Caste

Republican-backed legislation championed by Donald Trump, known as the SAVE America Act, would require voters to show identification at the polls and provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Supporters frame it as a safeguard for election integrity, while critics argue such requirements could make it harder for eligible Americans, particularly those lacking documents, to register and cast ballots.

A debut novel that won wide acclaim on the literary scene is now at the centre of a dispute over whether it was actually written by a human. The Wall Street Journal reports that questions have been raised about the book's true authorship, casting doubt on one of the season's most celebrated publishing successes and reigniting debate over AI-generated fiction entering the literary mainstream.

Maine Senator Susan Collins is running her first re-election campaign since voting to confirm Supreme Court justices who later helped overturn federal abortion rights. Her 2022 vote for Brett Kavanaugh has become a central issue, with opponents and voters revisiting her assurances that Roe v. Wade would remain settled law. Coverage from Spectrum News and PBS highlights how the abortion decision continues to shape her race.

Tropical Storm Rachel has formed off Mexico's southwest coast, according to US forecasters. The storm's emergence comes as the Pacific hurricane season continues to be monitored closely, and residents along the Mexican coast are watching for updates on its projected path and strength. Details on expected landfall or impact were not immediately provided.

A Turkish court has convicted a comedian of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but ordered his release, broadcaster reports say. The verdict means he will not serve further time while the case proceeds through appeals. Insulting the president is a crime in Turkey that has led to thousands of prosecutions, and such cases are closely watched as tests of free speech and judicial independence.

Aimee Shalan, head of a Palestine solidarity campaign, says Palestine has become an electoral issue in the UK for the first time, with anger over Israel's war in Gaza mobilising British voters. The Guardian's community affairs correspondent Aamna Mohdin reports that the conflict is now shaping voter priorities and could influence how people cast their ballots in the election.

A leading election forecaster says Democrats winning control of the House of Representatives in the upcoming US midterms is a 'done deal'. The prediction is drawing attention as analysts and voters weigh whether Democrats can overcome historical patterns that typically hurt the party holding the White House in midterms, with control of Congress at stake.

South Sudan's government has amended the country's election law ahead of elections scheduled for December, but opposition groups have rejected the changes. The dispute raises fresh concerns over whether the vote can be conducted fairly and on time, in a country still struggling to implement its peace agreement and holding its first elections since independence.

Prem Keetanu, a new romantic comedy starring actor Veer Pahariya, is drawing attention in India. Entertainment outlet Pinkvilla has published a primer on the film, covering what is known so far about the project and its lead. Details on the rest of the cast, the director and the release date remain limited, but curiosity is building around Pahariya's next big-screen role.

Observers warn the days between the US midterms and final vote counts — the so-called 'counting window' — could be exploited by Donald Trump to cast doubt on results he dislikes, echoing his 2020 election fraud claims. The Guardian's First Thing briefing highlights the delayed-count period as the most vulnerable moment for baseless fraud allegations to spread and for officials to face pressure over certification.

CNN Brasil reports that election weekend in Brazil will bring a cyclone, severe storms and hail, according to weather forecasts. Voters heading to the polls are being warned to prepare for unstable conditions, with meteorologists highlighting the risk of damaging weather across parts of the country just as Brazilians cast their ballots.

Search interest in Brazil is surging around how to justify one's vote, with UOL publishing a step-by-step guide explaining how to complete the process online. Justifying an absence from voting is a legal requirement for Brazilians who did not cast a ballot on election day and want to avoid fines or keep their electoral standing clean.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, according to forecasters, who say the storm currently poses no threat to land. It is being closely tracked as the season's weather systems develop, but officials report no immediate concerns for coastal areas as Hanna remains over open water.

HBO's The Last of Us has added John Goodman to its cast for season 3, alongside Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander, both of whom appeared in the original video games the series is based on. Bailey voiced Abby in the game, fueling speculation about how the show will cast the pivotal character's storyline in the upcoming season.

