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Hundreds of women in pink carrying broomsticks marched in Jakarta, joining nationwide protests against police violence, corruption and lavish perks for lawmakers. The broomsticks symbolized sweeping away repression, while pink stood for bravery. Others wore green, honouring motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was killed when a police vehicle ran him over. The colors “brave pink” and “hero green” have spread widely online, BBC reported.

At least 10 people have died and more than 1,000 have been injured since the unrest began, with rights groups accusing police of excessive force. The UN and Amnesty International have urged transparent investigations and urgent reforms. President Prabowo Subianto has promised to cut lawmakers’ perks, but protesters insist deeper changes are needed to ensure fairness, accountability and justice.

Australian scientists have identified a new virus in flying foxes, adding to research on emerging diseases.

The Salt Gully virus, detected in Queensland and linked to the henipavirus family, was grown in CSIRO’s high-security lab in Victoria. While related to the deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses, researchers say there is no cause for alarm. The virus has circulated in bats since at least 2011 with no evidence of illness in humans or animals, according to Xinhua.

Scientists say the discovery will help develop tests and boost Australia’s preparedness should it ever spread to people or livestock. The findings were published in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Israeli troops have intensified their offensive in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, targeting Hamas positions. The escalation has killed at least 24 Palestinians, including children, and destroyed homes and tent encampments as residents flee under military orders, Reuters reported.

The operation aims to capture Hamas’s last stronghold, though concerns remain over risks to hostages and soldiers. The broader conflict has displaced up to one million Palestinians and caused over 63,000 deaths since October 2023. Malnutrition-related deaths, including 130 children, have also risen, though Israel disputes claims of famine.

Hamas continues to propose hostage exchanges for ceasefires but refuses to disarm, complicating peace efforts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called on allies to increase pressure on Russia after a major airstrike hit Ukraine’s energy and transport infrastructure, injuring four railway workers. Over 500 drones and dozens of missiles targeted 14 sites, highlighting Russia’s ongoing attacks, according to Reuters.

Zelenskiy described the strikes as “demonstrative” and said stronger measures are needed to weaken Russia’s war economy. He plans to discuss support with allies in Denmark and France.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said European security guarantees for Ukraine, including continued military support, could be clarified at an upcoming summit, contingent on US backing. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said peace requires recognition of “new territorial realities” and Ukraine’s neutral status, Reuters reported.

The escalating attacks underline Ukraine’s urgent need for strengthened international defense and diplomatic support.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Mexico and Ecuador to advance President Donald Trump’s priorities on combating illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and countering China’s influence in Latin America. This is Rubio’s first trip to Mexico since taking office, Reuters reported.

The visit follows a recent US military operation targeting a Venezuelan drug vessel and comes amid strained US-Mexico relations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has criticized US immigration raids and rejected unilateral military actions, though both countries are collaborating on a new security agreement.

Washington has increased surveillance of Mexican cartels and labeled some as terrorist organizations. Rubio’s talks aim to strengthen security cooperation, manage migration, curb illicit drug flows, address US-Mexico trade tensions, and ensure Mexico is not a route for Chinese goods avoiding US tariffs. Discussions are also expected to cover USMCA reforms to reinforce bilateral cooperation, according to Reuters.

OpenAI will roll out parental controls for ChatGPT within a month, aiming to help families manage teen use safely. Parents can link accounts, restrict features like chat history and memory, set age-appropriate response rules, and receive alerts if their child shows signs of distress, Al Jazeera reported.

The announcement comes amid criticism after a California couple sued the company, blaming ChatGPT for their 16-year-old son’s suicide. Experts warn AI can be risky for vulnerable users, noting chatbots often handle high-risk mental health queries inconsistently.

Psychiatrist Hamilton Morrin welcomed the controls but said broader safeguards and collaboration with clinicians are needed to make AI safer for young users.

China showcased its biggest military parade to date, rolling out long-range nuclear missiles, hypersonic weapons, drones, and air-defense lasers in a display meant to project strength and deter rivals.

The show of force was aimed at multiple audiences—the US and its allies, regional powers like India and Russia, and potential arms buyers—underscoring Beijing’s growing military reach and its resolve over issues such as Taiwan, according to Reuters.

Analysts noted, however, that while the parade highlighted China’s ambitions, some of the advanced systems may still be in testing rather than fully deployed.

Russia has pledged to support China in its push to surpass the United States as the world’s largest producer of nuclear power, Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said on state television after talks in Beijing, according to Reuters.

US currently leads with nearly 97 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear capacity, while China operates about 53.2 GW but is rapidly expanding its reactor network. Likhachev said Beijing aims to exceed 100 GW to overtake Washington, and Moscow is already contributing to that goal.

Russia has helped construct four nuclear reactors in China and is building four more. Likhachev noted China’s growing demand for uranium and nuclear fuel, adding it will likely rely on Russian technology to develop advanced closed fuel cycle reactors, Reuters reported.