Readers
Hindi Readers
World’s Largest Container Ship MSC IRINA Docks at Vizhinjam Seaport
- MSC IRINA, the world’s largest container ship, docked at Vizhinjam Seaport in Kerala on Monday.
- The vessel has a record capacity of 24,346 TEUs and measures nearly 400 metres in length.
- This is the first time a ship of such size has visited an Indian or South Asian port.
- The docking highlights Vizhinjam’s readiness to handle Ultra-Large Container Vessels and its global trade potential.
- MSC IRINA’s arrival signals India’s emergence as a major transshipment hub, boosting future maritime trade prospects.
PM Modi’s Historic Visit to Cyprus Signals Strategic Shift, Deepens India-EU Ties
- PM Modi arrived in Cyprus for a two-day visit, the first by an Indian PM in 23 years.
- The visit aims to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, security, technology, and people-to-people ties.
- Modi’s trip is seen as a diplomatic signal to Turkey, which supports Pakistan and disputes Cyprus’s north.
- Cyprus will chair the EU Council in 2026; Modi’s visit seeks to bolster India-EU collaboration.
- Both countries plan to sign multi-level cooperation agreements and discuss the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Centre Notifies 2027 Census: Digital, Two-Phase Exercise to Include Caste Enumeration
- The Central government has notified that India’s next Census will be conducted in 2027 after a 16-year gap.
- March 1, 2027 is the reference date for most regions; October 1, 2026 for snow-bound areas.
- The Census will be conducted in two phases: Houselisting Operation and Population Enumeration.
- For the first time since 1931, a nationwide caste enumeration will be included in the Census.
- The exercise will be fully digital, offering self-enumeration and deploying over 34 lakh personnel.
Cockpit Voice Recorder Recovered: Key to Air India Crash Investigation, Clarity on SOS Soon
- The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the crashed Air India flight AI 171 has been recovered.
- Both black boxes—CVR and Flight Data Recorder—are now secured, aiding the ongoing investigation.
- The crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad killed 270 people, including nearly all onboard and several on ground.
- The CVR will clarify the pilots' final moments and the SOS message sent before the crash.
- Indian and US authorities are jointly probing the cause, with relief and identification efforts ongoing.
Iran Opens Land Borders for Evacuation of Over 10,000 Stranded Indian Nationals
- Iran has kept its airspace closed due to ongoing conflict but opened all land borders for evacuation of Indian nationals.
- Over 10,000 Indians, including many students, are stranded in Iranian cities amid escalating Israel-Iran hostilities.
- The Indian Embassy in Tehran is relocating citizens from high-risk zones and providing advisories and helplines for safety.
- Students report living in fear, taking shelter from blasts, and pleading for urgent evacuation support from India.
- The Embassy has urged Indians to stay indoors, join a dedicated Telegram group, and fill out forms for evacuation updates.
Air India Dreamliner Turns Back to Hong Kong After Suspected Mid-Air Technical Issue
- Air India flight AI315, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route from Hong Kong to Delhi.
- The pilot detected a suspected technical issue mid-air and decided to turn back.
- The aircraft safely returned to Hong Kong as a precaution to ensure passenger safety.
- All passengers onboard were reported safe; no injuries or emergencies occurred.
- Air India has not yet issued an official statement; technical teams are inspecting the plane.