An Indian man in the UK is facing deportation after being found guilty of relentlessly harassing his female colleague at a UK zoo for over six months. Despite a restraining order, the man continued to send her unwanted messages, gifts, and follow her, causing severe distress. The court heard that his obsession disrupted the victim’s personal and professional life. Authorities have deemed his actions a serious breach of conduct and public safety. Following his conviction, deportation proceedings have begun, with UK immigration officials emphasizing zero tolerance for such behavior regardless of nationality or profession. (PC: The Times of India)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, discussing the ongoing Ukraine conflict and bilateral cooperation. According to an official statement, Putin briefed Modi on the latest developments in Ukraine. Modi reiterated India’s call for a peaceful resolution, consistent with its diplomatic stance. Both leaders reviewed the progress of the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” and pledged to deepen trade, defence, and energy ties. Modi also invited Putin to visit India later this year for the 23rd Annual Bilateral Summit, expected to boost cooperation. Putin’s upcoming talks with Donald Trump on Ukraine peace efforts were also discussed. (PC: HT)

India’s senior defence officials on Friday rejected a British media report claiming New Delhi had paused plans to procure US defence systems in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs. Officials called the report “false and fabricated,” stressing that all procurement cases are proceeding under existing procedures. Reuters had reported delays in deals for Stryker combat vehicles and Javelin anti-tank missiles. India, calling Trump’s tariff hike “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” has vowed to protect its national interests. US-India defence trade has grown from under $1 billion to over $18 billion, including major acquisitions like Apache helicopters and C-17 aircraft. (PC: News18)

A unique wedding ceremony in Tamil Nadu is gaining attention for drawing inspiration from ancient Tamil literature, particularly Sangam-era texts. Moving away from conventional rituals, this new format emphasizes equality, simplicity, and Tamil cultural identity. Couples recite verses from classical Tamil poetry, symbolizing mutual respect and emotional bonding. The ceremony avoids traditional dowry, caste markers, and excessive rituals, promoting progressive values rooted in Tamil heritage. This revival reflects a growing interest in embracing cultural authenticity while rejecting outdated social norms. Scholars and activists have praised the trend as a meaningful blend of tradition and reform. (PC: The Hindu)  

China on Friday confirmed it welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the event will be “a gathering of solidarity, friendship and fruitful results.” Modi’s trip may also include a Japan visit for a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This will be his first China visit since 2018, amid efforts to normalise ties after the 2020 Galwan clashes. Talks with President Xi Jinping could focus on LAC de-escalation, resuming flights, reopening border trade, and boosting people-to-people exchanges. (PC: HT)

India has temporarily paused its plans to procure advanced U.S. arms, including MQ-9 drones, following the Trump administration's re-imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods. The move, seen as a retaliation to protect U.S. manufacturing, has strained bilateral defense ties. Indian officials stated the pause is a strategic response, aimed at reassessing defense cooperation amid rising trade tensions. The $3 billion arms deal was expected to deepen Indo-U.S. military collaboration. Analysts believe this shift could affect future defense partnerships and reflects New Delhi's growing assertiveness in safeguarding its economic and strategic interests. (PC: Reuters)

Indian stock markets plunged to a three-month low as jitters over US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff hike on Indian goods rattled investor sentiment. The Sensex dropped 765.47 points to 79,857.79, while the Nifty fell 232.85 points to 24,363.30, marking the longest losing streak since April 2020. The sell-off wiped out ₹5 lakh crore in investor wealth in a single session. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded ₹4,997 crore worth of equities, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought ₹10,864 crore. The tariff hike, linked to India’s Russian oil imports, has heightened trade tensions. Realty, auto, and banking stocks led the decline, while NTPC, Titan, and ITC posted modest gains. (PC: BBC & Mint)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that the United States “got involved directly” to end the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan, crediting President Donald Trump for brokering peace. In an interview with EWTN’s The World Over, Rubio called Trump the “president of peace” and cited similar interventions in global conflicts including Cambodia-Thailand and DRC-Rwanda. India, however, firmly rejected the claim, stating that the ceasefire was achieved through direct military-level talks between the two nations without foreign mediation. Analysts suggest that Washington’s recent tariff hike on Indian exports may be linked to New Delhi’s refusal to endorse Trump’s narrative. India maintains its position, emphasizing sovereign decision-making in defense matters. (PC: News 18, Mint & India Today)

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has defended the 50% tariff hike on Indian goods, calling India the “maharaja of tariffs.” He cited national security concerns, accusing India of using American dollars from exports to buy Russian oil, which allegedly funds Russia’s war against Ukraine. Navarro argued that this economic loop forces American taxpayers to indirectly finance Ukraine’s defense. He emphasized that the rationale differs from reciprocal tariffs and is rooted in India’s “abject refusal” to stop Russian oil imports. When asked why China wasn’t similarly targeted, Navarro noted existing high tariffs on Chinese goods and hinted at ongoing coordination. India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the move “unjustified and unreasonable,” vowing to protect national interests. (PC: News 18 & Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to privately advise Prime Minister Narendra Modi on handling tensions with US President Donald Trump, amid a deepening trade dispute. Calling both leaders “terrific friends,” Netanyahu emphasized that the foundation of India-US relations remains “very solid” and urged both nations to resolve the tariff row amicably. Trump recently doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% over India’s continued import of Russian oil, prompting strong condemnation from New Delhi. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to protecting farmers and fishermen, even at personal cost. Netanyahu also expressed interest in visiting India soon and highlighted robust India-Israel defense ties, including battlefield-tested equipment used during Operation Sindoor. (PC: JNS & BBC)