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)

A Ukrainian drone strike ignited a massive fire at an oil depot near Sochi, Russia, on Sunday, officials said. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported drone debris hit a fuel tank, prompting 127 firefighters to respond. Sochi Airport briefly suspended flights. Meanwhile, Russian forces again bombed Kherson’s key Ostrivsky bridge, killing one and prompting evacuation calls. In Mykolaiv, seven were injured. Ukraine reported 7 deaths Saturday in Kherson and Donetsk. Russia claimed 93 drones were intercepted, while Ukraine said 61 of 83 drones and missiles were downed. Trump condemned Russia and renewed threats of sanctions with a new 8 August deadline. (PC: BBC)

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)

The River Ganga in Varanasi has surged above the official warning level of ~70.26 m, flooding major ghats and low-lying neighbourhoods after relentless monsoon downpours over recent days . Local residents report that each day, another step of the ghats disappears underwater, affecting key sites like Namo Ghat, Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, and Assi Ghat, severely disrupting its sacred routines including Ganga Aarti and cremations . The swollen tributary Varuna River has also breached banks, inundating multiple localities and displacing families . Authorities—including NDRF, river police and local administration—have activated flood control centres, relief camps and water ambulances, with Prime Minister Modi reviewing the situation and urging rapid relief measures. (PC: AFP)

Tens of thousands marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday in a pro-Palestinian “March for Humanity,” following a last-minute Supreme Court decision allowing the protest. Despite heavy rain, demonstrators—including families, MP Ed Husic, Julian Assange, and ex-NSW Premier Bob Carr—called for a Gaza ceasefire. Protesters chanted against Israel and the U.S., criticizing Australia's inaction. Police halted the march midway for safety, asking people to turn back. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies expressed disappointment, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated that Australia would not recognize Palestine under pressure from other countries without security guarantees for Israel. (PC: BBC)

On Day 4 of the 5th Test at The Oval, India reduced England to 164/3 at lunch while defending a 374-run target. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna delivered crucial breakthroughs after removing Duckett and Pope early. Siraj, relentless as ever, trapped Pope LBW with a sharp nip-backer, while Prasidh had Duckett caught in the slips. Joe Root (23*) and Harry Brook (38*) steadied England’s chase, with Brook surviving a near-dismissal when Siraj stepped on the ropes while catching him. England need 210 more runs; India aim to level the series on a tricky pitch. (PC: BCCI)

The Election Commission has issued a notice to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav after BJP alleged he possesses two voter ID cards, calling it a criminal offense. During a press conference, Yadav claimed his name was missing from the draft electoral roll and cited EPIC number RAB2916120, which the poll body said doesn’t officially exist. The Commission confirmed his actual EPIC number is RAB0456228 and asked him to submit the original of the other card. BJP’s Sambit Patra accused Yadav of lying under oath. This comes amid protests over Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision, which removed 65 lakh names. (PC: India Today)

Russia’s Krasheninnikov volcano, dormant for nearly 600 years, erupted shortly after a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kamchatka on July 30, 2025. The eruption sent ash plumes 6 km into the atmosphere and was accompanied by an orange aviation alert, though no casualties or structural damage have been reported. Experts believe seismic pressure from the recent quake may have triggered the volcano’s awakening. Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Kamchatka has seen heightened geological activity in recent days, including tsunami alerts and minor eruptions from nearby volcanoes, intensifying global scientific monitoring.

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)