About this Episode
The US and Iran exchanged their most intense strikes since signing a June memorandum of understanding, with US strikes killing at least 17 people in Iran and Tehran launching missiles and drone attacks on US bases and regional targets. Iran reported strikes near the Bushehr nuclear plant and deaths in Khuzestan and Iranshahr. The US said it hit about 90 Iranian targets to degrade threats to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and President Donald Trump declared the truce “over,” prompting fears the ceasefire and negotiations for a permanent truce could collapse as mediators sought urgent de‑escalation.
An 11‑year‑old girl was found dead in a pond in Surjyapur, India, after being reported missing, triggering days of violent protests, widespread anger and a heavy police response. A mob lynched an innocent man during the unrest, and anoter was shot dead in a disputed encounter after the police said he tried to grab an officer’s weapon. Authorities have arrested three suspects, detained dozens and set up a special investigation team, while opposition parties and rights groups have criticised the handling of the case. They also warned the episode is inflaming political and communal tensions in West Bengal.
A fire at the Huiteng Footwear factory in Jinjiang, China, killed at least 28 people and prompted the evacuation of more than 200, state media reported. Dramatic footage showed heavy smoke and people trapped on the roof. Hundreds of rescuers responded. Initial reports said the blaze began on the ground floor where flammable materials were stored. Authorities detained several factory employees and froze the company bank account, and President Xi Jinping ordered those responsible to be held strictly accountable.
Ukraine intensified drone strikes on maritime supply routes to Russian‑occupied Crimea, claiming dozens of hits on tankers in the Sea of Azov. Kyiv’s unmanned‑systems commander said about 25 ships were hit in four days and named several vessels, while satellite images showed burning ships off the Crimean coast. The attacks combined with strikes on refineries aggravated fuel shortages across Russia and Crimea. Russian authorities reported damage and losses as Kyiv sought to choke logistics to the peninsula. Moscow has blamed Kyiv and pushed for greater naval and air‑defence efforts even as analysts warned the strikes represented a significant escalation of pressure on Russian supply lines.
