 "FirstUp: PM Modi to visit Maldives, Trump in Scotland… Top news today")
It is a packed day ahead.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to reach the Maldives today as part of a two-day visit. He will attend the island nation’s Independence Day celebrations, where he has been invited as the ‘guest of honour’.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump will begin his visit to Scotland today. This will be his first trip to the UK since his re-election.
Iran, along with Britain, France and Germany, will hold nuclear discussions in Istanbul today.
In England, up to 50,000 resident doctors are set to go on strike today and tomorrow (July 30).
Comic-Con International, the four-day pop culture event featuring a special appearance by George Lucas, is underway in the US, with day two scheduled for today.
Here’s a look at the events:
PM Modi’s Maldives visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the Maldives today, where he will hold discussions with President Mohamed Muizzu and inaugurate several India-assisted development projects.
He will also take part in celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Maldives’ independence.
“The prime minister’s state visit also happens to be the first state visit of a head of government that President Muizzu is hosting in his presidency since he assumed the office in November 2023,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.
Notably, this is PM Modi’s first trip to the Maldives since relations between the two countries became strained over the “India Out” campaign led by some Maldivian politicians and Muizzu’s approach favouring China.
Quick Reads
View AllThe visit is being viewed as a key moment to address important issues, boost cooperation, and reaffirm India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy in the Indian Ocean region.
Trump’s Scotland visit
US President Donald Trump is beginning his trip to Scotland today. This will be his first visit to the UK since being re-elected.
The White House has called it a “private” visit and confirmed that he will meet British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
His trip comes two months before King Charles III is due to host him on a formal state visit to the UK.
Protests are expected during his stay, with opposition from local leaders. The “Stop Trump Coalition” has planned demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh on Saturday to disrupt the visit.
Iran to hold nuclear talks with UK, France & Germany
Iran will hold nuclear talks with Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul today. These discussions follow warnings from the three European countries that fresh international sanctions could be imposed on Tehran if negotiations are not resumed.
The meeting comes after the foreign ministers of the E3 countries, along with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, held their first phone call on Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi since Israeli and US forces struck Iranian nuclear sites a month ago.
Britain, France and Germany, along with China and Russia, are the remaining signatories of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. The United States withdrew from the deal in 2018.
Before the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, Tehran and Washington held five rounds of indirect nuclear talks in Oman, though major differences remained unresolved.
Hospital doctors to strike over pay in England
As many as 50,000 resident doctors in England, previously referred to as junior doctors, are expected to go on strike today and tomorrow (July 30). They are demanding a 29 percent increase in pay.
Notably, doctors in England and Wales were granted a 5.4 percent pay rise by the government. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) continued with strike plans, arguing that the raise did not make up for earlier pay freezes.
The BMA is calling for a 29.2 percent increase to bring pay levels back in line with those from 2008.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting sent a letter to the BMA earlier on Tuesday, saying he would return to talks if the strike was delayed.
The BMA said what was being offered fell short,, and that securing better pay remained their main concern.
Comic-Con 2025
Comic-Con International, the four-day celebration of pop culture, has begun in the United States. Day two of the event will take place today.
Across the four-day schedule, fans can look forward to updates on the new “Predator” film, the “Alien” series, and a special appearance by George Lucas.
One of the major highlights this year will be George Lucas himself. Around 135,000 people are expected to attend the convention, where Lucas will appear on Sunday for the first time in Comic-Con history.
Fans should not expect big announcements from Marvel or DC about their film line-ups. Both studios are skipping Comic-Con 2025 when it comes to movie reveals.
With inputs from agencies
 "US seizes oil tanker off Venezuela coast as Trump's pressure campaign against Maduro rages on")
 "Trump launches $1 mn 'Gold Card', platinum visa priced at $5 mn to be released soon")
 "Ukraine submits response to new 20-point peace plan to Trump administration: Report")
 "US DHS signs $140 mn deal to buy 6 Boeing 737s for deportation operations")
 "US seizes oil tanker off Venezuela coast as Trump's pressure campaign against Maduro rages on")
 "Trump launches $1 mn 'Gold Card', platinum visa priced at $5 mn to be released soon")
 "Ukraine submits response to new 20-point peace plan to Trump administration: Report")
 "US DHS signs $140 mn deal to buy 6 Boeing 737s for deportation operations")
