War

• Thousands of Gen Z protesters marched toward the Indian Parliament to demand the resignation of the education minister. • The demonstrations were sparked by widespread anger over "botched" national exams, leading to clashes with security forces. • Police responded to the unrest by using tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds and prevent them from reaching the government buildings.

• On February 28, the US and Israel launched joint "pre-emptive" strikes against targets in Iran, escalating a conflict that Iran describes as a "full-scale war." • The military escalation has triggered an immediate economic impact, with US gasoline prices rising to an average of $4 per gallon according to AAA. • This surge in energy costs presents a significant political risk for President Donald Trump, as affordability is expected to be a primary concern for voters.

• South Korea's KOSPI index plummeted nearly 5% on Monday, sliding into a technical bear market. • The decline was driven by a sell-off in AI and semiconductor stocks, compounded by escalating tensions between the US and Iran that have impacted global oil prices. • Market instability was mirrored globally, with the Nasdaq sinking 1% to 26,003 despite strong earnings reports from Taiwan Semiconductor.

• The S&P 500 rose during early trading on Monday, rebounding after experiencing its first losing week in the last three. • Market stability is being driven by a recovery in chip companies and other stocks that have benefited from the artificial intelligence boom. • This shift indicates a return of investor confidence in high-growth AI sectors following a period of volatility.

President accused of having ‘lost control of this war’ as deaths of trio in Iranian military strikes fuel rising concernDemocrats have seized on the deaths of three US troops killed in Iranian strikes to urge Donald Trump to urgently reverse his resumption of the war with Iran amid widespread anxiety over climbing casualties.Even as US forces launched a 10th consecutive wave of attacks against Iranian targets, concern over the deaths of American service personnel threatened to complicate moves to escalate the conflict, which has reignited after he last week walked away from a memorandum of understanding agreed with Iran in June. Continue reading...

• The United States and Iran are locked in a persistent "grey zone" conflict characterized by a cycle of military pressure and diplomatic overtures. • Despite Donald Trump's previous promises to avoid "forever wars," the current strategy suggests that diplomacy is being used to manage the conflict rather than resolve it. • This dynamic indicates a shift where negotiations serve as a tool for stability within a state of perpetual tension rather than a path toward a definitive peace agreement.

Chancellor appointment and early policies avoid market meltdown but next week remains ‘moment of real peril’UK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has not quite gone for Keir Starmer’s extreme caution in the run-up to entering No 10 – but he is certainly aware that any early wrong moves would cost him.Back in 2024, Starmer was criticised for his “Ming vase” strategy, where the leader treads very carefully so as not to drop a valuable metaphorical piece of china being carried across the room. Continue reading...

Depression set to become tropical storm later on Monday as separate storm strengthens off Mexico’s Pacific coastA tropical depression was continuing to develop along the US Gulf coast on Monday as Tropical Storm Fausto strengthened off Mexico’s south-west Pacific coast.The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said that the depression was expected to become a tropical storm later on Monday, prompting new watches for portions of the Gulf region. Continue reading...

Officials say smoke from US fires has crossed the border days after US president accused Canada of improper fire managementAfter days of acrid smoke from northern wildfires choking major US cities and inspiring Donald Trump to threaten Canada with tariffs, officials now say the reverse is also happening as parts of Canada issue air quality warnings due to American fires to the south.Officials in the Canadian province of British Columbia warned in an alert on Saturday evening that smoke from US fires, spurred on by thousands of lightning strikes in the north-east, is creating smoky conditions as polluted air drifts north. Continue reading...

• Former top officials from the Biden Administration are expressing regret over their failure to effectively restrain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. • The officials claim that the administration's policies emboldened Israel's military aggression within the Gaza Strip and toward Iran. • This internal reflection highlights a significant breakdown in diplomatic leverage and a failure to implement strategic constraints on Israeli actions.

• Oil prices have climbed above $90 a barrel following Iranian military attacks on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. • Tehran has criticized the U.S. by comparing Donald Trump's attacks on bridges to the tactics used by ISIS. • A U.S. official told the Washington Post that the United States is preparing for a wider conflict by rushing military aircraft into the region.

• Oil prices surged on Monday, July 20, 2026, following reports that the conflict between the US and Iran has escalated, resulting in attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. • In separate financial news, South Korea announced plans to ease access to the won as part of a broader strategic goal to make the currency freely convertible. • These developments are driving volatility across Asia-Pacific markets, as energy security concerns clash with regional currency reforms.

Global increase in cases of predators coercing children to harm themselves or produce child sexual abuse materialCases of predators coercing children into producing sexual photos and videos of themselves have surged globally in the past year, a cruel phenomenon known as “sadistic online exploitation”, child safety experts and law enforcement officials warn.In cases of sadistic online exploitation, perpetrators target vulnerable teens on social media platforms and online games. These predators then compel their victims into producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), harming themselves and others, or, in extreme cases, attempting suicide.In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453 or visit their website for more resources and to report child abuse or DM for help. For adult survivors of child abuse, help is available at ascasupport.org. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International Continue reading...

Corporation pays tribute to ‘outstanding’ journalist who presented shows including Today and One O’Clock NewsThe broadcaster and journalist Edward Stourton has died aged 68, the BBC has said.He died on Saturday surrounded by his family after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014, the BBC announced in a statement. Continue reading...

