External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, marking his first China visit in five years. The meeting focused on restoring strategic trust post-2020 LAC standoff, with Jaishankar emphasizing zero tolerance for terrorism and peaceful border resolution. Talks covered rare earth supplies, Dalai Lama succession, and resumption of direct flights. The visit precedes the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tianjin. Jaishankar also met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, advocating for continued normalization of ties. Both sides acknowledged the importance of mutual respect and cooperation amid global complexities, aiming to stabilize bilateral relations and foster regional peace. (PC: X)

Three top ULFA (I) leaders, including lower council chief Nayan Asom, were killed in alleged drone and missile strikes on mobile camps in Myanmar’s Sagaing region. The Paresh Baruah-led faction blamed Indian forces, claiming over 150 Israeli and French-made drones were used between 2–4 am Sunday. Ganesh Asom and Pradip Asom were reportedly killed during Nayan’s funeral in a second wave of attacks. The Indian Army denied involvement, stating no inputs on such operations. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also ruled out state police participation. No independent confirmation has emerged, and Myanmar has not responded. ULFA (I) has long operated from camps along the 1,600-km India-Myanmar border. (PC: India Today)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has officially begun his return journey to Earth as SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:35 pm IST. Shukla, part of the Axiom-4 mission, spent 18 days aboard the ISS, marking a historic milestone as India’s second astronaut in space after Rakesh Sharma. The Dragon will complete a 22.5-hour journey before splashdown off California’s coast at 3:01 am IST on Tuesday. Axiom commander Peggy Whitson wished the crew “Godspeed.” After undocking, Dragon will perform engine burns, re-entry, and parachute-assisted landing. Recovery operations are already underway.

India pacer Mohammed Siraj has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching ICC’s Code of Conduct during the fourth day of the third Test against England at Lord’s. Siraj celebrated aggressively after dismissing England’s Ben Duckett, making contact with the batter as he walked off. He was found guilty under Article 2.5 for using gestures or language that could provoke an aggressive reaction. Siraj also received one demerit point, his second in 24 months. India ended Day 4 at 58/4, chasing 193 to secure a 2-1 lead in the series. (PC: HT)

India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), is set to return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. The undocking, originally scheduled for 4:30 pm IST, has been delayed by 10 minutes for final checks. Shukla will return alongside astronauts from the USA, Poland, and Hungary after an 18-day mission. NASA and SpaceX confirmed the mission remains on track with a fully autonomous return. Splashdown is expected on Tuesday after a 21-hour journey. Shukla follows Rakesh Sharma as India’s second man in space. (PC: India Today)

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s second astronaut in space and first to visit the ISS, concludes his 18-day Axiom-4 mission today. The collaborative effort between Axiom Space, NASA, and ISRO, dubbed Mission Akash Ganga marks a pivotal step toward India’s Gaganyaan program. Shukla conducted seven India-specific microgravity experiments aboard the ISS, contributing vital data for future planetary missions. His return journey begins July 14, with splashdown expected near California on July 15 at 3 PM IST. ISRO confirms Shukla is in good health. With ₹33,000 crore allocated for Gaganyaan, India aims to land an astronaut on the moon by 2040. Shukla’s reflections from space underscore India’s confidence, pride, and global ambition. (PC: Money Control & News Arena)

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary report on the Air India crash suggests fuel cutoff switches were manually triggered seconds after takeoff, causing engine failure. However, the cockpit voice recording reveals confusion between pilots, with one denying the action. The report lacks full CVR transcripts and fails to clarify who operated the switches. Aviation experts and pilot unions reject the pilot error theory, citing possible mechanical faults and referencing FAA advisories on switch malfunctions. The report’s tone and lack of transparency have drawn criticism, with calls for a fair, fact-based investigation. Speculative media narratives, including insinuations of pilot suicide, have been condemned as irresponsible and insensitive. (PC: The Tribune & The New York Times)

Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya faces execution in Yemen on July 16 for the 2017 murder of a Yemeni national. The Supreme Court heard a plea urging government intervention, but the Centre stated its diplomatic reach is limited due to Yemen’s sensitivity and lack of formal recognition. Petitioners seek blood money negotiations with the victim’s family, the only remaining option under Sharia law. Despite offers exceeding ₹8.6 crore, the family refuses, citing honor. The Attorney General confirmed efforts to suspend the execution have failed. The Court will hear the matter again on July 18. Justice Mehta expressed concern, calling Priya’s potential execution “very unfortunate”. (PC: Outlook India)

A recent study reveals that a 10-day heatwave across 12 European cities caused approximately 2,300 deaths, with 1,500 directly linked to climate change. Temperatures soared past 40°C in Spain, triggering wildfires in France. Researchers from five European institutions found climate change increased heatwave temperatures by up to 4°C. Vulnerable groups including elderly, children, outdoor workers faced heightened risks, especially in urban areas. Most deaths occurred in homes and hospitals, often unreported. The EU’s Copernicus service confirmed June 2025 as Western Europe’s hottest on record. Experts warn that heatwaves will intensify unless fossil fuel emissions are curbed. The findings underscore the deadly impact of rising global temperatures. (PC: Deccan Herald & The Guardian)

India pacer Mohammed Siraj was fined 15% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the fourth day of the third Test against England at Lord’s. The incident occurred when Siraj dismissed Ben Duckett and celebrated excessively close to the batter, violating Article 2.5, which prohibits provocative gestures post-dismissal. Siraj admitted the offence, avoiding a formal hearing. This marks his second demerit point in 24 months. On-field umpires and match referee Richie Richardson issued the charge. India, chasing 193, ended Day 4 at 58/4 on a deteriorating pitch, with tensions high and the match finely poised. (PC: ESPNCricInfo & AP)