Author: Andrew Rogers

Brazil is pressing for a breakthrough at COP30, the UN climate summit in Belem, as nations work to finalize a deal on fossil fuels, finance, and trade barriers. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is set to make an unexpected return on Wednesday, highlighting Brazil’s push for rapid progress. Negotiators spent a sleepless night drafting proposals on trade measures, financial support for poorer countries, and the adequacy of national carbon-cutting pledges. Brazil hopes to reach an agreement by midweek, signaling urgency to resolve key differences. “As always in this phase of the negotiations, this is a mixed bag,” EU climate…

South Africa will host the G20 summit on November 22-23, focusing on debt relief for developing countries and tackling global inequality. The United States is boycotting the event, as President Donald Trump declines participation amid growing tensions over South Africa’s agenda. President Cyril Ramaphosa called the U.S. absence “their loss,” emphasizing the summit’s importance for global economic cooperation. The G20 includes 19 countries plus the European Union and African Union, representing roughly 85 percent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population. Trump’s boycott follows his earlier decisions to skip international meetings, including the COP30 climate summit in Brazil.…

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George arrived in Kyiv this week on an unannounced trip, becoming the highest-level Trump administration Pentagon officials to visit Ukraine. The visit comes as the U.S. seeks ways to accelerate peace efforts and strengthen military cooperation amid Russia’s escalating attacks. Driscoll and George are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian military leaders, lawmakers, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy starting Wednesday. The visit coincides with intensified Russian missile and drone strikes targeting civilians, while Western allies work to maintain weapons supplies for Ukraine. A key focus of the trip is to discuss the…

The Senate moved quickly on Tuesday to approve a bill requiring the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision marked a sharp departure from the chamber’s usual slow pace, as mounting pressure pushed congressional Republicans to act. The House had already passed the bill, and senators gave unanimous consent to send it to President Trump’s desk. Just a week ago, such rapid action seemed impossible. The sudden momentum followed Trump’s weekend endorsement of the measure, catching lawmakers by surprise. “It happens slowly, and then all of a sudden,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), describing the…

President Trump announced on Tuesday that he signed a strategic defense agreement designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. The announcement came during a White House dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Tonight, I’m pleased to announce that we are taking our military cooperation to even greater heights,” Trump said. He added that he wanted to keep the decision a surprise until the dinner. The agreement highlights growing cooperation between Washington and Riyadh. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump and bin Salman announced that Saudi Arabia would invest $1 trillion in the United States. Administration officials also said an…

Elon Musk attended a White House dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday. This marks their second joint public appearance since a public feud earlier this year. Musk’s presence could indicate a possible reconciliation with the U.S. president. Earlier, Musk supported and funded Trump’s election and became a close adviser, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and overseeing cuts to federal funding and jobs. The relationship soured quickly. Musk criticized Trump’s tax and spending bill as fiscally reckless and announced plans to form a new political party. In response, Trump threatened…

The Trump administration is advancing plans for a Department of Education closure, announcing partnerships with other federal agencies to handle key programs. On Tuesday, the department revealed six agreements to transfer programs. The Department of Labor will take over elementary and secondary education programs and higher education grants. The Department of Interior will manage Indian education programs, while the Department of Health and Human Services will handle childcare and foreign medical accreditation programs. International education programs will be overseen by the State Department. A senior department official said oversight will remain with the Department of Education. Employees working on these…

Herefordshire has become the perfect stand-in for Stratford-upon-Avon in the new film adaptation of Hamnet. Scouts for the movie found the region’s half-timbered towns, crooked buildings, and welcoming inns ideal for recreating Elizabethan England. The film, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling 2020 novel, stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal and explores Shakespeare’s life during the plague and the death of his 11-year-old son, Hamnet, in 1596. Visiting Weobley, the charm of old England is immediate. Ancient churches, stone carvings, and historic tombs create an atmosphere that feels frozen in time. Walking through narrow streets, the timbered buildings seem unchanged for…

Dak Prescott threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns as the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 33-16 on Monday night. This was Dallas’ first game since the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who passed away earlier this month at age 24. Kneeland died on November 6. Before kickoff, Cowboys players and coach Brian Schottenheimer honored him with shirts and a moment of silence. Prescott, whose brother Jace died in 2020, said, “It was a blessing to be on the field. This is where healing happens for me. We love Marshawn and will continue to shine a light…

Teyana Taylor turned heads at ELLE’s 2025 Women in Hollywood event in a bold gold Balmain gown. The hooded dress featured a plunging neckline and a striking gold belt that emphasized her waist. She paired the look with gold strappy heels, leaving a lasting impression on the red carpet. The outfit marked a shift from her role as Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another, where she sported baggy cargo pants and a flannel sweater. At the event, Taylor showcased a glamorous, confident side, proving her versatile style and red carpet appeal. In an accompanying…