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India's Modi government under growing pressure as 'cockroach' protests intensify

India's Modi government under growing pressure as 'cockroach' protests intensify

Summary

Thousands of young people are protesting in Delhi, India, demanding changes in education and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests continued despite police using force, and opposition leaders joined in, calling for government accountability after a harsh police crackdown.

Key Facts

  • The protests are led by a group called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), inspired by a controversial remark made by India’s chief justice.
  • Protesters want education reforms and the resignation of Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
  • Police used batons and tear gas, injuring at least 60 people during the protests.
  • Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, joined the protests and marched to Prime Minister Modi’s house.
  • Rahul Gandhi and other opposition members were briefly detained by the police during their protests.
  • The Congress party says the government refused to allow a debate on education reforms in parliament.
  • Minister Pradhan accused the Congress of using students for political gain and said the government is committed to education reforms.
  • Protesters remain at the main protest site, Jantar Mantar, with a continuous sit-in despite the police dismantling their stage and tents.
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Rabat demands answers after Moroccan man dies during arrest in Italy

Rabat demands answers after Moroccan man dies during arrest in Italy

Summary

Morocco has asked Italy to explain the death of a Moroccan man, Abderrahim Fakir, who died during his arrest in Bologna. The incident sparked protests and clashes between police and demonstrators, while Italian authorities have opened an investigation into the case.

Key Facts

  • Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan living in Italy since childhood, died after police tackled him to the ground in Bologna.
  • Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances and responsibility for Fakir’s death.
  • Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a rigorous and impartial inquiry, condemning violence against police during related protests.
  • Clashes during protests injured 54 police officers and 11 demonstrators.
  • Police were reportedly responding to neighbors' concerns about Fakir's unusual behavior, describing it as a “psychiatric episode.”
  • A video shows Fakir asking for help as officers pressed him face down for several minutes.
  • Fakir’s family and local officials called for justice and truth about his death.
  • The case has drawn comparisons to the 2020 killing of George Floyd in the United States, where police restraint led to death.
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US ‘open’ to negotiations with Iran but Tehran not ‘serious’, Rubio says

US ‘open’ to negotiations with Iran but Tehran not ‘serious’, Rubio says

Summary

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is open to talks to end the conflict with Iran but believes Iran is not serious about negotiations. Meanwhile, the US has conducted attacks on Iran for 11 nights in a row, and tensions remain high over control of the Strait of Hormuz and threats against Iranian nuclear sites.

Key Facts

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US wants positive talks with Iran if Iran honors its commitments.
  • Rubio claims Iran is not serious about negotiating a peaceful end to the conflict.
  • The US has launched attacks on Iran for 11 consecutive nights, causing explosions in different areas.
  • Rubio opposes Iran controlling the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway for global energy transport.
  • Iran rejects US threats and says it will retaliate if its nuclear facilities are attacked again.
  • Recent attacks have caused 50 deaths and wounded 500 people, according to Iranian health officials.
  • Rubio emphasized the importance of US relations with Southeast Asian countries as part of broader security and economic interests.
  • The US warns that Iran’s control of international waterways would set a dangerous global precedent.
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EU bids to finalise new Russia sanctions amid discontent from some member states – Europe live

EU bids to finalise new Russia sanctions amid discontent from some member states – Europe live

Summary

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy fired the army chief and appointed a new general to lead a reorganization of the military. Meanwhile, EU ambassadors are meeting to try to finalize a new set of sanctions against Russia, but some member states have concerns about the impact on their own economies.

