India’s Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations—Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein—will officially launch on October 1, 2025, announced Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal . After nearly 16 years of negotiations, India secured a binding commitment of US $100 billion in foreign direct investment over 15 years, aimed at generating approximately one million jobs . The pact opens high‑value European goods—like Swiss watches, chocolates, diamonds—to Indian markets via reduced or zero tariffs, and liberalises over 100 service‑subsectors . Alongside, a dedicated India‑EFTA Desk will facilitate investment and trade operations, marking a major advance in economic diplomacy and India’s integration into premium European value chains. (PC: PTI)

India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to tech giants Google and Meta, directing executives to appear in New Delhi on July 21, 2025, amid an investigation into alleged money laundering via online betting apps . The ED suspects both platforms allowed illegal betting apps to flourish by facilitating targeted ad placements and algorithmic visibility, despite a 2022 Ministry advisory warning against promoting gambling . Officials are probing ad revenue received from these apps and examining compliance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) . Neither company has responded publicly so far. (PC: India Today)

Delhi Police have arrested 35‑year‑old Sushmita Dev and her 24‑year‑old lover Rahul Dev, who is also her brother‑in‑law, for murdering her husband, 36‑year‑old Karan Dev, in Dwarka on July 13. Initial claims of accidental electrocution unraveled after suspicious behavior and resistance to autopsy. Karan’s brother, Kunal, discovered incriminating WhatsApp chats in which Sushmita and Rahul plotted to spike him with sedatives and electrocute him to seize his property and continue their illicit affair . The couple allegedly administered over a dozen sleeping pills before delivering a fatal electric shock. Both suspects are in custody as the investigation deepens. (PC: India Today)    

A former sanitation worker in Karnataka’s Dharmasthala temple town has alleged mass burials of women and minors between 1995–2014. Claiming threats from powerful individuals, he submitted skeletal evidence and a sworn statement in court. The whistleblower described brutal sexual assaults, acid burns, and secret burials near the Netravathi River. His revelations have reignited calls for a Special Investigation Team (SIT), with activists and legal experts demanding judicial oversight. The case echoes the unresolved 2012 Sowjanya rape-murder. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has indicated openness to an SIT probe. The whistleblower, now seeking protection, says justice and proper funerals could bring peace to victims and himself. (PC: India Today)

A 15-year-old girl was doused in petrol and set ablaze by three miscreants in Bayabar village, Puri, Odisha, while en route to her friend’s house. The incident occurred just 1.5 km from Balanga police station. The girl, now in critical condition, was shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida condemned the act, assuring full medical support and swift police action. The attack follows the recent death of a college student who self-immolated after alleging sexual harassment. The Trinamool Congress slammed the BJP government, calling it “criminal negligence” and accusing PM Modi of failing to protect women. Police are investigating the motive and searching for the culprits. (PC: India TV News & India Today)

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed all political parties support the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma after sacks of burnt cash were found at his Delhi residence. Rijiju stressed that judicial corruption is a serious issue requiring unity. Congress also backed the move, citing the need to uphold the judiciary’s integrity. A judge’s removal requires signatures from 100 Lok Sabha and 50 Rajya Sabha MPs. Justice Varma denied wrongdoing, but an in-house inquiry found misconduct warranting removal. Rijiju dismissed criticism from Kapil Sibal, saying Parliament will not be guided by individual agendas but by collective integrity. (PC: India Today)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with a ₹2,161 crore liquor scam. The arrest followed a raid at their Bhilai residence on the final day of the Assembly session, when Baghel planned to raise concerns over tree felling in Tamnar for an Adani-linked coal mine. The ED alleges a cartel of officials and politicians manipulated liquor sales, bypassing the state exchequer. Congress leaders condemned the arrest as political vendetta. The scam reportedly operated between 2019–2022 under Baghel’s government. ED previously recovered ₹33 lakh from Baghel’s home and arrested several officials. Investigations continue.

A massive fire broke out early Friday morning at a private iron factory in Sembakkam, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the site, prompting immediate deployment of fire and rescue personnel. The blaze triggered panic in the surrounding area, though no casualties have been reported yet. Rescue operations are currently underway, with authorities working to contain the fire and assess the damage. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and further details are awaited. Officials have urged the public to avoid the vicinity while emergency teams continue their efforts. The incident has raised concerns over industrial safety protocols in the region.

  In the early hours of July 18, over 20 Delhi schools—including Abhinav Public School (Rohini Sector 3) and Richmondd Global School (Paschim Vihar)—received threatening emails claiming bombs were planted on their premises. Both Delhi Police and Fire Service teams swiftly evacuated students and staff, conducting extensive searches; no explosives were found . This marks the fourth wave of such threats this week, following previous alerts to St. Thomas School, St. Stephen's College, Navy and CRPF schools, and others between July 14–16 . Authorities are investigating, treating these as potential hoaxes while heightening security protocols across educational institutions. (PC: Facebook)  

5 men walked into Patna's Paras Hospital with guns and shot gangster Chandan Mishra dead inside Room 209. CCTV shows them entering calmly, pulling out pistols from under their shirts. After the shooting, four ran out while one walked out slowly, staring at a witness. Mishra, serving life for a 2011 murder, was out on parole for treatment. He had over 20 criminal cases against him. The police are probing possible lapses in security. One shooter has been identified, and reports say one was arrested. Mishra’s death has raised fresh questions about law and order in Bihar. (PC: CCTV grab/HT)