Politics
Japanese women have long sacrificed their surnames in marriage − politics and demographics might change that
Japanese women have long sacrificed their surnames in marriage − politics and demographics might change that Japan’s traditional practice of women giving up their surnames upon marriage may be changing, with a record number of female candidates standing in the 2024 election and increasing support for allowing dual surnames. The current law requires all married […]
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In talking with Tehran, Trump is reversing course on Iran – could a new nuclear deal be next?
In talking with Tehran, Trump is reversing course on Iran – could a new nuclear deal be next? The US and Iran are engaged in diplomatic talks, led by President Trump’s top foreign policy negotiator Steve Witkoff, after Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2016. Several factors have changed since Trump’s withdrawal, including Saudi Arabia’s […]
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Florida, once considered a swing state, is firmly Republican – a social anthropologist explains what caused this shift
Florida, once considered a swing state, is firmly Republican – a social anthropologist explains what caused this shift Florida has undergone a dramatic shift from being considered a swing state to becoming a solidly Republican stronghold over the past decade, driven by factors such as conservative activism and culture war politics. The state’s Republican dominance […]
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About one third of young adults are skeptical about democracy
About one third of young adults are skeptical about democracy Approximately one-third of young adults (31%) in the US do not buy into the value of democracy, have little confidence that the system works, and show higher support for authoritarian governments. The same group has low levels of media literacy, lowest educational attainment, and are […]
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Did Tim Cook finagle a special tariff deal? Senator Warren wants to know
Did Tim Cook finagle a special tariff deal? Senator Warren wants to know Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has sent Apple CEO Tim Cook a letter asking for information about conversations between Apple and President Trump’s administration regarding tariffs. The letter highlights Apple’s significant influence on the Trump Administration, including Cook’s $1 million donation to Trump’s […]
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Is China the new cool? How Beijing is using pop culture to win the soft power war
Is China the new cool? How Beijing is using pop culture to win the soft power war China is using pop culture to win the soft power war, showcasing its cities, films, games, and social media platforms to a global audience, particularly among younger generations. The country’s cultural exports, such as animated films like “Ne […]
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Pete Buttigieg makes his first foray into the podcast manosphere
Pete Buttigieg makes his first foray into the podcast manosphere Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Transportation and 2020 presidential candidate, appeared on the podcast Flagrant with Andrew Schultz to discuss current events and politics. Buttigieg criticized his Democratic colleagues for shirking podcasts like Flagrant, which has faced controversy over hosting racist content. Despite being invited […]
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Some politicians who share harmful information are rewarded with more clicks, study finds
Some politicians who share harmful information are rewarded with more clicks, study finds A study found that U.S. state legislators who post harmful information, such as low-credibility claims or uncivil language, receive more online attention and visibility on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The study suggests that platform algorithms may unintentionally reward divisive […]
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Reducing diversity, equity and inclusion to a catchphrase undermines its true purpose
Reducing diversity, equity and inclusion to a catchphrase undermines its true purpose Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is often reduced to a catchphrase, undermining its true purpose of tackling racism and exclusionary policies that limit access to resources and perpetuate injustice. Despite efforts to promote DEI, persistent disparities in housing, education, employment, healthcare, and the […]
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Make Russia Medieval Again! How Putin is seeking to remold society, with a little help from Ivan the Terrible
Make Russia Medieval Again! How Putin is seeking to remold society, with a little help from Ivan the Terrible Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government has undergone a state-driven process of revisionism to reevaluate the historical legacy of Ivan the Terrible, portraying him as a great statesman and devout Russian Orthodox Christian who laid the foundations […]
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Lawful permanent residents like Mahmoud Khalil have a right to freedom of speech – but does that protect them from deportation?
Lawful permanent residents like Mahmoud Khalil have a right to freedom of speech – but does that protect them from deportation? More than 1,000 foreign university students have had their visas revoked since January 2025, including those who participated in Palestinian rights protests. The Trump administration has argued that it can detain and deport noncitizens […]
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Justice Department lawyers work for justice and the Constitution – not the White House
Justice Department lawyers work for justice and the Constitution – not the White House The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is facing severe tests to its impartiality under the Trump administration, with seven DOJ attorneys resigning over orders from Attorney General Pam Bondi to dismiss corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. DOJ lawyers […]
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How the next pope will be elected – what goes on at the conclave
How the next pope will be elected – what goes on at the conclave The next pope will be chosen through a conclave, a closed-door process where members of the College of Cardinals cast their votes behind locked doors in the Sistine Chapel. The conclave is expected to be the most diverse in history, with […]
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Habeas corpus: A thousand-year-old legal principle for defending rights that’s getting a workout under the Trump administration
Habeas corpus: A thousand-year-old legal principle for defending rights that’s getting a workout under the Trump administration Habeas corpus is a thousand-year-old legal principle that protects individuals from being illegally confined or detained without due process, and its use has been on the rise under the Trump administration. The concept of habeas corpus dates back […]
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A warning for Democrats from the Gilded Age and the 1896 election
A warning for Democrats from the Gilded Age and the 1896 election A warning for Democrats from the Gilded Age: The party’s internal struggles hampered its ability to wage successful national campaigns, as seen in the 1896 election. The Gilded Age (1870-1900) was characterized by rapid industrialization, increased immigration, and debates over economic policy, mirroring […]
