Pakistan defeats USA 3-0 in ITF masters world team…

The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been forced to cancel a major military training exercise in Kenya after the Kenyan government refused to ratify a renewed bilateral defence agreement. The decision follows a stalemate between London and Nairobi regarding the framework governing the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK). Kenyan lawmakers have demanded key structural revisions to the pact, including greater local authority and primary jurisdiction to prosecute British soldiers who commit criminal offences on Kenyan soil. Disagreements over the financial compensation Britain pays to host its training operations in Laikipia have also stalled negotiations. As a direct consequence of the expired permits, a scheduled exercise involving the 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, set to begin in September, has been called off, with the MoD relocating the drills to an alternative site outside Kenya. The diplomatic standoff comes amid escalating domestic pressure in Kenya over alleged human rights violations, environmental damage, and misconduct associated with BATUK operations. Scrutiny has particularly intensified around the high-profile 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru. A former British soldier, Robert Purkiss, faces a single charge of murder in the case, with Kenya retaining jurisdiction and an extradition hearing scheduled for November. While both governments maintain that they are actively engaging to resolve the outstanding legal and financial issues, the training suspension deals a immediate blow to local businesses in Laikipia that depend on the economic activity generated by visiting British troops.

In a landmark shift ending decades of physical and bureaucratic division, Spain and Gibraltar have celebrated the dismantling of the land border fence following a treaty signed in Brussels. The post-Brexit agreement, taking effect at midnight, brings an end to land frontier controls and establishes Gibraltar as a de facto participant in the EU’s Schengen free-movement area. The treaty resolves over four years of complex negotiations between the United Kingdom, Spain, Gibraltar, and the European Union. Beyond removing land border gates that have stood since 1908, the accord places responsibility for Schengen passport checks at Gibraltar’s port and airport with Spanish officials, ensuring fluid transit for tourists and the roughly 15,000 Spanish cross-border workers who sustain the territory’s economy. Visiting the frontier municipality of La Línea de la Concepción to watch the physical removal of the barrier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the deal marks an end to “the last wall in continental Europe”, laying the groundwork for shared regional prosperity. Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, emphasised that the historic arrangement delivers economic certainty and seamless movement while preserving the territory’s constitutional protections and British sovereignty intact.

Indian environmentalist and social activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike after holding discussions over the ongoing nationwide protests against alleged examination paper leaks. However, demonstrations demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan are continuing across India. Wangchuk announced his decision through a post on social media, saying he ended the fast after lengthy negotiations and concerns that the situation could lead to further violence. He said he would soon explain the conditions that led to his decision in a separate video message. The 59-year-old activist had been fasting since June 28 in support of a youth-led protest movement that accuses the government of failing to prevent repeated examination paper leaks. Protesters have demanded the resignation of the education minister after alleged leaks in medical college entrance examinations forced millions of students to retake the tests. Shortly before Wangchuk’s announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and pledged stronger legal action against those responsible for examination fraud. He described the paper leak scandal as a serious issue affecting the future of hundreds of thousands of students and said the government would introduce tougher legislation to combat such crimes. Modi also announced plans to speed up court proceedings against those involved in examination fraud, adding that the issue would be discussed by the federal cabinet. While outlining the government’s response, he did not comment on demands for the education minister’s resignation. Despite Wangchuk ending his fast, thousands of protesters continue to gather at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and in several other cities. Demonstrators say they will maintain their peaceful campaign until the education minister steps down and comprehensive reforms are introduced to restore transparency and fairness in India’s examination system. The protests have become one of the biggest public challenges faced by Prime Minister Modi’s government since beginning its third term. Tensions have risen in recent days after clashes between police and protesters. Security forces used tear gas and batons to stop demonstrators attempting to march towards parliament, leading to widespread criticism from rights organisations over the handling of the protests.