Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave "complete operational freedom" to armed forces to respond to Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
Mark Carney&rsquo;s Liberal Party has secured a fourth term in power following a landmark victory in the Canadian elections.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating that truck drivers have to be proficient in English.
Click on the headlines for more
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/crushing-blow-to-terrorism-pm-modi-gives-complete-freedom-to-indian-armed-forces-to-act-against-pakistan-after-pahalgam-attack-jammu-and-kashmir-9015508">'Crushing blow to terrorism': PM Modi gives 'complete freedom' to armed forces to act against Pakistan after Pahalgam attack</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/29/Ew9tQc4wZsvArpFu7Pll.png" alt=" PM Modi gives 'complete freedom' to Indian armed forces to act against Pakistan Photograph: (Reuters/Wion web team) ">
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (April 29) gives "complete operational freedom" to Armed Forces to respond to Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack, that claimed the lives of at least 27 people.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-new-path-forward-carneys-liberals-secure-victory-in-canadian-elections-amid-trumps-looming-threats-9015254">&lsquo;A new path forward&rsquo;: Carney&rsquo;s Liberals secure victory in Canadian elections amid Trump&rsquo;s looming threats</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/29/7CDHaYx8tER9AdHYMlpq.jpg" alt=" Canada's Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Mark Carney waves to supporters at a victory party in Ottawa, Ontario on April 29, 2025. Photograph: (AFP) ">
Mark Carney&rsquo;s Liberal Party has secured a fourth term in power following a landmark victory in the Canadian elections, which was highly influenced by US President Donald Trump. However, the results suggested that the Liberals fell short of a majority government.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sikh-truck-drivers-in-us-worried-trumps-new-order-says-american-truckers-have-to-be-proficient-in-english-9014942">Sikh truck drivers in US worried? Trump's new order says American truckers have to be 'proficient in English'</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/01/22/VbLD5GUOr08bVZbLRIO2.jpg" alt=" US President Donald Trump Photograph: (AFP) ">
The latest executive order signed by US President Donald Trump mandates truck drivers to be proficient in English, which has worried Sikh truck drivers.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hostile-and-political-white-house-slams-jeff-bezos-over-amazons-move-to-show-trumps-tariffs-on-price-tags-9015831">&lsquo;Hostile and political&rsquo;: White House slams Jeff Bezos over Amazon&rsquo;s move to show Trump&rsquo;s tariffs on price tags</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/29/CCkI6P3cF6KnGegax7fR.jpg" alt=" White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a news article on Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos that reads 'Amazon partnered with China propaganda arm' during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2025. Photograph: (AFP) ">
The White House has slammed Jeff Bezos for Amazon&rsquo;s &lsquo;hostile and political act&rsquo; against America. This comes after Amazon announced it would show the cost of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on the price of products.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-india-trade-deal-soon-us-treasury-secretary-bessent-says-negotiations-smoother-with-india-than-other-nations-9015725">US-India trade deal soon? US Treasury Secretary Bessent says negotiations 'smoother' with India than other nations</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/03/10PlVyP5EyAkFCu7sLoa.png" alt=" US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Photograph: (Reuters) ">
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday (April 29) said that the President Donald Trump's administration is "very close" to finalise a trade agreement with India, adding that it easy to do with India.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-liaoyang-authorities-vow-to-punish-those-responsible-after-a-restaurant-fire-claims-22-lives-injures-3-9014668">China&rsquo;s Liaoyang authorities vow to punish those responsible after a restaurant fire claims 22 lives, injures 3</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/29/00ouy0HXpy6e8efERiuQ.jpg" alt=" Screengrab from video. Photograph: (X/@nazliiozdemr) ">
In a tragic incident in China&rsquo;s northern city of Liaoyang, 22 people were killed while 3 were injured in a fire at a restaurant, authorities said. Following the fire, several regional politicians &ndash; from the governor down &ndash; have pledged to get to the bottom of the disaster and severely punish those responsible.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-support-india-guyana-high-commissioner-dharamkumar-on-pahalgam-terror-attack-9015525">Will support India: Guyana High Commissioner Dharamkumar on Pahalgam terror attack</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/29/Q60ZMDl4t580J7VzAsiG.jpg" alt=" Guyana High Commissioner Dharamkumar Seeraj Photograph: (WION Web Desk) ">
Guyana High Commissioner Dharamkumar Seeraj has extended his country's support to India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, he said Guyana President Ali 'supports India in whatever moves they are going to make to ensure that the perpetrators of this terrorist attack that they are brought to justice'.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-alleges-violation-of-natural-justice-by-belgian-authorities-files-fresh-plea-9015459">Mehul Choksi alleges violation of natural justice by Belgian authorities, files fresh plea</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/14/PeB3j3ABMpAvr4Flfuml.png" alt=" Indian businessman Mehul Choksi, accused of defrauding PNB bank. Photograph: (PTI) ">
Fugitive Mehul Choksi has filed a fresh plea before the Belgian Court of Appeal, in an attempt to prevent extradition to India. He also claimed Belgian authorities are violating the principles of natural justice.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/aamir-khans-sitaare-zameen-par-trailer-launch-pushed-due-to-pahalgam-tragedy-9015754">Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par trailer launch event pushed due to Pahalgam tragedy</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/18/q0Du2Y1v2dfMvetzjZhj.png" alt=" Aamir Khan at Macau Comedy Festival Photograph: (WION) ">
Aamir Khan&rsquo;s much-anticipated Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual sequel to the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par is one of the most anticipated films of the season. The trailer of the film was scheduled to release this week, however, it has now been delayed due to the Pahalgam tragedy. The decision was made as a gesture of respect for the lives lost in the horrific incident and in acknowledgement of the sombre national mood that has followed.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pahalgam-terror-attack-forget-about-wins-losses-i-will-host-you-for-tea-shikhar-afridis-reply-to-dhawan-amidst-india-pak-tension-9015676">Pahalgam terror attack | 'Forget about wins &amp; losses, I will host you for tea Shikhar': Afridi&rsquo;s reply to Dhawan amidst India-Pak tension</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/29/uZQvoDQBtjv2BRflfAzk.png" alt=" Shahid Afridi and Shikhar Dhawan Photograph: (X) ">
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi responded to ex-India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who had given a terse and patriotic response to Afridi when he made controversial remarks regarding the Indian Army after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.

Stay informed with our selection of the top international headlines, providing insights into significant news developments from around the globe. World | India news

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave "complete operational freedom" to armed forces to respond to Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack. Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has secured a fourth term in power following a landmark victory in the Canadian elections. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating that truck drivers have to be proficient in English. Click on the headlines for more 'Crushing blow to terrorism': PM Modi gives 'complete freedom' to armed forces to act against Pakistan after Pahalgam attack Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (April 29) gives "complete operational freedom" to Armed Forces to respond to Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack, that claimed the lives of at least 27 people. ‘A new path forward’: Carney’s Liberals secure victory in Canadian elections amid Trump’s looming threats Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has secured a fourth term in power following a landmark victory in the Canadian elections, which was highly influenced by US President Donald Trump. However, the results suggested that the Liberals fell short of a majority government. Sikh truck drivers in US worried? Trump's new order says American truckers have to be 'proficient in English' The latest executive order signed by US President Donald Trump mandates truck drivers to be proficient in English, which has worried Sikh truck drivers. ‘Hostile and political’: White House slams Jeff Bezos over Amazon’s move to show Trump’s tariffs on price tags The White House has slammed Jeff Bezos for Amazon’s ‘hostile and political act’ against America. This comes after Amazon announced it would show the cost of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on the price of products. US-India trade deal soon? US Treasury Secretary Bessent says negotiations 'smoother' with India than other nations US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday (April 29) said that the President Donald Trump's administration is "very close" to finalise a trade agreement with India, adding that it easy to do with India. China’s Liaoyang authorities vow to punish those responsible after a restaurant fire claims 22 lives, injures 3 In a tragic incident in China’s northern city of Liaoyang, 22 people were killed while 3 were injured in a fire at a restaurant, authorities said. Following the fire, several regional politicians – from the governor down – have pledged to get to the bottom of the disaster and severely punish those responsible. Will support India: Guyana High Commissioner Dharamkumar on Pahalgam terror attack Guyana High Commissioner Dharamkumar Seeraj has extended his country's support to India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, he said Guyana President Ali 'supports India in whatever moves they are going to make to ensure that the perpetrators of this terrorist attack that they are brought to justice'. Mehul Choksi alleges violation of natural justice by Belgian authorities, files fresh plea Fugitive Mehul Choksi has filed a fresh plea before the Belgian Court of Appeal, in an attempt to prevent extradition to India. He also claimed Belgian authorities are violating the principles of natural justice. Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par trailer launch event pushed due to Pahalgam tragedy Aamir Khan’s much-anticipated Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual sequel to the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par is one of the most anticipated films of the season. The trailer of the film was scheduled to release this week, however, it has now been delayed due to the Pahalgam tragedy. The decision was made as a gesture of respect for the lives lost in the horrific incident and in acknowledgement of the sombre national mood that has followed. Pahalgam terror attack | 'Forget about wins & losses, I will host you for tea Shikhar': Afridi’s reply to Dhawan amidst India-Pak tension Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi responded to ex-India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who had given a terse and patriotic response to Afridi when he made controversial remarks regarding the Indian Army after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.

Top 10 world news: PM Modi gives 'complete freedom' to military to act against Pakistan; Carney wins in Canada elections

Ecuadorans began voting Sunday in a too-close-to-call presidential election pitting the incumbent, security hawk Daniel Noboa, against a charismatic leftist challenger in a country plagued by drug-related violence.
The 37-year-old president narrowly won February's first round, but not by enough to avoid another duel against a resurgent Luisa Gonzalez, who is bidding to become Ecuador's first woman president. &nbsp;
The election has been dominated by anger over cartel violence that has transformed Ecuador from one of the safest countries in Latin America to the most deadly.
On the eve of the vote, Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency in the capital Quito and several provinces, underscoring the tense state of affairs. &nbsp;
This once-peaceful Andean nation averaged a killing every hour at the start of the year, as cartels vied for control over cocaine routes that pass through Ecuador's ports.
Noboa, the guitar-strumming son of a billionaire banana magnate, has staked his political fortunes on "iron fist" security policies and snuffing out the gangs.&nbsp;
He has deployed military to the streets, captured drug capos and invited the United States to send special forces.&nbsp;
He frequently dons a bulletproof vest to lead audacious security raids. &nbsp;
In stark contrast, 47-year-old single mother Gonzalez has pitched herself as a political everywoman, born to a humble family and transfixed with improving the lot of poor Ecuadorans.&nbsp;
She may have a growing constituency. Rampant bloodshed has spooked investors and tourists alike, fueling economic malaise and swelling the ranks of Ecuador's poor to 28 percent of the population. &nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-election-president-noboa-clings-to-narrow-lead-as-runoff-looms-8707915">Ecuador election: President Noboa clings to narrow lead as runoff looms</a>
"We hope that this Sunday, at last things will get better, that they leave us to work in peace and that calm returns," 61-year cafeteria manager Marcelo Salgado told AFP.&nbsp;
<h2>'Born with a problem'</h2>
Ecuador faces two very different paths depending on which candidate wins.&nbsp;
A Noboa win would likely see him double down on hardline security policies and nurturing a budding bromance with US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;
If Gonzalez wins, it would signal a sharp shift to the left and a likely cooling of Ecuador's relations with the United States.&nbsp;
Gonzalez is closely allied with ex-president Rafael Correa, who delighted in lobbing barbs at Washington during his decade in office.&nbsp;
He now lives in exile in Belgium, avoiding a corruption conviction he claims is politically motivated. He remains a deeply polarizing figure in his homeland.&nbsp;
In February's first round of voting less than a percentage point, or 17,000 votes, separated Noboa and Gonzalez. &nbsp;
On Sunday, with more than a dozen also-ran candidates shorn from the ballot, hundreds of thousands of votes are up for grabs.&nbsp;
Gonzalez has the backing of powerful indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, who won half a million votes in the first round. But it is unclear if his voters will remain united. &nbsp;
About 13.7 million Ecuadorans are obliged to vote, with ballots being cast between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm (1200 and 2200 GMT).&nbsp;
Both candidates on Thursday held final campaign events in Guayaquil, the country's largest city, economic capital and the epicenter of drug violence. &nbsp;
Gonzalez made a late play for women voters, proposing low-interest loans of up to $40,000 for single mothers. &nbsp;
During Noboa's time in power, she said, "violence, poverty and unemployment has hit us women hardest."&nbsp;
Noboa presented himself as an outsider and the candidate of change. &nbsp;
"The country does not deserve to be mistreated by the same old politicians," he said, targeting his rival's ties with former president Correa. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Some analysts fear a tight result could spark claims of fraud and lead to a government with a weak mandate. &nbsp;
"If the difference is very small, the government will be born with a problem: It has almost half the country against it, and that weighs heavily, making it more difficult to govern," said Simon Pachano of the social sciences institute FLACSO.&nbsp;

World | The election has been dominated by anger over cartel violence that has transformed Ecuador from one of the safest countries in Latin America to the most deadly.

Ecuadorans began voting Sunday in a too-close-to-call presidential election pitting the incumbent, security hawk Daniel Noboa, against a charismatic leftist challenger in a country plagued by drug-related violence. The 37-year-old president narrowly won February's first round, but not by enough to avoid another duel against a resurgent Luisa Gonzalez, who is bidding to become Ecuador's first woman president. The election has been dominated by anger over cartel violence that has transformed Ecuador from one of the safest countries in Latin America to the most deadly. On the eve of the vote, Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency in the capital Quito and several provinces, underscoring the tense state of affairs. This once-peaceful Andean nation averaged a killing every hour at the start of the year, as cartels vied for control over cocaine routes that pass through Ecuador's ports. Noboa, the guitar-strumming son of a billionaire banana magnate, has staked his political fortunes on "iron fist" security policies and snuffing out the gangs. He has deployed military to the streets, captured drug capos and invited the United States to send special forces. He frequently dons a bulletproof vest to lead audacious security raids. In stark contrast, 47-year-old single mother Gonzalez has pitched herself as a political everywoman, born to a humble family and transfixed with improving the lot of poor Ecuadorans. She may have a growing constituency. Rampant bloodshed has spooked investors and tourists alike, fueling economic malaise and swelling the ranks of Ecuador's poor to 28 percent of the population. Also read | Ecuador election: President Noboa clings to narrow lead as runoff looms "We hope that this Sunday, at last things will get better, that they leave us to work in peace and that calm returns," 61-year cafeteria manager Marcelo Salgado told AFP. 'Born with a problem' Ecuador faces two very different paths depending on which candidate wins. A Noboa win would likely see him double down on hardline security policies and nurturing a budding bromance with US President Donald Trump. If Gonzalez wins, it would signal a sharp shift to the left and a likely cooling of Ecuador's relations with the United States. Gonzalez is closely allied with ex-president Rafael Correa, who delighted in lobbing barbs at Washington during his decade in office. He now lives in exile in Belgium, avoiding a corruption conviction he claims is politically motivated. He remains a deeply polarizing figure in his homeland. In February's first round of voting less than a percentage point, or 17,000 votes, separated Noboa and Gonzalez. On Sunday, with more than a dozen also-ran candidates shorn from the ballot, hundreds of thousands of votes are up for grabs. Gonzalez has the backing of powerful indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, who won half a million votes in the first round. But it is unclear if his voters will remain united. About 13.7 million Ecuadorans are obliged to vote, with ballots being cast between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm (1200 and 2200 GMT). Both candidates on Thursday held final campaign events in Guayaquil, the country's largest city, economic capital and the epicenter of drug violence. Gonzalez made a late play for women voters, proposing low-interest loans of up to $40,000 for single mothers. During Noboa's time in power, she said, "violence, poverty and unemployment has hit us women hardest." Noboa presented himself as an outsider and the candidate of change. "The country does not deserve to be mistreated by the same old politicians," he said, targeting his rival's ties with former president Correa. Some analysts fear a tight result could spark claims of fraud and lead to a government with a weak mandate. "If the difference is very small, the government will be born with a problem: It has almost half the country against it, and that weighs heavily, making it more difficult to govern," said Simon Pachano of the social sciences institute FLACSO.

