Colombia's presidential runoff winner inherits a nation shaped by paramilitary violence. Candidates Iván Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella have intertwined histories with these criminal forces, advocating opposing strategies for crime and peace.
A leak from the website of Peter Thiel's secretive Dialog retreats has revealed a guest list including top US politicians, foreign officials, tech titans, and media figures. The invitation-only events, compared to the Bilderberg Group, aim to foster non-ideological conversation but raise concerns about elite opinion shaping.
Illustrator Stanley Chow discusses the creation and viral spread of his iconic drawing of Andy Burnham. Initially created during the pandemic, the image was adopted by Burnham, then widely memed, including by Reform UK, leading Chow to take legal action against them.
Tasmanians are disillusioned with the Rockliff government's first year, marked by broken promises of cooperation, political games, and costly scandals involving ex-ministers. Despite pledges for transparency, key issues remain unaddressed, leading to public frustration and a potential shift towards alternative political parties.
Tasmania's minority Rockliff government faces criticism on its first anniversary for failing to deliver on promises of cooperation and transparency. Two ex-ministers resigned amid costly scandals, and the premier was censured. Critics point to a "toxic" parliamentary environment and unfulfilled recommendations for improving standards.
Once a source of political concern, ties between conservative politicians and billionaires like Gina Rinehart appear to be less of an issue, with Pauline Hanson's One Nation openly embracing such associations, including receiving a private plane.
Andy Burnham, Labour politician and Mayor of Greater Manchester, has won a significant byelection in Makerfield, boosting his chances of becoming the UK's next Prime Minister. His victory signals a potential shift in British politics, challenging current leader Keir Starmer.
British elections feature a tradition of joke candidates, like Count Binface and a fox mascot, who stand in elections to protest or make political points. These candidates, often seen at televised results, highlight the manual counting process and the unique British electoral culture.
Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claims EU bureaucrats are deceiving Ukrainians about their chances of joining the EU, stating Ukraine has "zero chance" due to economic collapse, corruption, and conflict. The SVR also cited fears of strengthening right-wing radicals.
A Portuguese neo-Nazi group, Lusitanian Armillary Movement (MAL), compiled a list of over 100 'undesirables,' including European Council President António Costa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, to plan 'future actions.' Six members were arrested in June 2025.
Ukraine hopes Brazilian President Lula da Silva can mediate talks with Russia, according to UOL, citing Brazilian government sources. Kiev believes Lula's trust-based relationship with Putin makes him a suitable mediator. A meeting between the leaders is not currently planned, but they might hold bilateral talks at the BRICS summit in September.
Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield byelection, a seat Reform was expected to win, is seen as a crucial lifeline for the Labour party. The win positions Burnham as the likely successor to Keir Starmer, offering a vision for progressive government.
News Corp commentators praised Pauline Hanson's National Press Club speech, calling it a "tour de force" and comparing her to Margaret Thatcher. However, some journalists, like Greg Jericho, criticized the media's handling of questions. Meanwhile, issues arose regarding press gallery passes, Qantas advertising by a newspaper editor, and a controversial appointment in New Zealand media.
The Barack Obama Presidential Center opened in Chicago with musical fanfare and speeches emphasizing democratic principles. Michelle and Barack Obama implicitly criticized Donald Trump's authoritarian approach, highlighting American values and contrasting them with his rhetoric and actions.
A shift in US Republican attitudes towards Iran is emerging following President Trump's agreement to a ceasefire memorandum. While some Republicans now acknowledge Iran's right to self-defense, pro-Israel groups are mobilizing against the deal, setting up potential conflict with the White House.
The Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) summit in London will host politicians, advisors, and figures from across the populist right, including Reform UK MPs, a crypto billionaire, and Eton College masters. The event, dubbed an "anti-woke Davos," will feature discussions on climate skepticism, Christian evangelical thinking, and US culture-war politics.
Reform UK politicians, including Nigel Farage, and a British crypto billionaire are set to attend the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) summit in London. The event, dubbed an "anti-woke Davos," will host 4,000 attendees from over 85 countries, featuring speakers like US Undersecretary of State Sarah B Rogers and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov stated that European claims of the battlefield situation shifting in favor of Ukraine are "categorically incorrect." He also commented on Donald Trump's independent views and upcoming visits by US negotiators.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson attacked Guardian Australia journalist Sarah Martin, calling her "trashy" for reporting on Hanson's daughter's employment. The media union condemned the personal attack and warned against banning journalists, while PM Anthony Albanese urged defense of public broadcasters.
Politicians are increasingly using short, shareable video clips from events like the National Press Club to reach wider audiences on social media. Pauline Hanson's recent appearance generated a highlight reel with double the views of the full speech, demonstrating the power of this strategy in the information age.
Politicians leverage social media by clipping long speeches into short, shareable videos. Pauline Hanson's 90-minute address generated a 2 minute 46 second highlight reel with over 1 million views on Facebook, doubling the views of the full speech. Experts explain this strategy capitalizes on limited audience attention spans in the information age.
A 218-page report by MP Rupert Lowe details alleged sexual abuse of at least 250,000 British girls by Pakistani gangs, enabled by authorities. The crowdfunded report, which received no mainstream media coverage, claims the abuse was racially and religiously motivated and occurred nationwide.
Kylian Mbappé surpasses Olivier Giroud as France's all-time top scorer with 58 goals, leading France to a 3-1 World Cup win over Senegal, amidst political statements and team dynamics adjustments.
Geordin Hill-Lewis, leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA), has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to replace John Steenhuisen as agriculture minister. The move follows criticism over Steenhuisen's handling of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
