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)

Iran has warned that no country in the region will be able to export oil if Tehran is prevented from selling its own, escalating tensions with the United States. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the security of regional energy exports now depends on Iran's security, declaring, “Either all or none.” His warning followed US President Donald Trump's threat to bomb Iranian bridges and power plants after any attack on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the US carried out its 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian targets. With threats also emerging around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, concerns over global oil supplies and shipping costs continue to intensify significantly. (PC: Reuters)

The UK High Court has dismissed fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi's lawsuit over his alleged 2021 kidnapping. The court struck out the case after Choksi failed to pay £677,000 as security for the defendants' legal costs. He must also pay the legal expenses of the four defendants, subject to court assessment. Choksi had claimed he was kidnapped from Antigua and taken to Dominica as part of a conspiracy planned in England. However, the court found no direct evidence linking the defendants to the alleged incident. Choksi continues to fight extradition in Belgium in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud case.

Ukrainian drones struck warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, for the second time in four days. The overnight attack killed one person and injured 14 others, according to Russian officials. Employees were evacuated from logistics centres in the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the warehouses were "involved in providing the Russian army with drone components, navigation equipment and other gear." Wildberries said the attacks targeted its workers and operations. The strikes also affected many small businesses that rely on the retailer, with several sellers reporting heavy financial losses after their goods were destroyed.