Europe warns of Russia’s hybrid attacks but struggles to counter them 
Former chief election commissioner calls SIR scheme illegal. 
A Corruption Scandal Is Reshaping Brazil’s Presidential Election 
US citizen injured in Illinois after ICE agents mistook him for fugitive, tried to arrest him 
At 10 years old, Smithsonian’s Black museum is undaunted amid pressure from Trump administration Editorial Team
UPI Payments: 18% GST Applies to MDR, But Customers Won’t Bear Merchant Charges, Government Says
The government has confirmed that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the merchant discount...
ICC appoints Zimbabwe’s Tavengwa Mukuhlani as deputy chair.
** The International Cricket Council has appointed Zimbabwe’s senior administrator Tavengwa Mukuhlani as deputy chair, underscoring a strategic shift toward broader representation and governance reform as the ICC prepares for the 2027 One‑Day International World Cup in Southern Africa.
The Hidden Human Cost of Kim Jong-un’s New Power
While Kim Jong‑un touts new infrastructure and trade gains, a deeper investigation shows that North Korea’s economic surge is built on the systematic exploitation of its citizens—teenagers conscripted to dangerous coal mines, “volunteer” workers in farms and factories, and diplomats coerced into illicit procurement—all fueling a hidden humanitarian crisis.
US House Passes Russia Sanctions Bill: India Faces Potential 100 Tariff Threat Over Russian Oil
The United States House of Representatives has passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that could...
Fiji Declares a National Emergency as H.I.V. Cases Skyrocket
** Fiji’s government has declared a national emergency in response to a sharp rise in HIV infections tied to increased drug use. The decree gives health authorities sweeping powers to ramp up testing, expand needle‑exchange programs, and deploy mobile clinics across the islands, while human‑rights groups warn the temporary suspension of certain liberties could set a concerning precedent.
EU proposes associate status for Canada
** The European Union has unveiled a plan to grant Canada “associate member” status, promising tighter regulatory coordination, joint research programmes and a new framework for trade beyond CETA. While EU and Canadian leaders hail the move as a milestone for trans‑Atlantic cooperation, critics warn it could create a two‑tier membership system and raise legal, political and U.S.‑related hurdles.
United Russia retains Duma majority in September election
** United Russia won 352 of 450 Duma seats in the September 2024 election, cementing its grip on power as Russia faces war fatigue, sanctions and a shrinking economy, setting the stage for new legislative priorities.
