Author: Andrew Rogers

Pakistan’s parliament approved a major constitutional amendment on Thursday granting lifetime immunity to President Asif Ali Zardari and current army chief Asim Munir. The 27th amendment passed with a two-thirds majority, consolidating military power under a new Chief of Defence Forces role and creating a Federal Constitutional Court. The law allows Munir, promoted to field marshal after Pakistan’s clash with India in May, to command the army, navy, and air force while enjoying lifelong protections. Other top military officials now also retain rank and privileges for life, remain in uniform, and gain immunity from criminal prosecution. Critics warned the amendment…

Chicago residents are taking action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids under the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” which began on 9 September 2025. The raids have affected nearly every part of the city. Estimates from the National Center for Immigrant Justice and the Illinois Coalition on Immigrant and Refugee Rights indicate about 1,300 people have been detained illegally, with violations of a court order to stop warrantless arrests continuing. Communities are fighting back with a mix of training, awareness, and aid. PUÑO volunteer Diego Morales has led MigraWatch trainings since 2016, teaching over 2,000 Chicagoans how to spot…

The public groping of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has prompted swift government action to tackle sexual abuse nationwide. Citlalli Hernández, Mexico’s secretary for women, unveiled a presidential plan aimed at combating sexual violence. The initiative includes ensuring prison sentences for sexual abuse across the country, encouraging victims to report incidents, and training prosecutors and officials to handle cases effectively. The plan also involves public awareness campaigns in schools, workplaces, public transport, and other spaces to prevent violence against women. Hernández said the measures aim to reassure women that they are not alone and that the government is taking their safety…

The Queensland Liberal-National government has appointed conservative figures to the state’s school curriculum board, ousting two union-linked members in a controversial move. Queensland Teachers’ Union president Cresta Richardson and Independent Education Union branch secretary Terry Burke will be removed from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) board. They will be replaced by Leesa Jeffcoat, a former diocesan director of Catholic Education, and James Power, a businessman and founding chair of the right-wing lobby group Advance. Jeffcoat has more than 20 years of experience in senior roles within the Queensland Catholic education system, while Power is involved in establishing St…

Property experts are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to abolish the “sin tax” of stamp duty in the upcoming budget and replace it with an annual property tax. The call comes as buyers hesitate ahead of the November 26 budget. TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, known for Channel 4 property shows, told MPs that buying a home should not be considered a sin. “You are actually punished for wanting to buy a more expensive property than the previous one, and that is wrong,” she said. Allsopp emphasized that encouraging people to move house is economically positive. The Treasury is reportedly considering a…

On day 1,358 of Russia’s war in Ukraine, violence, diplomacy, and political developments continued to shape the conflict. Russian forces launched 645 attacks on Ukraine’s Zaporizhia region, killing one person in Polohivskyi district, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported. In Kherson, a drone strike on a railway facility killed a security guard, while drone attacks in Dnipropetrovsk killed a 47-year-old man in the Vasylkivska community. Russian-occupied areas also reported casualties, including a woman killed in Vodyane village by Ukrainian shelling, according to Russian-appointed officials. Diplomatic efforts continued as G7 foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met in Canada’s Niagara…

The United States had intelligence last year indicating that Israeli officials discussed sending Palestinians into Gaza tunnels they suspected contained explosives, two former U.S. officials told Reuters. The findings were shared with the White House and analyzed by intelligence agencies during the final weeks of former President Joe Biden’s administration. International law strictly forbids using civilians as shields in military operations. Reports have long accused Israel of such practices in Gaza and the West Bank, but this is a rare instance of Washington confirming its own evidence on the matter. The officials did not clarify whether those referenced were civilians…

Donald Trump signed a bill reopening the federal government on Wednesday, using the occasion to attack Democrats and repeat false claims about their policies. Speaking from prepared remarks in the Oval Office, Trump accused the opposition of wanting to give money to undocumented immigrants. He urged the public to punish Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections and called on Republicans to end the Senate filibuster. Meanwhile, government workers remained unpaid as Trump focused on political messaging. Trump also highlighted the stock market and cited a Walmart study, claiming the cost of Thanksgiving was 25% lower than last year. However, the…

After 42 days, the U.S. government has reopened, ending the longest shutdown in history. The dispute highlighted a rare tactic by congressional Democrats: withholding funding to press for policy demands, mainly extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. Despite their efforts, Democrats won no major concessions. The government’s reopening came through a coalition of Republican lawmakers and a few Democrats who voted to bypass the Senate filibuster. While Republicans controlled the outcome, some Democrats see the shutdown as a political statement. “We wanted Americans to see that we are willing to stand and fight for them,” said Pennsylvania Congresswoman Summer…

Labour is facing a political crisis as reports indicate it may abandon its 2024 election pledge not to raise taxes on working people. Experts warn that breaking such a central promise could inflict lasting damage on public trust and strengthen the far right. During its 2024 campaign, Labour made its position clear. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and party leader Keir Starmer repeatedly promised no increase in income tax, national insurance, or VAT. These pledges were designed to distinguish Labour from the Conservatives, presenting the party as the defender of working families. Now, Reeves is reportedly considering a 2p rise in income…