Gisborne Airport in New Zealand holds a rare distinction—it is the only airport in the world where a railway line crosses the main runway. The Palmerston North–Gisborne Line passes directly through the airport, requiring precise coordination between air traffic control and KiwiRail to prevent collisions. Trains and planes do not operate simultaneously; both systems follow a strict schedule to avoid any overlap. The airport covers 160 hectares and handles over 150,000 passengers annually, with more than 60 domestic flights per week. This rare setup makes Gisborne Airport a fascinating case of transportation integration. (PC: AI)

As US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, he accused India of high trade barriers and criticised its economic ties with Russia, calling both economies “dead.” India responded calmly, vowing to protect national interests and continue dialogue. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that all necessary steps would be taken for farmers, MSMEs, and exporters. The opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, echoed Trump’s “dead economy” comment, drawing backlash from BJP leaders. Economists expect limited GDP impact, but pressure mounts on key export sectors. Talks continue, with Trump hinting a deal could still happen this week. (PC: X)

At least 15 people, including a mother and her 6-year-old son, were killed and 145 injured as Russia launched its largest air assault on Kyiv in months. Over 300 drones and missiles struck 26 locations, destroying an apartment block and damaging schools and hospitals. The attack defied US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire demand to Vladimir Putin, with a deadline of August 8. Trump warned of tougher sanctions if no truce is reached. Ukrainian officials called for “maximum pressure” on Moscow, while denying Russian claims of capturing Chasiv Yar in Donetsk. Rescue operations in Kyiv continue amid rising civilian toll. (PC: BBC)

India will not retaliate against US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff and additional penalties on Indian imports starting August 1, government sources said. Trump cited India's high tariffs, non-monetary trade barriers, and continued energy imports from Russia. Indian officials stated that negotiations, not escalation, are the preferred path, emphasizing the nation's economic resilience. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed consultations with exporters and stakeholders are underway to assess the impact. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi seized the moment to criticize the Modi government, calling India a “dead economy” and blaming BJP policies for economic stagnation. (PC: X)

Fifteen-year-old Majd al-Shaghnobi, the first war-injured Gazan child to receive treatment in the UK, has arrived in London for reconstructive surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Severely wounded by an Israeli tank shell in February 2024, Majd lost his jaw and teeth while seeking food. UK charity Project Pure Hope facilitated his evacuation after months of campaigning. His surgery will be performed pro bono by a team of specialists. Co-founder Omar Din called the UK government’s support “long-overdue.” PM Keir Starmer recently pledged to help more children. UN agencies report worsening starvation and suffering for children still trapped in Gaza. (PC: BBC)

A radar-related air traffic control outage disrupted UK airspace on Wednesday, cancelling 155 flights—84 departures and 71 arrivals—according to Cirium. London’s Heathrow airport faced the most disruptions with over 45 flights called off. The issue, deemed non-cyber related, was resolved by switching to a backup system. The glitch, during peak summer travel, impacted major carriers including British Airways and EasyJet. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met with NATS CEO Martin Rolfe, calling it an isolated event. PM Keir Starmer acknowledged widespread passenger frustration. Ryanair demanded Rolfe’s resignation. The outage follows similar failures in March and two years ago. (PC: AP)

India has granted Elon Musk’s Starlink a Unified License to offer satellite internet services, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed. With spectrum allocation and gateway frameworks ready, Starlink can now move ahead with rollout plans. The move follows years of regulatory delays and positions Starlink to compete with Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio-SES JV. Starlink aims to improve connectivity in remote and border regions using low-Earth orbit satellites. India’s internet subscriptions have surged to 970 million. As the nation marks 30 years of mobile telephony, Starlink’s entry marks a new era in bridging the digital divide in rural and underserved areas. (PC: India Today)

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi slammed US President Donald Trump as the “buffoon-in-chief” over the 25% tariff on Indian goods, calling it an attack on India’s sovereignty. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence, asking if India was a “vassal state.” Owaisi warned the tariffs would hit Indian MSMEs, IT firms, service providers, and farmers, damaging exports and jobs. Trump’s tariff, effective August 1, cites India’s trade ties with Russia and high barriers. While other Asian nations face lower tariffs, Owaisi questioned the Centre’s lack of resistance, saying India is being bullied economically by the US under vague pretexts. (PC: News18)

A 32-year-old Indian-origin man, Santosh Yadav, was attacked by six teenagers near his home in Dublin. He suffered a fractured cheekbone and serious injuries. Yadav said it was a racist attack and blamed Irish police for delays. He shared that the teens broke his glasses and beat him with what seemed like a chain. Yadav said he feels unsafe and fears stepping outside. Activists warned of rising hate crimes against Indians in Ireland. Protests followed the attack, with migrant groups demanding stronger action. Many say poor police training and online hate are making things worse for migrants in Dublin. (PC: Santosh Yadav/Linkedin)

Iran has accused the US of using its economy as a weapon to control other countries. The statement came after President Trump announced a 25% tariff on India and penalties for buying Russian oil. Iran called these steps “modern economic imperialism.” The Iranian Embassy in India posted that such actions harm nations like Iran and India. Iran’s foreign ministry said new US sanctions on its oil sector were “oppressive” and hurt its people. Spokesperson Esmail Baqaei called the sanctions illegal and a “crime against humanity.” He said the US ignores global rules and puts the world at risk with such actions. (PC: AFP)