Iran is set to hold a runoff vote to elect a new leader on Friday, pitting a reformist who seeks dialogue with the West against a conservative hardliner.

Iran Presidential runoff elections: Main challenges are economy, women's rights

Iran Presidential runoff elections: Pezeshkian vs Jalili

Iran Presidential runoff elections: Runoff polls between Pezeshkian & Jalili

Iran is poised for its elections of course we are starting with that soon the runoff elections will be held on Friday the 5th of July. Watch to know more!

Iran to hold runoff polls on Friday

Iran will proceed to a run-off election after neither hardline candidate Saeed Jalili nor reformist contender Massoud Pezeshkian secured a majority in the presidential race. Watch in for more details!

Iran Presidential Elections: A lingering impact of 2022 anti-Hijab protest

Iran Presidential Elections | Pezeshkian vs Jalili: Who will succeed Raisi?

Iranians cast their ballots for a new president on Friday following Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash. As ballots are counted manually, the final result is expected to be announced only in two days although initial figures may come out sooner. Gravitas brings you more!

Gravitas | Iran Presidential Elections: Elections coincides with escalating regional tensions

Iranians cast their ballots for a new president on Friday following Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash. As ballots are counted manually, the final result is expected to be announced only in two days although initial figures may come out sooner. Watch in for more details!

Iran Presidential Elections: Voter turnout in focus as Iran picks new President

Iran Presidential Elections: Iranians vote in early polls after Raisi's untimely death

Take a look at some of Iran's domestic and international concerns that are playing a big role in Iran's presidential polls.

Iran elections 2024: Key challenges for the new government

Iran as the country prepares for its presidential election the impact of international sanctions on the economy is a critical issue for voters. Watch to know more!

Iran Presidential elections 2024: State of Iran's economy

As Iran prepares to elect as successor for the late president Ebrahim Raisi this Friday. Two of the six candidates gearing up for the polls has already dropped out of this race. Watch this to know more.

Iran Presidential Elections 2024: Four candidates remain in Presidential polls

Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, one of the contenders for the extraordinary presidential election in Iran, to be held on June 28, withdrew his candidacy today. Watch to know more.

Iranian presidential polls 2024: Five candidates remain in Presidential polls

Iranian presidential polls 2024: Iranian VP first to drop out of this year's election

Iranian presidential polls 2024: Early polls after Raisi's untimely death

The stages set for voting in Presidential elections in Iran on Friday with candidates pulling out all stops in the last few days of campaigning. Of the six mostly hardline candidates confirmed by the guardian Council Massoud Pezeshkian of the reformist front is regarded to be one of to be the only one representing moderates and reformists. Watch in for more details!

Iran Presidential race with six candidates after Raisi's untimely death

Iran votes in Presidential Elections on June 28th

Thailand faces a critical week of court cases that could trigger a political crisis in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, with the fate of the prime minister and the main opposition hanging in the balance. Watch in for more details!

Thailand: Four court cases that will shape politics

Iran's critical snap elections are scheduled on the 28th of June. A lot is at stake here. Who will replace Ebrahim Raisi? Our next report will tell you more.

6 candidates made it to Iran's presidential candidacy list

Amid growing uproar over the war in Gaza, Harvard University on Tuesday (May 28) said that it would now avoid taking a position&nbsp;on matters that are not "relevant to the core function of the university" as it accepted the recommendations of a faculty committee that urged the varsity to reduce its messages on the prevailing matters of the day.&nbsp;

"Issuing official statements of empathy runs the risk of appearing to care more about some places and events than others," a Harvard readout said. "And because few, if any, world events can be entirely isolated from conflicting viewpoints, issuing official empathy statements runs the risk of alienating some members of the community by expressing implicit solidarity with others," it added.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

It simply means that Harvard would no longer issue official statements of empathy. The University issued such statements for Ukraine when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the 'special military operation' against Ukraine. It also issued a statement for the victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.

The university’s Institutional Voice Working Group, made up of eight faculty members, issued the report, with a set of principles and a recommended path forward, which the administration and governing board accepted.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-explained--how-israel-hamas-war-is-dividing-hollywood-and-celeb-world-653447">Explained | How Israel-Hamas war is dividing Hollywood and celeb world</a>

"Harvard isn’t a government," Noah Feldman, a Harvard law professor and a co-chair of the committee that developed the recommendations, said in an interview with The Harvard Gazette.&nbsp;

"It shouldn’t have a foreign policy or a domestic policy."

Feldman said though the recommendations had some overlap with institutional neutrality, there were also differences.

