India and England clash at Lord’s for the 3rd Test of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. India, buoyant after a dominant 336‑run win at Edgbaston, welcome back Jasprit Bumrah, while England recall Jofra Archer after a four‑year hiatus. The Lord’s pitch appears greener than in Leeds and Birmingham, likely favoring pacers. India’s batting, led by captain Shubman Gill’s red‑hot form, dominates the narrative; their bowling attack, with Bumrah, Siraj and Akash Deep, looks fierce. England, meanwhile, seem bruised and anxious, their Bazball philosophy under scrutiny. Expect a gripping contest India seem poised to wrap it up by Day 4. (PC: BBC, Al Jazeera & India Today)

On February 17, 2025 at 5:36 AM IST, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Delhi, with its epicentre near Dhaula Kuan at a shallow depth of 5 km, causing noticeable tremors across Delhi-NCR and parts of North India . Though moderate in magnitude, its shallow depth and urban epicentre led high-rise buildings in Noida, Ghaziabad, and Greater Noida to sway significantly, startling residents . No casualties or structural damage were reported, but people rushed out of homes and public spaces. Authorities, including PM Modi and Delhi Police, advised calm, preparedness, and vigilance for possible aftershocks . Delhi lies in Seismic Zone IV, prone to shallow quakes due to geological fault lines and soft soil amplification—prompting calls for strengthening infrastructure and awareness. (PC: NDTV)

Atomic clocks show that on July 9, 2025, Earth’s rotation sped up slightly—shortening the day by approximately 1.3 milliseconds (about 0.0013 seconds) . This is part of an unusual trend since 2020: similar brief days are expected on July 22 and August 5, each up to 1.5 ms shorter . Experts suggest the Moon’s position—far from Earth’s equator—combined with internal geophysical factors, may be accelerating Earth’s spin . While imperceptible to humans, this signals a rare planetary shift. To adjust global timekeeping, a negative leap second may be introduced by 2029, marking a historic first.  

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a steep 50% tariff on all Brazilian goods, effective August 1, 2025, justifying it by referencing Brazil’s prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, calling it a “witch hunt,” and alleging censorship of U.S. tech platforms like X and Rumble . He simultaneously launched a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s digital trade practices, signaling possible further levies . Brazil’s President Lula promptly condemned the move as “tutelage,” threatening retaliation under reciprocity laws . The real fell over 2%, highlighting market fears of a brewing trade war . This escalation marks a politically charged expansion of Trump’s global tariff campaign, which also targets copper, pharmaceuticals and other nations. (PC: AP)

Maharashtra’s Food & Drugs Administration has suspended the licence of Ajanta Caterers at the Akashwani MLA hostel canteen in Mumbai after a video showed Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping and punching a staffer, accusing him of serving “rotten” dal and rice . The FDA seized 16 food samples—including dal, paneer, chutneys and oils—and sent them for lab testing in Bandra. The licence remains suspended pending the 14-day investigation period under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Political leaders, including CM Fadnavis and DCM Shinde, condemned the MLA’s conduct as misuse of power and urged swift administrative action. (PC: ANI)

A rapid analysis by Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimates that a 10‑day heatwave from June 23 to July 2 killed about 2,300 people across 12 major European cities . Human-induced warming raised temperatures up to 4 °C, causing approximately 1,500 of those deaths . Milan, Paris, and Barcelona reported the most fatalities, while older adults (65+) accounted for 80–88% of the climate‑linked casualties . The study used epidemiological models and historical data, revealing how heatwaves silently kill in homes and hospitals. It warns that climate-driven heat extremes are intensifying—posing a growing public-health emergency. (PC: AP Photo) 

India’s space regulator IN‑SPACe has granted Starlink a five-year authorisation (until July 2030 or end of Gen 1 constellation) to deploy its LEO satellite broadband service over India using 4,408 Starlink Gen 1 satellites . This approval clears the last major regulatory barrier, supplementing the earlier DoT GMPCS, VSAT, and ISP licenses . Next steps involve securing spectrum bands, building ground stations and gateways (including 27–30 GHz uplink and 10.7–12.7 GHz downlink) and passing security tests . With Jio and Airtel already on board for distribution partnerships, Starlink will soon roll out service aiming to expand connectivity to remote rural and urban areas alike. (PC: India Today)

On July 9, 2025, a section of the 43‑year‑old Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River in Vadodara district collapsed during a heavy‑rain spell. Multiple vehicles—including trucks, vans, and an autorickshaw—plunged into the river. Initial reports cited 9 fatalities and 5 injuries , while later updates confirmed 12 dead and 9 injured . Survivors described the bridge giving way "like a pack of cards," with local fishermen and NDRF teams aiding the rescue . The Gujarat Congress has criticized the state government, warning that the collapse was a “disaster waiting to happen” despite earlier concerns . An official probe was ordered, and PM Modi called the tragedy “deeply saddening,” offering condolences and announcing relief for victims’ families. (PC: The Indian EXPRESS)        

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis—Namibia’s highest civilian decoration—by Vice‑President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah during his state visit on July 9, 2025. The accolade marks a historic first, with Modi being the first Indian leader to receive this honour . In his acceptance speech, Modi dedicated the award to the 1.4 billion people of India and celebrated the enduring bonds between the two nations . The distinction, Modi’s fourth award during the current tour and 27th overall, underscores deepening diplomatic ties and inspires future bilateral cooperation. (PC: PTI)  

Heavy rain hit Delhi-NCR on Wednesday, causing waterlogging in many parts of Gurugram. Traffic jams were seen across the city, with commuters stuck for hours. Some residents shared videos on X, showing water flowing into homes in Sushant Lok. Others complained of no drainage and poor civic response. An ambulance was seen stuck in traffic near Sohna Road. The Gurugram Municipal Corporation said teams were working on the ground and that all drains were full due to high rainfall. Photos of drainage work were posted online. The weather department had issued an orange alert earlier in the day. (PC: Hindustan Times)