TODAY NEWS ON July 20, 2025

News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirant

Source: The Print media (The Hindu, Indian express and other media)

India-EFTA trade pact to be implemented from October 1: Piyush Goyal

The Free Trade Agreement between India and the four-nation European bloc European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will be implemented from October 1, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday (July 19, 2025). The two sides signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on March 10, 2024. Under the pact, India has received an investment commitment of $100 billion in 15 years from the grouping while allowing several products, such as Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds, at lower or zero duties. “India-EFTA TEPA to come into effect from 1st October,” Mr. Goyal said in a post on X.

India, U.S. teams conclude fifth round of talks for proposed trade pact: Official

India and the U.S. teams have concluded the fifth round of talks for the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) in Washington on July 17, an official said. The negotiations were held for four days (July 14-17) in Washington. “The Indian team is coming back,” the official said. India’s chief negotiator and special secretary in the department of commerce Rajesh Agrawal leads the team for negotiations.

Supreme Court to hear Presidential reference on President, Governor’s powers on July 22

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a Presidential reference on July 22, questioning whether the court can “impose” timelines and prescribe the manner of conduct of Governors and the President while dealing with State Bills sent to them for assent or reserved for consideration.

India a secular nation, minorities safest in this country, says Kiren Rijiju

India is a secular nation and minorities are safest in this country, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has said, asserting that minorities are enjoying absolute freedom and protection because of the Hindu majority. In an interview, the Minority Affairs Minister said he has not come across a single case where a member of the minority community is willing to migrate out of India because of being deprived of anything in the country. Asked about his predecessor Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s statement when he was the Minister that India is heaven for minorities, Mr. Rijiju said India is a country where “people are law abiding, we are secular, we have a Constitution”, and so, whether in majority or minority, everybody is the same.

Arrest of Indian fishermen lays bare uneasy Delhi-Dhaka ties

For the second time in the past one year, Bangladesh has detained Indian fishermen, official sources said on Saturday (July 19, 2025). The development is being viewed by policymakers as a growing “absence of understanding” between the two sides against the backdrop of a seemingly uneasy relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi.

Not said anything against the Gandhi family, says Shashi Tharoor on Emergency article

Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor said here on Saturday that he has not said anything against the Gandhi family in his controversial article on the Emergency. “I have mentioned about some individuals and incidents that happened at that time in the article”, he told media persons on the sidelines of a meeting on ‘Peace, Unity and National Development’ organised by the Council for Community Co-operation here. “You can read it to understand it. There is nothing new in the article”, he said.

Around 32 lakh voters yet to submit enumeration forms in Bihar, says Election Commission

Around 32 lakh voters are yet to submit their Enumeration Forms in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in Bihar, with just six days left for the July 25 deadline. Out of 7,89,69,844 total electors, forms have been received from 90.64% voters. Around 5.27% electors have not been found at their addresses. Out of them, 1.81% have probably died; 0.95% are probably enrolled at multiple places; 2.5% have probably permanently shifted; and 0.01% are not traceable.

Miscreants set 15-year-old girl on fire in Odisha, victim under treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar

A 15-year-old girl was set on fire by unidentified persons in Odisha’s Puri district on Saturday (July 19, 2025), officials said. The girl was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in a critical condition, and she has suffered 70% burn injuries, but she is able to speak, they said. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is in charge of the Women and Child Development Department, said the government will bear the expenses of the girl’s treatment and that the police have been asked to arrest the culprits as soon as possible .The incident took place at Bayabar village in the Balanga police station area around 9 a.m. when the girl was going to her friend’s house.

BJP govt. in Odisha launches ‘Shaktishree’ for safety of girls in colleges

Under attack from the Opposition over the death of a girl, who set herself on fire on the campus of her college in Balasore over alleged sexual harassment, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi-led government in Odisha on Saturday announced a special programme, Shaktishree, to ensure safety of girls in institutes of higher education in the State.

Stateless for four years, doctor from Pakistan knocks on Gujarat High Court’s door for citizenship

A 50-year-old doctor from Pakistan has been “stateless” for the past four years and decided to move the Gujarat High Court with the hope of pushing officials to help him secure Indian citizenship. Nanikraz Khanoomal Mukhi, who had a sonography clinic in Pakistan’s Hyderabad, chose to move to India in 2009 for his children’s education and to escape possible religious persecution.

India’s water will now flow only for its people, asserts J&K L-G on Indus Waters Treaty’s abeyance

Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday (July 19, 2025) said India’s waters will flow for its people and stop in the country only, while referring to the now-in-abeyance Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). “India’s water will now flow for India, stop in India, and serve the people of India. India will have full control over the Jhelum and Chenab rivers,” the L-G said.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy offers Russia more talks next week

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday (July 19, 2025) that Kyiv has sent Moscow an offer to hold another round of peace talks next week, and that he wanted to speed up negotiations for a ceasefire. Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul over the past five months. They have agreed to swap prisoners but made no breakthroughs in ending almost three and a half years of conflict that started with Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Tourist boat capsizes during thunderstorm in Vietnam, leaving 34 dead

A boat carrying tourists capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam on Saturday (July 19, 2025) afternoon during a sightseeing excursion, killing 34 people, state media reported.

Syrian presidency announces comprehensive ceasefire after fighting in Druze area

Syria’s Islamist-led government said its internal security forces began deploying in Sweida on Saturday (July 19, 2025) as the presidency called on all parties to respect a ceasefire following bloodshed in the predominantly Druze area that has left hundreds dead. In a statement, the Syrian presidency announced an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and urged all parties to commit to it and end hostilities in all areas immediately. The country’s Interior Ministry spokesperson said earlier on Saturday (July 19, 2025) that internal security forces had begun deploying in Sweida, in southern Syria.

South Korea former President Yoon Suk Yeol indicted again as martial law probe continues

South Korea’s jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol was indicted on additional charges on Saturday (July 19, 2025) as a special prosecutor continues investigating him for his short-lived declaration of martial law in December. “The new charges include obstruction of the exercise of others’ rights by abuse of authority, ordering the deletion of records and blocking the execution of arrest warrants,” the prosecutor’s office said in a briefing.