Author: space4knews

Local media outlets have reported that the US military has postponed planned military action against Iran. CBS News stated that the attack was halted to avoid disrupting ongoing talks with an Omani delegation. According to The New York Times, President Donald Trump delayed plans to escalate the military campaign as the stockpile of interceptor missiles was depleting. 10 Shrawan, Washington (RASS/ Xinhua).

The US armed forces have ceased their military operations against Iran, according to local media reports. However, the reasons for the suspension vary across news sources. CNN, citing a Pentagon source, confirmed the halt of military action but did not specify the duration of the pause.

CBS News, referring to two regional sources, reported that the US postponed the strike to ensure no disruption to negotiations, as an Omani delegation prepares to travel to Tehran to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, The New York Times mentioned that senior US advisors recommended to President Trump to suspend plans to expand military action due to the dwindling stock of interceptor missiles used in air defense systems.

The New York Times also reported that General Dan Coats, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that further escalation could exhaust the interceptor missile inventory held by the US Central Command. To date, the US has deployed over 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles in operations against Iran. Each interceptor costs more than 4 million US dollars.

Kathmandu, July 26 – U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended what was planned to be the largest military operation against Iran to date. According to reports from The New York Times and Axios, following a high-level meeting with his top advisors and Cabinet members on Friday, Trump instructed the military to refrain from launching any additional major attacks. U.S. military officials had warned that the stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles and other air defense weaponry deployed in the Middle East was critically depleting.

General Dun Canavan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that a significant military campaign against Iran would put U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East and allied nations at increased risk. Reports indicate that by the end of April, the U.S. had expended more than 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles. It is unclear whether this decision to halt attacks is temporary or long-term, but the U.S. military conveyed that it remains prepared for a large-scale operation if necessary.

As a result, the U.S. ended its bombing campaign on Iranian military sites after 13 consecutive nights on Friday night. Iran had launched drone and missile strikes against the U.S. Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain, causing significant explosions. Following the Jordan attack, concerns increased in the U.S., particularly given that three American soldiers have died there.

During the Iranian drone and missile attacks, a ballistic missile penetrated the U.S. security perimeter. Saturday marked the first day since the ongoing military tensions over the past two weeks without any airstrikes. Nevertheless, the Pentagon has deployed additional troops and weapons to the Middle East in anticipation of potential threats. U.S. military strategists have also developed plans for strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, transportation networks, and the nuclear facility at Pickax Mountain. (With agency assistance)

More than 250,000 people have been displaced due to fierce wildfires spreading across southwestern France and Spain. The French government has deployed military forces to control the fires raging in the Gironde and Landes regions, while President Emmanuel Macron has convened an emergency meeting. In Spain, a state of emergency has been declared, and 60,000 residents from Madrid and Ávila areas have been evacuated to safer locations. (July 26, Kathmandu)

Firefighters are battling intensely to contain the wildfires in southwestern France and Spain. Strong winds and high temperatures have caused the flames to spread rapidly, putting cities such as Bordeaux at risk. A French official indicated that it would take considerable time before the fires are fully controlled, stating, “We are still far from having the fire under control.”

So far, the wildfires have displaced over 250,000 people across both countries. In France, residents of seven municipalities west of Bordeaux were ordered to evacuate their homes on Saturday night. By early Saturday morning, smoke and flames had covered the city of Bordeaux, with the fire reaching approximately 40 to 50 kilometers from the city’s outskirts.

In Spain, recent weather conditions have provided some relief, helping authorities gain better control of the fires. A state of emergency remains in effect due to the persistence of the wildfires. Officials have noted that lower winds, increased humidity, and reduced temperatures have lessened the intensity of the fires around the Madrid area. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the current moment as a “critical opportunity” to control the wildfires but acknowledged that more challenges lie ahead in the coming days.

