The United States has deployed additional warships to the Middle East as Washington intensifies enforcement of its blockade against Iran amid continuing regional tensions. US naval forces are positioned to monitor and intercept vessels linked to Iranian ports, increasing pressure on Tehran and raising concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is vital to global oil and energy shipments. Iran has warned that military vessels approaching the area could face a response, heightening the risk of confrontation. The deployment comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts and uncertainty over the future of the US-Iran conflict and regional ceasefire. (PC: X)

Punjab Police have claimed to have busted an alleged ISI-sponsored Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module operated by foreign-based handlers in Jalandhar. A joint operation by Counter Intelligence Jalandhar and Jalandhar Rural Police led to the arrest of key operative Satbir Singh, from Padiana village. Police recovered a 1.3-kg improvised explosive device (IED) containing high explosives, shrapnel and ball bearings, which officials said indicated preparations for a potentially high-impact attack. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosive Substances Act and Arms Act. Investigators are tracing the module’s foreign handlers and local support network. (PC: X)

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution requiring the state song, Tamil Thai Vazthu, to be sung first at government and educational events. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who moved the resolution, said Tamil represents the state’s linguistic and cultural identity and must receive priority. The move challenges a Union Home Ministry directive asking states to play Vande Mataram before the national anthem at official events. Both the DMK and AIADMK supported the resolution. Tamil Thai Vazthu became mandatory at government events in 1970 and was formally recognised as Tamil Nadu’s state song in 2021. (PC: X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-backed 15-point peace proposal for Gaza, creating a rare public disagreement with US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu said Israel’s military would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, including its heavy and light weapons. The plan, developed by Trump’s Board of Peace, seeks to advance a political settlement and eventually transfer authority in Gaza to an independent Palestinian National Committee. Netanyahu argued that Israel must retain the ability to protect its citizens and forces. His rejection threatens to complicate Washington’s efforts to end the Gaza conflict and deepen tensions within the US-Israel alliance. (PC: Getty Images)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised boxer Lovlina Borgohain for objecting to a distorted map of India displayed at a restaurant in Glasgow during the 2026 Commonwealth Games. During a meeting with Indian Commonwealth champions, Modi highlighted Borgohain’s decision to speak up despite being in a celebratory mood after her silver-medal victory in the 75kg category. Borgohain said she politely pointed out the incorrect depiction and the restaurant subsequently made corrections. The Assam-born boxer’s action drew attention to the importance of accurately representing India’s territory. Modi called her response thoughtful and praised her awareness in raising the issue. (PC: PTI)

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has rejected what he called misconceptions surrounding the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Responding to concerns raised by US Congressman Riley Moore, Kwatra said the legislation does not ban foreign funding or target any religion, community or ideology. He stated that regulating foreign financial flows is a sovereign function linked to national security. Kwatra also clarified that asset vesting after FCRA registration cancellation has existed since 2010. He said the proposed Bill would create a designated authority to safeguard such assets and ensure their return if registration is restored. (PC: India Today)

Up to 20 bottles of Guinness dating to 1864 have been discovered in the wreck of the Mindora, around five kilometres off Dover. Belgian underwater photographer Stefan Panis found the bottles in the ship’s cargo, preserved in constant high pressure and complete darkness after the vessel sank following a collision on November 27, 1864, while travelling from London to Vancouver. Samples have been sent to microbiologists at KU Leuven University in Belgium for DNA analysis. Researchers hope they can recover enough DNA to recreate the original 1860s Guinness recipe. Panis, who has dived for over 40 years, initially recovered one bottle and believes more cases could remain. Guinness’s archive team is assessing the discovery. (PC: X/@thefreeledger)

Russia has proposed exploring a direct rail link from Moscow to the Indian Ocean to reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime chokepoints, particularly the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said the route could strengthen connectivity between Russia, Central Asia and India amid geopolitical disruptions affecting major trade corridors. The proposal comes as conflicts in West Asia have created risks for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and stalled progress on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. A potential overland corridor could diversify Russia-India trade routes, although such a project would require major infrastructure investment, financing and coordination across several countries. The proposal highlights Moscow’s broader push to expand Eurasian transport connectivity. (PC: X)

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi is set to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday as New Delhi and Dhaka seek to rebuild ties amid renewed tensions over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s activities in India. The latest row followed Hasina’s media interaction in Delhi, where she criticised Bangladesh’s current leadership and spoke of returning home. Dhaka objected, while India said it had no involvement in the private event. Bangladesh has also sought Hasina’s extradition. The Trivedi-Rahman meeting comes ahead of the BRICS summit, to which Rahman has been invited. India wants to preserve ties covering connectivity, trade, security and the Bay of Bengal, while preventing the Hasina dispute from dominating bilateral relations. (PC: The Indian Express)

Carnatic vocalist and public intellectual T.M. Krishna has criticised the Indian hockey team’s decision to replace its traditional blue shirts with saffron kits, calling the move “deeply problematic”. Speaking at the Alipore Jail Museum in Calcutta, Krishna said blue symbolises resistance to oppression, citing the Indigo Revolt, Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran satyagraha and B.R. Ambedkar’s association with the colour. He argued that removing blue alienates Dalits, queer people and other marginalised communities. Hockey India has cited visibility issues on blue turf and saffron’s national significance for the change ahead of the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15. Former players, administrators and Opposition leaders have criticised the move. (PC: Barbican)