Summary of Important News Items and Editorials-37
INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 15 TH JULY 2025.
1. Trump: Very severe tariffs on Russia if Ukraine war isn’t resolved
in 50 days
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a 50-day ultimatum to
Russia to cease hostilities in Ukraine, warning of “very severe” tariffs if
the war persists. As Trump campaigns for re-election, his rhetoric
underscores a shift toward aggressive economic sanctions over direct
military engagement. The ultimatum includes potential tariff hikes on
Russian energy and metals, aiming to cripple the war economy. Trump's
stance contrasts with the Biden administration’s multilateral sanctions,
opting instead for unilateral punitive economic tools. European allies
remain cautious, wary of escalating tensions or energy price shocks.
While critics label Trump’s approach as economically disruptive,
supporters argue that hard tariffs might force Moscow to the negotiating
table. The statement also tests diplomatic endurance as NATO
continues to back Ukraine militarily. If implemented, such tariffs could
significantly impact global trade flows and deepen the economic divide
between Western nations and Russia, possibly affecting India's
balancing diplomacy in the region.
2. Plan for permanent displacement of Gazans threatens to derail
truce talks
Efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have been
severely impacted by reports of a secret Israeli plan proposing the
permanent displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. This revelation, met
with international condemnation, threatens to derail already fragile truce
negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar. The alleged blueprint
proposes relocation of Gazans to Egypt’s Sinai region, raising alarm
over possible ethnic cleansing and violation of international law.
Palestinian authorities have called it a “red line,” rejecting any proposal
that undermines Palestinian statehood. The U.S. and EU, although
cautious, have emphasized the need for humanitarian protections and
adherence to territorial integrity. The plan’s disclosure hardens Hamas’s
position and provides justification for continued resistance. Meanwhile,
the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, with food, medicine, and
shelter in short supply. The proposal’s emergence underscores the
fragile nature of peace efforts in the region, with displacement fears
threatening any sustainable resolution.
3. Heat waves, climate change turn Europe into a summer paradise
lost
Europe is reeling under an unprecedented series of heat waves
attributed to accelerating climate change, transforming its once-
temperate summer landscapes into zones of health crisis and
environmental degradation. Countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain have
reported record-breaking temperatures surpassing 45°C, straining
healthcare systems and infrastructure. Wildfires have devastated
forested regions and displaced thousands, while agricultural productivity
has sharply declined. Scientists link these events directly to global
warming and insufficient policy action, warning that such extreme
weather will become the new norm unless emissions are drastically
curbed. Tourist economies, once reliant on summer crowds, are now
grappling with health advisories and travel cancellations. Vulnerable
groups—elderly citizens, low-income workers, and migrants—are
disproportionately affected. The crisis reaffirms calls for climate
resilience, green energy transitions, and more aggressive emissions
targets across the EU. As traditional summer charm erodes, Europe
faces the dual challenge of protecting lives and reimagining its climate
adaptation strategies.
4. DGCA orders inspection of fuel switch locking system in most
Boeing planes
Following troubling findings in recent crash reports, India’s Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated urgent inspection of the
fuel switch locking mechanisms in a majority of Boeing aircraft operating
in Indian airspace. The decision stems from revelations in a global probe
that fuel switches in certain Boeing models could inadvertently be turned
off mid-flight—a malfunction suspected in multiple incidents. Airlines
have been given a tight compliance window to inspect and, if needed,
retrofit or repair the switches. The DGCA’s proactive directive is seen as
a preventive safety move, especially as air traffic recovers post-
pandemic. While Boeing has promised full cooperation, aviation safety
experts urge a wider overhaul of cockpit ergonomics and mechanical
safeguards. The directive may temporarily affect flight schedules and
maintenance cycles but underscores DGCA’s commitment to passenger
safety. The move aligns with similar global responses and raises
questions about manufacturing accountability in aviation technology.
5. Assam to EC: Wait for our NRC before intensive roll revision
The Assam government has urged the Election Commission (EC) to
defer its nationwide electoral roll revision exercise in the state until the
final National Register of Citizens (NRC) is published. Assam maintains
that undertaking parallel roll updates and NRC finalization could result in
duplication, exclusion, or administrative confusion. The NRC, a sensitive
socio-political exercise aimed at identifying undocumented immigrants,
remains incomplete despite years of work and judicial scrutiny. The state
government fears any premature roll revision may undercut the integrity
of both processes. Civil society groups and opposition parties remain
divided—some accuse the government of deliberate delay, while others
see merit in a cautious, legally sound approach. The EC has not yet
responded formally, but sources indicate deliberations are underway.
