Centre for Journalism founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the controversy over female Eiffel Tower employees being moved away from their workstations during a visit by a BAPS-linked Hindu delegation. “Don’t let regressive men run religion,” Dipke said, arguing that religious beliefs should not be used to restrict women. The controversy began after reports that the delegation had requested limited interaction with female staff. The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed amid the dispute. The tower’s operator later acknowledged that such conditions should not have been accepted. BAPS apologised for any “pain or inconvenience” caused and said it respected universal values. 

The Kremlin said it is preparing a list of Indian nationals still serving with the Russian Army and promised to send them home, as India pressed Moscow for their release. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia was identifying Indians currently on the battlefield and maintained that Moscow was in “deep and profound contact” with New Delhi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said around two dozen Indians remained in the Russian Army. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently said 51 Indians had died during the Ukraine war. At least 227 Indians have reportedly been recruited, with 139 released, 51 dead and the status of others unclear. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet on September 11.

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)

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.

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)

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said the controversy involving women staff at Paris’ Eiffel Tower and a visiting BAPS delegation was a matter “between the entities concerned.” The comments came after staff alleged that female employees were asked to leave certain areas during the delegation’s visit. The Eiffel Tower operator said the delegation had requested limited interaction with women, adding that such a request should not have been accepted. BAPS said its visit had been coordinated in advance and apologised to anyone hurt or inconvenienced. The Eiffel Tower reopened on Tuesday after briefly shutting down amid the controversy.

Iran has rejected reports that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei owns two luxury apartments in London near the Israeli embassy. The Iranian Embassy in India called the claims “completely baseless” and said Khamenei owns no property either inside or outside Iran. British media reports had linked two flats on Palace Green in Kensington to Khamenei, saying they were purchased through intermediaries in 2014 and 2016 and only recently traced to him. The reports drew attention because the apartments are located close to the Israeli embassy. The claims emerged amid heightened scrutiny after four men were arrested in London over alleged surveillance of Jewish community targets. (PC: India Today)

BAPS has issued a statement after a controversy over its delegation’s private visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The tower was closed on Monday after staff went on strike over claims that female employees were excluded during the visit. BAPS said the visit was planned with the Eiffel Tower team to avoid disturbing other visitors. “At no point was anyone prevented access to the Eiffel Tower,” it said. The organisation apologised for any inconvenience caused. A French workers’ union accused management of sidelining female staff. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire called the reported treatment unacceptable and said an investigation would be launched.  

An Indian woman working in a laboratory in South Korea shared her first Korean wedding experience online, highlighting a custom that surprised her. She and two colleagues attended their Korean labmate’s wedding but initially went for coffee, later joining the ceremony. Afterward, security guards stopped them from entering the lunch hall because they lacked a token. Unable to communicate in English or Korean, they contacted their labmate, who explained that guests must first hand over their gift or money envelope at a reception counter. They receive a token in return, allowing entry to the dining area. The woman found the process very different from Indian weddings and called it “very strange”.