Political & Economic Headlines & Flash-Points

Engage with political theories, historical contexts, and policy analysis to make informed decisions.

• Following the resignation of UK Health Secretary, Wes Streeting from the government of Keir Starmer, saying that he has lost confidence in the prime minister's leadership, MP Josh Simmonds has now offered to step down from his Makerfield seat to allow Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to contest a by-election and chart a route back into parliament where he can - alongside Streeting and any other potential candidate, offer themselves as options in a leadership challenge to replace the prime minister as both leader of the Labour party, and subsequently, the government. This development follows on a rash of high-profile resignations from the cabinet since the disastrous results of the recent local government elections, where Labour was soundly beaten by Reform in England, by Plaid Cymru in Wales, and the SNP in Scotland.  This had led the position of the British Prime Minister looking more and more precarious with a number of senior ministers calling for him to go, despite the continued public support of many senior members. Sir Keir insists that he is not going anywhere and will not resign so some interesting days lie ahead in British politics!

• US president Donald Trump has now completed a 2-day state visit to China with trade, the state of the global economy, and the war in Iran some of the contentious issues discussed with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.  Accompanying the US president on the trip were senior business officials including Elon Musk. We expect details of any significant outcomes of the visit to become clearer over the next few days.

• Following what he describes as their "unacceptable response" to his reported "14-point" plan to end the war with Iran, Donald Trump is now warning that the ceasefire is on "massive life support!".  This development doesn't bade well for peace in the region, the price of oil, or the state of the global economy!

• Big wins for Reform UK in local government elections across England, with huge losses for both Labour and the Conservatives.  Significant gains also for the Lib Dems and the Greens.  Big losses for both major parties also in other nations across the union with dominant wins for Plaid Cymru in Wales and  the SNP in Scotland. Significant gains also recorded for Reform, Lib Dems and the Greens also in the legislative elections   Voters across the UK seem to be sending some strong signals to politicians.  But what do these messages mean?

• Recently, the UK's King Charles completed a state visit to the United States - the highlight of which was an address to the joint Houses of Congress, where he managed to highlight concerns important to him or either state including, the state of the so called "special relationship" between the two countries, NATO, the Royal Navy, Ukraine, the extent of executive power, and Climate Change.  Bravely, in navigating these sensitive topics, he didn't shy away from the need to take a few digs at the current US President, and whilst those digs were delivered with the most subtlest of language and did seem to go down pretty well with the members of Congress, and the president's own reaction being positive, we know how unpredictable Donald Trump is so we have to wait and see whether he will later take offence to some of the statements and later react negatively and try to punish the UK.

• The United Arab Emirates has announced that after nearly 60 years, it will be leaving OPEC - a group of 11 major oil producing nations led by Saudi Arabia.  This will remove some 15% of the group's total output. How is this move towards a more independent production and supply posture by one of the most significant oil and energy producers likely to affect future global energy prices, production and supply?

• The economic and political impact of the Victor Orban's defeat in the recent Hungarian elections are beginning to take shape as the new Hungarian government has now turned back on a pipeline pumping Russian oil to Ukraine and Slovakia, and the EU has just now approved a loan of E90bn to Ukraine, which had been repeatedly blocked by Orban.

• A report just released by the Children's Commissioner has found that Black children are eight (8) times more likely to be stripped searched by the police, than their White counterparts in England and Wales!  These are really alarming statistics, but what does this really say about the state of race relations and equality in current day UK?

• UK prime minister, Keir Starmer insists that the evidence given by his former Foreign Office Chief, Sir Olly Robbins, to the Foreign Affairs Committee absolves him from any blame in the saga involving the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US in 2025 despite him failing security vetting.  But does it?   The evidence given by Sir Olly - who was forced to take the fall and was sacked by the prime minister for the saga over the appointment, alleges that Downing Street had taken "a dismissive attitude towards vetting", and applied "constant pressure" on his office to get the appointment done in time for Donald Trump's inauguration.  In addition, he claimed that Number 10 had requested a diplomatic job for one of the Prime Minister's former close aids, Matthew Doyle.  Now how can this evidence be good for the prime minister? 

