Akasa Air has announced it is purchasing 150 Boeing 737 Max jets, a model also operated by SpiceJet and Air India Express. The 737 Max has been under intense scrutiny and embroiled in controversy following two fatal crashes that precipitated its global grounding in 2019. Presently, renewed safety concerns regarding the aircraft have emerged.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public service delivery promises efficiency and transparency, but the absence of policy frameworks governing its use can lead to grave injustices, particularly for the most vulnerable sections of society. In Telangana, an algorithm recently denied thousands of poor people access to food subsidies.

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution, expressing deep concerns over “acts of violence, increasing nationalistic rhetoric, and divisive policies” in India, months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has released its 2023 prison census, showing an alarming rise in the incarceration rates of journalists. This trend signals a systematic campaign by governments to suppress dissent and monopolise information dissemination. This phenomenon not only reflects the status of press freedom and democratic principles in individual countries but also carries extensive implications for human rights, the rule of law, the management of information, international relations, and societal involvement, profoundly affecting every citizen within those nations.

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2024 identifies the rapid rise and spread of misinformation and disinformation as the most significant global risk over the next two years, shedding light on the nuances of this risk, its implications and the underlying factors that contribute to its proliferation.

The findings of a nationwide survey, focusing on the educational landscape of youths aged 14-18 in rural India, reveal several critical issues. These include a high dropout rate, a significant deficiency in foundational skills, a noticeable gender gap in educational attainment and a stark scarcity of vocational training opportunities. These revelations are consequential, as a substantial 65% of India’s population resides in rural areas.

India is in the spotlight at the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which began on Jan. 15, with an impressive growth rate of 7.3%, which places the country as the fastest-growing major economy in the world. But is this growth benefiting the majority of India’s workers? An analysis published in Bloomberg answers the question.

A new study published in the Lancet medical journal has brought to light a distressing reality: over 225,000 Indians died from cancer in one year due to preventable causes. This statistic places India second to China in such deaths, calling for immediate action at both individual and governmental levels.

A new book titled “Love Jihad and Other Fictions,” authored by three journalists, Sreenivasan Jain, Mariyam Alavi and Supriya Sharma, meticulously debunks widely circulated conspiracy theories in India, such as “love jihad,” “population jihad,” and “forced conversions.”

Retail inflation in India climbed to a four-month high in December 2023, accompanied by a decline in industrial production, as revealed by data from the National Statistical Office. We have analysed these figures to explain their impact on you.

A comprehensive report from the U.S.-based organisation Human Rights Watch underscores persistent human rights challenges in India. It asserts that the central government’s policies are discriminatory against religious minorities, Dalits and tribal groups, leading to a rise in communal violence and “state-sponsored” abuses.

New research has revealed that bottled water sold in stores may contain significantly higher levels of nanoplastics than previously known. These particles, 1,000 times smaller than the average width of a human hair, are so small they can migrate through tissues into the bloodstream, potentially distributing harmful synthetic chemicals throughout the body.

The rapid urbanisation of India’s cities is leading to a significant environmental challenge: the loss of urban trees. In addition to environmental concerns, the reduction of green spaces also significantly affects public health, heritage and biodiversity, demanding immediate attention.

India’s strategic push to transform Lakshadweep into a major tourist destination, in response to the Maldives’ political posturing and derogatory comments against Indian leadership, has ignited a complex debate. This initiative, while showcasing India’s regional assertiveness, raises concerns about the local community’s cultural identity and environmental sustainability.

Bilkis Bano, who endured a gang rape while five months pregnant and witnessed the murder of 14 family members, including her 3-year-old daughter, in Gujarat in 2002, expresses relief, stating she can finally “breathe” again. This follows the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the premature release of the 11 convicts, a release previously sanctioned by the Gujarat government.

In a recent event in Guwahati, Assam, a journalist named Dipankar Medhi allegedly faced harsh treatment from officials while simply performing his duties. The incident is undeniably a matter of media freedom; however, it also highlights the misuse of power – power entrusted to officials for serving the public, not for oppressing them.

In a compelling speech delivered on Jan. 5, Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna addressed the pressing need for an increased presence of women in India’s judiciary. This change, she argued, is essential for fundamentally enhancing the delivery of justice within the country.

Two scholars from Germany’s Heidelberg University say their study has found that civil society organisations in India, particularly those championing the rights of minorities, Dalits and Adivasis, are facing intensified state scrutiny and regulatory constraints, a situation resulting in a marked narrowing of the civic space within the country.