Author: News Desk

Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia has become the first woman to enter the fighter pilot stream of the Indian Navy. Alongside Lt Atul Kumar Dhull, she was awarded the prestigious “Wings of Gold” after completing transitional fighter training on Hawk advanced jet trainers at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam. Next Step: MiG-29K Training Now in her early 20s, Sub-Lt Poonia will begin a one-year final training program to qualify as a MiG-29K pilot. This training includes mastering take-offs and landings on ski-jump ramps that simulate an aircraft carrier deck. Significant Milestone for the Indian Navy An officer said her selection into the fighter stream…

Mykare, a Kerala-based fin-health startup, has achieved EBITDA-positive status in its flagship elective surgery segment. The company reported 80% year-over-year revenue growth and a current annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $3 million. With EBITDA margins exceeding 10%, the startup expects to become company-wide profitable within the next four months. Focused on India’s Underserved Middle Class Mykare aims to serve India’s 400 million-strong self-employed middle class, where over 97% lack sufficient health insurance. Around 55 million people in this segment fall into bankruptcy each year due to healthcare expenses. Mykare addresses this issue by offering 30–40% cost savings on elective surgeries…

Startups like Agnikul, EtherealX, and Dhruva Space are building next-gen systems for India’s military Private Space Firms Enter Defence Domain Following recent security incidents such as the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, India’s space technology startups are increasingly pivoting toward defence-oriented innovations. Agnikul Cosmos, based in Chennai, is developing capabilities to launch satellites from land, sea, and air—providing rapid deployment options during times of conflict. In Bengaluru, EtherealX has created India’s first reusable launch vehicle, ready to transport military payloads when needed. Hyderabad-headquartered Dhruva Space is gaining attention from government agencies for its earth observation tools that offer real-time satellite…

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to reserve ₹25,000 crore worth of units for retail investors under its Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) public issue in the current financial year. This allocation, representing 30 to 40 percent of the total issue, aims to expand small investor participation in highway development. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that a final decision on the proposal will be made within two to three months. The move aligns with the government’s larger plan to construct 10,000 km of highways and monetise ₹50,000 crore worth of assets this year. InvITs…

A total of 19.43 hectares of forest land from Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP) in Borivali has been formally handed over to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. This move follows final approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) under Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Key Part of Mumbai’s East-West Corridor Plan The GMLR is a major infrastructure project designed to ease connectivity between the Eastern and Western suburbs of Mumbai. The 12.2-kilometre corridor is divided into four phases, with the third phase focusing on the…

A 10-year-old boy in Dubai, identified as A.A., took a courageous step to end ongoing abuse by using the Dubai Police smart app to report his father for repeated physical violence. Despite suffering for months in silence, unsure of why he was being targeted while his younger siblings were not, the boy reached out through one of the UAE’s confidential digital reporting platforms. His brave action has brought public attention to the tools available to protect children facing abuse. School Observations Lead to ActionThe first signs of trouble appeared at school, where teachers noticed A.A. falling behind academically and showing…

A British F-35B stealth fighter jet, forced to make an emergency landing at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, is still grounded nearly three weeks later. With repair efforts failing, the UK is now preparing for a rare recovery — airlifting the fifth-generation fighter using a massive C-17 Globemaster aircraft. The jet, part of the Royal Navy fleet and stationed on HMS Prince of Wales in the Indo-Pacific, diverted mid-mission on June 15 after bad weather ruled out a carrier landing. Though the pilot landed safely, the aircraft later developed a technical snag, which UK officials have described as an “engineering issue.”…

Indian music icon Arijit Singh has become the most-followed artist on Spotify globally, overtaking international stars like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish, and The Weeknd. This is the third time Arijit has reached the No. 1 spot. As of July 1, 2025, he had 151 million followers, while Taylor Swift stood at 139 million. Indian Songs Leading Global StreamsArijit’s rise on Spotify has been backed by consistently high-performing tracks. Earlier hits like Tum Hi Ho, Kesariya, and Tum Kya Mile remain popular, while new songs such as Dhun from Saiyara and Jaane Tu from Chhaava have also become top-streamed tracks this year. Outpacing Western Music GiantsSingh now leads a list of…

Adani Airports CEO Arun Bansal announced that passengers can now access airport lounges directly through Adani Airports’ digital platform, eliminating the need for third-party aggregators. This new system removes the requirement for vouchers, membership cards, or external verification. Tech-Driven Integration for Seamless AccessThe lounge access service has been developed by Adani’s in-house digital lab. It integrates with airport systems and passenger data to enable real-time identity verification. This tech-driven solution allows flyers to walk into lounges with instant authentication, providing a smoother and more secure experience. aviio App Powers the Digital ShiftIn early 2024, Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL) launched…

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), based in Uran, Navi Mumbai, has become the first port in India to surpass 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in container handling capacity. This milestone follows recent infrastructure upgrades, bringing the port’s capacity to 10.4 million TEUs across five container terminals. Handles Over Half of India’s Container Traffic JNPA currently manages more than half of India’s total container traffic. In 2024, the port processed 7.05 million TEUs. During the first two months of the financial year 2025–26, it handled 15.39 million tonnes of containers and 16.64 million tonnes of overall cargo. Comparison with…