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)

Over 25 crore public‑sector workers including those in banking, postal, mining, transport and construction will strike across India on July 9, backed by a united front of 10 central trade unions plus farmer and rural‑labour groups. They protest “anti‑worker, anti‑farmer, pro‑corporate” policies: new labour codes that weaken rights, rising unemployment, inflation, cuts in healthcare and education, stalled labour conference, outsourcing and privatisation. Their 17‑point charter demands job creation, restored strike and bargaining rights, expanded MGNREGA, and filling government vacancies. While schools and private offices will largely stay open, expect disruptions in banks, transport, postal services, coal mining, public utilities, and possible railway delays. (PC: India Today & The Times of India)

X (Elon Musk’s platform) claimed that on July 3, 2025, the Indian government ordered it to block 2,355 accounts including @Reuters and @ReutersWorld under Section 69A of the IT Act, warning of criminal liability and demanding compliance within one hour. The Reuters accounts were briefly withheld in India, restored by July 6 after public backlash. India’s IT ministry and Press Information Bureau denied issuing any fresh blocks on July 3 and said they promptly asked X to unblock the accounts. They accused X of “exploiting technicalities” and delaying by 21 hours. X criticised this as “press censorship” and is exploring legal options.(PC: Wikipedia)

The FATF’s "Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks" highlights how terror groups increasingly exploit digital platforms like social media, e‑commerce, VPNs, online payments for financing. It cites two major Indian attacks: the February 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, where Jaish‑e‑Mohammed procured aluminium powder via Amazon, and the April 2022 Gorakhnath Temple assault, where the perpetrator transferred ₹6.7 lakh via PayPal and used VPNs to evade detection. The report warns of state-sponsored terrorist financing, trade‑based ransom schemes (like oil‑for‑gold), and decentralised funding models through regional hubs or self‑financed local cells. It also notes illicit cryptocurrency‑style methods like gold/jewellery hoarding and sanctions‑avoidance via smuggling. (PC: The Times Of India & Deccan Herald)

Jasprit Bumrah is poised to return for the third Test between India and England after a rigorous training session at the nets. After being rested for the second Test to manage workload, Bumrah bowled extensively at full tilt under the supervision of the coaching staff. His sharp rhythm and intensity were evident, suggesting full fitness. Bumrah's return will bolster India’s bowling attack, which struggled without him. With the series currently level, his inclusion is expected to provide a significant edge. The team management is reportedly satisfied with his recovery and fitness level, and an official announcement confirming his return is likely soon.(PC: PTI)

Wimbledon 2025 quarterfinals begin with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz facing Britain’s Cameron Norrie. Alcaraz aims to become the fifth man in the Open era to win three straight titles. Top women’s seed Aryna Sabalenka, unbeaten in the tournament so far, meets Germany’s Laura Siegemund, chasing her first Wimbledon crown. In other ties, Taylor Fritz takes on Karen Khachanov, having never beaten the Russian, while Amanda Anisimova battles Grand Slam veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Sabalenka called Wimbledon “her dream,” while Norrie hopes to rally home support. The matchups promise high drama as stars fight for a spot in the semi-finals. (PC: News18)

Gazans, enduring nearly two years of war that has left Gaza in ruins and over 57,000 Palestinians dead, have overwhelmingly rejected President Trump's proposal endorsed by Israel’s Netanyahu to displace Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to neighboring countries. Egypt and Jordan swiftly dismissed the plan, which rights groups and Palestinians denounce as ethnic cleansing. While nearly half of Gazans say they would leave if given the chance amid relentless bombardment, most refuse to abandon their land. A leaked aid-backed proposal for “Humanitarian Transit Areas” met firm resistance from locals, who cite historical trauma dating to the 1948 Nakba. Gazans insist: “This is our country, we’re staying.” (PC: CNN & Fox News)

The UAE has launched a pilot, nomination‑based Golden Visa offering lifetime residency to Indians and Bangladeshis for just ₹23 lakh down from the ₹4.66 crore investment previously required. Eligibility extends beyond investors to upper‑middle‑class professionals: teachers, researchers, nurses, YouTubers and more . Initial rollout opens 5,000 slots in the next three months. Applicants undergo merit-based nomination and background checks; pre‑approval is available from India. Visa holders get full family sponsorship, can work, run businesses, even hire domestic staff, and maintain residency independent of property ownership. This push aligns with the UAE’s strategy to attract global talent. (PC: India Today)

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has proposed relocating Gaza’s entire 2.1 million population to a “humanitarian city” in Rafah, beginning with 600,000 people, after security screening. Critics, including Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, denounced the move as a “crime against humanity” and “population transfer.” The UN warned forced displacement of civilians violates international law and amounts to ethnic cleansing. Prime Minister Netanyahu supported Donald Trump’s plan to permanently resettle Palestinians abroad. Arab states and the Palestinian Authority rejected such proposals, backing an Egyptian-led $53 billion reconstruction plan to keep Gazans in place. Over 57,500 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023. (PC: BBC)