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Over 700 events and protests across the US mark ‘A National Day of Action’
Over 700 events and protests across the US mark ‘A National Day of Action’ Over 700 events and protests are taking place across the US today as part of “A National Day of Action”, largely spearheaded by the decentralized 50501 movement. The protests, which include marches, rallies, courthouse demonstrations, diaper drives, skill shares, free community […]
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House Democrats: DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of Americans’ sensitive information
House Democrats: DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of Americans’ sensitive information House Democrats are investigating DOGE (a government entity created by Elon Musk to reduce federal spending) for allegedly building a “cross-agency master database” of sensitive personal information, including data from the IRS, SSA, and voting records. The database would combine personal data from […]
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‘I never issued a criminal contempt citation in 19 ½ years on the bench’ – a former federal judge looks at the ‘relentless bad behavior’ of the Trump administration in court
‘I never issued a criminal contempt citation in 19 ½ years on the bench’ – a former federal judge looks at the ‘relentless bad behavior’ of the Trump administration in court A former federal judge, James Boasberg, has accused the Trump administration of “relentless bad behavior” in court, including disregarding his order to halt deportations […]
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The MAGA-tech situationship
The MAGA-tech situationship Steve Bannon, a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, appeared at Y Combinator’s Little Tech Summit alongside Rohit Chopra, a progressive and protégé of Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Bannon’s presence was unexpected, as his timeslot had been buried in the schedule, sparking surprise among attendees and observers. The event brought together two seemingly […]
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With federal funding in question, artists can navigate a perilous future by looking to the past
With federal funding in question, artists can navigate a perilous future by looking to the past The US government’s funding for arts and culture is under threat, with President Donald Trump declaring a “Golden Age in Arts and Culture” while implementing policies that restrict federal arts funding. The Trump administration has forbidden federal arts funding […]
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Trump’s attacks on central bank threaten its independence − and that isn’t good news for sound economic stewardship (or battling inflation)
Trump’s attacks on central bank threaten its independence − and that isn’t good news for sound economic stewardship (or battling inflation) Central bank independence is under threat from politicians who want to influence monetary policy decisions. The US Federal Reserve, for example, has been criticized by President Trump, who has implied that he could fire […]
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Crime is nonpartisan and the blame game on crime in cities is wrong – on both sides
Crime is nonpartisan and the blame game on crime in cities is wrong – on both sides Neither party, Democrats nor Republicans, has been proven to be better at reducing crime or improving public safety in cities. The argument that Democratic city leaders are responsible for rising crime rates and that they need to change […]
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Claims of ‘anti-Christian bias’ sound to some voters like a message about race, not just religion
Claims of ‘anti-Christian bias’ sound to some voters like a message about race, not just religion A 2024 study examined how voters perceive claims that Christians experience widespread discrimination, finding that these claims often appeal to attitudes about race and white solidarity. Research suggests that when politicians talk about anti-Christian bias, it can serve as […]
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Why deregulating online platforms is actually bad for free speech
Why deregulating online platforms is actually bad for free speech Deregulating online platforms is not necessarily good for free speech, as it can lead to the spread of misinformation and hate speech. The idea that deregulation protects free speech is based on a flawed assumption that a market economy is similar to the marketplace of […]
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Patriots’ Day: How far-right groups hijack history and patriotic symbols to advance their cause, according to an expert on extremism
Patriots’ Day: How far-right groups hijack history and patriotic symbols to advance their cause, according to an expert on extremism Patriotic symbols are being co-opted by extremist groups to justify violence and promote their ideology. The “true American” narrative, which defines patriotism as resistance against perceived threats to traditional values, is central to far-right ideologies. […]
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Cory Booker’s long speech offers a strategy for Trump opponents in a fragmented media landscape
Cory Booker’s long speech offers a strategy for Trump opponents in a fragmented media landscape Cory Booker’s record-breaking 25-hour Senate floor speech offers a strategy for Trump opponents to disrupt the constant public spotlight on Trump by incorporating varied topics, expected interruptions, and using online platforms to promote their message. The media reframes long speeches […]
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It’s time for Europe to choose between US or Chinese satellite tech, says FCC chair
It’s time for Europe to choose between US or Chinese satellite tech, says FCC chair FCC chair Brendan Carr warns European countries that they need to choose between using US or Chinese satellite technology, as politics are influencing long-term decisions. Carr believes Europe is “caught” between Washington and Beijing, with a growing divide in AI […]
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The Thucydides Trap: Vital lessons from ancient Greece for China and the US … or a load of old claptrap?
The Thucydides Trap: Vital lessons from ancient Greece for China and the US … or a load of old claptrap? The “Thucydides Trap” refers to a concept coined by Graham Allison that suggests rising powers provoke anxiety in established ones, leading to conflict. However, this framing risks oversimplifying Thucydides’ work and distorting its deeper philosophical […]
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Beggar thy neighbor, harm thyself: Tariffs like Trump’s come with pitfalls, history shows
Beggar thy neighbor, harm thyself: Tariffs like Trump’s come with pitfalls, history shows Tariffs like those announced by President Trump can have severe consequences for both the US economy and its trading partners, as they often lead to swift and precise retaliation from other countries. The “beggar-thy-neighbor” strategy, which involves protectionist measures such as tariffs, […]
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A need for chaos powers some Americans’ support for Elon Musk taking a chainsaw to the US government
A need for chaos powers some Americans’ support for Elon Musk taking a chainsaw to the US government A significant group of Americans, estimated to be less than 15% of the population, exhibit a psychological trait known as “need for chaos,” which drives their support for chaotic and destructive actions. According to new data from […]
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