Author: Andrew Rogers

While Democrats face major challenges in Washington, their governors are stepping into the spotlight. With 23 Democrats leading states across the U.S., many party members now see them as a powerful alternative to federal leadership. These governors are making real policy changes and showing voters that the Democratic Party can still deliver results. Anderson Clayton, the North Carolina Democratic Party chair, recently invited Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to speak at a key event. She described him as someone who gets things done and can stand up to Donald Trump. Clayton said she wanted people to hear from someone who holds…

Russia and China are holding joint naval drills, marking another step in their expanding military partnership. These exercises highlight the strong relationship between the two countries, which has grown more visible since the leaders signed a strategic agreement in early 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping made their close alliance official during a summit just days before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That February 2022 meeting, held in Beijing, saw both nations declare a “no limits” partnership. At the time, the world watched closely, concerned that China might take an active role in the…

One of Ivory Coast’s top opposition parties says six of its members were unfairly taken by security forces over the weekend. The African Peoples’ Party–Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), led by former president Laurent Gbagbo, claims the arrests are politically driven. The party says its members were picked up between Saturday night and Sunday morning from their homes in Abidjan. Sébastien Dano Djédjé, a top party official, told reporters that those arrested were “abducted and taken to unknown locations.” He said some of them lived in Youpougon, a suburb of the capital, where a violent event happened a few days earlier. In…

Missile and drone strikes linked to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine caused major damage in cities near the Black Sea this weekend. The attacks hit civilian areas, sparked a large oil depot fire, and left several people injured on both sides. In Ukraine’s southern city of Mykolaiv, a missile strike destroyed homes and damaged key services. The city, located near the Black Sea, has faced repeated shelling since the war began. Local officials confirmed that at least three civilians were injured in the latest attack. Photos shared by Ukraine’s emergency crews showed firefighters working among the ruins after…

The recent military attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel have led to serious consequences. These airstrikes, launched in June, were intended to weaken Iran’s nuclear ambitions and trigger political change. However, the actual outcome has been an increase in state repression and executions, especially targeting political prisoners. Iran now leads the world in executions per capita. Most are carried out by hanging, a method that can take minutes of painful suffocation. More than 600 people have been executed this year, many of them arrested for political reasons. Since the airstrikes, authorities have focused on suspected dissidents and…

Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) has participated in a multinational space defense drill in Australia. The tabletop exercise was part of the Talisman Sabre program, held in July at a military base in Townsville, northeastern Australia. The goal was to boost cooperation between countries with shared interests in space safety and security. The Talisman Sabre drill is led by the United States and Australia and involves close to ten nations. This marked the first time the ASDF took part in the space-focused portion of the drill, although it has joined U.S.-hosted tabletop exercises in the past. During the event, military…

Tensions are rising again in Syria after a new round of violence in the north. On Saturday, both the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accused each other of launching attacks in the city of Manbij. The incident could place a recent cooperation deal between the two sides in serious danger. The Syrian defence ministry said the SDF had fired several rockets at one of its army positions located just outside the city. The ministry reported that four soldiers and three civilians were injured in the attack. It described the shelling as unjustified and irresponsible, according to…

The Smithsonian Institution has denied claims that political influence led to the removal of a display about former President Donald Trump’s impeachments at a major US museum. The display, which was placed at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, was recently taken down. Critics have accused the institution of bowing to political pressure. However, the Smithsonian said the placard was always temporary and was removed due to design issues, not outside influence. In a statement released on Saturday, the organization explained that the sign did not meet museum standards in terms of its look, placement, and how…

Japan has called on Myanmar to quickly return to democratic rule following the end of the state of emergency that was imposed after the military seized power in 2021. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya made the statement during a press briefing on Friday, urging Myanmar’s military leaders to act without delay. The country has remained under military control for over four years, after the army removed the elected government and arrested its leaders. With the emergency measures now lifted, Myanmar’s constitution requires that a general election be held within six months. However, international concern is growing that these elections may…

Germany’s Bavaria state is stepping up deportations of foreign nationals with criminal records, especially from Afghanistan and Syria. The move is part of a tougher migration policy announced by Bavarian Premier Markus Söder. Speaking at a recent press event, Söder stressed that Bavaria is enforcing new rules faster than other regions. He said foreign criminals and human traffickers will now face quicker arrest and deportation. “Law and order prevail in Bavaria. Foreign criminals must be decisively deported—even to Afghanistan and Syria,” Söder said. “The new principle is simple: more deportations, fewer admissions.” His remarks highlight a larger change in Germany’s…