Kamala Harris Considers Another Presidential Run
1 day ago
·BBC News
In a significant interview with the BBC, former US Vice-President Kamala Harris strongly indicated she may launch another presidential campaign in 2028, despite her recent loss to Donald Trump. Harris dismissed unfavorable polling numbers that position her as an underdog for the Democratic nomination, even trailing behind celebrity figures like Dwayne Johnson. She expressed confidence that a woman will eventually occupy the White House and suggested she could be that candidate. The former vice-president delivered sharp criticism of Trump, labeling him a "tyrant" and asserting that her campaign warnings about his authoritarian tendencies have proven accurate. Harris pointed to specific examples of what she characterized as Trump's weaponization of government agencies, including the suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel following jokes about conservative figures. She argued this demonstrates Trump's intolerance of criticism and willingness to suppress media voices. While acknowledging questions about her previous campaign's effectiveness on economic issues, Harris emphasized her lifelong commitment to public service and determination to remain active in politics, stating unequivocally, "I am not done."
Labour's Leadership Shift: Powell Elected Deputy Leader Amid Party Tensions
1 day ago
·BBC News
Lucy Powell has been elected as Labour's deputy leader following a contest triggered by Angela Rayner's resignation. The Manchester Central MP defeated Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who was widely seen as the leadership's preferred candidate. Powell's victory represents a significant shift within the party, as she campaigned on giving grassroots members greater influence and pushing for a 'course correction' in government direction. Her election comes after she was removed from the cabinet in September, and she drew support from members dissatisfied with Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. In her victory speech, Powell emphasized the need for the party to be 'bolder' and promised to champion Labour values while helping the government succeed. She specifically addressed the challenge from Reform UK, arguing that Labour cannot win by trying to 'out-Reform' Reform but must instead reclaim the political narrative. The election occurred alongside disappointing results for Labour in Wales, where the party lost a Senedd seat it had held for a century. Prime Minister Starmer acknowledged the 'bad result' and stressed the need for visible change in communities. Phillipson congratulated Powell while expressing disappointment, emphasizing the importance of party unity ahead of upcoming elections.
Trump Seeks Renewed Dialogue with North Korea's Kim Jong Un
1 day ago
·BBC News
President Donald Trump has expressed interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming Asia trip, stating he has a 'great relationship' with the North Korean leader and is 'open' to face-to-face discussions. This potential meeting would continue their unusual diplomatic relationship that began during Trump's first term, when he became the first sitting US president to enter North Korean territory during their 2019 meeting at the DMZ. The two leaders have met three times previously but failed to reach agreement on denuclearization, with North Korea continuing missile tests since those summits. Trump's comments come amid his travels to Malaysia for ASEAN meetings and Japan and South Korea for APEC summits, where he will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping amid ongoing trade tensions. Kim Jong Un has indicated willingness to meet again but insists the US must drop its 'absurd' demand for North Korea to abandon its nuclear arsenal. South Korean officials suggest a meeting is possible during Trump's South Korea visit, though US officials state no such meeting is currently scheduled.
The Life and Legacy of Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit
1 day ago
·PBS NewsHour
Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit, a central figure in modern Thai history, passed away at age 93 after a lifetime of royal service. As the wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and mother of the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Sirikit played a significant role in Thailand's development through her supervision of royal projects focused on rural poverty alleviation, traditional craft preservation, and environmental protection. Born in 1932, the same year Thailand transitioned to constitutional monarchy, Sirikit came from aristocratic lineage and met her future husband while studying in France. Their marriage in 1950 began a partnership that would see them travel globally as goodwill ambassadors before focusing on Thailand's domestic challenges. Despite being overshadowed by her husband and son, Sirikit maintained substantial influence, with her portrait displayed nationwide and her birthday celebrated as Mother's Day. Her work extended from helping Cambodian refugees to forest conservation, though her political involvement during Thailand's turbulent decades drew scrutiny. The Queen Mother's declining health in recent years limited her public appearances, culminating in her death from a blood infection at Chulalongkorn Hospital, where she had received long-term care.
Context Matters: Analyzing the White House Ballroom Controversy
1 day ago
·PBS NewsHour
In October, leading Democratic figures including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the House Democratic Caucus shared a five-second video clip of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the ballroom construction was 'the president's main priority.' They used this clip to criticize the Trump administration, suggesting the president cared more about a $300 million ballroom than addressing pressing issues like the high cost of living, healthcare crises, and the government shutdown. However, a closer examination reveals that the Democrats selectively edited Leavitt's comments, removing crucial context. The press secretary was specifically responding to a reporter's question about White House construction projects, not discussing broader policy priorities. When viewed in full context, Leavitt clearly stated the ballroom was the main priority among construction projects on White House grounds, not among all presidential responsibilities. This incident demonstrates how political messaging can distort factual statements through selective editing and removal of context. The article serves as a case study in media literacy, showing the importance of verifying complete statements rather than relying on short, decontextualized clips that can misrepresent the original meaning.
U.S. Military Escalation in Caribbean Drug War
1 day ago
·PBS NewsHour
The Trump administration has significantly escalated its anti-drug efforts in Latin America through both military and diplomatic measures. The Pentagon deployed the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group with over 6,000 service members to the Caribbean to disrupt narcotics trafficking and dismantle criminal organizations. This comes amid an unprecedented series of military strikes, with 10 missile attacks on suspected drug boats since early September, including three strikes in the past week alone. President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have framed this campaign as comparable to the global war on terror, explicitly comparing drug cartels to terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Qaida. The military escalation includes recent B-1 bomber flights off Venezuela's coast, intended to pressure President Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. accuses of running a narco-state. In response, Venezuela launched its own military deployment, with Maduro vowing to resist American intervention. Diplomatically, the administration sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of allowing cocaine production to surge. Petro defended his record, stating he has fought drug trafficking for decades and refusing to back down. This represents a major intensification of U.S. drug policy in the region, combining military force with economic pressure against foreign leaders.