Zimbabwe elections

The people of Zimbabwe are going to the polls, in what is expected to be a closely fought contest.

The front runners are President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Nelson Chamisa - a lawyer and pastor.

The presidential and parliamentary elections are the first in post-colonial Zimbabwe without Robert Mugabe.

The long-time leader was thrown out of power by the military last year.

Cambodia election

In Cambodia, a county of 16 million in Southeast Asia, an election was held on Sunday that was a non-contest.

The governing Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen says it's won all 125 parliamentary seats up for grabs.

Last year the main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party, or CNRP, was dissolved and its leader jailed on treason charges.

Assam non-citizens

India has published a draft list of citizens for the state of Assam which borders Bangladesh, excluding more than 4 million people.

Officials said the people left off the list could not produce valid proof they were in the country before March 24, 1971. But they can appeal the finding.

Critics say the citizenship test is another measure supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist BJP that targets the Hindu-majority country's minority Muslims.

Monsoon deaths

Staying in India, and more than 500 people have died in monsoon floods and rains across the country in this year's monsoon season so far.

The monsoon season usually runs from around June to September, October.

Harvey Weinstein

And finally,

In the US, Harvey Weinstein will find out today whether he must face trial for alleged sex crimes.

A grand jury in New York city will decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

The former movie mogul has been charged with two counts of rape and one of a criminal sex act.

Zimbabwe elections

The people of Zimbabwe are going to the polls, in what is expected to be a closely fought contest.

The front runners are President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Nelson Chamisa - a lawyer and pastor.

The presidential and parliamentary elections are the first in post-colonial Zimbabwe without Robert Mugabe.

The long-time leader was thrown out of power by the military last year.

Cambodia election

In Cambodia, a county of 16 million in Southeast Asia, an election was held on Sunday that was a non-contest.

The governing Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen says it's won all 125 parliamentary seats up for grabs.

Last year the main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party, or CNRP, was dissolved and its leader jailed on treason charges.

Assam non-citizens

India has published a draft list of citizens for the state of Assam which borders Bangladesh, excluding more than 4 million people.

Officials said the people left off the list could not produce valid proof they were in the country before March 24, 1971. But they can appeal the finding.

Critics say the citizenship test is another measure supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist BJP that targets the Hindu-majority country's minority Muslims.

Monsoon deaths

Staying in India, and more than 500 people have died in monsoon floods and rains across the country in this year's monsoon season so far.

The monsoon season usually runs from around June to September, October.

Harvey Weinstein

And finally,

In the US, Harvey Weinstein will find out today whether he must face trial for alleged sex crimes.

A grand jury in New York city will decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

The former movie mogul has been charged with two counts of rape and one of a criminal sex act.

Andrew Brunson

Turkey's presidential spokesman has joined other top officials slamming US President Trump's threat of sanctions over Andrew Brunson.

The US pastor is under house arrest in Turkey and faces trial over alleged links to FETO and the PKK.

Trump on Thursday called for Brunson's release. But top Turkish officials hit back, saying nobody is above the law in Turkey, and nobody dictates to Turkey.

Imran Khan

Pakistan's electoral commission is expected to announce final results of Wednesday's elections sometime today.

But the clear winner is cricketing legend Imran Khan's Party, the PTI.

However, Khan is not expected to win enough seats to govern alone. So the PTI will need to govern in a coalition, with one or more minor parties.

The outgoing party of jailed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif says the vote was rigged. It says it will appeal the result, but says it will also play the role of a "strong opposition."

Southern Syria

Pro-Assad forces have raised the Syrian flag in the city of Quneitra, consolidating their recent gains in the south of the country.

Backed by Russia, the regime has now taken back almost all of the south. They've driven out rebels, including forces once backed by the US, Jordan and Gulf states.

Facebook fail

Facebook took a massive hit in the markets on Thursday. The social media giant lost almost 20 percent of its value, or 120 billion dollars.

At least 16 analysts cut their price target on Facebook shares, after it said its business margins could be squeezed for years.

Facebook is battling privacy concerns and its role in the global information flow.

Tour de France

And finally,

In Tour de France cycling, Geraint Thomas of Team Sky is almost 2 minutes clear with just three stages to go.

The Welshman will be looking to cement his grip on the yellow jersey in Friday's final mountain test.

Saturday is an individual time trial. It's followed on Sunday with the traditional and almost ceremonious ride into Paris and around the Champs-Elysees, to the finish line.

Andrew Brunson

Turkey's presidential spokesman has joined other top officials slamming US President Trump's threat of sanctions over Andrew Brunson.

The US pastor is under house arrest in Turkey and faces trial over alleged links to FETO and the PKK.

Trump on Thursday called for Brunson's release. But top Turkish officials hit back, saying nobody is above the law in Turkey, and nobody dictates to Turkey.

