Politics
Conventional anti-corruption tools often fail to address root causes – but loss of US leadership could still spell trouble for efforts abroad
Conventional anti-corruption tools often fail to address root causes – but loss of US leadership could still spell trouble for efforts abroad The US’s loss of leadership in anti-corruption efforts could spell trouble for global progress, despite conventional tools failing to address root causes. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been effective in preventing bribery […]
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Commuters have bemoaned Philly’s public transit for decades − in 1967, a librarian got the city to listen
Commuters have bemoaned Philly’s public transit for decades − in 1967, a librarian got the city to listen Philadelphia’s public transit system has been plagued by poor conditions and unstable funding for nearly a century, with commuters’ complaints often convincing government officials to act. In 1967, librarian Miriam S. Axelrod wrote a letter to Mayor […]
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Censorship campaigns can have a way of backfiring – look no further than the fate of America’s most prolific censor
Censorship campaigns can have a way of backfiring – look no further than the fate of America’s most prolific censor The Trump administration’s efforts to suppress speech it disfavors may backfire, as seen in the case of comedian Jimmy Kimmel being suspended from his show and subsequently gaining more viewers than ever before. The history […]
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Why Jimmy Kimmel’s First Amendment rights weren’t violated – but ABC’s would be protected if it stood up to the FCC and Trump
Why Jimmy Kimmel’s First Amendment rights weren’t violated – but ABC’s would be protected if it stood up to the FCC and Trump Jimmy Kimmel’s indefinite suspension by ABC after making comments about the alleged shooter in Charlie Kirk’s death has sparked debate over whether it violates his First Amendment rights. The First Amendment protects […]
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Why Argentina is looking to the Trump administration for a bailout − and what the US Treasury can do to help
Why Argentina is looking to the Trump administration for a bailout − and what the US Treasury can do to help Argentina’s President Javier Milei has asked for US help to stabilize his country’s economy, which is facing a sharp sell-off of its currency and stocks. The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced that […]
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Why are there so many protests? The US public is highly polarized, and that drives people to act
Why are there so many protests? The US public is highly polarized, and that drives people to act Polarization is driving the surge in protests in the US, with the number of nonviolent demonstrations almost tripling since 2017. The level of polarization among Americans has reached its highest level since political scientists began tracking it […]
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UK, France and other Western nations recognize Palestinian state ahead of UN meetings – but symbolic action won’t make statehood happen
UK, France and other Western nations recognize Palestinian state ahead of UN meetings – but symbolic action won’t make statehood happen Western nations such as UK, France, Canada, and Australia have recognized Palestine as a state ahead of UN meetings, marking a significant diplomatic win for the Palestinian cause. The recognition comes despite Israel’s opposition […]
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Trump’s targeting of ‘enemies’ like James Comey echoes FBI’s dark history of mass surveillance, dirty tricks and perversion of justice under J. Edgar Hoover
Trump’s targeting of ‘enemies’ like James Comey echoes FBI’s dark history of mass surveillance, dirty tricks and perversion of justice under J. Edgar Hoover Donald Trump’s administration has launched a “Weaponization Working Group” to investigate perceived enemies, including former FBI Director James Comey, and has already indicted him on charges brought by a Trump loyalist […]
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Trump’s new target: Microsoft head of global affairs Lisa Monaco
Trump’s new target: Microsoft head of global affairs Lisa Monaco President Donald Trump has targeted Microsoft head of global affairs Lisa Monaco for retribution, calling for her to be fired. Trump claims that Monaco is “corrupt,” “deranged,” and a “menace to U.S. national security” due to her work as the 39th Deputy Attorney General under […]
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Trump’s dip into the Nile waters dispute didn’t settle the conflict – in fact, it may have caused more ripples
Trump’s dip into the Nile waters dispute didn’t settle the conflict – in fact, it may have caused more ripples President Donald Trump’s involvement in the Nile River waters dispute did not lead to a resolution, but rather may have caused more ripples in the conflict between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. The dispute centers on […]
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Religion often shapes someone’s view of abortion – but what about a woman’s actual decision?
