Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” after a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a Dhaka school, killing 19 people and injuring over 100. “Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance,” Modi said. The F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into Milestone School shortly after takeoff, sparking a huge fire. Bangladesh declared a day of mourning, with dozens of injured, mostly students, still in hospital. (PC: News18)

The US trade team will visit India in August for the next round of negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement. The fifth round concluded in Washington last week, with key discussions on agriculture, automobiles, and SCOMET items. India seeks tariff relief on steel, aluminium, and autos, while the US demands concessions on industrial goods, EVs, wines, and agri-dairy products. India remains firm on dairy duties and aims to protect farmer interests. Both sides are targeting an interim pact before August 1, ahead of Trump’s suspended tariffs deadline. The full agreement is expected by fall. India’s exports to the US rose 22.8% in Q1 FY26, reinforcing trade momentum. (PC: Reuters & The Telegraph)

The British F-35B fighter jet, grounded at Thiruvananthapuram Airport since June 14 due to poor weather and low fuel, is cleared for departure on July 21. Initially facing hydraulic and APU issues, early repair efforts failed. A 14-member UK crew arrived on July 6 with specialized equipment, successfully restoring the aircraft at the MRO facility. The jet, part of HMS Prince of Wales’ Carrier Strike Group, may rejoin the fleet or head to a RAF base in the Middle East. The incident sparked online buzz and British parliamentary debate. India’s Ministry of Defence facilitated swift support, highlighting growing UK-India defence ties. (PC: India Today)

On her 30th birthday and first day at a new job, Athulya Sekhar from Kerala was found dead in her Sharjah apartment. Her family alleges years of domestic abuse and dowry harassment by her husband, Satheesh, who has been booked for murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Dowry Prohibition Act. The complaint details strangulation, kicking, and head trauma. Videos released show visible injuries and Satheesh attempting to hit her. He denies involvement, claiming he seeks answers too. Athulya’s father insists she wouldn’t die by suicide, citing her bond with her daughter. The family is coordinating with Sharjah Police and the Indian Consulate for investigation. (PC: Manorama Online & Hindustan Times)

Sidhartha “Sammy” Mukherjee and wife Sunita, once celebrated in Plano, Texas for Bollywood-style glamour, face felony theft charges for allegedly defrauding over 100 victims of $4 million through fake real estate deals. Victims were lured with forged documents and promises of high returns. The couple also allegedly targeted elderly individuals with threatening emails and misused federal pandemic relief funds via falsified PPP loan applications. Despite filing for bankruptcy in 2024, they maintained a public presence until their arrest. Investigators suspect offshore or crypto fund transfers. Sammy reportedly has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai. If convicted, both face 5 to 99 years in prison. (PC: The Wall & Hindustan Times)

China has started building a $167.8 billion hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, close to Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the project, set to become the world’s largest, generating 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually. India and Bangladesh have expressed concerns over potential disruptions to water flow, agriculture, and ecosystem stability. India fears China could use the dam for strategic advantage. The site’s earthquake-prone location adds to safety worries. Despite ongoing talks, tensions persist. China claims the project is environmentally safe. Data-sharing agreements on transboundary rivers between India and China remain in place. (PC: mint)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the UK and Maldives from July 23-26, 2025. In London, Modi will hold talks with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to strengthen India-UK ties in trade, defence, technology, and education. He will also meet King Charles III. In Maldives, Modi will attend the 60th Independence Day celebrations as ‘Guest of Honour’ and meet President Mohamed Muizzu to review the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. This visit reflects India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, aimed at enhancing cooperation with key maritime neighbours.

A video of a man eating fried chicken inside ISKCON’s Govinda restaurant in London has gone viral, sparking outrage. The man, identified as African-British, entered the strictly vegetarian restaurant, asked staff about meat options, and then proceeded to eat KFC chicken inside. He also offered it to staff and patrons, despite being informed the restaurant prohibits meat, onion, and garlic. Other diners objected, and security escorted him out. Social media users condemned the act as disrespectful and provocative, with some calling it religious intolerance. ISKCON followers demanded action to uphold the sanctity of their beliefs and establishments.

A viral video has sparked outrage after an African-British man entered ISKCON’s Govinda restaurant in London—a strictly vegetarian Hindu establishment—and ate KFC chicken inside. After being told meat wasn’t served, he pulled out the chicken, consumed it, and offered it to staff and patrons. Internet users condemned the act as racist and hateful toward Hindus, calling it a deliberate violation of cultural and religious norms. Many questioned why police weren’t called, while others highlighted the man’s awareness that Hindus wouldn’t retaliate. The incident has ignited debates on religious intolerance, cultural sensitivity, and the need for mutual respect in diverse societies.

New high-resolution Google Earth satellite imagery from June 2025 appears to show a missile impact at Pakistan’s Kirana Hills in Sargodha district—an area suspected to house nuclear weapons storage—during India’s May 7 military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor. Geo‑intelligence expert Damien Symon, sharing analysis via X, also highlighted repaired runways at the nearby Sargodha (Mushaf) airbase, implying recent damage and subsequent restoration. India’s government had officially denied any strike on Kirana, yet the new visuals contradict that claim. Analysts interpret the hit as a “warning strike,” indicating India’s willingness to target sensitive nuclear infrastructure under constraints of de-escalation. These revelations intensify scrutiny on the escalation potential of Operation Sindoor.