Daily Briefing: Trump tightens Russia sanctions, Karnataka job scam allegations expose political protection

Good morning. US President Donald Trump has signed legislation to impose economic pressure on Russia in response to its war in Ukraine. The law targets Russia's energy, defence, and transportation sectors, and gives the President the power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries trading with Russia. India is particularly vulnerable as Russia supplies a significant portion of its crude oil imports.

In India, an investigation revealed that a key figure linked to job scams was appointed by the BJP government despite credentials concerns. The person maintained the position even after the Congress came to power in 2023, amid ongoing allegations of recruitment irregularities. The Special Investigation Team probe into the job scams was also shelved.

In international news, a biopic about Neem Karoli Baba, a revered mystic, has become a major hit, drawing large crowds to his ashram in Uttarakhand. This increased interest is boosting the local economy. Researchers have found that Himalayan monals are changing the pitch of their calls to adapt to noise pollution from human activities.

However, climate change may also threaten their habitat in the future. Lastly, the Graham Bill has been criticized for its potential to penalize India and China for buying Russian oil, raising questions about the selectiveness of US economic pressure.