Imran Khan

Pakistan's electoral commission is expected to announce final results of Wednesday's elections sometime today.

But the clear winner is cricketing legend Imran Khan's Party, the PTI.

However, Khan is not expected to win enough seats to govern alone. So the PTI will need to govern in a coalition, with one or more minor parties.

The outgoing party of jailed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif says the vote was rigged. It says it will appeal the result, but says it will also play the role of a "strong opposition."

Southern Syria

Pro-Assad forces have raised the Syrian flag in the city of Quneitra, consolidating their recent gains in the south of the country.

Backed by Russia, the regime has now taken back almost all of the south. They've driven out rebels, including forces once backed by the US, Jordan and Gulf states.

Facebook fail

Facebook took a massive hit in the markets on Thursday. The social media giant lost almost 20 percent of its value, or 120 billion dollars.

At least 16 analysts cut their price target on Facebook shares, after it said its business margins could be squeezed for years.

Facebook is battling privacy concerns and its role in the global information flow.

Tour de France

And finally,

In Tour de France cycling, Geraint Thomas of Team Sky is almost 2 minutes clear with just three stages to go.

The Welshman will be looking to cement his grip on the yellow jersey in Friday's final mountain test.

Saturday is an individual time trial. It's followed on Sunday with the traditional and almost ceremonious ride into Paris and around the Champs-Elysees, to the finish line.

Pakistan elections

In Pakistan, the party of sports icon-turned-politician Imran Khan is ahead with about half the vote counted from Wednesday's elections.

However, the second-placed party of jailed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif says the results are rigged, and it won't accept them.

The election commission has delayed releasing official results, saying the hold-up is a technical glitch.

Beijing explosion

Police in Beijing say a small explosive device like fireworks went off outside the US embassy early on Thursday.

They said a 26-year-old male suspect was wounded in the incident, but there were no other injuries.

Video posted on twitter showed smoke and police in the area.

The state-run Global Times newspaper had earlier said police took away a woman who was trying to set herself on fire.

Syria

A war monitor in Syria says over 200 people were killed in the south of the country in attacks blamed on Daesh on Wednesday.

Half of the dead are reported to be civilians.

The rest were pro-regime fighters and villagers trying to defend their homes, according to the monitor.

Erdogan-Putin

Syria will be a key topic of conversation when Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets Russia's Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

Their meeting is on the sidelines of the BRICS summit currently underway in South Africa.

Turkey and Russia are backing different sides in the war in Syria.

But they are also cooperating through the Astana process in a bid to de-escalate the conflict, now in its eighth year.

Mars water

And finally,

Scientists say they've found what appears to be a salt lake under ice on Mars.

It's the first stable body of liquid water found on the red planet.

They say the water is the kind that could support microbial life.

Pakistan elections

In Pakistan, the party of sports icon-turned-politician Imran Khan is ahead with about half the vote counted from Wednesday's elections.

However, the second-placed party of jailed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif says the results are rigged, and it won't accept them.

The election commission has delayed releasing official results, saying the hold-up is a technical glitch.

Beijing explosion

Police in Beijing say a small explosive device like fireworks went off outside the US embassy early on Thursday.

They said a 26-year-old male suspect was wounded in the incident, but there were no other injuries.

Video posted on twitter showed smoke and police in the area.

The state-run Global Times newspaper had earlier said police took away a woman who was trying to set herself on fire.

Syria

A war monitor in Syria says over 200 people were killed in the south of the country in attacks blamed on Daesh on Wednesday.

Half of the dead are reported to be civilians.

The rest were pro-regime fighters and villagers trying to defend their homes, according to the monitor.

Erdogan-Putin

Syria will be a key topic of conversation when Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets Russia's Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

Their meeting is on the sidelines of the BRICS summit currently underway in South Africa.

Turkey and Russia are backing different sides in the war in Syria.

But they are also cooperating through the Astana process in a bid to de-escalate the conflict, now in its eighth year.

Mars water

And finally,

Scientists say they've found what appears to be a salt lake under ice on Mars.

It's the first stable body of liquid water found on the red planet.

They say the water is the kind that could support microbial life.

Pakistan elections

Voting is underway in Pakistan in what is expected to be a closely contested election.

Over 100 million people are registered to vote in the country of more then 200 million.

The core contest pits former cricketing star Imran Khan and his PTI against the governing party of jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Syria attacks

Syrian regime media say at least 38 people were killed and dozens wounded in a suicide attack in the country’s south early on Wednesday.

Damascus blamed the bombing in Sweida province on Daesh.

The attack comes as the regime continues its assault on the last remaining rebel-held areas in the south and southwest.

Laos dam

In Laos, officials confirm that at least 19 people were killed when a dam burst on Monday.

But the death toll could be much higher, as hundreds are still missing and more than 3,000 people need help.

The dam was under construction. It's a joint venture between companies in Laos and South Korea.

