Author: Andrew Rogers

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,…

US Supreme Court allows the Trump administration to extend a pause on $4 billion in federal food aid, leaving millions of Americans relying on SNAP benefits in uncertainty. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program supports 42 million people nationwide. The court issued an administrative stay on Tuesday, allowing the administration to delay a lower court ruling that would have required the distribution of the $4 billion in SNAP funding. The freeze has been extended for two more days and will remain in place until Thursday night. Congress is preparing to vote on a package that could end the longest government shutdown…

Typhoon Fung-wong struck the northern Philippines on Sunday, leaving at least 18 people dead and causing widespread floods, landslides, and power outages. The storm has since weakened into a tropical storm over the South China Sea and is moving northwest toward Taiwan, where it could arrive by Thursday. The super typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph (115 mph) at landfall, hit Aurora province before moving through mountainous northern provinces and agricultural plains. More than 1.4 million people were evacuated to emergency shelters or relatives’ homes ahead of the storm, with about 240,000 still in evacuation centers on Tuesday.…

Longtime Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey announced she will not seek reelection next year, saying it is “time to pass the torch.” The 80-year-old lawmaker has represented New Jersey’s 12th District since 2015, becoming the first Black woman from the state to serve in the House of Representatives. Before Congress, Watson Coleman held a leadership role in the state Assembly and chaired the New Jersey Democratic Party. She cited careful reflection and discussions with her family as key to her decision. “I am confident it is the right choice for me and my family,” she said. A…

President Donald Trump on Monday downplayed concerns about air traffic controllers who have been working without pay for more than 40 days amid the record-long government shutdown. In a Fox News interview, Trump said many controllers had taken temporary second jobs and reassured that “the money was coming.” He emphasized that those who reported to work would be rewarded while criticizing those who complained or were absent. Air traffic controllers, classified as essential federal workers, must continue working during a shutdown despite not receiving pay. Military personnel, also deemed essential, have continued to receive paychecks during the funding lapse. Trump’s…