Benin’s presidential vote isn’t just another election—it’s a turning point after a decade under President Patrice Talon, whose time in office left behind a trail of economic gains but also sharp concerns. With nearly eight million voters set to cast ballots, the race pits Romuald Wadagni, the financ
Political scandals often follow candidates longer than campaign promises do. In California’s crowded governor race, one candidate now has serious questions to answer about how he handled household staff and campaign cash. Federal complaints suggest irregularities in his wife’s immigration status and
Peru’s next president will be chosen on Sunday, but voters are heading to the polls with little enthusiasm. Thirty-plus candidates are running, none close to the 50% needed to win outright, so a runoff on June 7 seems almost certain. Behind the crowded field lies years of political chaos—eight presi
Connecticut’s lawmakers are quietly pushing big changes to a federal drug discount program that feels more like a business deal than public policy. A last-minute addition to a routine bill quietly expanded the 340B program, letting hospitals buy drugs at extreme discounts—sometimes for a fraction of
A Venezuelan oil executive once trusted the system—until it turned against him. In 2017, Gustavo Cárdenas (name changed for clarity) landed a top job at Citgo, the U. S. arm of Venezuela’s state oil company. Just months later, he was arrested in Caracas, thrown into a military prison, and convicted
Spain’s prime minister is packing his bags for Beijing once more, marking his fourth trip to China in just a few years. While many European leaders follow America’s lead on China, he’s sticking to his own path, even when it clashes with U. S. President Trump. Spain sees China as a key partner for gr
Peru is holding its latest presidential election with 35 candidates running to lead a country that has cycled through eight presidents in a decade. The vote comes as violence and corruption dominate public frustration, pushing many voters to see politicians as untrustworthy. Crime has spiked sharply
China tightened rules on key minerals like gallium, germanium and neodymium in 2025‑26, saying it needed to guard national security. The U. S. and the EU reacted by bolstering stockpiles, speeding up domestic projects, and seeking new suppliers. Prices jumped, but many saw the shock as short‑term.
Eric Swalwell, a top contender for California governor, is being asked to quit his seat in the House. Some of his Democratic colleagues have spoken on TV, saying he should step down. The calls came after a woman who worked in his district office said she was sexually assaulted by him. CNN a
Banks are stepping away from some commodity payments because of worries about hidden ties to Iran. The result is a surge in the use of stablecoins, especially Tether’s USDT, by traders who need quick and reliable ways to move money. The global trade finance market is worth about $2 trillion, b
