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)

Three Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies were killed in an explosion at the Biscailuz Center Training Academy in East Los Angeles. The blast occurred at 7:30 am near a Bomb Squad vehicle. While initial reports suggest it may have been accidental, the FBI has launched a probe. The facility, used for specialized law enforcement training, was evacuated as a precaution. California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed, and state support has been offered. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed federal agents are on-site. Authorities are investigating potential safety lapses and the presence of hazardous materials at the scene. (PC: HT)

Lashkar-e-Taiba and its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), are relocating their headquarters from Muridke to Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab, sources told India Today TV. The move follows the US officially designating TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). Indian agencies say the Pakistani Army is facilitating the co-location of both terror groups. TRF, behind the Pahalgam attack killing 26 civilians, operates as a Lashkar proxy under the guise of Kashmir militancy. Intelligence reports indicate TRF acts under orders from Pakistan’s military. The US cited the attack while reaffirming its commitment to fight global terrorism. (PC: India Today)

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) officially announced its exit from the INDIA bloc on Friday. Senior leader Sanjay Singh said AAP joined the alliance only for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and has since contested assembly polls independently in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat. Singh confirmed AAP will not attend the INDIA bloc’s meeting ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 21. He criticized Congress for failing to lead the opposition alliance effectively. However, AAP will maintain strategic ties with parties like TMC and DMK on parliamentary issues while positioning itself as a strong opposition. (PC: News18)

North Korea has abruptly banned foreign tourists from visiting its newly opened Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, weeks after its grand launch on July 1. The resort, featuring hotels, malls, and a water park, was part of Kim Jong Un’s tourism push. Russian tourists had just begun visiting, with Moscow-Pyongyang flights set to start soon. Despite earlier promotion for foreigners, North Korea’s tourism site now says the ban is “temporary.” Human rights groups have long criticized the resort’s labor practices. Last year, Pyongyang briefly allowed Russian and Western tourists after its pandemic tourism freeze but halted visits without explanation. (PC: BBC)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in the UK on July 23 at 8 pm at Stansted Airport, where a large gathering of the Indian diaspora is expected to welcome him. On July 24, Modi will sign the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK, a move hailed as a “historic milestone” in bilateral ties after three years of negotiations. The deal offers major benefits for Indian professionals, especially in IT, through a social security agreement that exempts them from contributions for up to three years. Over 60,000 workers are expected to benefit from this new pact. (PC: X/ NarendraModi)

A young woman was brutally attacked inside a crowded Kyiv metro train in Ukraine on July 17 after she allegedly shouted pro-Russian slogans like "Glory to Russia." Viral footage shows a man repeatedly slapping and kicking her as bystanders watched. Ukrainian media claimed she provoked the assault with anti-Ukrainian remarks. Russian outlet RT accused Ukraine of hypocrisy, saying the crowd justified the violence. Police in Kyiv have launched an investigation to identify everyone involved. Authorities urged citizens to report crimes to police rather than take matters into their own hands. The woman was eventually forced off the train.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Trinamool Congress during his rally in Durgapur, accusing it of shielding the accused in the Kolkata gangrape case and failing to ensure law and order in West Bengal. He alleged TMC leaders were linked to the accused and criticized the government’s handling of crimes against women. Modi also accused TMC of extorting businesses through a so-called ‘Gunda Tax,’ hindering investment and job creation. He launched infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,400 crore, including Bharat Petroleum’s City Gas project and the Durgapur-Kolkata gas pipeline, promising development despite the state’s alleged governance failures. (PC: India Today)

The EU rolled out its 18th sanctions package on July 18, 2025, targeting Russia’s oil exports and financial networks. It designated Rosneft’s 49.13% stake in India’s Vadinar (Nayara Energy) refinery, banning export of petroleum products from it to Europe . The oil price cap was slashed from $60 to ~$47.6/barrel, set dynamically at ~15% below market rates and updated biannually . Additionally, the sanctions blacklist 105+ ships in Russia’s “shadow fleet,” curb Nord Stream-related transactions, and hit more Russian banks and Chinese financial enablers . These measures severely strain Russia’s wartime oil revenue channels and directly impact India’s fuel exports and energy sourcing. (PC: Reuters)  

Donald Trump has reversed his Ukraine stance, pledging $10 billion in Western-funded U.S. weapons for Ukraine and threatening 100% tariffs on Russia and its buyers—especially China and India—if no ceasefire occurs in 50 days . The proposed Graham‑Blumenthal bill could hike tariffs to 500% on Russian energy importers, directly impacting India, a major Russian oil buyer . NATO chief Rutte warned Delhi, Beijing and Brasilia to “brace up” for consequences . India may face a dilemma: risk U.S. sanctions or pivot toward Western trade and defence integration . With European leaders uneasy about footing the bill, New Delhi must balance securing a U.S. trade deal, deepening defence cooperation, and safeguarding national interests amid shrinking geopolitical space. (PC: Reuters)