Also watch |&nbsp;Chaos in universities: Gaza war unites students globally

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A key difference, Feldman said to The Gazette, is that "as an institution with values, we have a responsibility to promote our core function as an educational institution and defend ourselves against forces that seek to undermine our academic values. In that sense, we aren’t neutral, and we can’t be."

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid growing uproar over the war in Gaza, Harvard University on Tuesday (May 28) said that it would now avoid taking a position on matters that are not "relevant to the core function of the university" as it accepted the recommendations of a faculty committee that urged the varsity to reduce its messages on the prevailing matters of the day.

Amid growing uproar over the war in Gaza, Harvard University on Tuesday (May 28) said that it would now avoid taking a position on matters that are not "relevant to the core function of the university" as it accepted the recommendations of a faculty committee that urged the varsity to reduce its messages on the prevailing matters of the day. "Issuing official statements of empathy runs the risk of appearing to care more about some places and events than others," a Harvard readout said. "And because few, if any, world events can be entirely isolated from conflicting viewpoints, issuing official empathy statements runs the risk of alienating some members of the community by expressing implicit solidarity with others," it added. What does it mean? It simply means that Harvard would no longer issue official statements of empathy. The University issued such statements for Ukraine when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the 'special military operation' against Ukraine. It also issued a statement for the victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. The university’s Institutional Voice Working Group, made up of eight faculty members, issued the report, with a set of principles and a recommended path forward, which the administration and governing board accepted. Also read | Explained | How Israel-Hamas war is dividing Hollywood and celeb world "Harvard isn’t a government," Noah Feldman, a Harvard law professor and a co-chair of the committee that developed the recommendations, said in an interview with The Harvard Gazette. "It shouldn’t have a foreign policy or a domestic policy." Feldman said though the recommendations had some overlap with institutional neutrality, there were also differences. Also watch | Chaos in universities: Gaza war unites students globally × A key difference, Feldman said to The Gazette, is that "as an institution with values, we have a responsibility to promote our core function as an educational institution and defend ourselves against forces that seek to undermine our academic values. In that sense, we aren’t neutral, and we can’t be." (With inputs from agencies)

Harvard steps back on taking position on politically turbulent matters

Thousands of Iranians voted in a runoff election for the remaining parliamentary seats. The polls have come two months after the March legislative elections were dominated by the country's conservative leadership. Just a few hours ago voters in 22 different constituencies cast their ballot to elect 45 representatives from 90 candidates contesting in these elections.

Iran: Voting held in elections on remaining parliamentary seats

India stands at the forefront of technological innovation, and this wave of innovation is reshaping its electoral landscape. The intersection of politics and technology is becoming increasingly pronounced, especially in the context of election campaigns. This report puts the spotlight on the transformation in Indian politics in the digital age.

India Elections 2024: How Politicos are using Tech to campaign?

Tune in as Jimmy Shergill talks about his latest release #RanneetiBalakot&Beyond, #Mohabbatein finding new fans in Gen Z, his journey in Hindi and Punjabi movies and the ongoing elections in an exclusive interview with WION'S Kriti Tulsiani.

Will Jimmy Shergill enter politics? 'Mohabbatein' actor on elections, movies and more

The world's largest democracy India's Mammoth parliamentary elections roll into the second of seven phases today with all eyes on the southern state of Kerala and Karnataka. Voting begins in 88 seats across 12 States and one Union territory with several prominent contestants. Watch to know more.

India General Elections 2024: Google doodle marks India poll's second phase

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has done a lot of thinking and has come to the conclusion that he will not endorse Joe Biden in the upcoming 2024 Presidential election. Watch to know more.

Dwayne Johnson will not endorse Biden again for President, says ‘Will keep my politics to myself’

There are more billionaires in the world right now than ever before, according to Forbes which released its World’s Billionaires List in 2024, on Tuesday (Apr 2). It also features&nbsp;American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift who, for the first time, joined the list of the world’s richest people.&nbsp;

<h2>About the Forbes’ list</h2>

The Forbes’ annual ranking of the world’s richest people shows that not only are there more billionaires than ever before but also that they are collectively worth a record-setting amount with their combined assets estimated at $14.2 trillion.&nbsp;

According to the list, there are a total of 2,781 billionaires in the world, with 141 new names joining this year, including Taylor Swift. The number in 2024 breaks the record set in 2021, by 26 people.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-speaks-to-xi-jinping-on-phone-talks-about-cooperative-issues-and-global-crises-706997">Joe Biden speaks to Xi Jinping on phone, talks about global crises, AI, and climate issues</a>

It is also worth noting that the cost of living crisis, the pandemic, wars, and instability across the world have had very little impact on the billionaires as their collective wealth, in the past decade or so, has risen 120 per cent.

