Politics
What Peru’s Virgen de la Puerta represents about unity and inclusion
What Peru’s Virgen de la Puerta represents about unity and inclusion La Virgen de la Puerta, an image of Mary venerated in Peru for over 300 years, represents unity and inclusion among people from different backgrounds, including Catholics, non-Catholics, LGBTQ+ individuals, and marginalized communities. The shrine church of La Virgen de la Puerta is located […]
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Trump’s white genocide claims about South Africa have deep roots in American history
Trump’s white genocide claims about South Africa have deep roots in American history President Donald Trump has claimed that there is a “genocide of white people” taking place in South Africa, where Black South Africans are allegedly targeting white farmers due to their race. The claim has deep roots in American history, dating back to […]
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Trump’s West Point speech brought partisanship to the home of the US military − 2 essential reads
Trump’s West Point speech brought partisanship to the home of the US military − 2 essential reads President Donald Trump’s speech at West Point included scripted and unscripted segments that showcased his partisan politics, making it unusual for a military setting. The level of partisanship in Trump’s speech was concerning, as it attacked presidential predecessors […]
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Trump wants to cut funding to sanctuary cities and towns – but they don’t actually violate federal law
Trump wants to cut funding to sanctuary cities and towns – but they don’t actually violate federal law President Trump’s administration wants to cut federal funding to cities and towns that have sanctuary policies, but these policies do not actually violate federal law. The Trump administration claims that sanctuary policies “willfully violate Federal law,” but […]
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The hidden power of cultural exchanges in countering propaganda and fostering international goodwill
The hidden power of cultural exchanges in countering propaganda and fostering international goodwill Cutting funding for cultural exchanges could harm US reputation and national security, as these programs help build relationships and foster international goodwill. The US has a long history of using cultural diplomacy to promote its interests and counter propaganda, dating back to […]
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There’s no evidence work requirements for Medicaid recipients will boost employment, but they are a key piece of Republican spending bill
There’s no evidence work requirements for Medicaid recipients will boost employment, but they are a key piece of Republican spending bill Republicans in the US Senate are likely to adopt work requirements for Medicaid recipients, despite a lack of evidence that they boost employment, as part of their spending bill. The House version of the […]
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Surge of ICE agreements with local police aim to increase deportations, but many police forces have found they undermine public safety
Surge of ICE agreements with local police aim to increase deportations, but many police forces have found they undermine public safety President Donald Trump’s administration has been expanding the use of the federal 287(g) program, which allows local police to function as federal immigration officers, aiming to increase deportations and undermine public safety. The expansion […]
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Elon Musk sure does want everyone to think he’s leaving politics
Elon Musk sure does want everyone to think he’s leaving politics Musk has announced that he’s stepping away from DOGE as his “scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end,” which had a legal 130-day deadline ending on May 28th. Musk claims to have reduced his time spent on politics, saying it […]
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3 things to watch as South Koreans head toward the polls following turbulent political period
3 things to watch as South Koreans head toward the polls following turbulent political period South Koreans will head to the polls on June 3, 2025, to vote for a new president after a tumultuous election season marked by impeachment and martial law. The opposition Democratic Party, led by Lee Jae-myung, is expected to win […]
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Pope Leo XIV is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope – but who are the Augustinians?
Pope Leo XIV is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope – but who are the Augustinians? Pope Leo XIV’s election as pope marks a historic first: he is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope, and the first from North America. The […]
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NPR sues Trump over executive order cutting funding for public broadcasting
NPR sues Trump over executive order cutting funding for public broadcasting NPR has sued President Trump over his executive order cutting federal funding for public broadcasting, claiming it’s unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment. The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s efforts to slash funding are retaliatory and aimed at punishing NPR and PBS for their perceived […]
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Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry − Americans should, too
Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry − Americans should, too The US has a leadership role in NATO, but European leaders are concerned that the US may withdraw support from the alliance. The US has made statements that suggest it may not enforce Article 5, […]
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Could a bold anti-poverty experiment from the 1960s inspire a new era in housing justice?