This development highlights the complex interplay between electoral
logistics and citizenship verification in Assam, with implications for voting
rights, identity politics, and Centre-state relations in politically volatile
regions.
6. Using ad-hocs as substitutes for regular employment: HC raps
DU
The Delhi High Court has reprimanded Delhi University (DU) for its over-
reliance on ad-hoc teachers, terming it an unfair labour practice and a
violation of natural justice. Observing that ad-hoc faculty are not a stop-
gap measure but have been exploited to fill long-term teaching needs
without permanent appointments, the court emphasized the need for
transparent and time-bound regularisation processes. The court’s order
came in response to petitions filed by DU teachers who have served for
years without job security or benefits. It criticised the administration for
not conducting proper recruitment drives, thus denying eligible
candidates their right to regular employment. The judgment is seen as a
watershed for contractual workers in higher education, where thousands
face similar precarity. It also calls into question institutional governance
and accountability, pressing universities across India to revisit hiring
policies and ensure a merit-based, regularised teaching workforce that
upholds academic integrity and faculty welfare.
7. Two Unequal
This editorial critiques the duality in India’s educational
ecosystem—highlighting how privileged urban students enjoy resources
like digital classrooms and stable faculty, while rural and government
school students struggle with outdated pedagogy, poor infrastructure,
and teacher vacancies. The article draws attention to policy blind spots
that perpetuate these inequities despite the Right to Education (RTE)
Act. The recent parliamentary data revealing a high number of
government school closures due to “low enrollment” is interpreted not as
natural decline but as policy-induced failure. The piece argues that the
state’s underinvestment in public schooling and its reliance on
competitive exams only worsen inequality. It advocates a holistic
overhaul—improving public school infrastructure, recruiting trained
teachers, and integrating technology without losing sight of contextual
needs. The editorial concludes that for a democracy that aspires to
equity and mobility, nurturing equal educational opportunities is non-
negotiable. Two Indias cannot be allowed to exist within one school
system.
8. SHINE MORE LIGHT
In this editorial, The Indian Express calls for greater transparency in the
workings of the Election Commission (EC), especially in the context of its
recent nationwide electoral roll revision announcement. With the
Supreme Court currently hearing challenges to the EC’s move, the
editorial argues that clarity, procedural transparency, and public trust are
essential in a democracy. The piece criticises the EC for acting without
explaining the rationale, particularly in politically sensitive states like
Bihar and Assam. It urges the Commission to proactively share data,
proposed methodologies, and consultation processes. The editorial also
raises concern over potential disenfranchisement of marginalized
communities if verification norms are applied arbitrarily. In light of
growing digital governance and voter ID linkages with Aadhaar, the
piece asserts that openness is a democratic imperative. It concludes by
reminding institutions that secrecy breeds suspicion, and democratic
robustness is preserved only when light is shone on the process, not just
the outcome.
9. Retail inflation eases to 2.1% in June, opens room for more RBI
rate cuts
India's retail inflation fell sharply to 2.1% in June 2025, the lowest in
nearly four years, primarily driven by falling food prices and moderation
in fuel costs. This development provides the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
with greater flexibility to consider further rate cuts to stimulate economic
activity. Analysts note that this inflation figure is well below the RBI’s 4%
target, allowing for dovish monetary policy amid sluggish private
investment and tepid consumption. However, some experts caution that
low inflation may be transitory, influenced by seasonal patterns and
global commodity prices. The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee is
expected to weigh these factors in its upcoming meeting. Meanwhile,
equity markets responded positively, anticipating cheaper borrowing
costs and enhanced corporate margins. Policymakers see this as an
opportunity to push credit growth, though they remain wary of external
shocks such as oil price volatility and global financial tightening. A
calibrated approach is advised.
10. In the age of Gen AI, fakes, experts stress need for regular flow
of official info
In the wake of rising generative AI misuse—particularly deepfakes and
misinformation—policy experts, technologists, and media professionals
are urging the government to maintain a consistent and authoritative
flow of official information to counter fake narratives. The editorial notes
a spike in AI-generated political content, impersonation videos, and
fabricated news stories, which threaten democratic processes and social
cohesion. With election season nearing, stakeholders call for a robust
public communication strategy from ministries and constitutional bodies.
Experts also emphasize the need for legislative safeguards to regulate
harmful AI outputs while ensuring freedom of expression. The article
acknowledges the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s guidelines but argues
they are reactive, not anticipatory. In a digitally saturated era, the piece
underlines that public trust hinges on visible, timely, and accurate
information from legitimate sources. Democracies cannot afford to cede
the narrative space to algorithms—human institutions must lead the fight
for facts.