European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for stronger border security and greater cooperation after tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta. Spain said about 69,500 migrants have returned to Morocco, while the death toll stands at 72 on the Spanish side and 11 in Morocco. EU interior ministers are set to hold emergency talks on the crisis. Von der Leyen urged a united European response, including stronger external borders, action against migrant smuggling networks, improved early warning systems and closer cooperation with partner countries to curb irregular migration. (PC: BBC)

A coalition of 25 Democratic-led US states has challenged President Donald Trump's Section 301 tariffs, including the 10% duty on Indian imports, in the US Court of International Trade. The lawsuit argues the tariffs were imposed without following legal procedures and have little connection to the administration's stated goal of combating forced labour. The states say the measures will increase costs for American consumers and businesses. India currently faces a 10% tariff after revising its Foreign Trade Policy, while a separate US investigation could result in additional duties on Indian exports. (PC: HT)

Russia said 7 people, including 3 children, were killed and 40 others injured after a Ukrainian drone crashed onto a crowded beach near Arkhipo-Osipovka in the Krasnodar region. Moscow accused Ukraine of carrying out a deliberate attack on civilians, while Kyiv has not commented on the incident. Ukrainian Telegram channels claimed the drone may have fallen after electronic jamming disrupted its flight. The strike comes as both countries continue exchanging long-range attacks. Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly denied deliberately targeting civilians during the ongoing war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan has reportedly blocked access to Al Jazeera after the Qatar-based broadcaster aired reports on anti-government protests and the election situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). While the government has not officially announced a ban, many users in Pakistan said they could not access the broadcaster's English website. Pakistan's Information Ministry accused Al Jazeera of "yellow journalism" and claimed its reporting misrepresented the electoral process. Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) criticised Pakistan over press freedom concerns, citing internet shutdowns, restrictions on reporting, and the reported detention and disappearance of journalists covering developments in the region. (PC: NDTV)

A Ukrainian drone struck a crowded beach in Russia's Krasnodar region, killing seven people, including three children, and injuring 40 others, according to Russian authorities. The explosion occurred near the Black Sea resort village of Arkhipo-Osipovka, where tourists were on the beach. Regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting civilians, while Kyiv has not commented. The intended target remains unclear, with some Ukrainian Telegram channels claiming the drone crashed after electronic jamming. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire before the blast, suggesting Russian air defences may have engaged the drone. Both Russia and Ukraine deny deliberately targeting civilians during the war.

A coalition of 25 Democratic-led US states has sued to block President Donald Trump's new tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, including India, arguing the administration exceeded its legal authority. Filed in the US Court of International Trade in New York, the lawsuit challenges 10% to 12.5% duties imposed last month under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The White House says the tariffs target countries that have failed to curb exports of goods made with forced labour. The case marks the latest legal challenge to Trump's trade strategy, which has faced repeated court scrutiny despite surviving earlier judicial setbacks over similar tariff measures. (PC: India Today)

A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative has claimed that more than 30 members of the Pakistan-based terror group were killed in Pakistan over the past 3 to 4 years. In a video circulating on social media, Rizwan Hanif alleged that Indian intelligence agencies used an "unknown gunman model" to target LeT operatives in cities including Peshawar, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot. India has consistently denied Pakistan's allegations of carrying out targeted killings inside its territory. During his speech, Hanif also made hateful remarks against followers of other religions. LeT is designated as a terrorist organisation by India, the US and the United Nations.

US President Donald Trump accused Iran's leadership of sending mixed signals over possible talks. He claimed Iranian leaders privately wanted negotiations but publicly denied them. Trump also said the United States controlled the Strait of Hormuz and warned that nothing would reach Iran without US approval unless a deal was reached or Iran surrendered. He repeated that Iran would never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran denied holding direct talks with the US. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was only discussing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman and not negotiating with Washington. (PC: Reuters/ X)

Al Jazeera English has reportedly been blocked in parts of Pakistan after its coverage of protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to reports, several local, regional and international news websites have also become inaccessible. A social media post attributed to Pakistan's Information Ministry accused Al Jazeera of "selective reporting" and "yellow journalism", though its authenticity has not been independently verified. The restrictions come as protests and clashes continue in PoK ahead of Assembly elections. Rights groups have reported dozens of deaths in recent weeks. Al Jazeera earlier reported internet shutdowns and disruption to daily life in Muzaffarabad. (PC: AP)

A group calling itself the Republic of Balochistan has declared August 11 as Balochistan's Independence Day and urged worldwide observance, weeks after claiming independence from Pakistan. In a statement, it appealed for international recognition of what it described as an independent and sovereign Balochistan, asking supporters to hoist its national flag across homes, institutions and public spaces. The group argued that Pakistan's policies had fuelled decades of regional instability and cited historical events, including the 1948 military action in Balochistan and the 1971 East Pakistan conflict. It also claimed August 11, 1947, marked Balochistan's original declaration of independence, a position Pakistan does not recognise.