Brazil marked its Independence Day with campaign events held by the two main candidates ahead of October's presidential election, Al Jazeera reported. Polls suggest the race for the presidency remains tight, with both contenders using the national holiday to rally supporters and present their platforms to voters. The Independence Day appearances come as campaigning intensifies in the final stretch before the election, underscoring the significance of the holiday as a political stage in the closely contested contest.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has downplayed concerns over the ANC's candidate-list problems ahead of upcoming local elections, describing the issue as a 'little hiccup,' according to TimesLIVE. He said the discrepancies affect only about 3% of names on the party's lists and insisted the ANC is growing rather than in crisis. The remarks come amid scrutiny of the party's internal candidate selection process as it prepares for the municipal vote.

Senator Iván Cepeda, Colombia's left-wing presidential candidate, has conceded defeat in the election against right-wing businessman Abelardo de la Espriella, losing by less than a percentage point. This closely contested race highlights the ongoing political divisions within the country.

Fifa has confirmed that president Gianni Infantino intends to stand for re-election in March, despite renewed opposition to his candidacy. According to TimesLIVE Sport, the pushback follows a failed plan to sell a stake in Fifa competitions to private investors. Infantino remains committed to seeking another term at the helm of world football's governing body.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is travelling to Ecuador, Colombia and Peru following a series of right-wing electoral victories across Latin America. According to Al Jazeera, the regional shift to the right comes as Washington pledges to expand its influence and adopt a more militaristic approach to combating drug cartels. The visit signals closer alignment between the United States and newly elected conservative governments in the region, with security cooperation and counter-narcotics efforts expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

Mozambican opposition politician Venâncio Mondlane is facing trial on five charges related to protests that erupted after the country's disputed 2024 election, according to Al Jazeera. The case has drawn attention to Mozambique's political tensions, with the opposition contesting the election results. The trial is being closely watched for its implications for the country's democracy, political stability, and treatment of dissent following the unrest that accompanied the contested vote.