Author: Andrew Rogers

Populist and nationalist views are becoming stronger in Japan. A new political force, the Sanseito party, is leading this shift. It promotes a “Japan first” vision and has gained popularity among voters who feel left behind by global trends. In Sunday’s election, the party jumped from holding just two seats in the upper house to now controlling 15. This rise is happening as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house. While Ishiba’s policies focus on the economy and international cooperation, many voters are turning to messages that speak more to national pride and independence.…

As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the ruling party in Lagos State says it remains confident of victory. The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will be judged fairly by voters based on its achievements and leadership, not on opposition criticism. This was stated by the Lagos State APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, in response to a recent press release by an opposition party. In the statement, Oladejo dismissed claims that Nigerians would no longer support the APC, calling the opposition’s message misleading and without substance. Oladejo emphasized that Nigerians will make informed decisions when choosing their…

Australian Parliament opening events saw rare unity among political rivals during the first day of the new session, but challenges lie ahead as deeper divisions are expected in coming debates. As the sun rose over Canberra, political leaders came together in an early morning ecumenical service at Wesley Uniting Church. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley sat side by side, both reading from the words of St John: a call to love one another. The peaceful start set a respectful tone as members prepared to return to the business of governing. Outside the church, Canberra’s traditional custodians…

Istanbul is expected to host the third round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks next week, likely between July 21 and 27. This round follows earlier meetings in May and June, also held in the Turkish city. Ukraine formally proposed Istanbul as the venue again, continuing the pattern of neutral-ground negotiations. The proposal was delivered to Russia by Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation. Russia has given an initial nod to the location, although the exact dates are still under discussion. The upcoming session will aim to address three major issues: prisoner exchanges, the return of Ukrainian children, and steps…

A policy expert has raised concerns that political opposition parties and some community leaders are worsening insecurity in Nigeria. Dr. Lanre Adebayo, Director General of The Progressive Institute (TPI) in Abuja, made this known during a meeting with civil society groups, media professionals, and political stakeholders. He said many political figures do not understand the difference between campaign activities and real governance. According to him, some of them spread misleading information just to gain support or attack the government. Dr. Adebayo warned that this behavior can trigger violence, especially in communities that are already facing tension. He pointed to a…

Canada is facing a growing drug crisis, and a leading psychiatrist believes outdated thinking and flawed policies are making it worse. Dr. Kwame McKenzie, a well-known mental health expert, says the country’s current approach is failing. He shared his insights on a recent episode of the Global Health Matters podcast. Dr. McKenzie is the CEO of the Wellesley Institute and Director of Health Equity at Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. He says the problem goes beyond health and touches on language, politics, and trust. One of his main concerns is the way society talks about drug use. “The…

As federal parliament returns this week, a clear contrast will be visible in the House of Representatives. On one side, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is enjoying strong poll numbers. On the other, the Liberal Party is facing public scrutiny over the low number of female MPs in its ranks. Only six Liberal women will be seated in the lower house. This is a striking image in 2025, especially as their presence will stand out. The lack of gender balance has become a growing issue for the party. Despite attempts to deflect attention with a female leader at the helm, the…

Japan is now facing a period of political uncertainty after the ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house of parliament. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has promised to stay in office despite the election setback. Although the upper house election result does not directly remove Ishiba’s coalition from power, it adds more pressure. Many voters are unhappy with rising living costs and have started to support newer, populist parties instead. This shift shows that Ishiba’s plan to lower prices has not worked fast enough to win public trust. The election took place on Sunday. Early results suggest the ruling…

Iraq has approved a major agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government to restart oil exports from the north. This move comes after long delays and disputes over oil revenue and control. The decision was made in a special cabinet session led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Under the new deal, the Kurdistan Region will supply oil through Iraq’s national export company, SOMO. In return, the federal government will pay the KRG $16 for every barrel delivered. This payment can be made in cash or as goods. At least 230,000 barrels must be sent daily to SOMO under the agreement.…

Federal Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro is facing a critical deadline. His 120-day leave of absence from the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies will end this Sunday. If he does not return to Brazil after that, his absence will be marked as unjustified. This may result in the loss of his mandate. According to congressional rules, a federal deputy cannot miss more than one-third of the House plenary sessions without valid reason. Eduardo Bolsonaro, who represents São Paulo, had requested the leave in March, citing “personal interests” for 120 days and “health treatment” for two additional days. At the time of his request,…