Key Facts

  • President Zelenskyy fired Ukraine’s army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi.
  • Zelenskyy appointed Maj Gen Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new head of Ukraine’s armed forces.
  • Zelenskyy also offered a prominent government role to Mykhailo Fedorov, the recently dismissed defence minister.
  • The changes come amid nationwide protests in Ukraine demanding Fedorov’s reinstatement.
  • Ukraine launched attacks on Russian logistics hubs supplying military equipment.
  • EU ambassadors in Brussels are trying to approve the 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
  • Some EU countries worry sanctions might harm their own economies.
  • Proposed measures on Russian fishing, visas for Russian citizens, and sanctions on a Russian religious leader were dropped or opposed.
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Air defences activate in Iran and flames rise from US attacks

Air defences activate in Iran and flames rise from US attacks

Summary

Explosions and fires were reported in Tehran and Behbahan, Iran, during a series of US military strikes. The US said it completed 11 days of consecutive attacks on Iran.

Key Facts

  • Explosions were heard over Tehran, Iran’s capital city.
  • Fires broke out in Behbahan, a city in southwestern Iran.
  • The incidents followed US missile attacks.
  • The US military reported completing 11 straight days of strikes on Iran.
  • The strikes are part of ongoing military actions between the US and Iran.
  • Air defenses in Iran were activated during these events.
  • The report does not mention casualties or further details about targets.
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Mamdani says New York City can't arrest Netanyahu for war crimes but federal government should

Mamdani says New York City can't arrest Netanyahu for war crimes but federal government should

Summary

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city cannot arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. He called on the U.S. federal government to take action instead, as they have the legal power to do so.

Key Facts

  • Mayor Mamdani planned to arrest Netanyahu if he attended the UN General Assembly in New York.
  • The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024, accusing him of war crimes related to the war in Gaza.
  • Mamdani said New York City does not have the legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant.
  • He urged the federal government to join the ICC and execute the warrant.
  • President Donald Trump stated publicly that Netanyahu will not be arrested in the U.S.
  • Israeli officials deny the war crime accusations, including targeting civilians and restricting aid.
  • The Israeli ambassador to the UN criticized Mamdani, telling him to focus on serving New Yorkers.
  • Netanyahu faces accusations from the ICC of using starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity.
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Algeria: Toxic colonisation

Algeria: Toxic colonisation

Summary

A documentary reveals that the French army secretly used chemical weapons during the Algerian war of independence, violating international law. The film shows evidence from archives and testimonies that France attacked Algerian fighters and civilians with poison gas between 1956 and 1959.

Key Facts

  • The French army used chemical weapons in Algeria during the independence war, against international rules.
  • Evidence includes a 1956 letter from a French army commander mentioning chemical weapons use.
  • France created a Special Weapons Unit in late 1956 to use CN2D gas on Algerian fighters in caves.
  • Around 8,000 to 10,000 chemical attacks happened, but only 440 have been documented so far.
  • One attack in March 1959 killed about 150 civilians at Ghar Ben Shatouh.
  • France did not officially ban chemical weapons until 1993, decades after Algeria became independent.
  • The chemical used, CN2D gas, was also employed by France in World War I.
  • The 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibits the use of chemical weapons, which France broke during this conflict.
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India opposition leader Gandhi freed after detention at student-led protest

India opposition leader Gandhi freed after detention at student-led protest

Summary

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was released after being detained during large student-led protests over recent exam paper leaks and the education system. The protests, organized mainly by students and the social media group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), call for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Key Facts

  • Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders were detained during a protest outside Prime Minister Modi’s residence in New Delhi.
  • The protests followed a leak of medical school exam papers, causing over two million students to retake exams and linked to at least 12 student suicides.
  • Protesters demand educational reforms, government accountability, and the resignation of Modi and the education minister.
  • Police used tear gas and batons to stop protesters marching to parliament, injuring around 60 civilians and 118 police officers.
  • The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a student and social media movement, has rapidly gained millions of followers in two months.
  • Activist Sonam Wangchuk supported the protests by starting a hunger strike before being moved to a hospital by police and later to a private hospital after a court order.
  • Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused Gandhi of using students for political disruption but said the government is committed to reforms and accountability.
  • Protests occurred in multiple cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with hundreds continuing to camp at a New Delhi protest site.
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Iran toll in Hormuz would set ‘dangerous precedent’ says Rubio

Iran toll in Hormuz would set ‘dangerous precedent’ says Rubio

Summary

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that if Iran is allowed to control the Strait of Hormuz and charge ships a fee, it would create a risky situation. He said this could lead to serious problems not only in the Middle East but around the world.

