Pakistan has raised the reward for information leading to the arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to PKR 7 million, or about ₹24 lakh. Despite Islamabad’s repeated claims that Azhar is not in Pakistan and fled to Afghanistan, his name remains on the Federal Investigation Agency’s 2026 list of most-wanted terrorists. The 58-year-old founded the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed after being released by India following the 1999 IC-814 hijacking. The UN has designated Azhar an international terrorist. JeM has been linked to several major attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, Pathankot attack and 2019 Pulwama bombing.

A Russian drone struck the engine of a train at Yahodyn near Ukraine’s border with Poland, shortly after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior European security officials had travelled through the area on another train. No casualties were reported, and passengers on the hit train were evacuated. Ukraine’s state railway company said the drone may have targeted the diplomatic train, while Russia said it had struck railway infrastructure. The attack occurred about 2 km from the Polish border, prompting an emergency meeting in Poland. European leaders warned that Russia’s attacks are increasingly moving closer to NATO territory. (PC: BBC)

A historic Ganga Aarti was held on the River Thames in the United Kingdom, marking the first such ceremony on the iconic London river. The event brought a traditional Indian spiritual ritual to a major landmark in Britain, highlighting the cultural and spiritual ties between India and the UK. The ceremony featured prayers and offerings to the river, drawing attention to the deep significance of the Ganga in Indian culture. Organisers and participants described the event as a symbolic moment that connected Indian heritage with the Thames, while showcasing the country’s traditions to people in the UK. (PC: The Hindu)

Daily tanker charter rates for shipments to India have surged 150% in about two weeks to around $250,000, as worsening tensions around the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz disrupt oil shipping. Rates were around $100,000 earlier, according to people familiar with the developments. Bunker fuel prices have also climbed 50% to $900 a tonne, while insurance costs have risen 20%. The disruption is a major concern for India, which imports around 30% of its oil and gas from West Asia. India’s crude import bill reached $63.37 billion between April and July, up 56% year-on-year. (PC: HT)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday, reiterating Islamabad’s strong condemnation of recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s civilian and economic infrastructure. The outreach came as Pakistan appeared to step back from its military posture against the Iran-backed group, prompting an apparent diplomatic damage-control effort. Islamabad sought to reassure Riyadh of its commitment to the defence pact while clarifying that the Mecca defence agreement does not automatically require Pakistani forces to launch offensive operations against the Houthis. The clarification appeared to temper Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s earlier suggestion that the pact could be activated if Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continued, highlighting Pakistan’s effort to balance its commitments.

Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson criticised Vladimir Putin after a Russian drone targeted a railway line he was travelling on in Ukraine. Johnson was alerted at 5am on Sunday while returning from a security conference in Kyiv, after another passenger train behind his was evacuated near Yagodyn, close to the Polish border. Johnson said he did not know what “warped logic” drove Putin to target a stationary Ukrainian locomotive. The route was frequently used by foreign delegations returning from Kyiv, but Johnson was neither evacuated nor delayed. Ukraine’s railway operator said the drone may have been targeting a diplomatic train that departed earlier after schedules were adjusted due to Russian strikes. A train near Volyn was also hit, with no injuries reported.

The US government has linked high-resolution satellite imagery provided by Chinese entities to an Iranian ballistic missile strike that killed three American soldiers at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17, according to a Wall Street Journal report. US officials said Washington had previously warned Beijing about Chinese companies allegedly providing targeting data to Iran. China has rejected the concerns and said its assistance to Tehran complies with international law. The findings could add tension ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Experts said the satellite imagery was likely part of Iran’s wider intelligence operation. (PC: NDTV)

A Russian drone struck a passenger train near Ukraine’s border with Poland on Sunday, just minutes after a diplomatic train carrying former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other European officials had passed through the area. The attack occurred near Yahodyn, around 2 km from the Polish border. Ukraine’s railway operator said the diplomatic train had left earlier than scheduled because of security concerns and suggested it may have been the intended target. The passenger train was hit but no casualties were reported. The strike has raised fresh concerns about Russia’s attacks moving closer to NATO territory. (PC: India Today)

Leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to sign a joint declaration on Monday. The deal will seek the right to hold independence referendums. The leaders will meet at a summit in Cardiff. The move comes after US President Donald Trump said he would “love” to see a united Ireland. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently said he could allow another Scottish referendum if there was a “clear consensus”. However, he later said a second vote was “off-limits”. Scottish leader John Swinney said the current situation was not sustainable. Pro-independence parties now lead all three UK devolved nations.  

Israel spent around $470,000, or Rs 4.49 crore, on hair, makeup and other official expenses for its prime ministers between 2019 and August 2026. About 90% of the hair and makeup costs were linked to Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara. Spending rose sharply after Netanyahu returned as prime minister in 2023. The highest yearly spending was recorded in 2025, at about $111,000. Foreign trips also added to the costs. A four-day visit to Washington in February 2025 cost around $13,500 for hair and makeup. Officials redacted the names of stylists, citing security reasons.