Trump says he will ‘substantially’ raise tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases; ‘unjustified and unreasonable’, says New Delhi
Less than a week after he announced a 25% tariff on imports from India “plus a penalty”, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (August 4, 2025) once again raised the issue of India buying oil from Russia and profiting from it. He stated that he would be “substantially” raising the tariff “paid by India to the USA”. The Indian government hit back at Mr. Trump’s statements and also criticism from European countries on India’s trade with Russia, saying that such “targeting of India” was “unjustified and unreasonable”. In a statement, the government pointed out that not only did the U.S. encourage such trade previously, both the European Union and the U.S. continue to actively trade with Russia in excess of the amount that India does.
Netanyahu to convene cabinet as Israel decides next steps in Gaza after ceasefire talks collapse
Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet this week to decide on Israel’s next steps in Gaza following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas, with one senior Israeli source suggesting more force could be an option.
Bihar leaders find SIR draft rolls ‘difficult’ to compare
Opposition parties in Bihar on Monday (August 4, 2025) accused the Election Commission of India (EC) of “deliberately” making it “difficult” for them to compare the electoral rolls issued ahead of the Lok Sabha election in January 2024 with the draft rolls published on August 1 as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), even as the poll panel said that no party has filed any claim and objection for addition or deletion of names, yet.
Unease prevails in J&K ahead of Article 370 abrogation anniversary
With security heightened, unease gripped Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday (August 3, 2025), ahead of the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of the special provisions of Article 370 in the erstwhile State. While National Conference (NC) leader and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) expressed optimism, the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) observed “a 150-minute blackout” on the occasion.
BJP raises spectre of ‘political Islam’ infiltrating Church in Kerala
The BJP has raised the spectre of “political Islam” infiltrating the Church in Kerala. The party’s State vice-president Shone George told a news conference on Monday (August 4, 2025) that radical Islamists, beholden to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Jamaat-e-Islami, had infiltrated Church protests in sizeable numbers, including those led by bishops, across the State.
IND vs ENG fifth Test: Mohammed Siraj does the star turn as India levels series with a stunning win
Mohammed Siraj couldn’t hold back his tears as Dhruv Jurel ran in and hugged him. Shubman Gill stood quietly for a moment, looking up at the sky, before the teammates rushed towards him to celebrate. Prasidh Krishna waved towards the packed stands as the tricolour fluttered high. It seemed after 25 days of riveting action, the best was saved for the last as India came from behind to pull off a six-run win against England in the fifth Test and draw the series 2-2.
Sheikh Hasina completes a year in exile in India as Bangladesh plans election in 2026
A year after then Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka and arrived in India, she remains in regular contact with Awami League party leaders in Bangladesh and in exile around the world. Her exact whereabouts in the present and political future, however, remain a mystery, as New Delhi has discouraged her and her supporters from overt political activity. Ms. Hasina now faces a number of charges over corruption, human rights violations and even war crimes during her tenure, making her return to Dhaka unlikely at present. Meanwhile, after saying he would not stop the Awami League from standing for elections expected to be held in mid-February 2026, Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has banned the erstwhile ruling party and its students’ wing, making it impossible for them to participate.
Skeletal remains found at new location near site no. 11 in Dharmasthala
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged burials at Dharmasthala found a few skeletal remains at a new location, which was near site no. 11, in the temple town, on Monday. As the SIT was preparing to dig at site no. 11, which was among the 13 burial sites identified by the 50-year-old complainant, he suggested that a site at a new location nearby also be dug. The SIT personnel found a human skull and a few bones of a human body at the new site in the Banglegudde area.
Israeli ex-security chiefs urge Trump to help end Gaza war
Hundreds of retired Israeli security officials, including former heads of intelligence agencies, have urged U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure their own government to end the war in Gaza. “It is our professional judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel,” the former officials wrote in an open letter shared with the media on Monday.
Lok Sabha disrupted as Opposition seeks debate on Bihar SIR
Parliament did not function on Monday (August 4, 2025) with Opposition parties disrupting the Lok Sabha over demands for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned as a mark of respect for member Shibu Soren, who passed away.
Rahul Gandhi to begin yatra covering 30 districts in Bihar from August 17
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will set out on the ‘Matdata Adhikar (voters’ rights) Yatra’ in Bihar in three phases covering 30 districts from August 17. The yatra, originally scheduled to begin on August 10, has been “postponed by a week” following the death of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren, Congress spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari told The Hindu.
