Politics
Same-sex marriage is under attack by state lawmakers, emboldened by Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ measures and the Supreme Court’s willingness to overturn precedent
Same-sex marriage is under attack by state lawmakers, emboldened by Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ measures and the Supreme Court’s willingness to overturn precedent Same-sex marriage is facing renewed attacks from state lawmakers, emboldened by Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ measures and the Supreme Court’s willingness to overturn precedent. Despite a decade of increased public support for same-sex marriage (70% approval […]
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Perceived consensus drives moral intolerance in a time of identity-driven politics and online bubbles
Perceived consensus drives moral intolerance in a time of identity-driven politics and online bubbles Perceived consensus can drive moral intolerance, especially when people feel strongly about an issue. However, when there’s disagreement within a community about moral issues, it can push individuals to be more tolerant and respectful of others’ views. The opposite is also […]
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Cambodia’s haunted present: 50 years after Khmer Rouge’s rise, murderous legacy looms large
Cambodia’s haunted present: 50 years after Khmer Rouge’s rise, murderous legacy looms large Cambodia’s 50-year legacy of the Khmer Rouge’s brutal rule continues to shape the country’s politics, society, economy, and emotions. The regime’s murderous legacy includes a quarter of the population being killed through executions, forced labor, and starvation, leaving a lasting impact on […]
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Harvard Professors Sue the Trump Administration While Other Universities Are Targeted
Harvard Professors Sue the Trump Administration While Other Universities Are Targeted Two groups representing Harvard University professors have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, alleging that the threat to cut federal funding violates free speech and First Amendment rights. The Trump Administration had previously announced plans to send a list of demands to unfreeze […]
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People are turning on Elon Musk
People are turning on Elon Musk Elon Musk’s popularity among Americans has declined significantly, with 53.5% having an unfavorable view of him and only 39.6% seeing him favorably, according to Nate Silver’s latest polling average. Musk’s unpopularity has increased since the beginning of 2024, partly due to his support for Trump’s second presidential campaign and […]
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White House plans for Alaskan oil and gas face some hurdles – including from Trump and the petroleum industry
White House plans for Alaskan oil and gas face some hurdles – including from Trump and the petroleum industry The White House has reopened large swaths of government land in Alaska to oil and gas drilling, despite concerns from conservation groups and Indigenous communities. The Trump administration’s plans for Alaskan oil and gas development are […]
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Pikachu protesters, Studio Ghibli memes and the subversive power of cuteness
Pikachu protesters, Studio Ghibli memes and the subversive power of cuteness Pikachu has become an unofficial symbol of opposition to Turkish President Recep Erdogan, with protesters using the character to express their resistance against his government. The use of cuteness as a political tool is not limited to Turkey; it has been employed in various […]
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Citizenship voting requirement in SAVE Act has no basis in the Constitution – and ignores precedent that only states decide who gets to vote
Citizenship voting requirement in SAVE Act has no basis in the Constitution – and ignores precedent that only states decide who gets to vote The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections, potentially disenfranchising tens of millions of Americans. The […]
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Will Africa’s young voters continue to punish incumbents at the ballot box in 2025? We are about to find out
Will Africa’s young voters continue to punish incumbents at the ballot box in 2025? We are about to find out Africa’s young voters are expected to play a significant role in the upcoming elections in 2025, particularly in countries such as Gabon, Ivory Coast, and Malawi. The youth population in Africa is facing high levels […]
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Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency
Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency Jared Isaacman, billionaire CEO and founder of Shift4, has been nominated by the Trump administration to become the next NASA administrator, marking a significant shift in leadership for the agency. Isaacman’s background in business and commercial […]
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Supreme Court’s decision on deportations gave both the Trump administration and ACLU reasons to claim a victory − but noncitizens clearly lost
Supreme Court’s decision on deportations gave both the Trump administration and ACLU reasons to claim a victory − but noncitizens clearly lost The Supreme Court’s decision on deportations has been hailed as a victory by both the Trump administration and the ACLU, but noncitizens have clearly lost. The court’s 5-4 majority ruling allowed the federal […]
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The ‘courage to be’ in uncertain times − how one 20th-century philosopher defined bravery
The ‘courage to be’ in uncertain times − how one 20th-century philosopher defined bravery Philosopher Paul Tillich defined “the courage to be” as an ethical act that involves affirming oneself despite conflicting elements, and it’s not just an attitude or disposition, but a deed that requires sacrifice for a higher cause. Tillich’s concept of the […]
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Cities that want to attract business might want to focus less on financial incentives and more on making people feel safe
Cities that want to attract business might want to focus less on financial incentives and more on making people feel safe Research suggests that when it comes to attracting business investment, cities should focus more on making people feel safe rather than offering financial incentives. The study found that employees and entrepreneurs prioritize perceived safety […]
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What ancient animal fables from India teach about political wisdom
What ancient animal fables from India teach about political wisdom The “Pañcatantra” offers three political theories for leaders: (1) Do what is right, with the right measure, at the right time, which emphasizes virtue ethics and self-restraint. The first theory, pure morality, can be unwise as it may lead to blind obedience or a lack […]
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The trade deficit isn’t an emergency – it’s a sign of America’s strength
The trade deficit isn’t an emergency – it’s a sign of America’s strength The author argues that the US trade deficit is not an emergency, but rather a sign of America’s financial and technological dominance. A trade deficit simply means foreigners are investing more in the US than Americans are investing abroad, which is a […]
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American liberators of Nazi camps got ‘a lifelong vaccine against extremism’ − their wartime experiences are a warning for today
American liberators of Nazi camps got ‘a lifelong vaccine against extremism’ − their wartime experiences are a warning for today American liberators of Nazi camps, including Mauthausen, got a “lifelong vaccine against extremism” from their wartime experiences, which serves as a warning for today’s threats to democracy. The liberators, who included soldiers like Frank Hartzell […]
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The hidden power of marathon Senate speeches: What history tells us about Cory Booker’s 25-hour oration
The hidden power of marathon Senate speeches: What history tells us about Cory Booker’s 25-hour oration Sen. Cory Booker walks toward reporters after delivering a record-setting 25-hour speech for the U.S. Senate at the Capitol on April 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Win McNamee/Getty Images Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey made history […]
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The Trump administration says Tren de Aragua is a terrorist group – but it’s really a transnational criminal organization. Here’s why the label matters.