Around two-thirds of the list’s members are worth more than a year ago, with only one-fourth of them becoming poorer. However, much of these gains, according to Forbes, came from the top 20 which added a combined total of $700 billion in wealth since last year.&nbsp;

The United States tops the list with a record 813 billionaires who are worth $5.7 trillion. This was followed by China (including Hong Kong), with 473 worth $1.7 trillion. India ranked third with a record 200 billionaires who have assets amounting to $954 billion.&nbsp;

<h2>Top 3 richest people in the world in 2024</h2>

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, French luxury goods titan Bernard Arnault and his family topped the list with an estimated $233 billion.&nbsp;

He held the top spot for the second time in a row after earning $22 billion more than in 2023, thanks to another record year for his conglomerate LVMH.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-teases-exciting-things-ahead-as-she-wins-artist-of-the-year-at-iheartradio-music-awards-706974">Taylor Swift teases ‘exciting things’ ahead as she wins Artist Of The Year at iHeartRadio Music Awards</a>

Arnault was followed by Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and billionaire who is worth $195 billion. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos secured the third place on the list and is worth an estimated $194 billion.

<h2>Taylor Swift and the richest newcomer</h2>

Swift, with an estimated worth of $1.1 billion, has marked yet another milestone, by becoming the first musician to join the 2024 ranks based solely on songwriting and performing.&nbsp;

Forbes also attributed this rise to the American pop star’s record-breaking first leg of the Eras Tour which is the first to surpass $1 billion in revenue. The 34-year-old is among the 265 newcomers to feature on Forbes’ list this year.&nbsp;

The richest newcomer on the list was Italy’s Andrea Pignataro, a former Salomon Brothers bond trader who launched financial software firm ION Group in 1999 and has grown it since through several high-profile acquisitions. He is worth an estimated $27.5 billion.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

There are more billionaires in the world right now than ever before, according to Forbes which released its World’s Billionaires List in 2024, on Tuesday (Apr 2).

There are more billionaires in the world right now than ever before, according to Forbes which released its World’s Billionaires List in 2024, on Tuesday (Apr 2). It also features American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift who, for the first time, joined the list of the world’s richest people. About the Forbes’ list The Forbes’ annual ranking of the world’s richest people shows that not only are there more billionaires than ever before but also that they are collectively worth a record-setting amount with their combined assets estimated at $14.2 trillion. According to the list, there are a total of 2,781 billionaires in the world, with 141 new names joining this year, including Taylor Swift. The number in 2024 breaks the record set in 2021, by 26 people. Also Read | Joe Biden speaks to Xi Jinping on phone, talks about global crises, AI, and climate issues It is also worth noting that the cost of living crisis, the pandemic, wars, and instability across the world have had very little impact on the billionaires as their collective wealth, in the past decade or so, has risen 120 per cent. Around two-thirds of the list’s members are worth more than a year ago, with only one-fourth of them becoming poorer. However, much of these gains, according to Forbes, came from the top 20 which added a combined total of $700 billion in wealth since last year. The United States tops the list with a record 813 billionaires who are worth $5.7 trillion. This was followed by China (including Hong Kong), with 473 worth $1.7 trillion. India ranked third with a record 200 billionaires who have assets amounting to $954 billion. Top 3 richest people in the world in 2024 LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, French luxury goods titan Bernard Arnault and his family topped the list with an estimated $233 billion. He held the top spot for the second time in a row after earning $22 billion more than in 2023, thanks to another record year for his conglomerate LVMH. Also Read | Taylor Swift teases ‘exciting things’ ahead as she wins Artist Of The Year at iHeartRadio Music Awards Arnault was followed by Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and billionaire who is worth $195 billion. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos secured the third place on the list and is worth an estimated $194 billion. Taylor Swift and the richest newcomer Swift, with an estimated worth of $1.1 billion, has marked yet another milestone, by becoming the first musician to join the 2024 ranks based solely on songwriting and performing. Forbes also attributed this rise to the American pop star’s record-breaking first leg of the Eras Tour which is the first to surpass $1 billion in revenue. The 34-year-old is among the 265 newcomers to feature on Forbes’ list this year. The richest newcomer on the list was Italy’s Andrea Pignataro, a former Salomon Brothers bond trader who launched financial software firm ION Group in 1999 and has grown it since through several high-profile acquisitions. He is worth an estimated $27.5 billion. (With inputs from agencies)

Taylor Swift among 141 new billionaires who joined list of world’s richest in 2024

From Amitabh Bachchan to Kamal Haasan to Hema Malini, several Indian cinema icons have ventured into the world of politics. As stars like Kangana Ranaut make their political debut this election season, we look at other prominent names from showbiz who have tried their hand at politics.

