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Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk is on a hunger strike. He says he will stop the strike if the government promises not to use force or punish students protesting about a medical exam scandal.
Key Facts
Sonam Wangchuk is an Indian activist.
He is currently on a hunger strike.
Wangchuk wants the government to promise no police force will be used against student protesters.
He also wants the government to promise not to punish the students.
The student protests are about a scandal related to a medical exam.
Protesters want the education minister to resign.
Wangchuk’s hunger strike will end if the government agrees to his conditions.
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People in Gaza face a serious housing crisis after more than two and a half years of heavy bombing. Most homes are damaged or destroyed, forcing families to live in tents or makeshift shelters while lacking basic supplies like water and electricity.
Key Facts
Over 92% of homes in Gaza are damaged or destroyed, according to the United Nations.
More than 850,000 people need emergency shelter help.
Many families are living in tents or shelters made from scrap materials.
Children are sleeping in torn tents, and rodents live near damaged homes.
Israeli restrictions limit the entry of materials needed to fix or build new shelters.
Humanitarian groups cannot provide enough aid because of these restrictions.
Housing problems existed even before the bombing due to a six-month blockade before a ceasefire in October 2025.
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A US strike targeted the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iran and Iraq. The attack caused panic among travelers and resulted in two deaths and 11 injuries.
Key Facts
The US launched a strike at the Shalamcheh border crossing.
The crossing is located between Iran and Iraq.
Two people died because of the strike.
Eleven people were injured.
The news was reported by the Iranian Mehr Agency.
The incident caused fear and panic among travelers in the area.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the creation of fast-track courts to quickly punish people involved in exam paper leaks. This comes amid large youth protests in New Delhi over cheating in medical school entrance exams and demands for the Education Minister’s resignation.
Key Facts
Protests started after reports of cheating in national medical school entrance exams.
Demonstrators have camped on a major road near India’s Parliament for several days.
Modi said protecting the youth’s future is a top priority and promised swift punishment.
The protests are led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth movement demanding reforms.
The CJP wants Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign and want financial aid for families of students who died by suicide after exam cancellations.
Police used tear gas and batons to break up protests, and some metro stations were closed near the protest site.
The CJP claims outsiders caused violence to disrupt peaceful protests.
Smaller protests also happened in other big Indian cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Patna.
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The European Union has agreed on its 21st package of sanctions against Russia to weaken its ability to continue the war in Ukraine. The sanctions include bans on Russian banks, crypto firms, and oil traders, with a focus on limiting Russia’s oil revenue and targeting ships helping Russia evade sanctions. Greece secured a special exemption related to liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport, allowing it to continue some business until 2027.
Key Facts
The EU adopted its 21st package of sanctions against Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The sanctions ban transactions with 32 additional Russian banks, some crypto companies, and oil trading platforms.
The EU froze the oil price cap adjustment for one year to stop Russia from benefiting from higher oil prices.
For the first time, the sanctions target vessels that help Russia’s "shadow fleet" avoid restrictions.
Greece blocked the sanctions at first but agreed after securing a one-year exemption for LNG transport contracts signed before the war.
The exemption protects Dynagas, a major Greek company transporting Russian LNG.
The package includes the most sanctions on individuals in the past four years.
A ban on Russian ex-combatants entering the EU was discussed but appears delayed for now.
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The European Union has agreed on its 21st set of sanctions against Russia due to the war in Ukraine. This package includes a one-year freeze on the price cap for Russian oil and exemptions for certain gas transfers and shipping activities.
Key Facts
EU ambassadors reached a political agreement on the 21st sanctions package against Russia.
The sanctions focus on key sectors: energy, financial services, cryptocurrency, and trade.
A 12-month freeze on the Russian oil price cap is included in the package.
There is a one-year exemption allowing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be transferred to third countries, with automatic renewal.
Greece received a special exemption for one of its shipping firms to continue transporting Russian Arctic LNG.
Many proposed bans, like a visa ban on Russians who fought in Ukraine and some import bans, were postponed or removed after member states’ objections.
Bulgarian, Portuguese, and French objections led to the removal of measures targeting Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and bans on certain fish imports.
The sanctions package will now be finalized through a written approval process.
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A Scottish police officer named Alan Greer was found to have raped at least nine women over 14 years while off duty. His crimes were discovered after a victim from 2012 came forward, leading to a major police investigation that revealed many more victims and evidence of abuse throughout his career.
Key Facts
Alan Greer was a police officer in Scotland who died by suicide in May 2024.
He attacked at least nine women over 14 years, including sex workers.
The first victim reported an attack from 2012, prompting a large anti-corruption inquiry.
Police found that Greer monitored the victim’s crime file after her report.
Searches of his devices uncovered thousands of explicit images and videos.
Five sex workers were seriously assaulted, and two female officers were photographed improperly.
Police said no early warning signs were missed but Greer would fail security checks now.
The investigation continues to identify more victims.
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Top US and Russian diplomats met briefly in the Philippines to discuss the war in Ukraine and other issues. Russia said it remained open to a political solution, while the US emphasized the need to end the conflict and discussed broader relations.
