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Read about current events as they happen. Publishing since January 2025.
Written & Published October 29th, 2025 by Audrey Han
Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest hurricanes in Jamaican history, has left over 750,000 residents without power and has killed over 25 in Haiti alone. It is one of the most destructive hurricanes the Caribbean has ever seen. One of the main reasons behind this catastrophe is the elimination of USAID, which once could’ve funded many emergency response teams (DART) for preemptive protection. Due to the government shutdown in the United States, rescue teams have been severely delayed due to the shutdown of many major airports. Caribbean nations like Haiti and Cuba were already facing pre-existing gang violence and humanitarian crises.
#intl-environment #north-america #humanitarian
Written & Published October 29th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to pursue immediate and forceful strikes on the Gaza Strip. This is response to Hamas' alleged ceasefire violations, which include improperly returned hostages and continued attacks on Israeli forces. It has been reported that renewed Israeli strikes have already killed 104 people. The Israeli military claims that they will continue aiming towards upholding the US-brokered ceasefire negotiated early this month.
#intl-politics #middle-east #conflict
Written & Published October 29th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Recently, generative AI corporation OpenAI just completed a business restructuring. OpenAI is a non-profit, but has a major equity stake ( worth around $130 billion) in its for-profit business. To delineate the two groups, the non-profit is now referred to as the OpenAI Foundation, while the for-profit branch is a public benefit corporation named OpenAI Group PBC. This is a major boon to Microsoft, which through a new deal struck by this restructuring, owns a stake in the PBC that is valued at $135 billion - around 27% of the company.
#us-econ #us-tech
Written & Published October 29th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Yesterday, the US struck 4 more boats in the Pacific that allegedly contain drugs, hitting four vessels, killing 14 people, and leaving only one survivor. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the four boats were hit in three different strikes. Notably, these strikes bring the cumulative death toll of President Donald Trump’s campaign against narcotics traffickers in the Caribbean-eastern Pacific region to over 50. President Trump claimed that land strikes onto Venezuelan territory could be next - furthering heightening tensions between the two countries.
#intl-politics #latin-america #us-FoPo #conflict
Written & Published October 29th, 2025 by Christina Yang
Over 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will lose their benefits starting November 1st because of the government shutdown. The Department of Agriculture has a $6 billion contingency fund, but it will not use it to pay for benefits. It argues that Congress did not approve any additional money for SNAP prior to the shutdown. As a result, half of the U.S. states have sued the Trump Administration. The states suing assert that withholding funding violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the law that governs how federal agencies develop and issue regulations.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 28th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
On his way to South Korea this Wednesday, President Donald Trump said that it's “pretty clear” that the Constitution will not allow him to run for a third term, even though he has previously said that he would “love to do it" and that "I have my best numbers ever." His net approval rating is currently a record low -18%. Trump has also rejected the idea of running as vice president to sidestep the Constitution, by saying “we have a great group of people, which they [Democrats] don’t.”
#us-politics
Written & Published October 28th, 2025 by Harry Xu
On Saturday, 68-year-old Catherine Connolly comfortably won the Irish presidential election, securing 63% of the vote. Although she is an independent, numerous left-wing parties had united to support her bid in a country which is controlled by a center-right government. However, the presidency in Ireland is mostly a ceremonial role, and Connolly will have no executive powers; she will instead represent Ireland on the world stage and act as a unifying voice. In the past, Connolly has been outspoken against Israel’s involvement in the Gaza war. In a speech given on Saturday, she emphasized inclusivity, sharing that “we can shape a new republic that values everybody”.
#intl-politics #europe
Written & Published October 28th, 2025 by David Hain
On November 7th, 2025, Kim Davis’ case will be heard in front of the Supreme Court. She is contesting to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized gay marriage nationally. Her case spurred when Davis refused to grant gay couple David Moore and David Ermold a marriage license in Rowan County, Kentucky. Davis proclaims that she is “under God’s authority” to reject this matrimony, and that they must go to another Kentuckian county to officialize their marriage. Although she has already lost on both the district and appellate levels, she is still persevering in her supposedly anointed right to outlaw gay marriage. If the Supreme Court sides with Davis, Obergefell v. Hodges will be revoked, enabling clerks to refuse the legalization of hundreds of thousands of gay marriages, and suppress America’s gay community on a legislative level.
#us-legal #us-politics
Written & Published October 28th, 2025 by Rosa Qin
With China tightening its control on precious rare earth metals, Trump has threatened an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting in November. Furthermore, China had stopped all orders of soybeans from the US, hurting agricultural workers. However, American and Chinese trade negotiators have been able to reach a framework that seeks to create a trade deal to minimize further escalation of the current trade war. So far, US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent anticipates that the 100% tariff will not be enforced and that China will resume soybean purchases. President Trump also holds an optimistic perspective concerning negotiations, stating: “I think we’re going to have a successful transaction for both countries.”
#intl-politics #intl-econ #us-FoPo #asia
Written & Published October 28th, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
As part of his trip across Asia to discuss trade issues with world leaders, President Trump has taken a stop in Japan. He is meeting with the nation’s newly elected first female prime minister Sanae Takaichi. A conservative leader herself, Takaichi seeks to engage in diplomatic relations with the US to ameliorate trade tensions. The agreements made so far range from a US-Japan framework for “securing the supply of minerals and rare earths” to a pledge to gift America an additional 250 cherry blossoms next year. The negotiations, which have been lauded by some as a “golden age” in the US-Japan relationship, offer hope for similar acts of peacemaking elsewhere, especially in a potential trade deal with China.
#intl-politics #intl-econ #us-FoPo #asia
Written & Published October 27th, 2025 by Daniel Song
President Javier Milei’s LLA (La Libertad Avanza) party achieved a surprise victory in Argentina’s midterm elections with almost 41% of the vote. The left-wing Peronist opposition trailed with 33%. The victory means that Milei’s allies have secured over one-third of the seats in both chambers of Congress, which is the critical threshold that allows Milei to preserve his veto power and defend his sweeping reforms to the Argentine economy. With renewed momentum, Milei looks poised to continue pro-market reforms such as overhauling labor laws, reducing regulations, and cutting taxes to boost growth and wages
#intl-politics #latin-america
Written & Published October 26th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
Hurricane Melissa has escalated to a Category 4 storm and holds the potential to reach Category 5 by Monday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). Centered 115 miles south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, the hurricane has 145 mph winds and is moving west at 5 mph, making it poised to hit Jamaica’s southern coast by Tuesday. The storm threatens up to 40 inches of rain, risking catastrophic flooding and landslides in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Jamaica has closed airports, opened 650 shelters, and stockpiled food. At least four deaths have already been reported across Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
#north-america #environment #intl-environment
Written & Published October 26th, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
Russia just made waves among NATO members by testing a new missile with nuclear capabilities, sparking worry of a European arms race. The Russian government has excitedly claimed that the weapon flew for 15 hours and covered 14,000 kilometers, and in President Vladimir Putin’s own words, the missile is “invulnerable” to defense systems and unique in its range and unpredictability. Unsurprisingly, NATO has already begun voicing defense concerns and warned alliance members to focus on boosting their deterrence capabilities. The launch comes amidst high tensions between Russia and NATO and is likely to have spillover concerns into other issues between the parties, like Ukraine and border security.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict #alliances
Written & Published October 25th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
After suspending all trade talks with Canada, President Trump doubled down by adding another 10% tariff on Canadian goods. Both actions were in response to an Ontario (Canada's biggest province) advertisement featuring Ronald Reagan denouncing tariffs. Despite the video following many of the former president’s economic stances, Trump has repeatedly claimed that the ad is “fake.” After getting the ad removed, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that he was ready to open up trade talks, but Trump seems to be going in the opposite direction by only applying more tariffs.
#intl-politics #intl-econ #us-FoPo
Written & Published October 25th, 2025 by David Yu
At a regional investment conference earlier this week, Chancellor Rachael Reeves mentioned Brexit as a contributing factor towards the UK’s stalled economic growth, claiming that Brexit “had a bigger impact on our economy than even was projected back then.” However, she made a clear distinction: the harm wasn’t due to the exit itself, but rather, caused by how Brexit was implemented. Her comments represent the latest in a series of comments that demonstrate increasingly assertive criticism of Brexit from numerous politicians.
#intl-politics #europe #pf-sepoct25
Written & Published October 24th, 2025 by Patrick Li
On Friday, the Pentagon confirmed that it has accepted an anonymous donation of $130 million to help pay members of the armed forces that had their pay frozen during the government shutdown. This raises direct ethical concerns over President Trump after he had announced that a friend had offered to repatriate any shortfalls. Despite its unusualness, the gift amounts to mere drops in the bucket when billions are required to cover full service member paychecks. Specifically, the administration told Congress last week that a total of $6.5 billion was needed to make payroll.
#us-politics
Written & Published October 24th, 2025 by Adrienne Wang
The Trump Administration has finalized plans to reopen the coastal plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas development. This 1.5 million acre area is planned to be open for at least four future lease sales. Indigenous communities have reported mixed views: leaders of the Gwich’in express that they oppose drilling due to the plain being sacred to the community, whereas the leaders of the Kaktovik believe oil development ensures economic flourishing. Kristen Miller, the executive director of Alaska Wilderness League, stated that the drilling “would destroy one of the most ecologically significant landscapes.”
#us-politics #environment
Written & Published October 24th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
As part of a campaign to target alleged narcotics dealers, the Trump Administration announced that they are stationing a ship in Latin American waters, which ups the number of US service members located in the region. This comes after repeated strikes on boats that allegedly held members of the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua. These have come under criticism for the killing of 40 people, amid uncertainty as to if these people were truly part of this gang. Overall, this is poised to boost hostilities between Venezuela and the US. However, as of now, the outcome is uncertain.
#intl-politics #latin-america #us-FoPo #conflict
Written & Published October 24th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
Following President Trump’s threats to annex Canada, tensions between America and its northern neighbor have risen. Their diplomatic relationship reached a boiling point Thursday night when Ontario (where Toronto is located) aired a brief ad in the US using a speech by former US President Ronald Reagan to warn Canadians about the adverse impacts of American tariffs. The ad will target GOP districts across the U.S. through mainstream media channels. President Trump hit back, writing on Truth Social that “Canada is attempting to illegally influence the United States Supreme Court.” The court will be hearing a case on the legality of President Trump’s tariffs on November 5.
#us-politics #intl-politics #us-FoPo #us-legal
Written & Published October 23rd, 2025 by Tanvi Ramkumar
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that two strikes had taken place this week in the Eastern Pacific, killing five people aboard vessels identified by intelligence to be traveling in an illicit cocaine trade route from Colombia and Ecuador. The recent attacks mark the eighth and ninth American strikes on suspected drug vessels, bringing the total death toll from the attacks to 37. Tensions are rising between President Donald Trump and Columbian President Gustavo Petro following the strikes. Trump claims that the drug trade is out of control in Colombia. On the other hand, Petro accuses the American president of committing atrocities by ordering these boat strikes.
#intl-politics #latin-america #pacific #us-FoPo #conflict
Written & Published October 22nd, 2025 by Sophia Amundgaard
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced the indefinite pause of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, “every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they don't go anywhere.” said Trump. In response, the US Treasury Department established sanctions worth over $100bn on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, and their subsidiaries. It also promised to pursue further action if Russia remains unresponsive. Chinese and Indian buyers of Russian oil were not included in the wave of sanctions, with Trump assuring he will raise the issue during next week’s 2025 APEC summit in South Korea.
