19‑year‑old IM Divya Deshmukh has etched history by reaching the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia — making her the first teenager in 34 years to secure a spot in the upcoming Women’s Candidates Tournament . Along her journey, she defeated top-tier opponents, including GM Zhu Jiner, GM D. Harika, and ex‑World Champion Tan Zhongyi in the semifinals . Her semifinal win also earned her a maiden Grandmaster norm . This breakthrough marks a historic moment for Indian and teenage chess. (PC: The Hindu)

The Election Commission of India has officially launched the election process for a new Vice President, two days after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on July 21, 2025, citing health concerns . The Home Ministry's notification on July 22 triggered Constitutional protocols under Articles 67–68. The EC is setting up the electoral college—including elected and nominated MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—and finalising returning officers; a formal election schedule is pending . Although the NDA holds a numerical edge, the opposition INDIA bloc is regrouping . The new VP is expected to assume office by late August, embarking on a full five-year term. (PC: PTI)

19‑year‑old IM Divya Deshmukh has etched history by reaching the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia — making her the first teenager in 34 years to secure a spot in the upcoming Women’s Candidates Tournament . Along her journey, she defeated top-tier opponents, including GM Zhu Jiner, GM D. Harika, and ex‑World Champion Tan Zhongyi in the semifinals . Her semifinal win also earned her a maiden Grandmaster norm . This breakthrough marks a historic moment for Indian and teenage chess. (PC: PTI)

After an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram Airport on June 14 due to low fuel and bad weather, a Royal Navy F‑35B was grounded by a hydraulic fault and additional engineering issues . A 21-strong expert team from the UK arrived on July 6 with specialist equipment, towed the jet into an MRO hangar, and carried out extensive safety checks . On July 22, the aircraft successfully departed Kerala at 10:50 AM IST after repairs were completed and collaboration with Indian authorities . This incident underscores enhanced India–UK defence coordination and emergency response readiness. (PC: The Hindu)

For seven years, Harshvardhan Jain, a 47‑year‑old MBA graduate and son of a Ghaziabad businessman, operated a bogus “embassy” from a rented bungalow in Kavi Nagar. Jain posed as a diplomat for several fictitious micro‑nations—Westarctica, Lodonia, Saborga and Poulvia—complete with luxury cars bearing fake diplomatic plates, forged passports, stamps, seals and photos morphed with world leaders. He lured victims into overseas job‑placement schemes and hawala transactions through shell companies. The UP STF arrested him on July 22, 2025, seizing ₹44–45 lakh in cash, foreign currency, four vehicles, dozens of forged documents and diplomatic insignia. His arrest exposed links to controversial figures and prior legal cases. (PC: Hindustan Times)

India will recommence issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens starting July 24, 2025, after a five-year suspension triggered by the 2020 Galwan border clashes and COVID-19 disruptions . This marks the first issuance of such visas since 2020, following a gradual diplomatic thaw—Beijing resumed student and business visas in 2022, and direct flights were reinstated in March 2025 . The Indian embassy in China confirmed that applications will be accepted via online form followed by in-person document submission at visa centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou . Chinese officials welcomed the move, calling it a “positive” step to enhance people-to-people ties.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London on July 23 for a two-day official visit, aimed at signing the long-awaited India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss economic, defence, climate, tech, and education ties under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The FTA will make 99% of Indian exports to the UK duty-free, benefitting key sectors like textiles, pharma, and auto parts. Bilateral trade hit USD 55 billion in 2024, up 10% from 2023. Modi and Starmer have met twice in the past year. Modi heads to Maldives next for maritime cooperation talks. (PC: X/Narendra Modi)

Over 100 humanitarian and rights groups, including MSF, Save the Children, and Oxfam, have warned of mass starvation in Gaza, with people and aid workers "wasting away." Gaza's health ministry reported 43 malnutrition-related deaths since Sunday. The UN says nearly 100,000 women and children suffer from severe acute malnutrition. With aid blocked, markets bare, and prices soaring, doctors report children dying from starvation. Aid groups blame Israel’s blockade and accuse it of killing over 1,050 Palestinians seeking food. Israel denies targeting civilians and blames UN agencies for delivery failures, despite 4,500 lorries entering Gaza over two months, including baby food. (PC: BBC)

Israel and Ukraine have agreed to begin talks focused on countering the "threat" posed by Iran, marking closer ties between the two nations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called Iran an "existential threat" at a Kyiv press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, the most senior Israeli official to visit Ukraine since 2023. Both countries accuse Iran—Russia's ally—of destabilizing actions, including supplying drones to Moscow. Saar thanked Ukraine for opposing Iranian nuclear ambitions, while Kyiv backed Israel’s recent bombing of Iranian sites. The new dialogue aims to address shared security concerns and limit Iran's military and technological capabilities. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London for a two-day UK visit (23–24 July), aiming to finalize the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The deal, under negotiation for three years, could eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian exports and 90% of UK goods, doubling bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030. PM Modi will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, with talks covering defence, AI, semiconductors, and climate. India is also expected to raise concerns over Khalistani extremism in the UK. The Ministry of External Affairs hailed the visit as a “new chapter” in ties.