Key Facts
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Manila during an ASEAN meeting.
The meeting lasted just over 30 minutes and focused on the Ukraine war and US-Russia relations.
Russia expressed readiness for a political settlement and referred to proposals made by Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in 2025.
Lavrov criticized continued weapons supplies to Ukraine and condemned what he called destabilizing actions by European countries.
The US State Department said the discussion included ending the Russia-Ukraine war and other issues like the Middle East conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with US envoys about restarting stalled peace talks.
Trump has supported Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian energy sites, which have increased recently.
The war continues to affect US-Russia cooperation on other global issues.
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China has started two days of live-fire military drills in the Taiwan Strait, a key waterway for global trade. This move comes after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned China not to disrupt trade flows in the area.
Key Facts
China began live-fire military exercises near Dongshan Island in Fujian province.
The drills last for two days and take place in the Taiwan Strait.
Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila before the drills started.
Rubio warned that no country should block trade or travel in international waters like the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan is a self-ruled democracy claimed by China as its territory.
Taiwan is a major U.S. trade partner and an important supplier of microchips.
China often sends warships and law enforcement vessels around Taiwan to show control.
Rubio said China’s military actions go against the spirit of strategic stability agreed by President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in May.
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A Northern Territory minister claimed that using underground water could prevent the Earth’s magnetic poles from flipping. Experts rejected this, saying the poles flip due to processes deep in the Earth’s core, not from groundwater changes. The government is promoting new data center projects in the NT that use significant water and energy resources, raising concerns about environmental impacts.
Key Facts
NT Minister Robyn Cahill said using groundwater might stop the Earth’s magnetic poles from flipping.
Experts, including scientists and environmental groups, said this claim has no scientific basis.
Earth’s magnetic poles flip roughly every hundreds of thousands of years due to deep Earth processes, not surface water.
The last major magnetic pole flip happened about 780,000 years ago and takes thousands of years to occur.
The NT government wants to make the region a hub for large data centers (called hyperscalers).
These data centers need a lot of water and power to operate and cool their equipment.
One new project announced will use gas power to generate up to 2 gigawatts, enough to power about 2 million homes.
Environmental groups worry that using groundwater for data centers could harm local water supplies and ecosystems.
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Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 26 days to support the Cockroach Janta Party's call for education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. After losing 11 kilograms and being hospitalized, Wangchuk refuses to end his fast until the government promises no force will be used against protesting students.
Key Facts
Sonam Wangchuk is an Indian education activist on hunger strike for 26 days.
He supports the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which demands education reforms and the resignation of Minister Pradhan.
Wangchuk has lost 11 kg and has been hospitalized in the ICU but remains stable.
Thousands continue to protest in Delhi despite a police crackdown that injured many.
Government officials, including Health Minister JP Nadda, have visited Wangchuk and asked him to end his fast.
Wangchuk says he will end the strike only if the government assures no violence against students.
The protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar will continue until Minister Pradhan resigns.
Students blame Pradhan for exam paper leaks and want him to take responsibility.
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Sri Lanka is facing its worst dengue outbreak in nearly ten years, with over 77,000 infections and 56 deaths this year. The government is using military drones to find and remove mosquito breeding sites to control the spread of the disease.
Key Facts
Dengue fever is caused by a virus spread through Aedes mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water like buckets and flowerpot trays.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and rash; severe cases can cause internal bleeding or death.
There are four strains of dengue virus, and infection by one does not protect against the others.
Sri Lanka’s dengue surge is linked to a cyclone that left debris, creating more mosquito breeding grounds.
Military drones scan rooftops for breeding sites, and police inspect homes to reduce mosquito populations.
Over 11,000 mosquito breeding sites have been cleared recently, with fines issued to over 4,000 locations.
Hospitals are overwhelmed, and mild cases are advised to recover at home; a universal vaccine is not yet available.
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The Houthi group in Yemen announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and claimed to have attacked two Saudi ships. This move has raised fears among many Yemenis of a return to intense fighting and worsening shortages, while supporters see it as resistance against Saudi control.
Key Facts
The Houthi military announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis said they attacked two Saudi ships to enforce this blockade.
Houthis justify their actions as a response to a Saudi blockade on rebel-held areas in Yemen.
Many Yemenis worry this could lead to more fighting and worsen the humanitarian crisis.
About 20 million people in Yemen currently need humanitarian aid according to the United Nations.
Houthi supporters see the blockade as a way to push back against Saudi influence.
Supporters of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government accuse the Houthis of following Iran’s orders.
Ordinary civilians fear the conflict will increase prices, reduce fuel, and hurt daily life.
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A couple’s wedding celebration was saved when their caterer did not show up at the last minute. Three local restaurants quickly stepped in to provide food, turning a stressful situation into a memorable event.
Key Facts
Kate and Matt Dean planned a wedding celebration in Ormskirk, Lancashire.
Their booked caterer failed to arrive and could not be contacted on the wedding day.
