US-China War: The US has kept expanding its vessel and aircraft operations in the South China Sea. Multiple reconnaissance planes such as RC-135, E-8C and P-8A flew to the region almost nonstop in June and July, B-1B and B-52H bombers flew over the South China Sea multiple times.

Afghan Peace Talks: The prisoner swap has been a major stumbling block in getting Kabul and the Taliban to start peace talks. Under a deal between the US and the Taliban, the Afghan government is supposed to release 5,000 insurgent prisoners while the Taliban free 1,000 government inmates.

China's domestically developed large amphibious aircraft AG600 makes its first sea-based test flight from sea waters off Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province on July 26, 2020

Meanwhile, the Indian Army's Northern Commander Lt Gen Y. K. Joshi, who is responsible for the defence of Eastern Ladakh stated that while negotiations with China are going-on to resolve the conflict, the "territorial integrity" of the country is non-negotiable and "we remain prepared at all times for any eventuality". 

Migrant labourers form the backbone of Asia's third-biggest economy toiling in every sector from making consumer goods and stitching garments to driving cabs. But when India went into lockdown in late March, vast numbers lost their jobs, prompting a huge heart-rending exodus back to their home villages, sometimes on foot, their children in their arms.