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Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Hindus for Human Rights urge PM Modi to talk to Sonam Wangchuk

Washington, Jul 15 (PTI): An Indian diaspora group has voiced concern over the health of Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 18 days over the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the NEET exams, and urged the government to reach out to the protestors. The Hindus for Human Rights, a US-based group, said the protesters have raised serious concerns about examination irregularities, educational governance, institutional accountability, and the consequences suffered by students when public systems fail. “The government must meet with the protesters, provide a substantive response to the examination and governance failures they have identified, and establish a credible, time-bound process for accountability,” the group said in an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The government must meet the protesters now, answer the failures that brought them here, and act before indifference takes a life,” Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director, Hindus for Human Rights said in a statement. The group also appealed to Wangchuk and the fasting students to place their health and lives as a priority. “Their concerns have been heard by people across India and around the world. They should not be required to sacrifice their health to demonstrate the seriousness of their demands,” the group said. It also urged the government to send an authorised representative to meet with the fasting protesters; ensure unrestricted access to appropriate medical care; and provide a transparent public response to the allegations raised by students. The group also asked the government to establish a clear process for addressing examination and recruitment irregularities and to protect the right to peaceful protest without harassment or obstruction. PTI SKU GRS GRS(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/hindus-for-human-rights-urge-pm-modi-to-talk-to-sonam-wangchuk-1856696

Pakistan Scrambles To Contain PoK Protests, Muzaffarabad March Deferred To July 21

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has once again come under the spotlight as protests continue across several parts of the region. Demonstrations have been underway for weeks, with people taking to the streets over issues including inflation, unemployment, power outages, governance and political rights. Protesters have also raised slogans against the Pakistani government and security forces in several places, while reports of violence and clashes have emerged during the agitation. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wbL587Eyz_Y?si=Szxic3knOA91n2tD" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> At the same time, social media has linked the protests to claims that PoK is seeking to merge with India or is "about to return to India". However, these claims have not been independently verified. <h2 data-section-id="lcfo6f" data-start="1615" data-end="1648">Why Are Protests Taking Place?</h2> Protests have been reported from Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Bagh and other parts of PoK. The demonstrations initially centred on inflation, the power crisis and demands for employment, education and basic public services. Over time, the movement broadened, with protesters also questioning the policies and administrative system of the Pakistani government. Clashes were reported between protesters and security forces at several locations. Local organisations have alleged that force was used to suppress the protests, while Pakistan has maintained that the situation concerns law and order. <h2 data-section-id="1obt1xj" data-start="2244" data-end="2281">What Are The Protesters Demanding?</h2> The key demands raised by protesters include: <ul data-start="2330" data-end="2557"> <li data-section-id="gdbgom" data-start="2330" data-end="2352">Control of inflation</li> <li data-section-id="1dyfxcn" data-start="2353" data-end="2384">An end to frequent power cuts</li> <li data-section-id="14t2vwz" data-start="2385" data-end="2429">Better education and healthcare facilities</li> <li data-section-id="1cm7ki" data-start="2430" data-end="2461">More employment opportunities</li> <li data-section-id="eg9hgc" data-start="2462" data-end="2508">Stronger political rights and representation</li> <li data-section-id="avvcuz" data-start="2509" data-end="2557">Release of people arrested during the protests</li> </ul> Several local organisations, including the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), have said these demands have remained unaddressed for a long time. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pojk-pakistan-rangers-loot-mosque-snatch-quran-during-protests-updates-1855933">Pakistan Rangers Loot Mosque, Snatch Quran During Protests In PoJK</a> <h2 data-section-id="1o8bro3" data-start="2707" data-end="2743">Election Protests Add To Tensions</h2> The protests have also intensified ahead of the July 27 elections. Some organisations have alleged that reserved seats and the limited participation of local people in the political process are inadequate. As a result, calls have been made to boycott the elections. During this period, election campaigns of some political parties have also faced opposition, leading to tense situations in several areas. <h2 data-section-id="1fwpiyr" data-start="3153" data-end="3191">Is The Movement About Independence?</h2> Videos from the protests have shown anti-Pakistan slogans and demands for independence in some instances. However, it would be inaccurate to describe the entire movement as being centred on a single demand. Different groups are pursuing different objectives. While some organisations are seeking administrative reforms, others are demanding greater political rights, and some have called for separation from Pakistan. In this context, describing the entire movement as a demand for a merger with India cannot be considered factually correct. <h2 data-section-id="tc2jwj" data-start="3738" data-end="3757">India's Position</h2> India has consistently maintained that the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is an integral part of India. Several senior leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, have publicly reiterated that PoK is part of India and will remain so. India has also repeatedly raised concerns over the alleged use of force against protesters and human rights violations in the region. <h2 data-section-id="1gmff7t" data-start="4206" data-end="4245">Why The Protests Matter For Pakistan</h2> The continuing unrest presents a challenge for Pakistan as PoK has long witnessed political and economic discontent. The economic crisis, rising inflation, the energy shortage and dissatisfaction with the administrative system have contributed to growing public anger. While the protests reflect deepening discontent in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, claims that the entire region is about to merge with India or will soon be handed over to India are not supported by available and verifiable facts. At present, the movement remains centred on political, economic and administrative issues, and its future direction remains uncertain. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pok-protest-region-called-occupied-territory-muzaffarabad-march-july-15-eidgah-ground-1856492">PoK Protesters Call Region 'Occupied Territory' Ahead Of Muzaffarabad March</a>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pakistan-scrambles-to-contain-pok-protests-muzaffarabad-march-deferred-to-july-21-1856693

