Politics Jun 11

UK defence secretary resigns over military spending, in blow to Starmer

Defence Secretary John Healey quit on June 11, publishing a resignation letter that accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Treasury of failing to fund the armed forces adequately at a dangerous moment. The government's side is the fiscal case: defence spending is already rising at a record pace, but must be balanced against strained public finances, weak growth forecasts and competing departmental demands.

Politics Jun 10

Trump downsizes US intelligence under interim chief Pulte: overdue reform, or politicizing the spies?

President Trump has directed interim national intelligence chief Bill Pulte to downsize the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and is sticking with him despite a looming lapse in surveillance powers. The administration frames it as cutting a bloated bureaucracy; critics — Democrats and even some Republicans — call Pulte, a Trump loyalist with no intelligence background, unqualified and warn the move politicizes US intelligence.

Politics Jun 9

Congress passes $70bn immigration crackdown — border security or cruelty?

Congress has now passed the $70 billion package to fund ICE and Border Patrol through 2029 — the House sent it to President Trump's desk after the Senate's narrow 52-47 vote — without banning Trump's controversial 'anti-weaponization' fund. Republicans call it securing the border; Democrats call it cruelty plus a slush fund.

Politics Jun 7

Hegseth's D-Day speech: defending the West, or insulting allies?

At a D-Day commemoration, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of an 'invasion' and 'dangerous ideologies' over European immigration. Supporters call it plain talk; European leaders call it grotesque.

Politics Jun 5

Germany's AfD surges: a legitimate revolt, or a far-right danger?

The hard-right AfD is hitting record results and now tops some national polls, fuelled by economic anxiety in Germany's industrial heartland. Supporters call it a democratic revolt against failed mainstream parties; critics warn it is a far-right threat to be contained.

Politics Jun 3

France's government collapses again — austerity necessity or Macron's failure?

France faces its fifth prime minister in under two years after another government collapse over a €44bn budget cut, with 'Block Everything' protests and strikes looming.

Politics Jun 3

Poland's power struggle: Tusk's EU turn vs Nawrocki's nationalist veto

Poland's pro-EU PM Donald Tusk and nationalist President Karol Nawrocki are locked in an escalating standoff — over a €43.7bn EU defence loan, criminal probes of presidential aides, and accusations of 'appeasing Russia.'

Politics Jun 3

Trump's pick loses Iowa governor primary in first 2026 endorsement upset

MAHA-backed Zach Lahn narrowly beat Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa's Republican gubernatorial primary — the first statewide primary loss for a Trump-backed candidate this cycle.

Politics Jun 2

Trump's DOJ scraps its $1.8bn 'anti-weaponization' fund after backlash

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the administration is 'not moving forward' with the controversial $1.8 billion fund after a court paused it — though a settlement shielding Trump's family from tax enforcement stays.

Politics Jun 2

Turkey jails the opposition: fighting corruption or crushing rivals?

With Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu jailed and the main opposition CHP hit by court rulings, critics say Erdoğan is dismantling democracy. The government insists it is enforcing the law against a vast corruption network.

Politics Jun 2

Spain's Sánchez besieged by corruption probes — scandal or 'lawfare'?

Investigations touching PM Pedro Sánchez's wife, brother and former allies have engulfed his government. The opposition says it 'stinks' and demands elections; Sánchez calls it an 'obscene farce' and vows to govern until 2027.

Politics Jun 1

The abortion pill fight: protecting women, or unsafe access by mail?

A US appeals court tried to block mail and pharmacy access to the abortion pill mifepristone — used in most US abortions — before the Supreme Court paused the order, keeping access for now. The two sides remain far apart on safety and rights.

Politics Jun 1

Nigeria under Tinubu: painful reforms paying off, or deepening hardship?

Three years in, President Tinubu defends fuel-subsidy removal and currency reform as stabilising the economy, while declaring insecurity and poverty national emergencies. Critics point to a cost-of-living and security crisis.

Politics May 31

Pakistan: jailed Imran Khan — justice, or military persecution?

Three years into Imran Khan's imprisonment, his PTI faces sustained repression while the army under Gen Munir entrenches its dominance. Khan says it's political persecution; the establishment frames the cases as lawful.

Politics May 30

Germany's new military-service law: necessary readiness or creeping conscription?

A new law makes a service questionnaire and medical checks mandatory for young German men as Berlin tries to rebuild its armed forces. Supporters call it overdue; thousands have marched against what they see as a step back to the draft.

Politics May 30

Bangladesh's election: a democratic reset, or a vote that banned the opposition?

After Sheikh Hasina's ouster, an interim government banned her Awami League and held elections won in a landslide by the BNP. Backers call it a democratic reset; Hasina, in exile, calls the vote unfair.

Politics May 28

India's Bengal vote: a clean-up of fake voters, or mass disenfranchisement?

A revision of West Bengal's electoral rolls cut over 9 million names before the BJP's historic win there. The opposition calls it voter suppression engineered for the BJP; the BJP and Election Commission call it a lawful purge of bogus entries.