Smoke rises from the grain carrier Golden Leo under the Guinea-Bissau flag after Russian missile strike in the Black Sea close to Odesa, Ukraine, Sunday, July 19, 2026.
\| Photo Credit: AP

Police outnumbered, taken aback by number of protesters who reached Parliament’s doorstep

Delhi Police and other security personnel were outnumbered and taken aback by thousands of protesters who arrived in and around Jantar Mantar on Monday (July 20, 2026), a senior government official said. In an unprecedented turn of events, despite multiple layers of barricades, deployment of around 3,000 security personnel and an Internet shutdown, large crowds comprising mostly students and young people were able to reach the doorsteps of Parliament before they were tear-gassed and charged with batons.

Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast, cites police action against protesters

Activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Monday (July 20, 2026) that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike, saying the police action against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” march has prompted him to extend the fast until youth leaders are allowed to meet parliamentarians or he is permitted to do so from the hospital.

Four Indian seafarers killed near Ukrainian port Odessa

India on Monday (July 20, 2026) condemned the attack on a merchant vessel near the Ukrainian port of Odessa on Sunday that left four Indian sailors dead and one critically injured. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated India’s opposition to attacks on merchant vessels as such incidents violate the freedom of navigation. The Acting Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, has blamed Russia for the attack and said five crew members of the ship remain missing.

Andy Burnham becomes U.K. PM, promising new social and political model

Former Manchester Mayor, Andrew Burnham, was appointed Prime Minister of the U.K. on Monday (July 20, 2026), its seventh in a decade. Mr. Burnham described the moment as a “circuit breaker”, as he promised to usher in a new political and social model for the country, taking power out of London and spreading it across the regions of the U.K. The outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had made history two years ago, when he led the Labour Party in one of the largest victories in modern times, made history again on Monday (July 20, 2026), but this time for becoming the U.K.’s shortest serving Labour Prime Minister

Modi is India’s most ‘anti-youth PM’, says Rahul Gandhi

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday (July 20, 2026) accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “the most anti-youth Prime Minister India has ever had” while backing the students’ demands related to recurring examination paper leaks as “legitimate”. The Congress, while condemning the police action against protesters attempting to march to Parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session, also sought to underline that it had been raising the issue of paper leaks long before the present agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

India approves first dengue vaccine for individuals aged 4 to 60 years

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted market authorisation to Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India’s QDENGA (TAK-003), making it the first dengue vaccine to be approved in the country, according to a press release issued by the company. The vaccine has been approved for the prevention of dengue disease in individuals aged 4 to 60 years. QDENGA is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes and is administered as a two-dose regimen, with doses given three months apart.

Special court in Mumbai sentences 44 Somalian pirates to life imprisonment; praises Navy for prompt action

A special court in Mumbai on Monday (July 20, 2026) sentenced 44 Somalian nationals to life imprisonment in two different cases on charges of piracy and other offences. The court also appreciated the bravery of Indian Navy in discharging legal and international duty in letter and spirit by taking all cost and risk. While imposing the maximum punishment of life imprisonment, Special Judge S.B. Dige noted that the offences committed by the accused persons were serious in nature.

AAP hits out at BJP over police action on protesting students

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the police action against protesting students, alleging that they were being treated as “enemies”. The party described the police action as “deeply condemnable” and said it reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s authoritarianism. “They are lathi-charging our children, and tear gas shells are being fired. It seems that instead of fixing the education system and examination system, Modi ji has directly declared war on the country’s youth. The youth will by no means tolerate Modi ji’s arrogance,” AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal stated in a post on X.

Iran hits out at Gulf neighbours as U.S. presses on with strikes

Washington and Tehran traded strikes on Monday (July 20, 2026) as U.S. deaths in the renewed fighting climbed to three and more ships came under attack in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices surged to a one-month high as the United States and Iran tussled for control of the vital strait, with Brent crude rising above $91 a barrel — the highest price since June 11.

Published - July 21, 2026 06:22 am IST