Japan Monetary Policy Watch: Japan’s core inflation picked up in July, with core (ex-food) rising to 1.8% and energy-stripped core to 1.9%, strengthening expectations for further Bank of Japan rate hikes and a firmer yen. India Cybercrime Crackdown: Gujarat Police arrested Rafiqul Alam, allegedly tied to “digital arrest” scams that netted Rs 1,071 crore, with money laundered via hundreds of bank accounts and routed to China through crypto. India Politics & National Identity: The INDIA bloc hit back at BJP’s Vande Mataram resolution, arguing it’s a distraction from inflation and unemployment. Bangladesh-India Ties: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said relationships must pass the test of “mutual interest,” while Bangladesh’s Humaiun Kobir said there’s “no rush” on a Tarique Rahman visit. India Governance & Media: India scrapped the 12-minute hourly TV ad cap, expanding airtime flexibility for broadcasters. Space & Regional Development: SIA-India and NESAC will host a Northeast India Space Workshop in Guwahati to push the region from using space tech to developing and commercialising it. China Economic Support: China signalled more fiscal measures to back households and consumption as growth slows, including interest subsidies for small firms. Japan Security Industry: Major Japanese defence firms are stepping up drone development as unmanned systems and AI move to the centre of strategy.