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)

The UAE has launched a nomination-based Golden Visa scheme offering lifetime residency for a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (₹23.3 lakh). Initially rolled out for India and Bangladesh, the pilot program is being vetted by Rayad Group and VFS. Applicants can apply via Vasco centres or online platforms. Unlike the older property-based model, the new visa grants permanent residency regardless of property ownership. Eligible categories include professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Successful applicants can bring family and employ domestic help. Over 5,000 Indians are expected to apply within three months, signaling strong interest in long-term relocation to the UAE. (PC: HT)

The US has extended its suspension of 26% reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods until August 1, offering temporary relief to exporters and boosting bilateral trade talks. The extension, originally set to expire on July 9, signals Washington’s willingness to resolve outstanding issues. India was notably absent from the list of countries receiving tariff letters from the Trump administration this week. Indian trade bodies welcomed the move, calling it a crucial window for finalizing a bilateral trade agreement. Experts urged exporters to stay cautious, as President Trump remains unpredictable. Both countries aim to conclude an interim trade deal by fall 2025. (PC: HT)

China has lodged a protest with India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. Beijing accused the Tibetan spiritual leader of being a “political exile” engaging in “anti-China separatist activities.” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning warned India to “act prudently” and respect China's position on Xizang (Tibet). Modi had praised the Dalai Lama as a symbol of compassion and moral discipline. Union ministers also attended celebrations in Dharamshala. India’s foreign ministry reiterated that it upholds religious freedom and takes no position on matters of faith, including the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation process. (PC: HT)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Washington is “close to making a deal” with India, even as the US imposed new tariffs on 14 countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. Talks between India and the US continue to stall over agricultural and dairy sector access, with New Delhi resisting pressure to open markets to genetically modified crops. India seeks tariff cuts on key exports like garments and footwear. Trump’s remarks come ahead of the August 1 tariff hike deadline. Both nations aim to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 through a limited tariff-reducing agreement. (PC: NDTV)

An Indian family of four — Venkat Bejugam, wife Tejaswini Cholleti, and children Siddarth and Mrida — were killed in a fiery car crash in Greene County near Dallas, Texas, on July 6. Their SUV collided head-on with a truck driving on the wrong side. The vehicle caught fire, leaving the bodies charred beyond recognition. The family, residents of Aubrey near Dallas, had just returned from visiting relatives in Atlanta. TEAM Aid is coordinating with the Indian consulate to repatriate the remains. This tragedy follows multiple similar incidents involving Indian families in Texas in recent months. (PC: HT)