Author: Andrew Rogers

Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Colombia, one of the United States’ closest Latin American allies, by threatening new tariffs and cutting aid over alleged failures to curb drug production. The former president described Colombian President Gustavo Petro as “an illegal drug leader” and said Washington would act if Colombia did not address the issue. Trump posted on Truth Social that Petro “better close up” drug operations “or the United States will close them up for him, and it won’t be done nicely.” He later reinforced the message in comments to reporters aboard Air Force One, calling Colombia “a drug-manufacturing…

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas faced its biggest test on Sunday after Israel carried out deadly airstrikes in Gaza and blocked all aid “until further notice.” The attacks followed a Hamas strike that killed two Israeli soldiers, deepening fears that the truce could collapse. Palestinian officials reported that dozens of people were killed in Israel’s retaliatory raids. Israel said the operation targeted Hamas forces in Rafah, claiming it was a response to terrorist activity. Despite the violence, both Israel and Hamas later issued statements saying they remained committed to the ceasefire. A senior Egyptian official said negotiations were…

Two years have passed since children in Gaza last attended a regular school, as the ongoing conflict has left 97% of classrooms destroyed or damaged. More than 600,000 students are beginning their third year without formal education, while teachers and volunteers struggle to provide lessons in tents, shelters, and damaged buildings. Twelve-year-old Juwayriya Adwan remembers her last day at Khawla Bint al-Azwar school in Khan Younis vividly. The morning of 7 October, air raid sirens filled the corridors, children held hands tightly, and teachers tried to calm the students amid panic. Her school was bombed shortly after, her books destroyed,…

Millions of Americans took to the streets across all 50 states on Saturday for the No Kings protests, a nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration. Participants rallied behind the message that the United States should remain a democracy with no kings and resisted growing authoritarianism. The protests marked the second major event organized by the coalition this year, following a June march that drew millions in one of the largest days of protest in US history. Communities of all sizes came together with signs, marching bands, large banners featuring the US Constitution’s preamble, and inflatable costumes, including frogs, which have…

California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized Donald Trump for “putting his ego over responsibility” following a military event that closed a section of Interstate 5 on Saturday. The temporary closure occurred near the Marine Corps Camp Pendleton base in Southern California. Officials cited safety concerns as live artillery rounds were fired over the busy highway. “The president is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety,” Newsom said. “Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong – it’s dangerous. Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn’t strength – it’s reckless, disrespectful,…

The Trump administration asked the US Supreme Court on Friday to permit the deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois, as the president seeks to expand the use of the military in Democratic-led cities. The Justice Department filed an emergency request asking the court to overturn a lower court decision that blocked the movement of several hundred troops to the Chicago area. The district judge questioned the administration’s reasoning and local conditions. A federal appeals court upheld the lower court ruling on Thursday, keeping the deployment on hold while the legal challenge continues. Late Friday, US District Judge Sara Ellis…

Israel has received the body of another hostage from Gaza, the military said early Saturday, amid ongoing disputes over delays in returning remains under the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The Red Cross handed over the coffin to Israeli forces inside Gaza, and it was scheduled to be sent to the National Center for Forensic Medicine for formal identification. Families of the deceased will be notified after the process is completed. Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, indicated that the remains belonged to an “occupation prisoner,” suggesting the body was of an Israeli rather than one of the other hostages of…

New York Congressman George Santos was released from federal prison on Friday after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence. Santos, a controversial Republican known for fabrications and fraudulent actions, had been serving a seven-year term for wire fraud and identity theft. Santos walked out of the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, just hours after the announcement. His attorney, Joseph Murray, confirmed that Santos was “on his way home” following the commutation. Trump described Santos on Truth Social as “somewhat of a ‘rogue’” but expressed sympathy for the former congressman. “I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from…

The French Socialist Party is pushing to introduce a new wealth tax targeting the country’s richest individuals as parliament prepares to debate next year’s budget. The move comes amid a political crisis that has weakened Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s position. Boris Vallaud, head of the Socialist parliamentary group, said on Wednesday that taxing very high-wealth individuals is “one of our principal battles,” and the party will put “all our energy into it.” The proposed levy, inspired by economist Gabriel Zucman, would impose a 2% tax on fortunes exceeding €100 million, affecting only about 0.01% of taxpayers. The Socialist initiative aims…

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger has died at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy marked by reconciliation with Māori and controversial economic reforms. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, nine children, and 18 grandchildren. Bolger had been undergoing dialysis following kidney failure last year. Bolger, a former leader of the National Party, served as prime minister from 1990 to 1997. During his tenure, he implemented sweeping economic changes, including the 1991 “mother of all budgets,” which drastically reduced spending on welfare and health. His government also pursued privatisation and deregulated…