At least 15 people have been killed in lightning strikes across West Bengal, India. The fatalities include 9 in Bankura, 5 in East Burdwan, and 1 in West Midnapore. Many victims were working in fields during thunderstorms when struck. Separate incidents occurred in Kotulpur, Onda, Indas, and Joypur. Several others were injured and are currently being treated at local hospitals. Police have sent the bodies for autopsy at Ghatal Subdivisional Hospital.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in London to sign a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, described as a turning point in bilateral ties. The deal, finalized after legal reviews, promises increased market access, job creation, and economic growth for both countries. It includes tariff reductions on key goods like textiles, leather, cars, and whisky, and features a social security pact. The agreement also paves the way for £6 billion in new investments and expanded operations by British companies in India.

Hindutva activist Kajal Hindustani has stirred controversy in New York after delivering a speech filled with Islamophobic rhetoric. She referred to Muslims as “Abdul,” “zombies,” and “enemies of Hindus,” comparing them to demons from Hindu mythology. She also accused Muslim men of "mass-producing children for war" and claimed actors Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan are part of a conspiracy to convert Hindus. Despite calls from U.S.-based religious groups to cancel her tour, Kajal refused. Her remarks received support from segments of the Indian diaspora, reflecting a worrying rise in anti-Muslim sentiment. Previously, the New York mayor canceled participation in one of her events, and she was arrested in Gujarat in 2023 over similar remarks. Kajal’s social media followers include Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Following the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, two British families have alleged they received the wrong bodies of their deceased relatives. DNA tests confirmed that the remains sent were not those of their loved ones, sparking grief and outrage. Air India has acknowledged the claims and is investigating the matter seriously. Only one passenger out of 242 survived the crash. The Tata Group has announced compensation for the victims' families, who are demanding a transparent probe and accountability.

Police in Gurugram, Haryana, have detained six Muslim laborers from Malda, West Bengal, suspecting them of being Bangladeshi nationals. According to family members and rights activists, the men are being forced to work at the police station and are only being fed once a day. There are fears they may be forcibly pushed into Bangladesh. In response, the Migrant Workers' Solidarity Platform and several departments of the West Bengal government have called for immediate intervention. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident, saying, “Speaking Bengali alone is becoming a reason for harassment under the label of ‘Bangladeshi’.”

India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned, citing health concerns and medical advice as the reason. He submitted his resignation to the President, bringing his tenure to an early end. Dhankhar, elected in August 2022, was previously the Governor of West Bengal. In March, he was hospitalized due to a heart condition. In his letter, he thanked Prime Minister Modi and other ministers for their support and expressed gratitude for witnessing India’s development and economic progress during his term.

Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from his post citing health issues. On Monday night, July 21, he submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. On the opening day of the Parliament’s monsoon session, he abruptly suspended Rajya Sabha proceedings amid controversy surrounding the Pahalgam incident and did not return. In his resignation letter, Dhankhar thanked the President, Prime Minister, ministers, and MPs for their support. He had served as Vice President since 2022 and previously held the post of Governor of West Bengal.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force trainer aircraft in Uttara that left many dead and injured, including students. In a condolence message, he extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Modi also pledged full support to Bangladesh and offered all possible assistance. The aircraft crashed into the school just 12 minutes after takeoff, injuring more than 160 people, including 164 students.

Former Indian Foreign Secretary and ex-High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, was sworn in as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha on the first day of the Indian Parliament’s Monsoon Session. Alongside him, historian Meenakshi Jain and educationist Sadanand Master also took oath. The session began with tributes to recent tragedy victims and ended with condolences for deceased former members. Birthday greetings were extended to several political leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

The Mumbai High Court has acquitted all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 train bombings that killed 189 and injured 800. A special court in 2015 had sentenced five to death and seven to life imprisonment. However, the High Court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt, citing inconsistencies in witness testimonies and investigative flaws. The court has ordered their release unless they are held in connection with other cases.

BJP leader Nishikant Dubey sparked controversy by stating in a podcast interview that Indira Gandhi made a mistake by creating Bangladesh. He claimed Bihar is paying the price for this decision and suggested that if Bangladesh had to be created, it should have been done separately for Hindus and Muslims. Dubey also remarked that while BJP needs Narendra Modi, Modi does not need BJP. The remarks have drawn widespread criticism since the video clip went viral.

India’s NCERT has revised eighth-grade textbooks for 2025-26, portraying Mughal emperors Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb as both patrons of culture and ruthless rulers. The changes depict Akbar as a temple destroyer and Aurangzeb as a symbol of religious persecution, igniting debate over historical accuracy versus political motives. Critics argue this revision downplays Muslim contributions and fuels communal distrust. This move continues a trend since 2014 to reshape history textbooks to emphasize Hindu nationalism, raising concerns about fostering intolerance and rewriting India’s pluralistic past.

Renowned Telugu film actor and comedian Fish Venkat passed away on July 18 in Hyderabad due to complications related to kidney and liver failure. He was 53 years old.

With a career spanning over two decades, Venkat began his journey in the Telugu film industry with the 2001 hit Khushi. Over the years, he acted in more than 150 films and earned a loyal fanbase for his comedic timing and character roles. His final appearance was in the film Coffee with a Killer.

Despite the critical nature of his illness, Venkat's family reportedly struggled to raise the ₹50 lakh needed for his treatment. According to the family, they were misled by a fraudster who claimed to be an assistant of superstar Prabhas and promised financial support. The claim turned out to be false, and due to delays in receiving a kidney transplant, his condition deteriorated beyond recovery.

Fish Venkat's death has sparked conversations in the Telugu film industry about the need for better support systems for veteran artists facing health and financial crises.

In Illinois, USA, an Indian woman was caught shoplifting items worth approximately ₹1.1 lakh from a daily shopping store. According to NDTV, the woman wandered inside the store for seven hours before attempting to leave without paying, when staff stopped her. The incident’s video and police bodycam footage have gone viral. A police officer was seen asking her, “Is theft legal in your country?” Following the incident, the US Embassy has issued a warning to Indian nationals, stating that such offenses could lead to visa cancellation and future bans, emphasizing that crimes abroad can also impact passport and visa statuses.

More than 100 schools in Delhi and Bengaluru have received bomb threats via email. Around 50 schools in Delhi and at least 40 in Bengaluru were targeted with emails titled “Bomb Inside School,” which included violent language and details about alleged explosives. Delhi has received similar threats for four consecutive days. Bengaluru police have launched extensive searches across affected campuses. Authorities believe the emails were sent using VPNs and encrypted networks, making it difficult to trace the source. Police are treating it as a dark web-based cyber threat.