Summary of Important News Items and Editorials-35
INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 13TH JULY 2025.
1. Air India Crash: Fuel Switches Cut Off, Pilot Denies Action (AI-171 Preliminary Report)
The preliminary investigation into the June 12 Air India flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people, reveals that both engine fuel control switches transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ seconds after take-off, indicating fuel starvation. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot questioning the other about cutting fuel, who denied doing so. However, investigators stress caution, as the cause—whether mechanical, electrical, or human error—remains undetermined. Experts find accidental switch movement unlikely due to stop-lock mechanisms and protected placements. Although the switches reverted to ‘RUN’, the aircraft's low altitude prevented recovery. The report found no defects in the fuel systems and noted that Air India had not acted on a 2018 FAA advisory related to switch locking. While experts warn against premature conclusions, the focus is now on determining if the cut-off was manual or system-induced. The final report is expected within a year.
2. EC Expands Voter Roll Revision Beyond Bihar Amid SC Scrutiny
Following Supreme Court scrutiny of Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission (EC) has directed all states to begin similar exercises to include all individuals turning 18 by January 1, 2026. Bihar’s 2003 roll serves as the baseline to presume citizenship, potentially setting a precedent for other states. The EC, while defending the legitimacy of the exercise, has faced criticism for placing the burden of proof on voters already enrolled post-2003. Despite the SC suggesting inclusion of Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards—currently excluded—the EC insists due process under Article 326 of the Constitution will be followed. State officers will evaluate each case, and voters failing to produce requisite documents can appeal. While the EC frames the exercise as necessary to eliminate duplication and ineligible entries, opposition parties and civil rights groups have likened it to an NRC-like initiative targeting vulnerable populations.
3. Ranthambore Overpasses: Highway Design for Wildlife Conservation
In a significant move for ecological engineering, a nearly 12-km stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway passing through the buffer zone of Rajasthan’s Ranthambore Tiger Reserve now features five animal overpasses and one underpass to ensure safe wildlife crossings. Designed by L&T and approved by the NHAI after inputs from the Wildlife Institute of India, these overpasses are camouflaged with vegetation to simulate natural habitat and are equipped with noise-dampening features to reduce animal distress. Surveillance cameras have been installed every kilometre to monitor animal movement. The initiative—first of its kind on such a scale in India—aims to minimise roadkill, maintain migratory corridors, and reduce human-animal conflict. Officials overcame challenges like relocating high-voltage transmission lines through the protected forest zone. The overpasses are scheduled to open within five months and are projected to support a traffic load of one lakh PCUs in the next few years.
4. Decline in Women’s Undergraduate Admissions at DU Post-CUET
Data from Delhi University shows a marked decline in the number of female students admitted to undergraduate courses since the introduction of the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) in 2022. In 2021, women made up over 61% of new admissions, but this figure dropped to just over 54% by 2024. Experts attribute this to the shift from board-based admissions to an entrance-test model, which often requires costly coaching—something families are less likely to fund for daughters, especially from underprivileged or conservative backgrounds. Limited digital access and reluctance to allow girls to use cybercafés further worsens their CUET preparedness. Despite increased CUET registrations by female candidates, the transition has had a regressive effect on actual enrolment. University officials counter that women now have more options to study closer to home. However, educationists view this trend as symptomatic of deeper socio-economic and gender disparities.
5. Even if Pilot Error, No Impact on Compensation for Crash Victims
Despite emerging indications that pilot action may have contributed to the Air India AI 171 crash, experts and officials clarify that the attribution of human error will not affect the right of victims’ families to receive compensation. International aviation law, particularly the Montreal Convention, holds carriers strictly liable for damages up to a certain limit regardless of fault. Beyond that, if negligence is proven, compensation can increase. The airline and government agencies have reiterated their commitment to fully support affected families. Legal experts point out that even if pilot error is established, the liability rests with the airline and not individual crew members, provided they were acting within the scope of their duties. The accident, which killed 260 people, has thus sparked not only technical and procedural investigations but also legal conversations on victims' rights and the scope of carrier responsibility in the face of evolving probe outcomes.