Key Facts

  • Marco Rubio is the US Secretary of State.
  • The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway used for global shipping.
  • Iran wants to control the Strait and charge fees to ships passing through.
  • Rubio called this move a "dangerous precedent."
  • He believes this could cause problems beyond the Middle East region.
  • The Strait of Hormuz is important for transporting oil and other goods.
  • Controlling such a key route can affect global trade and security.
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More warehouses of Russian online retailer Wildberries hit by Ukraine, officials say

More warehouses of Russian online retailer Wildberries hit by Ukraine, officials say

Summary

Ukrainian drones have again attacked warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, injuring 10 people. Ukraine says these warehouses are used to supply parts for Russian drones and military equipment.

Key Facts

  • Ukrainian drones struck Wildberries warehouses in Krasnodar and Stavropol overnight.
  • 10 people were injured and workers had to be evacuated.
  • This is the second attack in four days; previous strikes hit warehouses in Tambov and Elektrostal, killing 8 and injuring 62.
  • Ukraine claims these warehouses supply components for Russian drones and navigation gear.
  • Wildberries owner Tatyana Kim expressed sadness over the attacks but emphasized continuing work.
  • Ukrainian officials say the strikes aim to disrupt Russia’s military supply chain and logistics.
  • Such attacks may affect the Russian economy and public support for the war.
  • Wildberries’ website has reportedly been used by Russian volunteers to buy military gear.
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Japan temperatures soar over 40C, marking first 'cruelly hot day'

Japan temperatures soar over 40C, marking first 'cruelly hot day'

Summary

Japan experienced its first day with temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F), a level called "kokushobi" or "cruelly hot day" by the Japanese weather agency. The heat is expected to continue, and authorities have issued warnings to help people stay safe from heatstroke.

Key Facts

  • "Kokushobi" means a day when temperatures reach 40°C or higher.
  • Temperatures hit this level on Tuesday in Tajimi, Gujo, and Toyoda cities.
  • Nearly 300 of Japan’s 914 weather stations recorded temperatures over 35°C on that day.
  • Heatstroke alerts were issued in more than 40 prefectures.
  • Tokyo hospitals treated 287 people for heatstroke on Tuesday, the highest number this year.
  • The Tokyo Fire Department warned about ambulance overload and advised heat precautions.
  • Japan’s summers are getting hotter; last year, 1,803 people suffered heatstroke at work and 19 died.
  • Tokyo officials suggest office workers wear cooler clothing like T-shirts and shorts to cope with the heat.
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Prince George Turns 13 Ahead of Major Move to Eton

Prince George Turns 13 Ahead of Major Move to Eton

Summary

Prince George will turn 13 on July 22 and will soon start boarding school at Eton College in September. This change marks a key step in his education, moving from preparatory school to one of the United Kingdom’s most famous fee-paying boarding schools.

Key Facts

  • Prince George’s time at Lambrook School ended on July 4.
  • He officially starts at Eton College in early September, when the new school term begins.
  • Preparatory school usually ends at age 13, after which students continue their education at boarding schools like Eton.
  • Eton College is a selective boarding school where boys live on campus during term time until age 18.
  • George celebrated his 12th birthday with an official portrait and family video.
  • Over the summer, George stayed out of public view, a royal family tradition during their break at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
  • He appeared at key public events last year, including the Festival of Remembrance and his mother’s Christmas carol service.
  • Starting at Eton is a major transition that has been described as both exciting and challenging.
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Louvre gallery where jewellery heist took place to reopen to public

Louvre gallery where jewellery heist took place to reopen to public

Summary

The Apollo Gallery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where a major jewelry theft happened in October 2025, will reopen to visitors on Wednesday. The valuable jewels stolen remain missing, and no jewelry will be shown in the gallery as it returns to its original 17th-century role as a state gallery.

