Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah is set to hold separate meetings with the Indian and Chinese ambassadors, ending his self-imposed policy of avoiding one-on-one meetings with foreign envoys, according to media reports and government sources. Shah is expected to meet India's Ambassador Naveen Srivastava and China's Ambassador Zhang Maoming on the same day, reflecting Nepal's effort to maintain balanced ties with both neighbours. Since taking office in March, Shah had preferred joint meetings with diplomats instead of individual engagements. The move comes after his government completed its first 100 days in office and signals a shift in diplomatic outreach. (PC: NDTV)

A Mumbai woman who blocked a police van carrying detained students during a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest has become a widely discussed figure online. Rhiya Ahir stood in front of the vehicle at Shivaji Park, claiming police had not shown an arrest memo before detaining the students. She said her actions were driven by her belief that citizens should know their legal rights. According to Ahir, the detained protesters were later released. She also criticised the government's handling of the protests and called on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over the alleged examination irregularities. (PC: Instagram)

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he wants to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), calling the region his "second home". Speaking at an election rally in Muzaffarabad, Sharif said he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint him if the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) wins the upcoming PoK elections. He said he wanted to personally oversee the region's development. His remarks come as PoK witnesses widespread anti-government protests over economic issues, including electricity tariffs and wheat prices. Elections are scheduled between July 27 and August 10 amid continuing unrest and demonstrations.

The Centre has renewed its offer to hold talks with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters as tensions continue in Delhi. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the government was ready to meet protesters at any venue they choose, adding that both he and Union Health Minister JP Nadda would attend the discussions. He said the Centre had tried to contact protest leaders 4 times since morning. However, protesters have insisted that talks take place at Jantar Mantar or another neutral location. Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation closed Jhandewalan station, taking the total number of shut Metro stations across the capital to 17. (PC: India Today)

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on 2 Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking a major escalation in regional tensions. Saudi authorities confirmed that the tanker Encelia was hit, causing a fire, but said all crew members were safe. The Houthis said the strikes enforced their newly announced maritime blockade. Meanwhile, the United States carried out its 12th consecutive night of airstrikes on Iranian military targets, including missile, drone and coastal defence sites. Iran reported 2 deaths in the attacks and claimed the Strait of Hormuz had been closed following explosions and renewed military activity. (PC: BBC)

A 14-year-old government school student from Andhra Pradesh has earned a place in Mission ShakthiSAT, the world’s first global all-girls lunar CubeSat mission. Kandula Jessie, a Class 10 student from Zilla Parishad Girls High School in Dhavaleswaram, was selected among India’s 20 participants after nearly 12,000 girls from 108 countries applied. The daughter of a carpenter, Jessie balanced her board exam preparation with advanced online space training. She will attend practical sessions in New Delhi from August 23 before the student-built lunar satellite is scheduled for launch from Sriharikota on October 11. Jessie hopes to join ISRO in the future. (PC: NDTV)

Iran warned it could strike bridges and critical infrastructure across the region after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iranian bridges and power plants for any attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. A senior Iranian official told Tasnim News Agency that Tehran would target regional infrastructure and energy facilities linked to US interests if Washington attacked Iranian assets. The warning came as the US launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iran, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s “eye for an eye” policy. Iran also claimed it intercepted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring escalating tensions around the strategic global energy shipping route. (PC: Reuters)

China signalled its willingness to properly handle sensitive issues with India as Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the importance of maintaining stable bilateral ties despite existing differences. Speaking during diplomatic engagements, Wang said both countries should strengthen communication, deepen practical cooperation and manage disputes through dialogue. He emphasised that China is ready to work with India to safeguard peace and stability along the border while expanding collaboration in areas of mutual interest. The remarks come as Beijing and New Delhi continue efforts to stabilise relations following years of border tensions. Wang underscored that healthy China-India relations serve the interests of both nations and contribute to regional as well as global stability and development. (PC: India Today)

Yemen’s Houthis claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea as the US launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran. The group said it targeted the Encelia and Layla with drones and missiles for allegedly violating its maritime embargo on Saudi shipping. Saudi authorities confirmed the Encelia was hit, causing a fire but no casualties, while UKMTO also reported a projectile strike. Meanwhile, US strikes targeted Iranian military infrastructure, with Iranian media reporting two deaths. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed the Strait of Hormuz was completely closed after an explosion, saying three tankers were intercepted. Escalating tensions threaten global oil supplies and key international shipping routes. (PC: BBC)

The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, establishing the legal framework for a long-term, multi-billion-dollar partnership. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman also signed a bilateral safeguards deal aimed at advancing Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme while supporting nuclear nonproliferation objectives. The agreement comes amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict and renewed scrutiny of nuclear programmes in the region. Reports suggest US companies could gain opportunities to help develop Saudi Arabia’s nuclear infrastructure, including a possible uranium enrichment facility. However, Washington insisted any cooperation would not create proliferation risks, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirming that commitment. (PC: AFP)