Jammu and Kashmir faces devastating rainfall casualties with 11 dead and several missing from fresh landslides and cloudbursts. In Reasi district, seven family members including five children (ages 4-12) perished when their house collapsed during Friday's landslide. Ramban witnessed four deaths and four missing after cloudburst-triggered flash floods swept away homes. The week-long rainfall has paralyzed the region as Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains closed for five consecutive days, stranding 2,000+ vehicles. Nine inter-district roads are blocked, isolating dozens of villages across Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur. Earlier this week, 31 died near Vaishno Devi shrine, suspending the yatra. Weather office issued orange alerts for multiple districts, warning of continued heavy rainfall through weekend.

Prime Minister Modi and Japanese PM Ishiba took a historic bullet train ride to Sendai on Saturday, marking day two of Modi's Japan visit. Ishiba shared photos on X, writing they would continue their discussions during the journey. Modi met Indian train drivers currently training with East Japan Railway Company, highlighting deepening railway cooperation between nations. Earlier, Modi addressed governors from sixteen Japanese prefectures in Tokyo, launching the State-Prefecture Partnership Initiative for enhanced subnational collaboration. He emphasized cooperation potential in trade, innovation, entrepreneurship, startups, technology, and AI sectors. The visit reinforced bilateral ties through both high-level diplomacy and grassroots engagement, with Japan committing $68 billion investment over ten years, strengthening the strategic partnership through cultural exchanges and infrastructure development. (PC: India Today)

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed that all tariffs imposed on foreign countries will remain in effect, calling their removal a “total disaster.” His remarks followed a U.S. appeals court ruling that many of his tariffs were illegal, though they remain temporarily in place. Trump vowed to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court, arguing that tariffs protect American workers and manufacturers. He warned that lifting them would weaken the U.S. financially and undermine national security. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed concerns, stating that removing tariffs could derail foreign policy and trigger retaliation. Trump’s administration continues to defend sweeping import taxes, including 50% tariffs on India and Brazil. (PC: History)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected proposals for a 40km buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces. He said such ideas ignore the reality of modern warfare, where drones already create a “dead zone” near the front line. Zelensky warned any deal could force Ukraine to give up territory, which he will not accept. He said Russia is not ready for real peace talks and only wants delays. European leaders, including Germany’s Friedrich Merz and France’s Emmanuel Macron, vowed stronger pressure on Moscow after Russia’s latest missile strikes killed 23 civilians in Kyiv. (PC: BBC)

Mukesh Ambani launched Reliance Intelligence, a new AI company, at the 48th Reliance AGM. The event brought Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Sundar Pichai together on the same stage. Reliance Intelligence will build AI-ready data centres powered by renewable energy and train Indians in AI. Meta and Reliance announced a ₹855 crore joint venture to build AI tools for businesses. Google and Reliance will set up an AI cloud region in Jamnagar. Ambani said Reliance aims to deliver AI everywhere in India, just like Jio delivered digital services nationwide. (PC: HT)

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India in December, his first trip since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022, AFP reported. The Kremlin confirmed he accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation earlier this year, but a date is now set as both leaders prepare to meet at the September SCO summit in Tianjin, China. The visit comes as Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, accusing New Delhi of indirectly funding Moscow’s war through oil imports. India dismissed US criticism, citing market priorities, while Russia called Washington’s actions “unjustified” and pledged deeper energy and defence cooperation. (PC: India Today)

Israel has declared Gaza City a “dangerous combat zone” and suspended humanitarian pauses that earlier allowed aid deliveries. The Israeli military said it is now operating “with great force” on the city’s outskirts, striking Hamas targets in preparation for a larger assault. Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to occupy Gaza City, calling it a Hamas stronghold and a possible location of remaining hostages. Families of hostages warned such actions risk their lives. The UN said the offensive will cause a “horrific humanitarian impact.” Around one million Palestinians are expected to be forced south as fighting escalates. (PC: Sky News)

Japan has announced $68 billion (10 trillion yen) in private investment in India over the next 10 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed on a 10-year roadmap to boost ties in technology, space, mobility, and rare earths. They launched the Economic Security Initiative to strengthen supply chains in key sectors like semiconductors and telecom. Japan will also support the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project with Shinkansen technology. Both leaders stressed defence cooperation and securing the Indo-Pacific. Modi said, “Japanese technology and Indian talent are a winning combination.” The plan includes student and skilled worker exchanges. (PC: HT)

A 36-year-old Sikh man, Gurpreet Singh, was shot dead by Los Angeles police on July 13 near Crypto.com Arena. Police said Singh abandoned his car in the middle of the road and began performing Gatka, a Sikh martial art, with a sword. Witnesses reported him swinging the blade at people. Officers said they gave repeated orders to drop the weapon, but Singh refused, threw a bottle, and later charged at police with the sword. He was shot and taken to a hospital, where he died. No civilians or officers were hurt. The case is under investigation.

US President Donald Trump has withdrawn Secret Service protection for Kamala Harris, the Democratic rival he defeated in the 2024 election. Reuters reported that Harris’s security was extended by Joe Biden until January 2026, but Trump has ended it early. A White House letter said her additional protection will stop on September 1, 2025. Former vice presidents normally get six months of security after leaving office. Harris thanked the Secret Service for their dedication. The move comes as she prepares for her multi-city book tour to promote her memoir 107 Days, releasing September 23. (PC: HT)