Ecuador votes in razor-close presidential election

As India approaches the final phase of its mega general elections, innovative machine translation tools are revolutionising the landscape of information dissemination which ensures Indian voters receive accurate and timely information in multiple languages.&nbsp;

Wikimedia Foundation's Machine in Translation (MinT) along with IIT Madras’s AI4Bharat IndicTrans2 has been taking the lead in this process. AI4Bharat at IIT Madras is an initiative that focuses on building open-source language AI for Indian languages, including datasets, models etc.

MinT, integrated with the Indian AI tool, supports Wikipedia editors in translating content into over 250 languages, including 22 languages in India, making it one of the biggest translation systems online. This integration simplifies the translation process, empowering Wikipedia's global volunteer editor base of 265,000 to ensure the accessibility of reliable information.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-indias-eam-casts-a-vote-and-gets-a-certificate-heres-how-you-can-also-grab-one-725214">Lok Sabha Elections 2024: India's EAM casts a vote and gets a certificate. Here's how you can also grab one</a>

Principal Designer at the Wikimedia Foundation, Pau Giner, highlights the significance of these tools in democratising access to information. He said, "The Wikimedia Foundation’s vision is a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge."

IndicTrans2, developed by AI4Bharat, enhances translation quality for Indian languages, covering all 22 scheduled languages of India, many of which lack support from any other translation services. "The integration of the IndicTrans2 system will not just help increase contributions in Indian languages on Wikipedia, but it will also help improve the quality of machine translations available in these local languages," notes Pau Giner.

Watch:&nbsp;India General Election 2024: India votes in phase 6 of Lok Sabha elections

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-general-election-2024-india-votes-in-phase-6-of-lok-sabha-elections-725184/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

One notable success story is the Santali language Wikipedia, which has experienced an increase in content creation since the deployment of AI tools, leading to an overall increase of 30% in the number of articles.

Amidst the election fervour, AI has emerged as a key tool in misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Deep fake videos and false content targeting public figures like Bollywood stars, cricketers, politicians, and even journalists have been a significant challenge. However, AI-driven solutions are helping to verify information online.

As India approaches the final phase of its mega general elections, innovative machine translation tools are revolutionising the landscape of information dissemination which ensures Indian voters receive accurate and timely information in multiple languages.

As India approaches the final phase of its mega general elections, innovative machine translation tools are revolutionising the landscape of information dissemination which ensures Indian voters receive accurate and timely information in multiple languages. Wikimedia Foundation's Machine in Translation (MinT) along with IIT Madras’s AI4Bharat IndicTrans2 has been taking the lead in this process. AI4Bharat at IIT Madras is an initiative that focuses on building open-source language AI for Indian languages, including datasets, models etc. MinT, integrated with the Indian AI tool, supports Wikipedia editors in translating content into over 250 languages, including 22 languages in India, making it one of the biggest translation systems online. This integration simplifies the translation process, empowering Wikipedia's global volunteer editor base of 265,000 to ensure the accessibility of reliable information. Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: India's EAM casts a vote and gets a certificate. Here's how you can also grab one Principal Designer at the Wikimedia Foundation, Pau Giner, highlights the significance of these tools in democratising access to information. He said, "The Wikimedia Foundation’s vision is a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge." IndicTrans2, developed by AI4Bharat, enhances translation quality for Indian languages, covering all 22 scheduled languages of India, many of which lack support from any other translation services. "The integration of the IndicTrans2 system will not just help increase contributions in Indian languages on Wikipedia, but it will also help improve the quality of machine translations available in these local languages," notes Pau Giner. Watch: India General Election 2024: India votes in phase 6 of Lok Sabha elections One notable success story is the Santali language Wikipedia, which has experienced an increase in content creation since the deployment of AI tools, leading to an overall increase of 30% in the number of articles. Amidst the election fervour, AI has emerged as a key tool in misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Deep fake videos and false content targeting public figures like Bollywood stars, cricketers, politicians, and even journalists have been a significant challenge. However, AI-driven solutions are helping to verify information online.

Amid elections, Wikipedia relies on Indian AI for regional content translation

Six Indian political parties on Wednesday (Feb 28) collectively declared an income of approximately 430.18 million USD (Rs 3077 crore) for the fiscal year (FY) 2022-23, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said.

Among them, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded the highest income of Rs 2361 crore.

The second-highest in the list was Congress which reported an income of Rs 452.375 crore, which comprises 14.70 per cent of the total income of the six national parties.&nbsp;

Besides the BJP and the Congress, BSP, AAP, NPP and CPI-M declared their income.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-pradesh-political-crisis-speaker-disqualifies-6-congress-mlas-who-cross-voted-for-bjp-695045">Himachal Pradesh political crisis: Speaker disqualifies 6 Congress MLAs who cross-voted for BJP</a>

<h2>Top points</h2>

-The ADR citing records submitted to the Election Commission said&nbsp;that between the fiscal year 2021-22 and 2022-23, the income of the BJP increased by 23.15 per cent. It shot by&nbsp;Rs 443.724 crore to record&nbsp;Rs 2360.844 crore during the FY 2022-23, from&nbsp;Rs 1917.12 crore during FY 2021-22.

&nbsp;-The National People's Party (NPP)'s income increased by 1502.12 per cent or Rs 7.09 crore from Rs 47.20 lakh during FY 2021-22 to Rs 7.562 crore during FY 2022-23.

-Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s income similarly increased by 91.23 per cent (Rs 40.631 crore) from Rs 44.539 crore during FY 2021-22 to Rs 85.17 crore during FY 2022-23.

-The income of the Congress, CPI (M) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) dropped by 16.42 per cent (Rs 88.90 crore), 12.68 per cent (Rs 20.575 crore) and 33.14 per cent (Rs 14.508 crore) respectively, between the 2021-22 fiscal and 2022-23 fiscal, the ADR noted.

-It further stated that the total income declared by BJP waf Rs 2360.844 crore during FY 2022-23. However, it spent only 57.68 per cent of the total money.

- Congress' expenditure on the other hand was Rs 467.135 crore, whereas it reported an income of Rs 452.375.

- The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))'s total income was reported as Rs 141.661 crore while its expenditure was Rs 106.067 crore.

- AAP's expenditure exceeded its total income by 19.82 per cent as the income was Rs 85.17 crore while it spent Rs 102.051 crore.

(With inputs from agencies)

Six Indian political parties on Wednesday (Feb 28) collectively declared an income of approximately 430.18 million USD (Rs 3077 crore) for the fiscal year (FY) 2022-23, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said.

Six Indian political parties on Wednesday (Feb 28) collectively declared an income of approximately 430.18 million USD (Rs 3077 crore) for the fiscal year (FY) 2022-23, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said. Among them, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded the highest income of Rs 2361 crore. The second-highest in the list was Congress which reported an income of Rs 452.375 crore, which comprises 14.70 per cent of the total income of the six national parties. Besides the BJP and the Congress, BSP, AAP, NPP and CPI-M declared their income. Also read: Himachal Pradesh political crisis: Speaker disqualifies 6 Congress MLAs who cross-voted for BJP Top points -The ADR citing records submitted to the Election Commission said that between the fiscal year 2021-22 and 2022-23, the income of the BJP increased by 23.15 per cent. It shot by Rs 443.724 crore to record Rs 2360.844 crore during the FY 2022-23, from Rs 1917.12 crore during FY 2021-22. -The National People's Party (NPP)'s income increased by 1502.12 per cent or Rs 7.09 crore from Rs 47.20 lakh during FY 2021-22 to Rs 7.562 crore during FY 2022-23. -Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s income similarly increased by 91.23 per cent (Rs 40.631 crore) from Rs 44.539 crore during FY 2021-22 to Rs 85.17 crore during FY 2022-23. -The income of the Congress, CPI (M) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) dropped by 16.42 per cent (Rs 88.90 crore), 12.68 per cent (Rs 20.575 crore) and 33.14 per cent (Rs 14.508 crore) respectively, between the 2021-22 fiscal and 2022-23 fiscal, the ADR noted. -It further stated that the total income declared by BJP waf Rs 2360.844 crore during FY 2022-23. However, it spent only 57.68 per cent of the total money. - Congress' expenditure on the other hand was Rs 467.135 crore, whereas it reported an income of Rs 452.375. - The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))'s total income was reported as Rs 141.661 crore while its expenditure was Rs 106.067 crore. - AAP's expenditure exceeded its total income by 19.82 per cent as the income was Rs 85.17 crore while it spent Rs 102.051 crore. (With inputs from agencies)

India's national parties declare income, ruling BJP leads with highest share

From India to the United States, more than 50 countries across the world with a combined population of 4.2 billion are expected to hold national and/or local elections in 2024, making it the biggest election year in history. But as voters from various nations head to polls, who are they voting for? What is their decision being based on? Policies? Politicians? Or did AI-generated propaganda manage to sway their opinion?

The historic election year is also taking place at a critical time when experts across the globe are calling on world leaders to regulate the rampant growth of AI, warning about its alarming impact on society, including the elections. Here’s how AI-generated propaganda poses a threat to election integrity.

<h2>AI v/s government officials</h2>

Last week, Google’s new AI-powered chatbot Gemini came under fire after it suggested that some experts believe that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/google-ai-tools-fascist-modi-response-angers-india-heres-what-exactly-happened-694087">“fascist”.</a>&nbsp;

India’s Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar slammed Google accusing Gemini of violating the country’s IT laws.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas | OpenAI's text-to-video AI generator: All about Sora

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The Indian PM who <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-says-world-is-assured-he-is-returning-for-third-term-in-power-top-points-691450">remains&nbsp;optimistic</a> over his return to power for a third consecutive term is set to contest the general election which is expected to take place in the upcoming months, and while this particular incident may not affect his chances to possibly be re-elected, it does raise bigger concerns.&nbsp;

A study conducted by researchers at Stanford University and Georgetown University in the US has found that AI-generated propaganda is just as effective as propaganda written by humans. In this study, researchers also noted that people spreading propaganda could easily use AI to flood online platforms with such information and mass-produce propaganda with minimal effort.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

In the US, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/political-consultant-steve-kramer-owns-up-to-biden-robocall-says-wanted-to-flag-dangers-of-ai-693900">robocall that impersonated</a> President Joe Biden using AI appealed to more than 5,000 New Hampshire voters to not vote in the presidential primary and save their votes for the general elections to be held in November.&nbsp;

The move not only sparked outrage among the voters but also investigations by watchdogs and election officials. This incident prompted the US to outlaw robocalls which use voices generated by AI within weeks.&nbsp;

In the United Kingdom, Home Secretary James Cleverly warned that criminals and “malign actors” could use AI-generated “deepfakes” to rig the general elections. &nbsp;

He also spoke about how people working on behalf of states such as Russia and Iran could generate thousands of deepfakes to manipulate the democratic process.&nbsp;

“The era of deepfake and AI-generated content to mislead and disrupt is already in play,” he told the Times in an interview. He added, “The landscape it is inserted into needs its rules, transparency and safeguards for its users.”

<h2>AI-generated propaganda is persuasive</h2>

In 2022, the release of ChatGPT marked a pivotal moment in the development of AI, and despite being around for less than two years, it has become powerful enough to impact elections across the world.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/googles-ai-model-gemini-faces-shut-down-calls-after-refusing-to-answer-whether-musk-or-hitler-is-worse-693924">'Who is worse? Musk or Hitler?' Google's AI model Gemini faces shutdown calls for refusing to answer question</a>

The previously mentioned study published in the peer-reviewed journal PNAS Nexus used OpenAI’s GPT-3 model – the predecessor and less capable version of the current GPT-4 &nbsp;– to generate propaganda news articles with prompts such as drone strikes, sanctions against Iran, and US involvement in Syria.

The topics covered six main propaganda topics including conspiracy that the US created fake reports that said Syria’s government used chemical weapons and Saudi Arabia committed funding for the US-Mexico border wall.&nbsp;

These topics likely originated from Iranian or Russian state-aligned covert propaganda campaigns which were identified by investigative journalists or researchers.&nbsp;

More than 8,200 Americans who participated in the study were shown real propaganda articles as well as AI-generated ones. The findings were shocking as 43.5 per cent of people agreed with the claims after reading the AI-generated articles and 47.4 per cent believed the real propaganda article.&nbsp;

“This suggests that propagandists could use GPT-3 to generate persuasive articles with minimal human effort, by using existing articles on unrelated topics to guide GPT-3 about the style and length of new articles,” the researchers noted.&nbsp;

The authors of the study also believe that AI could also be used to generate fake social media posts, comments, and even audio and video clips.&nbsp;

“With AI, actors – could quickly and cheaply generate many articles that convey a single narrative, while also varying in style and wording. This approach would increase the volume of propaganda, while also making it harder to detect,” said the team of researchers.&nbsp;

<h2>‘It’s already happening’</h2>

In 2023, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, which created ChatGPT, testified before the US Congress saying that the regulation of the “increasingly powerful models” of AI is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/openai-ceo-testifies-before-us-congress-calls-regulation-of-artificial-intelligence-critical-593057">“critical” to mitigate the risks</a> the technology poses.&nbsp;

Altman also spoke about how the use of AI to interfere with election integrity is a “significant area of concern” and nearly a year later he may be right. As of now, there is very little evidence of AI-generated content shaping voters’ opinions, but it is not entirely outside the realm of possibility.&nbsp;

For example, it was not immediately clear if Biden’s fake AI-generated robocall prevented voters from turning out to vote in New Hampshire but it doesn’t matter, said Lisa Gilbert, executive vice-president of Public Citizen, advocating for regulation of AI’s use in politics in the US.&nbsp;

“I don’t think we need to wait to see how many people got deceived to understand that that was the point,” Gilbert said, as quoted by the Guardian.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ai-chatbot-allowing-users-to-talk-with-hitler-nazi-figures-sparks-radicalisation-fears-689632">AI chatbots allowing users to talk with Hitler, Nazi figures spark radicalisation fears</a>

What happened in the US is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to AI’s possible impact on elections. In Slovakia, days ahead of the pivotal election, earlier this month, a damning audio of one of the top candidates went viral, reported CNN.

In the clip, a pro-NATO candidate Michal Šimečka was reportedly heard boasting about how he rigged the election. Again, while the number of votes swayed by the leaked audio remains uncertain, the reportedly AI-generated clip sparked concerns among US officials ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.&nbsp;

In Indonesia, posters and billboards of a “doe-eyed cartoon version” of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brutal-general-turned-tiktok-star-prabowo-subianto-sets-eyes-on-indonesian-presidency-664965">Prabowo Subianto</a>, generated by AI, were placed across the country, reported Reuters. The retired general best known for his past brutalities soon came to be known as a TikTok sensation and was described as a delight among Gen Z voters.&nbsp;

The AI-generated cartoon had been central to Prabowo’s electoral rebranding. “I’ll vote for him because he’s gemoy (Indonesian slang for cute and cuddly),” Fika Juliana Putri, 19, a first-time voter told Reuters. She added, “That’s the main reason.”&nbsp;

As experts continue to warn about AI supercharging online disinformation campaigns, some have also said that voters may be more prepared for what’s happening than officials may think.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/expert-voice-simplifying-your-investment-journey-with-ai-694181">Expert Voice: Simplifying your investment journey with AI</a>

“Voters are way more savvy than we give them credit for,” said Katie Harbath, former Facebook employee and now working on trust and safety issues with tech companies, as quoted by the Guardian.&nbsp;

She added, “They might be overwhelmed but they understand what’s going on in the information environment.”

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

From India to the United States, more than 50 countries across the world with a combined population of 4.2 billion are expected to hold national and/or local elections in 2024, making it the biggest election year in history.

