Issues

• A new poll finds that Americans are increasingly skeptical of federal government information regarding politics, foreign affairs, and the environment. • Majorities of respondents now report having little or no trust in government data concerning these specific issues. • This rising mistrust extends to the expected results of the upcoming midterm elections.

• The Association for Asian Studies announced its slate of candidates for the fall 2026 elections. • Current members will receive email instructions to access the online ballot when it opens on September 15, with voting closing on November 16. • Shifting constraints on fieldwork in the People's Republic of China have pushed researchers toward diaspora archives, refugee studies, and computationally-tractable datasets.

• A new AP-NORC/USA Facts poll shows that Americans have become more skeptical of federal government information over the last few years. • About 6 in 10 U.S. adults report they trust government data "only a little" or "not at all" regarding immigration, abortion, elections, foreign affairs, and the environment. • This rising mistrust indicates a growing gap between federal communication and public belief across several major policy areas.

• A new AP-NORC/USA Facts poll shows that Americans have become more skeptical of federal government information over the last few years. • Majorities of respondents now report having little or no trust in government data regarding the environment, foreign affairs, and elections. • This rising mistrust indicates a growing gap between federal communication and public belief across critical policy areas.

• A new AP-NORC/USA Facts poll reveals that Americans have become more skeptical of federal government information compared to a few years ago. • Majorities of respondents now report having little or no trust in government data regarding the environment, foreign affairs, and elections. • This decline in trust suggests a growing gap between official federal communications and public belief across several critical policy areas.

• A new poll finds that Americans are increasingly skeptical of federal government information regarding politics, foreign affairs, and the environment. • Majorities of respondents now report having little or no trust in government data across these key policy areas. • This rising mistrust extends to the expected results of the upcoming midterm elections.

• Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced that the party will pursue a realistic constitutional amendment based on public demand. • He identified the Mega Special Zone Special Act as the top legislative priority for the current regular National Assembly session. • This approach signals a shift toward prioritizing immediate livelihood issues and public sentiment over rigid legal procedures.

• The Bathla Group building company collapsed, highlighting systemic issues within the private credit market. • Oil prices rose following increased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. • These events create volatility for investors and lenders exposed to private credit and energy markets.

• The AARP Bulletin interviewed Democratic and Republican candidates across 12 high-profile races for governor and the U.S. Senate to gauge their stances on issues affecting older voters. • The initiative aims to provide transparency and direct insights into candidate platforms as voters prepare for the general election on November 3. • This coverage is critical for the aging population to understand how potential leaders plan to address healthcare, social security, and other age-related policy concerns.

• The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is scheduled to dock in the Thai resort city of Pattaya after spending 200 days at sea. • Thai authorities have issued warnings regarding prostitution in the area, as the practice remains illegal despite Pattaya's reputation as a tourist hub. • The visit marks a significant logistical stop for the US Navy vessel following its extended deployment across the region.

• Thailand is strategically positioning itself as a regional hub for artificial intelligence (AI) startups to capitalize on the global AI boom. • The government has launched new initiatives specifically designed to support and empower the next generation of tech entrepreneurs. • This move signals a broader national commitment to digital innovation and accelerating technological advancement within the country.

• Severe flooding and landslides have disrupted transport across parts of Nepal, resulting in hundreds of tourist casualties. • European governments, including Italy, Spain, and Belgium, have issued urgent safety guidance and emergency contact details for their citizens in the region. • Italy is urging nationals to register via the "Dove siamo nel mondo" service, while Spain and Belgium have provided direct consular phone lines for urgent assistance.

• During a National Assembly session, legislators focused on constituency issues, with PPP members demanding a formal policy statement from the Prime Minister regarding the creation of new provinces. • MNAs raised urgent concerns over the increasing rates of violence against women, calling for government attention to the crisis. • PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui criticized federal development disparities, noting that Rs49bn was approved for the Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway while only Rs30bn was released for the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway.

US labels group ‘global terrorist’ as its legal challenge against proscription in UK nears supreme court hearingThe US ⁠has ​issued sanctions against ⁠the UK-based direct action organisation Palestine ⁠Action, describing it as a “transnational terror group”.The US Department of the Treasury labelled Palestine Action a specially designated global terrorist on Wednesday, which allows the US to freeze the assets of foreign individuals and entities. Continue reading...

• Lauren is running a campaign in Tennessee focused on providing independent solutions to everyday problems rather than engaging in ideological two-party gridlock. • She is specifically opposing a coordinated effort to eliminate the neutrality of the state's court system. • The candidate pledges to protect the constitutional balance of powers and ensure judicial decisions remain free from political pressure.

Prestige Brand Holdings has voluntarily recalled a batch of its Clear Eyes eye drops after FDA alertNearly 40,000 bottles of eye drops are being pulled from store shelves across the US over concerns about potential contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Prestige Brand Holdings, based in Tarrytown, New York, has voluntarily recalled 39,060 bottles of Clear Eyes Maximum Itchy Eye Relief eye drops because of a “lack of assurance of sterility”, an FDA enforcement report states. The FDA classified the action as a Class II recall, defined on the agency’s website as a moderate-risk situation “in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote”. Continue reading...

