Author: Andrew Rogers

Reconciliation Australia has urged the new 48th Parliament to commit to unity and truth-telling for First Nations peoples. The group warned that political divisions must not slow down progress again. In a recent statement, the organisation said the previous parliamentary term was marked by culture war debates. These included discussions about the Voice to Parliament referendum, opposition leader Peter Dutton’s criticism of Welcome to Country ceremonies, and his refusal to stand before the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. On Tuesday, Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan gave a Welcome to Country at the opening of Parliament. Both Prime Minister Anthony…

Silver prices are staying close to a 14-year high, supported by strong demand and investor interest. On Tuesday, the price of silver remained firm as the US dollar weakened slightly. This, along with ongoing trade tensions, helped boost interest in precious metals. Many investors are watching global trade talks closely, especially ahead of the August 1 deadline for new decisions. There is also strong attention on US Federal Reserve policy. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to speak today, and investors hope to get clues about possible interest rate cuts. Recently, Fed Governor Christopher Waller made soft comments about monetary…

A powerful ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sharp five-word warning to Vladimir Putin, as tensions between the United States and Russia continue to rise. The statement, delivered during a time of mounting concern over the war in Ukraine, reflects growing frustration in Washington with Moscow’s refusal to consider peace. As the conflict drags on, Russian forces continue to advance in key regions of Ukraine. Despite calls from world leaders to end the violence, the Kremlin remains firm. President Putin shows no sign of stepping back. Instead, he appears confident that his military and political goals…

Populist and nationalist views are becoming stronger in Japan. A new political force, the Sanseito party, is leading this shift. It promotes a “Japan first” vision and has gained popularity among voters who feel left behind by global trends. In Sunday’s election, the party jumped from holding just two seats in the upper house to now controlling 15. This rise is happening as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house. While Ishiba’s policies focus on the economy and international cooperation, many voters are turning to messages that speak more to national pride and independence.…

As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the ruling party in Lagos State says it remains confident of victory. The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will be judged fairly by voters based on its achievements and leadership, not on opposition criticism. This was stated by the Lagos State APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, in response to a recent press release by an opposition party. In the statement, Oladejo dismissed claims that Nigerians would no longer support the APC, calling the opposition’s message misleading and without substance. Oladejo emphasized that Nigerians will make informed decisions when choosing their…

Australian Parliament opening events saw rare unity among political rivals during the first day of the new session, but challenges lie ahead as deeper divisions are expected in coming debates. As the sun rose over Canberra, political leaders came together in an early morning ecumenical service at Wesley Uniting Church. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley sat side by side, both reading from the words of St John: a call to love one another. The peaceful start set a respectful tone as members prepared to return to the business of governing. Outside the church, Canberra’s traditional custodians…

Istanbul is expected to host the third round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks next week, likely between July 21 and 27. This round follows earlier meetings in May and June, also held in the Turkish city. Ukraine formally proposed Istanbul as the venue again, continuing the pattern of neutral-ground negotiations. The proposal was delivered to Russia by Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation. Russia has given an initial nod to the location, although the exact dates are still under discussion. The upcoming session will aim to address three major issues: prisoner exchanges, the return of Ukrainian children, and steps…

A policy expert has raised concerns that political opposition parties and some community leaders are worsening insecurity in Nigeria. Dr. Lanre Adebayo, Director General of The Progressive Institute (TPI) in Abuja, made this known during a meeting with civil society groups, media professionals, and political stakeholders. He said many political figures do not understand the difference between campaign activities and real governance. According to him, some of them spread misleading information just to gain support or attack the government. Dr. Adebayo warned that this behavior can trigger violence, especially in communities that are already facing tension. He pointed to a…

Canada is facing a growing drug crisis, and a leading psychiatrist believes outdated thinking and flawed policies are making it worse. Dr. Kwame McKenzie, a well-known mental health expert, says the country’s current approach is failing. He shared his insights on a recent episode of the Global Health Matters podcast. Dr. McKenzie is the CEO of the Wellesley Institute and Director of Health Equity at Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. He says the problem goes beyond health and touches on language, politics, and trust. One of his main concerns is the way society talks about drug use. “The…

As federal parliament returns this week, a clear contrast will be visible in the House of Representatives. On one side, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is enjoying strong poll numbers. On the other, the Liberal Party is facing public scrutiny over the low number of female MPs in its ranks. Only six Liberal women will be seated in the lower house. This is a striking image in 2025, especially as their presence will stand out. The lack of gender balance has become a growing issue for the party. Despite attempts to deflect attention with a female leader at the helm, the…