Catawba College-YouGov survey finds support for nonpartisan election officials

• The European Commission has not yet received an official request from member states to proceed with the confiscation of Russian sovereign assets, according to representative Balash Uyvari. • Separately, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is considering revisions to a draft regulation aimed at restricting minors' access to social media platforms.

• French far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon is actively seeking an alliance with the Greens to secure victory in next year's election. • Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain have sent a letter urging the EU to reconsider using €210 billion in frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.

• Investors are pressuring the Federal Reserve for clear policy guidance ahead of Chair Warsh's scheduled speech this Friday at the Jackson Hole conference. • The market is seeking a "reset" or specific signals regarding future interest rate movements to reduce growing economic uncertainty.

• In August 2001, the Norwegian cargo ship MV Tampa rescued over 400 asylum seekers, primarily from Afghanistan, from an overcrowded fishing boat in the Indian Ocean. • The rescue evolved into a major political crisis in Australia, sparking intense national debate and becoming a central issue during the 2001 federal election.

• Former President Donald Trump praised a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding mail-in ballots, describing the decision as "great" for the Republican Party. • The comments come as states like North Carolina prepare to distribute mail-in ballots to voters starting next week.

• The Supreme Court issued a technical ruling allowing a presidential order regarding mail-in ballots to proceed toward the November election. • While Democrats have expressed significant concern over the decision, the editorial argues that the ruling is procedural and unlikely to have a practical impact on the vote.

• GOP campaign committees are appealing to the Supreme Court after the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit blocked an FCC order regarding TV election ad pricing. • The disputed FCC rule sought to extend mandatory broadcast discounts, typically reserved for candidates, to political parties and joint fundraising committees.

• The Swiss Federal Council is introducing clearer regulations for the transfer of real estate involved in international inheritances. • To enhance public safety, the government will strengthen police presence on public transport and authorize transport police to use tasers when necessary.

• Catastrophic flash flooding struck the border region of China and Nepal on Wednesday, wiping out entire villages. • More than 1,300 people are currently reported missing, including at least 700 foreign nationals from approximately two dozen different countries.

• A federal judge on Wednesday removed a significant legal barrier to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that seeks to limit mail-in voting. • In response, Democratic state officials have filed a new court challenge to block the restrictions as the midterm elections approach.

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is developing a technology-driven command-and-control system to enhance the surveillance of India’s land borders. • The system will integrate real-time field inputs through a network of command centres extending from forward border areas to New Delhi.