#intl-politics #intl-econ #us-FoPo #europe
Written & Published October 21st, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
President Trump demanded that the Justice Department (DOJ) pay $230 million to compensate for federal investigations into him, asserting that such scrutiny violated his rights. He submitted the claims via an “administrative process” that is usually dubbed as the “the precursor to lawsuits.” As some legal experts point out, the Justice Department serves Trump, so having it decide the outcome of his requests may pose ethical challenges. Civil litigation, including lawsuits that seek financial compensation, requires criminal cases to be completely resolved before proceeding further, meaning that a decision on Trump's claims could be slow to arrive.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 21st, 2025 by Rosa Qin
China had imposed stricter regulations on rare earth minerals by increasing export controls in April 2025. To combat current American deficits, President Trump formed a pact with Australia. The plan would initiate plans to invest $3 billion into joint US-Australia mineral projects. America has voiced its support for investing in a new gallium refinery in Australia that would extract 100 tons every year. Rare earths are critical in the production of technology and military equipment. Because China is still the dominant player in the market, the US seeks to diversify supply chains to maintain mineral access.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #pacific #alliances
Written & Published October 21st, 2025 by Santiago Jimenez
Feuds between China and the United States are continuing to rise. Amidst the conflict, Chinese economic growth is continuing to decline, with growth in the third quarter of 2025 slowing by 0.4%. This has created complicated circumstances for the Asian superpower. Currently, China is developing a new Five Year Plan, modeled after the old Soviet model of economic planning. A conflict between the United States is massively risky for China, as its conquences can highlight internal struggles.
#intl-econ #us-FoPo #asia
Written & Published October 21st, 2025 by David Yu
A new study conducted by a group of researchers from UCSD (UC San Diego) and UMD (University of Maryland) discovered that they could access encrypted information from telecommunications firms and businesses from unencrypted satellite links. They used consumer-grade satellite dish equipment costing around $800, which is surprisingly cheap and accessible. The findings highlight the lack of security attention in satellite communications. The federal government has designated 16 sectors as “critical infrastructure” and prioritizes these sectors with additional security investment. While space is not yet one of those sectors, policymakers have pushed for improved security in space-based communications.
#us-tech #pf-novdec25
Written & Published October 21st, 2025 by Adrienne Wang
The Louvre Museum in Paris has had an estimated $100 million worth of jewelry stolen, not including their historical value. Nine pieces of jewels went missing, including the pearl and diamond tiara from Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense. French Culture Minister Rachida Dari reports that the thieves looted “a significant amount” of valuables, many of which are deemed irreplaceable and a significant part of the country’s culture. Around 100 investigators are looking into the crime. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, whose office is leading the case, states that she hopes the looters “won’t destroy these jewels without rhyme or reason.”
#intl-politics #europe
Written & Published October 21st, 2025 by Milie Gupta
The White House has scrapped plans for a second summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing an unbridgeable gap between Russia and Ukraine in ending the ongoing war. A senior official confirmed that there are no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the “immediate future.” This follows a "productive" call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, which could've negated the need for an in-person meeting. Trump had announced a Budapest summit last week, but the Kremlin denied a set date.
#intl-politics #europe #us-FoPo #conflict
Written & Published October 21st, 2025 by Christina Yang
The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) greenlit state-run oil company Petrobras' plan to conduct exploratory oil drilling in the Foz do Amazonas region, near the mouth of the Amazon River. The drilling is expected to begin immediately, and it will last around five months. Many conservationists have raised concerns about oil spills, as the Amazon is home to 10% of the world’s species. This action potentially undermines Brazil's climate leadership ahead of hosting the COP30 climate summit in November. Other activist organizations have stated that they will go to court to denounce “illegalities and technical flaws," potentially rendering the license null and void.
#latin-america #intl-environment
Written & Published October 21st, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
On Monday, Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud hosting service that maintains much of the World Wide Web, faced a massive outage, disrupting business operations worldwide. The shutdown effectively shut down thousands of online sites and services, including Roblox, Snapchat, Fortnite, and Prime Video. Outside of social and gaming networks, the outage also impacted aviation, with Delta Airlines and United Airlines reporting technical issues and delays. As of 6:35 a.m. ET, the issue was reportedly mitigated, however, AWS reported that there may “still be delays.”
#us-tech
Written & Published October 20th, 2025 by Daniel Song
Seven of the nine universities the White House initially approached about a potential compact that would've provided more federal money and preferential access to grants to schools aligned with President Trump’s priorities have rejected the offer. Only the University of Texas suggested it might be open to accepting, and Vanderbilt University expressed concerns. The American Council on Education has argued that the compact threatens academic freedom, constitutes federal overreach, and reduces universities’ ability to innovate. The Trump Administration is considering expanding the compact’s invitation to all roughly 5,000 higher education institutions in the country.
#us-politics #education
Written & Published October 20th, 2025 by Blake McFalls
As a part of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marines, an M777 Howitzer, an incredibly powerful artillery piece used in the wars in Afghanistan and Ukraine, fired shells in Pendleton, California. Understanding the obvious risk, California Governor Gavin Newsom closed 17 miles of Interstate 5 before the event took place. Furthermore, he condemned the event as an over-exhibition of power. His safety concerns were confirmed when a piece of shrapnel struck an unmanned car. Following the anniversary, Newsom and JD Vance engaged in a public argument, with Vance labeling the politican as an unpatriotic, failed governor.
#us-politics
Written & Published October 19th, 2025 by Blake McFalls
Over the past few months, the Trump Administration has significantly shifted its approach to handling the Russo-Ukrainian War, even resuming weapons shipments to Ukraine. In October, the Administration began to consider sending tomahawk missiles, which are cruise missiles with ranges of up to 1,550 miles, to Ukraine. This in theory would give Ukraine the ability to strike deep inside Russian territory, such as in Moscow. After Zelensky made a formal request for the missiles in a meeting with Trump on Friday, Trump said no. Instead, Trump wants to take a more diplomatic role in the war, falling in line with his aims to end the war in Ukraine.
#intl-politics #europe #us-FoPo #conflict
Written & Published October 18th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
From coast-to-coast, organizers have planned more than 2,500 “No Kings” protests in the United States. Everybody participating has their own specific reason, but there is one underlying factor that unites them all–their resistance to President Trump and his policies. The first demonstrations were held on June 14, with the numbers of participants being between two to four million people. However, this time the numbers could be as high as 5 million. a truly record-breaking attendance to fight back against what protestors deem a rule-breaking administration.
#us-politics
Written & Published October 18th, 2025 by Brogan Jones
A US military strike on a suspected drug vessel off the Venezuelan coast on Thursday left two dead and two alive. The two survivors will be sent back to their home countries, where they will face detention and prosecution, according to a statement from President Trump on Saturday. The men, from Ecuador and Colombia respectively, were referred to as “narcoterrorists” by the president. This event is far from isolated. Instead, it is the latest in a long line of rising tensions between the U.S. and Caribbean countries; the US is building a military conflict with Venezuela and the president of Colombia has referred to the vessel strike as "murder."
#intl-politics #latin-america #us-FoPo
Written & Published October 17th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Over the past week, Donald Trump's tariffs targeting the furniture industry have gone into effect. Specifically, they were set to place import taxes on furniture, kitchen cabinets and lumber at rates ranging from 10% to as much as 50%. One company that has been hit particularly hard has been IKEA, known for their budget friendly focus. The change meant that IKEA had to raise its prices as a result of this tariff, saying they had to “[make] some necessary price adjustments due to rising costs” and that they had to “pass on parts of the cost increase to the customers.”
#intl-econ #us-econ #us-FoPo
Written & Published October 17th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
On Friday, President Trump abruptly announced that he had commuted the seven-year sentence of controversial former US Representative George Santos (R-NY). Santos was serving his sentence for identity fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Santos became notorious for dubious claims about his past, and he was publicly rebuked by local officials on both political sides after these claims resurfaced. Trump asserted that Santos was given a harsher sentence due to his politics, and that he had been horribly mistreated in solitary confinement. Shortly after the pardon, Santos’ attorney tweeted words of gratefulness, and thanked those who supported the cause.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 17th, 2025 by Harry Xu
Through an emergency appeal made this Friday, President Trump asked the Supreme Court to allow him to deploy the National Guard in Chicago. A previous decision by US District Court Judge April Perry stated that Trump was not permitted to send out the troops due to having “no credible evidence that there is a danger of rebellion.” Trump justified his appeal by asserting that lower courts were infringing on his right to control federal guard members; Solicitor General D. John Sauer, acting for the government, stated that the order “countermands the exercise of the President's Commander-in-Chief authority.”
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 15th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
As the government shutdown enters its third week, District Judge Susan Illston from the Northern District of California has ruled that the Trump Administration's 4,000+ layoffs last week were illegal. She called the layoffs politically motivated and an overuse of power, issuing a temporary restraining order against the firings. Just before this ruling, White House budget director Russell Vought remarked that over 10,000 jobs could be cut during this shutdown. This ruling is meant to halt the firings and does not concern furloughed federal workers, who have been temporarily placed on unpaid leave.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 15th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
The Trump Administration has allowed the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) to engage in confidential action. This is part of the broader military campaign that is being run in Venezuela. In recent months, the US has targeted boats off the coast of Venezuela under the pretense that those boats held narcotics. President Trump announced today that he authorized CIA action and is now contemplating strikes on Venezuela. The authorization of CIA action allows agents to carry out lethal action in Venezuelan territory. Right now, the US has 10,000 troops and eight warships in the Caribbean.
#intl-politics #latin-america #us-FoPo #conflict
Written & Published October 15th, 2025 by Audrey Han
Following the impeachment of former president Andry Rajoelina, Colonel Michael Randrianirina has been declared the new leader of Madagascar. In response, the African Union (AU) has suspended the nation on the grounds of an unconstitutional change in power. The organization was just one of many international voices, with French President Emmanuel Macron also expressing deep concern. Madagascar is the seventh AU member country that has fallen to military rule, coming after Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Sudan. Their change in leadership reflects ongoing worries surrounding the decline of democracy coupled with increased violence in the region.
#intl-politics #africa #alliances
Written & Published October 14th, 2025 by James Savin
Trump posted on Truth Social today that the US military successfully carried out a strike on a Venezuelan vessel alleged to be carrying illegal narcotics, killing six. “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known DTO route… Six male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike. No U.S. Forces were harmed.” This is the fifth time the Trump Administration has announced a strike like this. Some legal experts argue that Trump’s reasoning for the strike violates requirements under the law of war. The administration is yet to produce any evidence of the ship’s ties to drug trafficking.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #latin-america
Written & Published October 14th, 2025 by Dhruv Arun
Madagascar’s military has seized control of the country following their parliament’s vote to impeach President Andry Rajoelina. Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced that the army dissolved all state institutions except the lower house of parliament, and suspended the constitution. The elite CAPSAT unit, which previously led the 2009 coup, declared control of the armed forces and pledged to hold elections within two years. Rajoelina, claiming an attempt on his life, fled the country aboard a French military plane. The takeover follows weeks of youth-led protests over corruption, poverty, and worsening living conditions.
#intl-politics #africa
Written & Published October 13th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
Today, Venezuela has announced that it will be closing its embassies in Norway and Australia. At the same time, it will be opening new embassies in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe. The closures are part of a “strategic reassignment of resources,” expressed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In the future, relations with Norway and Australia will be maintained via diplomatic missions. Neither country has received a specific reason for the closures, but some suspect the closure in Norway may be due to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
#intl-politics #latin-america #europe #pacific
Written & Published October 13th, 2025 by Rosa Qin
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who became the first Venezuelan individual to obtain the honor. Under the rule of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela has become increasingly authoritarian, Election control and rigorous censorship have forced nearly 7.9 million people to flee the nation. Despite death threats, Machado remained in Venezuela and insists on nonviolent democratic change when violent resistance is normal. However, controversies still remain. Pro-Trump organizations claim that the Nobel Committee was motivated by "politics over peace," questioning the legitimacy of the Nobel Prize as a whole.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #latin-america
Written & Published October 13th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
It’s about to get more difficult for those planning to travel to Europe soon. The bloc’s digital entry and exit system has come into play, which will require non-EU (European Union) citizens to register biometric data before entering the 29-country Schengen Area, leading to fears of travel delays. Driving the increase in border restrictions is the desire to keep track of those who enter the EU legally, but illegally overstay their visas for work. The policy signifies the EU’s shift away from open borders and towards tougher controls, which are increasingly popular among voters in the EU.
