SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE ELECTIONS
UP CEO probes bizarre voter list names, says action will be taken over forged slips
Uttar Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer has acknowledged unusual names appearing in the state's voter list. Issues arose during the recent MLC elections, prompting scrutiny over the reasons behind these bizarre entries. Allegations of caste discrimination emerged, particularly from Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh. In response, the CEO clarified that the names do not reflect any caste bias.
Jamia Milia Islamia students refuse to end protest despite poll order, scuffles break out with security personnel
Protests continue at Jamia Millia Islamia as students demand the restoration of union elections since 2006. The university announced elections would occur within 15 days after the union's constitution is approved. Students have raised concerns over the absence of a definitive timeline for these elections, leading to tensions with the administration. Classes have been shifted online due to the protests, and security has been increased on campus.
US political candidates tailor messages for AI models used by voters
US political candidates have been engineering their campaign messages to appeal to the AI chatbots that more voters have been using to answer questions about issues, and documents seen by Reuters have revealed some of their strategies.
Serbian Elections: How a student protest born after a railway station canopy collapse ended right-wing Aleksandar Vučić’s 12-year grip on power
Serbia’s student-led movement has emerged victorious in the October 25, 2026, parliamentary election, dealing a major blow to Aleksandar Vučić’s 14-year political dominance. The movement began after a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad in November 2024, killing 16 people. Demands for accountability grew into nationwide anti-corruption protests before the students entered electoral politics. Vučić conceded defeat based on preliminary estimates, although official results were still awaited.
'Brazil is no one's backyard': Re-elected Brazilian president Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has recently been re-elected as the President of Brazil. During his victory speech, he emphasized Brazil's status as an independent nation. Lula stated that the new government will reform the administrative system significantly. He aims to enhance public involvement in the decision-making processes that affect them.
Child rape convict's sister Nicki Minaj gets into Trump’s close circle, but can the US president pardon him?
Rapper Nicki Minaj expressed her support for President Donald Trump during a recent rally in Michigan. Minaj, who is not a US citizen, revealed her citizenship paperwork is in process. Her brother, Jelani Maraj, is serving a lengthy prison sentence for child rape, raising questions about presidential pardons. Trump's authority to grant clemency does not extend to state law convictions like Maraj's.
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Mamata accuses BJP of using 'money, intimidation' to influence people
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of using money and intimidation to influence people, alleging that police atrocities against Trinamool Congress workers had increased. She also claimed officials were threatening people and accused the BJP government of restricting access to legal documentation for her party.
AI ad blitz distorts US midterms 2026
AI-generated political advertisements are becoming more prevalent as the November elections approach, raising concerns among voters. Researchers have identified over 220 ads made partly with AI, primarily sponsored by Republican groups, costing over $137 million. Only a small percentage of these advertisements carry disclaimers stating they were created with AI technology. Many voters express their disapproval of AI-generated content in political campaigns during recent surveys.
IKEA sells Indian steel thali for Rs 760; Harsh Goenka jokes next they will call belan a ‘aerodynamic dough-flattening wand’ and price it at Rs 4,500
From Kolhapuri chappals and dupattas to stainless-steel plates, Harsh Goenka has taken a satirical swipe at the trend of presenting familiar Indian essentials as premium lifestyle products. The latest discussion began after US influencer Amanda Monsen showcased IKEA plates as “chic chrome plates”, with the products reportedly priced at around Rs 760 each.
NYC influencer Wendy Durán arrested in Colombia after cops find cache of guns and drugs in her apartment; all you need to know about her
Wendy Durán, a social media influencer known for her brand expansion content, was arrested in Columbia for illegal firearm possession. During the execution of a search warrant, authorities uncovered two Glocks and a Colt rifle in her home. Although she faces charges for trafficking and carrying firearms, there are no drug possession charges against her. Investigations are ongoing to explore any other potential criminal activities linked to Durán.
NYC early voting starts today: Key races that could shape house control
Early voting NYC: NYC early voting begins October 24 and runs through November 1, ahead of Election Day on November 3. Here are the key New York races to watch, including the contests for governor, attorney general and the U.S. House.
Who is 'Tan Mom' Patricia Krentcil? Podcaster says she was almost detained by 'racist' ICE agents at a restaurant because of her dark skin tone
Patricia Krentcil, popularly known as "Tan Mom", recounted a tense moment when ICE agents approached her about her US citizenship. The incident caught her off guard as she was leaving a restaurant with some friends. She felt threatened by the situation but eventually got out of it. Previously, Krentcil had faced charges related to child endangerment, which were dismissed.
Jane Doe in Cornell University gang rape case allowed to remain anonymous, judge warns against threats: Know why the court granted her request and what it means
In a bid for justice, Jane Doe, a Cornell University student, has been granted confidentiality in her rape lawsuit against seven male peers. She accuses them of drugging and assaulting her at a fraternity house in 2024, and reports experiencing frequent threats. Her attorney highlights her constant state of fear and incidents of online harassment, including doxxing.
FBI warns voters ahead of US midterms 2026: How to spot suspicious election messages and report them
The FBI is warning Americans about election crimes ahead of the 2026 midterms, including voter fraud, threats and false voting information. Here’s how to spot suspicious election content, verify voting details and report suspected violations to the authorities.
