India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the recent local elections in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) as a 'complete farce', citing violence, intimidation, and repression by Pakistani forces, which have killed at least 90 civilians since June.
The National Election Commission acknowledged that over 3,600 votes were temporarily omitted from June 3 local election turnout data in Siheung, prompting plans to submit the findings to investigative authorities.
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's assembly polls are marked by reports of state-backed violence, enforced disappearances of journalists, and internet shutdowns, prompting condemnation from Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir faces escalating brutality, violence, and media crackdown during assembly polls, prompting global human rights and press freedom watchdogs to urge Pakistani authorities to end the crackdown and restore communications.
President Donald Trump announced new negotiations with Iran this week, but Iran’s foreign ministry denied talks and warned it may keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, threatening global oil supply and escalating tensions ahead of US midterms.
The English and Welsh FAs, along with Finland, have withdrawn support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election, following FIFA's scrapped plan to sell tournament stakes and UEFA's criticism of "secret schemes."
Russian anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin has fled to Paris, citing intensified Kremlin pressure and the risk of imprisonment. His departure follows his designation as a "foreign agent" and being barred from participating in upcoming parliamentary elections.
Over 50 international observers from CIS and CSTO will monitor Kazakhstan's parliamentary elections scheduled for August 23. The CEC has accredited 155 observers from various countries and organizations, with accreditation continuing until August 17, for the new 145-seat unicameral parliament.
Pakistan-administered Kashmir is in a severe political crisis following weeks of deadly protests demanding electoral reforms and economic concessions. The unrest, led by the banned JAAC, has caused staggered regional elections, internet blackouts, and over 50 deaths, with voting continuing until August 10.
Vote counting has commenced for bye-elections in the Datia, Bankipur, and Manjalpur Assembly constituencies. Datia recorded a high voter turnout, while Bankipur and Manjalpur saw lower participation. Datia's district administration implemented three-tier security for transparency, with candidates expressing satisfaction with arrangements, despite accusations of partisan tactics in Bankipur.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva launched his re-election candidacy for October, emphasizing his health and stamina at a Worker's Party convention in Sao Paulo. He also vowed to boost Brazil's defense industry and protect its rare minerals from foreign interference, amid pressure from the US Trump administration.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has significantly reduced his public appearances and press conferences compared to last year. This shift is attributed to the new prime minister's policy whirlwind, scrutiny over Farage's finances, and by-election media rules, despite the party's claims of continued visibility through other channels.
Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan has appointed Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister following the Civil Contract party's victory in the June 7 parliamentary elections, where they secured 49.75% of votes.
Legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoK) faced unrest, rigging allegations, and security crackdowns. Protests by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and India's rejection of the polls underscore the region's volatile political landscape.
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) is actively building its grassroots presence and organizational network in West Uttar Pradesh's Hastinapur, Braj, and Ruhelkhand regions, encompassing about 75 assembly seats, ahead of upcoming elections, while remaining complementary to the NDA alliance.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has significantly reduced his public appearances and press conferences compared to last year. This shift is attributed to new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's policy whirlwind, scrutiny over Farage's finances including an undeclared £5m gift, and broadcasting rules during his Clacton byelection.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed his preferred squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Ashwin notably included veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar while excluding prominent players like Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson from his selection.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom released four years of tax returns, showing annual income of $1.7M-$4.2M. The disclosure comes as he considers a 2028 presidential bid and faces a Justice Department investigation he attributes to Donald Trump.
US Republicans, including Donald Trump and JD Vance, are exploiting Spain's Ceuta migration crisis to frame a narrative for upcoming US elections. They depict the surge as a preview of potential US border issues if Democrats regain power, aiming to rally voters.
New EU rules, part of the landmark AI Act, come into effect on Sunday, requiring artificially generated images, audio, and text to be visibly labeled and watermarked to combat deceptive content and protect democracy. Non-compliance can lead to significant fines.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed his preferred squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup, categorizing players into 'Yes', 'Maybe', and 'No'. Notably, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a 'Yes' pick, while Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson were excluded from his squad.
US President Donald Trump and Republicans are raising alarms about an impending "political apocalypse" and "communism" if Democrats gain control in the November midterm elections. They are linking the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to communism, despite definitional differences, in a strategy reminiscent of the Cold War-era Red Scare.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims to have struck two oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz under US military escort via an "undeclared route." The incident, which follows two weeks of renewed fighting and rising energy prices, coincides with President Trump's cabinet meeting to discuss the ongoing five-month war and its impact on US midterm elections.
Wisconsin Elections Commission warns voters that betting on elections they participate in may disqualify ballots, sparking backlash from prediction market company Kalshi, which calls the law 'voter suppression'. Experts raise concerns over election integrity.
