World News Today Live Updates on August 19, 2026 : Sergio Gor’s J&K remarks trigger Pakistan protest: Islamabad summons US diplomat, cites UNSC resolutions

• Former President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. • In Alaska, Senate candidate Mary Peltola launched her first general election TV ad, positioning herself as a leader willing to challenge her own party to prioritize Alaskan resource development.

• Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently promoted fake polling data on social media, claiming it showed her reelection campaign was gaining momentum. • The fraudulent data was published by Median Strategies, a mysterious organization that released fake polls across three states before shutting down its website this week.

• Indonesia is upgrading its hajj fund management system by implementing an institutional model that integrates strict governance with Sharia-compliant investment strategies. • The initiative aims to transform managed funds into a diversified halal investment portfolio to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of pilgrim services.

• A devastating hotel fire in Kolkata has resulted in the deaths of nine people. • U.S. Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, Mr. Gor, visited Jammu and Kashmir, affirming that the region is an important part of India.

• Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Wednesday night for a two-day official visit. • This visit marks the first time a Syrian foreign minister has traveled to Pakistan in 19 years, signaling a potential diplomatic shift.

• An explosion near a school complex in Kabul, Afghanistan, wounded at least 42 children aged 9 to 14 on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. • The United Nations political mission in Afghanistan confirmed the casualties, with spokesperson Stephane Dujarric providing the details of the injuries.

• Jacob Smith, the former deputy legislative director for Senator John Cornyn, has joined the Talarico campaign as deputy political director. • Smith brings experience from the House Science Committee, where he worked for Representative Mike Collins (R-Georgia), as well as a role as a legislative aide.

• Median Strategies admitted to releasing a fake Los Angeles mayoral poll, claiming the stunt was a "social experiment" to see how misinformation spreads through political ecosystems. • Legal analysts state that the firm's actual motive will be the decisive factor in determining if the phony poll violated any election laws.

• The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade with Iran, citing regional escalations and a deadlock in diplomatic talks between Tehran and the United States. • Turkey has dismissed claims made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "untenable," suggesting his policies are driven by the upcoming October elections in Israel.

• Polling firm Median Strategies has shut down and retracted previous polls that showed wide leads for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and former Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong. • The company claimed its data collection was part of a "social experiment" rather than legitimate political polling.

• Median Strategies has shut down after admitting that its polling data for the Los Angeles mayoral race and the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary were fabricated. • The firm claimed the fake polls, which involved candidates Karen Bass and Francesca Hong, were conducted as a "social experiment."