Singapore President to Host Indian Workers Honoured for Heroic Sinkhole Rescue
Seven Indian migrant workers in Singapore have been invited to the presidential palace by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam after they heroically rescued a woman from her car when it fell into a sinkhole. The workers, led by foreman Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah, acted swiftly to pull the driver to safety, earning widespread praise for their bravery and public-spiritedness. In addition to the official recognition, a public fundraising campaign for the men has raised over SGD 72,000.
US to Impose 25% Tariff and Penalty on All Indian Goods
US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on all Indian imports, effective August 1, plus an unspecified penalty. He cited India's own high tariffs, non-monetary trade barriers, and its large-scale energy and military purchases from Russia as justification. The move escalates trade tensions and creates significant uncertainty for Indian exporters and the broader economy, coming as negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement appeared to stall ahead of a deadline.
Massive 8.7-Magnitude Quake Off Russia Triggers Pacific-Wide Tsunami Alerts
A powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, generating tsunami waves and triggering widespread alerts across the Pacific. Waves of up to 4 meters hit parts of Russia and Japan, prompting evacuations. Warnings were issued for the US West Coast, Hawaii, China, and several other Pacific nations, with authorities urging coastal residents to move to higher ground. The quake is one of the strongest recorded globally and has put the entire Pacific Ring of Fire on high alert.
PM Modi Rejects Foreign Mediation Claims in 'Operation Sindoor' Debate
In a heated parliamentary debate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected claims of foreign mediation in halting "Operation Sindoor," India's retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. He stated that no world leader asked India to stop and that a ceasefire was considered only after Pakistan pleaded for it. The PM accused the opposition of echoing Pakistani propaganda. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had questioned the government's political will and cited US President Trump's claims of brokering a deal.
ISRO and NASA Begin Countdown for Joint Earth-Observing NISAR Satellite Launch
The countdown has commenced for the launch of the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite, a landmark joint mission. Scheduled to lift off from Sriharikota aboard an ISRO GSLV rocket, the satellite is the world's most expensive Earth-imaging satellite. It will map the entire globe every 12 days, providing unprecedentedly detailed data on climate change, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards. The collaboration is being hailed as a new high in India-US space partnership.
New Banking Laws to Take Effect from August 1, Strengthening Governance
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, will come into force on August 1, introducing significant reforms to India's financial sector. The new legislation aims to enhance governance standards, improve depositor protection, and align regulations with modern practices. Key changes include increasing the tenure for directors in cooperative banks, permitting public sector banks to transfer unclaimed funds to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF), and empowering them to offer better remuneration to attract high-quality auditors.
Aviation Watchdog Finds 51 Major Safety Lapses in Air India Operations
An audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has uncovered 51 safety lapses at Air India, including seven critical "Level I" breaches requiring immediate action. The findings flag significant gaps in pilot training for Boeing 777/787 aircraft, use of unapproved simulators for challenging airports, and poor crew rostering that led to flights with insufficient staff. The audit heightens scrutiny on the Tata Group-owned airline's safety protocols, which are already under review following recent incidents.
Government Confirms No Decision Taken to Update National Population Register
The central government has informed the Lok Sabha that it has not taken any decision to update the National Population Register (NPR). Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai stated that while the government has notified its intent to conduct the next Census, which will include caste enumeration, the controversial NPR update is not currently planned. The clarification comes after years of debate and protests over the NPR's potential links to a nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC).
UNSC Report Officially Links Pakistan-Based TRF to Pahalgam Terror Attack
In a major diplomatic development, a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) monitoring team has officially implicated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based affiliate of Lashkar-e-Toiba, in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack of April 22. This is the first UN report to name an LeT faction since 2019 and was adopted by consensus, despite Pakistan currently holding the UNSC presidency. The finding validates India’s long-standing position on cross-border terrorism and Pakistan's use of terror proxies.
Parliament Extends President's Rule in Manipur for Six More Months
The Lok Sabha has approved a resolution to extend President's Rule in Manipur for another six months, effective from August 13. The central government argued the extension is necessary to consolidate peace and maintain law and order in the state, which has been grappling with ethnic violence. The move faced opposition from parties demanding the restoration of a democratically elected government. Manipur has been under central administration since February 2025 following a severe breakdown of state machinery.
Australia Expands Teen Social Media Ban to Include YouTube
The Australian government has expanded its pioneering ban on social media for teenagers under 16 to include YouTube, reversing an earlier exemption. The decision follows a regulator's report highlighting that YouTube was the source of the most harmful content reported by minors. The move tightens what is already one of the world's toughest laws aimed at protecting children online and escalates the government's regulatory battle with global tech giants like Alphabet, YouTube's parent company.
Army Foils Infiltration Bid in Poonch, Kills Two Suspected Terrorists
The Indian Army has thwarted an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, killing two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. The operation, codenamed 'Shivshakti', was launched based on intelligence inputs. Troops engaged the infiltrators late Tuesday night, and three weapons were recovered from the site. The encounter comes just two days after security forces eliminated the three terrorists responsible for the recent Pahalgam attack, signaling heightened vigilance along the border.
Negligence at Jalandhar Hospital Leads to Three Deaths, Staff Suspended
Three patients died at the Civil Hospital in Jalandhar after a glitch disrupted the central oxygen supply for nearly 30 minutes. An official inquiry found "unpardonable negligence" and poor management were responsible for the tragedy, despite the facility having four available oxygen sources. In response, the Punjab government has suspended the Medical Superintendent and a Senior Medical Officer, and dismissed a house surgeon, with a more detailed investigation underway to determine further accountability.
Renowned Indian-Origin Economist Lord Meghnad Desai Dies at 85
Lord Meghnad Desai, a distinguished Indian-born British economist, author, and Labour politician, has passed away at the age of 85. A Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics and a member of the UK House of Lords since 1991, Desai was a prominent public intellectual and a passionate advocate for strong India-UK ties. Tributes have poured in from leaders worldwide, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised his valuable contributions to economic thought and bilateral relations.
Farmers Across Punjab Hold Tractor Rallies Against Land Pooling Policy
Thousands of farmers, led by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, participated in massive tractor marches across Punjab to protest the state government's proposed land pooling policy. The policy aims to acquire 65,533 acres of agricultural land across 116 villages for creating residential and industrial areas. Farmers are demanding a complete withdrawal of the scheme, arguing it threatens their livelihoods and is designed to benefit corporate interests by acquiring their fertile lands.