Author: Onu Akter

Political violence in the United States is once again dominating the national conversation after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, forcing political leaders across party lines to confront escalating threats to their safety and democracy itself. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a leading Democratic figure and possible 2028 presidential candidate, revealed that the issue has struck deeply in his personal life. Just five months ago, his home was set on fire in an overnight arson attack while he and his family were inside. Shapiro, who has four children, said the most difficult part has been coming to terms with how…

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that the incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace was “unacceptable and dangerous,” though it remains unclear whether Moscow deliberately targeted Poland. The incident has raised fears of direct escalation between Russia and NATO at a critical moment in the war in Ukraine. The confrontation unfolded earlier this week when Poland shot down drones that crossed its airspace, marking the first known instance of a NATO member firing on Russian drones since the conflict began. NATO announced on Friday that it will strengthen defenses along its eastern flank in response. “We think…

Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead Wednesday at a Utah university while engaging in a Q&A session. The fatal incident occurred moments after an attendee asked about transgender people and mass shootings. Kirk responded, “Too many,” a statement fact-checked as inaccurate by multiple sources. Kirk, 31, became a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, credited with inspiring young Republicans to engage in politics and support former President Donald Trump. Over the past decade, he cultivated a reputation as a provocateur, often mixing free speech advocacy with controversial statements on LGBTQ rights, immigration,…

Labor has claimed a decisive victory in the New South Wales Kiama byelection, with Katelin McInerney set to replace disgraced former MP Gareth Ward. Ward, who resigned in August ahead of a parliamentary expulsion, was convicted of sexual and indecent assault in July. His departure ended a controversial chapter in the Kiama electorate, which Labor had held for three decades until Ward captured the seat for the Liberals in 2011. McInerney’s win represents a significant electoral test for the Minns government. Initial results show the Labor candidate securing 60.6% of the two-party preferred vote, while Liberal candidate Serena Copley received…

At least 32 people, including 12 children, have been killed in a series of Israeli air strikes across Gaza City, according to local medical officials. The attacks come as Israel escalates its offensive, urging Palestinians to evacuate what it calls the largest remaining Hamas stronghold. High-rise buildings have been destroyed, and authorities accuse Hamas of placing surveillance equipment inside them. One of the strikes hit a house in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, killing a family of 10, including a mother and three children. Smoke and debris were seen rising from the damaged building, highlighting the intensity of the bombardment. Hundreds…

Iran and France are reportedly nearing an agreement on a prisoner exchange that could include the release of an Iranian woman detained in France over her online posts linked to the Gaza conflict. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said late Thursday that Mahdieh Esfandiari is expected to be freed as part of the swap, which he hopes will occur “in the coming days.” Esfandiari, a translator who has lived in Lyon since 2018, was arrested in February on charges related to terrorism for posts she allegedly made on Telegram regarding the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, which triggered…

The United Kingdom has rolled out 100 new sanctions against Russia, focusing on revenues and military supplies. The measures, announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper during her visit to Kyiv, target Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers and companies providing vital equipment for its war effort. The sanctions come as Moscow escalates its assault on Ukraine. In the largest air attack of the war so far, Russian forces launched more than 800 missiles and drones in one night. Strikes in recent weeks have damaged Ukraine’s cabinet of ministers’ offices, as well as buildings linked to the British Council and…

For decades, the wealthy Gulf Arab states promoted themselves as safe havens in a turbulent region. Their cities grew into hubs of modern architecture, powered by oil wealth and millions of foreign workers seeking opportunity. That image of stability is now under strain after direct strikes by Iran and Israel on a Gulf nation this year. In June, Iran targeted an American base in Qatar after the U.S. carried out strikes on its nuclear sites. Then, earlier this week, Israel launched an attack in Doha aimed at Hamas political leaders. These incidents marked the first time Gulf territory was directly…

Canadian officials held what they described as constructive talks with their Chinese counterparts this month to address the steep duties Beijing has placed on Canadian canola. The discussions, which took place during a visit to China from September 6 to 9, were led by the premier of Saskatchewan, Canada’s largest grain-growing province, alongside federal legislator Kody Blois, who advises Prime Minister Mark Carney on agricultural policy. China, the world’s largest buyer of canola, imposed preliminary duties of 75.8 percent on Canadian canola seed imports in August. A final ruling is expected next year, but the move has already rattled Canadian…

Iran’s parliament convened an emergency session on Saturday to review the government’s new cooperation agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), intensifying a political clash in Tehran over the country’s nuclear future. The meeting, called by the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, brought together Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior lawmakers who demanded explanations on how the deal aligns with existing legislation that suspended cooperation with the agency after June’s conflict with Israel. More than sixty lawmakers backed the request for the special session, citing concerns that the government was bypassing parliament while the legislature remained in recess…