Iran vows to continue strikes as regional tensions rise

A youth led protest movement in India has vowed to continue demonstrations demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after violent clashes with police in New Delhi left nearly 180 people injured. The movement, known as the Cockroach Janta Party, cancelled plans for another march to parliament but said protests would continue at the Jantar Mantar demonstration site. Organisers said they wanted to avoid further injuries after Monday’s confrontation with security forces. The campaign began as an online satirical movement but has rapidly grown into one of the biggest public challenges facing Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his third term in office. It has attracted widespread support from young people angered by repeated examination paper leaks and allegations of corruption in India’s education system. Thousands of protesters from Delhi and nearby regions gathered outside parliament on Monday to demand accountability over a national medical entrance examination leak that affected more than two million students earlier this year. The exam had to be conducted again after question papers were leaked, while reports of several student suicides linked to the controversy intensified public outrage. Police used batons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators after violence broke out during the march. According to Delhi Police, more than 118 police and security personnel, along with around 60 protesters, were injured during the clashes. Most of those hurt received medical treatment and were later discharged from hospital. Authorities also detained around 70 protesters and said legal action would be taken against them. Police accused demonstrators of ignoring restrictions on public gatherings and behaving aggressively despite repeated warnings. On Tuesday, around 500 protesters gathered peacefully at Jantar Mantar despite light rain and heavy security across central Delhi. Paramilitary forces remained deployed while barricades were placed on several roads to prevent further unrest. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke apologised to supporters for the violence they faced during Monday’s protest. He expressed particular concern over female demonstrators who he claimed were assaulted by male police officers during the clashes. Dipke announced that while the movement would continue its campaign, organisers would not attempt another march towards parliament because they feared more young people could be injured. The protest movement gained significant momentum after social activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the campaign with a hunger strike in late June. Wangchuk was later moved to hospital by authorities, a move that further fuelled criticism of the government among supporters. The group’s demands include the resignation of the education minister, the release of Wangchuk and financial compensation for the families of students who reportedly died by suicide following the examination leak. Government officials have indicated they are open to discussions. Health Minister JP Nadda recently met representatives of the movement and requested time to consider their demands. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also called for calm and said ongoing talks should not be disrupted. Opposition parties criticised the government’s handling of the protests and accused authorities of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. Leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party rejected those claims and argued that the violence appeared to have been deliberately provoked. Political analysts believe that even if negotiations reduce immediate tensions, the wider frustration among India’s younger generation is unlikely to disappear. Concerns over unemployment, repeated examination scandals and growing distrust in public institutions continue to drive dissatisfaction, making youth unrest an increasingly important political issue for the government.

IDAHO: A shooting at a busy fast-food restaurant in the US state of Idaho left three people dead, including the suspected gunman, and injured seven others, authorities said. The attack occurred at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls on Saturday, triggering a major emergency response as police, paramedics and other first responders rushed to the scene. According to local police, the suspect opened fire inside or near the restaurant before the incident came to an end. Officials later confirmed that the gunman was among those killed. The identities of the victims have not yet been released as authorities continue notifying their families. Police Chief Matthew Hicks said officers believe there was only one attacker and assured residents that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Investigators are working to establish the motive behind the shooting and determine the sequence of events that led to the violence. Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunfire erupted. One eyewitness said he saw an armed man carrying a rifle before shots were exchanged. Restaurant employees also rushed to help injured victims, with one worker reportedly pulling a wounded woman to safety while waiting for emergency medical teams. Seven injured people were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Officials have not yet released updates on their conditions. Law enforcement agencies have secured the area and launched a full investigation. Detectives are examining evidence, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to understand what triggered the deadly attack. Public officials praised the swift response of emergency services, saying their actions helped secure the scene and prevent further casualties. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information or video footage to assist investigators as the inquiry continues.

Four former female recruits have accused the UK’s Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate of fostering a culture of sexual abuse, harassment and misogyny, with one woman alleging she was raped by several fellow recruits when she was 17 years old. The women, who attended the military training college over the past five years, shared their experiences publicly for the first time. They said they faced sexual violence, harassment and degrading treatment while undergoing training at the college, which prepares teenagers for military service. One former recruit said she accepted an invitation to another recruit’s room, believing it was harmless. She alleged that several male recruits sexually assaulted and raped her over the course of several hours. The traumatic incident forced her to leave the Army within weeks, saying she could no longer continue her training after the attack. Another former recruit alleged that a fellow trainee trapped her inside a room before sexually assaulting her. She said she managed to escape after struggling with the attacker. A third former recruit’s mother said her daughter endured repeated sexual harassment throughout her training and even blocked her dormitory door at night because the room’s lock was broken and she feared male recruits entering. A fourth woman claimed some instructors openly made sexist remarks, rated female recruits based on their appearance and entered female dormitories without warning. She alleged that such behaviour encouraged disrespectful attitudes toward women among male trainees. Official data obtained through freedom of information requests revealed that police received 16 reports of sexual offences linked to the college during the year ending in June. The reported incidents included allegations of sexual assault, exposure and voyeurism. Separate Ministry of Defence figures showed that 176 complaints involving inappropriate sexual behaviour were recorded at the college between January 2018 and June 2025. Most complaints involved junior soldiers, while dozens concerned permanent staff members. The British Army described the allegations as extremely serious and distressing, stating that criminal or unacceptable behaviour has no place in the armed forces. It said several reforms have been introduced to improve victim support and strengthen the handling of serious offences, including specialist investigations conducted outside the normal chain of command. The Army also said it encourages anyone who has experienced or witnessed misconduct to report it and maintained that the college remains committed to providing a professional, safe and supportive environment for all recruits. However, concerns have grown over the safety of young recruits following previous convictions involving Army personnel for sexual offences and wider reports highlighting sexual misconduct within the armed forces.