Singapore-born Indian-origin leader Tharman Shanmugaratnam was among three candidates officially nominated for Singapore's September 1 presidential election. Tharman, 66, along with Chinese-origin businessmen Ng Kok Song, 75, and Tan Kin Lian, 75, were confirmed by the Elections Department. Tharman, who resigned from public office in July, said he entered the non-political race to serve Singaporeans with his experience and capabilities. He aims for a fairer, compassionate, and inclusive society. Tharman was Deputy PM from 2011-2019 after serving as Education and Finance Minister. Tharman called for a dignified, unifying contest focused on the candidate's vision for the country.

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has revealed the government is considering electronic tagging of illegal migrants as part of its extended migrant detention plans. Responding to a Times report, Braverman confirmed the possibility of using GPS trackers to monitor migrants, addressing issues posed by overcrowded detention centers. The proposed measure follows the recent Illegal Migration Act, empowering authorities to detain and swiftly remove unlawful entrants. In a Sky News interview, Braverman emphasized the need to control illegal arrivals and quickly remove them to safe countries like Rwanda, which requires effective detention capabilities.

Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he would bring on Elon Musk as an advisor if elected in 2024. At an Iowa town hall, the Indian-American entrepreneur stated he wants guidance from those with a "blank, fresh impression" like Musk. Ramaswamy praised Musk's mass layoffs at Twitter, saying he wants to similarly cut administrative bloat. He said he will put a "big X" through the administrative state like Musk "X-ed" through Twitter. Ramaswamy added he shares tactics with Musk, who called him a promising candidate.

At the NDTV G20 Conclave, UK envoy to India Alex Ellis said India has set a significant benchmark for the G20 presidency with its ambition to address global hunger, poverty, and low growth. Mr. Ellis cited UK's Indian-origin PM Rishi Sunak saying "Jai Shri Ram" on India's Independence Day as reflecting India's rising global gravitas. The envoy noted that India tops UK visa categories, calling it remarkable that a UK PM would celebrate India's Independence Day. He sang 'Yeh Dosti..." calling it the song that the UK and India would be singing together.

Entrepreneur-turned-politician Vivek Ramaswamy saw a surge in popularity and fundraising after a strong performance at the first Republican presidential primary debate. The biotech multimillionaire raised over $450,000 in the first hour post-debate, with average donations of $38. Ramaswamy stood out while being challenged by rivals including Chris Christie and Mike Pence. Polls after the debate showed 28% of respondents felt Ramaswamy performed best. He was the most Google searched candidate along with fellow Indian-American Nikki Haley. Ramaswamy's breakout debate has increased his visibility and fundraising as he seeks the Republican nomination in the absence of Donald Trump.

Kremlin Spokesperson confirms Russian President Putin will not visit India for G20 Summit.. “President Vladimir Putin is not planning a trip to the G20 summit in India, which will be held in September. The main emphasis now is a special military operation,” Russian President’s Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says. The president will not attend the meeting due to the ongoing military operation in Ukraine, Peskov said.

The economic bloc BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has announced the admission of six new member countries from next year. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Argentina, the UAE and Ethiopia will join the group in an attempt to reshape the global world order and provide a counterweight to the US and western allies. The announcement was made at a Brics summit in Johannesburg on Thursday. The expansion more than doubles the size of the bloc, which was set up to give greater economic and political voice to leading emerging economies. The admission of the new members represents a major development for the group.

Former US President Donald Trump returned to the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, with a post showing his mug shot from his booking at Fulton County Jail in Georgia. With his post appealing for donations, Trump reclaimed direct access to the public on the platform that banned him following the January 6, 2021, attack on Congress by his supporters. On November 19, the San Francisco-based app reversed its position under billionaire Elon Musk, the self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist” who bought Twitter on October 2.

Former US President Donald Trump turned himself in on Thursday evening at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta to be booked on felony charges relating to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Trump arrived in a presidential-style motorcade and was booked, fingerprinted and photographed for a mugshot within minutes, according to jail records. He was quickly released after about 20 minutes. Trump said the charges were a "travesty of justice" and he had "every single right to challenge an election we think is dishonest". This was Trump's fourth arrest since April and the first time a former US president had a mugshot taken. The booking occurred in a state where he had contested the election results despite pushback from officials.

Former President US Donald Trump skipped the first Republican presidential debate on Thursday, where his potential 2024 rivals clashed over issues like abortion and Ukraine. Trump, who holds a commanding lead in GOP polls, instead gave a rambling interview claiming he did not want to face harassment at the debate. Later on Thursday, Trump is set to turn himself into Georgia authorities on charges of electoral fraud related to his false claims of victory over Joe Biden in 2020. The debate saw political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy, 38, grab attention by claiming he is the only candidate not "bought and paid for." Trump's interview garnered over 120 million views, underscoring his continued sway among Republicans. In summary, Trump's absence cast a shadow over the Republican debate as rivals struggle to close the gap ahead of his looming Georgia arrest.