Russia has announced its withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing Western military actions as a direct threat to its security. This move follows the U.S. withdrawal in 2019 and signals a potential new arms race between East and West. Experts warn this weakens the global nuclear control framework and could escalate tensions reminiscent of a new Cold War, as countries increase missile deployments and military capabilities in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions.

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to significantly increase tariffs on Indian products within 24 hours, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Trump criticized India as an unfair trading partner, imposing a 25% tariff earlier and now threatening to raise it further. The executive order issued on July 31 includes additional fines related to Russia oil imports, effective August 7. Despite US pressure, India has not stopped its oil imports from Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the United States for imposing politically motivated economic pressure on countries choosing independent paths. She described Trump’s tariff policy as a direct interference in national sovereignty, especially targeting Russia’s partners in the Global South. Zakharova emphasized that sanctions have become a key feature of the current global order and said Washington is pursuing a neo-colonial agenda. Russia remains committed to deepening cooperation with like-minded countries, particularly within the expanding BRICS bloc.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong voiced deep concern over the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza and violence in the West Bank, warning that one day there may be no Palestinians left to recognize. Speaking to ABC, she supported recent mass protests in Sydney calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. Wong emphasized the urgency of recognizing Palestine, stating the key issue is when, not if. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly preparing to order a full occupation of Gaza despite internal opposition.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying, “We want Israel to feed the people of Gaza. We are providing significant aid—mainly to ensure food reaches those who need it.”

Trump emphasized, “We don't want anyone starving or dying from hunger.”

On Friday, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff visited Gaza to assess the operations of the controversial U.S.-backed Gaza Emergency Humanitarian Fund (GEHF). Trump praised his efforts, calling them “excellent.”

However, when asked whether he believes genocide is being committed in Gaza, Trump avoided answering. He claimed the U.S. has pledged $60 million in food assistance for Gaza, though various sources indicate that only around $3 million has been disbursed so far.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of significant tariff hikes on Indian goods imported into the United States, citing India’s ongoing purchase of fuel from Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. Trump made these remarks on his social media platform Truth Social ahead of planned U.S. retaliatory tariffs effective August 7. While details on specific products and tariff rates remain unclear, Indian officials have confirmed that despite the threats, India will continue buying Russian oil.

The Trump administration deported immigrants convicted of serious crimes to third countries like South Sudan and Eswatini after their home nations refused to take them back. According to a Reuters report, some deportees included individuals convicted of murder and child abuse. Critics called the practice harsh and questioned whether enough was done to repatriate them properly. In one instance, five people were returned to their home countries after facing threats of being sent to Libya. DHS did not disclose the total number deported to third countries.

In the first half of 2025, major U.S. tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Amazon have spent over $1.55 trillion on artificial intelligence infrastructure. The spending exceeds U.S. government allocations for education and social services. Investments focus on data centers, servers, and power-intensive systems needed to run AI. Microsoft alone plans to spend over $300 billion this quarter. With 2026 plans already underway, global AI investment is expected to grow rapidly, even surpassing some national defense budgets in scale.

Thousands of demonstrators marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge in the rain, demanding an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza and calling for urgent humanitarian aid. The protest, dubbed the “March for Humanity,” drew wide public attention and included high-profile participants such as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Some protestors carried pots and pans to symbolize hunger, while others waved Palestinian flags and held placards demanding justice. New South Wales Police initially sought to block the march, but the state’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing it to proceed. A parallel protest also took place in Melbourne.

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Moscow later this week, confirmed U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker. The visit follows a scheduled trip to Israel and Gaza on August 1.

Trump’s team hopes the envoy’s visit will help facilitate constructive dialogue between the U.S. and Russia. Witkoff has visited Moscow multiple times and met with President Vladimir Putin. With U.S.-Russia relations currently tense, Trump has even ordered deployment of two nuclear submarines to strategic areas.

Stephen Miller, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Donald Trump, has accused India of indirectly supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing large quantities of Russian oil.

“People will be shocked to learn that India is now on par with China in buying Russian oil,” said Miller. According to NDTV, the Trump administration has leveled three primary allegations against India: buying Russian oil, imposing high tariffs on U.S. goods, and manipulating the U.S. immigration system.

Miller noted that although Trump has maintained good relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, future actions will be guided by pragmatism. He added that diplomatic and financial measures remain open to ensure Russia is denied the funds to continue its aggression.

Russia’s Krasheninnikov volcano, located in the Kamchatka Peninsula, has erupted for the first time in over 500 years. Experts believe a recent powerful earthquake may have triggered the eruption.

The volcano emitted an ash plume reaching 6 kilometers into the sky. Although the eruption currently poses no direct threat to populated areas, a subsequent earthquake in the region led authorities to issue tsunami warnings for three nearby zones.

Russia’s Defense Ministry alleges that 1,250 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in a single day during ongoing battles across various fronts. The ministry reported heavy casualties in regions including Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Dnipro. Russian forces also claimed the destruction of Ukrainian tanks, artillery, and Western-supplied military equipment. Advances were reported in parts of Kharkiv, though the claims remain unverified by independent sources. Ukraine responded with drone and artillery strikes. The war, which began in February 2022, shows no sign of ending.

China and Russia have started a three-day joint naval exercise called ‘Joint Sea-2025’ in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok. The drills include submarine rescue, air and missile defense, and naval combat operations. The exercise aims to deepen their strategic partnership amid global tensions led by the U.S. While Russia calls the exercise defensive, Japan views the growing military cooperation as a serious security threat. China maintains neutrality but supports Russia economically amid ongoing Western sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict.

Russia has claimed the capture of Oleksandro-Kalynove, a village in Ukraine's Donetsk region, following operations by its "South" forces. The Russian defense ministry also reported intercepting 338 Ukrainian drones in overnight attacks. Ukraine has not responded to the claim, and the ongoing conflict makes independent verification difficult. Russia previously claimed to have taken another village, Marn, near the Dnipropetrovsk-Donetsk border. That area is known for its strategic value, and reports suggest Russian forces pushed deep into enemy defenses during the assault.