Indian-origin Delta Airlines pilot Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, was arrested from the cockpit of Flight 2809 at San Francisco International Airport on July 26. The arrest followed a months-long investigation by Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office into allegations of child sexual abuse. Bhagwagar faces five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 and is held on $5 million bail. Homeland Security agents assisted in the dramatic arrest, which occurred minutes after landing. The investigation began in April after a report was filed. Delta Airlines has suspended Bhagwagar, stating zero tolerance for unlawful conduct. The arrest has sparked widespread outrage and concern over aviation safety and background checks. (PC: India Today)

During a fiery Rajya Sabha debate, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) will one day identify as Indians. He emphasized that Operation Sindoor was a precise, self-defensive strike targeting nine terror camps, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, with no civilian casualties. Singh revealed Pakistan’s failed missile and drone attacks, praised India’s armed forces, and confirmed Operation Mahadev neutralized three terrorists behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack. He dismissed US President Trump’s ceasefire mediation claims and warned that Operation Sindoor remains active. Singh concluded by asserting India’s readiness to respond to any aggression and its evolving global security posture.

With the August 1 deadline looming, India faces a trade dilemma due to Trump’s aggressive tariff demands or risk of losing leverage. The US seeks zero-duty access to Indian markets, while India pushes for a 15% tariff ceiling on its exports. Talks remain stalled, though India has signaled willingness to purchase US defense equipment, natural gas, and nuclear reactors. Contentious sectors like dairy and agriculture are off the table. Trump’s proposed 15–20% global tariffs could erode India’s comparative advantage. Exporters face uncertainty, and transshipment clauses may complicate pharma and electronics trade. A final decision may hinge on direct talks between PM Modi and President Trump, with inflation and political optics influencing outcomes. (PC: Instagram)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing Parliament, defended India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack and criticized Congress for historic missteps regarding Pakistan. Shah cited the Indus Waters Treaty and Simla Agreement as examples of Congress’s failures, blaming Nehru for PoK’s existence. He asserted that all three terrorists involved were Pakistani nationals, backed by voter IDs and Pakistani-made chocolates. Shah accused former Home Minister P. Chidambaram of indirectly defending Pakistan by questioning the evidence. He emphasized that India targeted terror camps in Pakistan, reinforcing the government's stance. BJP MPs applauded his remarks, while Shah warned that the public is watching the opposition’s narrative closely. (PC: Business Standard)

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that India has shown interest in opening parts of its market, but more negotiations are needed to finalize a trade deal before President Trump’s August 1 tariff deadline. Talks have stalled over India’s reluctance to open sensitive agriculture and dairy sectors, while the US resists tariff relief on steel, aluminium, and automobiles. Greer emphasized India’s long-standing protectionist trade policy. Despite constructive discussions, no breakthrough was reached after five rounds of talks. India has yet to receive a formal tariff notice, unlike 20 other countries. An interim agreement is being explored to defer contentious issues. (PC: NDTV & The Epoch News)

In a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough, Indian nurse Nimisha Priya’s death sentence in Yemen has been officially cancelled, confirmed by the office of Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Abubacker Musliyar. Convicted in 2018 for the murder of her Yemeni business partner, Priya was scheduled for execution on July 16, but a last-minute intervention by the Indian government led to a temporary suspension. A high-level meeting in Sanaa resulted in the complete revocation of the sentence. The Ministry of External Affairs provided legal support, while Priya’s family including her daughter traveled to Yemen to appeal directly. The case now shifts toward securing her safe return to India. (PC: Indio Today)

7 Indian workers in Singapore were praised for saving a woman whose car fell into a sinkhole. The accident happened on Tanjong Katong Road South on Saturday. The workers pulled the driver out safely. They were later given ‘MOM Ace coins’ by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. Minister Dinesh Vasu Dash visited their dormitory on Sunday to thank them. He shared a video on Facebook and called them heroes. He said their quick actions made a big difference. The minister also thanked all migrant workers for their role in Singapore’s growth and for their kind and brave acts in daily life.

American YouTuber Tyler Oliveira said he fell sick in India even though he ate only at five-star hotels. He claimed he got four types of salmonella due to poor hygiene. Indians online criticised him for defaming the country. One Indian influencer, Twinkle Stanly, said some foreigners visit poor areas and then blame India unfairly. Oliveira replied, saying speaking about bad hygiene is not racism. He also shared medical proof. Many social media users hit back, saying food safety problems happen in hotels worldwide. Some felt he used one bad experience to unfairly judge India’s hospitality and living standards. (PC: Instagram)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament that there was “no call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump” during Operation Sindoor. He also said there was “no linkage with trade and what was going on.” The operation began on May 7 after 26 civilians were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam. Indian forces struck nine terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes ended on May 10 after Pakistan requested a ceasefire. Jaishankar clarified that Donald Trump had no role. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the operation was paused, not ended, and warned of a strong response to any fresh attacks. (PC: PTI)

India’s Parliament launched a 16-hour debate on Operation Sindoor, the military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are leading the government’s defense, while Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge spearhead the Opposition’s critique. Key issues include alleged intelligence lapses, the effectiveness of India’s retaliation, and Donald Trump’s claim of brokering a ceasefire in exchange for trade deals. PM Narendra Modi is expected to intervene. The debate also features voices from seven-party delegations that visited 30 countries post-operation to explain India’s stance.