From India to the United States, more than 50 countries across the world with a combined population of 4.2 billion are expected to hold national and/or local elections in 2024, making it the biggest election year in history. But as voters from various nations head to polls, who are they voting for? What is their decision being based on? Policies? Politicians? Or did AI-generated propaganda manage to sway their opinion? The historic election year is also taking place at a critical time when experts across the globe are calling on world leaders to regulate the rampant growth of AI, warning about its alarming impact on society, including the elections. Here’s how AI-generated propaganda poses a threat to election integrity. AI v/s government officials Last week, Google’s new AI-powered chatbot Gemini came under fire after it suggested that some experts believe that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies are “fascist”. India’s Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar slammed Google accusing Gemini of violating the country’s IT laws. WATCH | Gravitas | OpenAI's text-to-video AI generator: All about Sora The Indian PM who remains optimistic over his return to power for a third consecutive term is set to contest the general election which is expected to take place in the upcoming months, and while this particular incident may not affect his chances to possibly be re-elected, it does raise bigger concerns. A study conducted by researchers at Stanford University and Georgetown University in the US has found that AI-generated propaganda is just as effective as propaganda written by humans. In this study, researchers also noted that people spreading propaganda could easily use AI to flood online platforms with such information and mass-produce propaganda with minimal effort. In the US, a robocall that impersonated President Joe Biden using AI appealed to more than 5,000 New Hampshire voters to not vote in the presidential primary and save their votes for the general elections to be held in November. The move not only sparked outrage among the voters but also investigations by watchdogs and election officials. This incident prompted the US to outlaw robocalls which use voices generated by AI within weeks. In the United Kingdom, Home Secretary James Cleverly warned that criminals and “malign actors” could use AI-generated “deepfakes” to rig the general elections. He also spoke about how people working on behalf of states such as Russia and Iran could generate thousands of deepfakes to manipulate the democratic process. “The era of deepfake and AI-generated content to mislead and disrupt is already in play,” he told the Times in an interview. He added, “The landscape it is inserted into needs its rules, transparency and safeguards for its users.” AI-generated propaganda is persuasive In 2022, the release of ChatGPT marked a pivotal moment in the development of AI, and despite being around for less than two years, it has become powerful enough to impact elections across the world. Also Read | 'Who is worse? Musk or Hitler?' Google's AI model Gemini faces shutdown calls for refusing to answer question The previously mentioned study published in the peer-reviewed journal PNAS Nexus used OpenAI’s GPT-3 model – the predecessor and less capable version of the current GPT-4 – to generate propaganda news articles with prompts such as drone strikes, sanctions against Iran, and US involvement in Syria. The topics covered six main propaganda topics including conspiracy that the US created fake reports that said Syria’s government used chemical weapons and Saudi Arabia committed funding for the US-Mexico border wall. These topics likely originated from Iranian or Russian state-aligned covert propaganda campaigns which were identified by investigative journalists or researchers. More than 8,200 Americans who participated in the study were shown real propaganda articles as well as AI-generated ones. The findings were shocking as 43.5 per cent of people agreed with the claims after reading the AI-generated articles and 47.4 per cent believed the real propaganda article. “This suggests that propagandists could use GPT-3 to generate persuasive articles with minimal human effort, by using existing articles on unrelated topics to guide GPT-3 about the style and length of new articles,” the researchers noted. The authors of the study also believe that AI could also be used to generate fake social media posts, comments, and even audio and video clips. “With AI, actors – could quickly and cheaply generate many articles that convey a single narrative, while also varying in style and wording. This approach would increase the volume of propaganda, while also making it harder to detect,” said the team of researchers. ‘It’s already happening’ In 2023, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, which created ChatGPT, testified before the US Congress saying that the regulation of the “increasingly powerful models” of AI is “critical” to mitigate the risks the technology poses. Altman also spoke about how the use of AI to interfere with election integrity is a “significant area of concern” and nearly a year later he may be right. As of now, there is very little evidence of AI-generated content shaping voters’ opinions, but it is not entirely outside the realm of possibility. For example, it was not immediately clear if Biden’s fake AI-generated robocall prevented voters from turning out to vote in New Hampshire but it doesn’t matter, said Lisa Gilbert, executive vice-president of Public Citizen, advocating for regulation of AI’s use in politics in the US. “I don’t think we need to wait to see how many people got deceived to understand that that was the point,” Gilbert said, as quoted by the Guardian. Also Read | AI chatbots allowing users to talk with Hitler, Nazi figures spark radicalisation fears What happened in the US is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to AI’s possible impact on elections. In Slovakia, days ahead of the pivotal election, earlier this month, a damning audio of one of the top candidates went viral, reported CNN. In the clip, a pro-NATO candidate Michal Šimečka was reportedly heard boasting about how he rigged the election. Again, while the number of votes swayed by the leaked audio remains uncertain, the reportedly AI-generated clip sparked concerns among US officials ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. In Indonesia, posters and billboards of a “doe-eyed cartoon version” of Prabowo Subianto, generated by AI, were placed across the country, reported Reuters. The retired general best known for his past brutalities soon came to be known as a TikTok sensation and was described as a delight among Gen Z voters. The AI-generated cartoon had been central to Prabowo’s electoral rebranding. “I’ll vote for him because he’s gemoy (Indonesian slang for cute and cuddly),” Fika Juliana Putri, 19, a first-time voter told Reuters. She added, “That’s the main reason.” As experts continue to warn about AI supercharging online disinformation campaigns, some have also said that voters may be more prepared for what’s happening than officials may think. Also Read | Expert Voice: Simplifying your investment journey with AI “Voters are way more savvy than we give them credit for,” said Katie Harbath, former Facebook employee and now working on trust and safety issues with tech companies, as quoted by the Guardian. She added, “They might be overwhelmed but they understand what’s going on in the information environment.” (With inputs from agencies)

Explained: How AI-generated propaganda poses a real threat this historic election year

The World Economic Forum (WEF) warned on Wednesday (Jan&nbsp;10) that artificial intelligence (AI) driven misinformation and disinformation will pose great global risk this year and the next, especially, with elections lined-up in major countries and economies. In its Global Risks Report 2024, the WEF has also warned of challenges and threats due to war, climate change and cost-of-living crisis. The report has been released ahead of annual meeting of political and business elites in Davos which is due to take place next week.

"Misinformation and disinformation are biggest short-term risks, while extreme weather and critical change to Earth systems are greatest long-term concern," the report said.

"Concerns over a persistent cost-of-living crisis and the intertwined risks of AI-driven misinformation and disinformation, and societal polarization dominated the risks outlook for 2024," it added.&nbsp;

Misinformation is incorrect information while disinformation is false information spread with an aim of deceiving people.

Watch | Israel-Hamas War: Israel ramps up attacks despite mounting pressure

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In its report, WEF also noted that "with several live conflicts under way, underlying geopolitical tensions and corroding societal resilience risk are creating conflict contagion".

For the WEF survey, more than 1400 global risk experts, industry leaders and policymakers were surveyed in September.

The report said that "emerging as the most severe global risk anticipated over the next two years, foreign and domestic actors alike will leverage misinformation and disinformation to further widen societal and political divides".

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-in-favour-of-tangible-steps-for-palestinian-state-blinken-tells-abbas-678690">US in favour of 'tangible steps' for Palestinian state, Blinken tells Abbas</a>

National elections are due in major economies like the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Mexico which will cumulatively see three billion people casting their votes.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraines-zelensky-arrives-in-lithuania-on-visit-to-baltic-allies-with-focus-on-war-eu-integration-678656">Ukraine’s Zelensky arrives in Lithuania on visit to Baltic allies with focus on war, EU integration</a>

With this in mind the WEF has warned that &nbsp;"the widespread use of misinformation and disinformation, and tools to disseminate it, may undermine the legitimacy of newly elected governments".

The upcoming Davos talks are expected to be dominated by military conflict such as Israel-Hamas War and Ukraine war. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and leaders from West Asian countries are expected to attend the gathering.

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Economic Forum (WEF) warned on Wednesday (Jan 10) that artificial intelligence (AI) driven misinformation and disinformation will pose great global risk this year and the next, especially, with elections lined-up in major countries and economies.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) warned on Wednesday (Jan 10) that artificial intelligence (AI) driven misinformation and disinformation will pose great global risk this year and the next, especially, with elections lined-up in major countries and economies. In its Global Risks Report 2024, the WEF has also warned of challenges and threats due to war, climate change and cost-of-living crisis. The report has been released ahead of annual meeting of political and business elites in Davos which is due to take place next week. "Misinformation and disinformation are biggest short-term risks, while extreme weather and critical change to Earth systems are greatest long-term concern," the report said. "Concerns over a persistent cost-of-living crisis and the intertwined risks of AI-driven misinformation and disinformation, and societal polarization dominated the risks outlook for 2024," it added. Misinformation is incorrect information while disinformation is false information spread with an aim of deceiving people. Watch | Israel-Hamas War: Israel ramps up attacks despite mounting pressure × In its report, WEF also noted that "with several live conflicts under way, underlying geopolitical tensions and corroding societal resilience risk are creating conflict contagion". For the WEF survey, more than 1400 global risk experts, industry leaders and policymakers were surveyed in September. The report said that "emerging as the most severe global risk anticipated over the next two years, foreign and domestic actors alike will leverage misinformation and disinformation to further widen societal and political divides". Also Read | US in favour of 'tangible steps' for Palestinian state, Blinken tells Abbas National elections are due in major economies like the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Mexico which will cumulatively see three billion people casting their votes. Also Read | Ukraine’s Zelensky arrives in Lithuania on visit to Baltic allies with focus on war, EU integration With this in mind the WEF has warned that "the widespread use of misinformation and disinformation, and tools to disseminate it, may undermine the legitimacy of newly elected governments". The upcoming Davos talks are expected to be dominated by military conflict such as Israel-Hamas War and Ukraine war. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and leaders from West Asian countries are expected to attend the gathering. (With inputs from agencies)

WEF warns AI-driven disinformation may pose risk to elections around the world

Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has won the re-election bid in the central African country making this his sixth term in office for the world’s longest-serving president for over four decades. The announcement was made by his son and Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, on Saturday, six days after the vote.&nbsp;

The 80-year-old has won the re-election with 95 per cent of the votes which amounts to nearly 405,910 votes, said the vice president. Meanwhile, electoral commission head Faustino Ndong Esono Eyang confirmed that Obiang will serve another seven years as the president and said that the voter turnout rate for the election was 98 per cent, reported AFP.&nbsp;

The landslide victory came amid the incumbent president’s strong rule on the oil-rich central African nation of 1.5 million people. According to the country’s vice president, their ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and coalition won 55 seats in the Senate and 100 seats in the lower house which is also known as the Chamber of Deputies.&nbsp;

“The definitive results prove us right again”, said the vice president in a tweet. He added, “We continue to prove to be a great political party!”. Furthermore, he also said that the president can appoint the remaining 15 senate seats. President Obiang seized power in 1979 after a military takeover and has managed to avoid several coup attempts since.

Notably, the incumbent president has repeatedly been re-elected with over 90 per cent votes in a country with only one other legitimate opposition party. Furthermore, reports suggest that media is heavily controlled, protests are mostly forbidden and political opponents are often arrested and tortured in Equatorial Guinea. Earlier this year, the government abolished the death penalty a move that was praised by the United Nations.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has won the re-election bid in the central African country making this his sixth term in office for the world’s longest-serving president for over four decades.

Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has won the re-election bid in the central African country making this his sixth term in office for the world’s longest-serving president for over four decades. The announcement was made by his son and Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, on Saturday, six days after the vote. The 80-year-old has won the re-election with 95 per cent of the votes which amounts to nearly 405,910 votes, said the vice president. Meanwhile, electoral commission head Faustino Ndong Esono Eyang confirmed that Obiang will serve another seven years as the president and said that the voter turnout rate for the election was 98 per cent, reported AFP. The landslide victory came amid the incumbent president’s strong rule on the oil-rich central African nation of 1.5 million people. According to the country’s vice president, their ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and coalition won 55 seats in the Senate and 100 seats in the lower house which is also known as the Chamber of Deputies. “The definitive results prove us right again”, said the vice president in a tweet. He added, “We continue to prove to be a great political party!”. Furthermore, he also said that the president can appoint the remaining 15 senate seats. President Obiang seized power in 1979 after a military takeover and has managed to avoid several coup attempts since. Notably, the incumbent president has repeatedly been re-elected with over 90 per cent votes in a country with only one other legitimate opposition party. Furthermore, reports suggest that media is heavily controlled, protests are mostly forbidden and political opponents are often arrested and tortured in Equatorial Guinea. Earlier this year, the government abolished the death penalty a move that was praised by the United Nations. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Equatorial Guinea: President Obiang wins sixth term in office, extending his 43-year-rule

Libyan parliament on Monday refused to fix date for presidential elections that were to take place last week. This has created uncertainty about the polls.&nbsp;

The vote was set to take place on Friday. It was to be the culmination of United Nations-led efforts to drag Libya out of a decade of conflict since a 2011 revolt. But it was derailed by bitter arguments over divisive candidates and a disputed legal framework.

On Monday the parliamentary committee charged with overseeing the election presented a report saying it would be risky to set a new date at this stage.

That was a direct rebuff to the electoral commission which had suggested holding the vote on January 24.

The parliamentary committee is part of an assembly based in eastern Libya since 2014, reflecting the country's deep divisions.

The committee recommended laying out "a new, realistic and applicable roadmap, with defined stages, rather than fixing new dates and repeating the same errors".

The report, read to members of parliament by committee president Al-Haid al-Sghayer, also suggested setting up a committee to draft a new constitution to replace the one scrapped by dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 1969.

It also called for a reshuffle of the interim government of Abdulhamid Dbeibah, whose mandate was meant to end with Friday's elections. 
The parliament has yet to debate the proposals.

Dbeibah heads a unity administration based in the capital Tripoli, in the country's west, and which was tasked with leading the North African country to the elections.

(With inputs from agencies)

Libyan parliament on Monday refused to fix date for presidential elections that were to take place last week. This has created uncertainty about the polls. The vote was set to take place on Friday.

Libyan parliament on Monday refused to fix date for presidential elections that were to take place last week. This has created uncertainty about the polls. The vote was set to take place on Friday. It was to be the culmination of United Nations-led efforts to drag Libya out of a decade of conflict since a 2011 revolt. But it was derailed by bitter arguments over divisive candidates and a disputed legal framework. On Monday the parliamentary committee charged with overseeing the election presented a report saying it would be risky to set a new date at this stage. That was a direct rebuff to the electoral commission which had suggested holding the vote on January 24. The parliamentary committee is part of an assembly based in eastern Libya since 2014, reflecting the country's deep divisions. The committee recommended laying out "a new, realistic and applicable roadmap, with defined stages, rather than fixing new dates and repeating the same errors". The report, read to members of parliament by committee president Al-Haid al-Sghayer, also suggested setting up a committee to draft a new constitution to replace the one scrapped by dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 1969. It also called for a reshuffle of the interim government of Abdulhamid Dbeibah, whose mandate was meant to end with Friday's elections. The parliament has yet to debate the proposals. Dbeibah heads a unity administration based in the capital Tripoli, in the country's west, and which was tasked with leading the North African country to the elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Libyan parliament refuses to declare new date for delayed elections

Myanmar's military ruler Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday again promised new multi-party elections and said his government is ready to work with any special envoy named by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 
 
He spoke in a televised address six months after the army seized power from a civilian government after disputed elections won by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party, which he described as "terrorists". 
 
"Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework including the dialogue with the ASEAN Special Envoy in Myanmar," Min Aung Hlaing said. 
 
ASEAN foreign ministers are to meet on Monday, when diplomats say they aim to finalise a special envoy tasked with ending violence and promoting dialogue between the junta and its opponents. 
 
The army seized power on February&nbsp;1&nbsp;from the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi after her ruling party won elections that the military argued were tainted by fraud. The country's electoral commission dismissed this allegation.

Myanmar's military ruler Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday again promised new multi-party elections and said his government is ready to work with any special envoy named by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Myanmar's military ruler Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday again promised new multi-party elections and said his government is ready to work with any special envoy named by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He spoke in a televised address six months after the army seized power from a civilian government after disputed elections won by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party, which he described as "terrorists". "Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework including the dialogue with the ASEAN Special Envoy in Myanmar," Min Aung Hlaing said. ASEAN foreign ministers are to meet on Monday, when diplomats say they aim to finalise a special envoy tasked with ending violence and promoting dialogue between the junta and its opponents. The army seized power on February 1 from the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi after her ruling party won elections that the military argued were tainted by fraud. The country's electoral commission dismissed this allegation.

Myanmar army ruler pledges elections, ASEAN cooperation in speech six months after coup

French voters go to the polls on Sunday in regional elections that will test the appeal of far-right leader Marine Le Pen's softened image less than a year before the next presidential election. 
 
