Politics
Dick Cheney’s expansive vision of presidential power lives on in Trump’s agenda
Dick Cheney’s expansive vision of presidential power lives on in Trump’s agenda Dick Cheney’s expansive vision of presidential power lives on in Donald Trump’s agenda, which has seen a barrage of unilateral presidential actions since his second term began. Trump’s actions have been justified by invoking the unitary executive theory, a conservative thesis that calls […]
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Congress has been dodging responsibility for tariffs for decades – now the Supreme Court will decide how far presidents can go alone
Congress has been dodging responsibility for tariffs for decades – now the Supreme Court will decide how far presidents can go alone The US Supreme Court will hear a case on whether presidents can impose sweeping import duties using a Cold War-era emergency law, raising questions about accountability and democratic ownership. The shift in power […]
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Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention has a ripple effect that could cause problems with India
Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention has a ripple effect that could cause problems with India Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention has raised concerns that it could heighten tensions with India, particularly over shared water resources. The convention aims to promote cooperation and sustainable management of shared water resources, but Bangladesh’s decision […]
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A brief history of congressional oversight, from Revolutionary War financing to Pam Bondi
A brief history of congressional oversight, from Revolutionary War financing to Pam Bondi A brief history of congressional oversight has shifted dramatically during the second Trump administration, with hearings becoming increasingly partisan and confrontational. Congressional oversight plays a crucial role in keeping executive branch agencies accountable to the public, ensuring that laws are faithfully executed, […]
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Amateur hour in Congress: How political newcomers fuel gridlock and government shutdowns
Amateur hour in Congress: How political newcomers fuel gridlock and government shutdowns Amateur politicians, who have no prior experience in elected office, are more likely to fuel gridlock and government shutdowns in Congress due to their lack of bipartisanship. The study found that first-term amateur lawmakers work across party lines far less often than incumbent […]
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US squeeze on Venezuela won’t bring about rapid collapse of Maduro – in fact, it might boomerang on Washington
US squeeze on Venezuela won’t bring about rapid collapse of Maduro – in fact, it might boomerang on Washington The US military buildup along South America’s northern rim is likely aimed at regime change in Venezuela, rather than combating “narco-terrorists” as claimed by Washington. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has responded to the Trump administration’s moves […]
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Trump’s ability to counter Netanyahu’s spoiler tactics in public may have been key to advancing a ceasefire in Gaza
Trump’s ability to counter Netanyahu’s spoiler tactics in public may have been key to advancing a ceasefire in Gaza President Donald Trump’s ability to counter Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “spoiler” tactics in public may have been key to advancing a ceasefire in Gaza, which was declared on October 14, 2025. Netanyahu employed “public spoiling” […]
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The shutdown – and the House’s inaction – helps pave Congress’ path to irrelevance
The shutdown – and the House’s inaction – helps pave Congress’ path to irrelevance The US Congress has been in recess for over 40 days due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, with no votes being held and Speaker Mike Johnson refusing to swear in newly elected Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva. Despite having a constitutional role […]
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It’s always been hard to make it as an artist in America – and it’s becoming only harder
It’s always been hard to make it as an artist in America – and it’s becoming only harder The United States has a significant number of artists (2.4 million or 1% of the workforce), but they often face volatile income, limited benefits, and few protections against technological or market shocks. The current labor policies in […]
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AI-generated campaign ad in South Western school board race raises questions about misinformation
AI-generated campaign ad in South Western school board race raises questions about misinformation A political ad generated with AI is sparking questions about misinformation in a South Western City Schools board race. The ad was created using artificial intelligence and has been shared on YouTube. The use of AI-generated content raises concerns about the authenticity […]
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Voters lose when maps get redrawn before every election instead of once a decade − a trend started in Texas, moving to California and likely spreading across the country
Voters lose when maps get redrawn before every election instead of once a decade − a trend started in Texas, moving to California and likely spreading across the country Voters are losing control over their elected representatives as states redraw congressional districts mid-decade to gain an advantage in elections, sparking a “Redistricting War” between Democrats […]
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Xi-Trump summit: Trade, Taiwan and Russia still top agenda for China and US presidents – 6 years after last meeting
Xi-Trump summit: Trade, Taiwan and Russia still top agenda for China and US presidents – 6 years after last meeting Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are set to meet on October 30, 2025, six years after their last meeting, with trade, Taiwan, and Russia still at the top of the agenda. The US has softened […]
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Why the Trump administration’s comparison of antifa to violent terrorist groups doesn’t track
Why the Trump administration’s comparison of antifa to violent terrorist groups doesn’t track Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s comparison of antifa to violent terrorist groups like MS-13, Hamas, and the Islamic State group is inaccurate and ignores crucial distinctions in ideology, organization, and scope. The Trump administration’s executive order designating antifa as a “domestic terrorist […]
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Why are 4.7 million Floridians insured through ACA marketplace plans, and what happens if they lose their subsidies?
Why are 4.7 million Floridians insured through ACA marketplace plans, and what happens if they lose their subsidies? 4.7 million Floridians rely on Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans for health insurance, representing 27% of the state’s under-65 population. The ACA expanded access to affordable health insurance through three strategies: fines, Medicaid expansion, and subsidies […]
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What both sides of America’s polarized divide share: Deep anxieties about the meaning of life and existence itself
What both sides of America’s polarized divide share: Deep anxieties about the meaning of life and existence itself Existential anxiety is a common fear shared by both sides of America’s polarized divide, rooted in deep anxieties about the meaning of life and existence itself. Research suggests that existential anxiety is associated with indicators of poor […]
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US leaders view China as a ‘pacing threat’ − has Washington enough stamina to last the race?
