Author: Andrew Rogers

U.S. lawmakers are sounding the alarm over Syrian Kurdish populations facing attacks by government forces in northeastern Syria. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasized the urgent need to protect the Kurds, longtime U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ordered his army, which reportedly includes jihadist elements, to seize territory controlled by the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for over a decade. Graham tweeted that there is a “strong consensus” in the U.S. Senate to safeguard the Kurds, recognizing their crucial role in defeating the ISIS caliphate. Pompeo described abandoning…

Voting concluded Sunday in Myanmar’s final stage of a three-part general election, a process that has already ensured the military and its allies will dominate Parliament and form the next government. Critics have called the election neither free nor fair, arguing it is designed to cement military rule following the 2021 ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi. The army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has already secured most seats in the first two rounds. With 25% of parliamentary seats reserved for the military, the armed forces are guaranteed a majority alongside the USDP. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who…

Indiana lawmakers moved forward on a bill that would teach students the importance of waiting until marriage before having children. The legislation also includes a provision requiring state colleges and universities to accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative entrance exam. The bill passed its first committee stage on Wednesday, emphasizing the so-called “success sequence.” This concept encourages students to complete at least a high school diploma or training, secure full-time employment, and wait until marriage before starting a family. Proponents say following these steps can help young people avoid poverty and improve long-term outcomes. Senator Gary Byrne…

The Santa Fe Mansion Tax will move forward after the New Mexico Supreme Court declined to reconsider a lower court ruling that allows the tax to take effect. The decision clears a major legal hurdle for the city and brings the voter-approved measure closer to full implementation. On Thursday, the state’s highest court denied a petition from the Santa Fe Association of Realtors that sought review of a Court of Appeals decision. That ruling had already found that the city acted within its authority when it approved the tax. By refusing to hear the appeal, the Supreme Court effectively ended…

Oregon is set to receive more than $100 million in federal funding for critical community projects across nearly every county in the state. The investments were secured by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden as part of the first two federal spending packages for fiscal year 2026 that recently cleared Congress. The Oregon Community Project Funding package includes 54 locally driven projects with a combined value of $102.7 million. The projects reflect priorities identified by residents, local governments, and community groups throughout the state. Both senators say the funding is the result of years of direct engagement with Oregonians…

Maine Governor Janet Mills has requested a direct meeting with President Donald Trump following a deadly shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. The incident, which marked the second fatal shooting of a civilian by a federal agent in the city this month, has raised serious concerns among state leaders as immigration enforcement expands nationwide. The Maine ICE Deployment Shooting comes amid the Trump administration’s large-scale effort to increase federal immigration actions across multiple states. The Department of Homeland Security recently announced the launch of “Operation Catch of the Day” in Maine. As part of that operation, federal agents have…

A growing wave of public anger spread into Wisconsin after a Minneapolis nurse with ties to Green Bay was shot and killed by a federal immigration officer. The fatal encounter led to protests in Milwaukee and renewed debate over federal enforcement actions, gun laws, and protest rights. Family members identified the man as Alex Pretti, 37, a nurse who lived and worked in Minneapolis. He was taking part in a protest against the Trump administration’s immigration policies when the shooting occurred. Education records confirm that Pretti graduated from Preble High School in Green Bay. After high school, he attended the…

With travel costs rising, free and safe public transportation can make a big difference for tourists. These five American cities provide fare-free transit and secure options for getting around. Miami’s Metromover is a free tram system with 21 stops, gliding above streets and connecting major neighborhoods like Downtown, Brickell, and the Riverwalk. Security measures, including cameras and patrols, have improved safety since 2020. Razorback Transit, run by the University of Arkansas, offers free bus routes for residents and visitors. The system connects downtown, Dickson Street, and the university campus, with clear schedules and a focus on rider safety. The Hop…

Venezuela’s interim government says it has released more than 600 prisoners, but rights groups and families of those still detained say the pace of freedom has been slow and far from enough. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced the number this week, but her claim has sparked fresh frustration among relatives demanding the release of all political prisoners. Rodríguez said on Friday that 626 people have been freed since December as part of an ongoing effort to release detainees held under the previous government. She also said she plans to ask the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to verify…

Russian President Vladimir Putin has commented on Greenland’s potential value amid renewed US interest in the Arctic island. His remarks come as international attention focuses on the strategic and economic importance of Greenland, especially following US President Donald Trump’s reported interest in purchasing it. Putin cited history to frame the discussion, referencing the 1867 Alaska purchase. At that time, the United States bought roughly 1.7 million square kilometers of Alaskan territory from Russia for $7.2 million. Adjusted for inflation, Putin calculated that the payment would equal about $158 million in today’s dollars. Greenland, he noted, is even larger than Alaska,…