Indian stars who have forayed into politics

A bunch of Indian actors including Kangana Ranaut, Arun Govil and Govinda made headlines this week for formally joining politics. This is not the first time when political parties have welcomed movie and television stars to contest elections, hoping that their star power would contribute to the popularity of the party. As India gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, let's take a look at various other performers who later decided to join politics.

Kangana Ranaut to Arun Govil: Indian stars who joined politics

The Election Commission of India (ECI) published data regarding political donations through electoral bonds on its website late Thursday (Mar 14). The data, furnished after an order by India’s Supreme Court, revealed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the biggest beneficiary of the now-banned scheme having received INR 6,000 crore ($732 million) over the last five years.

The ECI sourced the data from the State Bank of India (SBI), encompassing bonds totalling INR 16,518 crore ($1.9 billion).

Prominent Indian industrialists and companies, like steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, Airtel's Sunil Bharti Mittal, Vedanta, ITC, and Mahindra and Mahindra featured on the list of buyers of the electoral bonds.

The apex court last month struck down the opaque political funding regime, calling it ‘illegal and unconstitutional.’ The BJP introduced the scheme&nbsp;in 2017, terming it a crucial milestone in the fight against ‘black money’ in Indian elections.

<h2>Top beneficiaries of the scheme</h2>

According to the ECI data, the BJP emerged as the top beneficiary, followed by All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), which received INR 1,609.50 crore ($192 million) via electoral bonds. India’s main opposition Congress party occupied the third spot, with funding totalling INR 1421 crore ($171 million).

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjypMSit_WEAxUP6jgGHV-sAgIQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/election-commission-publishes-electoral-bonds-data-on-its-website-following-sc-order-700154" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/election-commission-publishes-electoral-bonds-data-on-its-website-following-sc-order-700154&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjypMSit_WEAxUP6jgGHV-sAgIQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">India: Election Commission publishes electoral bonds data on its website following Supreme Court order</a>

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) also encashed electoral bonds worth more than INR 500 crore each ($60 million) during the specified period. Other parties that redeemed electoral bonds include AIADMK, Shiv Sena, TDP, YSR Congress, JDS, NCP, JDU, RJD, AAP, and the Samajwadi Party, according to the data.

<h2>Top buyers of electoral bonds</h2>

Here is the list of top buyers of the electoral bonds.

Future Gaming and Hotel Services - Rs 1,368 crore

Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd - Rs 966 crore

Qwik Supply Chain Private Ltd - Rs 410 crore

Vedanta Ltd - Rs 400 crore

Haldia Energy Ltd - Rs 377 crore

Bharati Group - Rs 247 crore

Essel Mining and Industries Ltd - Rs 224 crore

Western UP Power Transmission - Rs 220 crore

Keventer Foodpark Infra Ltd - Rs 194 crore

Madanlal Ltd - Rs 185 crore

DLF Group - Rs 170 crore

Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital - Rs 162 crore

Utkal Alumina International - Rs 145.3 crore

Jindal Steel and Power Ltd - Rs 123 crore

Birla Carbon India - Rs 105 crore

Rungta Sons - Rs 100 crore

Dr Reddy's - Rs 80 crore

Piramal Enterprises Group - Rs 60 crore

Navyuga Engineering - Rs 55 crore

Shirdi Sai Electricals - Rs 40 crore

Edelweiss Group - Rs 40 crore

Cipla Ltd - Rs 39.2 crore

Lakshmi Niwas Mittal - Rs 35 crore

Grasim Industries -Rs 33 crore

Jindal Stainless - Rs 30 crore

Bajaj Auto -Rs 25 crore

Sun Pharma Laboratories - Rs 25 crore

Mankind Pharma - Rs 24 crore

Bajaj Finance - Rs 20 crore

Maruti Suzuki India - Rs 20 crore

Ultratech - Rs 15 crore

TVS Motors - Rs 10 crore.

The SBI revealed that a total of 22,217 electoral bonds were bought between April 1, 2019, and February 15, 2024, with most being redeemed by political parties.

<h2>Concerns raised by opposition</h2>

Controversies erupted soon after the ECI made the data public. India's main opposition Congress party alleged a discrepancy in the number of entries in donor and recipient files.

Congress leader Amitabh Dubey on Thursday said, "The donors' file has 18,871 entries, the recipients' file has 20,421 entries. Why the discrepancy."