'We could take all of the oil in Iran': Trump weighs quick end to Iran war against letting conflict 'wither'
President Donald Trump expressed that the United States has the capability to end the war with Iran quickly. He raised a question about whether it should conclude swiftly or gradually instead. This statement reflects ongoing discussions regarding US foreign policy in the region. The President's remarks come amid rising tensions between the two nations. The implications of the conflict continue to impact international relations significantly.
‘Brands need to be loved by humans and read by agents’: BCG’s Lauren Wiener on AI’s impact on marketing
The growing influence of AI and LLMs on purchase decisions is significant across various consumer touchpoints. Brands are now required to optimize content for both human and AI consumption to compete effectively. Marketing leaders are rethinking traditional media-budget allocation strategies in response to these changes. Personalisation and an integrated approach to agentic marketing are emerging as critical priorities for brands moving forward.
India’s Gen Z: In world's largest democracy, an electoral wildcard
India’s Gen Z population is sizeable, but its electoral influence will depend on voter eligibility, registration, turnout and constituency-level preferences. Experts explain why young Indians may not vote as a unified bloc, what Tamil Nadu’s 2026 election reveals about youth mobilisation, and why predicting their impact in 2029 remains difficult.
‘Ramhit Yadav’ became ‘Ram Ne Yadav Ko Mara’: UP voter list has some bizarre names after incorrect software translation, including ‘B.Com’ as a father’s name
Uttar Pradesh’s electoral rolls contain 158 unusual entries among 14.81 lakh voters, including ‘Ram Ne Yadav Ko Mara’ and ‘B.Com’ recorded as a father’s name. Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has blamed several discrepancies on software translation errors and ordered an inquiry.
Greece passes social media ban for children under 15
In a significant move towards online safety, Greece's parliament has enacted a law banning social media usage for children under 15, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of implementing age verification methods to safeguard minors. This initiative, in collaboration with six other EU countries and the European Commission, aims to assist parents in controlling their children's social media habits.
‘Looksmaxxing’ influencer Clavicular pleads not guilty to raping 17-year-old: Here’s more about the case and allegations against him
Branden Eric Peters, popularly recognized as influencer Clavicular, stands accused of grave offenses, such as rape and drug-related charges, linked to incidents from May 2025 during a livestream at his Cape Cod residence. While Clavicular insists the sexual encounter was consensual, the underaged victim asserts she was pressured into drinking. This case marks a continuation of his legal struggles, having faced numerous allegations since early 2026.
'Knocked the hell out of them, we may go a little further': Trump says Iran will never have nuclear weapon
US President Donald Trump said Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, defending his administration's pressure campaign against Tehran.
Meta sued in Australia class action over alleged social media harm to children
A class action lawsuit has been filed in an Australia court against Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram, alleging the social media platforms exposed children to harmful content and kept them addictive through algorithms.
OpenAI president urges AI safeguards as group he funds opposes regulation
OpenAI's safety practices have been in the spotlight in recent months, after the company said a swarm of its AI agents escaped containment and hacked into the AI platform Hugging Face. OpenAI President Greg Brockman was among the group of six tech executives who later signed US President Donald Trump's voluntary AI safety agreement on behalf of their companies, agreeing to work with "independent auditors" and to ensure their AI tools do not "hack or access technical systems in unintended ways."
Meta tells Brazil's electoral court it treats Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro equally ahead of Sunday vote
Meta has taken steps to comply with a court order for equal treatment of presidential candidates in Brazil. The electoral court directed the company to ensure balanced platform coverage before the upcoming runoff election. This follows allegations from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's campaign regarding biased algorithms favoring his opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro. Meta has implemented measures to uphold electoral advertisement regulations amidst growing tensions.
Meta's board signals 'recurring' failures in election content moderation
The oversight board for social media giant Meta said Tuesday it found "recurrent enforcement failures" in content moderation related to the US midterm elections and Brazil's presidential election. The identified failures were often cases of "over-enforcement that suppresses political speech, and under-enforcement that undermines electoral integrity," said the board, which independently checks moderation on Meta's Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook platforms.
Trump administration says it has revoked over 300,000 visas
The Trump administration has increased visa revocations, surpassing 300,000 since January 2025. Rights advocates criticize this crackdown, alleging violations of due process and increased discrimination against ethnic minorities. The State Department stated a zero tolerance for lawbreaking foreigners on visas, citing national security. Pro-Palestinian protesters and critics of conservative views have been particularly targeted in these actions.
ED freezes trading accounts in scam tied to social media
Last week, the ED's Mumbai Zone conducted searches at 29 premises across six cities-Mumbai, Nashik, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat and Bhavnagar-under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The case relates to R M Drip and Sprinklers Systems and R&B Denims, the agency said. According to the ED, the two companies issued more than 35 million shares and convertible warrants through preferential allotments between April 2023 and March 2024. A substantial portion of the funds allegedly came from a small network of connected individuals, firms and lenders, it said.
Brazil elections: Lula, Bolsonaro face off in first debate ahead of Presidential runoff
Brazil's presidential election runoff includes a crucial debate between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula's campaign has shifted, engaging younger influencers for improved social media strategies to connect with voters. Bolsonaro has criticized Lula's promises, accusing him of deceiving people for electoral gain. Recent polls show a tightening race, and both candidates are ramping up their efforts.
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