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US President Donald Trump has announced a 100 percent tariff on imported computer chips and semiconductors, aiming to push global tech firms to shift production to the United States. Companies manufacturing within the US will be exempt, according to Firstpost.

The move is expected to raise prices on electronics, cars, and other tech-driven goods. It comes alongside a separate decision to double tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent, in response to India’s continued oil trade with Russia.

The new tariffs will take effect in 21 days, giving time for negotiations. Trump’s approach marks a shift from subsidy-led strategies to using tariffs as economic leverage, Firstpost reported.

India has strongly criticised the United States for imposing additional tariffs on its exports, calling the move “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs of India said the new tariffs—linked to India’s oil imports from Russia—undermine its efforts to secure affordable energy for its 1.4bn citizens.

“It is extremely unfortunate that the US has targeted India for actions other countries are also taking in their national interest,” the statement said.

India added it would take necessary steps to safeguard its national interests.

The Trump administration announced a 25 percent  hike on Indian goods, bringing total tariffs to 50 percent, with the new rates set to take effect by August 27.

President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff increase on Indian imports, raising the total duty to 50 percent, in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The move, set to take effect on 27 August, is aimed at pressuring countries to cut ties with Moscow over its actions in Ukraine, according to BBC.

India called the tariff “unfair and unjustified”, saying it buys Russian oil to meet its energy needs after traditional supplies were diverted. Delhi warned it will take necessary steps to protect its interests.

Experts say the hike could cut Indian exports to the US by up to 50 percent, straining trade ties between the two partners, BBC reported.

The Philippines has granted visa-free entry to Indian tourists for up to 14 days, while India will offer free e-visas to Filipino visitors. Direct flights between Delhi and Manila are also expected soon, according to Firstpost.

India’s PM Modi welcomed the move, calling it a step towards stronger ties. The MEA said the measures will boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

With the Philippines added, Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free access to 30 countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Kenya, and Nepal. Another 28 countries, like Indonesia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, offer visa-on-arrival, Firstpost reported.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, according to CNN.

This marks his first trip to China since ties between the two countries soured following the 2020 border standoff in Ladakh, which included the deadly Galwan Valley clash. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.

US President Donald Trump said he was unaware of American imports of uranium and fertilisers from Russia, a point India has used to defend its own trade ties with Moscow, Firstpost reported.

Asked about the imports, Trump responded, “I don’t know anything about it. I have to check.”

Despite sanctions, US imports from Russia rose 23 percent between January and May this year, reaching $2.1bn, with notable increases in palladium, uranium, and fertilisers.

Though significantly down from pre-war levels, American trade with Russia has seen a partial rebound, even as Washington criticises other nations for maintaining economic ties with Moscow, according to Firstpost.

A cloudburst in northern Indian state of Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district triggered flash floods in Dharali village, leaving several people feared trapped under debris, BBC reported.

The sudden downpour around 1:30 PM (local time) swelled the Kheerganga river, sending muddy water surging through roads and buildings. The ancient Kalpkedar temple is also believed to be damaged.

Rescue teams, including the army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police, are on the ground, but ongoing rain and poor connectivity are slowing efforts, according to BBC.

Dharali, a popular tourist spot with hotels and restaurants, was hit hard. Eyewitnesses said the surge came so fast that people had no time to escape.

Russia has accused the United States of pursuing a “neocolonial” strategy through politically motivated tariffs, following President Donald Trump’s plan to raise duties on countries like India and Russia over oil trade, Firstpost reported.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Washington is using economic pressure to maintain global dominance and punish nations that follow independent policies. She warned such actions threaten global trade and national sovereignty.

Russia pledged to strengthen ties with BRICS and Global South partners to resist Western sanctions and promote a fairer, multipolar world order, according to Firstpost.

India has strongly objected to criticism from the United States and the European Union over its continued import of Russian oil, calling the targeting “unjustified and unreasonable.”

In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, India clarified that its energy imports from Russia are essential for ensuring stable and affordable supplies for its population. The ministry pointed out that many Western countries, including those criticizing India, continue to trade extensively with Russia in areas such as energy, chemicals, and machinery.

It also highlighted that Europe’s trade with Russia, particularly in LNG and other sectors, remains significantly higher than India’s. The US too continues to import key materials like uranium and palladium from Russia for its industries.

India reaffirmed that it will continue to act in its national interest and take necessary steps to ensure energy security, the statement reads.

Over the past few months, Nepal and India have stepped up engagement on multiple fronts, including long-overdue meetings of bilateral mechanisms. While the exact date of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to New Delhi is yet to be finalized, Indian officials confirm that preparations are underway, and the visit is likely to take place before Dashain. India has also been engaging with a wide cross-section of Nepali society in the lead-up.

Nepal-India relations faced significant turbulence, especially after 2015, which strained bilateral ties. However, in recent months, both sides appear to be moving toward a reset. Kathmandu and New Delhi have now prioritized economic and development partnerships over longstanding contentious issues.

Two key unresolved matters, the map row and the report prepared by the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG), remain sensitive. While political parties such as the Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), and various Madhes-based parties have largely shelved the EPG issue, some CPN-UML leaders continue to raise it, albeit with less intensity.