Ukraine War: Russian Strikes On Odesa Kill 3, Moscow Intensifies Attacks On Southern Regions

<ul> <li>Russian strikes have hit the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions in southern Ukraine</li> <li>Three people were killed in Odesa and at least four others were injured</li> <li>Officials said civilian, industrial and port infrastructure came under attack</li> <li>Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv for her 11th visit since Russia's full-scale invasion</li> <li>She said the EU would announce new steps to integrate European and Ukrainian defense industries</li> </ul> Here is a roundup of DW's coverage of developments regarding Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday, July 15. <hr /> <h2>Russian guided bombs kill 3 in Sumy region</h2> A Russian attack has killed at least three people and wounded 17 others in Ukraine's northern Sumy region. Regional Governor Oleh Hryhorov said Russian forces launched six guided aerial bombs during the daytime assault. One bomb struck near medical facilities, while others appeared to hit infrastructure, according to preliminary information. "Three people were killed and 17 were wounded," Hryhorov said. He said a woman and a man were among those killed. A third victim suffered such severe injuries that authorities were initially unable to determine the person's gender. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-launches-new-wave-of-airstrikes-on-iran-targets-military-assets-near-strait-of-hormuz-1856633">US Launches New Wave Of Airstrikes On Iran, Targets Military Assets</a> <hr /> <h2>Von der Leyen visits Kyiv with focus on defense ties</h2> European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Kyiv for her 11th visit to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Von der Leyen said she would unveil new initiatives to bring the EU and Ukrainian defense industries closer together and accelerate production. "It's a special moment," she wrote on X after arriving in the Ukrainian capital. "Ukraine has built a strong military momentum. The tide is turning." "I will announce new initiatives to integrate our defense industries. So we can produce more, and faster," she said. "We will also discuss accession and preparations for this winter." The EU is advancing accession negotiations with Kyiv, although Ukraine is not expected to complete the process before the next decade. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also due to present von der Leyen with the Order of Europe. Her spokeswoman said the award recognizes "outstanding personal merit in helping Ukraine defend its independence and the security of all of Europe." <hr /> <h2>Russian strikes on Odesa kill 3</h2> Russian forces have struck port and residential infrastructure across Ukraine's southern Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, killing three people and injuring at least four others. The attack on Odesa hit residential buildings, killing three people and leaving three more with moderate injuries, city military administration chief Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram. The wounded were taken to the hospital. Odesa regional Governor Oleh Kiper said Russia's "massive" combined drone and missile assault had continued for a fifth consecutive day, targeting civilian, industrial and port infrastructure. In the neighboring Mykolaiv region, a Russian drone strike on port facilities injured one man early on Wednesday, regional Governor Vitaliy Kim said. Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed carrying out a combined attack on the Odesa region using air-launched precision weapons and combat drones. Moscow said it targeted fuel storage tanks and loading facilities allegedly used by the Ukrainian military at the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk, as well as a drone production site. Odesa has repeatedly come under Russian attack because of its strategic role as a major Black Sea port. Civilians have frequently been killed in strikes on the city since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-hamshahri-wanted-politicians-ali-khamenei-friedrich-merz-donald-trump-1856581">Iranian Newspaper Releases List Of 13 World Leaders 'Wanted' For Khamenei's Assassination</a> <hr /> <h2>Welcome to our coverage</h2> Thank you for joining us as we bring you the latest developments in Russia's war against Ukraine. First, let's take a look at what happened on Tuesday, when Russia launched another major attack on Kyiv, firing ballistic missiles and drones at the Ukrainian capital. Air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles, but other weapons struck the city, damaging warehouses and a school and starting fires in at least two districts. Ukraine, meanwhile, carried out long-range drone attacks on two Russian oil refineries. One strike targeted an industrial facility in Salavat, in the republic of Bashkortostan, more than 1,400 kilometers from the front. Russian officials reported fires and smoke but said there were no casualties. At sea, Ukraine said it struck tankers and cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, in the latest strikes on Russian commercial shipping. Moscow's Agriculture Ministry said "alternative shipping routes" were being sought. In Paris, around 500 troops from countries belonging to the "Coalition of the Willing" marched in the annual Bastille Day parade. Ukrainian troops were cheered along the Champs-Elysees, while Ukrainian and French pilots flew Mirage 2000B fighter jets overhead. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders. The display followed a summit at which Ukraine and nine partner countries announced plans to develop a shared European shield against ballistic missiles, as Kyiv seeks additional protection from intensifying Russian attacks. Ukraine also entered a period of political change after parliament approved Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko's resignation. President Zelenskyy ordered the government reshuffle, saying Ukraine needed to adjust its political strategy to meet new challenges. He had not yet named her replacement. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/russian-strikes-odesa-mykolaiv-sumy-ukraine-von-der-leyen-defense-1856652

