India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Ax-4 crew are set to return to Earth after a 22-hour journey from the International Space Station. Their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked on July 14 and will land in the Pacific Ocean near California, United States, on July 15. The mission, a key step for India’s Gaganyaan ambitions, involved 18 days in space conducting 60 experiments on health, agriculture, and microgravity. Shukla’s work on muscle loss and algae farming gained attention. The crew brings back 260 kg of cargo, including NASA equipment and research data critical for future space exploration. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump warned Russia on July 14 to announce a Ukraine ceasefire within 50 days or face 100% tariffs. Speaking alongside Dutch PM Mark Rutte, Trump said trade is a tool to “settle wars.” He expressed frustration with Russian President Putin’s actions despite peace talks and confirmed the US will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Trump’s envoy met Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy to discuss defence cooperation. Meanwhile, Russia claimed fresh gains in eastern Ukraine. Trump, once soft on Putin, has toughened his stance amid Moscow’s continued aggression. Ukraine expects further NATO and US military support soon. (PC: News18)

Security has been tightened at Amritsar’s Golden Temple after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) received a bomb threat via email on July 14. Punjab Police confirmed an FIR has been registered and cybercrime units are investigating. Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar assured foolproof security, urging the public to stay calm. Bomb squads and additional forces have been deployed. Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla demanded swift action, calling the threat an attack on peace and humanity. Authorities emphasized vigilance and assured no compromise on security at the revered Sikh shrine, visited daily by thousands of devotees and tourists. (PC: HT)

Mohammed Siraj was in tears after being the final wicket as India fell short by 22 runs against England in the Lord’s Test. Siraj, who bravely defended alongside Ravindra Jadeja, was dismissed in unlucky fashion by Shoaib Bashir. England players including Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Harry Brook consoled Siraj, evoking memories of the 2005 Edgbaston Test. India’s lower order fought hard with Jadeja unbeaten on 61, but the target proved just beyond reach. The defeat leaves India trailing ahead of the Manchester Test on July 23. Siraj’s emotional reaction moved fans and players alike. (PC: X)

Two women were killed and two men injured after a gunman opened fire at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. The attack followed a car chase that began when the suspect, Guy House, 47, shot a state trooper during a traffic stop. House later carjacked a vehicle and drove to the church, where he opened fire on parishioners before being fatally shot by law enforcement. Victims Beverly Gum, 72, and Christina Combs, 32, died at the scene. Authorities believe the gunman had ties to individuals at the church. Kentucky State Police are leading the investigation. (PC: BBC)

India strongly condemned the throwing of eggs at devotees during the ISKCON Rath Yatra in Toronto on July 11. Videos showed unknown individuals targeting participants singing devotional songs, sparking outrage over racism and xenophobia. Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik urged the Ministry of External Affairs to protest. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the act “despicable” and asked Canada to hold perpetrators accountable. The annual Rath Yatra, deeply significant to Odisha’s people, was disrupted but devotees continued undeterred. India expects Canada to protect religious rights and ensure such incidents don’t recur, officials said on July 14. (PC: India Today)

The Election Commission of India has removed 35.6 lakh names from Bihar’s voter list during its Special Intensive Revision ahead of the assembly elections. The exclusions include 12.55 lakh deceased voters, 17.37 lakh who shifted permanently, and 5.76 lakh duplicate entries. So far, 83.66% of Bihar’s 7.9 crore electors have submitted enumeration forms. The EC said efforts through door-to-door visits and tech tools like the ECINet app are ongoing to ensure inclusion of eligible voters. The draft voter list will be released on August 1. Opposition parties have criticized the process as controversial and politically motivated. (PC: News18)

India’s aviation regulator DGCA on July 15 directed airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking systems on Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft by July 21. The move follows a probe into last month’s Air India 787 crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people. Investigators found fuel supply was cut within a second to both engines. Air India operates 787s, while Air India Express and SpiceJet operate 737s. IndiGo’s leased 787s are exempt. Though flagged by the FAA in 2018, no prior directive was issued. DGCA said global airlines are also undertaking similar inspections. (PC: The Hindu)

India fell agonizingly short of a historic chase in the 3rd Test at Lord’s, losing to England by 22 runs. Chasing 193, India collapsed to 112/8 but fought back bravely through Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty half-century and a spirited stand from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. However, Siraj’s dismissal in the 75th over ended hopes of a famous victory, with India bowled out for 170. The dramatic finish handed England a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series. The result leaves India needing wins in the final two Tests to secure the series. England celebrated a hard-fought, narrow triumph. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump warned Russia of "very severe tariffs" if Vladimir Putin fails to end the Ukraine war within 50 days. Speaking at the White House alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said tariffs could reach 100 percent. Trump criticised Putin for promising peace but continuing missile strikes on Ukraine. "I'm very disappointed with President Putin," Trump said. The US plans to send Patriot missile systems to NATO allies supporting Ukraine. Rutte backed Trump’s warning, urging Putin to take negotiations seriously. Trump hinted further sanctions could follow if Russia ignores his ultimatum for a ceasefire with Ukraine. (PC: India Today)