**Summary:** A series of Iranian missile and drone strikes hit a power generation and water desalination plant in Kuwait, causing a fire and forcing the emergency shutdown of several power units.

**Key points:**
- Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy confirmed the attack caused significant damage to facility infrastructure.
- The security situation led to the temporary suspension of operations at Kuwait International Airport.
- Kuwait Airways has initiated the rescheduling of most flights following the closure of national airspace.
- Emergency crews and technical teams are currently working to contain the fire and assess the stability of the electrical grid.

**Why it matters:** The direct targeting of critical energy and water infrastructure represents a significant escalation in regional security, impacting both essential public services and international air travel.

jordanzad.com - اندلاع حريق في محطة كهرباء بالكويت إثر هجوم إيراني

dailypost.ng - Iranian attack triggers fire at Kuwait desalination plant, disrupts air travel

Iranian Missile and Drone Attack Targets Kuwaiti Power and Desalination Infrastructure

**Summary:** Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has successfully completed the maiden orbital launch of its Vikram-1 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This mission, named Mission Aagaman, marks India's entry into private orbital launch capabilities.

**Key points:**
- The 24-metre carbon-composite rocket reached a 450-km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using three solid-fuel stages and a liquid orbital adjustment module.
- The launch carried commercial payloads, including a lab-grown diamond from Cosmos Diamonds, demonstrating the rocket's capacity for 350 kg payloads.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognized the mission as a historic frontier for India's space sector, noting the role of recent reforms in fostering private innovation.

**Why it matters:** This successful launch signifies a major shift in India's space industry, transitioning from government-led programs to a model that includes private enterprise for rapid, on-demand satellite deployment.

aninews.in - Skyroot Vikram - 1 lifts - off from Sriharikota , India private space era officially begins

deccanchronicle.com - Skyroot’s Vikram-1 Reaches Orbit in Pathbreaking Launch

Skyroot Aerospace Successfully Launches Vikram-1, India's First Private Orbital Rocket

**Summary:** Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalized in New Delhi on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike due to severe dehydration and weakness. He had been protesting to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

**Key points:**
- The Delhi High Court ordered medical intervention for Sonam Wangchuk, citing the need to preserve his health.
- Delhi Police cleared the protest site at Jantar Mantar following the activist's removal to the hospital.
- Protesters alleged that police used plainclothes officers to remove the activist, leading to minor commotions.
- Abhijeet Dipke, founding president of the Cockroach Janta Party, reported being detained by police during the operation.

**Why it matters:** The hospitalization of a prominent activist and the subsequent police clearance of a high-profile protest site highlight ongoing tensions regarding examination integrity and government accountability in India.

deccanchronicle.com - Sonam Wangchuk Weak, But Stable, Says Safdarjung Hospital

aninews.in - Delhi police begins removing protestors at Jantar Mantar after Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital

Activist Sonam Wangchuk Hospitalized Following 21-Day Hunger Strike

**Summary:** The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance opened in Shanghai, featuring over 300 global product launches and the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.

**Key points:**
- President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address advocating for an open, secure, and inclusive global AI governance framework.
- The event showcased over 3,000 exhibits from 1,100 companies, including advancements in computing nodes and embodied intelligence.
- China announced initiatives to provide 5,000 AI training spots for developing nations and to establish international AI application centers.
- The conference featured an 'AI Truth-Seeking Competition' to address challenges posed by deepfake technology and AI-generated misinformation.

**Why it matters:** The conference marks a significant effort by China to shape international AI governance standards and promote technological cooperation among global partners.

千龙网·中国首都网 - 中国AI产业完整图景徐徐展开 超300项AI成果全球首发

中国青年网 - 习近平出席2026世界人工智能大会暨人工智能全球治理高级别会议开幕式并发表主旨讲话

2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference Opens in Shanghai

**Summary:** The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) reported that Turkey became the third-largest market for European Union vehicle exports in 2025, with total bilateral trade reaching 37 billion euros.

**Key points:**
- EU exports to Turkey rose 24.8% to 18.8 billion euros, while Turkish exports to the EU increased 18.5% to 18.2 billion euros.
- Electric vehicles accounted for 17.4% of EU vehicle exports to Turkey, compared to 1.3% for Turkish exports to the EU.
- EU-manufactured vehicles represented 49% of total car sales in Turkey during 2025.
- Turkey exported 230,833 commercial vehicles and buses to the EU, valued at 8.2 billion euros.

**Why it matters:** The record-breaking trade volume highlights the deepening integration between the Turkish and European automotive sectors, which is critical for regional supply chains and economic cooperation.

star.com.tr - Tam 37 milyar avro: AB'nin en güçlü rotası Türkiye

haberler.com - Türkiye ile AB arasındaki araç ticareti 2025 te 37 milyar avroyu buldu

Turkey Becomes Third-Largest Market for EU Vehicle Exports in 2025

**Summary:** Japan's parliament has passed revisions to the 19th-century Imperial House Law that preserve the male-only succession rule while introducing measures to address the shrinking size of the imperial family.

**Key points:**
- The new law allows the adoption of distant male relatives from the 'old palace' families to serve as future heirs.
- Princesses are now permitted to retain their royal status after marrying commoners, though their spouses and children will not gain royal status or succession rights.
- The legislation is intended to stabilize the imperial institution, which currently has only three eligible male heirs.
- Critics argue the measures reinforce a patriarchal system and continue to exclude popular figures like Princess Aiko from the throne.

**Why it matters:** The revision addresses the long-term viability of one of the world's oldest hereditary institutions amid a demographic crisis, while sparking significant debate over gender equality and tradition.

news.china.com.cn - 日本新版 《 皇室典范 》 维持男性继承皇位制度

independent.co.uk - Japan relaxes royal succession law but women still cant become emperors

manilatimes.net - Japan enshrines male-only succession for the shrinking imperial family

Japan Enacts Revisions to Imperial House Law Maintaining Male-Only Succession

**Summary:** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a new policy to reset relations with Poland, which includes opening state archives regarding 20th-century events in the Volhynia region.

**Key points:**
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged to increase the number of permits for search and exhumation operations in the Volhynia region.
- The initiative includes opening all archives held by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, led by Oleksandr Alferov, will receive increased support to facilitate expanded dialogue.
- The announcement follows the Polish Sejm's adoption of a resolution regarding the Volhynia tragedy.

**Why it matters:** This policy shift aims to address historical tensions between Ukraine and Poland, fostering a more constructive bilateral relationship through transparency and cooperation on sensitive historical issues.

pravda.com.ua - Зеленський: Україна відкриє архіви СБУ та розвідки щодо подій на Волині

espreso.tv - Зеленський анонсував нову політику на "польському напрямку": відкриють архіви про Волинь

Zelenskyy Announces New Policy on Poland Relations and Volhynia Archives

**Summary:** Taylor Farms is preparing to recall shredded iceberg lettuce linked to a widespread outbreak of the parasite Cyclospora, which has sickened thousands across the United States.

**Key points:**
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 1,645 cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states.
- Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia have removed the affected lettuce from their menus.
- The parasite, which causes severe diarrhea, is often associated with contaminated irrigation water.
- The 2026 outbreak has already surpassed the previous record of 4,700 cases set in 2019.

**Why it matters:** The recall addresses a significant public health concern involving a major food supplier and a record-breaking outbreak of a foodborne parasite.

Quarte Bot