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Trump Reimposes Naval Blockade On Iranian Ports, Threatens Strikes On Power Plants

President Donald Trump on Tuesday reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and warned that the United States would target Iran’s power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran agrees to resume negotiations, marking the latest escalation in the conflict between the two countries. The United States also launched a fresh wave of strikes aimed at "continuing to degrade Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," the US military said. Tehran said it had once again closed the Strait of Hormuz after fighting between Iran and the United States reignited last week, further undermining a fragile truce reached in June following months of conflict that has claimed thousands of lives. <h2>Trump Links Future Strikes To Stalled Negotiations</h2> Speaking in an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, Trump said energy infrastructure would eventually become a target if Iran refused to negotiate. "I'll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we'll hit energy targets," Trump said. "Next week comes the power plants, next week comes the bridges, unless they get to the table and negotiate." The 1949 Geneva Conventions governing humanitarian conduct during war prohibit attacks on sites regarded as essential for civilian populations. Trump also said US negotiators had been communicating with Iranian officials, warning them that they "better make a deal." ALSO READ | '<a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-live-updates-they-shot-first-a-big-mistake-donald-trump-claims-us-destroyed-most-of-its-military-capability-1856488">They Shot First, A Big Mistake': Trump Claims US Destroyed Most Of Iran's Military Capability</a> <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vt-F7gw1dB8?si=ycUBWQ1vaOD35syu" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h2>Iran Launches Drone Attacks As Regional Tensions Spread</h2> Iran's army said early Wednesday that it had launched drone attacks targeting US positions at Jordan's Azraq military base. The Pentagon did not immediately comment on the claim. Separately, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted weapons and storage facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. Kuwait's military said its air defence systems were responding to Iranian drone attacks, while the state news agency reported that a fire had been brought under control. The latest military exchanges have fuelled concerns that the memorandum of understanding signed last month may not lead to a lasting end to the war, which has drawn in neighbouring countries and disrupted global energy supplies. ALSO READ | <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/donald-trump-strait-of-hormuz-fee-scrapped-gulf-investment-deals-nuclear-weapon-us-iran-war-live-updates-1856478">Trump Scraps 20% Strait Of Hormuz Fee, Bets On Massive Gulf Investment Deals</a> <h2>Fresh Strikes Reported Near Bandar Abbas and Sirik</h2> Late on Tuesday, the governor's office in Bandar Abbas told Iranian state media that American projectiles had struck an area around the southern Iranian city, located along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's state news agency IRNA separately reported that US projectiles also hit an area near Sirik in southern Iran. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed suggestions that increased military and economic pressure would force Tehran back to negotiations. "If the U.S. thinks that by tightening its measures against us, its military actions and its economic blockade, we will return to negotiations, it is making a mistake," Gharibabadi told state television.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-trump-reimposes-naval-blockade-on-iranian-ports-threatens-strikes-on-power-plants-1856498