India’s renewed outreach to Kathmandu comes amid a shifting regional context: Donald Trump’s inauguration and subsequent US aid cuts to Nepal, political developments in Bangladesh, and a brief but deadly India-Pakistan conflict. In late July, New Delhi hosted an all-party delegation of Nepali members of parliament. According to the Indian readout, the discussions centered on expanding the multifaceted bilateral partnership.

On July 28 and 29, the seventh meeting of the India-Nepal Boundary Working Group (BWG) was held in New Delhi. The BWG had been inactive since 2019 due to the map dispute. Although this meeting did not address contentious territorial issues, both sides adopted updated modalities for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining boundary pillars, and agreed to expedite work in these areas. They also finalized a three-year work plan and committed to using advanced technologies for boundary-related tasks.

In the third week of July, the home secretary-level meeting between the two countries covered the full spectrum of bilateral security cooperation and border management. The two sides finalized the text of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. They also agreed to work toward the early conclusion of a revised extradition treaty, another longstanding and sensitive issue.

India also launched a collaborative initiative in partnership with the UN World Food Programme to support rice fortification and supply chain management in Nepal. The project aims to address gaps in Nepal’s fortified rice supply chain, particularly in procurement, data collection, and human resource capacity, through knowledge exchange with India’s successful public distribution system. It offers Nepali stakeholders the chance to learn from India’s experience in applying digital technologies to food logistics.

Speaking at a public event this week, foreign affairs expert Mohan Lohani, as quoted by the Press Trust of India, said that India is advancing rapidly in economic growth, development, and technological innovation. “Nepal should try to benefit from the progress made by our southern neighbor,” he said.

Another foreign policy expert, Nischal Nath Pandey, advised Prime Minister Oli to travel overland for his New Delhi visit, arguing that it would allow him to observe India’s significant progress in infrastructure, especially road transport.” During the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made remarkable progress in development and road connectivity, and Nepal should learn from the experiences gained by India,” Pandey said.

As preparations for Prime Minister Oli’s India visit continue, both sides are working to finalize a major project or agreement to be announced during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi. Government officials suggest that resolving issues related to the long-pending Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project could be one such announcement. According to sources, the Indian side has conveyed that when the two prime ministers meet, a substantial breakthrough should be unveiled.

Donald Trump has threatened to "substantially" raise tariffs against India over its purchase of oil from Russia, BBC reported.

"They [India] don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine," the US president wrote on his online platform, Truth Social, on Monday.

India is currently among the largest buyers of Russian oil. It has become an important export market for Moscow after several European countries cut trade when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump did not specify what the new tariff would be, but it comes just days after he unveiled a hefty 25% levy on India, according to BBC.

One of the top aides to US President Donald Trump has accused India of allegedly financing the Russian war against Ukraine by purchasing oil from Moscow. The development comes after the US president escalated pressure on New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil or face penalties, The Indian Express reported.

During an interview on Fox News‘ “Sunday Morning Futures”, Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House, said, “What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia."

Miller, who is seen as one of Trump’s most influential aides, criticised India for purchasing oil from Russia and effectively financing Moscow’s war against Kyiv. Miller’s criticism is being viewed as one of the strongest by the Trump administration yet about one of the US’ major partners in the Indo-Pacific, according to The Indian Express.

India and the Philippines staged joint sail and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea for the first time, a high-profile military deployment that will likely antagonize China. Beijing has separate territorial disputes with the two Asian democracies and a long-running regional rivalrywith New Delhi, Associated Press reported.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said Monday that the two-day joint naval sail and exercises which began Sunday have been successful so far and expressed hopes that Filipino forces could engage India’s military in more joint maneuvers in the future.

Asked if Chinese forces carried out any action in response, Brawner said without elaborating that “we did not experience any untoward incident but we were still shadowed. We expected that already.”

A new blood group was discovered in India on a 38-year-old woman during surgery. The blood group is named CRIB standing for Cromer i.e. CH India Bengaluru as it was found near Bengaluru. It is one of the 47 blood groups.

“The woman’s blood group did not match any other blood group. We mixed it with other blood groups and tested it but it reacted every time,” Dr Ankit Mathur, medical director of the Rotary-TTK Blood Centre in Bengaluru told the BBC. He was the main contact person for the doctors at the RL Jalappa Hospital in Kolar. The woman was advised to undergo surgery at this hospital due to a heart problem.

It was sent to the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBRGL) in Bristol, UK for study and after 10 months they approved the name ‘CRIB’. It was officially announced at the 35th ISBT conference held in Milan, Italy in June this year.

India will continue purchasing oil from Russia despite threats of US penalties, government sources told Reuters. President Trump recently warned of additional sanctions and claimed India might halt Russian imports, but officials say there’s no change in policy.

“These are long-term contracts,” one source said, adding that Russian oil helps stabilize global prices. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s strong ties with Russia and said energy decisions depend on market conditions, Reuters reported.

In a tragic accident in India, eleven people lost their lives on Sunday after a Bolero carrying 15 passengers plunged into a canal in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district. The passengers were returning from a temple visit when the vehicle lost control, according to Firstpost.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the grieving families and announced ₹5 lakh in compensation for each victim’s next of kin. He also directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured.