Author: Andrew Rogers

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…

Rama Duwaji, the 28-year-old artist and wife of New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, is changing how political fashion is seen by younger generations. She moves away from traditional pastel skirt suits and embraces a playful, youthful, and elegant look that reflects her own artistic identity. Duwaji, of Syrian heritage, is a visual artist whose work explores Arab identity, female experience, and social justice. She works in painting, ceramics, line drawings, and animation. In 2024, she earned a master’s degree in fine arts from New York’s School of Visual Arts. Her thesis, Sahtain!, focused on the communal act of making…

Northamptonshire’s chief constable, Ivan Balhatchet, has been found guilty of contempt of court after repeatedly failing to provide video evidence in a case involving a woman who said she was wrongfully arrested. Judges will decide whether he faces imprisonment or a fine. The court of appeal ruled Tuesday that the police force was “willfully disobedient” in refusing to release body-worn camera footage to Nadine Buzzard-Quashie. She was arrested in September 2021 by three officers, but prosecutors quickly dropped the case. Buzzard-Quashie said she was physically assaulted during the arrest, including being thrown to the ground and pushed into nettles. Buzzard-Quashie…

Indonesia and Australia are close to signing a new bilateral defense treaty, leaders from both countries said Wednesday. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the pact during Prabowo’s first state visit to Australia. Albanese said he hopes to sign the finalized treaty during a visit to Indonesia in January. “The governments of Australia and Indonesia have just substantively concluded negotiations on a new bilateral treaty on our common security,” he told reporters alongside Prabowo in Sydney. The treaty will require both countries to consult regularly at the leader and ministerial level on security matters. It…

President Donald Trump said the United States does not have enough skilled workers to fill certain domestic jobs, defending the use of the H-1B visa program. In an interview with Fox News aired Tuesday night, Trump argued that some positions require talents that cannot be found among unemployed Americans. Pressed by host Laura Ingraham on whether his administration would reduce H-1B visas over concerns about wage impacts for American workers, Trump said, “I agree — but you also do have to bring in talent.” When Ingraham noted there are plenty of talented people in the country, Trump replied, “No, you…

Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, has announced plans to run for Congress, continuing the legacy of one of America’s most historic political families. The 32-year-old son of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg revealed his first bid for public office in an email to supporters. Schlossberg is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Manhattan seat in the U.S. House of Representatives being vacated by retiring Democrat Jerrold Nadler. The 12th congressional district seat already has a crowded field of candidates. A political commentator and writer, Schlossberg has published work in outlets such as The Washington Post, Politico,…