Headlines

A severe heatwave has gripped parts of Europe in July 2025, with temperatures soaring above 44°C (111°F) in Spain, Italy, and Greece. Authorities issued red alerts across southern Europe, prompting health warnings and wildfire risks. Tourists and locals sought shelter as cities like Rome and Athens recorded all-time highs. Southern coastal regions faced water shortages, while agriculture suffered significant crop losses. Meteorologists attribute the extreme heat to a persistent high-pressure system and climate change, with forecasts warning of continued intense temperatures through mid-July.

For the first time since 2020, Russia has openly called for reviving the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral format. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a security conference in Eurasia in the city of Perm on May 29, said the “time has come" to restart RIC meetings, adding that, in his view, India and China have reached an understanding on easing border tensions.

India announced on Tuesday it will formally raise concerns with Belgium after a staffer at the Belgian Embassy in Delhi allegedly posted “Wanted” posters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave. The posters, resembling criminal notices, were found on at least two electricity poles in the high-security area. The incident occurred last week, and the foreign national involved is employed by the Belgian Embassy. Delhi Police are investigating the matter but have kept details and the individual’s identity confidential. The case has sparked diplomatic attention between India and Belgium.

Russia has offered India the Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter with full source code access, allowing unprecedented customization—something Western countries like the U.S. and France don’t provide. The offer aligns with India’s Super-30 upgrade program for its Su-30MKI fleet, enabling integration of Indian weapons and systems. Production could happen locally using existing HAL facilities. This move supports India’s self-reliance goals and boosts its indigenous AMCA fighter program. Meanwhile, the U.S. is reportedly preparing an F-35A offer. India now faces a strategic choice between deeper tech access with Russia and broader geopolitical alignment with the West, amid growing China-U.S. tensions.