Author: Andrew Rogers

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that 20 US soldiers who took part in the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre will keep their Medals of Honor. The massacre killed about 250 Lakota Sioux, many of whom were unarmed women and children. Hegseth called the soldiers “brave” and said a review panel confirmed the awards were properly given. He added that the decision is final and their place in history is secure. The massacre has long been debated over its description. While US records label it a “battle,” critics argue it was a massacre, as many Lakota had surrendered before being killed. The…

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called on Wednesday for a modern EU budget focused on cross-border rail and road links, energy networks, border security, and research. He outlined a six-point plan to boost the European economy, urging a “Buy European” approach for critical components like advanced semiconductors and the creation of a single market for defence with joint armaments projects. Speaking at the Hertie School in Berlin, Klingbeil said Europe faces a crucial moment. “Either we pull ourselves together and move Europe forward, or Europe risks losing further relevance,” he said. Under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany, Europe’s largest economy, aims…

Barack Obama said the United States is caught in a “tug of war” between two competing visions of the future, criticising both populists and complacent progressives. Speaking in London on Wednesday, the former president warned that the country faces a clash between democratic change and a conservative worldview. Obama described one side as progressives who believe in democratic change, while the other, led by populists including Donald Trump, seeks a return to older, hierarchical systems. “My successor has not been particularly shy about it. That desire is to go back to a very particular way of thinking about America, where…

Donald Trump demanded a formal investigation on Wednesday into three technical issues that disrupted his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. He called the mishaps—a malfunctioning escalator, a faulty teleprompter, and an apparent sound problem—“triple sabotage.” UN officials told reporters that at least two of the problems were likely caused by Trump’s own delegation. Stephane Dujarric, the chief UN spokesman, said the escalator stopped because a safety mechanism had been triggered accidentally, most likely by a White House videographer moving backward while filming Trump’s ascent. A UN source told veteran correspondent Colum Lynch that the US team…

Business growth in the United States slowed in September as demand softened across both manufacturing and services. A survey of purchasing managers revealed that levels of unsold stock at US factories rose at the fastest pace in the history of the S&P Global survey. This marks the second consecutive month of weaker growth for American businesses. Companies pointed to tariffs as the main factor driving higher costs, particularly in manufacturing. Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said that while output growth remained robust, September’s data showed a slowdown from the peak seen in July. He added…

The UK is expected to experience the highest inflation among G7 nations this year, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Rising food prices and a £25bn annual increase in employer national insurance contributions are pushing costs higher. The OECD predicts UK inflation will average 3.5% in 2025, above the United States, which is forecast at 2.7%, despite Trump-era tariffs that raised import costs. Inflation in the UK is expected to ease to 2.7% in 2026 but remain above the Bank of England’s 2% target. The central bank pointed to rising costs for regulated services, including water and…

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro urged the United Nations General Assembly to open a criminal process against former US President Donald Trump. He called for the investigation over US strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. Petro said the attacks killed unarmed “poor young people” while targeting vessels Washington described as part of an anti-drug operation off Venezuela’s coast. UN experts have said that strikes on at least three boats, which killed more than a dozen people, could be seen as “extrajudicial execution.” Despite this, Trump vowed at the same forum to continue targeting drug smugglers. He said, “To…

A new bronze statue has appeared on the east end of the National Mall, drawing attention from Washington DC residents and tourists. The statue depicts Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands, smiling, and kicking a foot in the air. A plaque at the base reads that it celebrates the “long-lasting bond” between the two men. The National Park Service has permitted the statue to remain until 8 p.m. Sunday. The artist behind the piece remains unknown, though its style and message are similar to other recent sculptures critical of the former president. In past years, the National Mall has…

London buyers continue to pay a significant premium for homes close to transport hubs, according to new research from Nationwide. Properties located just 500 metres from a tube or railway station command an average of £42,700 more than similar homes 1,500 metres away. The study highlights that despite pandemic-driven changes in working patterns, proximity to stations remains a key factor for London property buyers. More than 80% of Londoners surveyed said being near a station was “fairly important” or “very important” when choosing their home. In Manchester and Glasgow, around 60% of respondents considered nearby rail or tram services important,…

Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to cut employee national insurance (NI) by 2p and raise a corresponding amount via income tax in her upcoming autumn budget. The proposal, put forward by the influential Resolution Foundation, could raise up to £6bn a year while leaving workers’ pay unaffected. The thinktank, closely connected with Labour ministers, argued that the “2p switch” would help level the playing field across the UK’s £1tn-a-year tax system. Income tax reaches a broader group than employee NI, including pensioners, landlords, and the self-employed. While income tax is devolved in Scotland and Wales, the Resolution Foundation…