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)

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority has again extended the closure of the sole runway (01/19) at Rahim Yar Khan airbase—also home to Sheikh Zayed International Airport—now scheduled to remain closed until 5–6 August 2025 . The runway was severely damaged on 10 May during India's Operation Sindoor, with satellite imagery showing a crater approximately 43 ft in diameter, along with extensive hangar damage . NOTAMs initially issued for one week were repeatedly extended (early June, early July), indicating complex and prolonged repair efforts . Located in southern Punjab near the Rajasthan frontier, the dual-use facility remains a strategic PAF base, its runway still undergoing “work in progress” repairs. (PC: India Today)  

Israeli national Dror Goldstein expressed shock upon learning his estranged partner, Russian citizen Nina Kutina, had been living in a cave in Gokarna, Karnataka, with their two daughters. Discovered during a police inspection, Kutina had overstayed her visa and lived in isolation for weeks. Goldstein, who financially supported Kutina since their first child’s birth, now seeks shared custody, fearing deportation to Russia would sever ties with his children. He was denied access to them at the Foreign Detention Centre due to procedural issues. Kutina insists on raising the children alone and disputes media portrayals of their cave life, claiming it was peaceful and healthy. (PC: Hindustan Times & Moneycontrol)

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.

Indian intelligence has reportedly tracked Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan-occupied territory. Azhar, a UN-designated terrorist linked to major attacks in India, had been missing from public view following Operation Sindoor, which targeted JeM’s Bahawalpur base. His reappearance signals a potential revival of terror activities, with intelligence citing audio clips of Azhar boasting about 10,000 fidayeen ready for jihad. The broadcast, allegedly played at a Bahawalpur mosque, is seen as a coded call for terror financing and a shift in Pakistan’s proxy war strategy. India continues to demand Azhar’s extradition, while Pakistan denies his presence despite mounting evidence. (PC: India Today)

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)

President Donald Trump has ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek court approval to release grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein, following a Wall Street Journal report alleging Trump sent Epstein a sexually suggestive birthday letter in 2003. Trump denies authorship, calling the letter “fake” and threatening to sue the Journal, NewsCorp, and Rupert Murdoch. The Justice Department recently stated Epstein died by suicide and dismissed claims of a “client list.” Trump’s move comes amid mounting pressure from supporters demanding transparency. The letter, reportedly featuring a nude sketch and cryptic message, has reignited controversy over Trump’s past ties to Epstein and the administration’s handling of related files. (PC: Vanity Fair)

In a major diplomatic win for India, the US designated The Resistance Front (TRF) a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This follows China’s earlier block at the UN Security Council (UNSC) preventing TRF’s mention after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. India’s strategic diplomacy reversed the narrative, bolstering its case at the upcoming FATF meeting to re-list Pakistan in the ‘grey list’. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hailed the move as a “strong affirmation” of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. The designation could freeze TRF’s funding and push for UNSC sanctions, strengthening global pressure on Pakistan. (PC: The Hindu & Reuters)