• Trump-endorsed Michigan gubernatorial candidate John James has accused opponent Jocelyn Benson of allowing hundreds of illegal aliens onto jury rolls. • James further alleged that more than a dozen non-citizens were discovered to have cast votes in Michigan elections. • These accusations highlight ongoing tensions regarding election integrity and voter eligibility in the lead-up to the gubernatorial race.

• An investigation into seized Puerto Rican voting machines revealed significant security flaws, although no evidence suggests these vulnerabilities were used to alter election results. • The report highlights how technical glitches, such as those seen in Maricopa County, Arizona, during the 2022 midterms, are often weaponized by political figures to claim voter disenfranchisement. • While a judge ruled that no voters were prevented from casting ballots in Arizona, Donald Trump and his allies used the malfunctions to fuel conspiracy theories regarding election integrity.

Parts of country face fifth heatwave of the summer with highs of 38C forecast this week Parts of the UK will face the fifth heatwave of the summer this week with temperatures forecast to reach highs of 38C, prompting the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning for extreme heat.The record-shattering heatwave has caused wildfires and drought in many parts of the country, with this summer on course to be the UK’s hottest since records began, according to the Met Office. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August alone. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary, Steve Wright, told Times Radio the country faces a national emergency “right now”, with wildfires seen “all across” the UK. Continue reading...

• NDA and INDIA bloc MPs engaged in a heated face-off at Parliament’s main gate on Tuesday, requiring security personnel to form a cordon to separate the opposing groups. • The confrontation was sparked by protests over "brutal" police action against job aspirants in Jharkhand and allegations regarding the theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. • The clash highlights the deepening political divide between the ruling coalition and the opposition over law enforcement conduct and religious administration.

Tehran urges US to ‘correct its behaviour’ as UAE says one of its ships targeted by Iranian missileIran has issued tough new demands for reopening the strait of Hormuz, while the United Arab Emirates said one of its ships was targeted by an Iranian missile, as a deal to open the strategic waterway remained out of reach on Saturday.Iran’s politburo-like body known as the supreme national security council said the strait of Hormuz will not open until the United States “corrects its behaviour”, with its state broadcaster publishing a statement from the council’s secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who is also a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC. Continue reading...

• Spain has issued an ultimatum to Italy following a diplomatic dispute over the potential suspension of Schengen Zone open-border policies. • The conflict stems from the ongoing migrant crisis in Ceuta, leading to a "war of words" between the two European Union member states. • Under current regulations, Schengen members are permitted to temporarily reintroduce border controls if there are significant security or public-order concerns.

• Dr. Arun Mitra warns that ongoing global wars and increasing militarization are creating a deepening humanitarian crisis that the world cannot afford. • The author emphasizes that the abolition of nuclear weapons must be an urgent international priority to prevent the threat of nuclear brinkmanship. • Current geopolitical conflicts demonstrate that military coercion is ineffective, as evidenced by repeated cycles of ceasefires and renewed hostilities.

• Israel has officially announced that national elections will be held on October 27, 2026. • The upcoming race will feature a variety of political parties and candidates competing in one of the world's most dynamic electoral systems. • The election is significant as it will determine the future leadership and policy direction of the country amidst ongoing regional and internal challenges.

Exclusive: Louisiana firm awarded tender to build rudimentary outpost to house Moroccan troopsDonald Trump’s Board of Peace, which was set up in January to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, has finally issued its first construction contract in the devastated territory: a project to build a rudimentary 150-person military outpost to house Moroccan troops, a source familiar with the matter told the Guardian.The contract, which has not yet been finalised, was awarded to Arkel International, a Louisiana-based firm that has previously carried out work with the US government in countries such as Iraq. Continue reading...

The president is constantly assigning motives, identifying heroes and villains, and telling his audience what to thinkThis was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayFrom Charles Barkley to Thierry Henry to John McEnroe, the path from the arena to the commentary box is well trodden, and plenty of politicians have made the transition from elected office to the TV studio. One man, however, insists on doing both at the same time.Donald Trump is the US president, empowered to kill terrorists, grant pardons, sign and veto bills, and represent the nation on the world stage. But when issues become thorny, as they have of late, he is wont to embrace an alternative role as commentator-in-chief. Continue reading...

• On August 4, 2026, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei reportedly issued a "final ultimatum" to President Pezeshkian. • The Supreme Leader has explicitly signaled his support for the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). • This development indicates a significant power struggle and tension between Iran's top religious leadership and its executive branch.

Police also released notes received from presumed abductors of mother of Today anchor Savannah GuthrieThe family of Nancy Guthrie issued a new appeal on Saturday for information on the whereabouts of their missing grandmother, six months after she disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona, and a day after local investigators released two purported ransom notes.“Six months ago, someone took her out of her bed in the dead of night. We have lived every moment, every breath, and every heartbeat in agony and despair ever since,” a post on Instagram said. Continue reading...