International

France Advances Social Media Ban for Under-15s

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

A joint committee of French lawmakers has approved a compromise bill that would prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media, moving France closer to introducing one of Europe’s strictest online age restrictions. France Social Media Ban The legislation would prevent children younger than 15 from using major social networks, potentially covering platforms such as

International

Houthi Blockade Threatens Global Oil Supply

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

A threatened Houthi blockade of Saudi shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could push global oil prices sharply higher, although alternative pipelines and longer maritime routes may reduce the overall supply disruption. Houthi Red Sea Blockade Threat Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, raising concerns over shipments

International

PM Modi Congratulates New UK PM Andy Burnham

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Andy Burnham on assuming office as the United Kingdom’s new prime minister, expressing confidence that India and Britain will deepen cooperation across trade, defence, technology and investment. Modi Congratulates Andy Burnham In his message, Modi said India and the UK are connected by shared democratic values and maintain

International

US Wildfire Smoke Triggers Canada Warnings

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

Canadian authorities have issued air-quality warnings in parts of British Columbia as wildfire smoke from the United States crossed the border, days after President Donald Trump threatened additional tariffs over smoke drifting south from Canadian fires. US Wildfire Smoke Reaches Canada Smoke from fires burning in Washington and Oregon affected communities in southern

National

IndiGo Signs Record Deal for 1,000 Engines

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

IndiGo has signed a memorandum of understanding with CFM International for more than 1,000 LEAP-1A engines, marking the engine manufacturer’s largest single order. The engines will power 510 Airbus A320neo family aircraft scheduled to join the airline’s expanding fleet. IndiGo CFM Engine Order The preliminary agreement was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow

International

Pakistan Seeks Canada’s Help on Indus Treaty

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

Pakistan has asked Canada to support the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty with India, accusing New Delhi of using water as a strategic weapon amid continuing tensions between the neighbouring countries. Pakistan seeks Canadian support on treaty Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised the issue during talks with Canadian Foreign […]

Op-Eds Opinion

India Had a Remarkable July – But a Politically Deaf Government Let Controversies Define It

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

July 2026 should have been remembered as one of those defining months that governments wait years to experience. It was a month in which India’s ambitions in space, defence, infrastructure and diplomacy translated into tangible accomplishments. A privately developed Indian rocket successfully reached orbit for the first time. Indigenous defence manufacturing

National

NPCI Develops Offline UPI Tap-to-Pay

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

The National Payments Corporation of India is reportedly developing an offline UPI tap-to-pay system that could allow passengers to make small payments inside aircraft and underground trains without internet connectivity. Offline UPI tap-to-pay under development The proposed feature would enable payments when both the customer’s smartphone and the merchant’s point-of-sale

Economy National

RBI Swap Facility Draws $20.72 Billion

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

The Reserve Bank of India’s concessional foreign-exchange swap facilities attracted $20.72 billion in overseas inflows by July 17, strengthening the country’s external financial buffer as the rupee remained under pressure. RBI swap facility attracts $20.72 billion Banks mobilised approximately $17.41 billion through Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank deposits under the

Law & Order National

Supreme Court Seeks New Ram Temple SIT

By BPN News Desk July 21, 2026

The Supreme Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to consider reconstituting the investigation into the alleged theft and misappropriation of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Supreme Court seeks revamped SIT probe A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the proposed Special Investigation Team should be led […]