The couple asked staff at Piri Piri Grill and Scoozi Pizza and Pasta for help feeding about 100 guests.
Both restaurants closed to the public and cooked food especially for the wedding during a busy World Cup final day.
The venue staff at Lost and Found Ormskirk helped make the last-minute changes run smoothly.
The couple’s family and friends supported them, including a friend who helped pay the deposit for the new catering.
The original caterer later apologized, refunded the money, and said the problem was due to an issue they could not control.
Despite initial stress and tears, the couple looked back on the event with humor and gratitude.
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A 15-year-old girl named Tilly Phillips had a special type of brain surgery called a conscious craniotomy to treat a dangerous tangle of blood vessels that caused her seizures. Surgeons woke her briefly during the 12-hour operation to map important brain areas and safely remove the problem, helping reduce her seizures and improve her quality of life.
Key Facts
Tilly Phillips was 15 when she had the surgery and is now 16.
The surgery treated an arteriovenous malformation, a harmful tangle of blood vessels in her brain.
The operation lasted 12 hours and was done at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
Surgeons woke Tilly for about 30 minutes to check brain functions like speech and movement during the surgery.
After surgery, Tilly experienced memory and speech difficulties but has improved with therapy.
Before surgery, Tilly had about three seizures a day; these have since reduced a lot.
She stayed about a week in the hospital and took her GCSE exams at home during recovery.
The hospital says Tilly is the youngest known patient to have this kind of brain surgery.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised strict punishment for those involved in a leaked exam paper scandal that sparked large student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party. The protests have led to clashes with police in New Delhi and are among the biggest challenges Modi has faced since his 2024 re-election.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Modi vowed "stringent punishment" and fast-track courts for those responsible for the exam fraud.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement, organized large protests in New Delhi.
The protests were triggered by leaked exam papers affecting millions of students, including a medical entrance test retaken by over two million candidates.
Police used tear gas and batons to control protesters attempting to march to parliament, leading to violent clashes and injuries to at least 178 people.
The CJP began as a response to a court remark comparing young people to "cockroaches" but now addresses broader youth issues and criticizes Modi's governing style.
The protests represent a significant challenge to Modi's Hindu-nationalist government following his third term election in 2024.
The education minister is being blamed by protesters and demands for his resignation are ongoing.
Additional concerns include online marking disputes affecting nearly two million high school students.
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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to create special fast track courts to quickly punish officials involved in leaking exam papers. This comes as thousands of young people protest a government they say harms their education and future, demanding the resignation of the education minister and education reforms.
Key Facts
Modi announced fast track courts to handle corruption cases related to exam paper leaks more quickly.
The youth-led protest movement is called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), named after a judge’s insult to unemployed youth.
Protesters want the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and education system reforms.
About 50,000 people protested in Delhi despite police trying to stop the march and using baton charges and teargas.
Over 1,000 protesters remain camped in central Delhi despite hot, humid weather conditions.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said there have been 152 exam paper leaks in 10 years with no convictions and called on Modi to apologize.
CJP leaders refuse to meet government officials unless the ministers come to the protest site and speak publicly.
Support for the protest is growing in other Indian cities with similar demonstrations.
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Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, died earlier this month from head injuries. Her family announced a private funeral for close friends and relatives will happen soon, followed by a public memorial later this year.
Key Facts
Ann Widdecombe was 78 years old and found dead at her home in Dartmoor.
She died from serious head injuries, reportedly caused by being hit with a hammer.
A private funeral service will be held soon for family and close friends only.
A public memorial event will be arranged later in the year with details to be announced.
Widdecombe was a Conservative MP for 23 years and held ministerial roles in the 1990s.
She participated in the TV show Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.
Later in life, she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with her murder; a trial date is set for June 2027.
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Southeast Asian foreign ministers are meeting in the Philippines to discuss regional security problems like the Myanmar civil war and South China Sea disputes. However, renewed fighting between the US and Iran is distracting from these talks, and ministers want the conflict to stop because it is disrupting energy, food supplies, trade, and raising worries about the global economy.
Key Facts
The Philippines is hosting a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers.
They are focusing on regional security, including Myanmar’s civil war and South China Sea territorial disputes.
Fighting between the US and Iran has increased recently, overshadowing the meeting.
ASEAN ministers have called for an end to the conflict between the US and Iran.
The war between the US and Iran is disrupting Asia’s energy and food supplies.
It is also affecting international trade and raising fears of a global economic slowdown.
Experts from universities and think tanks discussed how this situation might impact ASEAN’s work.
The article highlights the challenge ASEAN faces balancing regional issues with global conflicts.
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Thousands of people are leaving their homes in southern France because of large wildfires. Firefighters are working to control the fires, which experts say are getting worse due to climate change causing hotter and drier weather.
Key Facts
Large wildfires are spreading in southern France.
Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate to stay safe.
Firefighters are actively fighting the fires.
Researchers link the worse wildfire seasons to climate change.
Climate change causes higher temperatures and drought.
Hotter and drier conditions help wildfires grow bigger and more harmful.
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