Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday stressed the need for the infrastructure sector to move beyond “retrospective justice” and adopt a model of “preventive justice”. He said contracts and institutional systems should be structured in a way that helps resolve potential disagreements before they develop into full-fledged disputes.

Speaking at the FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference 2026, Justice Kant said the Rule of Law should not be limited to correcting problems after a project has already been affected. Instead, it should ensure that contractual obligations are clearly defined, decision-making powers are understood, risks are distributed fairly and dispute-resolution mechanisms are reliable and timely.

He noted that an effective dispute-resolution system should ideally prevent disputes from arising in the first place. According to him, the real measure of success is not the number of disputes a mechanism settles, but how rarely a project needs to rely on it. The CJI also highlighted the importance of creating a common understanding among parties about how unexpected situations will be handled during infrastructure projects. He said early action, transparent communication and quick decisions can stop disagreements from escalating into formal claims.

Justice Kant pointed out that major infrastructure projects cannot simply stop while legal proceedings continue. Construction of bridges and highways, as well as power projects, depends on timely decisions, making prolonged arbitration or appeals potentially disruptive to both schedules and economic objectives.

Calling for greater standardisation in infrastructure contracting, the CJI said key provisions covering payments, project changes, extensions of time, unforeseen circumstances and dispute resolution should follow broadly consistent frameworks rather than being drafted from scratch for every project. However, he stressed that such standardisation must remain flexible enough to account for local laws, institutional capacity and project-specific conditions.

Justice Kant said India’s infrastructure expansion is occurring at an unprecedented scale and pace. He said the country’s objective should be to develop projects more quickly while making them more resilient, sustainable and productive. He urged policymakers, developers and other stakeholders to give greater attention to clearly defined responsibilities, equitable risk-sharing, sensible standardisation, early dispute prevention and speedy, independent resolution when disagreements do arise. These measures, he said, should be viewed as essential tools of good governance rather than simply technical legal requirements.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for greater use of local currencies in international trade, saying closer financial cooperation among emerging economies could help countries reduce the impact of sanctions and strengthen economic integration. Pezeshkian made the remarks while discussing economic cooperation among BRICS countries, where reducing dependence on traditional international financial channels has become an increasingly important issue.

Iran has faced extensive US sanctions that have restricted its access to international banking and financial networks. Tehran has consequently been seeking alternative mechanisms to maintain trade with countries that remain willing to conduct business with it. Pezeshkian's proposal focuses on increasing settlements in national currencies instead of relying predominantly on the US dollar for cross-border transactions. Such arrangements could reduce exposure to sanctions-related restrictions and provide countries with additional options for conducting bilateral trade.

The Iranian president also stressed the importance of strengthening economic ties among BRICS members. Greater cooperation in trade, investment, banking and infrastructure, he argued, could help create a more integrated economic network among emerging economies. The issue has particular relevance for India-Iran economic relations. The two countries have maintained strategic and commercial ties despite the challenges created by international sanctions. India has also continued its engagement with Iran through projects such as the development of Chabahar Port, which is important for regional connectivity.

Bilateral trade has faced significant difficulties in recent years. Sanctions, payment restrictions and complications surrounding financial transactions have made it harder for companies in both countries to conduct business through conventional channels. The push for local-currency settlements is part of a wider discussion within BRICS about developing alternative financial mechanisms. Several member countries have expressed interest in expanding trade conducted in their national currencies and improving cross-border payment systems.

Analysts, however, note that wider adoption of local currencies would require practical arrangements involving banks, businesses and governments. Exchange-rate fluctuations, currency convertibility and differences in financial regulations could present challenges. For Iran, expanding local-currency trade could provide additional options for maintaining international commerce despite sanctions. For other BRICS members, it could offer greater flexibility in cross-border transactions and reduce reliance on a single dominant currency. Pezeshkian's remarks come as BRICS continues to explore ways to deepen economic cooperation among its members. The push for stronger financial links could become an important part of the group's broader efforts to increase trade and investment among emerging economies.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the flight-acceptance hot test of a CE20 cryogenic engine that is set to power the upper stage of the upcoming LVM3-M7 mission, marking a significant step in preparations for India's next heavy-lift launch. The test was conducted on July 6, 2026, at the Main Engine and Stage Test facility of the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. During the test, the CE20 engine initially operated at a thrust level of 19.5 tonnes for 45 seconds before being raised to 22 tonnes for another 25 seconds. ISRO said the engine systems and the Nozzle Protection System performed satisfactorily throughout the test.

The engine will now undergo refurbishment before being integrated into the C32 flight stage being prepared for the LVM3-M7 launch vehicle. The CE20 is an indigenous cryogenic engine developed by ISRO for the upper stage of the LVM3 rocket. The engine is designed to operate in the 19-22 tonne thrust range and has powered multiple LVM3 missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and commercial launches.

