Opposition

Iran's armed forces have issued a blunt statement demanding that American troops leave West Asia, declaring that Tehran 'will not retreat one step'. The message, carried by regional Kurdish media outlet Kurdistan 24, frames the US military presence in the region as unacceptable. It reflects Iran's long-standing opposition to American bases and forces in neighbouring countries, and comes amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.

India's Election Commission is facing internal scrutiny, with reports that election commissioners themselves have raised questions over alleged irregularities concerning voter lists and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal. The development has intensified debate over the credibility of the electoral rolls ahead of polls, with opposition parties likely to seize on the apparent rift within the commission.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised opposition parties for uniting against him ahead of national elections. His comments reflect growing concern within his camp over a joint electoral challenge, as rival parties seek to pool support to end his long tenure in office. The remarks intensify what is shaping up as a sharply contested campaign in Israel.

Venezuelans have taken to the streets to demand the safe return of an opposition leader and to call for presidential elections. Demonstrators are pressing for the leader's protection and for a vote that would allow a challenge to the current government. The rallies add to ongoing tensions over the country's political leadership and disputed electoral process.

The Trump administration is retreating from a plan to exert greater control over National Institutes of Health grant decisions after significant pushback. A proposed executive order that would have increased White House oversight of NIH funding appears to be dead, according to reporting by Semafor, marking a setback for efforts to centralise control of federal biomedical research grants.

Venezuela has released 39 political prisoners following a second round of negotiations between the country's interim government and opposition representatives. The move is being read as a significant gesture in the post-Maduro transition, with observers watching whether further releases and broader concessions will follow as talks between the two sides continue.

Leaders of the Israeli opposition have formed a united front with the stated aim of removing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power. The coalition represents a significant escalation in domestic political tensions, as rival factions set aside differences to pursue a common goal of ending Netanyahu's tenure.

The EU has removed sanctions from Russian businessmen Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov, and opposition figure Maxim Katz has released a video explaining the reasons behind the court decisions. Discussion centres on whether the delistings reflect successful legal challenges by the oligarchs or weaknesses in the EU's sanctions regime against Russian oligarchs close to the Kremlin.

Two Pacific hurricanes are prompting warnings on opposite sides of the ocean. Hurricane Nolo remains a threat to Hawaii, with officials watching its track toward the islands, while Mexico's Baja California peninsula is bracing for a major landfall from Hurricane Polo. Residents in both regions are being urged to monitor forecasts and prepare for strong winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding.

Powerful storms are striking opposite sides of the United States at the same time, and forecasters point to El Niño as the driving force. The climate pattern, marked by warmer Pacific waters, is reshaping jet stream paths and steering severe weather toward both the West and East coasts, prompting warnings and preparedness efforts nationwide.

EU interior ministers are gathering in Munich to discuss further tightening of the bloc's migration policy. The summit is being held in the city for the second year in a row and has drawn opposition from both ultra-left and ultra-right activists and politicians, who do not want the meeting to take place, with protests reported around the event.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is holding a live press conference at Indira Bhawan, the party headquarters in New Delhi. The event is drawing large live audiences, with viewers following his remarks on current political matters. Further details of what was announced were not immediately available beyond the live broadcast of the event.

India's Election Commission has ordered a review of recent changes to voter rolls, amid ongoing disputes over the accuracy and fairness of electoral lists. The move comes as opposition parties have criticised deletions and additions of voters, arguing the revisions could disenfranchise legitimate electors. Officials say the review is intended to ensure rolls are complete and error-free ahead of upcoming polls.

A 60 Minutes report says opposition to data center construction is emerging as a rare bipartisan issue in the United States, with Americans on both left and right pushing back against new facilities. Critics cite concerns over power consumption, water use, noise and strain on local infrastructure as communities weigh the costs of hosting the sprawling complexes that power cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Venezuela's government and opposition have agreed to work together towards reforming the country's Supreme Court, one of the most contested institutions in the country's political crisis. The two sides appointed a committee to review how justices are selected, a step watchers see as a rare instance of cooperation between the rival camps, though scepticism remains about whether it will lead to real change.

Venezuela has released a group of prisoners, according to a report from South Korea's Korea Herald. No further details have been given about how many people were freed, who they are, or why the release happened now. The move is being read in the context of Venezuela's ongoing tensions with the opposition and international pressure over political detentions and human rights.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised five opposition leaders who have agreed to cooperate ahead of upcoming elections. The opposition parties are joining forces to boost voter turnout and present a united challenge to Netanyahu's governing coalition. The accord signals a coordinated effort to unseat Israel's long-serving leader, and Netanyahu's response underscores how seriously his camp views the threat.

South Sudan's government has amended the country's election law ahead of elections scheduled for December, drawing immediate rejection from opposition groups who dispute the changes. The dispute raises concerns about whether the vote can proceed on schedule and adds tension to an already fragile political transition, with opposition figures signalling they will not accept the amended legal framework.

NPR's reporter's notebook examines why conflicts over data center construction are dividing communities across party lines in the United States. The piece reports that opposition to new facilities is uniting residents who might otherwise disagree politically, as concerns over energy use, water, noise, and land crosses traditional partisan boundaries.

The El Niño climate pattern is influencing weather on opposite coasts of the United States, shaping storm tracks and conditions on both sides of the country, according to reporting by The New York Times. The pattern typically suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity while boosting storms across the southern tier of the nation and altering West Coast weather.

England lost 3-2 to Spain in a UEFA Nations League fixture, with the BBC asking whether England have a deeper problem against top-10 teams after the defeat. Spanish players, including Fabian, spoke of building on their World Cup triumph with Nations League success. The result is drawing attention across multiple countries as fans debate England's form against elite opposition.

A nor'easter is pounding the US East Coast this weekend while multiple hurricanes track toward Hawaii, making severe weather a nationwide concern. Coastal flooding, heavy rain and dangerous surf are expected along the Atlantic seaboard, and Hawaii residents are being urged to monitor storm forecasts as the systems approach. People are discussing the unusual simultaneous threats hitting opposite ends of the country.

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid hosted leaders of Israel's 'change bloc' to coordinate strategy ahead of the country's upcoming election. The meeting is aimed at keeping the disparate anti-Netanyahu parties aligned on seat-sharing and campaign messaging, in an effort to avoid splitting the vote and to present a united alternative to voters.

Thirty-eight international organisations have backed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's sanctions regime targeting International Criminal Court officials and those assisting the court. The suit was originally filed by four US organisations, which argue the sanctions are unlawful. The broad international support highlights growing opposition to measures that critics say hinder war crimes accountability.

Amid the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, BJP leader Abhijeet Dipke has made a major announcement concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The development places the Election Commission at the centre of political attention, with the SIR exercise already drawing criticism from opposition parties over its impact on voters in poll-bound states.

England and Spain have met in the opening round of UEFA Nations League fixtures, with Spain again coming out on top thanks to a goal from Mikel Oyarzabal. Coverage has focused on the result and a wider question raised in England about whether the team has a persistent problem against top-10 opposition. The fixture drew live broadcasts and commentary across the UK, and searches for the teams' standings and head-to-head record surged worldwide.

India are taking on the West Indies in an international cricket fixture drawing attention across several countries. West Indies batter Shai Hope said his side is wary of the challenge India pose, signalling respect for the opposition's depth and form. Fans are following team selections, match conditions and how the West Indies plan to counter India's batting and bowling attack.