Iran schoolgirls stand up to a feared parliamentary force, removing headscarves and shouting

Schoolgirls in Iran are continuing to take a stand against the country’s repressive regime, this time by heckling a member of the Basij.

The Basij is a feared paramilitary force and one of the five forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp.

The girls waved their headscarves and shouted at the man who addressed them.

It comes as anti-government protests continue to sweep across Iran, largely sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.

Amini died in custody and many believe this was a result of police brutality.

The young woman’s death shone a spotlight on the regime’s brutal treatment of dissenters.  Residents also say it also highlighted the government’s general disregard for human rights.

The nationwide unrest is over two weeks old and has quickly become the biggest challenge to Iran’s clerical leaders in years.

Riot police are spread out across the cities of Urmia, Tabriz, Rasht and Tehran.

The police are particularly prevalent around universities as these institutions have been a focal point of protests.

“There are lots of security forces around Tehran University. Lots of police vans are waiting outside to arrest students,” said a student speaking to Reuters.

Other videos and footage circulating on social media show Iranians taking to the streets. Here they are chanting slogans like “death to the dictator” in defiance of the nation’s leaders.

The Basij has been helping security forces crack down on the demonstrators, often using extreme force.

But the resilience of the protesters, including these schoolgirls, shows that the regime’s days may be numbered.

Princess Catherine has visited the Royal Surrey County Hospital, in a heartwarming gesture to new mothers

Princess Catherine, the new Princess of Wales visited the Royal Surrey County Hospital in her first solo public engagement since the death of the Queen.

While there, she met with staff and new mothers, with the visit making the Princess reminisce about her own children.

The Princess held a baby during her visit and even joked that her youngest, Prince Louis, still seemed like a baby to her, even though he is now four years old.

Speaking about childbirth, Catherine said “no matter how much everyone tells you what you expect, it’s a shock to the system” and “you have this idea of what will happen but every single birth is different.”

It’s clear that the Princess loves being a mother and is enjoying every moment with her children.

Vladimir Putin announces changes to his mobilisation orders during a televised address

Vladimir Putin has appeared on state television to announce changes to his mobilisation orders.

The Russian leader has made “corrections” to the decree, meaning students at universities and postgraduates don’t have to fight in the war.

The Russian President has also signed a new law to claim the “annexed” regions of Ukraine are now officially a part of the nation.

He stopped short of defining where the borders of these so-called regions are though.

It follows, reports suggesting Russia’s military might on the frontline is dwindling, as wounded troops retreat from key areas.

Ukraine’s military is continuing to make territorial gains in the south and east, pushing into these areas Russia claims to have “annexed.”

Putin appeared to concede Russia would “stabilise” the situation in these areas.

“We are working on the assumption that the situation in the new territories will stabilise,” Putin said during a televised video call.

New images emerging online show Ukrainian troops in the Luhansk region.