PoK Protesters Call Region 'Occupied Territory' Ahead Of Muzaffarabad March

Dismantling Pakistan's decades-old narrative, protest leaders in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have declared that the region, which is called Azad Kashmir by Pakistan, is not a "Disputed Territory" but an "Occupied Territory" under forced occupation. This massive public rebellion comes just 24 hours before a scheduled historic march to Muzaffarabad, drawing hundreds of thousands of local residents. <h2 data-section-id="dg7nr1" data-start="576" data-end="624">Deadly Crackdown On 36th Day Of Uprising</h2> Tensions reached a boiling point on the 36th day of the anti-government uprising. In a desperate attempt to stop the demonstrators from advancing toward Muzaffarabad, Pakistani Rangers opened fire on crowds in the Sudhanoti and Rawalakot districts. Eight protesters were killed and 11 others sustained serious injuries during the clashes. With today's casualties, the total number of fatalities over the last 36 days of demonstrations has risen to 73. <h2 data-section-id="nbllnc" data-start="1079" data-end="1135">Pakistan's Narrative Challenged At Eidgah Ground</h2> Despite the violence, a massive crowd, heavily represented by women, gathered at the Eidgah Ground in Rawalakot to protest against the Pakistani occupation. Addressing a crowd of nearly 70,000 people, Sardar Aman Khan, one of the primary organisers of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), launched a scathing attack on Islamabad and said, "According to the UN Charter, PoK might be labeled a 'Disputed Territory,' but in reality, it is a 'Makbooza Ilaka'—an Occupied Territory under brutal, forced occupation." Khan proclaimed this from the stage, directly challenging Pakistan's 78-year-old state narrative, which has historically portrayed PoK as "Azad (Free) Kashmir" while describing Jammu and Kashmir in India as "Occupied (Makbooza)." Khan explicitly told the crowd that only the people of PoK have the right to decide their own future. He also targeted the region's "love for Pakistan" education system, advising schoolchildren that everything taught in their textbooks over the last eight decades is completely false. Jokingly, he said the only accurate thing in their syllabus is the geographical fact that hilly terrains are cold in winters and hot in summers. <h2 data-section-id="31qjpa" data-start="2320" data-end="2349">March To Muzaffarabad</h2> Huge influxes of people from the Poonch division have already started converging in Rawalakot ahead of the final showdown. Commenting on the upcoming march to Muzaffarabad, Sardar Aman Khan made it clear that this struggle will not stop until total victory is achieved. Addressing the upcoming PoK elections scheduled for July 27, Khan took a direct swipe at Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, and said, "Many people are running around with files outside the office of Brigadier Faiq (ISI Sector Commander for PoK). But let it be clear—the ISI will not run these elections. The public will vote, the public will choose, and only a government elected by the people will be accepted." <h2 data-section-id="18yqovy" data-start="3047" data-end="3085">Single Demand: Self-Governance</h2> Warning the puppet administration in PoK, Khan stated that when the protesters march toward Muzaffarabad on July 15, they will not be carrying a long list of 38 demands. Instead, they will march with just one ultimatum: hand over the governance and responsibility of PoK entirely to its own people. Co-organiser Umar Nazir has also echoed this sentiment for several weeks, confirming that the July 15 march is no longer about the initial 38 demands or the cancellation of police FIRs, but is fundamentally about the people of PoK taking absolute control of their own land and destiny.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pok-protest-region-called-occupied-territory-muzaffarabad-march-july-15-eidgah-ground-1856492

