All articles tagged with #observers
International observers urged a violence-free Serbia local election after clashes between police and voters in Crvenka during voting on March 29, 2026, warning that unrest could undermine the process and draw scrutiny over security and democratic legitimacy.
EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica will attend the first meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington as an observer focused on Gaza, signaling Brussels’ interest in influencing the process while raising concerns about the board’s charter, governance, and UN Charter compatibility; several EU states participate as observers, with others weighing participation and coordination led by EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
Clayton Kelly, a witness to the morning killing of nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, says he was tackled, pepper-sprayed, and detained by agents as observers watched; his phone was confiscated and he received little medical care, with another eyewitness corroborating the account. The episode underscores concerns about retaliation against civilians documenting immigration enforcement, a issue tied to a federal lawsuit and an injunction aimed at curbing such retaliation.
Volunteer observers documenting ICE raids in Minneapolis say they are facing increasing aggression from federal agents, including smashed car windows and sprayed irritants, as well as detentions without charges and limited access to medical care or lawyers; the reporting follows high-profile shootings of bystanders and has spurred a class-action challenge to detention practices at the Whipple building, while DHS defends officer conduct as necessary and within training, prompting ongoing efforts to document and hold authorities accountable.
Thousands of people across North America witnessed a celestial spectacle as the Moon perfectly blocked the Sun, plunging parts of the continent into momentary darkness. The path of totality was 115 miles wide and home to nearly 32 million Americans, with people using special protective glasses to observe the event. While New York City wasn't in the path of totality, it still experienced up to 90% coverage of the sun by the moon, and couples even wed at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas.
Observers noticed peculiarities in Prince William and Princess Kate's family portrait, with Prince Louis appearing to have a missing finger and Prince William's left leg seemingly absent. However, a royal source clarified that Louis simply bent his finger, and it could be that William's leg was hidden behind Princess Charlotte. Fans commented on how fast the Wales children are growing up, with Prince George towering over his mother at just ten years old.
The BJP is yet to finalize the names for the chief minister positions in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, and will appoint observers tomorrow to make the final selection. Several names are being considered for the positions, including Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Prahlad Patel, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Narendra Singh Tomar, Raman Singh, Arun Kumar Sao, Dharamlal Kaushik, and OP Chaudhary. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje is also seen as a contender in Rajasthan. The BJP's massive mandate in the three states is seen as a reflection of popular support for its policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
A spectacular annular solar eclipse, also known as the "ring of fire," captivated millions of people across the United States and Latin American countries. The eclipse's path of annularity spanned eight American states, Mexico, and several Central American countries, with millions more experiencing a partial solar eclipse. Observers traveled great distances to witness the event, capturing stunning photos of the eclipse from various locations. The next total eclipse is expected to occur on April 8, 2024.
Comet P1 Nishimura's visibility in the northern hemisphere has come to an end, and now it's the turn of southern hemisphere sky watchers to observe the comet before it fades from view. Although it didn't reach the predicted brightness to be seen with the naked eye, it was still observed and photographed by a small number of people. The comet is now visible in satellite images and shows no signs of disintegrating. Southern hemisphere observers will have the opportunity to see the comet low in their evening sky as it tracks past Mars, gradually growing fainter until it disappears for over 400 years. Despite the end of the Comet Nishimura show for northern observers, there are always other comets to see on clear nights, with dozens available for observation, although most require a telescope.
A team of international observers invited by the leading Kurdish party to monitor the Turkish election were arrested and jailed by the Erdogan government. The Spanish observers included members of the left-leaning Podemos party, EH Bildu, and a senator from Esquerra Republicana. The observers were released on the condition they leave the country, escorted to the airport and flown back to Spain. The opposition coalition charged election irregularities, zeroing in on what Kilicdaroglu said was an extremely large number of objections to ballot boxes in Istanbul and Ankara. A runoff will be held on May 28.