Author: Andrew Rogers

Indonesia is facing a heated backlash after declaring former president Suharto a national hero. The move has triggered widespread anger and accusations of rewriting history in the world’s third-largest democracy. Critics say the government is trying to whitewash the legacy of a man whose rule was marked by corruption, censorship, and severe human rights abuses. The honor was announced during a national ceremony on Monday morning led by President Prabowo Subianto, who is Suharto’s former son-in-law. The decision shocked many Indonesians, especially activists and families of those who suffered under Suharto’s 32-year rule. During the event, an announcer described Suharto…

The UK homelessness charity Crisis is set to become a landlord for the first time in its 60-year history, citing a “catastrophic” housing crisis. Chief executive Matt Downie said the charity plans to launch a fundraising campaign to buy its own housing stock, as access to social housing is no longer reliable. “We don’t want to do this, but if nobody else provides housing, we’ll do it ourselves,” Downie said. “We wouldn’t be doing this unless the system had failed.” A new study by Crisis, conducted with Heriot-Watt University, revealed that nearly 300,000 families and individuals in England faced severe…

Global demand for “green” office buildings has slowed, with a sharp drop in interest across North and South America, following U.S. policy changes under President Donald Trump, according to a survey of construction professionals. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) found that building occupiers and investors reported weaker growth in demand for sustainable commercial buildings, “seemingly in response to a change in U.S. policy focus.” Demand in other parts of the world also fell, though less drastically. Residential and commercial buildings accounted for 34% of global carbon emissions in 2023, according to the UN Environment Programme. Most of these…

Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux became an unexpected internet sensation after a photo of him outside the Louvre went viral during a daylight heist of French crown jewels. The sharply dressed teen, dubbed “Fedora Man,” captivated millions with his stylish outfit and calm presence near the museum’s cordoned-off entrance. Pedro, a fan of classic detectives like Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, lives in Rambouillet, about 30 kilometers from Paris, with his parents and grandfather. When the photo first circulated online, he chose to remain silent, letting the mystery grow. “I didn’t want to say immediately it was me,” he said.…

President Donald Trump attended Sunday’s Washington Commanders game, becoming the first sitting president in nearly 50 years to watch a regular-season NFL match. The Commanders lost 44-22 to the visiting Detroit Lions in Landover, Maryland. Trump’s appearance drew loud boos from some fans when he appeared on the videoboard late in the first half. The reaction continued during his halftime introduction and as he led a military oath ceremony on the field. He shared the suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson while attending the game. Upon arrival, Trump told reporters, “We’re gonna have a good game. Things are going along…

COP30 climate talks opened Monday near the Brazilian Amazon, with world leaders calling for faster action and closer cooperation to combat global warming. After more than 30 years of climate negotiations, countries are under pressure to reduce carbon emissions that drive rising temperatures. André Corrêa do Lago, president of this year’s conference, urged negotiators to work together, using the Brazilian concept of “mutirão,” which means joining forces to complete a shared task. He said, “Either we decide to change by choice, together, or we will be imposed change by tragedy. We can change. But we must do it together.” The…

After more than a month of halted federal services and unpaid workers, a group of Democratic senators and one independent have helped pass the Government Shutdown Deal. Their support ended the nation’s longest shutdown and opened the way for a new debate on Affordable Care Act subsidies. The group said the agreement, while not perfect, was the best option to relieve pressure on millions of Americans affected by the standoff. They stressed that federal employees, air traffic controllers, and families relying on government programs could not wait any longer for relief. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, a veteran Democrat retiring…

Georgia Democratic senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock have defended their votes against advancing a bill to reopen the federal government. Both lawmakers said their opposition centers on the need to protect health care access for millions of Americans. Senator Ossoff, who faces reelection in 2026, said President Donald Trump has refused to work with Democrats on addressing the nation’s health insurance challenges. Democrats have pushed for an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies in exchange for their support to end the ongoing government shutdown. Senator Warnock described the situation as difficult, accusing President Trump of making it harder…

Members of Iraq’s security forces and its internally displaced population began casting ballots on Sunday in the country’s parliamentary elections, the sixth since the US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. Voting opened at 7 a.m. (04:00 GMT) for 1.3 million security personnel at 809 polling centers. Ballots will close at 6 p.m. (15:00 GMT) so the forces can be deployed for election day duties on Tuesday. More than 26,500 displaced Iraqis are also eligible to vote early across 97 polling stations in 27 locations nationwide, the Iraqi News Agency reported. Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari said the special voting…

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in the United States on Saturday for a landmark official visit, a day after Washington removed him from a terrorism blacklist. This visit marks the first time a Syrian president has come to the US since the country gained independence in 1946. Sharaa, whose rebel forces overthrew longtime leader Bashar al-Assad last year, is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The visit follows a previous meeting in Riyadh during Trump’s regional tour in May. US officials hope the meeting will result in an agreement for Syria to join…