Key Facts

  • The Apollo Gallery was the site of a jewelry heist in October 2025.
  • Jewelry worth 88 million euros was stolen from the gallery.
  • The gallery will reopen without any jewels on display.
  • The gallery will return to its historical use as a state gallery from the 1600s.
  • The Louvre plans to build a new secure vault elsewhere in the museum for remaining precious items.
  • The theft exposed serious security problems at the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum.
  • Following the heist, the Louvre’s president was replaced.
  • The museum is visited by about nine million people each year.
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Middle East crisis live: US renews strikes on Iran as Donald Trump threatens to attack underground nuclear site

Middle East crisis live: US renews strikes on Iran as Donald Trump threatens to attack underground nuclear site

Summary

The US military has carried out 11 nights of air strikes against Iran, targeting military sites amid ongoing conflict. President Donald Trump warned of intensified attacks, including plans to hit an underground nuclear facility known as Pickaxe Mountain. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, worsening tensions in the region.

Key Facts

  • The US completed its 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, focusing on aircraft hangars and drone storage sites.
  • President Trump threatened to heavily target Pickaxe Mountain, an underground nuclear site in Iran.
  • Iran’s military sees an attack on Pickaxe Mountain as a major escalation.
  • Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia at the Red Sea coast.
  • Saudi Arabia depends on a pipeline to the Red Sea to export oil due to a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Iran’s interior minister Eskandar Momeni visited Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator in the conflict.
  • The US war in Iran has cost about $37.5 billion and resulted in more than 500 wounded US personnel.
  • Oil prices rose, with Brent crude reaching over $92 per barrel amid the conflict.
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Can Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s election overcome a violent summer?

Can Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s election overcome a violent summer?

Summary

Pakistan-administered Kashmir is preparing for regional elections amid recent protests and violence. The election dates have been spread out over several days due to security concerns related to ongoing unrest, especially in the Poonch area.

Key Facts

  • Pakistan-administered Kashmir is holding elections for its provincial legislature after weeks of protests and violence.
  • The election schedule was changed so different areas vote on different days: Mirpur on July 27, Muzaffarabad and refugee seats on August 2, and Poonch on August 10.
  • Protests are focused on removing reserved seats in the legislature for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir.
  • The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a protest group, was banned in June.
  • Residents are divided: some support the protests but are reluctant to vote because they see candidates as corrupt.
  • Pakistan-administered Kashmir has a semi-autonomous government with its own president, prime minister, and Supreme Court.
  • The Kashmir region is disputed territory claimed by both Pakistan and India with a history of conflict.
  • The election campaign displays flags of major Pakistani political parties like Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party.
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UK inflation falls to 2.6% in lift for Burnham’s cost of living plans

UK inflation falls to 2.6% in lift for Burnham’s cost of living plans

Summary

UK inflation fell to 2.6% in June, lower than expected, helping the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s plans to reduce living costs. Prices dropped mainly due to cheaper fuel and lower clothing and food costs, while the government announced new measures like cutting VAT on electricity bills and capping bus fares to help households.

Key Facts

  • UK inflation dropped to 2.6% in June from 2.8% in May.
  • Prices of fuel, especially diesel, decreased, influenced by a temporary peace in the Middle East.
  • Clothing and food prices fell due to summer sales and specific product discounts.
  • The Office for National Statistics reported a slowdown in the rise of production costs.
  • The government introduced a winter VAT holiday for electricity bills and a £2 cap on bus fares starting January.
  • The Bank of England may reconsider raising interest rates due to lower inflation but remains cautious because of recent events in the Middle East.
  • Economic experts say the fall in inflation supports the government’s efforts to ease the cost of living crisis.
  • Rising oil prices from Middle East tensions could affect future inflation and economic plans.
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How could Britain look under proportional representation? See the results for your area

How could Britain look under proportional representation? See the results for your area

Summary

New research shows that different voting systems in the UK would produce very different results in Parliament based on current polls. Proportional representation systems would create a more balanced Parliament, with coalitions likely needed to form a government, unlike the current first past the post system which can give strong advantages to certain parties.

