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”.

India has joined a US-led initiative involving 24 other countries to shape the development and rollout of next-generation 6G telecommunications networks. The US Department of Commerce announced the partnership following a bilateral meeting between Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and India’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial. The initiative aims to establish common approaches to emerging telecommunications technologies, with network security, technological competitiveness and innovation as key priorities. Washington said the partnership seeks to ensure networks align with participating countries’ security and economic interests. India’s participation signals deeper technology cooperation between New Delhi and Washington as countries prepare for 6G development.

Staff at the Eiffel Tower in Paris went on strike over allegations that female employees were sidelined during a visit by a Hindu group. The dispute concerns a delegation of 100 people linked to BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), attending festivities surrounding the inauguration of a temple in the Paris suburbs. Eiffel Tower staff condemned instructions that allegedly required female employees to make themselves invisible while welcoming the delegation. According to their statement, some women were asked to leave their posts, others were replaced by men, and female employees were instructed not to cross areas during the visit. The Hindu group said it respects and takes seriously the concerns raised.

Iran has described its relationship with India as “very good” and said it attaches “great importance” to bilateral ties, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the SCO Summit in Bishkek. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei highlighted the countries’ long-standing, historic and civilisational relationship, as well as cooperation in trade and economic matters. Ahead of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi from September 11 to 13, Baghaei said Tehran would use the gathering to continue discussions with India on mutual interests, including the strategically important Chabahar Port. His remarks come amid US scrutiny of India-Iran engagement, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning against helping Tehran bypass American sanctions.

The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed on Monday after employees protested allegations that female staff were asked to leave their workstations during a private visit by around 100 members linked to BAPS. Union representatives said women were moved out of sight as the delegation passed through, allowing male employees to take their places. The Eiffel Tower operator, SETE, acknowledged that the visitors had requested limited interaction with women and said such conditions should not have been accepted. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire ordered an investigation, while senior French politicians criticised the alleged treatment. The controversy has sparked a debate over gender equality and workplace rights. (PC: India Today)

A new United Nations world map issued on July 1, 2026, has drawn attention for its depiction of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin between separate Indian and Chinese claim lines. The map marks Arunachal Pradesh’s southern boundary adjoining Assam as a “Chinese Line”, while its northern boundary with Tibet is shown as an “Indian Line”; its border with Nagaland is not shown. Aksai Chin is similarly placed between competing boundary markings. India officially considers Arunachal Pradesh and the entire Aksai Chin region part of its territory. The map separately marks the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir with a dotted line and notes its unresolved status. India’s MEA has called inaccurate or misleading depictions unacceptable. (PC: The Hindu)

Singapore has vowed action against a wave of racist and xenophobic online abuse targeting Indians amid discussions over Nepal-Tibet floods and Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned that prejudice against any community must never become accepted or normalised, saying conversations on the issues had taken “an uglier side.” Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam also criticised the rhetoric, warning that unchecked online abuse could normalise racial prejudice and threaten Singapore’s multiracial harmony. The government’s response follows a surge of anti-Indian posts linked to the two issues. Authorities said allowing such content to go unchecked could deepen mistrust and undermine Singapore’s carefully maintained social cohesion across the city-state.

India has reportedly agreed in principle to participate in the 2027 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in Pakistan, potentially marking the first visit by Indian athletes since the Pahalgam terror attack. According to Pakistani media reports, India accepted Pakistan’s invitation at a high-level South Asian Olympic Association meeting. The Games are scheduled from April 4 to 11, 2027, with India’s contingent details expected in January. Pakistan last hosted the SAF Games in Islamabad in 2004, and the 2027 edition will feature 28 sports across Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar. Indian cricketers last played in Pakistan in 2008, while India has not sent a cricket team to previous SAG editions. Preparations are underway. (PC: AP)

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said India buys Russian crude to meet its own energy needs and support national development, not to help Moscow fund the Ukraine war. “India does not buy Russian oil for the sake of helping Russia. It is buying oil for itself and its own national development,” Alipov told DD News. He said Russia remained ready to supply as much oil as India required despite Western sanctions and tariffs. India has consistently maintained that its oil purchases are guided by national interest, energy security and affordability. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine conflict. (PC: X)