• In a desperate effort to avert further damage to the global economy caused by the selfish war initiated against Iran by himself and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the end of February, Donald Trump has finally forced Israel into a ceasefire with Lebanon to come in line with the ongoing ceasefire between the US and Iran.  In response, Iran has now announced that the Straight of Hormuz is now fully open to all for the during of both ceasefires.  Global crude oil prices drop immediately!  Another example of the economic/material underpinnings of political decisions and actions.  Hence "political economy".

• It has now suddenly been leaked that Lord Mandelson had actually failed security vetting before he was appointed UK Ambassador to the US!  Why was he still appointed then?  Prime Minister, Keir Starmer insists that he was not aware of this failure.  Was he?  Was he not?  There seems to be a lot of unanswered questions here! And why is this information being leaked now?  Quite a bit to ponder on here.

• After 16 years in power,  Hungarian prime minister and vocal EU critic, Victor Orban and his Fidesz Party has been swept from power by former colleague Peter Magyer and his Tisza party in a landslide victory in parliamentary elections in Hungary.   What does this defeat means for Orban's close friends Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump and their countries' future relationship with Hungary?

• After 21 hours of direct talks  between the US and Iran in Pakistan no agreement to try and reach an agreement to end the war between the US and Israel and Iran, no deal was struck.  Since, Donald Trump has initiated a naval blockade against all vessels leaving Iranian ports. Coupled with Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, how will this affect the ceasefire, the price of crude oil and energy, and the state of the global economy? 

• The NASA Artemis 11 Rocket and it's crew of four has now returned to earth after a successful 10-day space mission where it circled the moon and went further in space than any human mission had ever ventured before.  This is a very significant development in space science and development.  

• Donald Trump's frustration and confusion about a war that he needlessly initiated was in full display in his address to the nation that threatened to hit Iran hard and "bomb them back to the dark ages"!  This threat follows on inconsistent, often contradictory, and increasingly mixed messages that have come from the US government since February concerning the war in Iran, as Iran stubbornly stands it's ground and the economic costs across the globe continue to mount. 

• Throughout the war, Donald Trump lied to the American people and the world that Iran had been begging for a deal to end the war and cited numerous fictitious meetings held with the Iranian leadership, among other lies designed to mislead the markets and bring back down oil prices which spiraled since the Iranians effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.  What we believe to be the truth is that it was the US that had been begging desperately for negotiations on recognizing that most of Donald Trump's assumptions about the Iranian's expected response to the attacks were false, and it is they who sent a 15-point peace plan to Iran via Pakistan, which the Iranians rejected.

• Iran's lateral widening of the war by targeting other Gulf states allied to the US and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which some 20% of the world's energy supply passes, is a brilliant example of how an asymmetrical war can be effectively fought against a vastly superior military force and global economic hegemon.  You cannot successfully resist bullies by fighting their war, using their tools and methods.  You have to employ other non-conventional tools that - despite their vast superior strength and resources, they are ill-equipped to respond effectively. 

• The Iran war exposed some striking hypocrisy, bias and unfairness of the leaders of our so called "modern democracies." One example was after two similar strikes on adjoining gas installations in the gulf that caused substantial damage and raised energy prices.  Israel struck Iran first then there was a retaliatory strike by Iran.  The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the United States and a host of other Western nations all came out clearly and voiced condemnation of Iran's attack on the gas installation in Qatar, calling it a dangerous and unnecessary escalation! But not a single one of them dared to say the same thing about Israel's attack on the Iranian site which triggered the Iranian response!  It is this type of bias, contradictions and unfairness that fuels these types of conflicts and later terrorism when political actors believe that there is so much discrimination and injustice from a system and the main actors within it that they have no option but to resort to unconventional warfare just to survive.   

