"India and Japan must work together": Japanese Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura on Hormuz, energy security, Iran-US MoU

• Europe experienced a week of significant political upheaval, marked by leadership changes in both Hungary and the United Kingdom. • Hungary removed its president, while the UK saw the appointment of its seventh prime minister in a decade.

• The Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee has issued a subpoena to the independent outlet BreakThrough News, demanding access to its financial records and internal communications. • BreakThrough News claims the committee is targeting the organization specifically due to its reporting on U.S. foreign policy, ICE abuses, mass deportations, and solidarity efforts regarding Cuba and Palestine.

• Senator Marsha Blackburn has demanded transparency from the Federal Judicial Center regarding a climate training manual developed in partnership with the Environmental Law Institute (ELI). • Blackburn is seeking data on how many federal judges participated in the Climate Judiciary Project and whether the center was aware of ELI's alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

• The Trump administration is attempting to seize control of election powers through a multifaceted blitz to overhaul voting rules, sparking warnings from US courts, state officials, and Democrats. • Senator Markwayne Mullin escalated the conflict by threatening local election officials with jail time if they fail to comply with the administration's policy changes.

• The EU is intensifying efforts to improve online child safety by targeting platform design flaws and implementing stricter age verification requirements. • Critics argue the initiative is undermined by bypassable technology, privacy risks, and a lack of accountability for parents in supervising their children's digital habits.

• European researchers are struggling to access necessary data from Big Tech companies like TikTok, X, and Meta to study the societal harms caused by social media. • Despite EU laws granting researchers unprecedented rights to scrutinize these platforms, the companies are reportedly restricting access and controlling who can view their internal data.

• The Union Cabinet has approved a new bill aimed at imposing stricter punishments for paper leaks to ensure examination integrity. • The Parliament's Monsoon Session 2026 remained deadlocked for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday due to opposition demands.

• The Citizens' Justice Project (CJP) met with Union Ministers at Jantar Mantar, reiterating that the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is a non-negotiable demand. • The protest coincides with activist Sonam Wangchuk ending his fast, marking a shift in the movement's immediate tactics.

• Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his fast after receiving written assurances from the government to withdraw cases against non-violent students. • The government further committed to considering financial compensation for the families of students who committed suicide.

• Republican lawmakers are considering new legislation to establish term limits or rules regarding prolonged incapacity for congressional leaders following health concerns over Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. • The proposed "Three strokes and you’re out" concept suggests a mechanism to remove leaders who are medically unable to perform their duties.

• Germany's top court is currently deliberating whether the national parliament requires a legislative "speed limit" to regulate the pace of lawmaking. • Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock concluded a two-day visit to Nigeria on Wednesday, aiming to strengthen trade ties and business opportunities across Africa.

• EU member states have adopted a temporary regulatory regime that allows messaging services to voluntarily scan for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). • The current framework is set to remain in place until 2028, providing a transitional period for the implementation of detection measures.