Coming after a gruelling year and a half of lockdowns, curfews and restrictions, Sunday's first round is likely to prove dire for President Emmanuel Macron, whose party is projected to win none of mainland France's 13 regions. 
 
Boosted by a resurgence of law-and-order issues during the campaign, despite the fact French regions have no police powers, Le Pen is hoping to capitalise on a rebrand that has seen her ditch promises of 'Frexit' and inflammatory rhetoric. 
 
"She appears less extreme in the eyes of the French, less dangerous for democracy, than she did a decade ago," Brice Teinturier, an analyst with pollster IPSOS said. 
 
Her best chance is in the south of France, the region around Marseille and Nice, where one of her lieutenants, a former conservative minister, is projected by one opinion poll as winning the race even if all parties rally against him. 
 
Gaining one region, for the first time ever, would give Le Pen a major boost less than a year before presidential elections, and would be a slap in the face for Macron, who has painted himself as a bulwark against the far-right. 
 
The far-right is also likely to do well in two other regions, around Calais in the north and in Burgundy, helped by low turnout in a country whose attention is shifting to summer holidays to forget the pandemic. 
 
In the deindustrialised north, the incumbent and frontrunner to become the conservatives' candidate in the presidential election, Xavier Bertrand, is facing Le Pen's party spokesman and Macron's justice minister. 
 
Whether Macron's party reaches the 10% threshold will determine if it can force Bertrand into an alliance to defeat the far-right, which would undermine his pitch as Macron`s opponent-in-chief in 2022. 
 
However, a win for Bertrand would bolster his chances of becoming the conservatives' presidential candidate. Macron aides see the one-time health minister as a rival, who would erode the president's centre-right voting base. 
 
Results of Sunday's first round will send parties into frantic backroom dealing for two days to strike alliances ahead of June 27's final round. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

French voters go to the polls on Sunday in regional elections that will test the appeal of far-right leader Marine Le Pen's softened image less than a year before the next presidential election.

French voters go to the polls on Sunday in regional elections that will test the appeal of far-right leader Marine Le Pen's softened image less than a year before the next presidential election. Coming after a gruelling year and a half of lockdowns, curfews and restrictions, Sunday's first round is likely to prove dire for President Emmanuel Macron, whose party is projected to win none of mainland France's 13 regions. Boosted by a resurgence of law-and-order issues during the campaign, despite the fact French regions have no police powers, Le Pen is hoping to capitalise on a rebrand that has seen her ditch promises of 'Frexit' and inflammatory rhetoric. "She appears less extreme in the eyes of the French, less dangerous for democracy, than she did a decade ago," Brice Teinturier, an analyst with pollster IPSOS said. Her best chance is in the south of France, the region around Marseille and Nice, where one of her lieutenants, a former conservative minister, is projected by one opinion poll as winning the race even if all parties rally against him. Gaining one region, for the first time ever, would give Le Pen a major boost less than a year before presidential elections, and would be a slap in the face for Macron, who has painted himself as a bulwark against the far-right. The far-right is also likely to do well in two other regions, around Calais in the north and in Burgundy, helped by low turnout in a country whose attention is shifting to summer holidays to forget the pandemic. In the deindustrialised north, the incumbent and frontrunner to become the conservatives' candidate in the presidential election, Xavier Bertrand, is facing Le Pen's party spokesman and Macron's justice minister. Whether Macron's party reaches the 10% threshold will determine if it can force Bertrand into an alliance to defeat the far-right, which would undermine his pitch as Macron`s opponent-in-chief in 2022. However, a win for Bertrand would bolster his chances of becoming the conservatives' presidential candidate. Macron aides see the one-time health minister as a rival, who would erode the president's centre-right voting base. Results of Sunday's first round will send parties into frantic backroom dealing for two days to strike alliances ahead of June 27's final round. (With inputs from agencies)

French far-right tests voters' appetite in regional elections

The ruling could not have been more clear.

One of soccer’s six regional bodies had engaged in discriminatory behavior against a female official by hindering her chances of getting a seat on its board and a leadership position with the sport’s global governing body, FIFA.

The official, Mariyam Mohamed, also convinced judges at sports’ top court that an influential Kuwaiti sheikh had actively interfered in elections held by the Asian Football Confederation in 2019 to achieve his desired outcome.

The full ruling, which has not been published, was obtained by The New York Times. In it, a panel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland concluded that the inaction by Asian soccer officials over several months amounted to a “denial of justice” for Mohamed. Yet two months since the decision was announced, the effect of what appears to be a powerful denunciation of ethics breaches and a disregard for women’s rights has had all the effect of a snowball hitting a tank.

Nothing has happened.

The tainted elections will not be rerun. The men who offered Mohamed inducements to drop out have not been punished. And soccer’s leaders have taken no action.

FIFA said in an email it had no comment, even though it previously insisted it would follow up on the court’s findings with soccer officials in Asia. Asian soccer’s governing body also declined to comment, saying its leaders had nothing to add to a January statement in which they had pledged the organization would review the findings.

For Mohamed, the silence has been maddening.

“It’s just a game for them, justice denial, the same process that I was in,” she said in a phone interview. “They’re waiting for time to pass by, and hoping I get fed up. Now the verdict has come, and it’s just very sad. I don’t know where else to go now.”

Mohamed, who filed her complaints to the Asian federation’s disciplinary department in May 2019, says she initially celebrated the ruling, but came to realize it may amount to a Pyrrhic victory.

She has not been contacted by officials from the AFC, she said. Nor has she heard from ethics investigators from FIFA, even though the organization’s rules state that gender discrimination is “strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.”

The case and its aftermath have highlighted how power works in global sports. It shows how a tainted Gulf royal linked to other cases of corruption has been able to exert significant control over one of soccer’s largest governing bodies even though he has no official role in its affairs. And it shows how a strategy of delay can be its own kind of injustice.

Mohamed’s case had roots in FIFA’s response to its own problems with discrimination: To address a lack of women on its governing board, the organization since 2013 set aside specific seats for women, starting with one voting member in 2013 and now a minimum of one from each of FIFA’s six regional confederations.

Mohamed, a former soccer player and coach from the Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, had hoped to win the AFC’s spot in a vote in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in April 2019. It did not take her long to realize that the power brokers of Asian soccer had already decided the election’s outcome.

She filed her first complaints about the election to the Asian confederation’s disciplinary department a month later. Emails show the organization responded to her inquiries by insisting it had begun an investigation, although it appears little was done. The AFC, citing confidentiality, refused to supply any evidence of its investigation to the court.

At a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport last July, the AFC hardly put up a defense. Its lawyers offered no witnesses to challenge Mohamed’s testimony that a top confederation official and the head of the soccer federation of Qatar had been present in a luxury hotel suite when the Kuwaiti sheikh, Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, told Mohamed he had decided that his preferred candidate, Mahfuza Akhter Kiron of Bangladesh, would be elected as the AFC’s female representative to the FIFA Council.

Mohamed was told she should drop her candidacy, and do so within 24 hours. She later claimed, in testimony that went unchallenged by the AFC, that Sheikh Ahmad attempted to mollify her by saying he had so much sway in international soccer circles that he could obtain for her “any other position of her choosing at the AFC or FIFA” in exchange for her withdrawal.

By this point, Sheikh Ahmad had no official role in soccer, having resigned his position on the FIFA Council in 2017 after allegations emerged in a U.S. federal court that he had bribed Asian officials. But Mohamed’s decision to take her case to court provided a rare public glimpse into his continuing stature as a power broker in global sports through his role as the president of the Olympic Council of Asia, an organization created by his father in 1982.

At a 2013 International Olympic Committee meeting, for example, Sheikh Ahmad’s support helped Thomas Bach secure the IOC presidency and also deliver the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo. Since he was indicted in a forgery case unrelated to sports in 2018, he has “self-suspended” from two prominent Olympic roles. But his opinion still carries weight.

Before the AFC’s 2019 elections, his legal troubles did not seem to be an issue. A list of his favored candidates was distributed to AFC voters on the eve of the elections and, aware of the talks with Mohamed and of Sheikh Ahmad’s preference for a different candidate, the leaders of several federations pressured Mohamed to drop out, she said. She declined to withdraw, and lost the vote, 31-15. Every candidate on Sheikh Ahmad’s list, however, was elected to seats on the AFC’s executive board or, as in Kiron’s case, as a confederation representative to FIFA.

After reviewing the evidence presented by Mohamed and her lawyers, the CAS panel made clear in the summary of its decision that it agreed with her version of the events. The panel confirmed that the 2019 elections had breached FIFA and AFC rules on gender discrimination. It concluded that Sheikh Ahmad had tried to influence the outcome, and that the AFC had denied Mohamed justice by not making a ruling on her complaint. It did, however, also say that by not bowing out of the elections, Mohamed ensured the sheikh’s efforts to influence the election in her case were not effective.

But the court said it was powerless to order that the flawed elections be annulled, or to punish any of the individuals accused of interfering with them. Any decision on further action was for FIFA, and the AFC, to decide, the court said.

Because of the rules governing the court, the panel’s full findings have been cloaked in secrecy since the verdict was announced on Jan. 25.

“If nothing happens it is a disgrace for FIFA, the AFC, and undermines the authority of CAS indirectly,” said Miguel Maduro, the former FIFA governance head who gave evidence in Mohamed’s case. “This award and what follows tells us at once that CAS has exposed corruption at the highest level of elections in football and at the same time tells us they cannot do anything about it.”

Maduro added that at the very least, FIFA should have initiated an ethics inquiry after the ruling. To date, it has not.

Such a move, though, would be extremely sensitive for soccer’s global leadership. The FIFA official responsible for overseeing the 2019 election, Eduardo Ache, told the CAS panel that soccer’s guidelines to improve female representation were mere recommendations. The panel said Ache’s evidence suggested he was “prepared to accept any discrimination provided at least one woman was elected to FIFA.”

But pressing for discipline in the case also could be uncomfortable for FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, who relies on the support of national and regional soccer leaders to push his agenda. He recently spent two weeks touring Africa, for example, to ensure that his favored candidate, a South African billionaire with no high-level experience in soccer administration, was elected president of the continent’s regional confederation. And he is unlikely to press for discipline against the leader of Qatar’s soccer federation — reportedly present when Mohamed was offered inducements to step aside — or any other Asian leader a year before Qatar hosts the 2022 World Cup.

The longer the full ruling in Mohamed’s case goes unpublished, though, the more it will give the appearance soccer’s leaders are trying to brush a problematic situation under the carpet, said Johan Lindholm, a professor of law at Umea University in Sweden who has published a book on CAS.

“Whether it’s because of bad PR or there are other things going on, then you would probably want to keep it as secret as possible,” Lindholm said.

The ruling could not have been more clear. One of soccer’s six regional bodies had engaged in discriminatory behavior against a female official by hindering her chances of getting a seat on its board and a leadership position with the sport’s global governing body, FIFA.

The ruling could not have been more clear. One of soccer’s six regional bodies had engaged in discriminatory behavior against a female official by hindering her chances of getting a seat on its board and a leadership position with the sport’s global governing body, FIFA. The official, Mariyam Mohamed, also convinced judges at sports’ top court that an influential Kuwaiti sheikh had actively interfered in elections held by the Asian Football Confederation in 2019 to achieve his desired outcome. The full ruling, which has not been published, was obtained by The New York Times. In it, a panel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland concluded that the inaction by Asian soccer officials over several months amounted to a “denial of justice” for Mohamed. Yet two months since the decision was announced, the effect of what appears to be a powerful denunciation of ethics breaches and a disregard for women’s rights has had all the effect of a snowball hitting a tank. Nothing has happened. The tainted elections will not be rerun. The men who offered Mohamed inducements to drop out have not been punished. And soccer’s leaders have taken no action. FIFA said in an email it had no comment, even though it previously insisted it would follow up on the court’s findings with soccer officials in Asia. Asian soccer’s governing body also declined to comment, saying its leaders had nothing to add to a January statement in which they had pledged the organization would review the findings. For Mohamed, the silence has been maddening. “It’s just a game for them, justice denial, the same process that I was in,” she said in a phone interview. “They’re waiting for time to pass by, and hoping I get fed up. Now the verdict has come, and it’s just very sad. I don’t know where else to go now.” Mohamed, who filed her complaints to the Asian federation’s disciplinary department in May 2019, says she initially celebrated the ruling, but came to realize it may amount to a Pyrrhic victory. She has not been contacted by officials from the AFC, she said. Nor has she heard from ethics investigators from FIFA, even though the organization’s rules state that gender discrimination is “strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.” The case and its aftermath have highlighted how power works in global sports. It shows how a tainted Gulf royal linked to other cases of corruption has been able to exert significant control over one of soccer’s largest governing bodies even though he has no official role in its affairs. And it shows how a strategy of delay can be its own kind of injustice. Mohamed’s case had roots in FIFA’s response to its own problems with discrimination: To address a lack of women on its governing board, the organization since 2013 set aside specific seats for women, starting with one voting member in 2013 and now a minimum of one from each of FIFA’s six regional confederations. Mohamed, a former soccer player and coach from the Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, had hoped to win the AFC’s spot in a vote in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in April 2019. It did not take her long to realize that the power brokers of Asian soccer had already decided the election’s outcome. She filed her first complaints about the election to the Asian confederation’s disciplinary department a month later. Emails show the organization responded to her inquiries by insisting it had begun an investigation, although it appears little was done. The AFC, citing confidentiality, refused to supply any evidence of its investigation to the court. At a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport last July, the AFC hardly put up a defense. Its lawyers offered no witnesses to challenge Mohamed’s testimony that a top confederation official and the head of the soccer federation of Qatar had been present in a luxury hotel suite when the Kuwaiti sheikh, Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, told Mohamed he had decided that his preferred candidate, Mahfuza Akhter Kiron of Bangladesh, would be elected as the AFC’s female representative to the FIFA Council. Mohamed was told she should drop her candidacy, and do so within 24 hours. She later claimed, in testimony that went unchallenged by the AFC, that Sheikh Ahmad attempted to mollify her by saying he had so much sway in international soccer circles that he could obtain for her “any other position of her choosing at the AFC or FIFA” in exchange for her withdrawal. By this point, Sheikh Ahmad had no official role in soccer, having resigned his position on the FIFA Council in 2017 after allegations emerged in a U.S. federal court that he had bribed Asian officials. But Mohamed’s decision to take her case to court provided a rare public glimpse into his continuing stature as a power broker in global sports through his role as the president of the Olympic Council of Asia, an organization created by his father in 1982. At a 2013 International Olympic Committee meeting, for example, Sheikh Ahmad’s support helped Thomas Bach secure the IOC presidency and also deliver the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo. Since he was indicted in a forgery case unrelated to sports in 2018, he has “self-suspended” from two prominent Olympic roles. But his opinion still carries weight. Before the AFC’s 2019 elections, his legal troubles did not seem to be an issue. A list of his favored candidates was distributed to AFC voters on the eve of the elections and, aware of the talks with Mohamed and of Sheikh Ahmad’s preference for a different candidate, the leaders of several federations pressured Mohamed to drop out, she said. She declined to withdraw, and lost the vote, 31-15. Every candidate on Sheikh Ahmad’s list, however, was elected to seats on the AFC’s executive board or, as in Kiron’s case, as a confederation representative to FIFA. After reviewing the evidence presented by Mohamed and her lawyers, the CAS panel made clear in the summary of its decision that it agreed with her version of the events. The panel confirmed that the 2019 elections had breached FIFA and AFC rules on gender discrimination. It concluded that Sheikh Ahmad had tried to influence the outcome, and that the AFC had denied Mohamed justice by not making a ruling on her complaint. It did, however, also say that by not bowing out of the elections, Mohamed ensured the sheikh’s efforts to influence the election in her case were not effective. But the court said it was powerless to order that the flawed elections be annulled, or to punish any of the individuals accused of interfering with them. Any decision on further action was for FIFA, and the AFC, to decide, the court said. Because of the rules governing the court, the panel’s full findings have been cloaked in secrecy since the verdict was announced on Jan. 25. “If nothing happens it is a disgrace for FIFA, the AFC, and undermines the authority of CAS indirectly,” said Miguel Maduro, the former FIFA governance head who gave evidence in Mohamed’s case. “This award and what follows tells us at once that CAS has exposed corruption at the highest level of elections in football and at the same time tells us they cannot do anything about it.” Maduro added that at the very least, FIFA should have initiated an ethics inquiry after the ruling. To date, it has not. Such a move, though, would be extremely sensitive for soccer’s global leadership. The FIFA official responsible for overseeing the 2019 election, Eduardo Ache, told the CAS panel that soccer’s guidelines to improve female representation were mere recommendations. The panel said Ache’s evidence suggested he was “prepared to accept any discrimination provided at least one woman was elected to FIFA.” But pressing for discipline in the case also could be uncomfortable for FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, who relies on the support of national and regional soccer leaders to push his agenda. He recently spent two weeks touring Africa, for example, to ensure that his favored candidate, a South African billionaire with no high-level experience in soccer administration, was elected president of the continent’s regional confederation. And he is unlikely to press for discipline against the leader of Qatar’s soccer federation — reportedly present when Mohamed was offered inducements to step aside — or any other Asian leader a year before Qatar hosts the 2022 World Cup. The longer the full ruling in Mohamed’s case goes unpublished, though, the more it will give the appearance soccer’s leaders are trying to brush a problematic situation under the carpet, said Johan Lindholm, a professor of law at Umea University in Sweden who has published a book on CAS. “Whether it’s because of bad PR or there are other things going on, then you would probably want to keep it as secret as possible,” Lindholm said.

