The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has debunked reports claiming India is reviewing US goods exempted from tariffs or reconsidering bilateral deals in response to US President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff. The MEA’s fact-check unit called the reports false and misleading. Trump’s tariffs, effective August 1, penalize India for BRICS ties and trade with Russia. Despite this, sources confirmed that both countries remain engaged in talks to reach a trade agreement, with the sixth round of negotiations scheduled in New Delhi on August 24. Trump accused India of having “obnoxious” trade barriers and slammed its ties with Russia. (PC: X)

The funeral of Habib Tahir, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist killed in Operation Mahadev in Jammu & Kashmir, turned chaotic in PoK’s Kuiyaan village. Local residents resisted the presence of LeT commander Rizwan Hanif, who arrived with armed men despite being barred by Tahir’s family. Tensions escalated when Hanif’s nephew allegedly threatened mourners with a gun, sparking outrage. The group was eventually forced to leave. Tahir was involved in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26, including a Nepali national. Pakistan denies active LeT links, but the US recently designated its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), a terrorist group. (PC: NDTV)

India has officially denied issuing any directive to its oil refiners to stop purchasing Russian crude, amid mounting international scrutiny and tariff threats from the U.S. Although some state-run companies have paused spot purchases due to shrinking discounts, the government emphasized that these are commercial decisions based on price dynamics—not political orders. Russian oil still accounts for about 35% of India’s total crude imports. Despite pressure from U.S. President Trump, Indian officials reaffirmed their commitment to energy security and strategic autonomy in sourcing decisions, maintaining that purchases remain guided by global economics and contracts. (PC: Bloomberg)

Indian-origin lawyer Mathura Sridharan has been appointed as Ohio's 12th solicitor general by Attorney General Dave Yost. A graduate of MIT and NYU School of Law, Sridharan previously served as deputy solicitor general and led the Tenth Amendment Center. Despite her accomplishments, Sridharan faced racist trolling online for her Indian heritage and wearing a bindi. Critics questioned her “Americanness,” prompting Yost to defend her, stating she is a U.S. citizen and fully qualified. “If her complexion or name bother you, the problem is not with her,” Yost wrote. Sridharan successfully argued at SCOTUS last year. (PC: HT)

Four senior Indian-origin relatives were discovered dead on Saturday, August 2, 2025, during a tragic car accident in Marshall County, West Virginia . Identified as Dr. Kishore Divan (89), Asha Divan (85), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84), they vanished after being last seen in Erie, Pennsylvania at a Burger King on July 29, where their final known credit‑card transaction and surveillance footage were traced . Authorities located their light‑green Toyota Camry off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road around 9:30 pm. First responders took over five hours to reach the remote crash site. The cause remains under investigation, and condolences have been extended by Sheriff Mike Dougherty to the grieving family. (PC: India Today)

John Khammuanlal Gwite, a 37-year-old ultra-endurance cyclist from Manipur, has become the fastest Indian to complete the Race Around Poland, finishing the 3,600 km solo, unsupported ride in 237 hours (9 days, 21 hours). The race, part of the World Ultra Cycling Championships, featured over 60 elite international riders and included a brutal 31,000m elevation gain. Gwite overcame freezing night temperatures using improvised gear made from polythene bags. He broke the previous Indian record of 274 hours, joining global legends like Christoph Strasser and Marko Baloh. With 19 Super Randonneur titles and past feats like Paris–Brest–Paris, Gwite now sets his sights on the prestigious Race Across America. (PC: NDTV & Amar Ujala)

Four Indian-origin senior citizens Dr Kishore Divan (89), Asha Divan (85), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84) tragically died in a car crash en route to Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold in West Virginia. Their lime green Toyota Camry was found on August 2 at 9:30 PM, plunged down a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road in Marshall County. The family was last seen on July 29 at a Burger King in Erie, Pennsylvania, with CCTV and credit card records marking their final movements. Despite multi-agency search efforts and cellphone data, they were missing for days. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the crash. Investigations remain ongoing. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Indian entrepreneur Ayush Panchmiya, co-founder of Blockwee, faced a harrowing ordeal in Spain after his passport, US visa, and cash were stolen from a Starbucks in Barcelona. The theft occurred on a Saturday, leaving him stranded as the Indian Embassy was closed over the weekend. Local police delayed access to CCTV footage, citing a 15–20 day review period. Panchmiya finally received an emergency certificate from the embassy on Monday, allowing him to fly back to India that evening. He shared his experience on X and LinkedIn, calling it the “worst 48 hours” of his travel life, and urged frequent travelers to be aware of emergency protocols abroad. (PC: Instagram)

Four Indian-origin senior citizens Asha Divan (85), Kishore Divan (89), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84) have gone missing during a road trip from Buffalo, New York, to Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold in West Virginia. Their last confirmed sighting was at a Burger King in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 29, captured via CCTV and credit card records. They were traveling in a lime green 2009 Toyota Camry (NY plate EKW2611), later spotted on I-79. Authorities in Marshall and Ohio counties have launched a search operation, including helicopters and cell signal tracking. A missing persons report has been filed, and family members are urging the public to share any leads. (PC: NDTV & ABC)

A 25‑year‑old Bangladeshi man, Mohammad Ashraful of Narayanganj, was detained on August 1, 2025 at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport after attempting to break the glass partition enclosing the International Transit Terminal, to exit without an Indian visa . Ashraful, en route from Singapore to Dhaka, suddenly tried to breach the transit zone’s glass wall. CISF personnel intervened swiftly, restraining and handing him over to airport police. During interrogation, his responses were incoherent, raising concerns about his mental state . He was formally arrested by Bidhannagar Police later that evening. Further investigation into his motive is ongoing. (PC: India Today)