• If you did not understand how Iran has used economic tools to fight this war, just look at the outcomes of their actions and responses of their adversaries. For example, two of the responses Donald Trump considered during the war was a temporary removal of of some sanction restrictions on Iranian and Russian oil exports! On the face of it, this sounds like aiding the enemy, but the Americans were only considering this because they think that it could help to arrest the  increases in oil prices.

• As the Gulf war continued, Iran focused t's retaliation through the only effective option available to it to defend against a militarily-dominant capitalist superpower: - Economically.  By closing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran hit the United States and Western Powers where it hurts most - in their pockets. They have effectively suspended the flow of 20% of vital global energy supplies including oil and gas, and because of the importance of these commodities to almost every productive activity in modern societies, the impact is wide and deepening!

• While claiming that he never needed their help in the first place, Donald Trump lashed out at leaders around the world for their refusal to assist him in his unnecessary adventure, targeting UK prime minister Keir Starmer for some savage insults! 

• Balindra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party has now been confirmed landslide winners of Nepal's general elections, gaining over two-thirds of the seats in parliament, and placing the youthful 35-year old former rapper head of a fast-changing country. 

• In the early days of the war, Iran moved to deliberately defy Donald Trump and Israel by appointing Mojtaba Khamenei - who Trump said was totally unacceptable to him, as the new supreme leader, succeeding his father Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in the war the previous week. 

• Initially, the War in Iran was a totally one-sided military conflict with daily pounding of Iranian targets by the superior military arsenal of the United States and Israel.  As Iranian leaders knew, they could never win militarily, but could cause enough economic pain through disruption of energy supplies to force their opponents to consider a cessation of the hostilities.  

• Isn't it ironic that Melanie Trump was presiding over a UN Security Council meeting  meeting focusing on children in conflict, just days after her husband murdered over 100 schoolgirls in a bombing of a girls school in Iran?

• In the backdrop of an ongoing war in the Middle East, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement had growth forecasts downgraded 1.1%, and both unemployment and inflation projected to rise to 5.3% and 2.3% respectively.  Interest rates on mortgages are also set to rise while UK house-building projected to fall.  Net migration figures are expected to come down.

• It was now clear that targeted assassination was a primary motive and objective of the US an Israeli war plan.  In their initial strikes they assassinated Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei and a number of other  senior members of the Iranian political and military leadership.  But in doing so, they also killed hundreds of civilians, including some 200 school girls.  Is any of this justified?

• On February 28, the US and Israel attacked Iran with airstrikes, bringing more conflict, war and bloodshed to the Middle East. As expected, Iran tried to retaliate by firing missiles at Israel and US bases in the region, but soon found itself militarily outmatched and outgunned!  

• The Green's Hannah Spencer creates history for her party by winning the Gorton and Denton by-election, upsetting both Labour and Reform UK.  It is refreshing that Hannah is actually a proper working class person - a plumber by trade who also qualified as a plasterer just two weeks ago.  Hanna's unexpected victory should be both a kick in the teeth and a harsh wake up call for the incumbent Labour party that had retreated from their traditional role of representing the interests of working class values and social justice, to chasing immigration-hating Reform voters. 

• The BBC publishes a video which shows Israeli soldiers shooting a Palestinian boy and watching him bleeding to death!  This is depraved, sickening, evil behavior.  While in the West we are so vocal in criticizing atrocities of the Russians and Iranian state, why are we so accommodating of Israel's evil?  Are things only bad and wrong when our adversaries do them, but acceptable when done by our friends and allies?  Why the double-standards??

• It is being reported that the US Women's National Ice Hockey team that won the gold medal at the recently completed Winter Olympics declined an invitation by Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union Address, because of his distasteful, sexist joke that having invited the men's team, if he did not invite the women as well he might be impeached - implying that he only invited the women out of political correctness - not because of any genuine recognition and appreciation of their achievements.  This is further evidence of the president's sexist and deeply discriminatory nature.

