Courtroom Corruption: Malaysia’s Sessions Court ordered former Kedah political secretary Mohamad Hilmi Abdul Wahab to enter his defence over alleged bribe-seeking tied to rare earth mining licence approvals, with the case set for defence hearings starting Oct 9. Tender Politics: In another Malaysian corruption trial, a witness testified that a former home minister’s political secretary asked for a cut of a RM19m police project consultancy fee for “political purposes.” Party Strategy: Malaysia’s UMNO will debate its Melaka election direction on Aug 28, including whether to cooperate with PH or PN as the state mandate ends Dec 31. Local Leadership Shake-up: Perak’s Saarani Mohamad confirmed his political secretary resigned Aug 17, after social media rumours linked him to drug abuse. Election Integrity & Violence: Nigeria’s Katsina police warned election violence sponsors they’ll be identified and arrested, launching a campaign against electoral thuggery and youth recruitment. Governance & Accountability: South Africa’s Public Works minister will release findings from four building-collapse investigations after 17 deaths and 24 injuries. Women in Politics: South Africa’s planning minister leads a webinar launching a femicide review methodology pilot, aiming for better coordination and prevention. Tech, Power, and Backlash: US states’ governor races are increasingly shaped by data-center politics as Utah and others face public outcry over environmental and energy impacts.