The United Nations’ world map has drawn attention for depicting Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as separate regions between Indian and Chinese claims. The map, first published on July 1 during discussions on the UN General Assembly’s “Correct the Map” resolution, shows Arunachal Pradesh as an independent state bordering Assam and China, while Aksai Chin is depicted with India to its west and China to its east. The UN has not explained the changes. India backed the resolution but stressed it does not endorse any map or boundary depiction. New Delhi said India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, while reiterating its claims over Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (PC: NDTV)

Indian hockey teams will return to the iconic blue jerseys at the 2026 Asian Games after wearing saffron and white at both World Cups. Hockey India’s president Dilip Tirkey said the saffron jersey was never permanent and confirmed blue for the Asian Games. The colour change had drawn criticism from hockey enthusiasts and former players, including ex-captain Viren Rasquinha, who said blue represented the team’s legacy and identity. Hockey India said saffron could improve player identification on blue turf and claimed players were consulted, but five players told The Indian Express they were not consulted. Tirkey also said he was kept uninformed. The women finished fifth, while the men finished eighth. (PC: AP & Hockey India)

India said reports about women employees at the Eiffel Tower being asked to avoid areas during a BAPS delegation’s visit were a “matter between the entities concerned”. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was aware of a BAPS temple opening in Paris but maintained that the Eiffel Tower issue did not involve government. The Tower was closed Monday after employees struck over allegations that female staff were moved away during Saturday’s visit by 100 people linked to BAPS. The tower operator said the delegation had requested limited interactions with women and acknowledged such conditions should not have been accepted. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire called the conditions unacceptable and announced an investigation.

Indian-origin American author and entrepreneur Neal Bakshi has alleged that he was detained for questioning by US border officers after returning from Greenland. Bakshi said in an Instagram video that, despite using Global Entry, he was pulled aside for additional screening, with officials calling it a random check. He alleged officers later took him to rooms where they requested personal information and questioned his affiliations with groups. Bakshi also described witnessing an officer questioning an elderly Hispanic woman who did not speak English. He said the encounter made him question whether some Americans face greater scrutiny. US Customs and Border Protection has yet to issue an official statement on his claims.

Israel announced it would close Britain’s consulate in East Jerusalem in response to plans by Britain, France and Canada to ban imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Britain would also withdraw from a US-led coordination mission for Gaza, while some British officials and other foreign nationals would be barred from entering Israel. Saar said the measures were coordinated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Israel prepares for elections in late October. He called Britain’s move “morally distorted” and accused London of “blatant interference” in Israel’s affairs and electoral process. Saar also dismissed British Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s comments publicly as “outrageous lies”. (PC: AP/ Majdi Mohammed)

Several major UK airports, including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted, faced flight disruptions on Tuesday after a technical problem affected the country’s air traffic control system. Air traffic control provider NATS said the issue was identified in its flight processing system, with engineers working urgently to restore normal operations. NATS apologised for the disruption and said flights were still departing while UK airspace remained open, although recovery would take time. Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 said the problem had resulted in strict controls on arriving and departing flights across airports in the London flight information region. Several flights were affected as engineers continued efforts to resolve the technical issue. (PC: Reuters)

In a major twist, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has dropped anti-terror charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against American mercenary Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals arrested in March. The group was accused of training anti-India ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. They were initially booked under the stringent anti-terror law following a secret operation by Indian agencies, with arrests made at various airports. The NIA chargesheet, filed seven months after their arrests, details how the accused entered India and their activities in Myanmar. However, the chargesheet does not invoke the anti-terror law against VanDyke and the Ukrainian nationals, marking a significant shift from the allegations made following their arrests. (PC: X)

The UK has announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including companies and individuals involved in settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also said the government now considers the activity by settler terrorists to amount to “ethnic cleansing” and accused Israel’s government of turning a blind eye. The UK will ban imports of goods from Israeli settlements and refuse arms licence applications that contribute to the occupation. France, Canada and nine other countries have also announced similar measures. The moves come as Israel plans 1,200 new homes in the West Bank and settler attacks on Palestinians have increased this year. (PC: BBC)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly surprised by the timing of a letter from King Charles reaffirming that they remain non-working members of the Royal Family despite returning to the UK. The letter, sent to senior government and military officials, said their status remains unchanged from the arrangement made in 2020, when they stepped down from royal duties. Harry and Meghan will not use the titles His or Her Royal Highness, while their charitable activities will remain private. The couple’s return has also renewed questions over their security, with a government committee expected to review their publicly funded protection this week. (PC: The Indian Express)

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia-linked trucks carrying military equipment near the Al-Wadiah border crossing on Monday, according to Houthi media. The group said it used locally manufactured ballistic missiles after monitoring Saudi-linked camps and troops in the area. Video footage showed a missile hitting trucks loaded with weapons and ammunition, triggering a series of explosions as soldiers fled the site. The attack came amid a sharp rise in tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia after a four-year truce collapsed in July. Riyadh has vowed to take “all necessary measures” to defend its sovereignty after Houthi missile attacks injured 73 people. (PC: NDTV)