• Former UK Ambassador to the UK, Peter Mandelson released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  The explanation given by the MET for the timing of the arrest was that they had received credible information that he was preparing to flee to the British Virgin Islands - an accusation which Mandelson says was unfounded.  The Speaker of the UK House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, later admitted that he was the source of the tip off to the police that led to Mandelson's arrest.  Isn't this another example of the political elite turning on itself and demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice one of it's own to preserve the overall interests of the institution and class as a whole?

• 38-year-old Rob Jetten has been sworn in as the Netherlands' youngest ever and first openly gay prime minister, after his Democrats 66 (D66) party's narrow victory over populist, anti-Muslim right-wing opposition Geert Wilders.  Jetten failed to achieve an overall majority however, and had to form a centre-right minority coalition government with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA).

• US president Donald Trump defies the February ruling of the US  Supreme Court that he exceeded his powers when he invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to bypass Congress last year and impose sweeping tariffs on US imports on numerous countries, by announcing 15% increases in those tariffs!  This is a grave challenge to the balance of powers arrangement in US politics, which frankly has not been functioning properly since Donald Trump assumed office a year ago.  How can the president be increasing tariffs that the nation's highest court has just ruled is unconstitutional?   What happens next?    
• Following the arrest in February of the UK's Prince Andrew (a/c Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) at his home on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the UK government has since been pushing to remove him from the royal line of succession!  What does this tell us?  It tells us how far the elite are prepared to go to protect and preserve their privileged status, including sacrificing one of their own to protect and preserve the overall institution or class.  A development like this could not happen without their consent.
• Donald Trump again exposes his colonial disposition by imploring the UK "not to give away" Diego Garcia - the largest of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, which the UK had agreed to return to Mauritius.  The US president obviously thinks it is cool and acceptable for the US and major European powers to own nations and peoples in distant continents like their private personal chattels.  Really backward!
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• American civil rights leader, Jesse Jackson passes at the age of 84.  Jackson led actions and initiatives supporting the rights of Blacks and poor people for decades and was a popular leader of the Democratic Party.

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent evidence to Congress sounds like the plot of an old colonial hearing, with the Venezuelan people and assets being discussed like property to be debated on, argued about, fought over, and decided on by Colonial masters hundreds of miles away.  From the evidence being given, it is clear that there is no urgent push by the Trump administration for democracy, to remove the old government structures or personnel, or to promote Venezuelan figures or institutions opposed to the old government.  The only clear plans and actions coming from this evidence is on securing the oil and taking control over the proceeds of it's sale. Remember, officially this oil is still legally sanctioned and should not be allowed to be exported or sold. Some serious contradictions here! 

• UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer recently visited China with a large delegation of business officials and secured important deals that could bring huge economic benefits to both nations

• The UK Labour Party's National Executive Council (NEC)'s recent blocking of Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from running as a MP in a vacant Manchester seat shows that the party's leadership is more concerned about Burnham posing a leadership threat to current Prime Minister Keir Starmer than the potential fallout from this controversial move.

• Minnesota witnessed over a month of intense conflict and tensions between state officials and the Trump administration two Minneapolis citizens were shot and killed on the streets by Federal Special Immigration forces (ICE) - which, along with the response of both the president, his deputy and key advisors voicing cold justification for these murders, is clear demonstration that Donald Trump and the current American Administration  is prepared to use deadly force to eliminate or silence anyone who dares to challenge their interests or just happen not to share their identity, ideals, values or interests - not just in their foreign policy but also at home. But how is this democracy?  If these policies continue, it could open up dangerous rifts between different parts of the American state. Conflicts between federal government and local governance. 

• High profile defections from the UK Conservative Party to the Reform UK Party have been flowing steadily like a mudslide for months.  Noticeable names include the most recent defections of former Home Secretary and Attorney General in different Tory governments, Suella Braverman; and former Conservative Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi;  Conservative MP Danny Kruger, who was serving as the Tory's Shadow Work and Pensions Minister, and in September 2025, became the first sitting Conservative MP to defect to Reform UK, following the the following day by former Conservative Health Minister, Maria Coulfield; former Tory chairman Jake Berry; and MSP Graham Simpson, whose defection in August 2025, had given Reform UK their first ever elected representative in Holyrood.   These defections are also significant because they are gradually increasing the number of Reform MP's in Parliament, even without an election!

