FirstUp: Op Sindoor debate in Rajya Sabha, IMF to publish report on world economy… Top news today

It is set to be a busy Tuesday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, a debate will take place in the Rajya Sabha over Operation Sindoor today. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will publish its report on the world economy.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet King Abdullah II of Jordan today. The National Disaster Management Authority, along with the Indian Army and state governments, will conduct large-scale disaster management exercises from today.

Twin meteor showers, the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids, are expected to peak simultaneously today.

Here are all the events that will take place today.

Operation Sindoor debate in Rajya Sabha

The Upper House of the Parliament, Rajya Sabha, is set to hold a special debate on
Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The debate was agreed upon by both the government and the opposition.

The session will follow a similar
marathon discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday (July 28) and aims to examine national security, intelligence, and diplomatic implications. The government is expected to face intense scrutiny from the Opposition benches, who are likely to demand a detailed explanation of the operation’s objectives, its precise geographical scope, the forces involved, and, crucially, the outcomes and any potential implications for regional stability.

IMF to publish report on world economy

The International Monetary Fund is set to release its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) update, providing a comprehensive analysis of the global economic situation, offering revised growth forecasts, inflation projections, and assessments of key economic risks and opportunities for countries worldwide.

The July update is particularly crucial as it follows a period of significant global economic uncertainty. Analysts and policymakers will be closely scrutinising the report for the IMF’s revised GDP growth forecasts, especially given persistent inflation concerns, varying monetary policy stances across major economies, and ongoing geopolitical tensions. The update will likely detail how these factors are impacting different regions and highlight potential divergences in economic performance.

German Chancellor to meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II today during a visit to Berlin. The discussions between Chancellor Merz and King Abdullah II are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation across various sectors, including economic partnerships, development aid, and security collaboration.

A significant portion of the talks will undoubtedly be dedicated to recent developments in West Asia, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader humanitarian situation. Both leaders have previously emphasised the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, and a political solution based on the two-state solution. King Abdullah II has been a prominent voice on these issues, and Merz recently urged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to provide aid to ‘starving’ civilians in Gaza.

Disaster mock drill in Delhi-NCR

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) will witness a massive multi-agency disaster management exercise, ‘Exercise Suraksha Chakra.’ This large-scale drill will be spearheaded by the
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the Indian Army and the state governments of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

The four-day exercise, which runs until August 1, aims to significantly strengthen coordination and response mechanisms for major disaster scenarios, specifically during large-scale earthquakes and industrial chemical hazards. The drill is structured in phases, moving from strategic planning to on-ground action.

Twin meteor showers to light up skies

Two
meteor showers, the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids, are expected to peak simultaneously today across the Northern Hemisphere.

The Southern Delta Aquariids are typically active from mid-July to mid-August, reaching their peak around late July. They originate from the debris left by Comet 96P/Machholz. Under ideal conditions, this shower can produce up to 20 meteors per hour. Sharing the sky, the Alpha Capricornids are a smaller, but often more dramatic, shower. Active from early July to mid-August, they peak around the same time as the Southern Delta Aquariids. This shower is notable for producing bright fireballs, even if their hourly rate is lower.

With inputs from agencies