Religion often shapes someone’s view of abortion – but what about a woman’s actual decision? Research suggests that while strong religious beliefs can shape public opinion on abortion, they do not necessarily influence a woman’s decision to have an abortion. A study of over 5,000 unmarried young women found that regardless of their level of […]
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Politicizing federal troops in US mirrors use of military in Latin America in the 1970s and ’80s
Politicizing federal troops in US mirrors use of military in Latin America in the 1970s and ’80s The US military’s deployment to domestic law enforcement roles under President Trump mirrors tactics used by Latin American countries in the 1970s and ’80s, which led to military dictatorships. Three Trump administration tactics – priming the public for […]
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How the First Amendment protects Americans’ speech − and how it does not
How the First Amendment protects Americans’ speech − and how it does not The First Amendment protects Americans’ speech, including speech that may be distasteful or unpopular, as long as it does not incite violence, is not obscene, and does not constitute defamation or a true threat. The government can regulate speech through “reasonable time, […]
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How Philly anarcho-punks blended music, noise and social justice in the 1990s and 2000s
How Philly anarcho-punks blended music, noise and social justice in the 1990s and 2000s The Philadelphia anarcho-punk scene of the 1990s and 2000s blended music, noise, and social justice, with many bands singing about war, capitalism, racism, and police violence. The scene was characterized by its underground venues, which became central to the city’s punk […]
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From anime to activism: How the ‘One Piece’ pirate flag became the global emblem of Gen Z resistance
From anime to activism: How the ‘One Piece’ pirate flag became the global emblem of Gen Z resistance The “One Piece” pirate flag, originally from the popular Japanese manga series, has become a global emblem of Gen Z resistance and youth-led activism. The flag’s spread across borders reflects the digital upbringing of Gen Z, who […]
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Facing a shutdown, budget negotiations are much harder because Congress has given Trump power to cut spending through ‘rescission’
Facing a shutdown, budget negotiations are much harder because Congress has given Trump power to cut spending through ‘rescission’ Congress faces a deadline of October 1 to adopt a spending measure to keep the federal government open, as budget negotiations are complicated by President Trump’s power to cut spending through “rescission”. The use of continuing […]
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Even a brief government shutdown might hamper morale, raise costs and reduce long-term efficiency in the federal workforce
Even a brief government shutdown might hamper morale, raise costs and reduce long-term efficiency in the federal workforce A possible government shutdown on October 1, 2025, could have severe consequences for federal workers, including hampering morale, raising costs, and reducing long-term efficiency. A study of past government shutdowns found that furloughed employees are 31% more […]
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Even as Jimmy Kimmel returns to the airwaves, TV networks remain more vulnerable to political pressure than ever before
Even as Jimmy Kimmel returns to the airwaves, TV networks remain more vulnerable to political pressure than ever before TV networks are more vulnerable to political pressure than ever before, as seen in the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show after he made comments about a conservative activist. The decline of traditional TV and the […]
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Charlie Kirk and the making of an AI-generated martyr
Charlie Kirk and the making of an AI-generated martyr Charlie Kirk’s death has led to an AI-generated martyr complex, where he is being portrayed as a truth seeker who made a heroic sacrifice, with supporters describing him as “America’s greatest martyr to free speech”. The phenomenon of hagiography, or the process of elevating public figures […]
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A Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger could give Trump even more influence over US media – shaping the news and culture Americans watch and stream
A Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger could give Trump even more influence over US media – shaping the news and culture Americans watch and stream A proposed mega-merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery could give Donald Trump even more influence over US media, shaping the news and culture Americans watch and stream. The merger would […]
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‘This will not end here’: A scholar explains why Charlie Kirk’s killing could embolden political violence
‘This will not end here’: A scholar explains why Charlie Kirk’s killing could embolden political violence Charlie Kirk’s killing has brought renewed attention to the climate of political violence in America, with a significant increase in threats against officeholders and politicians at all levels. The scholar Arie Perliger warns that this trend could embolden political […]
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Yes, this is who we are: America’s 250-year history of political violence
Yes, this is who we are: America’s 250-year history of political violence America’s history of political violence is not an anomaly, but a recurring pattern that reflects the country’s founding principles and has been sustained by this form of violence throughout its history. The use of punishment by tar and feathering, dueling, and other forms […]
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Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian – and why that matters for democracy
Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian – and why that matters for democracy Many journalists have been reluctant to call Donald Trump an authoritarian due to concerns about labeling him as such, despite his actions exhibiting key indicators of authoritarian behavior. Trump’s actions, including deploying National Guard troops to cities run by […]
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Who was Charlie Kirk? The activist who turned campus politics into national influence
Who was Charlie Kirk? The activist who turned campus politics into national influence Charlie Kirk was a prominent conservative activist, author, and media personality who rose to prominence at 18 by founding Turning Point USA, a conservative youth movement. Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, grew into a national force, claiming chapters at over 1,000 campuses, […]
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We tracked every overseas trip by world leaders since the end of the Cold War – here’s what we found
We tracked every overseas trip by world leaders since the end of the Cold War – here’s what we found World leaders have taken over 100,000 overseas trips since 1990, with an average of 2,734 trips per year since 2010, indicating a significant increase in global leader travel. The travel patterns of world leaders reveal […]
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Trump’s radical argument that he alone can interpret vague laws fails its first court test in dismissal of Fed governor
Trump’s radical argument that he alone can interpret vague laws fails its first court test in dismissal of Fed governor President Donald Trump has fired Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook, sparking a legal battle over his authority to interpret vague laws and challenging long-standing beliefs about presidential power. The case raises fundamental questions about […]
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Social scientists have long found women tend to be more religious than men – but Gen Z may show a shift
Social scientists have long found women tend to be more religious than men – but Gen Z may show a shift Contrary to long-held assumptions, survey data suggests that Generation Z may be showing a shift away from women being more religious than men, with Gen Z women having a slightly lower rate of religiosity […]
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Poland responds to Russian drones incursion by invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty − what happens next?
Poland responds to Russian drones incursion by invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty − what happens next? Poland has invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty in response to Russian drones entering its airspace, sparking fears of an expanding Russia-Ukraine war. Article 4 allows any NATO member that feels threatened to request a consultation […]
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Philly’s Puerto Rican Day Parade embodies strength of the mainland’s second-largest Boricua community
Philly’s Puerto Rican Day Parade embodies strength of the mainland’s second-largest Boricua community The Puerto Rican Day Parade in Philadelphia embodies the strength of the mainland’s second-largest Boricua community, celebrating both Puerto Rican culture and identity. The parade is a public demonstration of community identity, using symbols and traditions to communicate what it means to […]
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Israel’s attack in Doha underscores a stark reality for Gulf states looking for stability and growth: They remain hostage to events
Israel’s attack in Doha underscores a stark reality for Gulf states looking for stability and growth: They remain hostage to events Gulf states like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are facing challenges to their stability and growth due to events beyond their control, including Israel’s attack on Doha. The Gulf states have invested heavily […]
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