A soccer official proved her discrimination case. No one was punished.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of pre-poll rigging in Gilgit-Baltistan and said that the election results were being prepared in advance.

"The fake government has drawn up a pre-poll rigging plan in Gilgit-Baltistan. The political bribes are being doled out for that," said the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief, while speaking at a news conference, reported Geo News.

He alleged that wheat was being distributed in a large number of trucks, which carried banners with the portraits of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The PDM chief said various tactics were being employed to ensure the win for the ruling PTI in the election.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hidden-cameras-were-installed-in-my-jail-cell-and-washroom-says-maryam-nawaz-342639" hreflang="en">Hidden cameras were installed in my jail cell and washroom, says Maryam Nawaz</a>

Rehman further claimed that the Election Commission and the state agencies were not performing their assigned duties.

He added that the PTI government was hiding behind the coronavirus pandemic, and said that the opposition alliance would go ahead with its planned public meetings.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/11-rape-incidents-being-reported-in-pakistan-every-day-official-data-343151" hreflang="en">11 rape incidents being reported in Pakistan every day: Official data</a>

Rehman asserted that there was unanimity in the PDM over the fact that July 25, 2018 election was rigged, for which the civil and military establishment was responsible, Geo News reported.

"We will talk to those responsible for this, not this fake government," he said.

"Pakistan relations with the close friends such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirate have gone soar," he added, while maintaining that price-hike and corruption are at their peak and the people are sick of this `fake` government.

Pakistan had earlier announced that it will hold elections to the Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly on November 15.&nbsp;

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of pre-poll rigging in Gilgit-Baltistan and said that the election results were being prepared in advance.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of pre-poll rigging in Gilgit-Baltistan and said that the election results were being prepared in advance. "The fake government has drawn up a pre-poll rigging plan in Gilgit-Baltistan. The political bribes are being doled out for that," said the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief, while speaking at a news conference, reported Geo News. He alleged that wheat was being distributed in a large number of trucks, which carried banners with the portraits of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The PDM chief said various tactics were being employed to ensure the win for the ruling PTI in the election. Also read| Hidden cameras were installed in my jail cell and washroom, says Maryam Nawaz Rehman further claimed that the Election Commission and the state agencies were not performing their assigned duties. He added that the PTI government was hiding behind the coronavirus pandemic, and said that the opposition alliance would go ahead with its planned public meetings. Also read| 11 rape incidents being reported in Pakistan every day: Official data Rehman asserted that there was unanimity in the PDM over the fact that July 25, 2018 election was rigged, for which the civil and military establishment was responsible, Geo News reported. "We will talk to those responsible for this, not this fake government," he said. "Pakistan relations with the close friends such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirate have gone soar," he added, while maintaining that price-hike and corruption are at their peak and the people are sick of this `fake` government. Pakistan had earlier announced that it will hold elections to the Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly on November 15.

JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman accuses PTI govt of pre-poll rigging ahead of Gilgit-Baltistan elections

WASHINGTON — Most young people in the United States don’t vote. Fewer than half of Americans 18 to 29 voted in the 2016 presidential election — a gap of more than 15 points compared with the overall turnout.

This is not unique to the United States. Our new analysis of turnout for the most recent national general elections for heads of government in two dozen countries revealed that the general population’s voting rate exceeds the voting rate for young people in every single one of them.

The sample of two dozen countries isn’t representative of all nations. The 24 countries that had youth turnout data available were richer, more democratic and more literate than the 168 countries we contacted that didn’t. But the trends are still illustrative.

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Why do young people vote less than their elders?

Almost a century ago, political scientists Charles E. Merriam and Harold F. Gosnell identified several groups of Americans whose turnout rates were comparatively low, including young people, minorities, the less educated and the poor — all of whom are still less likely to vote today.

Three broad themes in political science research help explain the gap for young voters:

— Habit formation. Voting is a habit formed over time, and one possible reason that young people do it less frequently is that they have had fewer opportunities to form and reinforce the habit. With time, people slowly turn from “habitual nonvoters” to “habitual voters,” as a paper by Eric Plutzer, a political scientist at Penn State, puts it.

That internal habit formation is reinforced externally, too, as Mark N. Franklin of Trinity College described in a book exploring aspects of voter turnout. People of all ages are influenced by what they see their friends and peers doing, and older people are more likely to have observed friends making the choice to vote, over the course of multiple election cycles.

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— Opportunity cost. Voting for the first or second time may also be harder than voting in subsequent elections. There is a direct opportunity cost for young adults, who may have less flexible employment schedules or less financial cushion to take time off to vote, or who may be in temporary housing situations where they lack deep community ties. There is also an indirect opportunity cost to learning the process of voting, like finding a polling place and learning about the candidates, according to Franklin.

In the United States, some of those obstacles are, or once were, intentional.

“I think of the U.S. as an anomaly when it comes to disparities in turnout across groups, and that those disparities are inseparable from a legacy of slavery and racism,” said Charlotte Hill, a doctoral candidate working on voting issues at the University of California, Berkeley.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-trump-or-biden-astrologers-predict-the-next-president-333963">Also read|&nbsp;US election 2020: Trump or Biden? Astrologers predict the next President</a>

Raising voter turnout among all cohorts isn’t a universal goal among the politically powerful. And policies that make voting harder, like voter ID laws, may disproportionately affect low-propensity voters, including young people.

— Alternative participation. Youth turnout data may be less dispiriting when viewed in the context of participation in other forms of political action. Lower election turnout in general over time has been accompanied by a rise in “other forms of citizen activism, such as mass protests, occupy movements and increased use of social media as a new platform of political engagement,” according to research by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Data suggests these trends are especially pronounced among young people. Compared with their elders in Germany, France and Britain, one analysis found, younger people are more likely to sign petitions, and more than twice as likely to participate in demonstrations.

All this suggests that the problem doesn’t come down to lack of interest, as research collected in John Holbein and D. Sunshine Hillygus’s recent book “Making Young Voters,” affirms. In recent years in the United States, they write, “the number of young people who express an interest in elections (76 percent), care who is president (74 percent), have interest in public affairs (85 percent), and intend to vote (83 percent) is especially high.”

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Is the gap between young and older voters consistent around the world?

No. Among the 24 countries we examined, the difference between youth and general turnout ranged from less than 1 percentage point to more than 20 points. And although the United States isn’t alone in seeing a gap, it fares pretty dismally, with the fifth-lowest youth turnout in the sample and the fourth-biggest gap between youth and overall turnout.

But before scolding young Americans, look at their elders. In countries where older people vote at higher rates, young people do, too.

Interestingly, that gap shrinks reliably as voting increases. In other words, the higher the youth voting rate, the closer the youth rate is likely to be to the overall rate.

What else predicts voter turnout?

Not much. In our analysis of overall voter turnout in the most recent national elections in 173 countries, participation cannot readily be predicted by any of more than 20 demographic and political-economy variables tested, including GDP per capita, population size, type of government, development status and level of inequality. Even factors like compulsory and weekend voting didn’t reliably predict turnout in our survey.

You might imagine that people in rich, highly democratic countries are more likely to vote. And while that’s true in some places — Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden all saw turnout rates of 85% or higher in their last elections — citizens of nations with dependably free and fair elections don’t always take advantage of their enviable position. Switzerland’s 2019 presidential election, for example, had a youth turnout of 33% and an overall turnout of 45%. The United States, with its 64% overall turnout and 46% youth turnout in 2016, may also fall into this category.

What would boost U.S. youth turnout?

Experts emphasize that there is no single fix to increase youth turnout. Instead, research points to interventions on a short, medium and long-term timeline.

— Short term: Get young people the specific information they need to register and make it to the polls.

“It drives me nuts when I hear people say, ‘It’s not that hard to go vote,’ or ‘It’s not that hard to register,’” said Jan Leighley, a professor of government at American University. “Actually, the act of casting a ballot in an election is incredibly complex!”

She and other experts recommend mobilization efforts that lead first-time voters through steps like learning how to register and by what date; how a ballot works, what’s on it and how to fill it out; where to go to cast a vote and what to do when you get there. Research cited by Holbein and Hillygus showed that flashier but less precise efforts, like celebrity-driven efforts to increase awareness of voting in general, don’t work.

— Medium term: Work to reduce systemic barriers, especially to registration. The strong association between youth and overall turnout suggests that measures aimed at increasing voting for everyone will bring out young voters, too — and maybe even bring their participation rates closer to the general population’s.

In her book about voter turnout, Meredith Rolfe of the University of Massachusetts points out that in U.S. elections, turnout is higher in states that make it easier to register to vote, for example by permitting it right up to an election, having registration offices that are open on evenings and weekends and allowing absentee registration.

And Anthony Fowler of the University of Chicago found that permitting future voters to preregister at age 16 or 17, making them automatically registered on their 18th birthday, increases both registration and turnout by 2.1 percentage points.

In an Op-Ed for The New York Times last year, Charlotte Hill and Jacob Grumbach wrote that same-day registration can increase turnout for every age group — and especially for younger voters.

And an even more comprehensive approach, automatic voter registration — in which all citizens of voting age are added to the voter rolls without having to take any action — could have an additional benefit for young people, several scholars noted.

Politicians “don’t have to mobilize and pay too much attention to youth, these days, because they know they’re not going to show up much at the polls, right?” Leighley said. “If you get everyone registered, it has to change their calculations.”

— Long term: Reimagine civics education.

“When I talk with young people, the No. 1 reason that they’re not voting is because they feel embarrassed that they don’t know what’s on the ballot, and then you ask them to go find and it and they don’t know where to go,” said Rachael Cobb, an associate professor and the chair of political science and legal studies at Suffolk University.

One way to address that lack of preparation is to provide practical civics education — teaching more about how to vote. That can plant the seed early that voting is normal and worthwhile, and motivate young voters to overcome the short-term hurdles that might obstruct their participation in any particular election. In one study, youth turnout increased 5.7 percentage points after students were provided with an applied voting demonstration and given the chance to cast a practice ballot.

The most important thing to remember, experts said, is to consider these short-, medium- and long-term interventions in combination — any single one taken in isolation isn’t likely to drive a big increase in youth voter turnout.

“There is no one thing,” said Abby Kiesa, the director of impact for CIRCLE, a research organization focused on youth civic engagement. “We need all the things.”

WASHINGTON — Most young people in the United States don’t vote. Fewer than half of Americans 18 to 29 voted in the 2016 presidential election — a gap of more than 15 points compared with the overall turnout.

WASHINGTON — Most young people in the United States don’t vote. Fewer than half of Americans 18 to 29 voted in the 2016 presidential election — a gap of more than 15 points compared with the overall turnout. This is not unique to the United States. Our new analysis of turnout for the most recent national general elections for heads of government in two dozen countries revealed that the general population’s voting rate exceeds the voting rate for young people in every single one of them. The sample of two dozen countries isn’t representative of all nations. The 24 countries that had youth turnout data available were richer, more democratic and more literate than the 168 countries we contacted that didn’t. But the trends are still illustrative. Also read| Nearly 58 million watch US vice-presidential debate, big jump from 2016 Why do young people vote less than their elders? Almost a century ago, political scientists Charles E. Merriam and Harold F. Gosnell identified several groups of Americans whose turnout rates were comparatively low, including young people, minorities, the less educated and the poor — all of whom are still less likely to vote today. Three broad themes in political science research help explain the gap for young voters: — Habit formation. Voting is a habit formed over time, and one possible reason that young people do it less frequently is that they have had fewer opportunities to form and reinforce the habit. With time, people slowly turn from “habitual nonvoters” to “habitual voters,” as a paper by Eric Plutzer, a political scientist at Penn State, puts it. That internal habit formation is reinforced externally, too, as Mark N. Franklin of Trinity College described in a book exploring aspects of voter turnout. People of all ages are influenced by what they see their friends and peers doing, and older people are more likely to have observed friends making the choice to vote, over the course of multiple election cycles. Also read| Trump ready to go on campaign rally as soon as he gets 'okay' from his doctor: White House — Opportunity cost. Voting for the first or second time may also be harder than voting in subsequent elections. There is a direct opportunity cost for young adults, who may have less flexible employment schedules or less financial cushion to take time off to vote, or who may be in temporary housing situations where they lack deep community ties. There is also an indirect opportunity cost to learning the process of voting, like finding a polling place and learning about the candidates, according to Franklin. In the United States, some of those obstacles are, or once were, intentional. “I think of the U.S. as an anomaly when it comes to disparities in turnout across groups, and that those disparities are inseparable from a legacy of slavery and racism,” said Charlotte Hill, a doctoral candidate working on voting issues at the University of California, Berkeley. Also read| US election 2020: Trump or Biden? Astrologers predict the next President Raising voter turnout among all cohorts isn’t a universal goal among the politically powerful. And policies that make voting harder, like voter ID laws, may disproportionately affect low-propensity voters, including young people. — Alternative participation. Youth turnout data may be less dispiriting when viewed in the context of participation in other forms of political action. Lower election turnout in general over time has been accompanied by a rise in “other forms of citizen activism, such as mass protests, occupy movements and increased use of social media as a new platform of political engagement,” according to research by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Data suggests these trends are especially pronounced among young people. Compared with their elders in Germany, France and Britain, one analysis found, younger people are more likely to sign petitions, and more than twice as likely to participate in demonstrations. All this suggests that the problem doesn’t come down to lack of interest, as research collected in John Holbein and D. Sunshine Hillygus’s recent book “Making Young Voters,” affirms. In recent years in the United States, they write, “the number of young people who express an interest in elections (76 percent), care who is president (74 percent), have interest in public affairs (85 percent), and intend to vote (83 percent) is especially high.” Also read| What happens if a US presidential candidate dies before the election Is the gap between young and older voters consistent around the world? No. Among the 24 countries we examined, the difference between youth and general turnout ranged from less than 1 percentage point to more than 20 points. And although the United States isn’t alone in seeing a gap, it fares pretty dismally, with the fifth-lowest youth turnout in the sample and the fourth-biggest gap between youth and overall turnout. But before scolding young Americans, look at their elders. In countries where older people vote at higher rates, young people do, too. Interestingly, that gap shrinks reliably as voting increases. In other words, the higher the youth voting rate, the closer the youth rate is likely to be to the overall rate. What else predicts voter turnout? Not much. In our analysis of overall voter turnout in the most recent national elections in 173 countries, participation cannot readily be predicted by any of more than 20 demographic and political-economy variables tested, including GDP per capita, population size, type of government, development status and level of inequality. Even factors like compulsory and weekend voting didn’t reliably predict turnout in our survey. You might imagine that people in rich, highly democratic countries are more likely to vote. And while that’s true in some places — Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden all saw turnout rates of 85% or higher in their last elections — citizens of nations with dependably free and fair elections don’t always take advantage of their enviable position. Switzerland’s 2019 presidential election, for example, had a youth turnout of 33% and an overall turnout of 45%. The United States, with its 64% overall turnout and 46% youth turnout in 2016, may also fall into this category. What would boost U.S. youth turnout? Experts emphasize that there is no single fix to increase youth turnout. Instead, research points to interventions on a short, medium and long-term timeline. — Short term: Get young people the specific information they need to register and make it to the polls. “It drives me nuts when I hear people say, ‘It’s not that hard to go vote,’ or ‘It’s not that hard to register,’” said Jan Leighley, a professor of government at American University. “Actually, the act of casting a ballot in an election is incredibly complex!” She and other experts recommend mobilization efforts that lead first-time voters through steps like learning how to register and by what date; how a ballot works, what’s on it and how to fill it out; where to go to cast a vote and what to do when you get there. Research cited by Holbein and Hillygus showed that flashier but less precise efforts, like celebrity-driven efforts to increase awareness of voting in general, don’t work. — Medium term: Work to reduce systemic barriers, especially to registration. The strong association between youth and overall turnout suggests that measures aimed at increasing voting for everyone will bring out young voters, too — and maybe even bring their participation rates closer to the general population’s. In her book about voter turnout, Meredith Rolfe of the University of Massachusetts points out that in U.S. elections, turnout is higher in states that make it easier to register to vote, for example by permitting it right up to an election, having registration offices that are open on evenings and weekends and allowing absentee registration. And Anthony Fowler of the University of Chicago found that permitting future voters to preregister at age 16 or 17, making them automatically registered on their 18th birthday, increases both registration and turnout by 2.1 percentage points. In an Op-Ed for The New York Times last year, Charlotte Hill and Jacob Grumbach wrote that same-day registration can increase turnout for every age group — and especially for younger voters. And an even more comprehensive approach, automatic voter registration — in which all citizens of voting age are added to the voter rolls without having to take any action — could have an additional benefit for young people, several scholars noted. Politicians “don’t have to mobilize and pay too much attention to youth, these days, because they know they’re not going to show up much at the polls, right?” Leighley said. “If you get everyone registered, it has to change their calculations.” — Long term: Reimagine civics education. “When I talk with young people, the No. 1 reason that they’re not voting is because they feel embarrassed that they don’t know what’s on the ballot, and then you ask them to go find and it and they don’t know where to go,” said Rachael Cobb, an associate professor and the chair of political science and legal studies at Suffolk University. One way to address that lack of preparation is to provide practical civics education — teaching more about how to vote. That can plant the seed early that voting is normal and worthwhile, and motivate young voters to overcome the short-term hurdles that might obstruct their participation in any particular election. In one study, youth turnout increased 5.7 percentage points after students were provided with an applied voting demonstration and given the chance to cast a practice ballot. The most important thing to remember, experts said, is to consider these short-, medium- and long-term interventions in combination — any single one taken in isolation isn’t likely to drive a big increase in youth voter turnout. “There is no one thing,” said Abby Kiesa, the director of impact for CIRCLE, a research organization focused on youth civic engagement. “We need all the things.”