Could a bold anti-poverty experiment from the 1960s inspire a new era in housing justice? The Model Cities Program, launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s, was a pioneering effort to address urban poverty and inequality through community-led planning and participation. The program aimed to tackle structural causes of poverty, such as housing […]
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Christianity has long revered saints who would be called ‘transgender’ today
Christianity has long revered saints who would be called ‘transgender’ today Christianity has a long history of venerating saints who would be considered “transgender” today, with at least 34 documented stories of transgender saints from the early centuries of Christianity. The stories of these saints, such as St. Eugenia, St. Euphrosyne, and St. Marinos, were […]
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Work requirements are better at blocking benefits for low-income people than they are at helping those folks find jobs
Work requirements are better at blocking benefits for low-income people than they are at helping those folks find jobs Republican lawmakers have passed a bill that includes massive tax and spending cuts, including provisions to reduce federal Medicaid spending by requiring anyone enrolled in the program who appears to be able to get a job […]
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Trump’s lifting of Syria sanctions is a win for Turkey, too – pointing to outsized role middle powers can play in regional affairs
Trump’s lifting of Syria sanctions is a win for Turkey, too – pointing to outsized role middle powers can play in regional affairs US President Donald Trump announced that the US would lift sanctions on Syria, a move seen as a victory for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who have […]
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Trump treats laws as obstacles, not limits − and the only real check on his rule-breaking can come from political pressure
Trump treats laws as obstacles, not limits − and the only real check on his rule-breaking can come from political pressure President Donald Trump’s presidency is marked by a transformation of the presidency into a fully political institution, where he acts until political resistance becomes strong enough to stop him. The legal constraints on presidential […]
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Russia’s invasion united different parts of Ukraine against a common enemy – 3 years on, that unanimity still holds
Russia’s invasion united different parts of Ukraine against a common enemy – 3 years on, that unanimity still holds Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 united different parts of the country against a common enemy, leading to a largely stalemated conflict that has lasted for three years. The study found that even those Ukrainians who […]
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Like many populist leaders, Trump accuses judges of being illegitimate obstacles to safety and democracy
Like many populist leaders, Trump accuses judges of being illegitimate obstacles to safety and democracy President Donald Trump has repeatedly challenged federal judges and Supreme Court justices who have blocked his attempts to reshape fundamental aspects of American government, including executive orders and deportation policies. Trump and his team are framing judges as enemies of […]
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Independence Hall, Gettysburg and – Epcot? How Reagan helped elevate Disney to America’s roster of honored patriotic sites
Independence Hall, Gettysburg and – Epcot? How Reagan helped elevate Disney to America’s roster of honored patriotic sites Disney theme parks have become an integral part of American patriotic sites, earning recognition from presidents and the government. The legitimization of Disney theme parks as patriotic sites was cemented when President Ronald Reagan visited Walt Disney […]
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How abortion laws focusing on fetal viability miss the mark on women’s experiences
How abortion laws focusing on fetal viability miss the mark on women’s experiences Abortion laws in the US that focus on fetal viability are often misguided and fail to address the concerns of pregnant people, instead prioritizing the development of a fetus over the woman’s health and well-being. The concept of “fetal viability” was created […]
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Governors are leading the fight against climate change and deforestation around the world, filling a void left by presidents
Governors are leading the fight against climate change and deforestation around the world, filling a void left by presidents Governors from around the world are taking the lead in fighting climate change and deforestation, filling a void left by national governments. The real progress on reducing greenhouse gases and preparing for worsening climate disasters is […]
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Empathy can take a toll – but 2 philosophers explain why we should see it as a strength
Empathy can take a toll – but 2 philosophers explain why we should see it as a strength Empathy can be seen as a strength rather than a weakness, according to two philosophers who argue that it enables us to better understand the impact of our actions on others and make informed choices. The philosophical […]
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An 18th-century rebellion for liberty, equality and freedom − not in France or the United States, but Ireland
An 18th-century rebellion for liberty, equality and freedom − not in France or the United States, but Ireland The 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion was a pivotal moment in Irish history, fought for liberty, equality, and freedom, not just in France or the US, but in Ireland itself. The rebellion was sparked by a signal sent […]
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation case is more about individual rights than the Trump administration’s foreign policy
Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation case is more about individual rights than the Trump administration’s foreign policy Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation case is not primarily about foreign policy, but rather about individual rights, including the right to due process. The Trump administration has argued that courts cannot grant relief to individuals challenging their deportation […]
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President Trump Announces He Will Revoke Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status
President Trump Announces He Will Revoke Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status President Trump has announced that he will revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status, citing “what they deserve” as the reason. If confirmed, Harvard would have to pay federal income taxes on its revenue and donations could be lost if donors can no longer claim tax deductions on […]
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What is the biggest gaffe, blooper or blunder that a recent president has made? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is
What is the biggest gaffe, blooper or blunder that a recent president has made? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and trade war with China led to him saying that American children should prepare to make sacrifices at Christmas, including having fewer toys. Trump’s gaffes are […]
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What are the biggest gaffes, bloopers and blunders that recent presidents have made? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is
What are the biggest gaffes, bloopers and blunders that recent presidents have made? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is Recent US presidents have made several notable gaffes, blunders, and bloopers that have sparked controversy and embarrassment. Examples include Donald Trump’s comment that American children should prepare to make sacrifices at Christmas […]
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Trump’s proposed budget deals another big blow to science, clean energy, and the environment
Trump’s proposed budget deals another big blow to science, clean energy, and the environment President Trump’s proposed budget cuts $15 billion from federal funding for renewable energy and new technologies to capture carbon dioxide emissions, and slashes nearly $18 billion from the National Institutes of Health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would see its budget […]
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What is the stupidest thing a recent president has said? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is
What is the stupidest thing a recent president has said? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is President Donald Trump was asked about the impact of his tariff policies and trade war with China during a press conference on April 30, 2025, and responded that American children should prepare to make sacrifices […]
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