#intl-politics #europe
Written & Published October 13th, 2025 by Daniel Song
The Chinese government has announced its new K visa, which targets young foreign science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates by promising to allow entry, residence and employment without a preexisting job offer. China’s new visa comes in the context of President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S. will impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions. The Asian superpower hopes that its new policy will attract top STEM talent deterred by the new H-1B fee. However, the visa has limitations, as most Chinese tech firms operate in Mandarin, limiting opportunities for non-Chinese speakers.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #asia
Written & Published October 13th, 2025 by Brogan Jones
From September 25th, youth-led protests and demonstrations have engulfed the island nation of Madagascar. The movement, spearheaded by Gen Z, seeks to hold the government accountable for widespread power and water shortages. In pursuit of this goal, the demonstrations have claimed 22 lives and have now caused Madagascar’s president to flee the country. A day prior to his exit, President Rajoelina warned that the movement had evolved into an attempted coup, since members of his own army had defected and joined the protesters. Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, leader of the opposition party in Madagascar, confirmed that Rajoelina escaped on a French plane and the president’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
#intl-politics #africa #conflict
Written & Published October 12th, 2025 by Harry Xu
This past week, border clashes between Pakistan’s military and the Taliban, which currently occupies Afghanistan, have led to several deaths. While the number is disputed, Pakistan claims that 200 Afghans have died and Afghanistan claims that 58 Pakistanis have died. Both sides were unable to provide evidence to support their claims. A Taliban spokesman asserted that Pakistan had violated its airspace on Thursday and bombed a market, causing the militant group to retaliate. In response, Pakistan’s interior minister declared that “Afghanistan is playing a game of fire and blood.” On Sunday, two major border crossings between the country were closed.
#intl-politics #conflict #asia
Written & Published October 12th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports has reignited trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Beijing warned that it would take “resolute measures” if Washington proceeds, calling the move “wilful” and harmful to global stability. China’s commerce ministry defended its export curbs on rare earths as lawful and not export bans, asserting that compliant trade could continue. Meanwhile, Chinese officials accused the U.S. of “economic coercion” and deliberate provocation, saying that Beijing is being forced into confrontation. As both nations harden their positions, markets brace for renewed volatility and a possible breakdown in trade talks.
#intl-econ #us-econ #us-FoPo
Written & Published October 12th, 2025 by David Hain
As the Donald Trump's twenty-point ceasefire between Israel and Hamas officially takes into effect – with all 20 alive hostages to be given back to Israel on October 13th – efforts to disperse humanitarian aid into Palestine have been magnified. The UN plans on delivering about 170,000 metric tonnes of food, water, and medicine into the Gaza Strip after inspection by Israeli officials. The international organization claims that this will be a start in feeding Gaza’s population of 2.1 million, and a panacea to the over 500,000 Palestinians who are suffering from malnutrition. If Israel continues to let aid trickle into Gaza, hundreds of thousands of citizens will get access to critical rations of food.
#intl-politics #middle-east #humanitarian #conflict
Written & Published October 12th, 2025 by Ron Kim
On Friday, over a week into the government shutdown, the Trump Administration confirmed that it would begin laying off over 4,000 federal employees. Departments such as Health and Human Services saw the firing of between 1,100 and 1,200 staff, and the Treasury is expected to shed nearly 1,500 positions. Vice President JD Vance warned that further cuts could intensify, noting they might become “painful.” The move deepens anxiety among already furloughed workers. Labor unions sued the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management, challenging their legality under shutdown protocols.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 10th, 2025 by Adrienne Wang
Southern regions of the Philippines were hit by two powerful earthquakes. Following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, a 6.8 aftershock came seven hours after. Reports from officials state that at least seven people have died from the impacts, and towns near the centerpoints of the tremors have suffered major structural damages. These earthquakes sit on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a location prone to volcanic eruptions and seismic activity, leading to at least 800 quakes occur every year. Disaster official in Manay, Richie Diuyen, reports “the quake lasted 30 to 40 seconds” and has left roads fractured and impassable.
#intl-environment #asia
Written & Published October 10th, 2025 by James Savin
Dominion Voting Systems was acquired by the entity Liberty Voting for an undisclosed sum. These systems are used in 27 states to count votes in elections. After the 2020 election, Donald Trump perpetuated conspiracy theories that Dominion had switched “thousands of votes” from him to President-elect Joe Biden, kicking off multiple defamation lawsuits.
Liberty Voting, owned by Scott Leiendecker, a former GOP election reform advocate, asked Dominion to settle several defamation lawsuits against Trump allies over the 2020 election results. Dominion reached undisclosed settlements with Rudy Giuliani, former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell, and One America News Network.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 10th, 2025 by Sarah Kumar
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has proposed a controversial deal to the United States. It focuses on lifting American sanctions on the South American nation in exchange for political reforms. If the US accepts, Venezuela would have to re-enter the Organization of American States, release political prisoners, and implement democratic government reforms. The US has already rejected Venezuela’s resource deal, which promised stakes in oil, gas, and other minerals. The Trump Administration has also increased military pressure, taking a hard stance against Maduro’s government.
#intl-politics #latin-america
Written & Published October 8th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
Yesterday, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa left his vehicle unharmed after rocks and bullets were shot at it. Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo has called this an assassination attempt and an act of terrorism, resulting in 5 people (and likely more in the future) being arrested. Protest organizer Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), one of the country's top Indigenous advocacy groups, has stated that those arrests were arbitrarily made. CONAIE organized this fundraiser in light of the government cutting rural subsidies. Noboa’s administration has also been under fire for slow economic recovery and crime rates.
#intl-politics #latin-america
Written & Published October 8th, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
On Tuesday, 29 year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht was charged with the destruction of property by means of fire following the deadly Palisades fires in January, which killed dozens and ravaged nearly 7,000 structures in Southern California. At around midnight on January 1st, 2025, Rinderknecht began a fire and abandoned it, which escalated drastically following heavy winds on January 6th and 7th. His motive is unknown, though he had reportedly created detailed political commentary portraits with generative AI, detailing socio-economic disparities following the fires in mid-July. It remains unclear when Rinderknecht will be extradited to California from Florida.
#us-politics #us-legal #environment
Written & Published October 8th, 2025 by Sophia Amundgaard
On Truth Social, President Donald Trump announced today that Israel and Hamas “have both signed off on the first Phase of [his] Peace Plan”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet is expected to vote on the deal tomorrow. Upon approval, Israel will be granted 24 hours to withdraw from 70% of occupied territory. Over the course of the following 72 hours, the White House expects Hamas to release 20 hostages, and for Israel, “several hundred”. Deceased hostages will arrive at a later date. Trump is also anticipating traveling to the Middle East as soon as Saturday.
#intl-politics #middle-east #us-FoPo #conflict
Written & Published October 8th, 2025 by Audrey Han
The AI corporation OpenAI and the global semiconductor company AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) have sealed a record deal, which, if successful, could create up to $100 billion of profit in stocks. However, past these gains, this deal symbolizes the rapidly intertwining technology ecosystem. OpenAI would fund the innovation of AMD Instinct GPUs, and will purchase and utilize 6 gigawatts of computing capacity. This will all assist AMD in catching up to its long-term rival, Nvidia. In return, AMD has given OpenAI 10% of its stock, as well as access to its GPUs and computer chips. In the bigger picture, the companies are taking one further step in advancing the intelligence and capacity of AI.
#us-tech #us-econ
Written & Published October 8th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
Senator Mark R. Warner showed the Washington Post that nearly 25% of all the 13,000 FBI agents across the country are designated to enforcing immigration, something the Trump Administration has long cautioned about. Agents have been pulled from duties that involved cybercrime, drug trafficking, and terrorism. As a result, many sources illustrate that the FBI is strenched thin. Its director, Kash Patel, has also fired parts of the bureau that are believed to be disloyal. Most FBI agents are assigned cases by supervisors and do not have control on what they work on.
#us-politics
Written & Published October 7th, 2025 by Aaniya Khan
The Vatican confirmed today that Pope Leo XIV will make his first international journey from November 27 to December 2, visiting Turkey (Nov 27–30) and Lebanon (Nov 30–Dec 2). In Turkey, he plans a pilgrimage to İznik to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The trip is intended to emphasize Christian unity, interfaith dialogue, and the situation of Christians in the Middle East.
#intl-politics #middle-east
Written & Published October 7th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
After authorization from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a plane carrying 200 members of the Texas National Guard is bound for Illinois. In response, Illinois governor JB Pritzker stated, “Illinois will not let the Trump Administration continue on their authoritarian march without resisting.” This is the latest escalation in a political feud between President Trump and state officials. Pritzker alleges that Trump is causing “chaos, fear and confusion” in order to “create the pretext for invoking the Insurrection Act.” When asked if he plans to do so, President Trump said he didn’t yet see the need, but wouldn’t rule it out.
#us-politics #republicans #democrats
Written & Published October 7th, 2025 by James Savin
The main area of disagreement between Republicans and Democrats in Congress during the shutdown has been healthcare access. Democrats have refused to vote in favor of a continuing resolution unless Republicans ensure continued access to healthcare subsidies. Republicans have said that they will address the subsidies after the resolution passes, but Democrats doubt that statement. Yesterday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denied that bipartisan talks were going on with the White House over healthcare, telling reporters that the White House had “gone silent” a week ago. He reiterated that Democrats will come to the table and negotiate when Trump does.
#us-politics #republicans #democrats
Written & Published October 6th, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
Major airports in the United States are experiencing staffing shortages. At Hollywood Burbank Airport in the Los Angeles area, air traffic controller positions remained vacant for several hours. Other affected airports include the Denver International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. This comes amid the recent government shutdown, with airports reporting an increase in “sick” calls for staff following its officiation. The shortages have already caused flight delays, and further cuts to funding are expected if the shutdown continues to linger.
#us-politics
Written & Published October 6th, 2025 by David Hain
A new study by climate think tank Ember has found that for the first time in history, in one year, renewable energies like solar and wind have generated more electricity than fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Other findings are that global investment in solar energy has increased by 31%, and by 7.7% for wind energy this year. The most prolific proponent of the global shift to renewable energy has been China, with significant investment in both solar panel farms and turbines coupled with a steady decrease in fossil fuels usage.
#environment #intl-environment
Written & Published October 6th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
Illinois leaders have gone to court today to challenge Donald Trump’s decision to send National Guard troops to Chicago. This came just hours after a federal judge blocked Trump’s attempt to send National Guard troops to Portland. “These advances in President Trump’s long-declared ‘war’ on Chicago and Illinois are unlawful and dangerous,” says the lawsuit. However, the judge assigned to oversee the lawsuit between Trump and Illinois has stated that she will not hear any arguments nor take action until Thursday. If able to carry out his plan, Trump could federalize 300 Illinois troops, as well as send in 400 from Texas.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 6th, 2025 by Daniel Song
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned less than a day after unveiling his cabinet, plunging France deeper into protracted political paralysis. Both left-wing and far-right opposition parties criticized the government and threatened to oust it via a vote of no confidence, which would have likely succeeded as Lecornu lacks a majority in the National Assembly. The French stock market and the euro both fell in response to Lecornu’s inability to pass a budget that tackled France’s ballooning debt. President Emmanuel Macron has tasked Lecornu with emergency talks, but the political and debt crises are unlikely to be resolved soon.
