A new bipartisan Senate bill, S.1241, called the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, would impose 500% tariffs on countries such as India and China that continue buying Russian oil, gas, petroleum products or uranium, if Russia refuses peace negotiations on Ukraine. Backed by 84 co‑sponsors and endorsed by former President Trump, who reportedly gave the go‑ahead during a golf game, the measure would provide the president with discretionary “secondary tariffs”. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the bill as “Russophobic” and urged backers to consider its potential harm to Ukraine peace efforts. The bill is expected to reach the Senate floor after August recess. (PC: The Indian Express & Business Standard)

Petra Kvitová, two‑time Wimbledon champion, played her final match at the All England Club, exiting in the first round after a 6‑3, 6‑1 loss to No. 10 seed Emma Navarro. The 35‑year‑old Czech, who will retire after the US Open, showed early promise with a 3‑1 lead in the opening set but lost momentum as Navarro dominated late. After a heartfelt farewell and an emotional on‑court interview usually reserved for winners Petra Kvitová reflected on winning Wimbledon twice in 2011 and 2014, calling it “something very, very special.” She shared gratitude to fans and said she’s “ready for the next chapter” in life. (PC: BBC & Yahoo Sport UK)

UK weather maps are predicting a blistering heatwave across the country, with temperatures potentially reaching 34 °C–35 °C in parts of England. Detailed projections highlight the precise regions likely to boil, changing from the unsettled start to summer to a dramatic hot spell. The maps also show the timing of the rise moving from current averages in the low 20s up to mid-30s next week. Meteorologists caution that single-model “exact‑date” forecasts can mislead, as long-range prediction carries high uncertainty. Still, many areas especially the south and east should prepare for scorching days. Officials urge vigilance around heat‑health alerts. (PC: The Mirror)

The Trump administration has revived a 2020 proposal to impose fixed-term limits on F‑1 and J‑1 student visas, replacing the current "duration of status" system that allows full‑time students to stay as long as they maintain enrollment. The Department of Homeland Security has forwarded the plan to the Office of Management and Budget for final review. The move aligns with Trump’s broader agenda to curb both illegal immigration and campus anti‑Semitism. Under the new rule, all foreign students and exchange visitors would receive visas with explicit expiry dates, necessitating periodic renewals rather than staying automatically while enrolled. (PC: The New Yorker & Amber)

India face a key selection headache ahead of the 2nd Test at Edgbaston. Jasprit Bumrah is fully fit, bowled at full tilt in nets but India must decide if they’ll rest him under a pre‑planned rotation, perhaps relying on Siraj, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna. The spin pairing is under debate as Ravindra Jadeja is certain, but alongside him Washington Sundar offers batting depth, while Kuldeep Yadav brings attacking wrist‑spin. India also ponder dropping Shardul Thakur (just 16 overs at Leeds) in favour of youth like Nitish Kumar Reddy. Fielding errors at Leeds prompted position shifts keeping Jaiswal out of slips. England maintain an unchanged XI, confident from their Headingley comeback. (PC: Reuters & The Times Of India)

Monojit Mishra, also known as "Mango," faces rape and molestation charges at a Kolkata law college. Students say he harassed many women and created fear on campus. “He pounced on her and touched her inappropriately,” one student said about a first-year girl. Another recalled, “He went and sat on her lap… then asked her to sit on his.” Mishra is facing 11 criminal cases, including four for molestation. Many girls stopped attending classes. “His stare was disturbing,” a fifth-year student said. One male student was also assaulted and left injured. Students want urgent action to ensure safety and justice on campus. (PC: The Economic Times)

Zohran Mamdani, New York’s Democratic mayoral nominee, said he won’t back down after US President Donald Trump threatened to arrest and deport him. “We will not accept this intimidation,” Mamdani posted on X. Trump attacked Mamdani for promising to block ICE raids, calling him a “communist” and questioning his citizenship. Mamdani responded, “The President… threatened to have me arrested… not because I broke any law, but because I refuse to let ICE terrorise our city.” The White House said it may review his immigration history. Mamdani, born in Uganda, moved to the US in 1998 and became a citizen later. (PC: AFP)

Air India pilots used a flight simulator to study the crash of a Boeing 787 that killed 241 people. They tested the same settings—landing gear down, flaps retracted—but found these alone didn’t cause the crash. Investigators are now focusing on a possible dual engine failure. Video showed the plane struggling after takeoff before it crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. An emergency power turbine was activated before impact, suggesting power loss. Data from flight recorders is still being analysed. The official probe is ongoing, with help from Boeing and US safety teams. It’s the worst air crash in India in decades. (PC: NDTV)

The Health Ministry has said there is no link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden cardiac deaths in young adults. Studies by ICMR and NCDC found that such deaths are mostly due to genetics, lifestyle, stress, and post-Covid issues. “These studies have conclusively established that there is no direct link between COVID-19 vaccination and the reports of sudden deaths in the country,” the ministry stated. This comes after Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah raised concerns over 22 heart attack deaths in Hassan district. An expert panel is now studying the cases. The ministry warned against “false and misleading” claims that create vaccine fear. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump has backed a Senate bill that may impose 500% tariffs on India and China. The bill targets countries buying oil and energy from Russia. Senator Lindsey Graham, who supports the bill, said it aims to pressure Russia to stop the war in Ukraine. India and China buy most of Russia’s oil. In May 2025, India bought €4.2 billion worth of fossil fuels from Russia. The bill has 84 co-sponsors and may soon be voted on. The Kremlin called Graham a “Russophobe” and said the bill will not help peace efforts in Ukraine. Trump can choose to waive it. (PC: AP)