Highlights: From semiconductors to cybersecurity, we shall create the future together, says PM Modi
Today's news highlights: Catch all the latest news developments here
 "Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi")
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025. | Photo: Reuters
India and the United Kingdom formally signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK. The deal is projected to boost annual bilateral trade by $34 billion, marking the UK’s most significant trade pact since exiting the European Union and India’s most comprehensive agreement to date. He hailed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, calling it the "biggest, most significant trade deal" for the United Kingdom since leaving the European Union (EU). The Election Commission on Wednesday announced that it has initiated the process for conducting the vice presidential election and is currently forming the electoral college, which consists of Members of Parliament from both Houses. It also stated that returning officers for the election are being finalised. "The schedule for the Vice President of India election will be announced as soon as the preparatory work is complete," the EC said.
In an unexpected development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on Monday, citing health concerns. His term was originally set to end on August 10, 2027.
Columbia University announced Wednesday it has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus.
Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement over three years, the university said. It will also pay $21 million to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees that occurred following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the White House said.
This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," acting University President Claire Shipman said.
5:08 PM
FTA will be a win-win for UK, India: Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal
"I congratulate PM Modi and PM Starmer for this historic agreement. This is a great achievement between Britain and India as they walk down the progressive path. A lot of hard work has gone into it. The FTA will be a win-win for both countries. It will boost economic activity and create many more jobs, and opportunities for entrepreneurship, in both countries. This will help both the countries to increase the trade," Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Ltd, said on the India- UK FTA deal.
4:01 PM
Indian diaspora brought not just curry, but creativity and character, says PM Modi
They did not just bring curry from India but also creativity, commitment, and character, says PM Modi
3:57 PM
News update: Our agencies will keep working together on the extradition of economic offenders, says PM Modi
3:53 PM
Delighted that after many years of hard work, FTA has been concluded between our two countries: PM Modi
"It is our commitment that from AI to critical minerals, semiconductors to cybersecurity, we shall create the future together," says PM Modi.
3:52 PM
Today is a historic day in India-UK relations: PM Modi
"First of all, I express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality of Prime Minister Starmer. Today is a historic day in our relations," says PM Modi.
3:43 PM
Britain is open for business: UK PM Keir Starmer
"Today we are announcing GBP 6 billion in investment and export between India and the UK, creating over 2,200 jobs for British workers," says Keir Starmer.
3:42 PM
One of the comprehensive trade deals that India has ever done: UK PM Keir Starmer
"This is the biggest and economically most significant trade deal the UK has made since leaving EU," says British PM Keir Starmer.
3:39 PM
News update: Comprehensive FTA will bring benefits to both countries, says UK PM Keir Starmer
3:30 PM
News update: Landmark FTA will bring immense benefits to UK, says UK PM Keith Starmer
3:00 PM
If opposition brings no-confidence motion in Assembly, it will boomerang: Odisha minister
Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari today rejected talks of a possible no-confidence motion against the state's BJP government and claimed that it will boomerang and hit the opposition while leaving the ruling party unscathed. Pujari made the remark a day after the state Congress chief, Bhakta Charan Das, called upon the state's principal opposition party — the BJD — to move a no-confidence motion against the BJP government over crimes against women.
2:12 PM
Supreme Court to hear petitions over Centre's delay in appointing judges after 2 weeks
The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to list a batch of pleas questioning the delay on the part of the central government in appointment of judges after the collegium reiterated their names. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said it will hear the pleas after two weeks after senior advocate Arvind Datar and advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned them for urgent listing, saying the petitions were listed in 2023 but were suddenly dropped from the cause list.
2:09 PM
Will not allow poll body to get away with cheating, says Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said his party has "concrete 100 per cent proof" of the the Election Commission allowed cheating in a constituency in Karnataka and asserted that the poll watchdog would be mistaken if it thinks that it is going to get away with this "because we are going to come for you". Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission is not functioning as the Election Commission of India, and is "not doing its job".
12:23 PM
Andaman DGP inaugurates state-of-art Cyber Crime Investigation Centre
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Director General of Police (DGP) H G S Dhaliwal has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Cyber Crime Investigation Centre. The DGP on Wednesday said the cyber crime investigation centre will play a crucial role in preventing cyber crime in the archipelago.
12:12 PM
Supreme Court issues notice on Maharashtra's appeal against acquittal of all 12 accused
The Maharashtra government had approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the verdict and an urgent hearing on its appeal.
11:57 AM
AI Express plane aborted takeoff at Delhi airport due to technical snag on Wed
A Mumbai-bound Air India Express plane, with around 160 passengers onboard, aborted takeoff due to a technical snag at the Delhi airport on Wednesday evening. An Air India Express spokesperson said the crew of the airline's one of the flights from Delhi elected to reject takeoff, prioritising safety following a minor technical issue.
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First Published: Jul 24 2025 | 11:08 AM IST