#intl-politics #europe
Written & Published October 6th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
Due to major pushback from Illinois and Oregon, Donald Trump has floated the possibility of using the Insurrection Act, a 1807 law that would give him unilateral authority to deploy National Guard troops to Portland and Chicago by citing the need for law enforcement. This comes after Oregon has successfully sued the administration, blocking the deployment. Illinois' lawsuit is still unresolved. The governors of these states have called the move “patently unlawful” and have insisted that President Trump's mentions of rising crime are far overblown. Because of this, there is tense standoff between protesters and those already on the ground in Portland and Chicago.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 6th, 2025 by Santiago Jimenez
After further negotiation in the Senate today, for the fifth time, spending measures to reopen the government have not passed. The negotiation process, primarily halted by disputes over healthcare spending, has now lasted a week with no clear end in sight. This impasse raises major concerns, as the ongoing government shutdown lowers the ability of the government to fulfill its purposes and harms civilian populations.
#us-politics #republicans #democrats
Written & Published October 6th, 2025 by Dhruv Arun
A massive, sudden blizzard on Mount Everest’s Tibetan slopes trapped nearly 1,000 hikers in remote camps during China’s National Day holiday weekend. Heavy snow and rain collapsed tents and left many suffering from hypothermia on the mountain’s eastern face, thanks to the weather conditions. At least 350 people have reached safety, while contact has been made with several hundred others still stranded in the snowbound region. Rescuers guided trekkers to Qudang Township as villagers cleared deep snow from blocked passes.
#intl-politics #asia
Written & Published October 5th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
For the first time, Japan is set for a female top leader. On one hand, this is a cause for celebration, because Japan battles gender discrimination and still lags far behind most developed nations in issues like the gender wage gap. On the other hand, the woman set to take power as the new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is former heavy-metal drummer Sanae Takaichi, a very complex political figure. She wishes to walk in the footsteps of her idol–controversial British “iron lady” Margret Thatcher–to implement aggressive economic reforms to reverse a cost-of-living crisis. She is deeply conservative, opposing ideas such as mass-immigration, feminism, and same-sex marriage.
#intl-politics #asia
Written & Published October 5th, 2025 by Ron Kim
The Trump Administration announced a new aid plan to help U.S. soybean farmers deal with fallout amidst the ongoing trade disputes with China. The plan includes direct payments and low-interest loans meant to help with falling exports and lowering crop prices. While seeking to form a deal with Beijing, Trump said in a Truth Social post: “We’ve made so much money on Tariffs, that we are going to take a small portion of that money, and help our Farmers.” However, the rollout of aid is unlikely to occur due to the ongoing government shutdown, which has impacted the Department of Agriculture.
#us-politics #us-econ
Written & Published October 5th, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah expressed hopes to finalize a deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza “in the coming days.” Hamas agreed to President Trump’s peace plan framework, which calls for the immediate release of all hostages in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners and withdrawing troops to a specified line. A delegation is set to meet in Egypt with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to finalize technical details. While optimism grows, negotiators face challenges including disarmament and governance of Gaza after the ceasefire.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #middle-east
Written & Published October 5th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
Federal employees in the Department of Education have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over automatic email messages blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) claims the partisan language violates First Amendment rights and the Hatch Act, which limits political activity by federal workers. Several furloughed staff discovered their nonpartisan out-of-office messages were replaced by partisan versions without consent. Attorneys argue that this is unprecedented manipulation that coerces civil workers into promoting political messaging. Education Department officials have defended the emails as "factual statements."
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published October 3rd, 2025 by Harry Xu
On Friday, Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina announced that he was willing to listen to his citizens, however he's ignoring calls to resign. Last week, protests in the nation, widely led by members of Gen Z, occurred due to concerns over government corruption and poverty. Since then, at least 22 people have been killed, and more than 100 have been injured. Earlier this Monday, Rajoelina dismissed the government to appease the protestors, but discontent still runs rampant. In his announcement, posted on Facebook, Rajoelina stated that criticism “does not necessarily have to be expressed in the streets.”
#intl-politics #africa
Written & Published October 1st, 2025 by Audrey Han
After a rare show of diplomatic discussion with Tehran, Trump has deported 120 Iranian migrants, most of which had entered the United States illegally through the southern border. This is just one phase out of many, with US immigration authorities planning to deport 400 more Iranians. Thousands of Christians have already fled Iran due to religious persecution since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, showing the length the American president is willing to go to stop illegal immigration. He has remained unrelenting even in the face of Iran's bloody history of human rights violations and harsh persecution of religious dissenters.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #middle-east
Written & Published September 29th, 2025 by Rosa Qin
Amidst the Israel-Hamas war, Donald Trump has proposed a plan to end the conflict in a 20-point plan. A key highlight is that Israel will release all hostages, including the 1700 Gazans detained since October 7th, 2023. Moreover, Hamas members seeking amnesty will be required to decommission their weapons and commit themselves to peaceful coexistence. Hamas will not have any role in governing Gaza, and Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. Trump expects Hamas to accept the agreement, as many of their leaders have been killed in the conflict, but it's unclear whether Hamas will accept. However, if Hamas denies the agreement, Trump has stated that Israel would have full support to "finish the job" in annihilating Hamas.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #middle-east
Written & Published September 29th, 2025 by Blake McFalls
The budget for FY (Fiscal Year) 26 is due tomorrow, and the GOP has already passed their proposed budget through the House. However, it faces more pushback in the Senate. In order for the bill to pass, the Senate must vote to end the filibuster, which requires 60 votes. Democrats have been reluctant to approve the budget because of their demands: reversing the Big Beautiful Bill’s cuts to Medicaid, extend the Affordable Care Act’s premium subsidies, and prevent the executive branch from appropriating congressional funds, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has refused to even speak with Democrats. He wants the support of either a GOP budget or a continuing resolution (CR) to pass, both of which keep the status quo. So long as this happens, the government will shut down.
#us-politics #us-health
Written & Published September 28th, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
With just days before the federal funding deadline, the U.S. faces a looming government shutdown as Congress remains divided over a stopgap spending bill. At issue is a proposed seven-week extension to keep government agencies running past Tuesday, but Republicans and Democrats are locked in disputes over health care tax credits and spending for border enforcement. President Trump has pushed for additional restrictions on immigration funding, while House and Senate leaders traded blame in a tense round of weekend negotiations. Analysts warn that a shutdown could disrupt federal services for millions, with pay delays possible for 1.4 million federal employees.
#us-politics #us-econ
Written & Published September 28th, 2025 by James Savin
The Trump administration has used the murder of Charlie Kirk to assert that those with leftist ideals are domestic terror threats. According to a memorandum from the White House on September 25, ideologies that would make a person suspect of being a domestic terrorist include, “anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the United States Government; extremism on migration, race, and gender; and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality.” This action has led many opponents of the administration to argue that this is simply a pretext to restrict free speech.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 28th, 2025 by Brogan Jones
When Donald Trump returned to office, one of his first actions was an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, which is a constitutional principle which declares any person born in the United States a U.S. citizen. It seemed to target illegal immigrants and their children, the latter of which would be citizens. After legal challenges and injunctions nationwide, the Supreme Court left the question open-ended in June, limiting nationwide injunctions while leaving birthright citizenship unresolved. Now, the Trump Administration is seeking an expedited review of lower court decisions to definitively determine whether getting rid of birthright citizenship is constitutional or not.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published September 27th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
As of late, China has opted to sideline American soy farmers, and find alternatives. They recently ramped up purchases of soybeans from Argentina - increasing exports to at least 35 shipments. The Asian superpower made such a dramatic turn away from America, to the point that China hasn’t ordered a single shipment from the US as of September 11th. However, China bought $12.6 billion in American soybeans last year. This year marks the first since 1999 that the US hasn’t exported soybeans to China, marking yet another byproduct of the Trump Administration’s ensuing trade war with China.
#intl-econ #us-FoPo #us-econ
Written & Published September 27th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
Trump, in a post, has directed the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, “to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland.” He claims that this will protect “ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa.” This comes after he designated Antifa as a terrorist organization (despite it not being an organization) and protests at the Portland ICE facility. Furthermore, this has drawn pushback from many Democrats including Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, who stated that the “number of necessary troops is zero.”
#us-politics
Written & Published September 26th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
On Friday, Nextar and Sinclair, two big broadcasters, announced that they would put Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show back on air. Previously, Kimmel talked about free speech, garnering huge amounts of viewers. This came amidst a heated debate over Kimmel’s response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, with ABC pulling the show after Kimmel’s controversial response. This suspension came amidst pressure by FCC Chair Brendan Carr to take the show off air, garnering huge criticism from many on the left. This reinstatement allows Kimmel’s show to be on air across the nation once again.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published September 26th, 2025 by Patrick Li
Following two fatal 2019 crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, resulting in subsequent revokings of authority to sign off its 737 MAX aircraft, Boeing—as of Friday—has finally been allowed by American regulators to begin its final safety checks on some of its jets. In 2022, 787 Dreamliner planes were added to the safety list, citing production quality concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently fined Boeing $3.1m for numerous safety violations.
#us-politics #us-econ
Written & Published September 26th, 2025 by Harry Xu
President Trump announced on Thursday that a new set of tariffs would be imposed. He declared the following rates: 100% on pharmaceutical drugs, 50% on kitchen cabinets, 30% on furniture, and 25% on heavy trucks. Trump did not provide a legal justification for the actions, but cited that they were needed to protect the American “manufacturing process”. In August, when he imposed tariffs on China and Vietnam, prices increased, as the two countries are top producers of furniture. Experts have warned that tariffs on drugs could lead to “hospital shortages” and patients “foregoing essential medicines.”
#us-econ #intl-econ #us-FoPo
Written & Published September 26th, 2025 by James Savin
A previously released Guardian investigation found that the IDF was using Microsoft Azure to intercept and record the phone calls of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. It confirmed that, “…intelligence drawn from the enormous repositories of phone calls held in Azure had been used to research and identify bombing targets in Gaza.” Microsoft issued an official statement yesterday, confirming, “We therefore have informed IMOD (Israel Ministry of Defense) of Microsoft’s decision to cease and disable specified IMOD subscriptions and their services, including their use of specific cloud storage and AI services and technologies.”
#intl-politics #us-tech #middle-east #conflict
Written & Published September 25th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
Speaking via video to the United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping of China has set the world's foremost carbon polluter’s first target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He vowed to reduce emissions by 7-10% by 2035 and affirmed China’s commitment to a domestic green transition. Earlier, China reached the president's renewable power target six years ahead of schedule. These goals oppose U.S. President Donald Trump’s speech where he claimed that global warming is a “con job”. Xi’s speech asserts China’s desire to fill the vacuum in global climate leadership left by America.
#intl-environment #asia
Written & Published September 25th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
Former Director of the FBI James Comey has been indicted today on charges of false statements and obstruction of a criminal investigation. He will be tried in front of a federal grand jury. If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison. Comey was appointed in 2013 under Barack Obama and was fired in 2017 by Donald Trump. Comey has been criticized by his mishandling of investigations involving possible collusion between Hillary Clinton and Russia, as well as the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election; the main reason for his firing by Trump.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published September 24th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
Three detainees were shot by 29-year-old Joshua Jahn at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility near Dallas, Texas. Jahn was found dead with what was deemed a self-inflicted gun wound. Nearby shell casings were found to have “ANTI-ICE” written on them. President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and FBI Director Kash Patel have declared this shooting as being politically motivated, blamed Democrats, and are aiming for more crackdowns against dissent regarding ICE.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 22nd, 2025 by Harry Xu
President Trump asserted his belief that the use of Tylenol during pregnancies leads to a “very increased risk of autism.” However, decades of research in the past has proven that Tylenol is effective as a safe pain and fever reliever for pregnant women. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would launch a public service campaign warning U.S. citizens about the painkiller's effects. In response, Kenvue, the company that manufactures Tylenol, argued that the medication “is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women.”
