DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi sharply rebuked Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, asserting: “Even the Congress doesn’t remember Nehru ji as much as you do” . Shah had repeatedly invoked Jawaharlal Nehru and Congress legacy failures, blaming them for Pakistan’s creation, PoK disputes, and military shortfalls . Kanimozhi’s comment highlighted opposition frustration over using historical blame to dilute scrutiny of the government’s handling of the Pahalgam terror attack and India's response . The exchange underscored growing political polarization as parliament examines accountability and narrative control during national security discussions.

France has officially announced it will recognize Palestine as a sovereign state at the UN General Assembly in September, becoming the first G7 nation to take this step. The UK has also warned it will follow unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire, lifts Gaza restrictions, halts West Bank annexation, and engages in a two-state solution. Both nations called on Hamas to release hostages and disarm. Israel has strongly condemned these moves, claiming they reward terrorism. These announcements signal a major diplomatic shift and growing Western pressure on Israel amid mounting humanitarian concerns in Gaza.

During his official visit to the Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over 72 heavy vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), strengthening bilateral defence ties. The donation includes buses, pickup trucks, excavators, tractors, and construction equipment, aimed at enhancing the MNDF’s operational capacity. This gesture is part of broader cooperation efforts, including a $565 million line of credit, agreements on digital payments (via UPI), fisheries development, and renewed free trade negotiations. The move reflects India’s continued strategic partnership with the Maldives amidst shifting regional dynamics and reaffirms its commitment to regional security and development. (PC: Defence.In)

Aishanya Dwivedi, widow of terror attack victim Shubham Dwivedi, expressed deep hurt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to mention the 26 civilians killed in the April 22 Pahalgam attack in his parliamentary speech. She said it mattered that Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi named all 26 victims, and she thanked them for doing so, adding she had expected the Prime Minister to do the same. The PM had responded by saying the government had done everything necessary, launching Operation Sindoor in retaliation, and did not need to “prove its actions time and again.”  

On July 30, 2025, a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, shaking buildings and homes in nearby cities like Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The quake’s shallow depth increased the risk of a tsunami, prompting widespread alerts across the Pacific region, including Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast. Videos showed intense tremors and swaying furniture as residents evacuated. Russia reported minor damage and no serious injuries. Japan issued high-level tsunami alerts and evacuated nearly 1 million people. Authorities warned of strong aftershocks and further tsunami waves in the coming hours.

Former ISRO scientist has hailed the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission as a landmark achievement that will highlight India’s advanced space engineering on the world stage. Scheduled for launch on July 30, 2025, from Sriharikota aboard the GSLV-F16, NISAR marks the first GSLV flight into Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The $1.5 billion satellite will provide critical Earth observation data using dual-frequency radars developed by both NASA and ISRO. The mission will aid global climate monitoring, disaster response, and Earth science research, reinforcing India's growing influence in international space collaborations and open-source scientific advancement. (PC: X)

In the dramatic final session of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, former England captain Alastair Cook defended India’s decision to play on despite Ben Stokes’ offer for a pre-agreed draw. Cook emphasized that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar’s near centuries deserved to be honored, and would be remembered more than Harry Brook’s 37 kmph “joke deliveries.” Critics accused India of chasing personal milestones, but Cook argued it was England's tactic that disrespected the game. The Test ended in a draw, keeping the five-match series alive at 2-1 ahead of the Oval decider. 

Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan is under fire for shooting parts of his upcoming film The Odyssey in Dakhla, a city in Western Sahara occupied by Morocco for nearly 50 years and considered a non-self-governing territory by the UN . FiSahara, the Western Sahara International Film Festival held in refugee camps, condemned the choice, warning the production may legitimize Moroccan occupation and whitewash Sahrawi repression . Activists and the Polisario Front argue the film ignores human rights abuses and restricts freedom of expression under occupation . Neither Nolan nor his team have publicly responded so far. (PC: India Today)

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out two consecutive flight trials of the Pralay quasi‑ballistic tactical missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on July 28–29, 2025 . Designed for 150–500 km range strikes, Pralay demonstrated high precision, adherence to trajectory, and accurate target impact during user evaluation trials validating its guidance, mission algorithms, and range capabilities . Weighing approximately 5 tonnes, it can avoid enemy detection with its radar‑evading, manoeuvring MaRV, and be rapidly deployed via truck-mounted launchers. Authorities confirmed the success paves the way for its induction into India’s armed forces.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with Oval curator Lee Fortis during a training session ahead of the deciding fifth Test against England. The dispute arose when Fortis asked the team to stand 2.5 metres from the wicket and reprimanded staff for wheel­ing an ice box onto the square | “It’s a pitch, not an antique,” batting coach Sitanshu Kotak retorted . Gambhir was seen telling Fortis, “You’re just a groundsman… you don’t tell us what to do” . Kotak confirmed India will not file any formal complaint . Fortis later downplayed the incident, calling Gambhir “touchy” but insisting there was “nothing to hide”.