Maldives celebrated 60 years of Independence on July 26, 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the event as the 'Guest of Honour'. During the visit, PM Modi held a meeting with Mohamed Muizzu, the 8th President of the Republic of Maldives.
PM Modi and President Muizzu reviewed the progress in implementing the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership'.
RBI Approves Warburg Pincus Investment in IDFC First Bank
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted approval to Warburg Pincus, a prominent global private equity firm, to acquire up to 9.99% stake in IDFC First Bank. The Rs. 4,876 crore investment is expected to enhance the bank's capital base and support its growth ambitions.
The investment proposal was first announced in April 2025 and subsequently received clearance from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in June 2025. The investment is being routed through Currant Sea Investments B.V., an affiliate of Warburg Pincus.
India's strategic NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) series of satellites, built and maintained by the space agency ISRO, are nearly defunct, with only a bare minimum of four among 11 satellites fulfilling their core purpose, government data shows. Of these four operational satellites, one (IRNSS-1B) has already exceeded its planned life of 10 years and could stop functioning anytime, while another (IRNSS-1F) has less than a year to complete its decade in service and has suffered partial equipment failure. NAVIC is India's own version of America's GPS, Russia's GLONASS, China's Beidou and Europe's Galileo systems.
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dhaka, bringing together representatives from all of the organisation's Member nations, where it was decided that cricket will be included in the upcoming Asian Games 2026 to be held in Japan, which will see participation 10 (ten) men's and 8 (eight) women's teams from across the continent, to be chosen based on their rankings.
The meeting was chaired by Mohsin Naqvi, ACC president and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and was attended by all ACC members.
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan made his parliamentary debut as he took oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha in Tamil.
Haasan was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in June, with the support of the DMK-led alliance.
After his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), joined the DMK-led bloc ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Haasan was offered the choice between contesting a Lok Sabha seat or accepting a Rajya Sabha nomination. He chose the latter, even though his party extended full support to the DMK-Congress alliance during the general elections.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), one of India's most prestigious paramilitary forces, celebrated its 87th Foundation Day on July 27, 2025. Since its inception in 1939, the CRPF has played a pivotal role in maintaining internal security and safeguarding India from external and internal threats. With its motto 'Service and Loyalty', the CRPF continues to stand as a symbol of dedication, bravery, and resilience.
Hulk Hogan, WWE Icon and Global Pop Culture Phenomenon, Dies
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, passed away at the age of 71, marking the end of an era in global sports entertainment. A towering figure in professional wrestling, Hogan was not only a six-time WWE Champion but also a transformative personality who brought mainstream appeal to pro-wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s. Hogan's legacy spanned over four decades of wrestling, television, films, and cultural impact.
Hogan started his wrestling journey in 1977, gaining prominence in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now WWE. His iconic character—"The Hulkster"—captivated fans with charisma, energy, and unmatched showmanship. Hogan's rise coincided with WWE's own transformation into a global brand, and he was instrumental in popularizing events like WrestleMania.
The Indian Ministry of Culture commemorated the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I, one of the greatest emperors in Indian history, through the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival from July 23 to 27, 2025. The event, hosted at the iconic Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu, celebrated 1,000 years of his maritime expedition to Southeast Asia and the construction of the UNESCO-listed Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple.
Rajendra Chola I (1014–1044 CE) succeeded his father Rajaraja Chola I and expanded the Chola Empire's boundaries beyond South India, reaching Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Known for his naval prowess, he is credited with the successful Chola maritime expedition, which established diplomatic and trade relations across the Bay of Bengal.