Elections

• JD Vance has met with top Iranian officials as the United States attempts to encourage Iran to "turn over a new leaf" regarding its diplomatic relations. • A severe heatwave has struck Europe, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday. • To combat the extreme heat, venues like the Eiffel Tower have installed misting stations for crowds, while Spain, Italy, and Germany face dangerous temperature levels.

• Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella holds a razor-thin lead in Colombia’s presidential runoff election with nearly all votes counted. • De la Espriella is backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, while his opponent is a protégé of outgoing President Gustavo Petro. • The election is marked by significant public fear regarding a potential return to internal conflict within the country.

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit Delhi next week for high-level diplomatic discussions. • In Mexico, the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport has introduced cricket into four low-to-medium security prisons to instill discipline among inmates. • Since 2021, Mexican Cricket Association volunteers have utilized makeshift basketball courts to teach the sport's rules and techniques to prisoners.

• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Tuesday that any tentative deal to end the war with the United States must include Israel's full withdrawal from Lebanon. • Araghchi asserted that Israel's continued occupation of southern Lebanon would constitute a violation of the proposed agreement. • The demand creates a significant diplomatic hurdle, as Israel has already rejected the condition of withdrawing from the region.

• U.S. voting officials have expressed concerns that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may act as a threat to election integrity rather than a supportive partner. • The primary fear is that DHS could be used to undermine or challenge election results that are unfavorable to President Trump. • This tension highlights a critical breakdown in trust between nonpartisan election administrators and federal security agencies tasked with protecting the democratic process.

Voters have also been casting ballots in Alabama and Washington DC, where for the first time in over 10 years, the city will elect a new mayor in NovemberDonald Trump has a strong record in this year’s primaries so far – with many of his preferred candidates winning their primaries.But none have faced a self-funded rival with Rick Jackson’s spending power, the AP reports. Trump has backed Burt Jones, who, as lieutenant governor, was part of Trump’s attempt to overturn his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden, and the president has repeatedly praised Jones’ loyalty. Continue reading...

• Local election officials across the political spectrum are expressing concerns that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may undermine election results unfavorable to President Trump. • Due to these fears, numerous officials told NPR they are avoiding sharing critical voter data and security information with the federal government. • This shift in trust is significant as it disrupts the traditional partnership between local authorities and federal agencies intended to secure the voting process.