Brussels Tower Fire Kills 2; Several Workers Feared Trapped In Elevator

At least two people were killed and at least six workers were reported missing after a fire broke out at a residential tower under renovation in central Brussels on Tuesday, according to AFP. More than 200 workers were present at the site, known as the Oxy Tower, when the fire erupted. Two people who suffered burn injuries were taken to hospital for treatment, Swiss national news agency Keystone SDA reported. <h2>Fire Breaks Out During Renovation Work</h2> The blaze started early on Tuesday at the large-scale renovation project on Place de Brouckere in central Brussels. According to AFP, several workers became trapped inside a lift as the fire spread through the elevator shaft. Belgian broadcaster VRT reported that firefighters managed to contain the initial blaze on the lower floors relatively quickly. <h2>Bodies Found Inside Elevator</h2> A spokesperson for the local labour inspection service, Brecht Speybrouck, told Reuters that rescuers had gained limited access to one of the building's two elevator cabins. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-live-updates-they-shot-first-a-big-mistake-donald-trump-claims-us-destroyed-most-of-its-military-capability-1856488">'They Shot First, A Big Mistake': Trump Claims US Destroyed Most Of Iran's Military Capability</a> "We had small access to one of the two elevator cabinets." He added that rescue teams were able to see several bodies inside. "…There we had a view that there are some corpses of two or three people who died." According to Keystone SDA, the public prosecutor's office said there was initially no access to the second elevator. <h2>Six Workers Still Unaccounted For</h2> Speybrouck said six workers remained unaccounted for and that the cause of the fire had not yet been established. Firefighters said flames spread through the elevator shafts, triggering another fire in an underground level after the initial blaze had been brought under control. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iWtbq809GW4?si=LNn-uQLsXxhqDYpf" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> The fire department spokesperson said emergency teams had initially responded to a small fire on the building's second floor. Keystone SDA, citing the district attorney, reported that the bodies were discovered after the fire had been extinguished. <h2>Brussels Mayor Calls Incident A Tragedy</h2> Brussels Mayor Philippe Close described the incident as a tragedy and pledged support for those affected. The Oxy Tower, located in a pedestrian zone in the heart of Brussels, is currently undergoing renovation. The building previously served as an administrative headquarters for the Belgian capital and is being redeveloped into a mixed-use complex comprising offices, restaurants, hotel rooms and apartments, according to Keystone SDA. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/donald-trump-strait-of-hormuz-fee-scrapped-gulf-investment-deals-nuclear-weapon-us-iran-war-live-updates-1856478">Trump Scraps 20% Strait Of Hormuz Fee, Bets On Massive Gulf Investment Deals</a>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/brussels-tower-fire-kills-two-several-workers-trapped-in-elevator-place-de-brouckere-1856487

Monday, July 13, 2026

Indian Sailor Killed, 6 Injured As Iran Strikes UAE Tankers In Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said that Iran targeted two of its national tankers with cruise missiles while they were transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian crew member and injuring a total of eight others. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were struck while sailing through Omani territorial waters. According to the ministry, one Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa was killed in the attack. Eight others were injured, including six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals. Of the injured, four sustained serious injuries. The strike also caused fires and material damage to both vessels. Authorities said the fires have since been brought under control. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sD_MlqgKUjM?si=lr6CiCvfYuAdQZOA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3>UAE Condemns Attack</h3> The UAE condemned the strike as a "grave violation" of international law and said it reserves the right to respond while raising its state of military readiness to safeguard national security and interests. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also strongly condemned the attack and extended condolences to the family of the deceased Indian crew member, as well as to the Government and people of India. It also wished the injured a speedy recovery. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-live-updatesstrait-of-hormuz-donald-trump-claims-us-will-take-over-and-get-paid-1856233">Trump Declares US 'Guardian', Announces 20% Cargo Charge: 'Hormuz Strait Will Stay Open'</a> <h3>UAE Calls For Reopening Of Strait Of Hormuz</h3> The UAE said attacks on commercial shipping and the use of the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of "economic coercion" or "blackmail" amount to piracy and threaten regional stability and global energy security. It called on Iran to immediately halt attacks, cease hostilities and ensure the complete reopening of the strategic waterway. The incident comes amid renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which prompted US retaliatory strikes. The United States has also announced that it will resume a naval blockade targeting maritime traffic linked to Iran, while allowing vessels from other countries to continue transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/india/vietnam-boat-tragedy-live-updates-bodies-of-15-indian-tourists-brought-back-to-mumbai-1856254">Vietnam Boat Tragedy: Bodies Of 15 Indian Tourists Brought To Mumbai</a>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/indian-sailor-killed-6-injured-as-iran-missiles-strike-uae-tankers-in-strait-of-hormuz-us-iran-war-1856268