• At the WEF in Davos, Donald Trump announced a deal over Greenland that he is claiming allows him to achieve his stated goals in the island without having to use force.  He claims that this "deal" is a win-win for all.  A good deal for him, America, Greenland, Denmark, and all of Europe.   But is it?  Is this so called "deal" even real?  This apparent "deal" was reached between Trump and the NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte - not any Danish or Greenlandic official.  Rutte has no jurisdiction to cede sovereignty of any part of Greenland - which is what Trump wants. So, how can such a deal resolve the issue? It certainly doesn't. 

• Donald Trump has now announced his "Board of Peace" to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza.   But there are some curious inclusions and some notable omissions. We will be taking a more detailed look soon!

• How did the UK and Europe get into this situation, where they are scrambling to invent strategies to try and defend their interests (in Greenland and other possible potential targets) from the wandering eyes and envy of a so called friend and ally?  They find themselves in this position because of their failure to challenge Donald Trump when he has done it before (using various forms of force and intimidation including the US military, US sanctions, embargos, etc) to others in Venezuela, Palestine, Iran, Cuba and elsewhere.  He recently removed the sitting president from Venezuela and publicly declared that he would take over their oil and he himself decide what to do with the money.  What did Europe do?  Their response was to offer justification for the theft and allowed Trump to feel that the policy was acceptable and not meriting challenge, opposition or retaliation.  So why would he stop in Latin America, Africa or the Middle East?  They have brought this problem on themselves. They have created the monster. They must now take care of it. 

• In January, Donald Trump insisted that he was 100% serious about imposing tariffs on European countries (including the UK) that oppose his plans to take over Greenland.  He wrote to the Norwegian Prime Minister, repeating his anger at not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last October.  To us at the PEF, for the US president neither peace, Allied friendship and unity, nor the genuine interest of the United States are top of his priority. His top priority is clearly the private material interests of himself, his family and close friends, and Venezuela's vast oil reserves and the rare earth minerals sitting under Greenland's melting ice are a major part of this objective to unfairly enrich himself and his associates by stealing the resources of people weaker than himself.

• At the ripe age of 52, West Midlands Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, has been forced into early retirement by political pressure.  Statements by government officials, including the Home Secretary, was the final nail in the coffin. Guildford is still paying for his role in the banning of fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from their European game with Aston Villa in November, but we believe that his payments and punishment will not end any time soon.  Guildford's decisions managed to upset some very powerful forces in this country, who will not be satisfied until he has spilled sufficient blood - socially, politically, and economically to satisfy their thirst for revenge and to remind others of the likely consequences of challenging established power sources.  

• After a violent crackdown which resulted in over 300 deaths of demonstrators and security forces, demonstrations in Iran have receded sharply.  This savage waste of human life is disgraceful! Did the authorities need to go this far to get law and order under control? There must be a better way of dealing with demonstrations and opposition than by killing unarmed protesters.  Did Donald Trump's antics contribute to this senseless killing?  Did his threat to hit the Iranian government hard if they killed demonstrators baited the Iranian people to foolishly risk their lives on the expectation of his intervention?   This is such a sad game for both sides to play with peoples lives!

• For months Donald Trump had been saying that the Venezuelan government had been illegitimate and that the opposition leader, Maria Machado  was the rightful president. Yet, since kidnapping Nicolas Maduro and removing him from power, Trump rejected the opportunity to promote or endorse the opposition leader for the post and has instead endorsed Delcy Rodriguez, who was Maduro's deputy in the same old government, as the new president, and is now working with her to try and achieve his goals in Venezuela!  This only proves that Trump's interests and American foreign policy has nothing to do with promoting democracy but with securing narrow, selfish material interests and raw greed!

