Irish songwriter Glen Hansard dies in Dublin motor…

India’s federal investigation agency has filed charges against 13 people accused of involvement in the leak of question papers for the country’s national medical entrance examination, following weeks of protests over the scandal. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said the accused include subject experts linked to the National Testing Agency, intermediaries who allegedly distributed leaked papers, and individuals associated with coaching institutes. The charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust, and destruction of evidence. All 13 accused are currently in custody, according to the investigation agency. The case relates to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which was taken by nearly two million students in May. The examination was cancelled after allegations emerged that questions had been leaked in several areas. A fresh test was later conducted on June 21. The controversy triggered nationwide protests led by students and young activists, with thousands gathering in New Delhi and other cities demanding accountability. The demonstrations intensified after protesters marched towards parliament and faced clashes with police. The unrest eventually led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down after mounting pressure over the handling of the examination crisis. India’s Supreme Court has also intervened in the matter, ordering authorities not to take strict action against protesters and directing the release of detained minors. The court further instructed officials to preserve surveillance footage related to alleged police action during demonstrations. In response to the controversy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has introduced proposed amendments to public examination laws. The changes seek tougher punishments, including longer prison sentences and heavier fines for those involved in exam fraud. Under the proposed rules, those found guilty could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines reaching 50 million Indian rupees.

Todd Blanche, a former personal attorney to US President Donald Trump, has been confirmed as the country’s attorney general after a closely contested Senate vote. Blanche secured confirmation by 50 votes to 49, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats in opposing his nomination. Senator Bill Cassidy provided the crucial Republican vote in Blanche’s favour after saying he believed Blanche was the strongest candidate Trump was likely to nominate. The vote ended a prolonged dispute between the Trump administration and Senate Republicans over Blanche’s appointment. He had been serving as acting attorney general since April, after Pam Bondi was removed from the position. All Senate Democrats voted against Blanche’s confirmation. Several Republican lawmakers had questioned Blanche’s record and raised concerns about his involvement in a number of controversial matters. Among them was his handling of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his role in developing Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. The proposed fund was intended to compensate people who claimed they had been politically targeted or persecuted by the government. However, critics, including Murkowski, warned that the scheme could potentially benefit people prosecuted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. During his confirmation process, Blanche promised to abandon the proposed fund following opposition from Republican senators. Questions remain over whether that commitment would prevent the administration from introducing a similar programme under a different structure in the future. Murkowski said she opposed Blanche because she lacked confidence that he would be willing to challenge what she described as the administration’s worst impulses. She also expressed concern about the increasing politicisation of the Justice Department. Collins raised separate concerns over Blanche’s involvement in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Despite those reservations, she ultimately did not support his confirmation. Cassidy, meanwhile, said he trusted Blanche to provide Trump with independent and candid legal advice. He acknowledged that the president ultimately determines the direction of the Justice Department but argued that Senate confirmation would give Blanche greater authority to advise the administration and push back when necessary. Cassidy also said he did not want political disagreements to prevent the Justice Department from carrying out its responsibilities, particularly in combating violent crime. Blanche’s confirmation marks a significant development for the Trump administration, given his previous role as Trump’s personal lawyer. He was serving as deputy attorney general when he assumed the department’s temporary leadership in April.