India and the United States are nearing finalisation of an interim trade deal, with key discussions continuing between negotiators. Sources say the Indian delegation may soon return to Washington to accelerate talks, aiming for a September–October conclusion. Rajesh Agrawal, India’s chief trade negotiator, confirmed the focus on first sealing an interim pact before progressing to a full bilateral trade agreement. Agrawal also highlighted India's broader trade push, citing recent FTAs with the UK, Australia, and the UAE, and ongoing talks with the EU, Chile, Peru, and New Zealand. India has signed 14 FTAs with 26 countries to date. (PC: News18)

Squadron Leader Lokender Singh Sindhu, 32, was one of two Indian Air Force pilots killed in a Jaguar fighter jet crash near Churu, Rajasthan. The Haryana native had become a father on June 10 and rejoined duty on June 30. His wife, Dr. Surbhi Sindhu, was at her parental home in Hisar with their newborn when she received the tragic news. Lokender, a bright student from Rohtak, joined the IAF in 2011. The crash also claimed Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh. This marks the third Jaguar crash since March. A court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause. (PC: HT)

The 2025 Wimbledon men's singles semi-final lineup is set. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, USA’s Taylor Fritz, and tennis legend Novak Djokovic will face off in the penultimate round. Fritz reached his first Wimbledon semi-final after defeating Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets. Sinner overcame Daniil Medvedev in a four-set thriller. Alcaraz showed dominance, beating Tommy Paul in four sets. Djokovic advanced after Alex de Minaur withdrew due to a hip injury. Djokovic, aiming for a record-extending Grand Slam tally, is the only remaining former Wimbledon champion. Fans now eagerly await the high-octane clashes set to decide the 2025 Wimbledon finalist. (PC: File Photo)

Day 11 of Wimbledon 2025 features two thrilling women’s semi-finals. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faces 13th seed Amanda Anisimova, who leads their rivalry 5-3. Anisimova, playing her first Wimbledon semi, returns after a mental health break and is in top form. In the second clash, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek meets Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who is making a strong comeback after maternity leave. Swiatek seeks her first Wimbledon final, having adapted well to grass. The day also includes the mixed doubles final and men’s doubles semi-finals, promising high drama and potential history at SW19. (PC: India Today)

Britain is set to lose the equivalent of one pub a day in 2024, warns the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), citing unsustainable tax burdens. Over 21,000 UK pubs have closed since 2000, including 500 in 2023 alone. The BBPA is urging the new Labour government to reduce beer duty and business rates, which they say disproportionately impact pubs compared to supermarkets. The group argues that targeted tax relief could help revitalize the struggling industry, which supports nearly 940,000 jobs and contributes £28 billion annually to the economy. Without urgent action, historic and community-centric venues risk vanishing at an alarming pace. (PC: Financial Times & iStock)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, in a forceful op‑ed marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, warns that India’s democracy was critically undermined when Indira Gandhi suspended civil liberties between June 1975–March 1977. He highlights the incarceration of journalists, activists, opposition leaders, judicial submission including suspension of habeas corpus and “horrifying” human‑rights abuses: torture, extrajudicial killings, forced vasectomies and slum demolitions orchestrated by Sanjay Gandhi. Tharoor stresses that today’s India is stronger, but must heed lessons: protect freedom of information, ensure an independent judiciary, and resist executive overreach. He cautions that unchecked power, even with parliamentary majority, threatens democratic norms. The Emergency, he concludes, remains a stark reminder that democracy is precious and fragile. (PC: News18 & BBC)

The UK and Japan have formalised a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to boost UK investment into Japan and strengthen bilateral economic ties. Signed on 9 July 2025 at the British Embassy in Tokyo by Baroness Poppy Gustafsson and Japan’s Seto Takakazu, the agreement supports Japan’s aim to double FDI to ¥120 trillion (~£600 billion) by 2030. It targets key sectors: clean energy, digital transformation, biotech, healthcare, professional and financial services, and builds on frameworks such as CEPA, CPTPP, and the Hiroshima Accord. The MoC launches “Expand in Japan”, a UK Embassy initiative to guide UK investors. Nearly 1,000 Japanese firms already operate in the UK, investing £87 billion. (PC: X)

Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer are set to reignite their long-anticipated rivalry in the Lord’s Test on Thursday. Bumrah, now the world’s top-ranked Test bowler with 210 wickets at an average of 19.60, returns to the XI after a careful injury-managed comeback. Archer, playing his first Test since 2021 after battling elbow injuries, makes a highly emotional return to the red-ball format. Both quicks bring pace, menace, and narrative—Bumrah’s rocket-like rise contrasting Archer’s stop-start journey. Lord’s prepares for a blockbuster showdown, with over 30,000 fans expected to witness this clash of fast-bowling titans on cricket’s grandest stage. (PC: BCCI)

Nine Indian tourists were detained in Moscow on July 8 and held for three days without explanation, despite possessing valid documents, according to Amit Tanwar, one of the travellers. Only three of their 12-member group were cleared. Tanwar shared on Instagram that Russian authorities confiscated passports, checked phones, and confined them to a locked room with minimal food and water. He called the treatment "inhumane" and "humiliating," urging PM Modi and the Indian Embassy to intervene. Deportations reportedly began via Baku, Azerbaijan. The tourists fear further mistreatment and remain mentally distressed by the experience and lack of official communication. (PC: NDTV)

James Gunn’s Superman (2025), starring David Corenswet, offers a refreshing reboot for DC, blending retro aesthetics with a futuristic Metropolis. Corenswet impresses as the iconic superhero, delivering both charm and emotional depth. Nicholas Hoult shines as Lex Luthor, while Rachel Brosnahan convincingly portrays Lois Lane. Bradley Cooper, John Cena, and Sean Gunn make surprise cameos. Though early action lags, the second half gains momentum, culminating in a gripping Superman vs. Ultraman showdown. Krypto, the superdog, adds comic relief. Gunn avoids the dark tone of previous adaptations, offering a lighter, engaging narrative that may revive the DC cinematic universe’s momentum. (PC: X)