Author: Andrew Rogers

The Chabahar-Zahedan railway is emerging as one of Iran’s most important infrastructure projects, connecting the strategic Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman to Zahedan, a key city near the borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Stretching 634 kilometers, the railway is designed to improve cargo transit and economic connectivity between southern Iran and Central Asia. According to Iran’s transportation ministry, the project is expected to be completed by March 2025, aligning with the end of the current Iranian calendar year. Chabahar is Iran’s only deep-sea port with direct access to the Indian Ocean. Located outside the narrow and often politically…

The Temple of Heaven, located in the southeastern part of central Beijing, stands as one of China’s most treasured historical and cultural landmarks. Originally built during the early 15th century, it has served as a center of spiritual significance for centuries and remains a major attraction for visitors and scholars interested in Chinese history, architecture, and philosophy. Construction of the Temple of Heaven began in 1406 and was completed in 1420 under the reign of the Yongle Emperor, the same ruler who oversaw the creation of the Forbidden City. Unlike imperial palaces built for residence and governance, the Temple of…

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi is a key political figure in northeastern Kenya, known for his leadership in one of the country’s most remote and arid counties. As the first elected governor of Wajir County following the implementation of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, Abdullahi has played a significant role in shaping local governance and development in the region. His journey has been marked by both achievement and controversy, especially during his second term which began after the 2022 general elections. Ahmed Abdullahi first rose to prominence in 2013 when he was elected as the inaugural governor of Wajir County. Coming from a…

Maryland is facing important economic challenges, but new opportunities may help spark a fresh wave of economic growth Maryland has not seen in nearly a decade. The state is currently grappling with a significant budget deficit of $2.7 billion for the upcoming fiscal year starting July 1, 2025. This shortfall presents hurdles for Maryland’s government as it tries to fund essential programs and invest in future projects. Despite this, leaders are exploring innovative solutions aimed at reversing slow economic trends and positioning Maryland for long-term success. One of the most promising ideas involves investing in advanced infrastructure, particularly high-speed transportation…

The White House has confirmed that tariffs imposed during the Trump administration will stay in place despite a recent court decision that found many of these tariffs illegal. Top US officials have indicated they will use other legal methods to keep pressure on China and other countries to negotiate trade agreements. The current 90-day pause on some of the highest tariffs is expected to end in July without extension. On May 12, the US and China agreed to pause their escalating trade war by halting reciprocal tariffs that had reached as high as 125 percent on both sides. This pause…

An Indian all-party parliamentary delegation met with leaders of major political parties in Malaysia on Monday to seek support for India’s fight against terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. The meeting took place in Kuala Lumpur and involved members of Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party (DAP) and People’s Justice Party (PKR), to which Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim belongs. The Indian delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, explained India’s firm stance on zero tolerance toward terrorism in all forms. They emphasized the importance of Operation Sindoor, a military action launched to counter cross-border terrorism. The Malaysian leaders expressed their support for…

Russia has accepted the Taliban’s nominated ambassador to Moscow, marking a significant step in improving diplomatic relations between the two countries. This decision follows Russia’s move in April to lift its ban on the Taliban, opening the door for formal engagement with Afghanistan’s current leadership. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, no country has officially recognized its government. Moscow’s acceptance of the Taliban ambassador signals progress toward normalizing ties with the Taliban regime. The Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said this move could help expand cooperation in various areas between Afghanistan and Russia. China became…

Western Australian Senator Dorinda Cox has left the Greens Party and joined the Australian Labor Party. This unexpected move follows her growing dissatisfaction with the Greens and concerns about increasing extremism within the party. The change lowers the Greens’ Senate seats from 11 to 10, while Labor’s total rises to 28, still short of the 39 needed for a Senate majority. Cox, a former Indigenous police officer, reportedly contacted the Prime Minister’s Office in recent weeks to express frustration with the Greens’ direction, especially regarding policies promoted by Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi. Labor believes her decision was influenced by…

Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska recently spoke about the difficulties her state faces because of former President Donald Trump’s efforts to cut federal government spending. She explained that funding freezes and federal worker layoffs have hurt Alaska’s programs and people. At an infrastructure conference in Anchorage, she described the situation as very challenging and made clear she does not see it positively. Murkowski has often gone against her own party’s support of Trump. She voted against several key Trump nominees, including candidates for defense secretary and FBI director. She opposed Trump’s tariffs on many U.S. trade partners. She has also…

This weekend in Jerusalem, an Arab bus driver was attacked by a crowd. They kicked, beat, and threw objects at him while he lay bleeding on the bus floor. Some people shouted, others stayed silent, and a few showed concern. This violent incident is not isolated. It reflects the broader tensions and conflict affecting the region, including the war in Gaza. Though smaller in scale, the attack mirrors the violence and suffering Gaza has faced over the past twenty months. The violence was triggered by a football match. An Arab player named Zahy Ahmad scored the winning goal for Hapoel…