Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that the majority of new iPhones sold in the US during Q2 were manufactured in India, marking a major shift in Apple’s global supply chain. India has overtaken China as the primary production hub for US-bound iPhones, while Vietnam now leads manufacturing for MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches. Despite former President Donald Trump’s criticism and a newly imposed 25% tariff on Indian imports, Apple remains committed to its India strategy. Cook highlighted record revenue growth in India, driven by strong iPhone sales, and announced plans to expand Apple’s retail footprint in the country. Apple incurred $800 million in tariff-related costs last quarter, with projections rising to $1.1 billion. (PC: Reuters)

Stephen Miller, a top aide to Donald Trump, has accused India of financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to purchase oil from Moscow. Speaking on Fox News, Miller called India’s near-parity with China in Russian oil imports “astonishing” and “not acceptable.” The Trump administration recently imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods and threatened further penalties unless India halts its energy and arms trade with Russia. Despite mounting pressure, Indian officials reaffirmed their commitment to sourcing oil based on national interest and energy security. Miller acknowledged Trump’s “tremendous” relationship with Prime Minister Modi but emphasized that all diplomatic and financial options remain on the table to end the war. (PC: Mint & CNN)

England has launched the world’s first gonorrhoea vaccination programme at sexual health clinics, targeting high-risk groups such as gay and bisexual men with recent STI history. The vaccine, 4CMenB, already used for meningococcal B could prevent up to 100,000 cases and save the NHS £7.9 million over the next decade. Gonorrhoea cases hit a record 85,000 in 2023, the highest since 1918, with rising antibiotic-resistant strains. The initiative also offers vaccines for mpox, HPV, and hepatitis A and B. Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton hailed the rollout as a major breakthrough in STI prevention and antibiotic resistance. Eligible individuals are urged to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their partners. (PC: CDC & BBC)

Just 90 days after India’s Operation Sindoor dismantled terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan has rebuilt over 15 terror camps and launchpads with direct support from its intelligence agency ISI. These camps, located in areas like Kel, Shardi, Athmuqam, and Chakothi, now use advanced tech including drones, radar camouflage, and satellite masking to evade Indian surveillance. Four launchpads along the International Border, including a drone center in Shakargarh, have also been reactivated. Camps now house fewer militants and include women and children as shields. Intelligence reports warn of renewed cross-border threats, with ISI allocating over PKR 100 crore to revive terror networks destroyed during India’s precision strikes. (PC: PBS & The Economic Times)

Suspended JD(S) leader and former MP Prajwal Revanna has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Court for People's Representatives in Karnataka. The conviction stems from the rape of a 48-year-old domestic worker at his family’s farmhouse in Holenarasipura and later at his Bengaluru residence in 2021. The court imposed fines totaling ₹11.5 lakh, with ₹11.25 lakh directed to the victim. Revanna was booked under multiple IPC sections including 376(2)(k), 376(2)(n), and IT Act Section 66E. He has been assigned prisoner number 15528 and is lodged in a high-security cell. This is one of four sexual abuse cases against him, with more proceedings expected. (PC: Wikipedia)

Sara Tendulkar, daughter of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has been appointed brand ambassador for Tourism Australia’s $130 million “Come and Say G’day” campaign. Targeting Indian travelers, Sara will feature in TV, digital, and social media promotions showcasing Australia’s culture, nature, and adventure. The campaign launches first in China on August 7, then rolls out globally. Other ambassadors include Robert Irwin (US), Nigella Lawson (UK), Yosh Yu (China), and Abareru-kun (Japan), alongside mascot Ruby the Roo. This marks the second phase of the campaign, raising total investment to $255 million since 2022. Tourism Australia aims to boost international visits and economic growth through this star-powered initiative.

Storm Floris has struck the UK, triggering widespread travel disruption across Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Met Office issued amber and yellow wind warnings, with gusts reaching up to 85mph in exposed coastal and highland areas. Flights at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Belfast City airports have been cancelled, including arrivals from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, and Edinburgh. Train operators LNER and Avanti West Coast advised against travel north of Newcastle and Preston, while Network Rail imposed speed restrictions and closed several Scottish lines. Ferry services were also affected. Loganair offered free rebooking options. The storm is expected to ease by Tuesday, with improving weather and rising temperatures forecast later in the week. (PC: BBC & The Guardian)

Lionel Messi will tour India in December 2025, visiting Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. His itinerary includes unveiling a 70-foot statue in Kolkata, participating in GOAT Cup events, and conducting masterclasses for children. Kolkata will host his longest stop, featuring a meet-and-greet, statue unveiling, and a friendly match at Eden Gardens with Indian icons like Sourav Ganguly and Bhaichung Bhutia. Ahmedabad will host a private event at Adani Foundation. In Mumbai, Messi will interact with the Indian football team and attend a GOAT Concert at Wankhede Stadium. The tour concludes in Delhi with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and another GOAT event. (PC: Nova & Pamfleti)

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: India Today)

Russia’s Krasheninnikov Volcano erupted overnight in the Kamchatka Peninsula for the first time in 600 years, following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake on July 30. Scientists believe the eruption was triggered by tectonic stress from the quake, which ruptured a 390 km fault line and prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific. The volcano released an ash plume rising 6,000 meters, though no populated areas were affected. The region, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world’s most seismically active zones. The eruption coincided with a 6.8-magnitude aftershock near the Kuril Islands, reaffirming the high seismic risk and prompting renewed focus on monitoring and disaster preparedness.