September 9, Kathmandu — Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah released an emotional and impassioned video message on social media on July 21. The message came in response to the brutal police crackdown on students during the Parliament March organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) from Jantar Mantar on July 20. In his video, Shah expressed support for the students’ protest demanding education reform. In an interview with The Wire, when asked why prominent Bollywood actors remain silent on the student protests and police brutality, Shah sharply criticized them. “They will only speak when their conscience is damaged,” he said, “There is a saying— a dog with a bone in its mouth cannot bark; only after losing the bone or breaking a tooth does it bark.”
Expressing solidarity with the students, Shah strongly condemned the repression they faced. He stated, “I want to say two things. When an ignorant person leads the country, he will make the country as ignorant, irrational, incapable, and cruel as himself. Though I learned acting at the National School of Drama and Film and Television Institute of India, I have learned the most from the students I tried to teach.” He revealed that the crackdown stirred anger and sorrow within him.
“I hold deep empathy for them. My heart is boiling with pain,” he said, “The atrocities against our youth remind me of agents in America who would walk around covering their mouths. Think about your children. One day, you too will face the consequences of your actions.”
Encouraging students not to lose hope, Shah reaffirmed his trust in the youth, which has only grown stronger. He urged them to keep fighting for their rights and warned that the repression by the state would never be forgotten.
Last month, the Cockroach Janata Party initiated a march from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to Parliament Street. The protest intensified following educationist and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike. On July 20, as the monsoon session of Parliament began, students and young people from across the country gathered in New Delhi and attempted to march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament. Police used force to stop the march, and widely circulated social media footage of the incident led to severe criticism of the government and police. Protesters demanded dialogue with the central government and accountability for irregularities in the education system. Key demands included the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, triggered by exam paper leaks and other malpractices.
Alongside the movement’s expansion, Bollywood actors began voicing their support. Kareena Kapoor Khan posted a message on Instagram backing the students, saying she could no longer remain silent after thinking about the issue for several days. “So many young people are raising their voices. Their voice cannot be ignored,” she wrote. Kareena emphasized that students deserve a fair and reliable education system. “This is not a big demand—it is a minimum expectation,” she added. “When a generation speaks with a united voice, it is our duty to listen.”
Varun Dhawan called students the future of the country and backed the protests. “Students are the future of our nation. When a student’s dream is shattered, it’s not just an individual loss but a loss for the entire family,” he wrote. “When the system fails, they have the right to question it. Their voices must be heard, protected, and their problems solved seriously.” He urged officials to impartially and transparently resolve student concerns.
Sara Ali Khan described the student protests as an expression of true patriotism. “Our students are our future, and the country’s future is tied to theirs,” she stated. “Their determination moves me emotionally. True patriotism can arise from faith and courage.” Ananya Panday challenged traditional views of Generation Z. “Gen Z was labeled in various ways, many negative,” she said. “But this generation never stops questioning. They’re only asking for minimal fairness. This is not disobedience but hope and belief—change starts here.”
Former actress and writer Twinkle Khanna shared photos from protests in Delhi and Mumbai, praising the courage of the youth. “Our young people have the bravery to dissent. They show resilience facing tear gas and lathi charges,” she said. “I’m proud they are citizens of this country, but saddened they have to take to the streets.”
Prior to the march, senior actress Shabana Azmi and actor/director Prakash Raj showed solidarity with protesters at Jantar Mantar. Shabana emphasized the movement as a peaceful exercise of constitutional rights. “We have all come for a peaceful protest, following Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of nonviolent opposition. Our struggle is not intended to incite violence,” she stated.
Prakash Raj, Kunal Kamra, and Swara Bhasker directly participated in the Jantar Mantar demonstrations. Prakash Raj went to the hunger strike site carrying the Constitution, emphasizing the need to hold the government accountable. Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh condemned the police baton charge and urged authorities to listen to student demands.
South Indian actor Kamal Haasan also strongly criticized the repression. Hollywood actor John Cusack expressed solidarity with Indian students on social media. Bollywood artists Imran Khan, Alaya F, rapper Raftaar, and singer Anuv Jain attended a student solidarity rally in Mumbai.
However, not all Bollywood artists endorsed the protests. Singer Sonu Nigam faced social media criticism after refusing to comment on the student movement. When journalists asked for his response, he simply said, “Enough for now,” and ended the conversation. The video of this interaction went viral, drawing mixed reactions. Some argued not all public figures must comment on every issue, while others criticized Sonu’s silence.
There was discussion about whether Bollywood’s “King Khan” Shah Rukh Khan would comment on the protests. Some fake posts circulated on social media in his name, but no such messages appeared on his official accounts. Actor Aamir Khan also faced criticism for his silence. Known for being vocal on social issues, Aamir’s quietness on this protest raised questions.
Leading actors like Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone have yet to publicly respond, sparking debate across social media.
Writer and social activist Arundhati Roy also visited Jantar Mantar. In her essay, “Cockroach Democracy: Unarmed and Dangerous,” she argued that the movement goes beyond demands for the education minister’s resignation. She sees it as an expression of accumulated anger among youth addressing issues from civil rights to religious, caste discrimination, and the state of democratic institutions.
Roy noted that although the protest initially called only for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, large demonstrations on July 20 expanded its political significance. The fearless presence and resistance of students and youth challenge longstanding societal fears, she wrote. People from Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist backgrounds, and various castes, classes, and communities cooperating on the streets represent an imagined ideal of India.
Yet, she cautioned that sustaining such autonomous movements to achieve permanent political change is challenging. Without organized political efforts, anger tends to dissipate over time. Roy asserted it is inappropriate to directly compare this protest to previous mass movements in India.
She described the Cockroach Janata Party’s movement as a unique political event born of its time. The issues raised go beyond the education minister or exam irregularities to encompass civil rights, democratic institutions, religion, caste discrimination, the electoral system, and state relations. While enthusiastic about the youth movement, Roy remains mindful of potential government retaliation.
Discussing the July 20 incident when security personnel evacuated Prime Minister Narendra Modi to safety on Parliament Street, Roy wrote, “The day may come when the Prime Minister must flee politically after fleeing physically.” However, she warned, “This power will not relinquish control easily. The responsibility to meaningfully transform the hopes given by the movement into political change now lies not just with them but with the entire society.”

