politicians

Telangana politician Mahipal Yadav, in a live interview on PMR TV, declared he would defeat K. Chandrashekar Rao "by any means" in the Khairathabad Assembly by-election. His combative statement has drawn wide attention in the state ahead of the high-profile contest, where KCR is a key contender.

Sweden Democrat politician Björn Söder has responded to the party's poor results, saying in an interview with Svenska Dagbladet that "we have made mistakes." His comments come amid internal soul-searching within the Sweden Democrats following disappointing electoral outcomes, and fuel debate about the party's strategy and leadership direction.

Italian politician Alessandro Di Battista, speaking on La7, revealed he fell ill due to an edema caused by a tumor that doctors had identified. He said he will now begin treatment but added that he rejects what he called the 'warrior' rhetoric often used around illness. His comments have prompted widespread interest and reactions in Italy.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has publicly criticised Scottish First Minister John Swinney over a comment Swinney made concerning the Prime Minister. The exchange has drawn attention as both figures are seen as significant voices within their parties, and the spat adds to ongoing friction between Labour and the SNP over constitutional and leadership questions.

US Senator Marco Rubio has confirmed that a 'foreign actor' was involved in a terror plot in the United Kingdom. The statement, first reported by Fox News, links the UK investigation to an overseas party, though details on the actor's identity, the plot's targets, and any arrests have not been made public. Officials in both countries are expected to face questions about the case.

Debate is growing over whether Israel's war in Gaza has shattered the long-standing bipartisan consensus in the United States on supporting Israel. Commentators point to shifting attitudes among younger voters, progressive politicians and parts of the Democratic base, while others argue American backing for Israel remains firm at the institutional level despite visible public protest and criticism.

A veteran white politician, nicknamed 'grandmother', has emerged as a surprise contender in the race to become mayor of Johannesburg. Her entry is reshaping a contest that had otherwise drawn little attention, and commentators are watching to see whether her long political career and distinctive nickname can translate into support across the city's divided electorate ahead of the vote.

Norway's parliament has opened an inquiry into whether any Norwegian politicians or diplomats had connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation follows renewed international scrutiny of Epstein's network after the release of documents detailing his contacts with public figures. Lawmakers are seeking to establish whether any Norwegian officials were named or implicated, with findings expected to shape public debate about accountability for Epstein's associates.

UK politician Andy Burnham is seeking to build cross-party consensus on Britain's relationship with the European Union, a move that risks reopening the Brexit debate, according to Reuters and the Miami Herald. The effort signals fresh discussion over how closely the UK should align with the EU nearly a decade after the 2016 referendum vote to leave.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has told the BBC that the UK could eventually go all the way towards rejoining the European Union, arguing that the current Brexit settlement has caused more harm than good. His comments put him among the most senior UK politicians to openly float reversing Brexit, and are likely to fuel debate over Labour's stance on Europe and his own leadership ambitions.

Demonstrations by various campaign groups have taken place around the Labour Party conference, with activists gathering to press their causes as party members and politicians meet. The protests have drawn attention amid the wider political debate at the event, with participants calling on Labour to act on their demands.

An electoral court in Brazil has upheld its decision to bar Anthony Garotinho from running for office, the news outlet UOL reports. Garotinho, a former Rio de Janeiro governor, says he will appeal the ruling. The veto keeps one of the state's best-known and most controversial politicians off the ballot, and his next legal move is now the focus of attention.

Skye Perryman, a Waco native and attorney, has published a new book laying out how everyday citizens can help protect democracy. In interviews around the release, she argues that democratic participation is not limited to politicians or activists, and that ordinary people have a role in defending democratic institutions. The book is drawing attention from local outlets in her hometown and from readers interested in civic engagement.

Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen, has reportedly been given tight security arrangements, with reports claiming the United States has accorded him special importance. The story, circulating widely in Nepali-language coverage alongside references to Donald Trump, Rabi Lamichhane and Sudan, has drawn heavy public attention. Commentators are debating what closer US engagement with the popular mayor could mean for Nepal's politics.

Florida Congressman Byron Donalds dismissed solar power as a 'fad', but the state's utilities continue to expand their solar capacity. The contrast between his comments and the industry's investment plans has drawn attention, given Florida's growing reliance on solar energy and its vulnerability to climate-related risks.

New research indicates that poor mental health among politicians may impair their decision-making. The findings, reported by Phys.org, raise questions about how leaders' psychological wellbeing affects governance and public policy. The study is likely to fuel debate about support systems for elected officials, who often work under intense pressure, scrutiny and irregular hours that can harm mental health.

Reuters Breakingviews has published a commentary examining how and why UBS, Switzerland's largest bank, could relocate out of the country. The piece weighs the circumstances under which the banking giant might move its domicile, a question drawing attention as regulators and politicians in Switzerland debate stricter capital rules for the systemically important lender.

Long-serving ABC finance journalist Alan Kohler has announced his retirement after more than three decades on air in Australia. Treasurer Jim Chalmers paid tribute, saying Kohler would be 'really missed'. Kohler's daily finance segments and distinctive graphs made him a familiar fixture of Australian broadcasting, and colleagues and politicians have been marking the end of his career.

With midterm elections under way, voters who traditionally focus on pocketbook issues like grocery prices are increasingly worried about a wave of food recalls and whether what they buy is safe to eat. KFF Health News reports that political leaders are taking notice of the shift, making food safety a growing campaign topic alongside affordability.