The Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march gathered momentum on Monday despite light rain, as protesters assembled at Jantar Mantar demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged competitive exam paper leaks. Delhi Police warned organisers about the risk of a stampede if the crowd attempted to move towards Parliament during the Monsoon Session and deployed heavy security, including the RAF and central forces. Amid the growing turnout, the CJP claimed the government had reached out for talks for the first time, a claim that could mark the first official communication since the protest began. Authorities remained determined to prevent protesters from approaching Parliament. (PC: Indian Express)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday launched its 'Chalo Sansad' march from Jantar Mantar amid heavy security deployment, with police using lathis to disperse sections of the crowd as protesters attempted to move forward. Authorities reiterated that no permission had been sought or granted for the march to Parliament. Meanwhile, climate and education activist Sonam Wangchuk said he would end his hunger strike if the government accepted responsibility for shortcomings in the education system or if Members of Parliament assured him the issue would be raised in Parliament. The protest comes as security remains heightened across central Delhi during the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session.

US President Donald Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez briefly met in the VIP section during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking their first public encounter after months of tensions over NATO defence spending and US foreign policy. Relations had recently improved after Trump praised Spain's increased defence commitments following the NATO summit in Ankara. Before kickoff, Sanchez said only the trophy winners mattered, while Trump backed Argentina, calling Javier Milei a friend and saying "It's hard to bet against Messi." Spain later defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time through Ferran Torres' decisive 106th-minute winner.

Spain etched its name into football history by becoming the first nation to simultaneously hold the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cup titles after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the 2026 final. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second men's World Cup crown. The victory also extended Spain's unbeaten streak to a world-record 38 matches. Luis de la Fuente's side dominated the tournament, conceding just one goal across eight matches. Spain's latest triumph adds to the women's team's 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup success over England. Germany remains the only other country to have won both the men's and women's World Cups. (PC: The Independent & Sportstar)

Spain's historic FIFA World Cup 2026 triumph was overshadowed by ugly scenes after the final whistle as celebrations gave way to a heated post-match brawl following the 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in New York. Tensions spilled over while Spain celebrated lifting the trophy, with Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes shown a red card after clashing with Spain's Gavi and Eric Garcia. Earlier, Argentina had already been reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez received a red card during the match. The chaotic finish compounded Argentina's heartbreak, as Lionel Messi's hopes of ending his World Cup career with another title were dashed following Ferran Torres' extra-time winner for Spain. 

Kylian Mbappe became the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot twice after finishing as the 2026 tournament's top scorer with 10 goals in eight matches, edging Lionel Messi's tally of eight. The France forward, who also won the award at Qatar 2022, is now the men's all-time World Cup leading scorer with 22 goals, surpassing Messi. Despite France finishing fourth after a 6-4 bronze-match defeat to England, Mbappe called the achievement secondary to missing the final. Meanwhile, Spain dominated the tournament's individual honours as captain Rodri received the Golden Ball after leading La Roja to their second FIFA World Cup title. (PC: NY Times & Getty Images)

Iran struck Kuwait's Al-Subiya power generation and water desalination plant on Sunday, triggering a massive fire, as the US launched its ninth consecutive night of airstrikes on Iranian targets. Videos showed thick black smoke rising from the facility while Kuwait's armed forces said they intercepted hostile missiles and drones across the country's airspace. Defence spokesperson Major General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi accused Iran of targeting civilian and vital infrastructure, causing extensive damage. US CENTCOM said the strikes aim to degrade Iranian military capabilities threatening commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said the latest operation honoured recently killed US service members. Regional tensions continue escalating despite June's provisional ceasefire framework.

Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed 'Chalo Sansad' march on the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that trucks loaded with stones had been parked near Jantar Mantar and claimed the outfit received inputs that "goons" could be allowed to disrupt the protest. These allegations have not been independently verified. Dipke urged supporters to remain peaceful and avoid provocation. Meanwhile, Delhi Police said no permission had been granted for the march and deployed a three-tier security cover across central Delhi. CJP also appealed to protesters to maintain discipline, while traffic restrictions, metro changes and heavy security remained in force.

A US service member was killed and another injured while handling unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone in northern Iraq, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The incident occurred on July 18 during a controlled detonation operation. CENTCOM withheld the identities of both personnel pending family notification. The death raises the number of US service members killed in the nearly five-month conflict to 17. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump ordered another round of air strikes, with CENTCOM launching attacks against Iran for the ninth consecutive night. The US said the operation is aimed at degrading assets linked to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he will end his hunger strike only if three conditions are met. In a handwritten letter from what he described as his "illegal detention" at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk demanded government accountability for alleged failures in the education system, particularly the NEET paper leak controversy. He also sought assurances from political leaders that the issue would be raised in Parliament and requested senior leaders visit him if his health prevents him from joining the Sansad Chalo March. Wangchuk was shifted to hospital on July 18 after doctors warned of possible organ failure. The Delhi High Court declined interim relief seeking his transfer to a private hospital. (PC: X/@Wangchuk66)