PM orders expansion of strategic oil reserves

A towering new statue of the Virgin Mary has been unveiled in a small Polish village, instantly becoming the tallest statue anywhere in Europe. Standing at 55.6 metres, the monument now dominates the local skyline. The devotional sculpture was consecrated by a local bishop during a ceremony held on Saturday in the rural village of Konotopie. The unveiling comes at a notable moment, as the Catholic Church’s broader influence over public life in Poland continues to decline. Despite its scale, the statue sits in a remote location, far from any of Poland’s major population centres. Its placement was reportedly requested specifically by a wealthy local couple who funded the project. During the ceremony, two helicopters were seen circling above the towering figure, which stands with arms open and a large crown atop its head. The dramatic aerial display added to the significance of the occasion. While Poland remains a predominantly Catholic country, many younger Poles living in urban areas have grown increasingly distant from the church and its traditions. The statue’s unveiling arrives against that broader backdrop of shifting religious engagement. Among those attending Saturday’s ceremony was Lech Walesa, the former Polish president who played a central role in the collapse of communism in the country. Now 82, Walesa reflected on his own life journey in comments to the Associated Press, describing his story as one that started and ended with the Virgin Mary. Local authorities are hoping the massive structure will serve a dual purpose going forward, functioning as both a significant pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction. To support that goal, the statue includes a viewing platform built directly into its base, offering visitors a chance to take in sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The unveiling adds Poland to the small list of countries hosting record-breaking religious monuments, and local officials appear hopeful the structure will draw visitors from well beyond the immediate region in the years ahead.

A growing youth protest movement in India has delivered one of the biggest political setbacks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in recent years, raising questions about the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s appeal among younger voters ahead of crucial state elections. What began as demonstrations over alleged examination paper leaks has developed into a wider expression of frustration over unemployment, education and economic uncertainty. The protests were led by the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, a youth movement that quickly gained massive attention on social media. Within days of launching its campaign in May, the group attracted around 22 million followers on Instagram, most of them from Generation Z. The movement demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after allegations that a medical entrance examination had been compromised. As protests spread across India, thousands of students gathered in central Delhi despite heavy police action. In an effort to calm public anger, Prime Minister Modi posted a rare selfie video on Instagram, saying he understood the concerns of young people and promising action to address their grievances. However, the message failed to ease the demonstrations. Days later, Education Minister Pradhan resigned, fulfilling the protesters’ main demand and handing the movement a significant political victory. The resignation is considered unusual because Modi’s government has generally resisted removing senior ministers in response to public pressure. Political observers say the outcome has encouraged many young Indians who believe their voices can influence government decisions. Analysts say the protests extend far beyond the issue of examination leaks. Many young people are increasingly worried about unemployment, rising competition for limited jobs and the possible impact of artificial intelligence on employment opportunities, particularly in India’s large information technology and business services sectors. While the exam controversy sparked the demonstrations, experts believe it exposed much deeper concerns among the country’s youth. Political analyst Amitabh Tiwari said the paper leak became a symbol of wider frustration felt by many young Indians who are anxious about their future. He noted that disappointment over employment prospects and economic opportunities has created growing dissatisfaction that cannot be ignored. Senior government officials have acknowledged these concerns. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the government remains committed to understanding students’ problems and ensuring that their concerns are addressed. However, critics argue the ruling party has struggled to connect with younger generations, particularly on social media platforms where political discussions are rapidly evolving. Demographic trends also highlight the challenge facing India’s political establishment. People between the ages of 18 and 40 make up roughly 40 percent of the country’s population but hold only a small share of seats in the lower house of Parliament. The average age of members of the federal cabinet remains above 60, leading some analysts to argue that younger voices are underrepresented in national decision making. Although the CJP is not officially a political party, opposition groups have openly supported the student protests and attempted to capitalize on growing public dissatisfaction. The first major political test could come during next year’s state elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat. The BJP currently governs both Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, making those contests particularly important. Some analysts believe the movement could have an even greater impact if it eventually enters electoral politics before the 2029 national election. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has said no decision has been made about transforming the movement into a political party, but its rapid popularity has already attracted widespread attention across the political spectrum. Observers also believe political campaigning in India is changing. For years, the BJP built a strong digital presence on platforms such as X and Facebook. However, younger audiences have increasingly shifted to Instagram, where authenticity and informal communication often attract greater engagement than carefully managed political messaging. While the BJP has around 10 million Instagram followers, the CJP gained more than twice that number in only a few days. Modi personally continues to command a much larger audience across multiple social media platforms, but analysts say younger users are responding differently to newer forms of political communication. Writers and political commentators argue that Generation Z is less influenced by traditional political authority and more willing to openly question established leaders. They believe successful politicians will increasingly need to engage directly with young voters rather than relying on conventional campaign strategies. For Modi, the protests represent a reminder that public expectations are changing. During much of his time in office, he built a reputation as a decisive leader who rarely reversed government decisions. Political analysts now say that demonstrating a willingness to listen and respond to public concerns may become increasingly important as India moves toward another cycle of state and national elections.