The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has recognized state-backed financing of terrorism as a global threat, emphasizing that state sponsorship violates international norms . This marks the first time FATF addressed state-linked terror funding as a material risk, reinforcing India’s long-standing claim that Pakistan harbors and finances militant outfits . A recent FATF report also exposed Pakistan’s efforts to smuggle dual-use missile components and linked financial networks to the April 2025 Pahalgam attack . India is likely to push for Pakistan’s return to FATF’s grey list as pressure mounts for tougher global action. (PC: AP)  

A video from July 9, 2025, near Virar station in Maharashtra captures a sharp confrontation between a migrant auto-rickshaw driver and a biker over a brief overtaking incident. The rickshaw driver, originally from another state, asserts loudly, "Main Hindi bolunga" ("I will speak Hindi"), refusing to use local Marathi. The biker angrily retorts, questioning why Marathi isn't being spoken in the area. The exchange reflects deeper tensions amid a series of recent language-related incidents in the state. Social media buzzed over the clip, reigniting debates on linguistic identity and regional pride. (PC: NDTV)

A twin‑seater Jaguar trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed around 1:25 pm on July 9, 2025, near Bhanoda village in Churu district, Rajasthan, killing both pilots . The jet had taken off from the Suratgarh air base for a routine training mission. Debris, including human remains, was found scattered across the agricultural field, with thick black smoke reported. The IAF confirmed that no civilian properties were harmed and expressed condolences, stating a court of inquiry has been established to determine the cause . This marks the third Jaguar crash since March 2025, raising concerns about the aging fleet. (PC: PTI)  

At least 10 people died after a part of the Gambhira Bridge in Vadodara, Gujarat, collapsed on Wednesday. Five vehicles, including two trucks and an auto-rickshaw, fell into the Mahisagar River. Rescue work is still going on. Opposition leaders blamed the BJP government. The Trinamool Congress asked, “Is this an act of God or an act of fraud?” Congress said locals had warned that the bridge was shaking. Supriya Shrinate called the “Gujarat Model” a symbol of corruption. PM Modi said the incident was “deeply saddening” and announced ₹2 lakh for families of the dead, ₹50,000 for the injured. (PC: AP)

At least 3 people, including 2 children, died in flash floods in Ruidoso, New Mexico, after 8.8cm of rain caused the Ruidoso River to surge to historic levels. Search and rescue teams conducted over 50 swift water rescues, while damage assessment continues. Emergency crews remain active, with a hotline for missing persons. The floods follow deadly flooding in Texas, where 111 people have died and 161 remain missing, especially in Kerr County. Burn scars from wildfires in 2024 increased the flood risk in Ruidoso, where residents were previously evacuated due to massive fires that destroyed thousands of hectares of land.

Tamil Nadu-born Chef Vijay Kumar has won the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef in New York, earning global acclaim for his signature snail curry, Nathai Pirattal. Once shamed in childhood for loving the dish, Kumar has now turned it into a culinary triumph at his Michelin-starred restaurant Semma. Embracing his roots and cooking with authenticity, Kumar said, “There is no such thing as poor or rich food — it’s food.” His win is a powerful statement on the value of traditional cuisine and subaltern pride. Kumar wore a veshti while receiving the honor, redefining luxury through heritage and truth. (PC: X)

Actors Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa are going to be parents soon. They shared the happy news on Instagram with a soft, pastel photo showing a cradle and a floral wreath. The post read, “Baby on the way.” Rajkummar simply wrote, “Elated ❤️❤️.” The couple has been together for 15 years. They got married in November 2021 in a quiet ceremony in Chandigarh. Rajkummar once said Patralekhaa is his biggest strength. Fans and friends are showering them with love. Rajkummar's new movie Maalik releases on July 11. Patralekhaa was last seen in Phule.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhunzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani for alleged gender-based persecution in Afghanistan. Judges said the Taliban severely deprived women and girls of education, freedom of movement, expression, and other rights since seizing power on August 15, 2021. The court also cited persecution based on gender identity. The Taliban dismissed the charges as “baseless rhetoric” and rejected ICC jurisdiction. Rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch welcomed the move, calling it a crucial step toward accountability for widespread, systematic abuses against Afghan women and LGBTQ+ communities. (PC: Al Jazeera)

‘Vatsala’, Asia’s oldest elephant, died on July 8, 2025, at the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh at over 100 years of age. Originally from Kerala, she had become a beloved figure at the reserve—leading elephant herds and acting as a grandmother to calves. Due to age-related ailments, including blindness and foot injuries, she was under regular veterinary care. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav paid heartfelt tribute, calling her the “silent guardian of our forests.” Vatsala’s last rites were conducted by forest officials, marking the end of a remarkable life that captivated generations of visitors and staff alike. (PC: The Hindu)

A yellow heat health alert has been issued across southern England as the UK faces its third summer heatwave. The alert, active from Wednesday to Tuesday, covers London, the Midlands, the East and South. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 32°C, possibly 34°C, with "significant impacts" predicted on health and social care. The UK Health Security Agency has urged people, especially the elderly, to take precautions. Nights will remain uncomfortably warm. A hosepipe ban begins in Yorkshire on Friday. The Met Office warns this heatwave could be more widespread than June’s record-breaking hot spell. (PC: Sky News)