#us-politics #us-health
Written & Published September 22nd, 2025 by Daniel Song
Today, the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) allowed President Trump to fire Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter on a temporary basis, with the six conservative justices endorsing the removal, while the three liberal justices dissented. The court also said that it would hear full arguments about the case in December. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing consumer protection and antitrust laws. The decision signals a strong chance that SCOTUS may overturn the 90-year-old precedent of Humphrey's Executor v. United States, which established that presidents lack authority to fire FTC commissioners solely based on policy disagreements.
#us-legal #us-econ
Written & Published September 21st, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
California has enacted the nation’s first law that broadly prohibits law enforcement, including federal immigration agents, from concealing their identities while on duty. This was catalyzed by Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of the “No Secret Police Act” (SB 627), which will take effect January 1, 2026. Under the law, officers are banned from wearing masks or facial coverings during routine enforcement (barring medically necessary exceptions). This may have been a direct response to masked ICE raids and other secretive federal operations in Californian communities, thus sparking a legal battle between the state and the federal government for the nation to witness.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 21st, 2025 by Milie Gupta
President Trump’s decision to put a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas has caused debate within the tech sector. On one hand, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasized that immigration is “really important to our nation’s future,” while OpenAI’s Sam Altman supported financial incentives to attract talent. However, many executives warned the fee could burden startups and drive jobs abroad, with some calling the rollout “chaotic”. Some critics also argue the policy could undermine innovation in the U.S, as India and China provide most H-1B holders thanks to a huge pool of talent. This conveys both nationalism and the reliance on skilled immigrants in tech in the U.S.
#us-politics #us-FoPo
Written & Published September 20th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the Pentagon will now require a new pledge for reporters not to gather information that is not has not been authorized–even if that information is unclassified. Under new rules, if a journalist tries to obtain information without authorization, they could be labeled as security threats and can lose their building pass or access entirely. The Pentagon claims that unauthorized disclosures “pose a security risk that could damage the national security to the United States.”
#us-politics
Written & Published September 20th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
Less than a week after Russian drones were found flying over Polish and Romanian airspace, which the Polish government shot down, Estonia had claimed that Russian MiG-31 fighter jets were in their airspace for 12 minutes. The Kremlin has denied this accusation. Estonia has called for a NATO consultation under Article 4 of the NATO treaty to determine a reponse to Russia’s increased aggression. In the bigger picture, European countries have begun to raise their defense spending. Estonia has been no exception, and it dedicated itself to raising its defense spending up to 5.4% of their GDP.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict #alliances
Written & Published September 20th, 2025 by Christina Yang
President Trump introduced a $100,000 annual fee for H1-B visas, which are visas given to skilled workers who typically work in the technology sector. He also signed an executive order to create a “gold card”, an expedited track for wealthy foreigners to live and work in the US. Individuals would be charged $1 million for a gold card and for companies, $2 million to sponsor an employee. The administration expects to initially make 80,000 gold cards available, but will continue to evaluate the program and phase out other types of visas. These moves are part of wide-ranging efforts to crack down on immigration.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 19th, 2025 by Patrick Li
On Friday, Donald Trump reportedly “made progress” in a recent phone call with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, towards advancing an approval of an American acquisition of TikTok, but provided little details. The president of the US has extended the deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of the social media platform, to sell to an American firm four times in his current term. Among the list of potential buyers for stakes (and to dilute Chinese ownership) in TikTok are software giant Oracle, private equity firm Silver Lake, and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.
#intl-politics #asia
Written & Published September 19th, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
On Friday, the threat of a U.S. government shutdown became much more likely as lawmakers voted 44-48 on a stopgap spending bill. The failed bill would have kept federal agencies running at current funding levels until late November, preventing a government shutdown until then. However, as it was not passed, the current cutoff is September 30. Though the Democrat funding bill, which also would have halted a government shutdown, was also voted on, it failed 47-45. Now, the senate’s last hope is to vote on another bill September 29, only one day before the deadline.
#us-politics #republicans #democrats
Written & Published September 17th, 2025 by Sophia Amundgaard
On Tuesday, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory concluded that “Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza,” garnering a strong response from the European Union’s (EU) foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, who urged member states to fortify sanctions on Israeli goods, settlers, and two of Netanyahu’s closest officials: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The EU also proposed sanctioning 10 Hamas leaders. The bloc comprises 32% of Israeli trade, yet trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic worries the suspension of trade related provisions as suggested by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would only cost Israel a mere $307.6m a year.
#intl-politics #intl-econ #europe #conflict
Written & Published September 17th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
The Federal Reserve’s Chair, Jerome Powell, announced that lending rates in the U.S. have been reduced by 0.25%, lowering them to levels in last seen in 2022. The Federal Reserve previously hesitated towards this move, citing uncertainty from tariffs and inflation concerns, much to the backlash of President Donald Trump. Powell acknowledged that the policies by the administration makes future paths unclear, but more rate cuts are expected this year.
#us-politics #us-econ
Written & Published September 17th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
This Monday, President Trump filed $15 billion lawsuit that accused the New York Times of defamation before the 2024 election, alleging it sought to interfere with the election. The plaintiffs claim that the defendants deliberately published articles and books “at the height of his election.” The New York Times responded by saying, “This lawsuit has no merit. It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting. ” The lawsuit discusses, but is not limited to, writings and articles that discussed Trump’s success from his father’s fortune and comments calling dead soldiers “losers” which the president claimed he never said.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 16th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Nvidia - the world’s largest company - was accused of violating China’s anti-monopoly law in a preliminary inspection into Nvidia. This may be a major blow for Nvidia, as their operations in China account for 13% of their total sales. This comes at a time where US-Sino, bilateral business relations are vital, yet both governments are looking to disengage. China has discouraged Chinese tech juggernauts like TikTok parent company ByteDance and gaming company Tencent from using Nvidia’s purchasers as China attempts to wean itself off of American chips.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo
Written & Published September 15th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
Missouri Republicans approved a new congressional map that could bolster GOP gains in the 2026 midterms. Backed by President Donald Trump, the redistricting plan dismantles the liberal 5th Congressional District in Kansas City, a seat currently held by Emanuel Cleaver. This will increase Republican control of the state to seven out of the state’s eight congressional districts. Opponents of the new map argue that it violates the Constitution and is politically motivated. Republican State Representative Bryant Wolfin voted against the motion and argued that “[t]here’s nothing conservative about using our supermajority to grab more power.”
#us-politics
Written & Published September 15th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
Just yesterday, United States Secretary of State Mark Rubio visited Israel to discuss ongoing US-Israeli relations, as well as the ongoing Gaza crisis. This talk comes right after Israeli missiles killed affiliates of Hamas in Qatar. “I think his visit here is a testament to the durability, the strength of the Israeli-American alliance…It’s as strong, as durable as the stones in the Western Wall that he just touched." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayanhu expressed that "this alliance has never been stronger.”
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #middle-east
Written & Published September 15th, 2025 by Santiago Jimenez
American right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah Valley University debate event five days ago. Now, rising political divides in the country are being put on prominent display. This has potentially harmed online security. Following the death, many individuals flocked to social media, and many felt compelled to express dismay or delight. This has turned out to be a risky move, as Axios reports that an online organization called the Charlie Kirk Data Foundation has harvested information on individuals who responded happily to Kirk’s death. They report that as of Sunday evening they have identified 60,000 individuals.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 15th, 2025 by Harry Xu
Last Thursday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired his U.S. ambassador, Peter Mandelson, due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Bloomberg revealed emails written by Mandelson, a Labor party member, showing that he believed “Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful”. Just the day before, Starmer had defended Mandelson in the House of Commons, after controversies arose from the diplomat's involvement in Epstein’s birthday book. On Monday, Starmer addressed questions: many asked why he had appointed Mandelson in the first place, to which he replied “[h]ad I known then what I know now, I’d have never appointed him.”
#intl-politics #europe #us-FoPo
Written & Published September 15th, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
On Friday, following Russian strikes on Polish airspace. , NATO launched an initiative to protect the region with air and ground-based defenses. This was thanks to Poland invoking Article 4 of NATO, which triggers a flurry of meetings between member nations. In response, Russia’s defense ministry issued a statement declaring that the strikes were meant to invade Ukraine, and any that went off-course were unintentional. NATO chief Mark Rutte rebutted this, however, by declaring that the attacks against Poland were not an “isolated incident”. Regardless, the sentries- which will include both traditional and modern technologies- will commence in the coming days.
#intl-politics #conflict #europe
Written & Published September 15th, 2025 by Daniel Song
Local elections in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia yesterday revealed that the far-right AfD (Alternative for Germany) party almost tripled its previous vote share, by winning 14.5% of the vote. However, the center-right CDU (Christian Democratic Union) won the elections with 33.3% of the vote while its junior partner in the national coalition government, the center-left SPD (Social Democratic Party), won 22.1%. The main loser of the elections was the left-wing Greens Party, who saw support fall from 20% to 13.5%. The results are significant because North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous German state and is viewed as a “bellwether” for the country.
#intl-politics #europe
aaaaaaWritten & Published September 14th, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
The Trump Administration has requested $58 million in supplemental funding from Congress to bolster security for the executive and judicial branches, amid a sharp rise in threats against public officials this year. The move responds to incidents like the assassination of Charlie Kirk and several attempted violent plots, which have driven a 27% increase in federal-level threat investigations compared to prior years. According to administration materials, $43 million will be allocated to harden physical security at federal courthouses and executive residences, while $15 million is set aside for expanded threat assessment teams. Lawmakers have signaled preliminary bipartisan support.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 14th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
Top US and Chinese officials are meeting in Madrid through September 17th to address pressing deadlines on tariffs and TikTok. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead discussions focused on “national security, economic and trade issues of mutual interest”. The latest tariff truce is set to expire in November, and TikTok faces a September 17th deadline to be sold. With both inflation and global trade tensions rising, both sides are under massive pressure to preserve the relationship. Markets remain watchful for signs of compromise; however, analysts caution that no “grand bargain” is expected.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #alliances #asia
Written & Published September 13th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
On September 12th, former Nepali Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal, after massive Gen Z-led protests over a social media ban. Karki was reportedly chosen through Discord by the protesters, garnering 50% of the vote among four candidates. Karki is widely regarded as having a clean image and being incorruptible, amidst huge instability in Nepal. She will face huge challenges, though, such as restoring law and order and reconstructing Parliament after it was burned down by a mob of demonstrators.
#intl-politics #asia
Written & Published September 13th, 2025 by David Hain
On September 10th, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated during a visit to Utah Valley University; the death came as a great disappointment to President Trump, who said that Kirk was “like a son” to him. In commemoration of the activist, President Trump has ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff, a symbol of mourning and distress. While states like Massachusetts and Kansas have complied with President Trump’s directive, other states like New York and New Jersey have refused to lower their flags. Both decisions came under fire from opposing political parties, underscoring the controversy that Kirk’s legacy has left behind.