• While still refusing to condemn the US military action in Venezuela, European leaders are much more clear on their stance on Greenland. Seven major European states including the UK, France, Germany and Denmark sign a joint statement that the future of Greenland should only be decided by Greenlanders and the Kingdom of Denmark, and opposing any foreign intervention in the Island.

• In January, the United Nations held an emergency session to discuss US action in removing President Maduro. The UN Secretary General warns that international law was breached by the US actions, but what position will important states take?  

• In January, kidnapped Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken to court in New York and arraigned on drug and terrorism charges.  If you stand in the way of the greed of the powerful, they will use and misuse all the instruments of state to get you.  Be their puppet and they will allow you to do as you like.  Sad, sad, evil world!

• Maduro's vice president,  Delcy Rodriguez, sworn in as the new president of Venezuela as Trump warns that the same fate will follow her as her deposed leader if she does not do exactly what Trump wants. Are we back into a new phase of neocolonialism?

• On January 03, US special forces attack Venezuela and kidnap the country's leader, President Nicolas Madura and take him back to the US, breaching all the rules of international law.  Seems like Donald Trump is taking the world back to colonial days when bullies with the biggest guns and ships ruled the world and exploited other peoples as the wish.

• Anyone who genuinely believes that the US attack on Venezuela and the January 3rd kidnapping of the Venezuelan president Madura has anything to do with drug trafficking is very naïve.  This is clearly an act of political economy, where Donald Trump is actin g decisively, albeit illegally, to secure not just US strategic interests in Venezuelan massive oil reserves, but also to secure his own personal financial interests by removing a hostile leader and replace him with a friendly puppet who will agree friendly for  investments in Venezuela's vast mineral resources by American interests and those of the Trump family itself.

• Donald Trump needs to realize that he is setting some dangerous precedents that others - not just American allies, can use later as references and models to serve their own needs. What if China seeks to do the same thing in Taiwan or Russia in Albania?  What would happen then?

•   As most of us  ring in the new year after lavish Christmas celebrations for many of us, people in Palestine face a very different, painful reality, with hunger, cold, sickness, homelessness and lack of basic supplies. Despite this, Israel continues to bar over 30 aid organization from working in either Gaza or the occupied West Bank! Charitable organizations that could help to lessen some of the suffering. Why is this allowed to happen?

• A day after Ukrainian president Zelensky meets European leaders in London to discuss a US peace plan, proposed to end the war between his country and Russia, president Trump describes Europe as "decaying", European leaders as "weak", and threatens to scale back US support for Ukraine. Two days earlier, the president's son had hinted at a possible US withdrawal from the process.   

• Another peace deal agreed between Cambodia and Thailand after cross-border clashes and air strikes.  Will this ceasefire last?

• The G20 Summit was held in  South Africa in November, with the leaders of the world's two largest economies notably absent. 

• UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers a deceptive budget which gives with one hand and takes with another. Increased welfare benefits alongside disguised tax rises. Curious!!   She managed to avoid the widely expected income tax rises (at least formally) that would have broken manifesto promises but found other deceptive ways to tax. 

• In 2025, the US experienced it's longest government shutdown on record.  

• Members of the US House Oversight Committee have release files that allege deep contact between victim of now deceased convicted paedophile Jeffery Epstein and Donald Trump at Epstein's house.   

• Since the Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas over Gaza, Israeli settlers have increased attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank, without Israeli sanctions.

• Former French President Sarkozy released from prison just weeks into a 5-year prison sentence.  Variable justice?

• 2 migrants returned to France under "one-in-one-out" scheme find their way back to the UK!

• In November, US Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, announced her retirement.

• On November 4th, 34 year-old left-wing Muslim, Zohran Mamdani won New York mayoral race and irks Donald Trump on a night that Democrats sweep all contested elections. 

• On October 30, King Charles formally stripped brother Andrew of all official titles. But if we look closely we will see that nothing has changed in substance, only in form. 