Why don’t young people vote, and what can be done about it?

Canadian conservatives will reveal Sunday their pick for a new leader and main contender to challenge liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in possible snap elections.

Four candidates vied to replace outgoing Andrew Scheer, including two former ministers, the first Seventh-day Adventist ever to be elected to parliament, and an outsider seeking to become the first black woman to lead a major federal political party in Canada.

Frontrunner Peter MacKay, 54, was looking to mark his triumphant return to politics following a five-year hiatus.

After leading Canada's foreign, defense and justice departments in the last Tory administration from 2006 to 2015, he ducked the limelight.

He has faced a strong challenge for the party leadership from former air-force navigator and former veterans affairs minister Erin O'Toole, 47, who ran twice previously for the job.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/canadas-economic-growth-to-outpace-us-recovery-twice-as-fast-as-in-us-321866">Also watch|&nbsp;Canada's economic growth to outpace US: Recovery twice as fast as in US</a>

Both have touted a need for the party to broaden its appeal to progressive voters, with a focus on jobs and the economy, but also to pitch a clear climate plan, which has been lacking from the Tories.

"I will be Canada's jobs prime minister," MacKay told public broadcaster CBC, promising "a real environmental plan."

He also pledged if he becomes prime minister to ban China's Huawei from Canada's 5G networks, and a tax overhaul.

Toppling Trudeau 
The coronavirus pandemic made campaigning for the Tory leadership a challenge, preventing the usual gladhanding and engaging with stakeholders.

Balloting by mail replaced the spectacle of a leadership convention with balloons and streamers, and Canadians have shown little interest as they contended with the virus.

Forcing snap elections to challenge the Liberals would be an equally hard sell in the midst of the worst economic crisis since World War II.

The next opportunity will be at the end of September when Trudeau seeks parliament's support for massive new social and environmental spending to steer Canada out of its economic slump.

The Tories, however, would need the backing of at least two other parties to topple the minority government.

Married to an Iranian-born former beauty queen, with whom he has three children, MacKay was first elected to Parliament in 1997 representing his father's old Nova Scotia electoral district.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trudeau-names-chrystia-freeland-as-canadas-first-female-finance-minister-321584/amp">Also read|&nbsp;Trudeau names Chrystia Freeland as Canada's first female finance minister</a>

As leader of the Progressive Conservatives, he made a deal with Stephen Harper and his Canadian Alliance to merge the two parties and unite the right.

But its loss to Trudeau in 2015 underscored a need to expand its base in rural and western Canada.

"We need more urban and suburban Canadians to see that their values of liberty, family and equality have always been at the core of the Conservative Party," O'Toole said.

Dark horse 
Pundits suggested Leslyn Lewis as leader could reinvigorate the party.

The Jamaican-born lawyer does not speak French, does not have a seat in parliament, and is not well known, having only once ran for public office.

In the 2015 election, she was parachuted in to replace an appliance repairman bounced from the Tory slate mid-campaign after he was caught on an investigative television show urinating into a homeowner's coffee mug while on a service call.

Lewis scored relatively well in that ballot, but lost to the Liberal candidate.

She represents a resurging social conservative wing of the party, having voiced opposition to gay marriage and abortion, and saying she would seek to restrict access to recreational cannabis, which was legalized by the Trudeau administration in 2018.

She also reportedly believes climate change is overblown.

Social conservatism, also espoused by Adventist candidate Derek Sloan, is a tough sell to Canadians, with two-thirds of voters having supported progressive parties in the last ballot.

Sloan, 35, has courted controversy, suggesting that homosexuality is a choice, while opposing mask-wearing and mandatory vaccinations.

"Many Canadians don't share and are even afraid of social conservative views," commented Carleton University professor Jonathan Malloy.&nbsp;

Canadian conservatives will reveal Sunday their pick for a new leader and main contender to challenge liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in possible snap elections.

Canadian conservatives will reveal Sunday their pick for a new leader and main contender to challenge liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in possible snap elections. Four candidates vied to replace outgoing Andrew Scheer, including two former ministers, the first Seventh-day Adventist ever to be elected to parliament, and an outsider seeking to become the first black woman to lead a major federal political party in Canada. Frontrunner Peter MacKay, 54, was looking to mark his triumphant return to politics following a five-year hiatus. After leading Canada's foreign, defense and justice departments in the last Tory administration from 2006 to 2015, he ducked the limelight. He has faced a strong challenge for the party leadership from former air-force navigator and former veterans affairs minister Erin O'Toole, 47, who ran twice previously for the job. Also watch| Canada's economic growth to outpace US: Recovery twice as fast as in US Both have touted a need for the party to broaden its appeal to progressive voters, with a focus on jobs and the economy, but also to pitch a clear climate plan, which has been lacking from the Tories. "I will be Canada's jobs prime minister," MacKay told public broadcaster CBC, promising "a real environmental plan." He also pledged if he becomes prime minister to ban China's Huawei from Canada's 5G networks, and a tax overhaul. Toppling Trudeau The coronavirus pandemic made campaigning for the Tory leadership a challenge, preventing the usual gladhanding and engaging with stakeholders. Balloting by mail replaced the spectacle of a leadership convention with balloons and streamers, and Canadians have shown little interest as they contended with the virus. Forcing snap elections to challenge the Liberals would be an equally hard sell in the midst of the worst economic crisis since World War II. The next opportunity will be at the end of September when Trudeau seeks parliament's support for massive new social and environmental spending to steer Canada out of its economic slump. The Tories, however, would need the backing of at least two other parties to topple the minority government. Married to an Iranian-born former beauty queen, with whom he has three children, MacKay was first elected to Parliament in 1997 representing his father's old Nova Scotia electoral district. Also read| Trudeau names Chrystia Freeland as Canada's first female finance minister As leader of the Progressive Conservatives, he made a deal with Stephen Harper and his Canadian Alliance to merge the two parties and unite the right. But its loss to Trudeau in 2015 underscored a need to expand its base in rural and western Canada. "We need more urban and suburban Canadians to see that their values of liberty, family and equality have always been at the core of the Conservative Party," O'Toole said. Dark horse Pundits suggested Leslyn Lewis as leader could reinvigorate the party. The Jamaican-born lawyer does not speak French, does not have a seat in parliament, and is not well known, having only once ran for public office. In the 2015 election, she was parachuted in to replace an appliance repairman bounced from the Tory slate mid-campaign after he was caught on an investigative television show urinating into a homeowner's coffee mug while on a service call. Lewis scored relatively well in that ballot, but lost to the Liberal candidate. She represents a resurging social conservative wing of the party, having voiced opposition to gay marriage and abortion, and saying she would seek to restrict access to recreational cannabis, which was legalized by the Trudeau administration in 2018. She also reportedly believes climate change is overblown. Social conservatism, also espoused by Adventist candidate Derek Sloan, is a tough sell to Canadians, with two-thirds of voters having supported progressive parties in the last ballot. Sloan, 35, has courted controversy, suggesting that homosexuality is a choice, while opposing mask-wearing and mandatory vaccinations. "Many Canadians don't share and are even afraid of social conservative views," commented Carleton University professor Jonathan Malloy.

Canada conservatives electing new leader to take on Trudeau

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav on Sunday said that the party is working hard to win the upcoming elections in West Bengal and added that BJP will defeat Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government.

"In West Bengal, we are trying our best to win the election. This time we will defeat Mamata Banerjee's government and form BJP government there," Madhav said in a press conference here.

The assembly elections are likely to be held next year.

Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also visited the state and said that the BJP will turn West Bengal into "Sonar Bangla" and develop it on all counts if allowed five years by the people in the state.

Shah had attended several events and addressed rallies while in the state.

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav on Sunday said that the party is working hard to win the upcoming elections in West Bengal and added that BJP will defeat Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government.

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav on Sunday said that the party is working hard to win the upcoming elections in West Bengal and added that BJP will defeat Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government. "In West Bengal, we are trying our best to win the election. This time we will defeat Mamata Banerjee's government and form BJP government there," Madhav said in a press conference here. The assembly elections are likely to be held next year. Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also visited the state and said that the BJP will turn West Bengal into "Sonar Bangla" and develop it on all counts if allowed five years by the people in the state. Shah had attended several events and addressed rallies while in the state.

Will defeat Mamata Banerjee in assembly elections: Ram Madhav

Polling began on a peaceful note on Monday morning across all 90 seats of Haryana and 288 constituencies of Maharashtra amidst tight security, officials said.

The voting in all constituencies will continue till 6 pm in the evening.

The electoral fate of over 4400 candidates- 1169 in Haryana and 3237 in Maharashtra will be sealed in EVMs by the voters who will exercise their democratic franchise in the assembly elections.

In Haryana, 19,578 polling stations have been set up whereas there are 96,661 polling booths in Maharashtra for citizens to cast their votes.

In Haryana, 2,987 polling booths have been marked as vulnerable whereas 151 critical polling stations have been identified, the live footage of which would be monitored in the control room set up at the headquarters in Chandigarh.

More than 40,000 Haryana Police personnel, over 13,000 paramilitary personnel and more than 20,000 Home Guards and Special Police Officers have been deployed for conducting the elections in the state.

The assembly election in Haryana will witness a multi-cornered contest among BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).&nbsp;

For Maharashtra Assembly elections, 40,000 police personnel will be deployed in Mumbai and drones will be used for surveillance as part of security arrangements, Mumbai Police had earlier said.&nbsp;

Maharashtra police will also maintain strict vigil throughout the state with its personnel deployed for election duties in all districts along with home guards, companies of CAPF and CRPF for the polling day.

BJP is contesting 150 seats in 288-member Maharashtra Assembly while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies.&nbsp;

Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra. Campaigning in Maharashtra and Haryana for the Assembly elections, 2019 concluded on Saturday.&nbsp;

The Model Code of Conduct had come into force on September 21 after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced Assembly election dates.

During the campaign period, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister and BJP chief Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were among national leaders who campaigned in the two states. NCP chief Sharad Pawar campaigned extensively in Maharashtra.

The elections are significant as it is the first assembly polls after Modi steered the BJP-led NDA to a resounding victory in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year for a successive second term at the Centre.&nbsp;

It is also the first assembly polls after the BJP-led government`s decision to repeal Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.BJP is in power on its own in Haryana and in alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.

(With inputs from ANI)

Polling began on a peaceful note on Monday morning across all 90 seats of Haryana and 288 constituencies of Maharashtra amidst tight security, officials said. The voting in all constituencies will continue till 6 pm in the evening.

Polling began on a peaceful note on Monday morning across all 90 seats of Haryana and 288 constituencies of Maharashtra amidst tight security, officials said. The voting in all constituencies will continue till 6 pm in the evening. The electoral fate of over 4400 candidates- 1169 in Haryana and 3237 in Maharashtra will be sealed in EVMs by the voters who will exercise their democratic franchise in the assembly elections. In Haryana, 19,578 polling stations have been set up whereas there are 96,661 polling booths in Maharashtra for citizens to cast their votes. In Haryana, 2,987 polling booths have been marked as vulnerable whereas 151 critical polling stations have been identified, the live footage of which would be monitored in the control room set up at the headquarters in Chandigarh. More than 40,000 Haryana Police personnel, over 13,000 paramilitary personnel and more than 20,000 Home Guards and Special Police Officers have been deployed for conducting the elections in the state. The assembly election in Haryana will witness a multi-cornered contest among BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). For Maharashtra Assembly elections, 40,000 police personnel will be deployed in Mumbai and drones will be used for surveillance as part of security arrangements, Mumbai Police had earlier said. Maharashtra police will also maintain strict vigil throughout the state with its personnel deployed for election duties in all districts along with home guards, companies of CAPF and CRPF for the polling day. BJP is contesting 150 seats in 288-member Maharashtra Assembly while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra. Campaigning in Maharashtra and Haryana for the Assembly elections, 2019 concluded on Saturday. The Model Code of Conduct had come into force on September 21 after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced Assembly election dates. During the campaign period, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister and BJP chief Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were among national leaders who campaigned in the two states. NCP chief Sharad Pawar campaigned extensively in Maharashtra. The elections are significant as it is the first assembly polls after Modi steered the BJP-led NDA to a resounding victory in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year for a successive second term at the Centre. It is also the first assembly polls after the BJP-led government`s decision to repeal Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.BJP is in power on its own in Haryana and in alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. (With inputs from ANI)

Maharashtra, Haryana Assembly Elections 2019: Voting underway at all polling booths

Five things to know about Tunisia's parliamentary election

Samir Farig had never thought of voting for Israel's Arab political parties before, but he did it this week, joining a wave of support that helped deliver a breakthrough.

"This time I decided to vote only for Arab parties. Why? Because I think that they should be (the ones) representing me", said Farig.

An Arab citizen of Israel like most people in the town of Kufr Qassem in central Israel, the 54-year-old was a lifelong supporter of the Israeli Labour Party, dominated by the country's Jewish majority.

But he said that he was fed up with Israel's Arab population being the target of constant scorn by the Jewish right.

He saw Tuesday's elections as an opportunity to help oust right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, so he switched his vote.

He was part of a surge that, according to results so far, show Arab parties running together under the Joint List alliance with 13 seats in parliament - the third-largest bloc.

"We are living in Israel, we pay all the taxes and we do everything that they ask of us. But getting our rights depends on the rules that he decides", he said, speaking of Netanyahu.

"The Jews, even those on the left, are far from (having) the problems of the Arabs today."