He also inquired about the missing data between 2017 and 2019. The leader asked why the data shared period from April 2019 even though the scheme was introduced in 2017.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) published data regarding political donations through electoral bonds on its website late Thursday (Mar 14). The data, furnished after an order by India’s Supreme Court, revealed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the biggest beneficiary of the now-banned scheme having received INR 6,000 crore ($732 million) over the last five years.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) published data regarding political donations through electoral bonds on its website late Thursday (Mar 14). The data, furnished after an order by India’s Supreme Court, revealed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the biggest beneficiary of the now-banned scheme having received INR 6,000 crore ($732 million) over the last five years. The ECI sourced the data from the State Bank of India (SBI), encompassing bonds totalling INR 16,518 crore ($1.9 billion). Prominent Indian industrialists and companies, like steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, Airtel's Sunil Bharti Mittal, Vedanta, ITC, and Mahindra and Mahindra featured on the list of buyers of the electoral bonds. The apex court last month struck down the opaque political funding regime, calling it ‘illegal and unconstitutional.’ The BJP introduced the scheme in 2017, terming it a crucial milestone in the fight against ‘black money’ in Indian elections. Top beneficiaries of the scheme According to the ECI data, the BJP emerged as the top beneficiary, followed by All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), which received INR 1,609.50 crore ($192 million) via electoral bonds. India’s main opposition Congress party occupied the third spot, with funding totalling INR 1421 crore ($171 million). Also read: India: Election Commission publishes electoral bonds data on its website following Supreme Court order The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) also encashed electoral bonds worth more than INR 500 crore each ($60 million) during the specified period. Other parties that redeemed electoral bonds include AIADMK, Shiv Sena, TDP, YSR Congress, JDS, NCP, JDU, RJD, AAP, and the Samajwadi Party, according to the data. Top buyers of electoral bonds Here is the list of top buyers of the electoral bonds. Future Gaming and Hotel Services - Rs 1,368 crore Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd - Rs 966 crore Qwik Supply Chain Private Ltd - Rs 410 crore Vedanta Ltd - Rs 400 crore Haldia Energy Ltd - Rs 377 crore Bharati Group - Rs 247 crore Essel Mining and Industries Ltd - Rs 224 crore Western UP Power Transmission - Rs 220 crore Keventer Foodpark Infra Ltd - Rs 194 crore Madanlal Ltd - Rs 185 crore DLF Group - Rs 170 crore Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital - Rs 162 crore Utkal Alumina International - Rs 145.3 crore Jindal Steel and Power Ltd - Rs 123 crore Birla Carbon India - Rs 105 crore Rungta Sons - Rs 100 crore Dr Reddy's - Rs 80 crore Piramal Enterprises Group - Rs 60 crore Navyuga Engineering - Rs 55 crore Shirdi Sai Electricals - Rs 40 crore Edelweiss Group - Rs 40 crore Cipla Ltd - Rs 39.2 crore Lakshmi Niwas Mittal - Rs 35 crore Grasim Industries -Rs 33 crore Jindal Stainless - Rs 30 crore Bajaj Auto -Rs 25 crore Sun Pharma Laboratories - Rs 25 crore Mankind Pharma - Rs 24 crore Bajaj Finance - Rs 20 crore Maruti Suzuki India - Rs 20 crore Ultratech - Rs 15 crore TVS Motors - Rs 10 crore. The SBI revealed that a total of 22,217 electoral bonds were bought between April 1, 2019, and February 15, 2024, with most being redeemed by political parties. Concerns raised by opposition Controversies erupted soon after the ECI made the data public. India's main opposition Congress party alleged a discrepancy in the number of entries in donor and recipient files. Congress leader Amitabh Dubey on Thursday said, "The donors' file has 18,871 entries, the recipients' file has 20,421 entries. Why the discrepancy." He also inquired about the missing data between 2017 and 2019. The leader asked why the data shared period from April 2019 even though the scheme was introduced in 2017. (With inputs from agencies)

Electoral bonds data: Who got how much? List of top buyers, beneficiaries of now-banned funding tool

The use of artificial intelligence is expanding and, as many have predicted, AI is increasingly prominent in politics. WION tells you about the risks of artificial intelligence in a global election year.

Artificial Intelligence risks in a global election year

The Indian Supreme Court dismissed a plea filed by SBI. The SBI sought an extension extension till June 30 to disclose details of electoral bonds encashed by political parties. Watch this video for all details.

Electoral Bonds: SBI submits all details to the Election Commission of India

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