A fact-finding committee of the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) has alleged that Chinese PLA troops are blocking Indian forces from accessing key patrolling points in the Taksing sector of Arunachal Pradesh. The panel said one patrol point, Shera 5, has remained inaccessible to Indian troops since a reported confrontation in 2023. Government sources rejected claims of “slow encroachment”, saying the Army and ITBP are prepared to monitor and counter Chinese activities. China also said the border situation is “generally stable”. The PPA has urged faster road construction, stronger military infrastructure and improved connectivity in the remote border region. (PC: India Today)

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a sword by a Nihang group at a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra. Badal suffered minor injuries during the incident, while his security personnel quickly intervened and stopped the attacker. Police detained those involved and launched an investigation. Badal, a prominent Sikh politician and former Punjab minister, was reportedly out of danger after the attack. His wife, SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, was also present at the gurdwara. The incident has raised concerns over security arrangements during Badal’s visit to the religious site. (PC: The Indian Express)

US intelligence received multiple warnings of a possible Iranian missile attack targeting Donald Trump’s aircraft as he prepared to leave Ankara during the NATO summit on July 8, The New York Times reported. Officials said Iranian operatives were believed to know exactly where Trump was staying, including the floor of the building. A shoulder-fired missile was also reportedly spotted near the summit. The warnings prompted a secret security operation in which Trump left Turkey on a smaller military aircraft after a decoy Air Force One departed with staff and journalists. Trump later said he was not very concerned about the reported threat. (PC: NDTV)

The Indian government said Track-2 dialogues with Pakistan involving retired diplomats, military officials and academics are outside its purview. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Rajya Sabha that participants engage in such talks in their private capacity, and their views do not represent the government’s position. India and Pakistan continue limited official engagements, including DGMO-level talks and exchanges on nuclear installations and prisoners. Singh also said the Indus Waters Treaty remains in abeyance until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ends its support for cross-border terrorism, following the April 2025 Pahalgam attack. (PC: India Today)

An adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander has said Tehran could prolong its war with the United States until Donald Trump leaves office. Mohammad Reza Naqdi told PBS NewsHour that extending the conflict could help Iran build military experience, impose costs on the US and strengthen deterrence against future attacks. Naqdi said Iran believes it is currently winning the war but has not achieved its final objective. He also claimed Iran is producing more missiles than it launches and could continue fighting for years. He warned that Iran could target US economic interests worldwide if its missile stockpile were exhausted. (PC: India Today)

The 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to become the deadliest ever, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned. He said the outbreak, at its current pace, could surpass the 2014-2016 West African epidemic, which killed at least 11,000 people. The outbreak, declared on May 15, has recorded more than 4,300 cases and over 2,000 deaths, according to the report. Health officials said the virus began spreading months before the outbreak was officially declared. The rare Bundibugyo strain is responsible, while insecurity is limiting health workers’ access to affected communities. (PC: BBC)

Residents of Thane are opposing Amazon Data Services India’s proposed data centre in Balkum, citing concerns over heat, noise, emissions and pressure on electricity supply. The facility is planned on a 53-acre plot and is expected to involve an investment of around ₹47,000 crore. Residents under the “Wake Up Thanekar” campaign say the project’s location in a densely populated area, near homes, schools, hospitals and public transport, is a major concern. Amazon says the centre will use air-cooled and closed-loop technology, a dedicated power substation and noise-control measures to address environmental and safety concerns. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered police action against people making derogatory remarks about freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose on social media. Adhikari said such posts should be deleted and followed by an apology, stressing that the law would apply equally to MLAs, MPs and government officials. His direction came days after BJP MP Ananta Maharaj described Netaji as a “war criminal” and questioned his leadership and the Azad Hind Fauj. Adhikari also directed MLAs to establish Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Seva Kendras in their constituencies. The state will provide ₹30,000 per month to support the centres, subject to conditions. (PC: X)

Japan has strongly protested Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup, one of 4 disputed Kuril islands claimed by both countries. Putin visited the island on Thursday, marking his first visit to the disputed chain, according to Russian state media. Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the islands were “inherently Japanese territory” under history and international law. The Kuril dispute has prevented Japan and Russia from signing a post-World War Two peace treaty. Russia administers the islands and has increased its military presence there. Japan has also imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and regularly protests Russian military activities near the islands. (PC: HT)

An Air India Phuket-Delhi flight logged 9 warnings within a minute during an altitude drop of around 360 feet, according to its post-flight fault records. Flight AI2379, an Airbus A320, was flying at 36,160 feet on August 4 when the incident occurred, leaving 20 passengers and 4 crew members injured. The warnings included low pressure in the Green, Blue and Yellow hydraulic systems, low reservoir levels, an autopilot disconnect and an elevator flight-control fault. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating the incident. The commander also told investigators that he had slept for 30 to 35 minutes during the flight. (PC: HT)