Turnout boost

Arab Israelis are Palestinians that remained on their land after the creation of Israel in 1948.

Their number stands at around 1.8 million, making up &nbsp;20 per cent of the population, but they complain of discrimination in the Jewish majority state.

The increased turnout of Arab Israelis and the improved performance of their political parties was a major trend in Tuesday's do-over election, just five months after an indecisive April vote.

In many Arab towns, turnout jumped more than 10 percentage points compared to April due to a combination of improved organisation and opposition to Netanyahu.

In April's election, the four main Arab parties, which range from Communists to Islamists with many variations in-between, split into two groupings, dividing the vote.

The two groupings won only 10 seats in the 120-seat Israeli Parliament.

For Tuesday, they revived the 2015 Joint List under the slogan "More votes, more impact", led by Ayman Odeh, who says he wants a party for both Arabs and Jews and supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Depending on the make-up of the next government, Odeh has a realistic chance to become the country's opposition leader.

In Nazareth, the largest Arab city in Israel, turnout was up by 15 per cent to 55 per cent compared to April.

The Joint List received 91 per cent of that vote -- up from 83 per cent for the two groupings six months ago.

Diana Buttu, a Palestinian political analyst, said the Arab parties had learned a lesson from the bad organisation and division of April's election.

'Get Bibi out'

Dislike of Netanyahu and fear of his right-wing policies served as an important motivating factor.

The longtime leader has been accused of trying to suppress Arab turnout and last year passed a controversial law declaring Israel the nation-state of the Jewish people, in part downgrading the status of Arabic as an official language.

During the 2015 election, he controversially tried to scare his supporters out to the polls by saying Arabs were voting "in droves."

In a taunting reply late Tuesday, Arab Israeli MP Ahmed Tibi tweeted that they had indeed voted "in droves".

Issa, 50, who did not want to give his full name, said that he had been motivated by his dislike of Netanyahu.

"I don’t like the Arab parties. I voted for them to make them strong but they haven’t done anything for us," he said.

"The most important thing is to get Bibi out,” he added, using the common nickname for Netanyahu.

Even after the elections led to another stalemate on Tuesday, raising the possibility of a coalition government. However, Netanyahu warned about including any Arab parties in a potential coalition, saying they "praise bloodthirsty terrorists who murder our soldiers, citizens and children".

Buttu said that Netanyahu’s tactics had backfired and helped increase Arab turnout.

In Nazareth, young political activist Fadi Zoabi had helped run a campaign to get voters out.

"They organised cars to take people to the polls", the 21-year-old said.

"The unity of the list is what made people vote more... In the Middle East there is no list that combines communists, nationalists and Islamists", he added.

He was hoping that the gains would lead to cancelling the nation-state law, as well as more economic support for Arab communities.

"The day of the elections is the only day when my voice has the same value as a Jewish Israeli", he said.

Samir Farig had never thought of voting for Israel's Arab political parties before, but he did it this week, joining a wave of support that helped deliver a breakthrough.

Samir Farig had never thought of voting for Israel's Arab political parties before, but he did it this week, joining a wave of support that helped deliver a breakthrough. "This time I decided to vote only for Arab parties. Why? Because I think that they should be (the ones) representing me", said Farig. An Arab citizen of Israel like most people in the town of Kufr Qassem in central Israel, the 54-year-old was a lifelong supporter of the Israeli Labour Party, dominated by the country's Jewish majority. But he said that he was fed up with Israel's Arab population being the target of constant scorn by the Jewish right. He saw Tuesday's elections as an opportunity to help oust right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, so he switched his vote. He was part of a surge that, according to results so far, show Arab parties running together under the Joint List alliance with 13 seats in parliament - the third-largest bloc. "We are living in Israel, we pay all the taxes and we do everything that they ask of us. But getting our rights depends on the rules that he decides", he said, speaking of Netanyahu. "The Jews, even those on the left, are far from (having) the problems of the Arabs today." Turnout boost Arab Israelis are Palestinians that remained on their land after the creation of Israel in 1948. Their number stands at around 1.8 million, making up 20 per cent of the population, but they complain of discrimination in the Jewish majority state. The increased turnout of Arab Israelis and the improved performance of their political parties was a major trend in Tuesday's do-over election, just five months after an indecisive April vote. In many Arab towns, turnout jumped more than 10 percentage points compared to April due to a combination of improved organisation and opposition to Netanyahu. In April's election, the four main Arab parties, which range from Communists to Islamists with many variations in-between, split into two groupings, dividing the vote. The two groupings won only 10 seats in the 120-seat Israeli Parliament. For Tuesday, they revived the 2015 Joint List under the slogan "More votes, more impact", led by Ayman Odeh, who says he wants a party for both Arabs and Jews and supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Depending on the make-up of the next government, Odeh has a realistic chance to become the country's opposition leader. In Nazareth, the largest Arab city in Israel, turnout was up by 15 per cent to 55 per cent compared to April. The Joint List received 91 per cent of that vote -- up from 83 per cent for the two groupings six months ago. Diana Buttu, a Palestinian political analyst, said the Arab parties had learned a lesson from the bad organisation and division of April's election. 'Get Bibi out' Dislike of Netanyahu and fear of his right-wing policies served as an important motivating factor. The longtime leader has been accused of trying to suppress Arab turnout and last year passed a controversial law declaring Israel the nation-state of the Jewish people, in part downgrading the status of Arabic as an official language. During the 2015 election, he controversially tried to scare his supporters out to the polls by saying Arabs were voting "in droves." In a taunting reply late Tuesday, Arab Israeli MP Ahmed Tibi tweeted that they had indeed voted "in droves". Issa, 50, who did not want to give his full name, said that he had been motivated by his dislike of Netanyahu. "I don’t like the Arab parties. I voted for them to make them strong but they haven’t done anything for us," he said. "The most important thing is to get Bibi out,” he added, using the common nickname for Netanyahu. Even after the elections led to another stalemate on Tuesday, raising the possibility of a coalition government. However, Netanyahu warned about including any Arab parties in a potential coalition, saying they "praise bloodthirsty terrorists who murder our soldiers, citizens and children". Buttu said that Netanyahu’s tactics had backfired and helped increase Arab turnout. In Nazareth, young political activist Fadi Zoabi had helped run a campaign to get voters out. "They organised cars to take people to the polls", the 21-year-old said. "The unity of the list is what made people vote more... In the Middle East there is no list that combines communists, nationalists and Islamists", he added. He was hoping that the gains would lead to cancelling the nation-state law, as well as more economic support for Arab communities. "The day of the elections is the only day when my voice has the same value as a Jewish Israeli", he said.

In a breakthrough, Arab Israelis turn out to vote 'in droves'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-open-to-new-talks-with-united-states-after-bloody-attacks-250356">Afghanistan's Taliban</a> insurgent group on Wednesday warned teachers, students and other education workers to avoid the upcoming presidential vote or risk dying in attacks on election centres.

"Do not allow election organisers to turn your schools and institutions into electoral centres, and teachers and students should not work as electoral staff," said the Taliban statement.

"We do not want to cause the loss of lives and financial losses for civilians, teachers and students," it said.

In 10 days, Afghanistan will hold its fourth presidential election since United States-led forces toppled the hardline Islamist Taliban from power in 2001. The insurgents have sworn to violently disrupt the vote, which comes in the aftermath of collapsed peace talks between the militants and the United States.

Schools and universities make up between seven and eight out of every ten polling centres across the country, and though no students, teachers or education officials are being hired as election workers, they can volunteer, said Abdul Aziz Ibrahimi, a spokesman for Afghanistan's election commission.

"We are committed to holding elections on the announced date, and such threats from the Taliban cannot prevent us from holding them," the spokesman said.

The Ministry of Education was not immediately available for comment, but the United Nations and international donors have asked it to help with elections because of its relatively developed infrastructure.

On Tuesday, Taliban attackers killed nearly 50 people in separate suicide bombings, one targeting an election rally for incumbent President Ashraf Ghani, who is seeking a second five-year term.

Security across the country has been tight in the run-up to the vote, after threats by the Taliban to attack meetings and polling stations. The group has vowed to intensify clashes with Afghan and foreign forces to dissuade people from voting in the upcoming elections.

Last week, peace talks between the United States and the Taliban collapsed. The two sides had been seeking to reach an accord on the withdrawal of thousands of American troops from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the insurgents.

The negotiations, which did not include the Afghan government, were intended as a prelude to wider peace negotiations to end more than more 40 years of war in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's Taliban insurgent group on Wednesday warned teachers, students and other education workers to avoid the upcoming presidential vote or risk dying in attacks on election centres.

Afghanistan's Taliban insurgent group on Wednesday warned teachers, students and other education workers to avoid the upcoming presidential vote or risk dying in attacks on election centres. "Do not allow election organisers to turn your schools and institutions into electoral centres, and teachers and students should not work as electoral staff," said the Taliban statement. "We do not want to cause the loss of lives and financial losses for civilians, teachers and students," it said. In 10 days, Afghanistan will hold its fourth presidential election since United States-led forces toppled the hardline Islamist Taliban from power in 2001. The insurgents have sworn to violently disrupt the vote, which comes in the aftermath of collapsed peace talks between the militants and the United States. Schools and universities make up between seven and eight out of every ten polling centres across the country, and though no students, teachers or education officials are being hired as election workers, they can volunteer, said Abdul Aziz Ibrahimi, a spokesman for Afghanistan's election commission. "We are committed to holding elections on the announced date, and such threats from the Taliban cannot prevent us from holding them," the spokesman said. The Ministry of Education was not immediately available for comment, but the United Nations and international donors have asked it to help with elections because of its relatively developed infrastructure. On Tuesday, Taliban attackers killed nearly 50 people in separate suicide bombings, one targeting an election rally for incumbent President Ashraf Ghani, who is seeking a second five-year term. Security across the country has been tight in the run-up to the vote, after threats by the Taliban to attack meetings and polling stations. The group has vowed to intensify clashes with Afghan and foreign forces to dissuade people from voting in the upcoming elections. Last week, peace talks between the United States and the Taliban collapsed. The two sides had been seeking to reach an accord on the withdrawal of thousands of American troops from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the insurgents. The negotiations, which did not include the Afghan government, were intended as a prelude to wider peace negotiations to end more than more 40 years of war in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's Taliban tells teachers, students to block presidential elections or risk death

Indonesians voted in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polls-close-in-indonesias-giant-one-day-election-211089">world's biggest single-day election </a>across the sprawling equatorial archipelago on Wednesday following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament.

President Joko Widodo, a former furniture salesman who launched his political career as a small-city mayor, is standing for re-election in a contest with ex-general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in 2014.

The election has been dominated by economic issues, but also marked by the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/economy-conservative-islam-in-spotlight-as-indonesia-goes-to-the-polls-211073"> growing influence of conservative Islam</a>, with politicians including Widodo taking pains to appear more Islamic. The worry for investors is that the appeal for conservative votes will translate into populist policy.

Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead but the opposition has disputed survey findings. Some recent surveys have shown Prabowo catching up.

The opposition has also said it has uncovered data irregularities affecting millions on the electoral rolls and has vowed to take legal action or use "people power" if its complaints are not resolved.

The election is a huge logistical operation in the world's third-largest democracy with 245,000 candidates vying for votes cast during a mere eight hours.

Voters have to cast five paper ballots for president, vice president, and national and regional legislative candidates, some clearly struggling with the process.

"The ballots with the photos on it were actually confusing. And the other one had a lot of names I didn’t recognise," said Orlando Yudistira, 19, a first-time voter in Jakarta.

Nearly 350,000 police and military personnel, in addition to 1.6 million paramilitary officers, have fanned out across the archipelago of 17,000 islands to safeguard the vote.

More than 10,000 people have also volunteered to crowd-source results posted at polling stations in a real-time bid to thwart attempts at fraud.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) in the east and will close at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) in the west.

Unofficial "quick counts" will be released hours after polling ends and the winning presidential candidate is expected to be apparent later today.

The General Election Commission is expected to announce an official result in May.

THE 'NEW FACE' IN POLITICS, WIDODO SEEKS A SECOND TERM

When Widodo was elected five years ago he offered a break from the military and political elite that had clung to power since the fall of strongman ruler Suharto in 1998.

Now, Widodo, 57, is running on his own record for a second term.

With his easy smile and signature "blusukan", or impromptu walkabouts, he came to power on a wave of support for the clean, can-do image he cultivated as a small-city mayor, and then as governor of the capital, Jakarta.

Still, during his political rise, Widodo, a moderate Muslim from the city of Solo in Java island, has had to fend off smear campaigns suggesting he was anti-Islam, a communist or in debt to China. On Sunday, he made a pilgrimage to Islam's holiest site, Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

As president, Widodo was saddled with expectations he could fix a host of problems, from human rights abuses to pervasive graft. Jokowi, as he is popularly known, also inherited an economy coming off a commodities boom, and faced an obstructive parliament.

He stitched together a majority in parliament and while unable to hit an economic growth target of 7 percent, led a push to build ports, roads and airports.

THE CHALLENGER - FORMER SPECIAL FORCES COMMANDER

Challenger Prabowo Subianto, 67, has long harboured ambitions for the top job and has cultivated a strongman image and ties with hardline Islamist groups in the hope of boosting his chances.

In the last election, in 2014, Prabowo, the head of the Great Indonesia Movement party, came within 6 percentage points of beating Widodo.

A former special forces commander, Prabowo comes from an elite political family. His father was one of Indonesia's most prominent economists, serving in the cabinets of both presidents Sukarno and Suharto. The latter was his father-in-law.

Prabowo has fired up his rallies with warnings the country is at the mercy of unspecified foreign powers and on the verge of fragmentation.

CLAWING BACK VOTER SUPPORT IN MUSLIM HEARTLAND

Since taking office, Widodo has made efforts to bring religious parties into his coalition, and to secure the backing of the conservative voters he failed to win over in 2014.

His decision to pick Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, 76, as his running mate was part of a strategy to enhance his ticket's appeal among conservatives but it disappointed some of his moderate and progressive supporters, who say the president is pandering to conservatives and fear the erosion of Indonesia's reputation for religious tolerance and pluralism.

Widodo's aides say the mobilisation of grassroots support and canvassing of thousands of Islamic schools in conservative provinces is crucial to prevent a repeat of 2014, when the opposition attacks cost him votes.

DISGRUNTLED RURAL VOTERS WEIGH OPTIONS

Economic growth has hovered at about 5 per cent over Widodo's first term, but there has been a drop in real income for its nearly 40 million farmers, who account for a third of the labour force.

Widodo has sought to tame inflation with a cap on prices of staples such as rice and shallots, and to import more food. He remains popular in many rural areas though some farmers are considering the opposition even though Widodo has led an infrastructure drive that has improved access to markets.

Prabowo has said some of Widodo's infrastructure projects have failed to help ordinary people.

THE FRONTLINE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA ELECTION BATTLE

This election has been fought out over social media as never before. So-called buzzer teams have proliferated, named for the buzz they aim to create, to spread propaganda on behalf of both Widodo and Prabowo, sometimes with fake accounts.

Under Indonesia's broad internet defamation law, creating and spreading fake news is illegal, but holding social media accounts in false names is not, unless a real person is being impersonated. Both campaign teams deny using buzzers or spreading fake news.

Misinformation is rampant on Facebook, which counts Indonesia as its third-largest market globally with an estimated 130 million accounts, as well as on its Instagram and WhatsApp affiliates and rival service Twitter.

The companies say they are working with the government and fighting false content.

BREAKDANCING, HOLOGRAMS TO WIN YOUTH VOTE

People aged 17 to 35 account for more than a third of the electorate. Both Widodo and Prabowo ramped up efforts to appeal to them, deploying everything from holograms, campaign messaging in comic strips, and breakdancing.

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE IN INDONESIA'S MONEY POLITICS

Indonesia has some of the worst money politics in Southeast Asia, according to researchers. Handouts of cash and gifts, anti-graft advocates and politicians say, lead to rampant corruption as successful candidates recoup election expenses, and more, once elected.

Envelopes, usually stuffed with cash ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 rupiah ($1.42 to $7.08), are commonly doled out to voters. Though small amounts, the overall cost can be huge over a six-month campaign.

