Abc

• India's largest online youth movement, known as the "cockroach" movement, has transitioned from digital platforms to physical protests on the streets of Delhi. • The demonstrators are specifically demanding the immediate resignation of the country's education minister. • This escalation marks a significant shift for the movement, moving from viral social media activism to direct public confrontation.

• The Cockroach Janata Party, a social media-driven movement, is preparing to hold its first physical protest in New Delhi. • Founded as a mock political party for India's youth, the group is transitioning from an online presence to a real-world demonstration. • This movement reflects a broader regional trend where youth-led social media campaigns spark anti-government unrest, similar to recent uprisings in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

• The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) admitted during Senate estimates that it holds eight active contracts with KPMG, including two initiated after an investigation into the firm began. • This revelation comes amid an ongoing audit scandal involving KPMG, raising questions about the regulator's decision to maintain professional ties with a company under scrutiny. • The news coincided with a downturn in the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), as markets lost ground throughout the trading day.

• The European Union has launched a tech sovereignty initiative to reduce its strategic reliance on American and Asian technology companies. • The plan focuses on boosting domestic capabilities in semiconductors, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to mitigate vulnerabilities in the global chip supply chain. • A primary goal of the package is to triple Europe's data center capacity over the next five to seven years to support local AI development.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached new record highs, driven by investor enthusiasm surrounding the artificial intelligence boom. • Oil prices surged by more than 3% due to concerns over the fragility of the conflict's end in Iran. • Regional performance was mixed, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 0.8% and Taiwan's Taiex climbing 1.4%, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.3% following reports of softened factory activity and slowing export demand in May.

• Driven by public demand and survivor advocacy, members of the U.S. Congress are attempting to set aside party politics to seek accountability for Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse network. • The effort focuses on identifying those who enabled Epstein, though survivors argue that the U.S. response has been insufficient compared to international efforts. • In contrast to the U.S., senior government officials in the UK, Sweden, Norway, and Slovakia have already been forced to resign due to their ties to Epstein.

• President Donald Trump announced the launch of "major combat operations" against Iran on February 28, involving massive joint strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces. • Tensions have escalated further following reports of a suspected naval mine discovered in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. • Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran's supreme leader, condemned the actions on X, accusing President Trump of "betraying diplomacy."