Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Namibia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, during his visit to Windhoek. He thanked Namibia and said India-Namibia friendship will “shine like a diamond.” Modi linked the two nations through their diamond trade — Namibia as a top producer and Gujarat as a major polishing hub. He praised Namibia’s strong democratic values and said both countries have supported each other since their freedom struggles. This was Modi’s first visit to Namibia. It also marked his 27th international award since 2014. India and Namibia signed four agreements to boost ties in key areas. (PC: @NarendraModi/PTI)

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has recognized state-backed financing of terrorism as a global threat, emphasizing that state sponsorship violates international norms . This marks the first time FATF addressed state-linked terror funding as a material risk, reinforcing India’s long-standing claim that Pakistan harbors and finances militant outfits . A recent FATF report also exposed Pakistan’s efforts to smuggle dual-use missile components and linked financial networks to the April 2025 Pahalgam attack . India is likely to push for Pakistan’s return to FATF’s grey list as pressure mounts for tougher global action. (PC: AP)  

Tamil Nadu-born Chef Vijay Kumar has won the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef in New York, earning global acclaim for his signature snail curry, Nathai Pirattal. Once shamed in childhood for loving the dish, Kumar has now turned it into a culinary triumph at his Michelin-starred restaurant Semma. Embracing his roots and cooking with authenticity, Kumar said, “There is no such thing as poor or rich food — it’s food.” His win is a powerful statement on the value of traditional cuisine and subaltern pride. Kumar wore a veshti while receiving the honor, redefining luxury through heritage and truth. (PC: X)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully extradited Monika Kapoor from the United States, ending her 25-year evasion from Indian law. Kapoor, accused of economic offences involving forged documents and duty-free license fraud worth over $679,000, fled India in 1999. The US District Court in New York approved her extradition, rejecting her claims of potential torture in India. Kapoor is en route on an American Airlines flight, set to land Wednesday night. India requested her extradition in 2010. This marks a significant breakthrough in India's efforts to bring fugitive economic offenders to justice under the India–US Extradition Treaty. (PC: News18)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fresh from the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio and a state visit to Brazil, landed in Windhoek, Namibia on July 9, 2025, marking his inaugural visit and only the third Prime Minister-level mission from India to the country . Modi will engage in delegation-level talks with President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah, deliver a speech to Namibia’s Parliament, and pay respects to founding President Sam Nujoma. The agenda focuses on bolstering cooperation in education, defence, trade, wildlife conservation, uranium, diamonds, and critical minerals . The visit concludes a landmark five-nation tour spanning Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, highlighting India’s expanding global outreach. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded Brazil’s top civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gave him the award in Brasilia for his role in strengthening India-Brazil ties. Modi said, “This is a proud and emotional moment, not just for me, but for 140 crore Indians.” He thanked President Lula and called the award a symbol of friendship between both nations. This is Modi’s 26th international honour. Last week, he also received Trinidad and Tobago’s highest award during his visit to the Caribbean country. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump has warned BRICS nations, including India, China, and Brazil, of a 10% tariff for challenging the US dollar. “If they are a member of BRICS, they have to pay a 10% tariff,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting. He claimed BRICS aims to weaken the dollar and added, “The dollar is king. We’re going to keep it that way.” The warning is part of Trump’s broader trade plan, which raises tariffs on over a dozen countries. “They’ll have to pay,” he repeated, making it clear that the US will not tolerate threats to its economic dominance. (PC: Reuters)

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has joined Goldman Sachs as a senior adviser, his first major role since stepping down in July 2024. Sunak is returning to the firm where he began his career in the early 2000s, first as a summer intern in 2000 and later as a junior analyst until 2004. In his new part-time role, he'll advise Goldman’s leadership and clients on macroeconomic and geopolitical issues, while engaging global staff on learning and development. His salary will be donated to the Richmond Project, his numeracy‑focused UK charity. The Advisory Committee approved his appointment with restrictions, barring lobbying the government for a year. Sunak remains MP for Richmond and Northallerton. (PC: The New York Times & Getty Images)

Kerala-born nurse Nimisha Priya, 37, faces execution in Yemen on July 16, 2025, after being convicted of murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mehdi in July 2017. Priya allegedly sedated Mehdi to retrieve her passport; the overdose led to his death. His body was reportedly dismembered and dumped in a water tank. After conviction by a trial court in 2018, Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council upheld the sentence in November 2023, and President Rashad al‑Alimi approved it in December 2024. With all legal appeals exhausted, only forgiveness from Mehdi’s family and acceptance of a proposed US $1 million blood‑money settlement can halt the execution. Negotiations continue, led by her mother in Sana’a. (PC: India Today)

The UAE has launched a pilot, nomination‑based Golden Visa offering lifetime residency to Indians and Bangladeshis for just ₹23 lakh down from the ₹4.66 crore investment previously required. Eligibility extends beyond investors to upper‑middle‑class professionals: teachers, researchers, nurses, YouTubers and more . Initial rollout opens 5,000 slots in the next three months. Applicants undergo merit-based nomination and background checks; pre‑approval is available from India. Visa holders get full family sponsorship, can work, run businesses, even hire domestic staff, and maintain residency independent of property ownership. This push aligns with the UAE’s strategy to attract global talent. (PC: India Today)