#us-politics #republicans
Written & Published September 12th, 2025 by Patrick Li
Following the tumultuous assassination of prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Spencer Cox—the governor of Utah—identified the alleged killer as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from the state. Robinson's family provided this information to law enforcement. President Trump earlier wished that the killer “be sentenced to death.” Experts say that because aggravated murder in Utah may qualify for the death penalty, there will likely be intense legal and public scrutiny if prosecutors seek capital punishment. Americans overwhelmingly reject political violence, with less than a tenth approving of it.
#us-politics #republicans
Written & Published September 11th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been convicted of insurrection via military coup by Brazil’s Supreme Court. Four out of the court’s five justices ruled that he had illegally attempted to keep power following the 2022 election of current President Lula da Silva. At the time, Bolsonaro attempted to discredit the election results, then considered plans to assassinate his rival and weaponize the military in his favor. He will be facing over 27 years in prison, marking the first time that a coup leader has been convicted in Brazil. The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned of retaliation.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #latin-america
Written & Published September 10th, 2025 by Blake McFalls
Yesterday, Russian drones breached Polish airspace for the first time since the war began in Ukraine. Russia has also focused its aerial campaign on Western Ukraine, which is dangerously close to NATO’s boundaries. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk calling this “closer to conflict at any time since WW2”. Poland acted swiftly, deploying F-16 fighter jets to eventually shoot down 19 drones. Poland later invoked NATO Article 4 for the eighth time in NATO history and for the second time since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Article 4 only requires a meeting between members. Leaders such as Mark Rutte have called the Russian incursion intentionally directed at Poland, a staunch supporter of Ukraine.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict
Written & Published September 10th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
Today, Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing figure known for brief debates on social media and rallying conservative youths at college events, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. “I want to be very clear, this is a political assassination,” expressed Spencer Cox, the governor of Utah. “Authorities are still searching for the person of interest,” said Utah Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason. President Donald Trump later confirmed Kirk's passing, sharing his condolences with Charlie’s wife and family. The shooting drew criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
#us-politics #republicans
Written & Published September 10th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
After Nepali protesters set government buildings and officials’ residences on fire, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has resigned. The demonstrators, mostly of Generation Z, are against the government’s recent social media ban, but a long history of corruption and a dire economic situation have also restricted the lives of Nepali citizens. As of Monday, 19 people have been killed and hundreds more were wounded. Nepali President Ramchandra Paudel has called for a peaceful resolution, though documented progress has yet to have been made. Nepal is a country in South Asia bordering China and India, with a population of about 30 million people.
#intl-politics #asia
Written & Published September 8th, 2025 by Santiago Jimenez
This afternoon the Democratic House Oversight Committee released an alleged page from a series of documents that the democrats are nicknaming as Epstein’s “Birthday Book”. The page contained an alleged exchange between the two in the format of a note, with the textual margins tracing the outline of a woman, and the text alleging a shared secret between the two individuals. Republicans have responded by questioning the legitimacy of the document.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 8th, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
Following violent protests in Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto fired five key economic and security ministers. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who previously served as the executive director of the International Monetary Fund and managing director for the World Bank, was replaced by Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, the former head of the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation. The protests reflect the culmination of public anger regarding economic problems, such as a lack of fair taxes, that the government has failed to address. Purbaya vowed to assuage these concerns by facilitating economic growth. Even so, experts remain skeptical of the country’s fiscal future.
#intl-politics #intl-econ #asia
Written & Published September 8th, 2025 by Harry Xu
On Sunday night, Russia launched a drone strike on Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers building, located in the capital of Kyiv. With over 800 drones used, this attack marked the largest aerial assault of Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as the first time a government building in the capital was hit. At least four people died, including an infant. Russia also launched an additional 13 ballistic missiles at Ukraine. On Monday, Russia continued its attack by targeting a thermal power station in Kyiv. President Zelenskyy called the strikes “a deliberate crime and prolongation of the war.”
#intl-politics #europe
Written & Published September 8th, 2025 by Santiago Jimenez
This afternoon the Democratic House Oversight Committee released an alleged page from a series of documents that the democrats are nicknaming as Epstein’s “Birthday Book”. The page contained an alleged exchange between the two in the format of a note, with the textual margins tracing the outline of a woman, and the text alleging a shared secret between the two individuals. Republicans have responded by questioning the legitimacy of the document.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 8th, 2025 by Daniel Song
Centrist French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou lost a confidence vote today, causing his government to collapse. Both left-wing and far-right parties voted against Bayrou, who previously lacked a majority in the National Assembly. Bayrou called the confidence vote to garner support for his austerity budget, which cut government spending by €44 billion to address France’s large deficit. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is tasked with appointing a new PM, aims to replace Bayrou before unions go on strike on September 18th. Armed Forces Minister Sebastian Lecornu is already being floated as the next possible candidate.
#intl-politics #europe
Written & Published September 8th, 2025 by David Hain
ICE agents staged a massive deportation raid in a Georgian Hyundai plant, detaining 475 workers, including over 300 Korean foreign nationals. Although this has prompted domestic backlash for arresting people without warrants, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the raid, claiming that it won’t deter Korean investment into the US. President Trump claimed that he was only protecting American jobs. Consequently, South Korean politicians have found themselves conflicted in their reaction to the crisis. Even though South Korean Chief of Staff Kan Hook-sik has assured the release of all Korean detainees, South Korean politicians are unsure if the United States can be easily forgiven for the detaining of Korean citizens.
#us-politics #intl-politics #us-FoPo
Written & Published September 7th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
Momentum is building in Congress to force the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, with Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna insisting they already have enough signatures for a discharge petition. Both lawmakers argue the public deserves transparency, despite resistance from President Trump, who has dismissed the push as politicized. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse rallied on Capitol Hill this week, calling the issue one of justice and protection for children. Meanwhile, Trump allies are preparing to fund challengers against Massie in Kentucky, escalating tensions within the Republican Party as Senate leaders also weigh blocking the bill.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 7th, 2025 by Ron Kim
Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis as the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint. Acutis, an Italian teenager who died of leukemia at the age of 15 in 2006, became known as “God’s influencer” for using technology to share his deep faith online. The canonization Mass drew 80,000 people in total to St. Peter’s Square. Acutis was born in 1991 and documented Eucharistic miracles on a website he built before his passing. Francis, Leo’s predecessor, had pushed for Acutis to be given sainthood with the wish that it would attract more young people to the Catholic Church.
#intl-politics
Written & Published September 7th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
On September 6, President Trump issued an executive order restoring the historic name “Department of War” as a secondary designation for the Department of Defense, and instructed Secretary Pete Hegseth to pursue legislative and executive steps to make the change permanent. The move reflects the administration’s "warrior ethos" campaign, aiming to shift cultural perception toward offense over defense. The renaming has sparked domestic debate: critics warn it normalizes militaristic rhetoric, while supporters argue it evokes America’s historical victories under that title.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 7th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
A massive ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operation at a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery construction site in Georgia resulted in the arrest of approximately 475 workers—most of whom were South Korean nationals—making it the largest single-site enforcement action in Homeland Security Investigations' history. Workers reportedly hid in air ducts or plunged into ponds to evade arrest. Afterwards, the South Korean government negotiated the release and repatriation of over 300 detainees; it dispatched a diplomat and arranged a chartered flight.
#us-politics #us-FoPo
Written & Published September 7th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, announced his resignation in the wake of his party’s severe losses in the July parliamentary elections. His departure comes less than a year after assuming office, underscoring the political instability within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The move raises questions about who the next leader will be, and how he/she will navigate Japan's domestic and foreign policy priorities amid regional uncertainties.
#intl-politics #asia
Written & Published September 6th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Afghanistan has been struck by two powerful aftershocks days after a series of deadly earthquakes that killed over 2,200 people. More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed, leaving survivors in tents and open fields as temperatures drop. International aid groups, including the World Health Organization (WHO), are mobilizing but warn of major shortages in food, medicine, and clean water. The tremors risk further landslides in mountainous terrain, complicating relief efforts. Afghan officials are pleading for immediate global assistance.
#intl-environment #humanitarian #asia
Written & Published September 6th, 2025 by Brogan Jones
Since February, the Trump Administration has failed to make good on campaign promises to release child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s client list. In turn, the controversy surrounding the "Epstein files" has engulfed Republicans. The latest shock in this saga came when Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican, after being asked about the files being a "Democrat hoax," made the claim that the president was an FBI informant in Epstein's trial. While the remark has not been commented on by the FBI or Trump himself, senior Trump administration officials seemed very confused about where this information rose from.
#us-politics #republicans
Written & Published September 3rd, 2025 by Elisa Ma
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said that the state is working to end all vaccination mandates, including ones for school-aged children, potentially becoming the first state to do so. Previously, students were required to be vaccinated against measles, mumps, polio, chicken pox and Hepatitis B. Governor Ron DeSantis expressed that while some changes will be made by his administration, the Floridian House and Senate can also alter the policy. Ladapo's move is in line with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again effort, which has been criticized for promoting scientifically unsupported claims.
#us-politics #us-health
Written & Published September 3rd, 2025 by Sophia Amundgaard
In early August, the Trump Administration reassigned 121 FBI agents and deployed thousands of national guard troops to the Capitol, citing a “crime emergency in the District of Columbia.” This is despite net crime plunging to a 30-year low. Weeks later, Trump threatened to send troops into Baltimore, Chicago, and Los Angeles, garnering a response from Judge Charles R. Breyer of San Francisco, who claimed the deployment “exceeded legal limits.” On Thursday, D.C. announced its lawsuit against the administration under the Home Rule Act, lobbying that the deployment runs “roughshod over a fundamental tenet of American democracy — that the military should not be involved in domestic law enforcement.”
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published September 1st, 2025 by Aaniya Khan
South Korea’s Defence Ministry announced the suspension of “Voice of Freedom” military radio broadcasts into North Korea—marking the first such halt in 15 years—as part of steps to ease tensions under President Lee Jae-Myung’s new administration. The broadcasts, which featured news, K-pop and propaganda, were used as psychological warfare. The move follows the June decision to begin dismantling physical loudspeakers at the border and aligns with Lee’s broader conciliatory agenda. However, Pyongyang has still shown little interest in dialogue.
#intl-politics #asia
Written & Published September 1st, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattled eastern Afghanistan, leaving at least 812 people killed and more than 2,800 injured, according to the country’s health ministry. The Taliban-run government is asking for humanitarian assistance, which is very limited especially following President Trump’s prior slashing of USAID funding this January. "We need [international aid] because here lots of people lost their lives and houses,” said Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the health ministry in Kabul. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres emphasized that the organization's priority is to mobilize support for those devastated by the quake to facilitate recovery and rescue operations.
#intl-politics #humanitarian #middle-east
Written & Published September 1st, 2025 by Ron Kim
Thousands of people across the United States rallied together this Labor Day under the banner “Workers Over Billionaires.” Major demonstrations were held in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. Among the protesters' demands were the protection of Medicaid, a cessation of attacks on immigrants, funding for schools, and housing for all. However, there has been tragedy. In Chicago, 54 people were shot, seven of those fatally. Mayor Brandon Johnson denounced federal threats of military intervention, warning that deploying troops into U.S. cities would escalate tensions.
#us-politics
Written & Published September 1st, 2025 by Daniel Song
President Donald Trump’s administration informed Congress that it intends to cancel $4.9 billion of previously approved foreign aid. Under the Impoundment Control Act, an administration can request for the cancellation of funds by Congress and is allowed to unilaterally withhold funding for 45 days. However, Trump bypassed that process and timed the funding freeze such that Congress does not have time to reinstate the funding before the fiscal year ends on September 30th. Both Republican and Democratic legislators have condemned the move, with Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins calling it a “clear violation of the law.”
