Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for the United Kingdom on Wednesday for a two-day official visit from July 23 to 24, with the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) expected to be the highlight. The deal, in the works for years, could bring visa relaxations for Indian professionals and greater access to the UK market for Indian goods. In return, Britain hopes to boost its car and whisky exports to India. Modi will meet UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London, where talks will also focus on investment, technology, and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. (PC: News18)

India begin the 4th Test against England at Manchester on July 23, aiming to avenge their narrow Lord’s loss. Skipper Shubman Gill, upset over England’s time-wasting tactics, said, “They came 90 seconds late with only seven minutes left.” India face an injury crisis with Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Arshdeep Singh unavailable. Debutant Anshul Kamboj is expected to replace them, while Rishabh Pant returns to strengthen the batting. England bring back Liam Dawson after 8 years. Rain is forecast across the match days, but tensions are high, with both teams expected to bring fire to a potentially decisive showdown. (PC: India Today)

In a suspected racist attack in Australia, 23-year-old Indian student Charanpreet Singh was brutally beaten in Adelaide on July 19. "They just said 'f*** off, Indian' and started punching," Singh told 9News from his hospital bed. He suffered brain trauma, multiple facial fractures, and serious eye injuries. Police arrested a 20-year-old suspect from Enfield, who was later released on bail. Four others remain at large. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas condemned the attack, calling it "deeply disturbing." A video of the assault has gone viral, sparking outrage and fear among Indian students and the wider diaspora in Australia.

A homemaker from Assam discovered her identity was stolen to create viral erotic AI content under the fake Instagram persona "Babydoll Archi". The account, which amassed 1.4 million followers, used deepfakes based on private photos. Her ex-boyfriend, Pratim Bora, was arrested for creating the content as revenge. Police say he monetised the account, earning over ₹10 lakh. The case has sparked outrage, with calls for stricter laws on AI misuse. Experts warn such deepfake crimes may be under-reported. The account is now offline, but its content remains widely circulated. Sanchi, the victim, is receiving counselling with her family in Dibrugarh. (PC: BBC)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a key two-day visit to the United Kingdom, focused on finalising the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement. Modi will hold talks with British PM Keir Starmer at Chequers and meet King Charles III. The deal, set to remove tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, is seen as Britain's biggest post-Brexit trade success. Defence and tech partnerships are also expected to deepen. Security has been tightened in London to prevent disruption by Khalistan groups. After the UK, Modi will travel to the Maldives to attend Independence Day celebrations as guest of honour and hold bilateral talks. (PC: X)

On July 21, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training jet crashed into Milestone School & College in Dhaka, killing at least 25 children and 31 people total, and injuring over 160. The pilot reported technical issues shortly after takeoff. This tragedy has spotlighted the safety of China-made F-7 jets, which have now been involved in seven crashes in Bangladesh over two decades. Public anger has surged, with students protesting, demanding justice and grounding of the aircraft. Authorities have launched a high-level inquiry and declared a national day of mourning. (PC: Reuters)

India secured the 7th rank globally at the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025 held in Australia, matching its best-ever positions from 1998 and 2001. The six-member Indian team achieved its highest-ever team score of 193/252, winning three gold medals (Kanav Talwar, Aarav Gupta, Adhitya Mangudy), two silver (Abel George Mathew, Aadish Jain), and one bronze (Archit Manas). Competing among 630 students from 110 countries, this marks India’s strongest performance in its 35-year IMO history, continuing its streak of excellence with 12 golds earned between 2019 and 2025. (PC: India Today)

An Indian national in his 40s was attacked on the evening of July 19 in Tallaght, Dublin. A group of youths assaulted him, forcibly stripping him and leaving him with severe injuries to his face, arms, and legs before hospitalisation . The attackers falsely accused him of inappropriate behavior toward children—a claim dismissed by Gardaí, who are investigating it as a suspected hate crime . The Indian Ambassador and local leaders have condemned the incident, demanding justice and urging increased protection for immigrant communities. (PC: AP)

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh revisited the infamous 2008 IPL “slap‑gate” and shared that one moment continues to haunt him. In a heartfelt chat, he revealed how S Sreesanth’s daughter confronted him, saying, “You hit my father,” leaving him “heartbroken” and “on the verge of tears” . Despite offering 200 apologies over the years, Harbhajan admitted that he still felt remorse when the child refused to speak to him. He hopes she someday sees his true character and forgives him, striving to erase that regret from his legacy. (PC: X)  

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station, returned from his 18-day Axiom‑4 mission on July 15. A video, shared July 23, captures him relearning to walk—assisted first, then on a treadmill—as his body readapts from microgravity, managing fluid shifts, muscle loss, and balance retraining . He expressed gratitude for public support and marvelled at the body's rapid adjustment . Currently in post-mission quarantine until July 23, Shukla’s recovery underscores human resilience and offers valuable insights for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan crewed mission.