Andrea Pirlo's potential appointment as Italy's head coach is facing political backlash due to his ambassadorial role with Russian betting company Fonbet, prompting evaluation by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
Activist Sonam Wangchuk continues his indefinite hunger strike from Safdarjung Hospital, demanding youth leaders meet parliamentarians or he be allowed to do so, following police action against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters marching to Parliament over examination irregularities and a minister's resignation.
Australian politicians, their staff, and families face unprecedented security threats, including online abuse, in-person intimidation, and physical attacks, described as the most dangerous security environment in decades. This follows a rise in politically motivated violence in the UK and US, prompting calls for urgent security reviews and a de-escalation of political rhetoric.
Forty-four EU lawmakers are pressing FIFA President Gianni Infantino to prevent Russian athletes from competing in the U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, citing Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the alleged forced displacement of Ukrainian children.
Norwegian parliamentarians performed the viral "Viking row" inside the chamber, led by Speaker Masud Gharahkhani, to support the national football team for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting a widespread embrace of Viking imagery as a symbol of national pride.
Over 100 UK lawmakers have urged the government to cancel an Israeli real estate event in London, citing its promotion of land sales in illegal West Bank settlements. Organizers deny these claims, stating properties are within the Green Line, but event details mentioning settlements have been removed.
A Chagossian delegation in the UK calls for stalled legislation to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, citing human rights and adherence to international law, after the UK's claim was deemed unlawful by the ICJ in 2019.
French parliamentarians are skeptical of the government's announced €6 billion austerity plan to offset the impact of the Middle East war, with many estimating the actual savings to be between €2.9 and €4 billion. The National Assembly's finance committee issued a negative opinion on the proposed budget cuts.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced entry bans on certain New Zealand parliamentarians for visiting Taiwan, citing violations of the one-China principle and interference in internal affairs. Beijing warned that crossing the line on Taiwan will have consequences.
Kenneth Gibson (SNP) elected as Holyrood's new presiding officer in a secret ballot, defeating Liam McArthur (Lib Dem), Claire Haughey (SNP), and Stuart McMillan (SNP); MSPs sworn in, with Gibson set to chair deputy presiding officer election and oversee first minister selection next week.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed German parliamentarians in Berlin, urging enhanced defence industrial cooperation between the two countries. Singh emphasized that Aatmanirbhar Bharat is an invitation to co-create, co-develop, and co-innovate, highlighting the complementary strengths of India's dynamic start-ups and Germany's established industrial enterprises. During his three-day visit, Singh held talks with German counterpart Boris Pistorius and other senior leaders, underscoring the strategic partnership and shared democratic values binding the two nations.
The victims' commissioner has made a formal complaint after rape survivors described breaking down in tears during a Westminster evidence session about changes to jury trials. Claire Waxman said she could not in good conscience encourage victim-survivors to participate in sessions that may cause retraumatisation. Survivors described the questioning as "pugnacious" and "threatening", with one stating she was "sobbing and struggling to breathe". Rape Crisis and Women's Aid also raised concerns about the "adversarial" tone.
