US President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 25% tariff on select Indian goods, raising total duties to as high as 50% effective 21 days after August 7. The move, linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, will impact major export sectors like gems and jewellery, textiles, and some auto components. Industry bodies warn of severe disruption, with competing hubs like Turkey and Vietnam taxed less. Smartphones, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy products remain exempt. The US is India’s largest market for jewellery and textiles, with billions in annual exports. New Delhi has yet to announce its response to the tariffs. (PC: NDTV)

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 This revival reflects a growing interest in embracing cultural authenticity while rejecting outdated social norms.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)  

The US has doubled its reward to $50 million for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of being “one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world.” Attorney General Pam Bondi linked Maduro to drug smuggling operations involving Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, claiming the DEA seized 30 tons of cocaine tied to him and associates. Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil dismissed the move as “political propaganda.” US charges against Maduro date back to Trump’s first term, alleging collaboration with Colombia’s Farc rebels. Maduro, in power since 2013, denies any direct involvement in drug trafficking. (PC: BBC)

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 Today’s fact-checking team investigated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claim of over 10,000 fake votes in Bengaluru’s Mahadevapura constituency. Gandhi had alleged electoral fraud linked to Muni Reddy Garden addresses, accusing the BJP of manipulating EVMs and voter lists. However, India Today’s ground report and official data found no evidence supporting the claim of mass fake votes. Residents at the listed addresses confirmed their identities and eligibility. The report suggests Gandhi’s allegations may be politically motivated amid rising election tensions. The Election Commission has yet to respond officially to the controversy sparked by the viral claims.

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)

Labour MP Mark Sewards has launched the UK’s first AI prototype of a British Member of Parliament to interact with constituents. Developed in collaboration with Neural Voice, “AI Mark” offers 24/7 support, allowing residents of Leeds South West and Morley to share concerns, seek help, and engage on policy issues. Sewards emphasized that the AI tool complements not replaces his work, aiming to strengthen connections between MPs and the public. All conversations are reviewed by his team for follow-up. While Sewards hailed the initiative as embracing the AI revolution, critics raised concerns over data privacy, reduced human contact, and accessibility for older citizens. The project remains a prototype and will evolve based on user feedback. (PC: X)

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)

In a recent viral video shared by India Today, ISRO scientist Shubhanshu Shukla offers a captivating explanation of how astronauts digest food in space. Shukla, known for his engaging science communication, breaks down the effects of microgravity on the human digestive system. He explains that in space, food doesn’t move down due to gravity but is pushed along the digestive tract by muscular contractions called peristalsis. His simple yet insightful demonstration has gained widespread appreciation, especially among students and space enthusiasts, highlighting the challenges of human biology beyond Earth.

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)