A video capturing protesters mockingly responding to police repression during a student movement in Patna, India, has gone viral on social media. While protesting irregularities in the education system and examination processes, young demonstrators faced police use of force yet responded with laughter and dance. Following violent clashes, the Patna police registered 20 FIRs, arrested 56 individuals, and identified an additional 177 suspects.

On 9th Shrawan in Kathmandu’s calendar, police attempted to quell the protest with tear gas, but the participating youth turned the suppression into mockery. A young protester jokingly addressed a police officer: “Sir! Don’t you have tear gas available? It looks like you came unprepared.” Others nearby chanted, “Water cannon!” shortly before police deployed water cannons. Rather than fleeing, many protesters embraced the spray, dancing and laughing in the water. This unusual scene from the Bihar capital has sparked widespread discussion online.

The video, showing youth satirizing police force, has been widely shared. The protest in Patna is linked to the extension of student movements originating from Delhi, especially the Jantar Mantar protests. On July 20, the Cuckroach Janata Party (CJP) called for a march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, addressing various educational issues including examination irregularities. Tensions escalated when protesters tried to break police barricades, resulting in baton charges and tear gas deployment. Images and videos of police using force circulated extensively on social media that day, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s departure from Parliament during the ongoing monsoon session.

On July 22, students led by the All India Students Association (AISA) organized the “Lok Bhavan March” in Patna. AISA is affiliated with the Indian Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation. Protesters voiced objections against leaked exam question papers, issues in the education system, and commercialization of education, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The march began at Gandhi Maidan but was stopped by police near the Governor’s residence, intensifying the confrontation. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and baton charges. The march was led by CPI (ML) Liberation legislator and former AISA national secretary Sandeep Saurabh, who publicly questioned the repression by the Modi government and Delhi police, calling for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah.

One remarkable moment from the Patna protests captured public attention: despite police employing water cannons, some youth did not flee but rather encouraged police to continue spraying water and tear gas. A video posted on the Instagram page of a news outlet shows a protester poking fun at police, saying, “Sir! Don’t you have tear gas available? It looks like you arrived unprepared.” The other youths chant, “Water cannon!” The water spray turned from an instrument of repression into a brief reprieve from the intense heat, transforming the police’s method of suppression into a source of amusement and resistance. This irony drove the video’s viral popularity.

The protests also showcased the use of Bhojpuri songs as political expression beyond slogans. A Bhojpuri song titled “Mantriya Kursi Daile Ba” released on the YouTube channel Chakand Wale satirizes issues like unemployment, leaked examinations, and youth frustrations concerning their future. The lyrics depict the plight of unemployed youths facing police baton charges while government officials who fail to address youth issues refuse to relinquish power. Thus, alongside street protests, songs, satire, and social media memes have become alternative vehicles for youth dissatisfaction.

During the protests, another notable occurrence was some demonstrators lifting and removing police barricades. Despite 20 FIRs and 56 arrests, the protests also involved violent elements. Police reported attacks using stones, damage to vehicles and public property, and assaults on civilians and journalists. The following day, Patna police launched extensive investigations, registering 20 FIRs, arresting 56 people, and identifying 177 suspects through videos and CCTV footage. Authorities are intensifying efforts to apprehend those involved in stone-pelting, vandalism, and attacks on security personnel. Due to rising tension, Bihar police headquarters canceled all regular leave for police personnel effective from July 24 until further notice.

While confrontations between police and protesters in Patna turned violent, youth creatively used humor and satire as forms of resistance amid repression. The repeated question to police, “Sir, is tear gas unavailable?” stands as a striking example of this defiant spirit.

September 9, Kathmandu – The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been protesting in India, announced that the central government led by Narendra Modi has agreed to meet their demands. The CJP also urged protesters to return home. Following the third round of talks, party spokespersons Saurabh Das and Anshutosh Rank informed at a joint press conference with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh that all the CJP’s demands have been agreed upon. “The government has expressed readiness to fulfill all our demands. They have accepted our second demand as well,” Saurabh Das stated at the press briefing. He further revealed that the government is prepared to withdraw all FIRs filed against protesters not only in Delhi but across the country. “Additionally, the government has promised that in the future, no CJP activists will face action due to protests,” he added. Another spokesperson, Anshutosh Rank, said the government has agreed to provide compensation of one crore rupees to families of students who committed suicide. Earlier today, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation.