Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party, an online joke that drew millions across India, gathered for the first time in the national capital on Saturday, taking the social media movement off screens and into its biggest real-world test yet.

The protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, marks the movement’s first foray into street politics after weeks of dominating social media feeds and news headlines, attracting millions of online followers and widespread support among young Indians.

Hundreds of mostly young Indians gathered in the heart of New Delhi’s protest zone near Parliament, some with placards and cockroach masks. How many ultimately would join remained unclear, making the event an early test of whether the movement can channel its online popularity into a broader grassroots support around growing frustration among young Indians over education, jobs and economic prospects.

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online movement, arrived in the capital from the US on Saturday to participate in the protest. Police laid steel barricades at arrivals at New Delhi’s international airport.

Dipke said in a social media post that police granted permission to the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, to hold the protest, saying: “Cockroaches gather at Jantar Mantar.”

CJP organisers used social media to rally supporters for Saturday’s march, demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demand grew out of an exam irregularity controversy in May that quickly became a broader outlet for frustration over India’s education system and limited job opportunities.

Supporters chanted slogans including, “Cockroaches are coming, Dharmendra Pradhan is going!”

Participants were encouraged to bring India’s national flag and a book, which organisers said symbolised the right to education and equal opportunity for all. Organisers also urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and avoid any confrontations with police.

“Time to turn this tiny joke into a revolution,” the official CJP account on X posted on Friday.

The CJP emerged only three weeks ago to become an unlikely outlet for discontent among supporters who proudly call themselves “cockroaches.”

India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant likened critics and some unemployed youth to cockroaches during a May hearing, sparking backlash among frustrated young Indians. Dipke, a political communications strategist and Boston University student, used the insult as inspiration for a parody political party. Within a week of launching a website and social media accounts, CJP’s Instagram page had amassed more than 15 million followers.

The party has turned the cockroach into a wry badge of endurance and political articulation. Videos and memes lampooning unemployment, corruption and political dysfunction have drawn millions of views online. Parody CJP accounts also have adopted the cockroach as a political symbol and use memes, mock campaign slogans and satirical commentary.

The movement’s tongue-in-cheek messaging blends self-deprecating humour with political criticism. Supporters jokingly describe themselves as unemployed, perpetually online and shut out of meaningful influence. Beneath the humour lies a broader criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, as CJP supporters argue that ordinary Indians, particularly young people, have been left with fewer opportunities.

Young people in India make up more than a quarter of the population but face limited job opportunities, rising unemployment and growing disillusionment with traditional politics. Many young voters also are critical of Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, citing concerns over rising religious polarisation, widening inequality and mounting economic pressures.

The movement’s skeptics, particularly supporters of Modi’s party, dismiss the phenomenon as little more than a social-media gimmick. They argue the movement’s online popularity may not translate into street mobilisation and that its rapid rise is likely fleeting.

The group’s rise echoes a similar trend across South Asia of youth movements born out of social media playing a central role in anti-government protests, including uprisings in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and unrest in Nepal.

The movement still faces significant hurdles. Over the past decade, Indian authorities under Modi have sought to stamp out protests against his government, including demonstrations against a controversial citizenship legislation and yearlong farmers’ protests.

Some protest movements also have faced legal action against organisers and activist arrests, which is part of what critics describe as a broader effort by authorities under Modi to suppress dissent.

A popular business is opening its first restaurant in a Cambridgeshire city

A pair who lost their business after being told their burger van must close for “safety concerns” are opening their first restaurant in a Cambridgeshire city. Higgsy’s opened in a layby on the A15 near Peterborough in 2022, but closed this year after Huntingdonshire District Council refused to renew its licence.

The local authority said it had “serious health and safety concerns” about the number of vehicles using the facility on the layby. Owners Adam Miller and Amber Higgs are preparing to open their permanent restaurant on Cowgate in Peterborough city centre.

The menu is due to remain similar to before with a range of burgers to choose from. Higgsy’s plans to open for two split shifts a day during the lunch and evening hours. A confirmed opening date and hours are expected to be announced soon.

Following the setbacks, Adam said: “It feels quite validating because there have been lots of times when Amber and I have thought that we don’t know what the solution is.”

“To be in the position we are in now, it feels absolutely fantastic and absolutely stronger,” Adam added. The business has faced other challenges, including being affected by three suspected arson attacks in 2025.

Describing the environment the owners would like to create at Higgsy’s, Adam said: “We want somewhere that feels relaxed and natural and not like a chain.

“So, people will be able to come in with a menu that they know. Music will be playing and beers. We just want it to be really great quality food, no stress and a nice environment.”

He also feels like their restaurant will fill a gap in the market by offering a dedicated burger establishment for customers. The business has earned a strong reputation with an average of 4.9 stars out of five on Google reviews.

One person said that they were “mind blown” by the burger while another customer said it was the “best burger in Cambridgeshire”.

Another wrote: “Wow burgers! We’ve heard a lot about Higgsy’s and it does not disappoint. Extremely friendly service with a smile and good chat.”

Harry Kane’s final task of the finest season of a magnificent career is to attend to unfinished business as England’s World Cup captain.

Kane is England’s ‘Mr Irreplaceable’ – as proved when Thomas Tuchel’s side were ominously toothless when drawing with Uruguay then losing to Japan in March friendlies at Wembley.

The 32-year-old’s fitness will be Tuchel’s biggest concern as they prepare to start their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June, not simply because of his status as England’s all-time record scorer with 78 goals in 112 games, but also because they have no-one remotely in Kane’s class.

If Kane stays fit, and in the remarkable form that brought him 64 goals in 56 games for Bayern Munich this season, England’s hopes will soar.

If not, the reverse applies.

As former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC Sport: “Harry Kane is so important that if he announced his international retirement this afternoon, everyone would instantly view England’s World Cup chances in a different, more pessimistic light.”

Silverware has come late in Kane’s career after barren years at Tottenham Hotspur, when even his stunning goalscoring numbers could not bring glory.

He is now making up for lost time by winning a second successive Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, then scoring a hat-trick as they beat Stuttgart 3-0 in the German Cup final.

And Kane now has his sights set on delivering the biggest prize of all as he leads England on their latest quest to end the search for men’s success stretching back to the 1966 World Cup win.

England’s countdown to their opening World Cup game continues when they play New Zealand in a friendly at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday (21:00 BST).

Kane has suffered the disappointment of losing successive European Championship finals with England to Italy and Spain, as well as a World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia in 2018 and a quarter-final loss to France in Qatar.

Now Kane’s stellar form and fitness suggest the time might be right for England and their talisman to overcome the barrier that has brought 60 years of pain.

The Blackpool-based sibling duo have appeared on the Channel 4 show since 2017 and have since become fan favourites.

While both Sophie and Pete are often praised by viewers for their hilarious views and antics, a recent discover about the duos family has stunned fans.

As the pair are related to British comedy and children’s TV icons that also happen to be siblings.

This day 2018 with my great niece and nephew @PeteandSophie #Gogglebox pic.twitter.com/oFlNkV1ulf

— Paul Chuckle (@PaulChuckle2) March 3, 2019

Gogglebox’s Sophie and Pete Sandiford related to Chuckle Brothers stars

Sophie and Pete’s uncle is none other than comedy legend Paul Elliott and the late brother of Paul, Barry Elliott.

The connection was hinted at over the years, but never confirmed, but now Paul shared an old picture of the happy family on X, captioning the post: “This day 2018 with my great niece and nephew @PeteandSophie #Gogglebox.”

The Chuckle Brothers star also shared a picture with his niece and nephew in 2019 sharing: “Look who we had a very nice lunch with @pinklarkholme #ProudUncle @Petesandiford @PeteandSophie @llucyjohnson X.”

More recently, in November 2025, Paul shared a snap of the family on Facebook, writing, “Here’s a well-known fact that a lot of people still don’t know. Pete and Sophie from Gogglebox are my niece and nephew.”

In 2018, Gogglebox star Sophie took to X to share a touching tribute to the late Barry Elliott, who died from bone cancer in August of that year.

Sharing a tribute, she wrote: “A truly lovely and funny man to be around. You filled millions of childhoods with laughter and entertainment, including mine and Peter’s.”

Adding: “You will be sadly missed by many. Rest in peace, Uncle Barry. Lots of love from me to you.”

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Sophie and Pete are not the only Gogglebox stars to share a famous relative, as the former star of the Channel 4 show Marcus Luther had a famous son.

Marcus appeared on the show alongside his partner Mica Ven, but it was revealed that he had previously filmed for Gogglebox with his son from a previous relationship, boxer Shiloh Defreitas.

Shiloh is the older brother of Marcus and Mica’s son, Yash, while Mica has two daughters, Sachelle and Shuggy.

The career trajectories of French Open finalists Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska could not be more contrasting.

Russian eighth seed Andreeva is a teenage sensation who earned her first WTA Tour win as a 15-year-old in 2023, reaching the Wimbledon fourth round just two months later.

Becoming a Grand Slam champion has felt like a question of when, and not if, ever since.

“I’m getting closer – I’m getting a little bit more mature with every match I play,” said 19-year-old Andreeva.

Qualifier Chwalinska’s path to Saturday’s showpiece at Roland Garros has been less predictable.

The 24-year-old from Poland has never received direct entry into the main draw of a major and had only come through Grand Slam qualifying in two of her previous 14 attempts.

With little pedigree, 114th-ranked Chwalinska’s breakthrough is a lesson in what can be achieved through dedication and perseverance.

“I feel like I’m in the bubble. I don’t know what’s going on. I’m just very happy to be here,” said Chwalinska, who was a 500-1 outsider at the start of the tournament.

Families claim their loved ones were doped so often they were unable to eat or walk and suffered serious falls.

Lawyers have launched a legal battle against hospital bosses after families claimed dementia patients were left like doped-up “zombies” on a ward.

The family of former boxer George Maguire is suing NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde after he was given unprescribed painkillers – which are only for meant use in cases of extreme pain or end of life care.

The Daily Record has now spoken to several families who claim their loved-ones were heavily sedated at the Jura Ward in Glasgow’s Stobhill Hospital.

The Maguire family, from Bishopbriggs, have given statements to police, laying down their belief that George, 91, was unduly sedated for weeks earlier than one weekend that the hospital has stipulated in February this year.

And now they intend to sue hospital chiefs.

Their lawyer has told the Daily Record he believes the illegally administered drugs, believed to be morphine, may have been given to many more patients at the ward.

Jonathan Howat said the families involved in the scandal deserve answers on how strict legal protocols in the administration of the drugs appear to have been repeatedly broken by multiple medical staff.

Howat, head of Thompsons Solicitors Scotland’s medical negligence unit, said: “Reporting from the Daily Record about the care of elderly dementia patients in Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow is deeply disturbing. For families who entrust their frail and very vulnerable family members to care at Stobhill this is the stuff of nightmares.

“It seems clear from reports that elderly dementia patients have been plied with extremely powerful opiates. It appears these drugs were unprescribed and their use was unauthorised.

“This is illegal and it is right there is now a police investigation into what exactly has been going on.”

Howat added: “The health board have assured the families affected, including our clients, that the illegal drugging of their relatives was simply a one off.

“I believe that the family’s are right to suspect that the illegal drugging may well have been more widespread and have gone on for longer. We believe the families are right to be sceptical of any internal investigation which is now ongoing.

“Our legal action against the health board will help provide the families with a greater degree of clarity. They are right to demand answers and we will do all we can to make sure they get them.“

The Daily Record first told of the scandal at the Jura Ward – a 20 bed dementia ward – in February, when NHSGGC admitted that several patients had been given unprescribed opiates.

The Maguire family noted that George was left “like a zombie”, barely able to open his eyes and unable to eat.

Several other families have approached the Record to say their own loved ones experienced the same pattern of care – being given so many sedating drugs that they could not talk or eat, which led them to waste away before their eyes.

Families have also reported that the sudden sharp decline in their loved ones’ condition led to repeated falls and head injuries.

Several families have reported that their loved ones were dressed in random clothing which did not belong to them – with an alleged acceptance in the ward that they would wear anything that fits.

Families affected by the conduct of staff were summoned to the unit to receive apologies and were told that a Serious Adverse Event Review had been launched.

George Maguires’ situation only came to light after he suffered falls and was transferred to Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary – where analysis of his blood revealed the shocking presence of the opiates.

His family claim a doctor said he could have died within days if the inappropriate medication had continued.

Three months on, George is now living in a care home, where his condition improved dramatically.

His daughter Maureen Cahill, a former psychiatric nurse, claimed that after being moved from the Jura ward George showed clear signs of “cold turkey” – a slang term for severe opiate withdrawal symptoms.

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Maureen said that when they asked nurses why he was so exhausted all the time she was told – like other families – it was just a symptom of the dementia.

Earlier this week The wife of a former Scottish champion cyclist claimed his last months were destroyed by constant “doping” in the Jura ward. Ernie Scally suffered from Alzheimer’s but wife Helen believes he was still able to enjoy life until he was admitted to the Jura Ward, at Glasgow’s Stobhill Hospital in July 2024.

After he entered the ward, his family claim he showed clear signs of having been given heavy sedation.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said a Serious Adverse Event Review (SAER) remains underway following an incident involving a small number of patients within Jura Ward at Stobhill Hospit.

They added.: “We would be happy to meet with any other families who may have concerns.”

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The scheme will support eligible schools across the Diocese of Durham by contributing up to £500 towards transport costs for educational visits to the cathedral between September 2026 and August 2027.

The Very Reverend Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham, said: “Durham Cathedral belongs to the whole Diocese, and we want every child to have the opportunity to experience it as a place of learning, inspiration and welcome.

“This bursary reflects our commitment to widening access and helping schools overcome practical barriers so that more young people can benefit from the rich educational opportunities the Cathedral offers.”

The bursary is open to schools in the Diocese of Durham with a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and who have not previously built a visit to Durham Cathedral into their learning programme.

The programme is designed to encourage first-time visits and help build lasting relationships between schools and the cathedral.

Each bursary offers up to £500 per school to contribute towards transport costs for visits that include guided learning activities delivered by Durham Cathedral’s Learning and Engagement team.

Sarah Dellar, Learning and Engagement Manager at Durham Cathedral, said: “We know that the cost of transport can be a real challenge for many schools.

“This bursary allows teachers to focus on the learning experience itself, confident that support is available to help them get here.

“We hope it will encourage schools to take that first step and begin a rewarding relationship with the Cathedral.”

The scheme has been made possible thanks to funding from the Friends of Durham Cathedral.

Details on eligibility and how to apply are available on the Durham Cathedral website at www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/visit-us/groups-schools/learning-visits/school-transport-bursary.

The US military has announced that American forces downed Iranian drones in “self-defence” as tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz.

Four one-way attack drones headed toward the key oil passageway in the Middle East were shot down, US Central Command wrote on social media Friday evening, Washington time.

“The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic”, CENTCOM wrote.

US forces later struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island along the strait “to defend against further attacks”, according to CENTCOM.

“American forces remain vigilant and postured to respond to unjustified Iranian aggression in self-defense”, the US military said.

The new escalation comes hours after Reuters reported that Iran’s navy said it fired warning missiles and drones at US warships in the Gulf of Oman.

It accused the American navy of harassing maritime traffic and seizing commercial vessels and oil tankers, according to Iranian state media.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump said Washington did not need a ceasefire deal with Iran to get enriched ⁠uranium from ​Iran.

“We could get it right ⁠now. I don’t think ​they ⁠could stop ‌us if we wanted, but there’s no reason to. ‌It’s entombed”, he ‌told reporters in the Oval Office Thursday.

US shoots down four Iranian drones bound for Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command stated on social media that “The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic”.

The military is enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran’s restrictions on the vital shipping route for global oil and natural gas exports, a move that has driven up energy prices.

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It marks the latest in back-and-forth attacks straining a tenuous ceasefire and efforts to extend that truce.

Michelle L. Price6 June 2026 02:08

Calls for $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be released

A top Iranian official has said a potential peace deal between the US and Iran is weighted on the Trump administration agreeing to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

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In an interview with CNN Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei warned the US would “enter into a dark corridor” should it resume fighting.

“The negotiations are at a deadlock and Trump must break this deadlock,” he said.

“The ball is in Trump’s court.”

It comes as Iran reportedly demanded the release of $12 billion in frozen funds after an agreement is signed with the US. This money would be followed by another $12 billion, according to CNN.

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But the US has concerns that unfreezing the funds could remove a key leverage point over the regime.

Rebecca Whittaker6 June 2026 01:00

Pictured: Israel strikes southern Lebanon

Rebecca Whittaker6 June 2026 00:00

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Two men guilty of stabbing Iranian journalist in London

Two Romanian men have been convicted in a London court over the stabbing of a journalist from a Persian-language television station, an attack prosecutors say was carried out at the behest of authorities in Tehran.

A jury at Woolwich Crown Court found Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Pouria Zeraati, a presenter at London-based Iran International, was stabbed in the leg in March 2024 outside his home in the Wimbledon area of London.

He recovered from the attack and returned to work.

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Police said former professional soccer player Badea and another man attacked Zeraati before fleeing in a getaway car driven by Stana and then flying out of the country from Heathrow Airport.

Badea and Stana were arrested in Romania in December 2024 and extradited to the UK.

The third suspect, David Andrei, is the subject of criminal proceedings in Romania.

“This was a targeted and violent attack and it was the prosecution’s case during the trial that it was carried out on behalf of the Iranian regime,” said Chief Superintendent Kris Wright of Counter Terrorism Policing London.

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The jury’s verdict does not conclude that the attack was conducted on behalf of Iran, though prosecutors said the judge may determine that when the defendants are sentenced on July 3.

Iran’s senior diplomat in the UK has denied Tehran was behind the attack.

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 23:30

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Iran launches drones towards Strait ​of ⁠Hormuz

Iran has launched ⁠multiple drones towards the ⁠Strait ​of ⁠Hormuz, ⁠CNN ​has reported.

US forces have taken out at least three of them out, according to a United States official.

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 23:20

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Recap: US forces board sanctioned vessel in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says

US forces overnight conducted an interdiction of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T DAVINA in the Indian Ocean, the Indo-Pacific Command said on Friday.

“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” it wrote in an X post.

Washington has imposed a blockade on Iran’s trade by sea while Iran has fired on ships to prevent them sailing through the Strait of Hormuz waterway at the entrance to the Middle ​East Gulf. U.S. forces have intercepted multiple commercial and oil tankers in the Indian Ocean in recent months.

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 23:00

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Iran has about 22 per cent of missiles left, according to Trump

Donald Trump has said Iran has about a fifth of its missiles left, according to an interview with NBC News.

“They ‌have some missiles, they have ‌some drones. I ‌would say percentage wise, maybe ⁠21-22 per cent of their missiles. It’s a lot of missiles, but it’s not what ‌it was ​when ‌we first ⁠attacked,” Trump was ⁠quoted as saying.

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 22:56

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Watch: Trump claims US military ‘wants to’ wipe out’ all of Iran and is ‘ready to do it’

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 22:30

How the war in Iran could impact £3bn of UK pensions

As a barrage of Iranian missiles rained down on the Fujairah oil terminal, the explosion was deafening and the destruction dramatic: a brutal fire, thick black smoke stretching into the sky – and untold damage to one of the region’s crucial pieces of fossil fuel infrastructure.

Read more here by Josephine Moulds and Nick Ferris:

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How the war in Iran could impact £3bn of UK pensions

New analysis from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and The Independent finds that billions of pounds of UK pensions have been left exposed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Josephine Moulds and Nick Ferris report

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 22:00

British couple jailed on spying charges in Iran are on hunger strike

A British couple jailed on spying charges in Iran have lost an appeal against their convictions, their family have said.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were handed 10-year prison sentences in February after being convicted of espionage, which they both deny.

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The couple’s family have claimed they were not permitted to attend their appeal hearing.

They were jailed following their arrest in January 2025 while travelling through Iran during a round-the-world trip by motorcycle.

The couple are on a hunger strike, according to the family, adding that all communication between them has been cut off by Iranian authorities.

Rebeca Whittaker5 June 2026 21:30