Trump Administration Lets Parts of the National Firearms Act Lapse
The retreat by the Justice Department effectively allowed a pillar of the Prohibition-era National Firearms Act to lapse.
Russian Blockade of Major Ukrainian Ports Threatens Global Grain Supplies
The deadly strikes are part of a long-running maritime battle with Ukraine and echo battles over other key shipping routes around the world.
Millions in UK and Europe wowed by once-in-a-generation solar eclipse
Spain – The Moon first blotted out the Sun at the northernmost tip of mainland Russia at about 1900 CET, leaving only the shimmering glow of its outer corona and eerie darkness. As it passes down through parts of Greenland and Iceland, excitement built in Spain, where the eclipse’s narrow path cuts diagonally from the northwestern Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean Sea, before being expected to fade at about 2030 CET. Millions of people gathered in Iceland and northern Spain to witness Europe’s first total solar eclipse in 27 years on Wednesday, with Spanish officials warning people to avoid areas where a heatwave has raised the risk of wildfires. Major viewing locations in parts of Iceland, northern Spain and a small corner of northeastern Portugal will be in the path of totality, when the skies go momentarily dark as the sun completely disappears from view — creating a rare sunset eclipse for some, especially observers in Spain. Tourists and enthusiasts thronged normally quiet Spanish villages, as mainland Europe has not experienced a total solar eclipse for 20 years while Spain has not witnessed one in more than a century. Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, however, has not seen a total solar eclipse since 1433. Dylan Vaughan-Streater, from east London, drew in a small crowd when he went out to see the solar eclipse. He tells me: “I made the pinhole camera in about 10 minutes out of a poster tube, tin foil, baking paper and a cardboard box. It was the first time I made one of these!” “I have loved science ever since I was a kid, and it’s why I became a science teacher,” he adds. “I wanted to see the solar eclipse as it is a once in a generational thing.” “It’s the first time and it’s the last time, the only time I’m going to see an eclipse,” Yenny Guevera, a 50-year-old Peruvian living in France, said in northwest Spain. “I like painting and I really like light,” said Mercedes Bua, a 51-year-old engineer awaiting the eclipse’s passage in a park in Colmenar Viejo, some 30 kilometres north of Madrid.
“So I find it interesting to see how it’s going to look.” Supplies of special viewing glasses were in high demand as a partial eclipse will be visible for millions more in most of Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa. However, a total eclipse of the Sun is expected to only be visible in a handful of places.
Muddling through Iceland’s rainy eclipse, accompanied by clouds, whales and at least one proposal.
In a place known for its fickle weather, eclipse watchers took a risk. Only some got to see the sun.
Hong’s Defeat in Wisconsin Sparks New Disagreements Within Democratic Party
Some Democrats said the outcome showed that the moderate wing of the party carried more electoral weight, while Ms. Hong’s strong showing gave some progressives hope.
Zhu Rongji, Former Premier Who Pushed China to a Market Economy, Dies at 97
As a vice premier and then premier, he helped transform China into the world’s leading manufacturing power and led his country into the World Trade Organization.
Palestinians Trapped by Settlers for Days as Israeli Army Shows Up, and Then Leaves
The episode casts a spotlight on the army’s struggle to curtail settler violence and protect Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank.
See the 2026 European Solar Eclipse, in Photos and Videos
People gathered across the continent to watch the total solar eclipse on Wednesday.
Awaam Pakistan calls ECP delisting ‘unwarranted’, seeks urgent hearing
ISLAMABAD: Headed by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Awaam Pakistan has challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to delist the party over its alleged failure to hold intra-party elections, calling the move “arbitrary, unwarranted and unprecedented”.
In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja dated August 12, 2026, Abbasi, who is also the party’s president, said Awaam Pakistan had been “taken by surprise” by an ECP notification issued on August 7. The notification cited an ECP order dated Aug 3, 2026, in a case titled “Non-Conduct of intra-party election by Awaam Pakistan”.
Abbasi said the party had conducted intra-party elections for both the National General Council and national office-bearers between March 26 and April 2, 2026. He said the polls were held within the extension granted by the ECP in its decision of January 2026.
“The results of the intra-party election and detailed documentation were submitted to the ECP on April 6, 2026,” the letter said.
He added that 12,846 party members participated in the exercise, which was “democratic, transparent, and in full compliance with the Elections Act, 2017.”
Terming the delisting “in contradiction of the record available with the ECP”, Abbasi said the action was taken “without an opportunity to be heard by the Election Commission”.
“We request an urgent hearing by the commission so that we can clarify our position,” he wrote.
While Article 17 of the Constitution guarantees the right to form political parties, enlistment with the ECP is a legal requirement for obtaining an election symbol to contest polls.
Under Section 202 of the Elections Act, 2017, a party must apply for enlistment within 30 days of formation. The application must include certified results of intra-party elections, a copy of the party constitution, details of funding sources, a membership list of at least 2,000 members with CNICs and thumb impressions, and proof of payment of a Rs200,000 non-refundable fee.
Section 208 empowers the ECP to issue a show-cause notice or impose a fine of up to Rs200,000 on a party that fails to hold intra-party elections within the prescribed timeframe. In case of continued non-compliance, the commission may cancel the party’s enlistment.
Under Section 202(6), a party whose enlistment is refused or cancelled may file an appeal in the Supreme Court within 30 days.
Here’s the latest.
Normally empty Spanish towns have filled up, and
