US President Donald Trump has warned BRICS nations, including India, China, and Brazil, of a 10% tariff for challenging the US dollar. “If they are a member of BRICS, they have to pay a 10% tariff,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting. He claimed BRICS aims to weaken the dollar and added, “The dollar is king. We’re going to keep it that way.” The warning is part of Trump’s broader trade plan, which raises tariffs on over a dozen countries. “They’ll have to pay,” he repeated, making it clear that the US will not tolerate threats to its economic dominance. (PC: Reuters)

Aryna Sabalenka has become the second woman since 2000, after Serena Williams, to reach 10 Grand Slam semi-finals in just 11 appearances. She achieved this milestone after defeating Laura Siegemund in a hard-fought Wimbledon quarter-final. Sabalenka lost the first set but fought back to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. Despite Siegemund’s tricky grass-court tactics, Sabalenka adapted her game to secure the win. The world number one showed strength and determination under pressure. This record places her alongside Serena Williams, one of tennis’s greatest players, marking a major achievement in Sabalenka’s rising career. She now advances to her third Wimbledon semi-final. (PC: Getty Images)

A yellow heat health alert has been issued for southern England as a new heatwave is expected this week. The alert will be in place from Wednesday 10am to Tuesday 10am. Areas like London, the Midlands, East and South of England will be affected. Experts warn the heat may strain health and care services. Temperatures could reach up to 34°C by the weekend. People are advised to stay cool and avoid direct sun. A hosepipe ban will also begin in Yorkshire on Friday. This marks the third heatwave of the summer, with more areas affected than the last two. (PC: PA)

Starting November 1, petrol pumps in Delhi and five NCR districts will stop giving fuel to old vehicles. Diesel cars older than 10 years and petrol cars older than 15 years will be affected. The rule will also apply in Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Sonipat. This step is part of a campaign to fight air pollution. Earlier, the ban was paused after strong public backlash. Many said it was unfair to scrap working cars. Now, the government has decided to restart the fuel ban with better planning. Automated cameras and traffic police will help catch rule-breakers at fuel stations. (PC: PTI)

Goldman Sachs has hired former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a senior adviser. Sunak will guide the bank’s global clients on economic and political issues. He was UK Prime Minister from October 2022 to July 2024 and also served as finance minister. Before politics, Sunak worked at Goldman Sachs as an intern in 2000 and later as an analyst. He also co-founded an investment firm. Although he led the Conservative Party to a major election loss, Sunak still serves as a Member of Parliament. Goldman Sachs said Sunak brings valuable experience and insights to the company’s global work. (PC: Bloomberg)

Spanish police believe Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, was driving a rented Lamborghini Huracán at high speed when it suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle on the A‑52 near Cernadilla, Zamora, early on 3 July. The car veered off-road, collided with a barrier, burst into flames, and both Jota and his brother André Silva, 25, died at the scene. Investigators cite evidence from tyre marks and possible speeding well above the 120 km/h limit. Experts also point to poor road conditions and recent similar accidents at the same location. The final technical report will be submitted to a court in Puebla de Sanabria. (PC: People.com)

US President Donald Trump has strongly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine peace talks. During a cabinet meeting, Trump said Putin talks “a lot of bullsh*t” and often makes false promises. He added that while Putin acts friendly, his words “mean nothing.” Trump also said he is seriously considering a Senate bill that proposes new sanctions on Russia. The US president confirmed he had allowed sending defensive weapons to Ukraine. Trump’s comments show rising tension between the two leaders, as the US looks for ways to help end the war in Ukraine and hold Russia accountable. (PC: AFP)

Kerala’s KSRTC has declared “Dies Non” for Wednesday, instructing all employees to report for duty despite a nationwide Bharat Bandh. Any staff absent without a valid medical certificate forfeits a day’s salary, deducted from July’s payroll. Canteens must remain open until July 9 or face license cancellation and blacklisting. Officers cannot leave office premises, and attendance records must reach the Executive Director (Vigilance) by 3 PM on strike day. Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar affirmed full bus operations, which drew criticism from LDF convenor TP Ramakrishnan. Trade unions, including CPM-affiliated CITU, have served strike notices to KSRTC, accusing the government of pushing anti-worker, anti-farmer, pro-corporate policies. (PC: Times of India & Moneycontrol)

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has joined Goldman Sachs as a senior adviser, his first major role since stepping down in July 2024. Sunak is returning to the firm where he began his career in the early 2000s, first as a summer intern in 2000 and later as a junior analyst until 2004. In his new part-time role, he'll advise Goldman’s leadership and clients on macroeconomic and geopolitical issues, while engaging global staff on learning and development. His salary will be donated to the Richmond Project, his numeracy‑focused UK charity. The Advisory Committee approved his appointment with restrictions, barring lobbying the government for a year. Sunak remains MP for Richmond and Northallerton. (PC: The New York Times & Getty Images)

Kerala-born nurse Nimisha Priya, 37, faces execution in Yemen on July 16, 2025, after being convicted of murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mehdi in July 2017. Priya allegedly sedated Mehdi to retrieve her passport; the overdose led to his death. His body was reportedly dismembered and dumped in a water tank. After conviction by a trial court in 2018, Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council upheld the sentence in November 2023, and President Rashad al‑Alimi approved it in December 2024. With all legal appeals exhausted, only forgiveness from Mehdi’s family and acceptance of a proposed US $1 million blood‑money settlement can halt the execution. Negotiations continue, led by her mother in Sana’a. (PC: India Today)