Author: Andrew Rogers

Tensions between Iran and Israel remain high, raising concerns about a possible new war. Following a 12‑day conflict in June, both sides are now preparing for further clashes, according to analysts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated he may strike Iran if provoked, while Iran’s leadership insists it does not want a new war but is fully prepared to defend itself. Nader Entessar, a professor at the University of South Alabama, said Netanyahu appears willing to increase tensions with Tehran, suggesting Israel could act aggressively if it perceives a threat. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have stressed…

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has found that Russian forces have been using drones to chase and bomb civilians near frontline areas, forcing thousands to flee, in what it calls a crime against humanity. The report, based on interviews with 226 victims, witnesses, aid workers, and officials, and hundreds of verified videos, documents attacks in three southern regions near the Dnipro River over more than a year. “These attacks were committed as part of a coordinated policy to drive out civilians from those territories and amount to the crime against humanity of forcible transfer of population,”…

Hamas has delivered the remains of an Israeli hostage in Gaza with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) acting as a neutral intermediary. The return comes under the US-brokered ceasefire, which requires Hamas to return all Israeli hostages in exchange for the transfer of Palestinian bodies to Israel. Under the ceasefire, effective from 10 October, Israel agreed to hand over 15 Palestinian bodies for each Israeli returned. Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam brigades, announced it would deliver the deceased hostage’s remains on Monday evening, coordinated with the Red Cross and the Israeli Defense Forces. So far, Hamas has…

A group of New Yorkers has filed a lawsuit against the state elections board, arguing that its congressional map illegally reduces the voting power of Black and Latino residents in Staten Island. The complaint targets the 11th congressional district, represented by Republican Nicole Malliotakis, and challenges the map approved by the Democratic-majority legislature less than two years ago. The lawsuit is the latest in an ongoing battle over redistricting as both parties try to draw districts favorable to their candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Republican efforts in states like Texas to redraw maps have prompted Democrats in New…

The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that blocked the firing of Shira Perlmutter, director of the U.S. Copyright Office. The appeal comes after months of legal back-and-forth over whether the president can dismiss a top official who operates within the Library of Congress. The emergency appeal, filed by Solicitor General D. John Sauer, follows a Washington appeals court decision that barred the White House from unilaterally removing Perlmutter. The full District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals also declined to reconsider that ruling earlier this month. Perlmutter, who has served as…

China has stepped up its messaging to the United States ahead of the bilateral summit between Trump and Xi scheduled in South Korea. The warnings cover multiple fronts — from trade to Taiwan to global trade norms. At the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Premier Li Qiang spoke against rising unilateralism and protectionism in global trade. He warned nations not to revert to a “law of the jungle” approach and defended economic globalization as irreversible. At the same time, Beijing announced that its strategic bombers had conducted drills near Taiwan, signaling resolve ahead of the meeting with Washington. The…

U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Tokyo for a high-profile Asia trip focused on trade, investment, and security cooperation. The visit includes meetings with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Emperor Naruhito ahead of a scheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Trump’s journey marks his longest overseas trip since taking office in January. His itinerary began with successful stops in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, where he oversaw the signing of a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and secured multiple trade and rare earth deals. In Tokyo, Trump is expected to discuss new investment and…

A US Navy helicopter and fighter jet crashed separately on Sunday during routine operations over the South China Sea, with all crew members safely rescued, the Pacific Fleet confirmed. The Navy has launched investigations into both incidents. The first crash occurred around 2:45 p.m. local time when an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, went down while operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Search-and-rescue teams successfully recovered all three crew members. Shortly after, at 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter…

Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, faces her first major international challenge as she prepares to meet US President Donald Trump in Tokyo on Tuesday. The meeting will follow the ASEAN summit in Malaysia and the APEC meeting in South Korea, highlighting the strategic importance of the US-Japan alliance. Months before assuming office, Takaichi had declined an invitation to meet Trump, saying then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba should go first. Now, as Japan’s first female leader, she will engage with the US president for the first time, navigating a high-stakes relationship amid complex regional and economic challenges. Trump praised Takaichi ahead…

As New York City heads toward its mayoral election, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani held a powerful rally in Queens with Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The event marked a defining moment in the Zohran Mamdani mayoral race, with progressive leaders calling for unity and energy ahead of Election Day. At Forest Hills Stadium, thousands gathered as Mamdani urged voters not to take his lead for granted. “While billionaires think they can buy this election, we have a movement of the people,” he told the cheering crowd. His message was clear — the campaign’s success would depend on turnout…