Author: Andrew Rogers

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, said on Monday that officials are “working very, very hard” to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine. Progress has been slow, raising doubts about a near-term peace settlement. Kellogg explained that officials aim to establish “security guarantees” that would reduce Ukraine’s fear of another Russian invasion in the future. He called the plan “a work in progress” after attending Ukraine’s National Prayer Breakfast with politicians, diplomats, and business leaders. Last week, Trump claimed he had set plans in motion for direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian…

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to fund a major upgrade of Pakistan’s railway network, stepping in after delays from China threatened crucial transport links for the country’s mining industry, sources said. Plans to modernize 1,800 km (1,118 miles) of railways were originally part of a $60 billion Chinese investment announced in 2015 under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. However, years of negotiations have yet to produce a financing package from China, the single largest project in the deal. Pakistan also faces challenges in repaying Chinese loans from other projects. Officials said the railway improvements have become urgent because…

Voters in Taiwan went to the polls Saturday to decide whether seven opposition lawmakers should be recalled and whether the country should revive nuclear power, just three months after the last reactor was shut down. The recall efforts, the second this month, aim to help the ruling party regain control of the legislature after losing its majority in the 2024 elections. However, the chance of success appears low. On July 26, all 24 opposition Nationalist Party members survived the first round of recall votes. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the presidency in 2024, but neither the DPP nor the…

President Barack Obama has stepped into the political spotlight to support California Democrats’ redistricting efforts, marking a rare public intervention. His backing comes after Texas Republicans approved a new congressional map aimed at increasing GOP control. Obama said he supports a “fair fight” between parties based on policies and voter choice. He praised California Governor Gavin Newsom for taking a careful, temporary approach in response to Texas’ partisan redistricting. “Given that Texas is taking direction from a partisan White House to redraw districts mid-decade for political gain, I have tremendous respect for Governor Newsom’s approach,” Obama said. The Texas House…

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US is satisfied with its current tariff strategy with China, highlighting the Trump administration’s focus on stability as the November trade truce approaches. Bessent told Fox News that the existing tariff setup is “working pretty well” and described China as the largest source of US tariff revenue. In a later interview with CNBC, he noted that tariff income under President Trump is expected to surpass previous estimates of $300 billion. The revenue will be used to reduce federal debt rather than provide rebate checks to Americans. “I’ve been saying that tariff revenue could…

Google has agreed to pay a $36 million fine for anticompetitive agreements with Australia’s largest telecommunications companies. The deals prevented the installation of competing search engines on certain smartphones, the tech giant and Australia’s competition watchdog confirmed. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it began proceedings in the Federal Court against Google’s Asia Pacific division. The court will now decide whether the $36 million penalty is appropriate. Under the agreements, which ran for 15 months until March 2021, Telstra and Optus pre-installed only Google Search on Android devices sold to customers. Other search engines were excluded. In exchange,…

France’s Overseas Minister Manuel Valls is traveling to New Caledonia this week following the collapse of a key independence deal. Political tensions have risen after the territory’s main pro-independence coalition, the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), rejected the Bougival agreement. The Bougival agreement, signed last month near Paris, aimed to grant New Caledonia its own nationality and some sovereign powers, including authority over currency, justice, and policing. However, it did not include a new independence referendum, which remains a central demand of the Kanak independence movement. On August 9, the FLNKS formally voted against the deal. The coalition is…

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called US President Donald Trump “not a force for good,” while saying he would still be willing to meet him. Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Sir Sadiq expressed concern that Trump’s statements could inadvertently radicalize people. The mayor dismissed recent comments Trump made during a visit to Scotland, where he called Khan “a nasty person” who had “done a terrible job.” Khan said such remarks were “water off a duck’s back” but added that the insults sometimes made him feel like he was “nine years old again” in the school playground. Speaking at the…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Washington Monday with top European leaders to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in a critical effort to end Russia’s war. The gathering highlights a rare display of unity among Europe’s most powerful political figures to protect Ukraine and the continent from further Russian aggression. Zelenskyy’s delegation includes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Their presence signals a coordinated push to influence U.S. policy and secure Ukraine’s security…

Birmingham Heritage Week returns this September, shining a spotlight on the city’s Jewellery Quarter, which has earned World Craft City status. The event celebrates Birmingham’s rich heritage and the skilled artisans who have shaped its creative industries for over 200 years. The 10-day festival spans the entire city, offering more than 200 events for residents and visitors to explore. From historic tours to interactive workshops, Heritage Week encourages people to discover hidden corners and learn about Birmingham’s fascinating past. Irene De Boo, Heritage Week coordinator, said the program is now the biggest yet. She highlighted the public’s enthusiasm for exploring…