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.

India’s merchandise trade deficit is projected to rise to $300 billion in the 2025–26 fiscal year, up from $287 billion last year, driven by sluggish exports and robust import growth. According to an ICICI Bank report, weaker demand in major global markets—excluding the U.S.—has slowed export momentum. U.S. demand remains relatively high due to advance orders ahead of potential tariffs. Meanwhile, strong domestic consumption is expected to boost imports further, potentially widening the trade imbalance.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to speak more in Bengali in defiance of what she claims is increasing harassment of Bengali speakers in several Indian states. Speaking at a Trinamool Congress rally, she alleged that in BJP-ruled states, Bengalis are being detained as “illegal immigrants” and that voters from the Bengali community are being removed from electoral rolls in Maharashtra and Bihar. She warned that a similar agenda could be pursued in West Bengal. Challenging the central government directly, Banerjee said, “If they have the courage, let them arrest me.” She also condemned claims labeling Bengalis as Rohingyas, calling such accusations baseless and offensive.

Following the deadly June crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad, India’s aviation regulator has directed all airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking systems on Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft. While Boeing and the FAA assure the system is safe, India and other countries are conducting precautionary checks. Air India has already inspected most of its affected fleet, with no issues found so far. Investigators noted previous FAA guidance on the switches and discrepancies in cockpit communication before the crash.

The Chinese Embassy in India has described the issue of selecting the Dalai Lama’s successor as a "thorn" in India-China relations. Chinese spokesperson Yu Jing stated that matters related to Tibet are purely internal affairs of China and have become a burden for India. China’s frustration grew after Indian ministers attended the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday and following remarks from the Tibetan spiritual leader. While China emphasizes its role in selecting the successor, Indian Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Dalai Lama’s office will decide on the reincarnation, prompting objections from Beijing. The issue has gained diplomatic significance ahead of Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar’s upcoming visit to China.

During his visit to Beijing for the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that the normalization of India-China relations would benefit both nations. After meeting Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, he cited improving bilateral ties since the Modi-Xi meeting in October. Jaishankar also noted the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after five years, which he said has been well received in India. This year marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Separatist group ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) has alleged that a drone strike by Indian forces on their Myanmar-based camp killed at least three senior leaders and injured many others. The attacks reportedly took place early Sunday morning. India has officially denied involvement, but ULFA insists one commander was killed in the first strike and two more leaders in a second wave. They also reported attacks on PLA (People’s Liberation Army) camps. While a faction of ULFA signed a peace deal in 2023, violence in the region continues.

A four-story building collapsed in the Welcome area of New Delhi early Saturday morning, raising concerns that many people may be trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams, including seven fire tenders, are currently conducting search and rescue operations. So far, four individuals have been rescued, but at least three remain missing beneath the debris. The cause of the collapse is still unknown, and authorities continue to work diligently to locate and save those trapped.

Tesla is set to open its first showroom in India on July 15, marking a significant step into the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market. The “Experience Center” will be located in Mumbai, the financial capital of India. The EV giant signed an agreement in March to establish the showroom. Meanwhile, Tesla is also scouting for a suitable site in New Delhi to expand its presence further in the Indian market. The move signals Tesla’s serious intent to invest in India’s EV future.