US leaders view China as a ‘pacing threat’ − has Washington enough stamina to last the race? US leaders view China as a “pacing threat,” meaning it’s a rising power that directly challenges the US’ global position and sets the tempo of competition. The concept of a pacing threat reorients the US defense establishment around […]
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Trump’s ‘golden age’ economic message undercut by his desire for much lower interest rates – which typically signal a weak jobs market
Trump’s ‘golden age’ economic message undercut by his desire for much lower interest rates – which typically signal a weak jobs market President Donald Trump claims the US economy has entered a “golden age,” but his desire for lower interest rates contradicts this message, as lower rates typically signal a weak jobs market. Trump’s nominee […]
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Trump’s anti-Venezuela actions lack strategy, justifiable targets and legal authorization
Trump’s anti-Venezuela actions lack strategy, justifiable targets and legal authorization President Trump’s administration has carried out military strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, killing 43 people and destroying alleged drug smuggling vessels, but lacks a clear strategy or legal authorization for the actions. The strikes have been criticized as extrajudicial killings, […]
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The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant housing policy reflects a long history of xenophobia in public housing
The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant housing policy reflects a long history of xenophobia in public housing The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant housing policy reflects a long history of xenophobia in public housing, dating back to the 1940s and 1950s when far-right groups like Gerald L.K. Smith advocated for banning immigrants from U.S. housing programs. Research shows that […]
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Polarizing political events are leading Americans to increasingly call for a national divorce
Polarizing political events are leading Americans to increasingly call for a national divorce Polarization in American politics has reached a boiling point, with 64% of Americans believing the country is too divided to solve its problems, up from 42% in 2020. The idea of a national divorce, where America splits into two separate countries along […]
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More than 40 years after police killed Eleanor Bumpurs in her Bronx apartment, people still #sayhername
More than 40 years after police killed Eleanor Bumpurs in her Bronx apartment, people still #sayhername Eleanor Bumpurs, a 66-year-old Black woman with mental health problems, was killed by police in her Bronx apartment on October 29, 1984, sparking widespread outrage and calls for reform. The incident highlighted the need for better training on how […]
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Beware the Anglo-Saxons! Why Russia likes to invoke a medieval tribe when talking about the West
Beware the Anglo-Saxons! Why Russia likes to invoke a medieval tribe when talking about the West Russia has been using the term “Anglo-Saxons” to describe Western adversaries, particularly the US and UK, as a way to justify its invasion of Ukraine and smear its perceived enemies. The term was first used by Russian officials in […]
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When it comes to Ukraine peace negotiations, it’s all over the map
When it comes to Ukraine peace negotiations, it’s all over the map Donald Trump reportedly “tossed aside” Ukrainian delegation maps during his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, indicating a significant misalignment in their understanding of the conflict’s territorial dynamics. The use of maps in peace negotiations is crucial, as they can […]
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Trump’s National Guard deployments reignite 200-year-old legal debate over state vs. federal power
Trump’s National Guard deployments reignite 200-year-old legal debate over state vs. federal power The deployment of National Guard troops by President Donald Trump to cities like Portland, Oregon, and Chicago has reignited a 200-year-old legal debate over state vs. federal power, specifically regarding the 10th Amendment. The 10th Amendment’s language suggests that powers not delegated […]
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The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis
The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis Latin America played a crucial role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis, contrary to the standard U.S.-centric narrative that portrays President John F. Kennedy as the sole hero who saved the world from nuclear war. The Organization of […]
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King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality
King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality The White House’s social media strategy under Trump blurs the lines between politics and entertainment, using melodramatic and theatrical language to appeal to his base. The White House often releases AI-generated images of Trump in various roles, […]
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James Comey’s lawyers face an uphill battle to prove selective or vindictive prosecution in his high-profile case
James Comey’s lawyers face an uphill battle to prove selective or vindictive prosecution in his high-profile case James Comey’s lawyers face an uphill battle to prove selective or vindictive prosecution in his high-profile case, as they must demonstrate that he was singled out for prosecution for something others have done without being prosecuted. The prosecution […]
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Gender is not an ideology – but conservative groups know learning about it empowers people to think for themselves
Gender is not an ideology – but conservative groups know learning about it empowers people to think for themselves Conservative groups are launching attacks on teaching about gender in colleges and universities, which they claim is an ideology that empowers people to think for themselves. However, experts argue that this is part of a larger […]
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Demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom embodies Trump’s heritage politics
Demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom embodies Trump’s heritage politics Donald Trump’s administration is using architecture and heritage as tools of ideology and control to project power, shape national identity, and erase inclusive historical narratives. The Trump administration has issued executive orders declaring classical and traditional architectural styles the “preferred” design […]
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Pennsylvania’s budget crisis drags on as fed shutdown adds to residents’ hardships
Pennsylvania’s budget crisis drags on as fed shutdown adds to residents’ hardships Pennsylvania is facing a double crisis due to its ongoing budget impasse and the federal government shutdown, affecting residents’ hardships. The state has been without a budget for over 100 days, making it the only state currently operating without a budget, while counties, […]
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