#us-politics #us-FoPo
Written & Published August 31th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
At least eight people have died in nationwide protests across Indonesia over lawmakers’ $3,000 monthly housing allowance, which is nearly ten times Jakarta’s minimum wage. The unrest, started by the death of a 21-year-old ride-hailing driver hit by a police vehicle, has escalated into riots, looting, and arson. President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to take away perks and to suspend overseas trips for parliamentarians, describing it as a rare concession to ease public anger. Some student groups canceled protests on Monday due to heightened security, while others have vowed to continue demonstrations despite the escalations.
#intl-politics #humanitarian #conflict #middle-east
Written & Published August 31st, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
A federal judge halted the Trump Administration’s plans to deport over 700 unaccompanied Guatemalan children aged 10 to 17 just hours before flights were set to depart. The order included a 14-day restraining period and was issued as advocacy groups urgently filed for protection, stating deportations risk violating federal law protecting minors. According to court filings, some children had already been loaded onto planes, but legal intervention stopped their removal from the US. Immigration advocates say this marks one of the largest mass court interventions on child deportations since 2021.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published August 30th, 2025 by Patrick Li
As of today, Russian forces have launched overnight strikes across southern and central Ukraine, killing one person and wounding at least 28. The barrage, which included more than 500 drones and 45 missiles, has been characterized as shockingly aggressive, even if most missiles were intercepted. Later that day, in the western city of Lviv, Andriy Parubiy, a former parliamentary speaker who played a leading role in Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan revolution, was shot dead by gunmen. His killing marked a symbolic blow: Parubiy had once stood at the center of Ukraine’s fight for closer ties with Europe, and his death comes as the war grinds into yet another bloody chapter.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict
Written & Published August 30th, 2025 by Patrick Li
The head of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spolaric, condemned Israel’s call for Gaza City’s residents to flee to southern parts of the Gaza Strip, asserting that “it is impossible that a mass evacuation…could ever be done in a way that is safe and dignified under the current conditions." Nearly half of Gaza’s population lives in the city making Israel’s plan one of the largest forced movements of civilians in recent memory. Families already struggling with shortages of food, water, and shelter would be pushed further into crisis if such an evacuation were attempted.
#intl-politics #humanitarian #conflict #middle-east
Written & Published August 30th, 2025 by David Hain
As tensions with President Donald Trump rise, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order declaring the Chicago Police Department from helping federal immigration authorities in any capacity. The executive order also requires Chicagoan police to wear standard police uniform, follow body camera procedures, and to not wear masks. It was written in order to “[make] a clear distinction about what [Chicago’s] law enforcement engages in vs. what the federal government engages in”, effectively preventing the Chicago Police Department from assimilating with any federally deployed militia.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 30th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
A U.S. federal appeals court ruled today that most of former President Trump’s sweeping tariffs—imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—are unlawful, marking a major rebuke to his executive authority. The court concluded that the IEEPA lacks the explicit power to authorize tariffs, which are under Congress’s domain. However, the tariffs will remain in effect until October 14 to allow time for a potential Supreme Court appeal. This means that legal uncertainty now looms over a central pillar of Trump’s trade agenda. Analysts warn of potential economic fallout if the tariffs are ultimately struck down.
#us-econ #us-legal #us-FoPo
Written & Published August 30th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
A tragic shooting occurred at a school attached to Annunciation Catholic Church during Mass. The shooter opened fire through the church windows, killing two children and injuring 18 others—both children and adults—before taking his own life. Law enforcement is investigating the motive and circumstances of the attack, which took place just as the school year began. This is one of the biggest school shootings in the United States this year.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 30th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Social media erupted with false rumors claiming that President Donald Trump had died after several days out of public view. The claims were quickly debunked when Trump was photographed and filmed leaving his residence for a golf outing, appearing in good health. The episode highlighted both the speed of misinformation online and its political consequences, with both supporters and opponents reacting sharply before facts emerged. Trump’s aides dismissed the rumors as malicious misinformation, stressing that the president remains active. Analysts warn the incident reflects growing challenges in combating viral falsehoods.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 29th, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
Following a ruling issued last week to protect the Miccosukee tribe as well as the environment, the number of occupants at “Alligator Alcatraz” has reportedly dropped by half. The ruling, which stated that the facility caused irreversible environmental damage to the Everglades, set a 60-day timeline to set down the facility permanently. Executive Director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie revealed in an email that the facility would “be down to 0 individuals within a few days.” The facility, which opened in July, was established using over $250 million of federal and state funding. It is uncertain whether or not some of these funds will be restored.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published August 29th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
Following a past suspension, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted from office today by the Thai Constitutional Court. This came as a massive controversy ensued over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian PM Hun Sen. Many view Shinawatra, a member of a political dynasty, as subservient to Sen amid growing border standoffs between the two countries. Afterwards, Shinawatra’s government imploded, with many members of her ruling coalition bowing out. With this, she became the 3rd member of her family to be ousted from office, further worsening the political crisis in Thailand.
#intl-politics #asia #conflict #alliances
Written & Published August 29th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
Bad news for online shoppers – de minimis tariff exemptions for small overseas purchases are ending on August 29th. First implemented in 1930, de minimis exemptions covered purchases under $800. Under this rule, 1.4 billion packages worth a total of over $64bn entered the United States last year. Now, every package entering America will be subject to the tariff rate placed on its country of origin. An executive order from April has already ended de minimis exemptions for goods imported from China. The closing of this loophole is projected to raise $10bn yearly for the government.
#intl-econ #us-econ #us-FoPo
Written & Published August 28th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
After just about a month, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez was fired from her job, according to the White House. This comes after she refused to resign earlier on Thursday and had her lawyer send out a message saying she “refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.” This represents the latest upheaval that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr. has been making to public institutions. RFK later appointed deputy health secretary Jim O’Neill as the interim CDC director, a close ally who is neither a scientist nor medical doctor.
#intl-politics #middle-east #conflict #humanitarian
Written & Published August 28th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
Donald Trump’s administration has approved an arms sale worth $825 million to Ukraine. The State Department notified Congress of the sale today. The package mostly consists of extended range missiles and related equipment, but also includes necessary components, spare parts, and training for usage. The announcement said that Ukraine would use funding from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and US foreign military financing to pay for the weapons sale. This sale comes after attempts at negotiation with Vladimir Putin have stagnated.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #conflict #europe
Written & Published August 27th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
Today, President Trump followed through with a previous threat and increased the US tariff on India to 50%, doubling the original tariff on most goods. This stemmed from India's buying of Russian oil, providing funds for the war against Ukraine. However, experts warned that the tariffs could America’s developing economic relationship with India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded by promising to cut taxes in order to mitigate the effects. Textiles, gems and seafood are largely affected, because these are now very difficult to export.
#intl-econ #us-FoPo #asia
Written & Published August 26th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Australia has expelled the Iranian ambassador to their country and accused the Middle Eastern nation of conducting antisemitic attacks. Mike Burgess, Australia's head of intelligence, claimed today that Iran was behind two arson attacks. These events occurred in Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney on Oct. 20 and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on Dec. 6. This is a historic moment, seeing as Australian Foreign Minister Peggy Wong says, “this is the first time in the post-war period that Australia has expelled an ambassador,” since these actions “have crossed a line.”
#intl-politics #middle-east #conflict #humanitarian
Written & Published August 26th, 2025 by Harry Reitman
In the leadup to a previous election, South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung was quoted saying that he would do anything for a trade deal with the United States, even crawl under Donald Trump’s legs. Following through on these promises, Lee Jae-Myung just had a meeting with President Trump. Thankfully, there was no crawling involved. The leader of Korea’s Democratic Party (DPK) looked to flatter Trump, with both leaders exchanging compliments on their diplomacy with North Korea. Although no official legislation or agreements came out of this deal, South Korea is playing the slightly longer game of being a close ally of Trump’s America.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #asia
Written & Published August 25th, 2025 by Harry Xu
Two months after the creation of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’, a controversial migrant detention camp nested in the Florida Everglades, Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that no more detainees can arrive at the facility. The reasoning was that the camp has dangerous impacts on endangered species living nearby, in line with a lawsuit filed by environmentalist groups and the nearby Miccosukee Tribe. However, this weekend, the federal government asked the order to be paused, as they issued an appeal; additionally, Governor Ron DeSantis said that “[w]e are totally in the right on this”. Whether the camp will actually close is currently unclear.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published August 25th, 2025 by Santiago Jimenez
Israel once again finds itself shrouded in a veil of controversy as twenty civilians, four of whom were journalists, were killed in an IDF strike on the only operating hospital on the Gaza Strip. The IDF claimed that members of Hamas were using the hospital as a human shield, and the attack was necessary. This claim is disputed. What remains true, regardless, is that the current state of warfare between the IDF, Hamas, and the civilian population of Gaza and Israel is unsustainable.
#intl-politics #middle-east #conflict #humanitarian
Written & Published August 25th, 2025 by Daniel Song
Centrist French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou announced that he will call a September 8th confidence vote in his government to consolidate support for his deficit reduction plan. Bayrou’s proposed budget cuts €43.8 billion from the budget, reducing France’s fiscal deficit down to 4.6% of GDP. However, Bayrou lacks a majority in Parliament, and opposition parties have vowed to use this opportunity to bring down Bayrou’s government. In fact, Jordan Bardella, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, immediately stated that his party will not vote for the ruling prime minister.
#intl-politics #europe
Written & Published August 25th, 2025 by Christina Yang
Employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent Congress a letter, titled the “Katrina Declaration". It warned that Donald Trump had reversed much of the disaster recovery reforms made after the hurricane. The letter criticizes Trump’s plan to scale down FEMA and shift more responsibility to the states. It highlights failure in following the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act by appointing inexperienced administrators and allowing the Department of Homeland Security to interfere with FEMA’s responsibilities. Congress is also urged to make FEMA a Cabinet-level independent agency to protect it from political interference.
#us-politics #environment
Written & Published August 24th, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
The Trump Administration recently halted construction on a Rhode Island wind project known as "Revolution Wind". According to Danish wind farm developer Orsted, it was nearly 80% complete. Citing national security concerns, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued the order on Friday but did not provide further details. Scientists caution that such actions will hamper efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, which have been responsible for this year’s unpredictable extreme weather patterns.
#us-politics #environment
Written & Published August 24th, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
A federal judge has blocked the Trump Administration from withholding federal funding from 34 sanctuary cities and counties, including Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Denver, due to their policies of limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. U.S. District Judge William Orrick extended his injunction (order to prevent something) after finding that the administration failed to provide a substantial legal challenge. This ruling upholds hundreds of millions of dollars in crucial grants for local governments, halting the president’s efforts to penalize jurisdictions with “sanctuary” policies. The administration has appealed the decision, but the injunction still remains in place.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published August 23rd, 2025 by Jack Zhou
General Mamady Doumbouya, the military leader of Guinea, announced that the country’s three main opposition parties are suspended and cannot engage in any political activities for at least 90 days. This includes the party of former Guinea President Alpha Conde, whose government was toppled in a coup by Doumbouya in 2021. This comes ahead of a constitutional referendum scheduled for September 21. When Doumbouya came into power he pledged to “bolster democracy,” but given that he is now silencing parties not in his favor, it seems like he’s returning to the country’s old history of dictatorial rule.
#intl-politics #africa
Written & Published August 23rd, 2025 by Brogan Jones
The Trump Administration seems to be far from done with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March for being an alleged member of the gang MS-13. After being released from a Tennessee jail, the government attempted to coerce Abrego Garcia, who is now back in Maryland, into deportation to Costa Rica. Now that he and his legal team have declined that offer, the Trump administration’s newest proposal is deportation to Uganda. Garcia’s lawyers are working hard to build their case and prevent any sort of deportation for their client.
