internal democracy

Filmmaker Pedro Almodovar received a standing ovation at Cannes, declaring Europe must not be subjected to Trump amidst growing censorship concerns. He emphasized artists' moral duty to speak out against threats to democracy, criticizing the Oscars for its apolitical stance and calling the US a "totalitarian regime" born from democracy.

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Actor Gul Panag has publicly countered YouTuber Dhruv Rathee's strong criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Norway visit. Panag argued that while dissent is vital, mocking the Prime Minister's office on foreign soil diminishes India's standing. The exchange has ignited a wider debate on accountability and respect for public office.

A new global survey reveals a significant drop in America's international image under President Trump, now trailing behind Russia and China. Concerns over his foreign policy, tariffs, and military actions have unsettled allies and created global unease. This decline marks the second consecutive year of falling perceptions for the US.

Amidst escalating US-Cuba tensions, the USS Nimitz strike group has entered the Caribbean. This follows President Trump's intensified rhetoric and a recent indictment of former Cuban President Raul Castro. The US is increasing pressure on Havana, citing economic hardship and past incidents, though Trump downplays fears of direct military action.

Ministry of external affairs pushed back against press freedom queries during PM Modi's Norway visit, citing a lack of understanding of India's scale and reliance on "ignorant NGOs." This followed a Norwegian journalist's claim that PM Modi avoided her question. The MEA defended India's democratic framework and rights, highlighting its vast population and media landscape.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticized Donald Trump's congratulations to PM Modi on the West Bengal election results, calling them premature and misplaced. Raut asserted that state elections are an internal matter and alleged the polls were conducted amid fear and systemic pressure, questioning the Election Commission's impartiality.

Anthropic's paper outlines two scenarios for US-China AI leadership by 2028. In one, the US maintains its compute advantage through tightened export controls, leading to democratic AI norms. The other sees China overtaking the US if policymakers fail to act, resulting in authoritarian AI dominance.

India has rejected Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) allegations of foreign interference, calling them "baseless imputations" and reiterating its policy of not interfering in other nations' internal affairs. New Delhi also raised concerns about extremist and separatist elements operating from Canadian soil, while the CSIS report noted a more restrained tone on India compared to previous assessments.

Slams Cong for Kerala & Karnataka power struggles

Britain on Monday announced new sanctions targeting Russia's "information warfare campaigns" over its full-scale Ukraine invasion, alongside those behind the alleged forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. Around a third of Monday's sanctions package took aim again at those involved in what London called "Russia's systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children".

Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government. She is accused of promoting pro-PRC propaganda and sharing favorable articles without notifying the US government. Wang's attorneys stated she accepts responsibility for past personal mistakes and apologizes to the community.

King Charles III will unveil the government's legislative agenda amidst parliamentary pageantry. Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces intense pressure to deliver, with his party demanding bolder policies on the cost of living and inequality.