Taiwan Strait Tensions: Taiwan kicked off its biggest annual “Han Kuang” drills, with reservists firing on a beach scenario and civilians facing air-raid drills and even temporary mobile internet slowdowns as China ramps up pressure. India’s Domestic Resilience: Kerala’s rain disaster toll rose to 26 dead, with thousands displaced and hundreds of relief camps running as India’s weather service issued alerts for more heavy rain. Monsoon Politics in Parliament: India’s monsoon session stayed paralysed for a 13th day as opposition protests over alleged police excesses against student demonstrators kept forcing adjournments. RBI Watch: The Reserve Bank of India held rates at 5.25% while flagging oil-price risks to inflation. Bangladesh Return Drama: Sheikh Hasina said she plans to return from exile in December despite a death sentence, while her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy warned Bangladesh is becoming “another Pakistan” for India’s eastern flank. Tech & Security: China retaliated against US restrictions with tighter drone export controls and sanctions on US entities, as the US-China tech fight intensifies. Aviation & Trade: Air India named Ethiopian Airlines’ Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO, and India condemned a Red Sea attack that sank an Indian-flagged vessel, with all crew rescued. Creative Economy: Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos met PM Modi and launched a “Netflix India Storytelling Initiative” to train talent across AVGC. Regional Diplomacy: Japan-Philippines ties got a boost in Manila as the House recognized 70 years of normal diplomatic relations.