• ASEAN top diplomats are meeting in Manila on Tuesday to discuss critical global security issues, including renewed hostilities in the Middle East and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. • The talks will include representatives from major global powers, including the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union. • A primary focus is the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where tensions have spiked specifically between Chinese and Philippine naval and coast guard forces.

The Guardian goes on the ground with Brazilian forces fighting to eradicate mining that has destroyed protected areas of Indigenous landThe jerry-built bordello at the foot of Vila Cururu, an illegal gold-mining settlement at the heart of Brazil’s most desecrated Indigenous territory, was a hive of depravity until just a few weeks ago.Inebriated prospectors huddled around wooden tables, swigging beer and Scotch whisky, and ogling pole-dancing sex workers before going with them to shacks behind the brothel. Continue reading...

• ASEAN diplomats are gathering in Manila for annual ministerial talks to address critical regional and global security threats. • The agenda focuses on renewed hostilities in the Middle East, the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, and escalating territorial disputes in the South China Sea. • Tensions are particularly high between Chinese and Philippine naval and coast guard forces, involving other claimants like Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

• The Indian stock market ended the previous week with solid gains, with the Nifty 50 rising 0.53% to 24,334.30 and the Sensex advancing nearly 0.75% to 78,151.45. • Positive momentum was driven by strong domestic economic fundamentals, fresh buying in financial stocks, and better-than-expected Q1 FY27 earnings from the IT sector, particularly TCS. • These gains are significant as they establish a bullish baseline ahead of a new week of trading influenced by both domestic and global factors.

• Wall Street experienced a downturn on Friday as investors shifted away from the artificial intelligence sector due to growing concerns over frontier AI development. • In contrast to the U.S. market retreat, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) managed to edge slightly higher. • Global markets are reacting to volatility in tech valuations and a simultaneous jump in oil prices.

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards in New Delhi this Saturday. • Major honors include Yami Gautam winning Best Actress for *Article 370*, while Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty shared the Best Actor award. • The awards recognize excellence in feature films, non-feature films, and cinema writing for works certified by the CBFC between January 1 and December 31, 2024.

• Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, vowing that "not a single drop" of oil will pass if U.S. "aggression" continues. • In a separate internal development, Iran's judiciary executed two men convicted of killing four police officers during protests earlier this year. • These escalations occur as the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran expands, potentially turning the Gulf region into a primary front of confrontation.

US military says service member was killed in Iraq during ‘controlled detonation’ as it launches more airstrikes at IranThe US military announced another death of a service member as it launched more airstrikes at Iran on Sunday in response to the killing of American troops , and Iran fired missiles toward Jordan that risked widening the conflict into neighboring Israel.The US military said the service member was killed in Iraq on Saturday during the “controlled detonation” of a downed Iranian drone. Continue reading...

• The US military confirmed a service member was killed in Iraq during a "controlled detonation" of a downed Iranian drone. • This marks the third confirmed troop death following a new round of airstrikes intended to "swiftly punish" Iran for its actions. • A separate attack targeted electricity generation units, forcing the ministry to trigger emergency plans to stabilize the power grid.

Energy secretary grapples with mounting criticism over length of US war as Democrat calls conflict ‘war of choice’A Trump administration official on Sunday grappled with mounting criticism over the length of the US war with Iran after months of promised diplomatic breakthroughs, short-lived ceasefires, and the deaths of two more American troops in Jordan bringing the total number of American military members killed in the conflict to 16.Appearing on ABC’s This Week, US energy secretary Chris Wright defended the Trump administration’s strategy after being confronted with his earlier claims that the war which began in February would have ended by now. Continue reading...

Tensions between his aims are already there, including disputes over key appointments such as chancellorAndy Burnham’s vision for cleaning up Westminster politics is a utopian one: ending the dominance of the whipping system, Whitehall power hoarding and the “insidious briefing culture” of the bubble.In his first speech on becoming Labour leader, he warned his party it “won’t beat Britain’s new right if we are consumed by infighting and pulling in different directions”. Continue reading...

Labour leader will visit king to accept role on Monday and will start making cabinet appointments that afternoon Andy Burnham will warn that Britain must be honest about the challenges it faces as he becomes its sixth prime minister in a decade and prepares to appoint his first cabinet.The Labour leader is set to start making appointments in the afternoon on Monday after going to Buckingham Palace to accept the role of prime minister from the king. Continue reading...

• The United States is reportedly deploying additional warplanes to the Middle East as tensions and fighting intensify with Iran. • The IDF has attributed the death of a Lebanese soldier to an explosive device planted by Hezbollah, further escalating regional friction. • Domestically, Avigdor Liberman warned that Benjamin Netanyahu's camp may attempt to weaponize the Shin Bet against political rivals and media outlets.

NYC mayor says in Times interview that’s he’s in ‘active conversation’ with city’s law department about the matterNew York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he was reviewing whether his administration could arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if as expected the Israeli prime minister visits the city for the UN general assembly in September.Mamdani’s comments on Saturday’s episode of the New York Times’s the Interview podcast echoed ones he had made to the publication as he successfully ran for mayor last fall. Continue reading...