PM Narendra Modi 76th Birthday, Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and SEMICON India Launch

Two terrorists were killed in a major encounter operation in the Sohan area of Majilta in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation following intelligence inputs regarding the suspicious movement of individuals in the region. The engagement started overnight after forces tracked down terrorist movements under a heightened counter-terror grid. While two terrorists have been neutralized, search operations continue in the area as authorities monitor for any further movement.

A Russian airstrike on Ukraine's capital city, Kyiv, has left at least 10 people injured, according to reports from local authorities. The incident marks a fresh escalation in the ongoing conflict, accompanied by reports of multiple explosions across the city. The attack follows legislative moves in the United States, where the House of Representatives introduced a bill proposing 100 per cent tariffs on countries continuing trade with Russia.

The US House has passed a bill enabling 100% tariffs on nations purchasing Russian crude oil and gas, placing a spotlight on India and China. While the legislation requires presidential approval before taking effect, it introduces fresh complications to ongoing India-US trade talks. India maintains that its fuel procurement remains driven strictly by national interest and energy security, asserting it will not bow to external pressure. Panellists discuss the broader geopolitical dynamics, including US diplomatic pressure on India regarding Russia, the impact of the BRICS summit, upcoming US midterm elections, and strategic maneuvering ahead of high-level bilateral engagements.

A discussion on India Today examines the geopolitical and economic implications following the passage of a 100% tariff bill in the US Congress. The conversation addresses how the legislation is tied to Russia's military offensive against Ukraine and attempts to curtail Russian oil purchases that finance the conflict. The dialogue also highlights global energy challenges, ongoing conflict in West Asia, and the broader fallout for nations like India currently engaged in trade deal negotiations.