Greece fires

At least 74 people are dead in Greece after devastating fires in a seaside holiday area.

The Prime Minister has announced three days of mourning.

The wildfires, which are still burning, are the country's worst in more than a decade.

BRICS

And finally,

What started out as an idea at Goldman Sachs has become an emerging power bloc.

We're talking about BRICS.

Jim O'Neill coined the term in 2001 to talk about major developing economies - Brazil, Russia, India and China. They were important economies that weren't part of what was then the G5.

South Africa has since joined, and other emerging economies like Turkey are getting involved.

The annual BRICS summit is now underway in Johannesburg, and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is attending.

It's the first high-level meeting between the BRICS and Turkey.

Pakistan elections

Voting is underway in Pakistan in what is expected to be a closely contested election.

Over 100 million people are registered to vote in the country of more then 200 million.

The core contest pits former cricketing star Imran Khan and his PTI against the governing party of jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Syria attacks

Syrian regime media say at least 38 people were killed and dozens wounded in a suicide attack in the country’s south early on Wednesday.

Damascus blamed the bombing in Sweida province on Daesh.

The attack comes as the regime continues its assault on the last remaining rebel-held areas in the south and southwest.

Laos dam

In Laos, officials confirm that at least 19 people were killed when a dam burst on Monday.

But the death toll could be much higher, as hundreds are still missing and more than 3,000 people need help.

The dam was under construction. It's a joint venture between companies in Laos and South Korea.

Greece fires

At least 74 people are dead in Greece after devastating fires in a seaside holiday area.

The Prime Minister has announced three days of mourning.

The wildfires, which are still burning, are the country's worst in more than a decade.

BRICS

And finally,

What started out as an idea at Goldman Sachs has become an emerging power bloc.

We're talking about BRICS.

Jim O'Neill coined the term in 2001 to talk about major developing economies - Brazil, Russia, India and China. They were important economies that weren't part of what was then the G5.

South Africa has since joined, and other emerging economies like Turkey are getting involved.

The annual BRICS summit is now underway in Johannesburg, and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is attending.

It's the first high-level meeting between the BRICS and Turkey.

Laos dam

State media in Laos say hundreds of people are missing after a dam burst in the southeast of the country.

Several deaths were confirmed after the hydroelectic power dam collapsed. But there are fears the death toll could be much higher.

The southeast Asian country has an ambitious hydropower program as part of its bid to develop its economy.

Greece fires

Dozens of people are dead in forest fires raging in seaside holiday areas in Greece.

The fires are close to the capital, Athens, and at least 50 people are confirmed dead.

That number could rise. An unknown number of people are trapped in the area, trying to flee, as strong winds fan the flames.

Pakistan elections

Polls open in Pakistan in less than 24 hours in what is expected to be a closely contested election.

Over 100 million people are registered to vote in the country of more then 200 million.

The core contest pits former cricketing star Imran Khan and his PTI against the governing party of jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Divided island

A UN envoy is holding talks with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cyrpriot leaders of the divided island.

It's part of the latest effort to restart reunification talks. They collapsed in 2017 when both sides failed to agree on power-sharing and security arrangments.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974.

Venezuela inflation

And finally,

The IMF says Venezuela could be facing one million percent inflation this year.

That number puts the South American country on track to become a benchmark in the modern history of hyper-inflation.

We don't even know what 1,000,000 percent inflation might look like.

But apparently it's what Germany had before Hitler rose to power. And what Zimbabwe had as its economy collapsed and Robert Mugabe was driven from power.

Laos dam

State media in Laos say hundreds of people are missing after a dam burst in the southeast of the country.

Several deaths were confirmed after the hydroelectic power dam collapsed. But there are fears the death toll could be much higher.

The southeast Asian country has an ambitious hydropower program as part of its bid to develop its economy.

Greece fires

Dozens of people are dead in forest fires raging in seaside holiday areas in Greece.

The fires are close to the capital, Athens, and at least 50 people are confirmed dead.

That number could rise. An unknown number of people are trapped in the area, trying to flee, as strong winds fan the flames.

Pakistan elections

Polls open in Pakistan in less than 24 hours in what is expected to be a closely contested election.

Over 100 million people are registered to vote in the country of more then 200 million.

The core contest pits former cricketing star Imran Khan and his PTI against the governing party of jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Divided island

A UN envoy is holding talks with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cyrpriot leaders of the divided island.

It's part of the latest effort to restart reunification talks. They collapsed in 2017 when both sides failed to agree on power-sharing and security arrangments.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974.

Venezuela inflation

And finally,

The IMF says Venezuela could be facing one million percent inflation this year.

That number puts the South American country on track to become a benchmark in the modern history of hyper-inflation.

We don't even know what 1,000,000 percent inflation might look like.

But apparently it's what Germany had before Hitler rose to power. And what Zimbabwe had as its economy collapsed and Robert Mugabe was driven from power.