Author: Andrew Rogers

President Donald Trump’s plan to push through mid-decade redistricting in Republican-led states has met unexpected resistance in the Midwest. Lawmakers in Indiana and Kansas are refusing to move forward with new congressional maps that would strengthen GOP control of the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 elections. For much of Trump’s second term, most Republicans have supported his political strategy. But in these two conservative states, many lawmakers say they lack the votes and political will to make redistricting happen now. The result is one of the few visible challenges to Trump’s efforts to secure long-term control in Congress. The…

Radiohead’s lead singer Thom Yorke has said he would “absolutely not” perform in Israel under its current government. The British musician made his comments eight years after the band last played in Tel Aviv, a concert that drew major backlash from pro-Palestinian activists. Yorke told the Sunday Times magazine that he would not appear anywhere near the government led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t want to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime,” he said in the interview. The comments come as Radiohead prepares for its first tour in seven years. The group is…

British journalist Sami Hamdi has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International Airport. The incident occurred on Sunday morning and has drawn strong criticism from rights groups, who called it an attack on freedom of speech. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Hamdi’s detention was a “clear act of retaliation” for his criticism of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. Hamdi, a political analyst known for his commentary on Middle Eastern affairs, was on a public speaking tour across the United States. CAIR released a statement saying Hamdi was targeted simply for exercising…

Donald Trump has ordered that US military personnel be paid even as the federal government remains shut down. Experts warn this action may violate federal law and set a risky precedent for Congress’s power over spending. The move addresses the needs of a politically protected group. At the same time, it bypasses Congress, which has the constitutional authority to approve federal funding. Legal experts say the president’s action could undermine the normal budget process. Phil Wallach, a senior fellow who studies US government powers, said there is little legal justification for the president’s decision. He added that no congressional approval…

A new investment vehicle named Zafiri has been launched to expand electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa, with South Africa-based firm Inspired Evolution appointed as its investment manager. Zafiri is part of the African Development Bank’s Mission 300 agenda, which aims to provide energy access to 300 million Africans by 2030. The initiative brings together global partners, including the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Rockefeller Foundation, Trade and Development Bank Group, and the Nordic Development Fund. Zafiri is initially capitalized at US$300 million by 2026 and is expected to grow to US$1 billion to accelerate energy access across the…

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he is increasing US tariffs on Canada by 10%, responding to an anti-tariff advertisement sponsored by the Ontario government. The move adds tension to one of the world’s largest trading partnerships. The statement, shared on Trump’s Truth Social account, follows days of public disputes over the ad, which used excerpts from a 1987 speech by former President Ronald Reagan supporting free trade. Trump described the ad as a “fraud” and accused Canada of attempting to manipulate US court decisions on tariffs. “Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I…

Turkey is likely to be left out of a 5,000-strong Gaza stabilisation force after Israel made clear its objection to Turkish participation, according to senior diplomatic sources. The multinational force, designed to prevent a power vacuum in Gaza after the war, is intended to ensure security and stability during the territory’s reconstruction phase. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Israel’s consent was essential to the composition of the force. “It is a requirement that Israel be comfortable with the nationalities involved,” Rubio said. Turkey, which had offered to contribute troops, has reportedly been rejected due to Israel’s deep…

The United States has deployed its most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, to the Caribbean as part of increased military pressure on Venezuela over alleged drug trafficking. The move marks a significant show of strength by the Trump administration in a region that has become a focal point of US security concerns. Described by the US Navy as “the most capable, adaptable, and lethal combat platform in the world,” the USS Gerald R Ford represents the peak of American naval technology. With a displacement exceeding 100,000 tons and stretching 1,100 feet in length, it is the largest…

President Donald Trump has begun a high-profile Asia diplomatic tour that will include stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said he is open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his visit to the Korean peninsula. Trump left Washington on Friday night for the five-day trip, marking his first visit to Asia since taking office in January. He is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday morning local time to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. The visit is expected to focus on trade, security, and diplomatic…

President Donald Trump has announced a 10% increase in tariffs on Canadian goods, a move that adds new pressure to one of the world’s strongest trade partnerships. The decision was made public on Saturday through his Truth Social account, just hours before he headed to Malaysia for the ASEAN summit. The new tariffs come as a direct response to an anti-tariff advertisement funded by the Ontario government. The ad, which cited former US president Ronald Reagan’s support for free trade, appeared to irritate Trump, prompting him to take action against Canada. Speaking to reporters traveling with him, Trump said he…