Author: Andrew Rogers

US President Donald Trump has sent two nuclear submarines to strategic positions following a heated online exchange with a Russian official. This move marks a sharp rise in tensions between the two nations, focusing on disagreements over Ukraine and ongoing trade disputes. The decision came on Friday after several days of digital back-and-forth. What began as a war of words quickly shifted into a military posture. Trump’s order to deploy nuclear-powered submarines is seen as a major show of strength by the United States. The submarines were sent to undisclosed locations in international waters. While no clear threat of direct…

The arrival of a 250-meter vessel named Seferis at a BP terminal in Kwinana, south of Perth, sparked fresh concern. The ship, flying a Greek flag, had departed from India, and activists quickly claimed it was carrying fuel derived from Russian crude oil. Though processed in India, the oil was said to have Russian origins. BP, however, maintains that the shipment met all Australian legal and compliance standards. Australia currently enforces over 1,500 sanctions against Russia. These were introduced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and include strict limits on importing, purchasing, and transporting Russian oil. But not all…

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent promise to recognize Palestine has stirred political tensions and could bring serious consequences in September. His statement, made amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, was intended to ease criticism that he had not taken strong action on the issue. However, his position has led to confusion and backlash from both sides of the political debate. Starmer’s pledge came with a condition: recognition of Palestine would move forward unless Israel agrees to end the Gaza conflict. This sparked criticism from both left-wing activists and right-leaning lawmakers. The Israeli government, a former UK hostage, and…

A senior Labour MP who quit her role over the government’s proposed welfare cuts has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to listen more closely to his party’s MPs. Vicky Foxcroft, who stepped down as a government whip in June, said the leadership must better engage with backbenchers to avoid further unrest within the party. Foxcroft left her position after a major rebellion within Labour ranks forced the government to drop key parts of its planned benefit reforms. She said the suggested changes would have caused serious harm, especially to disabled people who rely on support. Speaking in a recent interview,…

Nigeria has renewed its support for a two-state solution as the only sustainable path to peace between Israel and Palestine. The call was made during a United Nations High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution held at the UN headquarters in New York. Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, Syndoph Endoni, presented the country’s position. He said Nigeria firmly believes in the need for a peaceful resolution that allows both Israel and Palestine to coexist in secure and recognized borders. The two-state concept was first introduced in 1947 through UN General Assembly Resolution 181. The resolution suggested…

Ukrainian lawmakers are set to discuss a bill restoring the independence of the country’s two main anti-corruption agencies. This move aims to ease a political crisis that has shaken public trust in President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s leadership during wartime. In recent days, thousands of protesters gathered in Kyiv and other cities, showing rare public frustration. Their anger followed last week’s quick approval of changes that weakened these respected agencies. The amendments, pushed by Zelenskiy’s ruling party, limited the agencies’ powers. Facing strong backlash, Zelenskiy reversed course. He acted after pressure from European officials, who warned that weakening the anti-corruption bodies could…

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand turned into a serious border conflict last week. Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen took a clear lead in managing the situation. Photos show Hun Sen sitting at a long table with military officers. He is seen studying detailed maps, holding a radio, and with a cup of Starbucks coffee nearby. Though Hun Sen stepped down as Cambodia’s prime minister in 2023 after almost 40 years in power, he remains influential. He now serves as president of Cambodia’s Senate. Despite no longer being the country’s leader, Hun Sen played a major role in the events…

The government has dismissed claims that the FBI’s new office in Wellington is meant to counter China, despite the FBI director’s remarks pointing to China as a key concern. FBI Director Kash Patel, a Trump-era appointee, announced the launch of a dedicated FBI attaché office in New Zealand’s capital. In a statement and video, Patel said the United States and New Zealand cooperate on “some of the most important global issues of our times.” Leading the list was “countering the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)” in the Indo-Pacific region. Other challenges mentioned were fighting narcotics, cyberattacks, ransomware, and protecting citizens worldwide.…

President Donald Trump has made a major change to how top U.S. military leaders are confirmed. For the first time in history, all four-star general nominees will now have to meet with the president before their promotions are approved. This move marks a sharp break from the long-standing tradition where military promotions were handled without direct presidential interviews. The White House says this new process will help keep the military strong and ready to fight. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly explained that Trump wants the U.S. military to stay the most powerful force in the world. She said that the…

A senior United States lawmaker is planning to visit Taiwan in August, raising hopes in the region as doubts grow over Washington’s current support for the self-ruled island. Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, a key Republican figure, is set to travel there next month, according to reports shared by three people familiar with the plan. Wicker, who chairs the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, is known for his strong backing of Taiwan. He is widely seen as one of its most dependable allies in the US Congress. While lawmakers from Washington visit Taiwan from time to time, this trip carries…