Author: Andrew Rogers

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said on Saturday that the country is in a full-scale war with the United States, Israel, and European nations. His comments came just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump. Pezeshkian told the Supreme Leader’s website that the current conflict is more severe than Iran’s eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s, which claimed over one million lives on both sides. He described the West’s campaign against Iran as “more complicated and more difficult” than that earlier war. The president said foreign powers do not want Iran to…

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza are struggling as heavy winter rains and strong winds flood their tents and destroy fragile shelters. The region has already suffered years of conflict, leaving many families without proper homes. A polar low-pressure system brought rain and gusts across Gaza on Saturday. Meteorologists said this is the third such system this winter, with a fourth expected to hit on Monday. Many displaced families have been living in tents since late 2023, amid ongoing conflict that has destroyed much of the territory. Mohammed Maslah, a displaced resident in Gaza City, said he had…

Myanmar’s military election began on Sunday, marking a contentious vote nearly five years after generals seized power from an elected government. The coup sparked a civil war that continues to devastate the country. Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s most popular politician, remains imprisoned, while her party has been dissolved. The ballot is dominated by parties seen as aligned with the military. Hundreds have been arrested under a new law that criminalizes criticism, disruption, or obstruction of the vote. Large regions of the country will see no voting at all, as the military battles ethnic rebels and pro-democracy fighters across borderlands…

Winning the support of young men has become a central goal in US politics over the past year. Republicans have focused on consolidating President Donald Trump’s gains with this demographic, while Democrats, concerned about losing a generation of voters, have launched initiatives to engage men and boys. Recent elections suggest momentum may be shifting toward Democrats. Candidates such as Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey, and Zohran Mamdani in New York City improved the party’s performance among young men compared to previous years. Several 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls also introduced policies aimed at addressing issues important to…

The US House of Representatives experienced an unusually dramatic year in 2025, marked by historic votes, lengthy debates, and a surge in censure attempts. Lawmakers attempted at least 17 formal censures or disapproval resolutions targeting colleagues for misconduct, making it one of the most disciplined-heavy years in recent memory. A censure in the House requires a majority vote, forcing the accused lawmaker to stand at the dais while the Speaker announces their formal punishment. While it carries no removal from office or voting restrictions, the measure can tarnish a member’s reputation. Despite the high volume of proposals, only one censure…

Israel has officially recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, marking a historic moment for the region. The announcement, made last Friday, also included a diplomatic agreement to establish formal relations between the two nations. For Somaliland, this recognition comes nearly three decades after it declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Until now, the breakaway region had not received formal acknowledgment from any major global power. Somaliland’s President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, described Israel’s move as a landmark achievement for his country. “This is a historic milestone for Somaliland,” the president said, emphasizing the importance of international recognition in strengthening…

China’s high-speed rail network has officially surpassed 50,000 kilometers, a milestone that highlights the country’s rapid infrastructure expansion. Authorities celebrated the achievement on Friday with the opening of a new line connecting Xi’an and Yan’an in northwestern Shaanxi province. The Xi’an–Yan’an high-speed route strengthens regional connectivity and provides faster travel across northwestern China. Passengers traveling between the two cities can now benefit from a shorter, smoother journey, reflecting the efficiency and convenience of China’s expanding rail system. China’s high-speed rail program has grown rapidly over the past two decades, becoming the largest in the world. The network now spans major…

China has announced a massive copper discovery in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a find that could reshape the global copper market. The new deposit, estimated at 20 million tonnes, is one of the largest in recent years and could reduce China’s reliance on imports. The discovery, officially confirmed on January 6, 2025, by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Geological Bureau, represents a major shift in the world’s supply of copper. Analysts say the find could give China greater control over global trade and pricing in the copper sector. China’s domestic industries, from electronics to renewable energy, may benefit…

Mortgage rates have barely moved in recent months, and experts say they are likely to stay near current levels for the near future. Since mid-September, rates have remained in a narrow range of 6.2% to 6.3%, near the year-to-date lows. This has encouraged some homebuying and refinancing in the fall, but rates are still high enough to price many buyers out of the market. The unusual economic situation is a key reason for this stability. The labor market is showing signs of weakness, but inflation remains above target. Government shutdown disruptions also delayed or canceled many economic reports, making it…

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, ending weeks of deadly clashes along their shared border. The two nations pledged to halt fighting that has killed dozens and displaced over a million people. The European Union urged both sides to implement the truce in good faith, while the United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, expressed hope that it could lead to lasting peace. The border conflict, which has raged for three weeks, involved heavy artillery, tanks, drones, and jets. Official reports say at least 47 people have been killed. Nearly every border province on both sides…