Republicans have labeled President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential race a 'bloodless coup,' accusing Democrats of forcing him out. Biden's exit comes amid concerns about his health, with Vice President Kamala Harris now poised to face Donald Trump. House Speaker Mike Johnson claims Democrats invalidated millions of votes and plans to file lawsuits to keep Biden on state ballots. Republican leaders have called for Biden to step down as President, citing national security concerns. Harris, 59, could potentially draw new support as the first Black and South Asian woman presidential candidate.

On July 21, 2024, the global average surface air temperature hit a record 17.09°C (62.76°F), surpassing last year's highest temperature of 17.08°C (62.74°F), according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. This marks the hottest day ever recorded globally. Recent heatwaves have affected the U.S., Europe, and Russia. The record follows a trend of increasingly hot months, with 2024 potentially surpassing 2023 as the hottest year on record. The persistent heat is attributed to climate change and recent El Niño effects.

An Indian Army soldier was killed in a gunfight with militants who attempted an infiltration bid from across the Line of Control (LOC) in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir. The clash occurred early Tuesday in the Krishna Ghati area as troops effectively engaged the infiltrators. Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal reported that the soldier, who was injured during the fight, later died in the hospital. This incident follows a similar confrontation in Rajouri district, where a militant was killed and both a soldier and civilian were injured. Search operations are ongoing.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2024-25, emphasizing India's readiness for the Industry 4.0 era. She outlined key initiatives, including a package for employment, skilling, and support for the poor, women, youth, and farmers. "It is the era of Industry 4.0 and we are ready for it," said Sitharaman. She noted the budget’s aim to advance ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) and announced provisions for enhancing women’s and youth opportunities. The budget also addresses MSMEs and abolishes angel tax to boost the start-up ecosystem.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud reprimanded senior advocate Mathews Nedumpara for disrupting a NEET-UG hearing in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Nedumpara interrupted advocate Narender Hooda's arguments, prompting Chandrachud to order security to remove him from the courtroom. Despite Nedumpara's protestations, the Chief Justice asserted control, stating that lawyers cannot dictate courtroom procedure. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta criticized Nedumpara's behavior as "contemptuous." Nedumpara, known for previous courtroom conflicts, later issued a statement, forgiving the court for what he described as humiliation.

India’s first T20I net session under new head coach Gautam Gambhir at Pallekele International Stadium adhered to the Rohit Sharma-Rahul Dravid approach. Openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal practiced aggressive batting, while Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and others took their turns. Gambhir engaged in detailed discussions with Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar, and Rinku Singh. Despite losing the T20I captaincy to Suryakumar, Hardik remained positive. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized fitness as a key factor for future selections, as India prepares for the T20I series against Sri Lanka.

The Piccadilly line will undergo partial closures for two weeks in August to facilitate track and platform upgrades in preparation for new trains. The line, extending from Heathrow to Cockfosters, will see weekend closures in July and August, plus a 16-day shutdown ending September 1. Rail replacement buses will serve affected routes from Wood Green to Cockfosters and Rayners Lane to Uxbridge. The £2.9 billion upgrade includes 94 new air-conditioned trains with walk-through carriages, wider doorways, and on-train CCTV. Upgrades will also renew infrastructure and prepare sidings in Arnos Grove and Cockfosters.

Opposition INDIA bloc MPs are set to protest in Parliament over the Union Budget, which they criticize as "discriminatory." They accuse the NDA government of favoring Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, led by JD(U) and TDP allies, while neglecting other states. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi dubbed it a "Kursi Bachao Budget," suggesting it aims to appease coalition partners. Congress leaders argue the budget mimics their manifesto, with P. Chidambaram highlighting adopted proposals. Mamata Banerjee's TMC and other parties also condemned the budget, labeling it a failure that fails to address key issues like unemployment and inflation.

Nainital is grappling with severe erosion threats from the Baliyanala drainage system, which is exacerbating risks of landslides and structural collapses in the region. The situation has become critical with the Virbhatti bridge, a key link to the China border, facing imminent danger. Local residents are alarmed by the ineffective interventions from the irrigation department and are calling for immediate action. The ongoing erosion has also impacted residential areas and major roads. Past efforts to address these issues have fallen short, and authorities are urged to intensify their response to prevent further disasters.

Nahid Islam, leader of the Students Against Discrimination group in Bangladesh, has extended the suspension of student protests for an additional 48 hours. Islam stated that the suspension aims to press the government to restore internet services, lift the curfew, and reopen campuses. The protests had previously escalated into violence, with demands focused on protecting student demonstrators and addressing grievances. Islam emphasized that the temporary halt in demonstrations is meant to provide space for the government to address these critical issues.