The Trump administration says Tren de Aragua is a terrorist group – but it’s really a transnational criminal organization. Here’s why the label matters. Venezuelan immigrants, whom the Trump White House says are members of the Tren de Aragua gang, arrive in El Salvador on March 31, 2025. El Salvador Press Presidency Office/Anadolu via Getty […]
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The problem with Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center isn’t the possibility of ‘Cats’
The problem with Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center isn’t the possibility of ‘Cats’ Donald Trump visits the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on March 17, 2025. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images When President Donald Trump announced that he was assuming control of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, he described […]
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Myanmar military’s ‘ceasefire’ follows a pattern of ruling generals exploiting disasters to shore up control
Myanmar military’s ‘ceasefire’ follows a pattern of ruling generals exploiting disasters to shore up control Myanmar’s military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, called for elections on March 27, 2025 – a day before an earthquake devastated the country. STR/AFP via Getty Images After a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28. 2025, the country’s military […]
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How a lone judge can block a Trump order nationwide – and why, from DACA to DOGE, this judicial check on presidents’ power is shaping how the government works
How a lone judge can block a Trump order nationwide – and why, from DACA to DOGE, this judicial check on presidents’ power is shaping how the government works The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to limit judges' power to issue what legal experts call 'nationwide preliminary injunctions.' Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images When presidents […]
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Lessons from El Salvador for US university leaders facing attacks from Trump
Lessons from El Salvador for US university leaders facing attacks from Trump Salvadorans participate in a procession on Nov. 14, 2015, to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the murder of the Rev. Ignacio Ellacuría, five other Jesuit priests and two employees at Central American University in San Salvador. Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images Even before […]
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With its executive order targeting the Smithsonian, the Trump administration opens up a new front in the history wars
With its executive order targeting the Smithsonian, the Trump administration opens up a new front in the history wars A portrait of President Donald Trump in the 'America’s Presidents' exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery. Win McNamee/Getty Images I teach history in Connecticut, but I grew up in Oklahoma and Kansas, where my […]
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In Israel, calls for genocide have migrated from the margins to the mainstream
In Israel, calls for genocide have migrated from the margins to the mainstream A Palestinian woman cries while sitting on the rubble of her home, which was destroyed in an Israeli strike on March 18, 2025. Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images Thirty years ago in Israel, advocating for genocide could land you in prison. In […]
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Christian Zionism hasn’t always been a conservative evangelical creed – churches’ views of Israel have evolved over decades
Christian Zionism hasn’t always been a conservative evangelical creed – churches’ views of Israel have evolved over decades Participants in a 'United for Israel' march, led by The Pursuit NW Christian Church, stand on the University of Washington's campus in May 2024. Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images During confirmation hearings, Mike Huckabee, President Donald Trump’s […]
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Chinese barges and Taiwan Strait drills are about global power projection − not just a potential invasion
Chinese barges and Taiwan Strait drills are about global power projection − not just a potential invasion A Mulberry Harbour for the 21st century. Image from video posted on Weibo via Chinese state media. Is China intent on a D-Day style invasion of Taiwan? Certainly that has been the tone of some of the reporting […]
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Why a presidential term limit got written into the Constitution – the story of the 22nd Amendment
Why a presidential term limit got written into the Constitution – the story of the 22nd Amendment No president other than Franklin D. Roosevelt has held office for more than two terms. Walter Leporati/Getty Images Only one person, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, has ever served more than two terms as president of the United States. This […]
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GOP lawmakers eye SNAP cuts, which would scale back benefits that help low-income people buy food at a time of high food prices
GOP lawmakers eye SNAP cuts, which would scale back benefits that help low-income people buy food at a time of high food prices A shopper who gets SNAP benefits shops for groceries at a supermarket in Bellflower, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2023. AP Photo/Allison Dinner Congress may soon consider whether to cut spending on the […]
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America the secular? What a changing religious landscape means for US politics
America the secular? What a changing religious landscape means for US politics Conventional wisdom about nonreligious Americans' voting misses some important distinctions. Sarah Rice/Getty Images After climbing for decades, the percentage of Americans with no religion has leveled off. For the past few years, the share of adults who identify as atheist, agnostic or “nothing […]
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How your brain reacts to buying groceries can reveal your politics
How your brain reacts to buying groceries can reveal your politics A new study reveals that how your brain reacts to food purchasing decisions can be used to determine your political affiliation with almost 80% accuracy. Researchers used brain imaging techniques to examine adults purchasing eggs and milk with various prices and produced in different […]
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