An investigation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has confirmed that the Bagmati Express derailment on October 11, 2024, near Kavaraipettai, Tamil Nadu, was caused by deliberate sabotage. Miscreants tampered with tongue rails and the interlocking system, diverting the train into a loop line where it collided with a stationary goods train. Thirteen coaches derailed and one caught fire, injuring 19 passengers. There were no fatalities. The Railways has ramped up surveillance with CCTV, special intelligence teams, and track safety upgrades. The loco pilot’s swift action prevented further disaster, earning commendation from officials. (PC: The Hindu)

Canada has officially announced it will recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025, becoming the third major Western power (after the UK and France) to do so. Prime Minister Mark Carney cited the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza—including widespread starvation—as a key trigger. Recognition is conditional upon reforms by the Palestinian Authority, including general elections in 2026, exclusion of Hamas from governance, and demilitarization pledges. The move intensifies diplomatic pressure on Israel and signals a shift in Western policy, drawing criticism from both Israel and the U.S. (PC: NDTV)

On July 30–31, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new trade agreement with Pakistan, centered on joint development of Pakistan’s purportedly “massive” oil reserves. Although no oil company has been formally selected yet, Trump suggested that Pakistan might sell oil to India someday. Pakistan’s finance ministry confirmed the deal “will result in lower reciprocal tariffs,” particularly benefiting Pakistani exports to the U.S. This move coincides with Trump’s imposition of 25% tariffs on Indian imports, intensifying strategic economic shifts in South Asia. (PC: AP)

Launched on July 30, 2025 via ISRO’s GSLV‑F16 from Sriharikota, the NASA‑ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)—a $1.5 billion mission—is the world’s first radar satellite to use dual-frequency sensors (NASA’s L‑band & ISRO’s S‑band). The “two‑eyed” payload enables it to map nearly all land and ice surfaces every 12 days, detecting changes down to a centimeter, day or night, through clouds and vegetation . Over its planned three‑year mission, NISAR will revolutionize monitoring of earthquakes, glacier melt, deforestation, landslides, infrastructure stability, agricultural patterns and more—delivering open-access data to scientists, policymakers, and disaster responders worldwide. 

In a fiery Truth Social post, former U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at India and Russia, stating they can “take their dead economies down together.” This comes after Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports, criticizing India’s high tariffs and close trade ties with Russia, particularly over energy and defense. He also dismissed claims of significant U.S.-Russia business, calling it “almost none.” Trump further warned former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to “watch his words.” India responded by saying it has “taken note” and is evaluating implications while reaffirming its trade commitment with the U.S. (PC: NDTV)

  A US Navy F-35C Lightning II fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, on July 30, during a training mission. The pilot successfully ejected safely, with no other personnel injured or civilian damage reported . Dramatic visuals captured a plume of thick black smoke rising from the wreckage site . The jet was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VF‑125 ("Rough Raiders"), and local authorities confirmed that the crash occurred in central California’s Fresno County . The cause remains under investigation, and no details about the damage to infrastructure have been released.

Hours after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering Pacific-wide tsunami warnings, the Klyuchevskoy volcano—Eurasia’s tallest active volcano—erupted explosively. The Russian Academy of Sciences reported “burning hot lava flowing down the western slope,” a “powerful glow above the summit crater” and multiple explosions . Ash rose up to 3 kilometers during daylight observation, and night-time glows had appeared even before the quake, indicating heightened volcanic restlessness . The earthquake, recorded as one of the six strongest globally, prompted widespread evacuations across Japan, Hawaii, Chile, Ecuador, and beyond, though no fatalities have been confirmed so far. (PC: X)

A Moneycontrol analysis based on UN COMTRADE data reveals that Vietnam may be competitive in 25% of product lines overlapping with India in U.S. exports, though these account for just 5% of India’s $91 billion exports in 2024. Indonesia and the Philippines similarly hold advantages in smaller shares—covering approximately 1.5% of India’s export value. Reduced U.S. tariffs (around 20%) on these nations versus 25% on Indian goods boost their competitiveness. However, the real economic impact remains limited due to the concentrated value in select categories. (PC: Money Control)

The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on six Indian firms for allegedly purchasing, marketing, and facilitating the shipment of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products, violating sanctions under Executive Order 13846. The accused companies—Alchemical Solutions, Global Industrial Chemicals, Jupiter Dye Chem, Ramniklal S. Gosalia, Persistent Petrochem, and Kanchan Polymers—reportedly handled transactions worth over $220 million. The sanctions freeze all U.S.-linked assets and bar American entities from doing business with them. The move is part of broader efforts by the U.S. to curb revenue supporting Iran’s destabilizing activities across the Middle East and beyond. (PC: News 18)

On July 30, 2025, during a BJP cavalcade in West Bengal, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari confronted a man who shouted “Joy Bangla” from the roadside. Adhikari reportedly halted his vehicle, disembarked with security personnel, and threatened the man, saying he would “skin you alive”. The man later claimed he was assaulted by the BJP leader’s security team. The confrontation quickly turned chaotic amid political tensions and deep symbolism attached to the slogan. The incident underscores heightened polarization in the state ahead of upcoming elections. (PC: NDTV)