New US strikes near the Strait of Hormuz have raised fears for fragile diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israel war on Iran, despite a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire remaining in place since April. Iranian media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas as an Iranian delegation was in Qatar for negotiations.

In India, protests have erupted after authorities cancelled the NEET medical entrance exam over allegations of a paper leak. More than 2.3 million students had taken the high-stakes test, with reports that at least four candidates died by suicide after the cancellation.

A yearlong Al Jazeera investigation, meanwhile, reveals that as many as 51 countries armed Israel during its genocidal war on Gaza — including many that publicly condemned Israel, announced embargoes on weapons sales to the country, and demanded a ceasefire.

And the annual Hajj pilgrimage has begun in Saudi Arabia, with more than 1.5 million pilgrims arriving in Mecca amid regional tensions and a global energy crisis linked to the Iran war.