Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of misusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to systematically target senior Congress leaders. Speaking to the media on July 18, Venugopal alleged that the Modi–Shah duo seems to have assigned the ED a "monthly assignment" against opposition figures. His comments followed recent ED raids, including on Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, linked to an alleged liquor scam. Congress leaders condemned the actions as political harassment, demanding accountability and warning against the misuse of investigative agencies. (PC: ANI)  

  In the early hours of July 18, over 20 Delhi schools—including Abhinav Public School (Rohini Sector 3) and Richmondd Global School (Paschim Vihar)—received threatening emails claiming bombs were planted on their premises. Both Delhi Police and Fire Service teams swiftly evacuated students and staff, conducting extensive searches; no explosives were found . This marks the fourth wave of such threats this week, following previous alerts to St. Thomas School, St. Stephen's College, Navy and CRPF schools, and others between July 14–16 . Authorities are investigating, treating these as potential hoaxes while heightening security protocols across educational institutions. (PC: Facebook)  

Kamana Shukla from Lucknow became the first Indian woman to receive a live call from the International Space Station (ISS). Her husband, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, recently completed an 18-day mission aboard the ISS as part of India's growing space collaboration efforts. The couple’s emotional moment marks a personal milestone and national pride. Kamana, a dentist by profession, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, highlighting their journey from school friends to global recognition. Shubhanshu’s safe return and family reunion in Houston added to the emotional significance of this unique achievement for India. (PC: Zee News)  

The United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the move underscores Washington’s commitment to counterterrorism and justice. The designation imposes financial and travel sanctions on TRF and its members. TRF initially claimed responsibility for the attack, later retracting it. The attack escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, prompting India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure. The US action strengthens global counterterrorism cooperation and reaffirms support for India’s security efforts. (PC: France 24 & The Economic Times)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that India-China ties must exclude third-party influence, referencing Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of a stable border and urged de-escalation five years after the Galwan clash. Patrols have resumed in Depsang and Demchok following a 2024 agreement. Jaishankar also pressed China to ensure predictable supply chains and lift export constraints on critical minerals. At the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meet, he highlighted terrorism as a shared concern, citing India’s actions post-Pahalgam attack and UN resolution 16050. The meeting was cordial, with both sides acknowledging the need for bilateral cooperation free from external interference. (PC: X/@Sjaishankar)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reported record revenue of ₹9,741.7 crore for the financial year 2023–24. The Indian Premier League (IPL) played a pivotal role, contributing ₹5,761 crore—nearly 59% of the total earnings. Additional income sources included ₹1,042 crore from ICC distributions, ₹987 crore from investment interest, ₹378 crore from the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL), and ₹361 crore from ticketing and hospitality during men’s international tours. This reflects the BCCI’s growing financial influence, driven by media rights deals, global partnerships, and expanding cricket tournaments. (PC: News 18)  

Pakistan’s javelin star Arshad Nadeem, who won gold at Paris 2024 by defeating India’s Neeraj Chopra, has accused Pakistani authorities of failing to honor their prize commitments. Nadeem revealed that while he received some cash rewards, the promised land plots and housing benefits were never delivered, calling the announcements “fake promises.” He emphasized that despite bringing glory to Pakistan, he relied mostly on public support rather than government backing. Nadeem is currently recovering from an injury in England and preparing for upcoming international events, including the Diamond League and World Championships. (PC: NDTV)  

  India’s External Affairs Ministry and Petroleum Minister strongly pushed back on U.S. and NATO secondary sanctions targeting countries importing Russian oil. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that energy security remains India’s top priority, guided by market offers and global realities, and cautioned against inconsistent sanctioning approaches . Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured India can diversify its supply chain—expanding from about 27 to 40 countries—to offset any restrictions on Russian imports . The statements mark New Delhi’s first official pushback on evolving Western sanction threats, underlining India’s strategic autonomy in foreign and energy policies. (PC: Reuters)

  The US Department of State has officially labeled The Resistance Front (TRF)—a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The move responds to TRF’s claim of responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, which claimed 26 civilian lives, mainly Hindu tourists. The designation freezes the group’s assets, criminalizes support, and aligns with former President Trump’s call for justice. The review process remains ongoing, but the action underscores mounting international pressure to curtail Pakistan-based proxies and counter cross-border terrorism. (PC: TRF)

Eight babies have been born in the UK using a groundbreaking three-person DNA technique to prevent hereditary mitochondrial disease. The method combines the mother’s and father’s DNA with healthy mitochondria from a female donor. All eight children are confirmed healthy and free from the hereditary condition, which can cause severe disability or death. Developed by the Newcastle Fertility Centre, the technique has been legal in the UK since 2015. Children inherit 0.1% of their DNA from the donor. Families expressed gratitude, calling it life-changing. Experts say this success brings hope to families facing hereditary mitochondrial diseases. (PC: BBC)