CD Castellón are gearing up to face AD Ceuta in a Spanish league fixture, with midfielder Pablo Hernández warning it will be a complicated match requiring the team to perform at their best level. Fans are following the buildup to the clash, with Castellón urging their side to stay fully focused against a demanding opponent.

Ireland defeated Israel in a football match, but the usual post-match handshakes between the two sides did not take place because of the war in Gaza. The result itself was overshadowed by the visible tensions, with players avoiding contact as the conflict continues to cast a shadow over sporting encounters between the two countries.

Analysts surveyed by the Financial Times expect insurance premiums to increase again in 2026, continuing the upward trend in pricing across the sector. The outlook points to further cost pressure for households and businesses, with forecasters citing ongoing claims inflation and market conditions as reasons rates are unlikely to ease next year.

The play "Into the Burrow" is being staged at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis. Details about the production's plot, cast, and run are limited so far. The show is drawing attention among local theatre audiences as a new offering at the company, which is known for socially engaged work.

The celebrity cast for the next series of Celebrity Race Across the World has been announced in the UK, with Wales Online among outlets listing who will take part in the 2026 run. The show, which pairs famous faces with relatives on a budget journey across continents, draws strong UK interest each time a new line-up is confirmed, and searches for the cast have spiked.

Jeremy Clarkson is in the news on several fronts. The Diddly Squat Farm owner says he caught a so-called 'dogger' in woods near his Oxfordshire farm. He also cast doubt on whether Clarkson's Farm will return for a seventh season, and argued in a Guardian piece that British broadcasters should merge into a single platform to survive against streaming rivals.

A Los Angeles Times commentary reports that Democrats are preparing for a contested November election by running war-game exercises and preparing draft lawsuits aimed at protecting the results against challenges from Donald Trump and his allies. The effort reflects concern that the election outcome could again be disputed, and supporters see it as prudent planning while critics view it as assuming conflict before votes are cast.

French media report that the upcoming biopic about Johnny Hallyday has found its actor to play singer-songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman, according to an exclusive from Gala. The casting choice is drawing attention from fans of both artists, as Goldman was one of Hallyday's key collaborators and remains one of France's most beloved music figures.

Actress Myha'la, best known for her role in the HBO series Industry, has been named as a contestant on the UK's Celebrity Traitors 2026. The Radio Times profiled the American actress as viewers look up details about her background and career ahead of the show, driving fresh interest in who she is.

German actress Marisa Burger is leaving the long-running ZDF crime series 'Die Rosenheim-Cops', where she has played prosecutor Miriam Stöckl for two decades. BUNTE reports on how her departure is being written into the show and what it means for the series' future. Fans are discussing the end of an era for one of the show's best-known faces.

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin says it 'never occurred' to him that Jesse Eisenberg would not reprise his role as Mark Zuckerberg in 'The Social Reckoning,' the upcoming follow-up to 'The Social Network,' and suggested the salary was a disincentive. Jeremy Strong is set to play Zuckerberg in the new film, and related coverage of the cast change is drawing wide attention.

Actress Zoe Saldaña says she wants co-star Michael Kelly to return if the Paramount series 'Lioness' is renewed for a fourth season, saying 'we have him first' in a recent interview. Saldaña stars in and produces the spy drama, created by Taylor Sheridan. Fans are speculating about whether the show will be picked up again.

A full-length biblical movie titled 'The Chronicles of Enoch', dated 2026 and presented in 4K, is circulating online and drawing viewers' attention. The film focuses on the biblical figure Enoch, and people are watching and sharing the complete feature. Little verified information is available about its producers, cast, or official release status.

Searches for how to vote null in Brazil's electronic ballot are rising ahead of the 2026 elections. UOL published a step-by-step guide explaining how voters can cast a null vote on the urna eletrônica and what the practice means for election results. Interest reflects ongoing debate among Brazilians over whether null or blank votes are a form of protest.