Key Facts

  • The current UK system, first past the post (FPTP), tends to give large seat advantages to some parties, like Reform UK potentially nearly winning a majority with 28% of the vote.
  • Proportional representation (PR) systems aim to match the number of seats a party gets more closely to its share of the vote.
  • Three PR systems were modeled: regional party list, single transferable vote (STV), and additional member system (AMS).
  • Under all PR systems modeled, no single party would have a majority based on current polling.
  • PR systems would lead to coalition governments, often involving Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens, SNP, or Plaid Cymru.
  • In some areas like the north-east, Reform UK’s seat share would drop dramatically under PR systems.
  • The Greens would gain seats under PR, going from zero under FPTP to several seats under other systems.
  • Public support for changing to proportional representation has increased in the UK, and some political leaders, including incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham, have expressed support for it.
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Wednesday briefing: How Trump’s Iran gamble has produced a crisis reshaping the global order

Wednesday briefing: How Trump’s Iran gamble has produced a crisis reshaping the global order

Summary

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has been conducting military attacks on Iran for eleven nights, aiming to control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route. The conflict began with hopes of regime change in Iran but has shifted to reopening the strait amid ongoing violence and tensions in the region.

Key Facts

  • President Trump ordered strikes on Iran starting February 28, partnering with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
  • The strikes targeted aircraft hangars and drone storage sites in Iran.
  • Iran responded with attacks on US air bases and nearby Gulf countries.
  • The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for about 20% of the world’s oil.
  • The initial goal of "Operation Epic Fury" was regime change in Iran but has now focused on reopening the strait.
  • US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported the war has cost $37.5 billion and resulted in American service member deaths.
  • Experts say President Trump underestimated Iran’s ability to withstand military pressure.
  • The conflict has caused delays in shipments of oil, gas, and fertilizer through the strait.
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Saudi Arabia would enrich uranium under reported deal with US

Saudi Arabia would enrich uranium under reported deal with US

Summary

President Donald Trump has approved a deal that may allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear program. The agreement could last 30 years and involve U.S. companies, but it is likely to face scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers concerned about nuclear weapons risks.

Key Facts

  • The deal would give Saudi Arabia uranium enrichment capabilities for peaceful nuclear energy.
  • It may be officially announced soon and will last about 30 years.
  • U.S. companies are expected to help develop Saudi Arabia’s nuclear program.
  • The agreement may not include extra monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
  • Some U.S. lawmakers worry the deal could lead to nuclear weapons development.
  • The deal comes amid tensions with Iran, which also enriches uranium and is suspected of pursuing nuclear weapons.
  • Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons if Iran gets one.
  • Saudi Arabia has a defense pact with Pakistan, a nuclear-armed country, raising regional security concerns.
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Tunnel collapse in India kills 12 workers

Tunnel collapse in India kills 12 workers

Summary

A tunnel under construction in Sikkim, India, collapsed after a methane gas explosion, killing at least 12 workers. Rescue teams are still searching for 13 other workers trapped inside the tunnel.

Key Facts

  • The explosion happened about 1.5 kilometers inside the tunnel.
  • The tunnel is part of a hydropower project using water from the Teesta River.
  • Methane gas, naturally found underground, likely caused the explosion when ignited.
  • 27 workers were inside; 2 escaped, 12 bodies have been found, and 13 are still missing.
  • Victims include locals from Sikkim and migrant workers from other Indian states.
  • A post-mortem will determine the exact cause of death for the victims.
  • Officials set up a special investigation team to find out what caused the accident.
  • Rescue efforts focus on a 200-meter area thought to contain the trapped workers.
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