India and the UK signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during PM Narendra Modi’s London visit, projected to boost bilateral trade by $34 billion annually. Hailing it as the “most historic” pact, Modi said the FTA would benefit India's youth, farmers, MSMEs, and sectors like textiles, seafood, and engineering. UK PM Keir Starmer called it the “biggest and most significant trade deal since leaving the EU,” adding, “It boosts wages, raises living standards, and puts more money in people’s pockets.” The FTA will ease exports for both nations, cutting tariffs on whisky, medical devices, textiles, and more. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer marked the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement with a symbolic ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ at Chequers. The leaders shared masala chai, reflecting growing people-to-people ties. The deal, signed by ministers Piyush Goyal and Jonathan Reynolds, is hailed as the most significant post-Brexit trade agreement by the UK. Modi also gifted a signed T20 World Cup bat to Buckinghamshire street cricketers and admired a Premier League trophy. He called the deal a “blueprint for shared prosperity,” while Starmer highlighted the historic and cultural bonds uniting India and the UK. (PC: X)

Melbourne’s Swaminarayan Temple and two Asian-run restaurants were defaced with hate graffiti just a day after Indian student Charanpreet Singh was brutally attacked in Adelaide. The temple bore the slur “Go home brown c***” in red paint. “To have it targeted in this way feels like an attack on our identity,” said Makrand Bhagwat of the Hindu Council. Premier Jacinta Allan called it a “deliberate act of hate… designed to intimidate.” Singh, 23, was left unconscious and hospitalised with brain trauma after being punched repeatedly. Irish police are also probing a suspected hate crime against an Indian man in Dublin. (PC: HT)

A 1,000-year-old Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has become the epicentre of a violent conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Clashes erupted after a Cambodian drone was spotted near the Ta Muen Temple Complex, triggering airstrikes and diplomatic fallout. The Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, located on the Dangrek border ridge, features a natural rock Shivling, Sanskrit inscriptions, and iconography tracing to India’s Gupta and Pallava dynasties. Originally Shaivite Hindu, the temple later became a Buddhist centre under Khmer rule. The border dispute, fuelled by colonial-era maps, has turned this forgotten heritage site into a modern-day flashpoint. (PC: India Today)

At least 12 people have died in clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops at their shared border. Most of the dead are Thai civilians, including children. One Thai soldier was also killed. The fighting started on Thursday, with both sides blaming each other. Thailand said Cambodia used rockets and drones. In return, Thailand launched air strikes. Thailand has closed its border and moved 40,000 people to safety. Cambodia has cut ties and said Thailand used too much force. The conflict is over a long-disputed area near an old temple. Both countries have sent more troops to the border. (PC: India Today)

The UN says 6,000 trucks of food and aid are ready to enter Gaza, but access is blocked. It warns that hunger in Gaza is worse than ever. A doctor in Gaza said children are fainting from malnutrition. More than 100 aid groups say people are starving due to Israel's blockade. At least 113 people have died from hunger since October. Prices in Gaza are very high—flour now costs over £400. Many risk their lives to get aid. A man was shot while trying to get food. The UN urges Israel to allow full aid entry to save lives. (PC: Getty Images)

Hulk Hogan, one of the biggest stars in wrestling history, died at 71 after a heart attack at his Florida home. He passed away on July 24, 2025. WWE confirmed the news and shared condolences. Hogan rose to fame in the 1980s with his strong image and famous line, “Train, say your prayers, eat your vitamins.” He won many titles and led top WrestleMania matches. Hogan later joined WCW and formed the nWo group, shocking fans. He also acted in films and had a reality show. Hogan was added to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. He was a true icon. (PC: AP)

On July 24, 2025, an Antonov An‑24 turboprop operated by Angara Airlines, built in 1976, crashed near Tynda in Russia’s Amur Oblast during a second landing attempt in poor weather. The aircraft, en route from Blagoveshchensk, disappeared from radar before impact. All onboard—approximately 43 passengers (including five children) and six crew—are believed to have perished. Rescue teams found burning wreckage roughly 15 km from the airport amid dense forest. Authorities have launched a criminal probe, citing possible pilot error and outdated aircraft as contributing factors. President Putin has been informed and search-and-recovery continues.

A Russian plane crashed near Tynda in the far-east Amur region, killing all 48 people on board. The Angara Airlines flight was carrying 42 passengers and 6 crew. It vanished from radar during a second attempt to land in poor weather. A helicopter later found the burning wreckage in a forest, 16 km from the airport. Five children were among the dead. Officials are looking into pilot error or a technical fault. The plane, an old Antonov An-24, had passed a recent check but had past safety issues. Three days of mourning have been declared in the region. (PC: Russian transport prosecutor)

Heavy fighting erupted on July 24, 2025, along the disputed Thailand–Cambodia frontier near the Ta Muen Thom temple. Cambodia initiated artillery, rocket, and drone strikes against Thai bases, killing nine to twelve civilians (including children) and injuring many . Thailand responded by deploying six F‑16 jets—one bombed a Cambodian military target—then recalled them safely . Thailand also evacuated around 40,000 border residents, closed crossings, and expelled diplomats amid diplomatic collapse . Cambodia accused Thailand of “unlawful, irresponsible” aggression and sought a UN Security Council session. (PC: Hindustan Times)