• The monarchy shown its willingness to  amputate one one of it's useless organs to preserve it's existence? 

• In the last week of October, Category 5 hurricane Melissa swept through the Caribbean, leaving a woeful trail of death and destruction in Jamaican, Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

• In October, 92-year Paul Biya was declared winner of Cameroon presidential elections. Does this bode well (or not) for African growth  and development? 

• Important recent national elections in Third World states with variable results, including Jamaica, Guyana,  Tanzania, and Argentina. What are the implications of these result? 

• President Traore introducing sweeping changes to Berkina Faso's tax, welfare and economic structure that look positive for development. 

• Plaid Cymru wins by-election in Wales, upsetting the fancied Labour Party and Reform.

• King Charles makes historic public prayer with Pope Leo! 

• UK government struggling to manage fall-out of China spy case. 

• If a powerful world leader encourages, funds, arms and helps to extend wars so that he can bring an end to them at the time of his choosing, should we reward him with a Nobel Peace Prize? 

• Trump's military strikes on civilian vessels in the Caribbean accused of trafficking drugs seem personal and political rather than crime fighting. They have targeted vessels from  Venezuela, - whose leader he has a dispute with.  The only Colombian boat hit was by mistake because it was in Venezuelan waters. 

• Colombian president Gustavo Pedro accuses the US of murder after the bombing. He claims the US policy "wasn't a war against smuggling, but a war for oil".  US responds by withdrawing aid. 

• Israel and Hamas are now in a fragile peace. A peace deal skewed to the interests of Israel at the expense of the Palestinians, who had no choice but to accept whatever deal they could get.

• In October, Nigeria celebrated 65 years of independence. How has this independence been managed and how, if at all, has this impacted on the wider development of the African continent?

• The UK Labour government reacts to pressure from both Reform and the Conservatives and shifts to the right on the troubled question of immigration, announcing tough new immigration policies, including an overall of the asylum system. 

• Important Western states including the UK and France now formally recognized the Palestinian state.   what is the significance of this?

• The UK Reform Party announced its intention to scrap indefinite leave to remain and other benefits for migrants if elected to power.  

• After a lot of legal wranglings, the UK government begins returning migrants to France under their "one-in, one-out" scheme. 

• Trump threatens to suspend the licences of TV broadcasters who are critical of him.  Isn't this dictatorial censorship and restriction of free speech?  

• US President Donald Trump completes state visit to the United Kingdom. What did it achieve?    

• According to a UN Commission of Inquiry, Israel has been committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza.  It concludes that Israel's military actions and blockade of the strip caused starvation and risked producing widespread famine. 

• In September 2025, the Nepalese government collapsed and the first female prime minister appointed.

• UK Prime Minister forced to sack his Ambassador to the US, because of new revelations about his past relationship with convicted child sex offender, Jeffery Epstein. 

• Charlie Kirk, one of Donald Trump's strongest allies, shot and killed. We condemn this, but how much of this type of behaviour was encouraged by Trump and Kirk himself? 

• In September, the UK announced plans to suspend visas from countries that refuse to sign up to return deals for migrants.  If this is not blatant bullyism, then I don't know what is!

• On September 5th, UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned, after admitting failures in personal tax responsibilities.  Was this the honourable thing to do? Is this type of political responsibility and accountability still popular? 

• In September 2025, China's President Xi Jinping offered the world a glimpse of a potential capable alternative to American hegemony when he hosted notable world leaders in Beijing, including some shun by the West, and showed off the country's military advancements

• In August 2025, Israel announced plans to occupy all of Gaza.  Is this their real long-tern goal? 

• In July 2025, the UK government announced it's intention to reduce the voting age across the UK from 18 to 16!  

• In July 2025, two former left-wing Labour MP's - former party leader Jeremy Corbyn and MP Zarah Sultana, launched a new political party in the UK.  Could it have an impact similar to the one the  formation of the Reform Party had on the Conservative Party.