The latest hot test is particularly significant because ISRO is working to establish the CE20's operation at the higher 22-tonne thrust level for future LVM3 missions. Increasing the thrust of the upper-stage engine is expected to contribute to improvements in the launch vehicle's payload capability. ISRO had earlier conducted a major sea-level test of the CE20 at 22-tonne thrust on March 10, 2026. The engine was operated for 165 seconds during that test using a Nozzle Protection System and a multi-element igniter. The test was aimed at demonstrating the engine's performance at the higher thrust level under sea-level conditions.

Testing a large cryogenic engine at sea level presents technical challenges because of the large-area-ratio nozzle used by the CE20. The low pressure at the nozzle exit can lead to flow separation, which may cause excessive vibration and thermal loads. ISRO's Nozzle Protection System was developed to address this challenge and enable extended engine testing under sea-level conditions.

The CE20 has undergone an extensive testing programme as ISRO continues to improve the reliability and performance of the LVM3 propulsion system. Previous testing has demonstrated technologies including multi-element ignition, higher-thrust operation, indigenous turbopump bearings and sensors, as well as bootstrap-mode engine start-up.

The successful flight-acceptance test of the engine assigned to LVM3-M7 brings the mission another step closer to launch. Once refurbishment is completed, the engine will be integrated into the C32 flight stage and subsequently into the LVM3 vehicle. The development of the 22-tonne CE20 configuration is also important for India's wider space programme. Improved upper-stage performance could give the LVM3 greater flexibility for future missions involving heavier spacecraft and more demanding orbital requirements. With the latest test successfully completed, ISRO is continuing its efforts to strengthen the LVM3's capabilities and build greater reliability into India's heavy-lift launch operations.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Pioneer.

Thousands of passengers, including Indians travelling between India and the United Kingdom, faced disruption after a major technical failure in the UK's air traffic control system led to more than 2,000 flight cancellations and widespread delays. The disruption was linked to a technical problem in the flight-processing system operated by National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which manages air traffic control across the UK. Although the immediate fault was resolved, its effects continued to disrupt airline schedules as aircraft and crew were left out of position following the cancellations and diversions.

Major airports, including London Heathrow and Gatwick, were among those affected. Passengers reported long delays, cancelled services, missed connections and problems with baggage and rebooking as airlines attempted to clear the backlog. The disruption also affected flights connecting India with the UK. Air India and IndiGo services were among the India-UK operations hit by the situation, while other international carriers also made changes to their schedules. Some flights were cancelled or delayed, while others were diverted because of the disruption at UK airports.

The impact was not limited to passengers who were travelling on flights cancelled during the initial outage. As aircraft and flight crews were unable to reach their planned destinations, subsequent services were also affected. This created a knock-on effect across airline schedules, making it difficult for carriers to return to normal operations immediately after the technical issue was fixed.

NATS said the incident was caused by a technical failure and not a cyberattack. The UK government has ordered an investigation into the incident, while the country's aviation regulator is also reviewing what happened. The failure has renewed concerns about the resilience of critical air traffic control infrastructure after previous technical problems have caused significant disruption to UK air travel.

For Indian passengers currently travelling to or from the UK, airlines have advised checking flight information before leaving for the airport. Travellers whose services have been cancelled or significantly delayed may need to contact their respective airlines for rebooking and other assistance. While the air traffic control system has returned to operation, the disruption is expected to take time to fully clear because airlines must reposition aircraft and crews and accommodate passengers affected by cancelled services. The incident has demonstrated how a technical failure in a key aviation system can quickly spread across international routes, affecting passengers far beyond the country where the original problem occurred.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has announced a broad set of initiatives covering family support, housing, technology and Singapore’s national resilience. Hairianto Diman and Justine Moss speak to SMU School of Law Associate Professor Eugene Tan about the major measures, their significance for Singaporeans and what they reveal about the Government’s priorities for the country’s next stage of growth.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Myanmar's military government has released rare images of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi meeting a Red Cross official, marking her first known contact with the outside world since the 2021 coup. The photos were released just ahead of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's first official visit to Thailand, prompting speculation about their political significance.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy and chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy during the 50th Labor conference in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discussed his state’s political battle with One Nation. He said progressive groups should avoid dismissing or talking down to Pauline Hanson’s supporters, arguing that their concerns need to be understood rather than ignored. Addressing the ongoing debate over the AUKUS submarine deal, Malinauskas acknowledged concerns after the US revealed that Virginia-class submarine production rates had not improved. However, he maintained that walking away from the agreement would create greater strategic risks than the challenges surrounding the controversial defence partnership.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

On Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Singaporean singer-songwriter Frances Tan, who recently competed in the Commonwealth Song Contest — an international music competition featuring participants from all 56 Commonwealth countries. Tan shares her experience of being chosen as a Grand Finalist, representing Singapore alongside six other finalist nations. She also discusses her original track, Just Me, which she submitted as her contest entry.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.