6. Honeywell Fuel Control Switches in Crash Report Flagged Earlier
The fuel control switches involved in the AI 171 crash were previously flagged in a 2018 advisory issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) warned of potential disengagement in fuel switch locking mechanisms on Boeing 737s, which share design modules with the Boeing 787 involved in the Ahmedabad crash. However, the advisory was not mandatory, and Air India did not implement changes or inspections. The preliminary report noted that the throttle control module, housing the switches, was replaced in 2019 and 2023 for unrelated reasons. Experts now question whether mechanical fatigue or a design flaw could have played a role, despite the switches being manual and shielded against accidental movement. This revelation may direct further scrutiny toward both Boeing and Honeywell, the component manufacturer, and raise questions about global oversight practices when non-mandatory advisories hint at potential vulnerabilities.
7. In Digital Age, Stablecoins Are New Tools in Fight for Global Currency Domination
In a shifting global financial landscape, stablecoins are emerging as strategic instruments in the race for currency dominance. Tied to traditional assets like the US dollar or euro, stablecoins offer the speed and convenience of digital currencies while retaining trust through asset backing. The editorial outlines how major economies, including the US, EU, and China, are exploring regulatory and technological frameworks to leverage or control stablecoin ecosystems. While the US aims to reinforce dollar supremacy through regulated private issuance, the EU seeks strategic autonomy via digital euro alternatives. China’s digital yuan project, meanwhile, combines central bank control with blockchain infrastructure. Experts warn of geopolitical implications, including surveillance risks and undermining of monetary sovereignty in weaker economies. India, currently in early stages of central bank digital currency (CBDC) development, must tread cautiously—balancing innovation with financial stability, while preventing the dollarization of domestic transactions through unregulated stablecoin inflows.
8. Trump Announces 30% Tariffs Against EU and Mexico, Starting August 1
In a significant move signaling aggressive protectionism, former US President Donald Trump has announced 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. The decision, part of his campaign pledge to revive domestic manufacturing, targets sectors such as automotive, machinery, and agriculture. Trump argues that these economies exploit the US trade imbalance, and punitive tariffs are necessary to safeguard American jobs and production. However, the announcement has triggered concern globally. EU leaders warned of retaliatory measures, while Mexico called the tariffs unjust and warned of WTO litigation. Analysts fear this could spark a full-blown trade war, disrupt global supply chains, and slow economic recovery in a volatile geopolitical environment. The move is also likely to have ripple effects on India's export strategy, as it may prompt shifts in global demand and investment flows. Washington's escalating tariff policy underscores the growing weaponization of trade in electoral politics.
9. Gaza Truce Talks Falter Over Withdrawal; 17 Killed in Latest Shooting Near Aid Site
Truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled over demands for Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, even as violence continues to escalate on the ground. On Saturday, 17 Palestinians were reportedly killed near an aid distribution site, underscoring the humanitarian toll of the deadlock. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been attempting to broker a ceasefire that includes phased Israeli withdrawal, prisoner exchange, and increased humanitarian access. However, Israel insists on security guarantees and demilitarization before any withdrawal, while Hamas demands a complete pullout. The editorial highlights that civilian casualties and destruction of essential infrastructure are mounting, with displaced populations facing food and medical shortages. The faltering talks reveal the fragility of international diplomacy and the limits of humanitarian corridors amid active conflict. Unless a framework for sustained de-escalation is agreed upon, the risk of a broader regional fallout grows, further diminishing hopes for lasting peace in Gaza.
10. US Communication Structure at Qatar Air Base Hit in Iranian Attack, Satellite Images Show
Recent satellite imagery confirms that an Iranian missile strike targeted the US communication infrastructure at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a key strategic hub for American military operations in the Middle East. The attack, while not publicly acknowledged in real time by Washington or Doha, reportedly damaged radar systems and command modules. The strike marks a significant escalation in Iran’s asymmetric strategy to counterbalance US influence in the region, possibly in retaliation for recent American operations in Syria and Iraq. Intelligence officials interpret the move as a signal to Washington and its Gulf allies that Iranian reach extends beyond proxy forces. The editorial notes that such developments jeopardize the stability of US bases in the Gulf and could undermine coordination in regional operations. As US-Iran tensions mount, the risk of broader conflict remains high, particularly with the added complexities of regional alliances, energy security concerns, and electoral uncertainty in the US.