The going rate for a serious run for one of 560 seats in the national legislature is about 10 billion rupiah, or $708,000, according to the former deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission.

PALM OIL CENTRAL TO ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLEDGES

Both candidates have pledged to achieve energy self-sufficiency by boosting the use of bioenergy, particularly from palm oil. Indonesia opposes a European Union plan to curb the use of palm oil over deforestation concerns.

Indonesians voted in the world's biggest single-day election across the sprawling equatorial archipelago on Wednesday following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament.

Indonesians voted in the world's biggest single-day election across the sprawling equatorial archipelago on Wednesday following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament. President Joko Widodo, a former furniture salesman who launched his political career as a small-city mayor, is standing for re-election in a contest with ex-general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in 2014. The election has been dominated by economic issues, but also marked by the growing influence of conservative Islam, with politicians including Widodo taking pains to appear more Islamic. The worry for investors is that the appeal for conservative votes will translate into populist policy. Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead but the opposition has disputed survey findings. Some recent surveys have shown Prabowo catching up. The opposition has also said it has uncovered data irregularities affecting millions on the electoral rolls and has vowed to take legal action or use "people power" if its complaints are not resolved. The election is a huge logistical operation in the world's third-largest democracy with 245,000 candidates vying for votes cast during a mere eight hours. Voters have to cast five paper ballots for president, vice president, and national and regional legislative candidates, some clearly struggling with the process. "The ballots with the photos on it were actually confusing. And the other one had a lot of names I didn’t recognise," said Orlando Yudistira, 19, a first-time voter in Jakarta. Nearly 350,000 police and military personnel, in addition to 1.6 million paramilitary officers, have fanned out across the archipelago of 17,000 islands to safeguard the vote. More than 10,000 people have also volunteered to crowd-source results posted at polling stations in a real-time bid to thwart attempts at fraud. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) in the east and will close at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) in the west. Unofficial "quick counts" will be released hours after polling ends and the winning presidential candidate is expected to be apparent later today. The General Election Commission is expected to announce an official result in May. THE 'NEW FACE' IN POLITICS, WIDODO SEEKS A SECOND TERM When Widodo was elected five years ago he offered a break from the military and political elite that had clung to power since the fall of strongman ruler Suharto in 1998. Now, Widodo, 57, is running on his own record for a second term. With his easy smile and signature "blusukan", or impromptu walkabouts, he came to power on a wave of support for the clean, can-do image he cultivated as a small-city mayor, and then as governor of the capital, Jakarta. Still, during his political rise, Widodo, a moderate Muslim from the city of Solo in Java island, has had to fend off smear campaigns suggesting he was anti-Islam, a communist or in debt to China. On Sunday, he made a pilgrimage to Islam's holiest site, Mecca in Saudi Arabia. As president, Widodo was saddled with expectations he could fix a host of problems, from human rights abuses to pervasive graft. Jokowi, as he is popularly known, also inherited an economy coming off a commodities boom, and faced an obstructive parliament. He stitched together a majority in parliament and while unable to hit an economic growth target of 7 percent, led a push to build ports, roads and airports. THE CHALLENGER - FORMER SPECIAL FORCES COMMANDER Challenger Prabowo Subianto, 67, has long harboured ambitions for the top job and has cultivated a strongman image and ties with hardline Islamist groups in the hope of boosting his chances. In the last election, in 2014, Prabowo, the head of the Great Indonesia Movement party, came within 6 percentage points of beating Widodo. A former special forces commander, Prabowo comes from an elite political family. His father was one of Indonesia's most prominent economists, serving in the cabinets of both presidents Sukarno and Suharto. The latter was his father-in-law. Prabowo has fired up his rallies with warnings the country is at the mercy of unspecified foreign powers and on the verge of fragmentation. CLAWING BACK VOTER SUPPORT IN MUSLIM HEARTLAND Since taking office, Widodo has made efforts to bring religious parties into his coalition, and to secure the backing of the conservative voters he failed to win over in 2014. His decision to pick Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, 76, as his running mate was part of a strategy to enhance his ticket's appeal among conservatives but it disappointed some of his moderate and progressive supporters, who say the president is pandering to conservatives and fear the erosion of Indonesia's reputation for religious tolerance and pluralism. Widodo's aides say the mobilisation of grassroots support and canvassing of thousands of Islamic schools in conservative provinces is crucial to prevent a repeat of 2014, when the opposition attacks cost him votes. DISGRUNTLED RURAL VOTERS WEIGH OPTIONS Economic growth has hovered at about 5 per cent over Widodo's first term, but there has been a drop in real income for its nearly 40 million farmers, who account for a third of the labour force. Widodo has sought to tame inflation with a cap on prices of staples such as rice and shallots, and to import more food. He remains popular in many rural areas though some farmers are considering the opposition even though Widodo has led an infrastructure drive that has improved access to markets. Prabowo has said some of Widodo's infrastructure projects have failed to help ordinary people. THE FRONTLINE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA ELECTION BATTLE This election has been fought out over social media as never before. So-called buzzer teams have proliferated, named for the buzz they aim to create, to spread propaganda on behalf of both Widodo and Prabowo, sometimes with fake accounts. Under Indonesia's broad internet defamation law, creating and spreading fake news is illegal, but holding social media accounts in false names is not, unless a real person is being impersonated. Both campaign teams deny using buzzers or spreading fake news. Misinformation is rampant on Facebook, which counts Indonesia as its third-largest market globally with an estimated 130 million accounts, as well as on its Instagram and WhatsApp affiliates and rival service Twitter. The companies say they are working with the government and fighting false content. BREAKDANCING, HOLOGRAMS TO WIN YOUTH VOTE People aged 17 to 35 account for more than a third of the electorate. Both Widodo and Prabowo ramped up efforts to appeal to them, deploying everything from holograms, campaign messaging in comic strips, and breakdancing. PUSHING THE ENVELOPE IN INDONESIA'S MONEY POLITICS Indonesia has some of the worst money politics in Southeast Asia, according to researchers. Handouts of cash and gifts, anti-graft advocates and politicians say, lead to rampant corruption as successful candidates recoup election expenses, and more, once elected. Envelopes, usually stuffed with cash ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 rupiah ($1.42 to $7.08), are commonly doled out to voters. Though small amounts, the overall cost can be huge over a six-month campaign. The going rate for a serious run for one of 560 seats in the national legislature is about 10 billion rupiah, or $708,000, according to the former deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission. PALM OIL CENTRAL TO ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLEDGES Both candidates have pledged to achieve energy self-sufficiency by boosting the use of bioenergy, particularly from palm oil. Indonesia opposes a European Union plan to curb the use of palm oil over deforestation concerns.

Indonesia's election: What you need to know

Thailand heads to polls after 8 years

Hundreds of thousands of voters crowded into schools, parking lots and temples across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/weightlifting-thailand-to-host-world-championships-despite-voluntary-ban-202050">Thailand</a> on Sunday, eager to cast an early ballot a week before the country's first election in eight years.

Advanced voting is usually a tepid affair, but on Sunday excitement was high as voters turned up in droves to polling stations.

More than 2.3 million Thais are expected to vote before the official March 24 poll date.

Since a 2014 coup ousted then-premier Yingluck Shinawatra, the junta has repeatedly postponed democratic elections - much to the chagrin of the Thai public.&nbsp;

'I finally have a chance to cast my vote as I've waited for so long,'&nbsp;said 48-year-old Paka Kaengkhiew as she stood in line in front of Bangkok's Phra Khanong district office.&nbsp;

In Dusit district - home to military offices and government buildings - voters piled into a schoolyard before a polling station there opened.&nbsp;

People dressed in their work clothes -- military uniforms, hospital scrubs, and more casual attire - waited patiently to cast their ballot, aided by student helpers.

At 9.00 am Prem Tinsulanonda, the head of the Privy Council - the advisory board to Thai King Maha Vajialongkon - arrived at the school.

Watched by Thai and international media, the 98-year-old carrying an oxygen tank was pushed in a wheelchair into a classroom boasting a portrait of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who he advised, before walking the final steps to a polling booth.

The former general was briefly installed as the temporary regent for Thailand's revered monarchy following the death of the late king before King Vajiralongkorn took over, cementing Prem's role as one of the most powerful - and enduring - players in the Machiavellian game of Thai politics. &nbsp;

More than 51 million Thais are eligible to vote in the official March 24 election, which will be held under a new military-scripted constitution.&nbsp;

There are 'high expectations'&nbsp;for this year's election, said Sudarat Keyuraphan, a prime ministerial candidate for Pheu Thai -- the party which garnered the most parliamentary seats in 2011's election, and is loathed by the military.&nbsp;

'The (junta) says the country is under peace and order but... the people have no hope,'&nbsp;she told reporters at the Pheu Thai headquarters. "We are confident... we will be the party that voters go for the most."

Analysts say the new electoral system favors the Army-aligned party fronted by junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who is running to be civilian prime minister after a government is formed.

But voters on Sunday still held on to hopes for change.&nbsp;

'I vote today in the hope for better change,'&nbsp;said Mart Bupa, 53.&nbsp;

Hundreds of thousands of voters crowded into schools, parking lots and temples across Thailand on Sunday, eager to cast an early ballot a week before the country's first election in eight years.

Hundreds of thousands of voters crowded into schools, parking lots and temples across Thailand on Sunday, eager to cast an early ballot a week before the country's first election in eight years. Advanced voting is usually a tepid affair, but on Sunday excitement was high as voters turned up in droves to polling stations. More than 2.3 million Thais are expected to vote before the official March 24 poll date. Since a 2014 coup ousted then-premier Yingluck Shinawatra, the junta has repeatedly postponed democratic elections - much to the chagrin of the Thai public. 'I finally have a chance to cast my vote as I've waited for so long,' said 48-year-old Paka Kaengkhiew as she stood in line in front of Bangkok's Phra Khanong district office. In Dusit district - home to military offices and government buildings - voters piled into a schoolyard before a polling station there opened. People dressed in their work clothes -- military uniforms, hospital scrubs, and more casual attire - waited patiently to cast their ballot, aided by student helpers. At 9.00 am Prem Tinsulanonda, the head of the Privy Council - the advisory board to Thai King Maha Vajialongkon - arrived at the school. Watched by Thai and international media, the 98-year-old carrying an oxygen tank was pushed in a wheelchair into a classroom boasting a portrait of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who he advised, before walking the final steps to a polling booth. The former general was briefly installed as the temporary regent for Thailand's revered monarchy following the death of the late king before King Vajiralongkorn took over, cementing Prem's role as one of the most powerful - and enduring - players in the Machiavellian game of Thai politics. More than 51 million Thais are eligible to vote in the official March 24 election, which will be held under a new military-scripted constitution. There are 'high expectations' for this year's election, said Sudarat Keyuraphan, a prime ministerial candidate for Pheu Thai -- the party which garnered the most parliamentary seats in 2011's election, and is loathed by the military. 'The (junta) says the country is under peace and order but... the people have no hope,' she told reporters at the Pheu Thai headquarters. "We are confident... we will be the party that voters go for the most." Analysts say the new electoral system favors the Army-aligned party fronted by junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who is running to be civilian prime minister after a government is formed. But voters on Sunday still held on to hopes for change. 'I vote today in the hope for better change,' said Mart Bupa, 53.

Thailand's early voting kicks off with long queues

Eight people were killed in clashes on election day in Bangladesh on Sunday, police said.

While three people were killed in skirmishes between activists of the ruling Awami League party and supporters of the main Bangladesh Nationalist Party opposition in separate incidents.

Two others were shot dead by police, one after he tried to steal a ballot box and the other when opposition activists attempted to storm a polling station, according to officers.&nbsp;

Voting for the general elections in Bangladesh, to elect the country's next prime minister, began&nbsp;at 8:00 am on Sunday.

Over 10 crore Bangladeshis are expected to&nbsp;vote in the single-phase general election in the country's 11th national parliamentary election.&nbsp;

Polls opened at 08:00 am (0200 GMT) amid tight security following a campaign that was marred by violence and allegations of a government crackdown on opposition activists.

Around&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-deploys-600000-security-forces-ahead-of-elections-187152">600,000 security personnel&nbsp;were deployed</a>&nbsp;in the country ahead of the polls.

Clashes have gripped the Muslim majority country of 165 million in the run-up to the polls.

Thirteen people were earlier killed and thousands injured in skirmishes between supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League and activists of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

(With inputs from agencies)

Eight people were killed in clashes on election day in Bangladesh on Sunday, police said. While three people were killed in skirmishes between activists of the ruling Awami League party and supporters of the main Bangladesh Nationalist Party opposition in separate incidents.

Eight people were killed in clashes on election day in Bangladesh on Sunday, police said. While three people were killed in skirmishes between activists of the ruling Awami League party and supporters of the main Bangladesh Nationalist Party opposition in separate incidents. Two others were shot dead by police, one after he tried to steal a ballot box and the other when opposition activists attempted to storm a polling station, according to officers. Voting for the general elections in Bangladesh, to elect the country's next prime minister, began at 8:00 am on Sunday. Over 10 crore Bangladeshis are expected to vote in the single-phase general election in the country's 11th national parliamentary election. Polls opened at 08:00 am (0200 GMT) amid tight security following a campaign that was marred by violence and allegations of a government crackdown on opposition activists. Around 600,000 security personnel were deployed in the country ahead of the polls. Clashes have gripped the Muslim majority country of 165 million in the run-up to the polls. Thirteen people were earlier killed and thousands injured in skirmishes between supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League and activists of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). (With inputs from agencies)

Eight dead in election-related violence in Bangladesh

Spain's prime minister&nbsp;Pedro Sanchez whose minority government has struggled to pass a budget since taking office in June said in an interview published Sunday that he intends to stay in power until the current parliamentary term ends in 2020.

Spanish voters go to the polls on May 26, 2019, for municipal, regional and European elections and there has been speculation that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez could call a snap general election for the same day, ahead of the 2020 scheduled date especially if he fails to approve a budget for next year.

"Obviously the budget is very important for any government. I want to fight for it to be approved during the first quarter of the year," he told Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia.

"When the elections are called it will not be in the interests of the party, but for the public interest. And my goal is to see out the legislature," he added.

His comments come after Sanchez and the head of the separatist regional government of Catalonia, Quim Torra, last week pledged fresh dialogue to try to resolve a dispute over the wealthy northeastern region's status within Spain, raising hopes that Catalan separatist parties will back the government's 2019 budget.

With only 84 Socialist deputies to help steer legislation through a 350-seat parliament, Sanchez's government relies on the support of Catalan separatist parties to pass legislation.

Sanchez came to power in June in after a surprise no-confidence vote against his conservative predecessor, with the support of Catalan separatist parties.

But those parties have refused to back the budget after public prosecutors in November called for stiff penalties for 18 Catalan leaders facing trial over their role in Catalonia's failed independence bid last year.

Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez whose minority government has struggled to pass a budget since taking office in June said in an interview published Sunday that he intends to stay in power until the current parliamentary term ends in 2020.

Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez whose minority government has struggled to pass a budget since taking office in June said in an interview published Sunday that he intends to stay in power until the current parliamentary term ends in 2020. Spanish voters go to the polls on May 26, 2019, for municipal, regional and European elections and there has been speculation that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez could call a snap general election for the same day, ahead of the 2020 scheduled date especially if he fails to approve a budget for next year. "Obviously the budget is very important for any government. I want to fight for it to be approved during the first quarter of the year," he told Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia. "When the elections are called it will not be in the interests of the party, but for the public interest. And my goal is to see out the legislature," he added. His comments come after Sanchez and the head of the separatist regional government of Catalonia, Quim Torra, last week pledged fresh dialogue to try to resolve a dispute over the wealthy northeastern region's status within Spain, raising hopes that Catalan separatist parties will back the government's 2019 budget. With only 84 Socialist deputies to help steer legislation through a 350-seat parliament, Sanchez's government relies on the support of Catalan separatist parties to pass legislation. Sanchez came to power in June in after a surprise no-confidence vote against his conservative predecessor, with the support of Catalan separatist parties. But those parties have refused to back the budget after public prosecutors in November called for stiff penalties for 18 Catalan leaders facing trial over their role in Catalonia's failed independence bid last year.

Spain PM Sanchez says he aims to see out parliamentary term

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