#us-politics #us-FoPo #us-legal
Written & Published August 23rd, 2025 by Andrew Lu
The United Nations has issued an urgent call for global action to protect workers from mounting heat stress risks. With rising temperatures compounded by climate change, millions face heightened threats—not only from heatstroke but also impaired judgment and productivity. The UN urges governments and employers to ramp up protective measures—such as appropriate rest cycles, hydration protocols, and infrastructure improvements—to safeguard health amid increasingly extreme heat conditions.
#intl-politics #intl-environment
Written & Published August 21st, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
Last month, President Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen approved a tentative trade deal to avert a trade war. The deal set a baseline tariff rate of 15%--a significant reduction from the 30% rate threatened in July. However, the two leaders were not on the same page. Trump claimed that the deal did not cover pharmaceuticals, to which he threatened to place 200% and then 250% tariffs, rates that would have been catastrophic to the American healthcare industry. Thankfully, a joint statement released earlier today cemented the baseline 15% rates, and guaranteed no further increases.
#intl-econ #us-FoPo #europe
Written & Published August 20th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
In an 88-52 vote, Texas’s House of Representatives approved redistricted congressional maps that could potentially increase Republican seats in Congress, a move backed by President Donald Trump. This happened after Democrats attempted to stall the vote, citing the maps as gerrymandering, which refers to the manipulation of borders/boundaries to favor one party. The maps now go to the Texas Senate for further review. If approved, a final signature will be made by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott. In response, Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom may redistrict California, another key state in the US House.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 20th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, stated that Europe will have to take a “lion’s share” of the costs to ensure Ukrainian security guarantees. Previously, Vance has said Russia wants Ukrainian territory, "most of which they have occupied but some of which they haven't." Currently, Russia occupies almost 20% of Ukraine, and about 3 to 3.5 million Ukrainians are living in territories controlled by Russia. Since the invasion, these lands have lost roughly half of their population. Vance's stance suggests that the United States is well aware of the costs that come with supporting a war.
#intl-politics #conflict #us-FoPo #europe
Written & Published August 20th, 2025 by Sophia Amundgaard
President Donald Trump has long campaigned against the International Criminal Court (ICC) for authorizing investigations into crimes committed by US personnel. He's arguing that American abstinence from the 2002 Rome Statute legally bars the court from functioning in the US. Trump has extended this position in his second term, previously enacting a series of sanctions on the ICC’s chief prosecutor, two deputies, and six judges for leading the investigation into Israeli war crimes and issuing an arrest warrant for close ally and Israeli President Benjamin Netenhyahu. Today, the administration expanded its sanctions to encompass an additional four ICC personnel: two judges and two prosecutors.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #alliances
Written & Published August 19th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Recently, arrest warrants were issued for Texas Democrats, who fled the state in an attempt to prevent state Republicans from redistricting in a way that would disproportionately benefit the conservatives. The lawmakers returned to the state house on Tuesday, and eight of them are to spend the night there, publicly ripping apart permission slips required for members to leave the chamber. For example, Rep. Nicole Collier, who spent over a day in the chamber, is still refusing to leave, garnering the support former Vice President Kamala Harris.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 19th, 2025 by Ron Kim
On August 19, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar—their second meeting since the 2020 clashes in the Galwan Valley—to discuss increased cooperation. In a later meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both nations proposed reducing the number of troops on the disputed Himalayan border and resuming direct flights. Modi stated on X that"Stable, predictable, constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional as well as global peace and prosperity." Later this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Modi will meet in Tianjin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
#intl-politics #asia #alliances
Written & Published August 18th, 2025 by Blake McFalls
After his relatively unsuccessful summit with Russia, Trump hosted seven European leaders, most notably Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at the White House. Contrary to past efforts, this meeting was highly productive. A pledge for an American and European security guarantee for Ukraine emerged, and it will be finalized in the next 10 days. Furthermore, Ukraine is set to buy $90bn worth of weapons from the US, strengthening a growing military relationship. This success marks the most progress yet on Trump’s goal of a peace deal in Ukraine, because the meeting was well-received by Russia. One of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s key diplomats, Kirill Dimitriev, stated the meeting was “an important day of diplomacy”, noting the efforts at a long-lasting deal in Ukraine. Perhaps most importantly, Putin said he was open to meeting with Zelensky.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #conflict #alliances #europe
Written & Published August 18th, 2025 by Harry Xu
On Monday, President Donald Trump announced that he wants to remove mail-in ballots and voting machines in U.S. elections, and lawyers are currently drafting an executive order to do so. This news occurred days after Trump’s meeting with Putin, who said that the 2020 election “was rigged because you have mail-in voting”. While Trump previously urged followers to vote using mail-in ballots, Democratic voters are now more likely to use them. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, Trump probably wants to bring more power to the Republican Party. However, it is currently unclear if he has the constitutional authority to remove mail-ins.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 18th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
Hurricane Erin, which first formed on August 11th, 2025, has now become a Category 4 storm. This metric, according to the NWS, means that “Catastrophic damage will occur and well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage.” Rains from the storm are already reaching the south-eastern Bahamas and the Turk and Caicos Islands, which are expected to receive 6 inches of rainfall. Erin was a category 5 storm on Saturday, but has slightly weakened. While the brunt of the storm will not hit the US mainland, the East Coast will be hit by dangerous rip currents.
#environment
Written & Published August 17th, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
In one of the largest demonstrations since October 2023, approximately 300,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv to demand an end to the war in Gaza. The protests, which come more than a week after the Israeli security cabinet approved a plan to completely take over Gaza City, called for the release of the 50 remaining hostages in the besieged enclave. Israeli police arrested at least 38 people as demonstrators blocked roads, closed private businesses, and staged rallies. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s finance minister, decried the campaigns, calling for their unconditional “surrender.” Others, however, termed the war “futile” and criticized Israel for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has killed 61,000 (excluding the thousands buried under the rubble).
#intl-politics #middle-east #humanitarian #conflict
Written & Published August 17th, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
Thousands rallied in Austin and across the nation protested against Texas Republicans’ push for congressional redistricting, which could give the GOP up to five more House seats. Demonstrators condemned the plan as "partisan gerrymandering" targeting minority voters, prompting 300 protesting events in 44 states. This redistricting move, now backed by President Trump, has also triggered backlash with a counter-proposal from California to institute a similar "gerrymandered" map in their state to win back seats. As a whole, the events are calling into question what fair elections look like and how gerrymandering may impede the democracy holding the nation together.
#us-politics #republicans
Written & Published August 17th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
In Crown Heights, Brooklyn, three men were killed and nine others were wounded when multiple gunmen opened fire inside the Taste of the City lounge around 3:30 a.m. The police said that the victims ranged from 19 to 61, and the 19-year-old died at the scene, while two others later died at hospitals. Police recovered dozens of shell casings from several weapons, fueling predictions that the attack was gang-affiliated. Mayor Eric Adams vowed a “mass shooting plan” in response, but no arrests have been made yet.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 17th, 2025 by Dhruv Arun
More than 300 people are dead in northwest Pakistan and the Kashmir region after two days of heavy rains and flash flood, with most of the deaths were recorded in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A local official in the worst-affected Buner district told the BBC that at least 209 people were still missing there, but it is feared that number could rise. Rescue teams have buried eight unidentified bodies as there were no family members found alive to claim them, showing the scale of devastation that has left entire families erased.
#intl-environment #asia #humanitarian
Written & Published August 17th, 2025 by Brogan Jones
Hurricane Erin, which was predicted to take a treacherous path through the United States before being downgraded to a Category 3 storm, has swept through many parts of Puerto Rico, leaving more than 100,000 people without power. In the wake of this chaos, the storm is now expected to strengthen once again. While predictions still don’t have Hurricane Erin hitting much land, the storm continues to rage on in the Caribbean, mainly affecting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Coastal property damage is expected and Puerto Rico's governor has urged people to stay home, with the worst of the storm supposed to hit late Sunday night.
#environment
Written & Published August 16th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
Earlier this week, President Trump placed Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department under federal control in an attempt to lower crime rates. Consequently, the Justice Department tried to replace D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith. As a result, the D.C. Attorney General sued the administration and sought a court order blocking the takeover. This led the Trump administration to return control of the police department to D.C., allowing Pamela Smith to continue as police chief. However, US Attorney General Pam Bondi has continued to criticize the department and the lawsuit, and stated that the D.C. police department must do more to fulfill Trump’s deportation goals.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published August 16th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to worsen. As Israeli strikes killed another 20 civilians, the number of casualties has soared to 61,897. Deaths from hunger have climbed to 251. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned the violence but maintained it is not yet the right time to recognize a Palestinian state, calling instead for mutual recognition and a democratic post‑Hamas Palestine. Protests erupted in Tel Aviv demanding the release of hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the West Bank, and Microsoft launched an investigation into reports of its technology being used for military surveillance.
#middle-east #conflict #humanitarian
Written & Published August 15th, 2025 by Patrick Li
This Friday, in a somewhat controversial move, US President Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, in what marks the first in-person US-Russia talks since 2021. Lauding the meeting as both “productive” and “understanding,” President Trump has reportedly said that he would call Volodymyr Zelensky—Ukraine’s president—and members of NATO to brief them on what he and the Russian president discussed. There were allegedly also some “big” points in which the two sides did not agree on.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #conflict #alliances
Written & Published August 14th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
After blowing through Taiwan–causing more than 5,500 evacuations, tens of thousands of power outages, and the halting of all domestic and international flights–Typhoon (Hurricane) Podul has just made landfall in Southern China. While Podul has been weakened from a typhoon to a tropical storm, it threatens to bring heavy rain to China at an inopportune time. The country has been ravaged by record rainfalls. Recent flooding in the Beijing region took at least 34 lives. Such instances of extreme weather have dramatically increased over the last five years, and will continue to increase as climate change becomes a bigger problem.
#intl-environment #asia #humanitarian
Written & Published August 14th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
Chipmakers Nvidia and AMD have agreed to pay the US government fifteen percent of revenue made on sales to Chinese buyers. Previously, advanced chips were prohibited from being sold to Chinese entities, with both major parties citing competitive and national security concerns. The Trump Administration has stated that chips being sold are not top of the line, and this deal is predicted to bring the US government over $2 billion. This deal may violate the Constitution for charging an excise tax on exports.
#us-politics #us-econ #us-legal #us-FoPo
Written & Published August 14th, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
Following President Trump’s directive to boost law enforcement and National Guard presence in the nation’s capitol, police set up a checkpoint in the U Street corridor in northwestern D.C. The checkpoint, among the first since Trump’s federal deployment of both D.C. police and the National Guard, was placed after over 100 protesters heckled police upon arrival. ICE agents stopped and inspected countless vehicles at the intersection, with violations ranging from unbuckled seatbelts to broken taillights. One vehicle was towed away from the scene, as witnesses claim that the driver was forcefully removed from the vehicle. National Guard members were not active at said checkpoint.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 13th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
President Donald Trump announced today that there will be severe “consequences” against Russia if Putin does not agree to end the war in Ukraine. This was a reiteration of a statement made many times before, yet, Trump has yet to specify the consequences if his demand is not met. Over his presidency, Trump has been hesitant to impose tariffs on Russia, despite his actions against other countries and previous threats earlier in his presidency.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict #us-FoPo
Written & Published August 12th, 2025 by Blake McFalls
For months, economists have predicted that Trump’s tariffs would be inflationary, as taxes on importers would eventually be passed onto consumers. While low inflation since April has calmed nerves in the past, July’s consumer price index (CPI), or the measure for price fluctuations, was 2.7% higher than the same month last year, indicating inflation’s presence. Some expected tariffs to have a larger impact, but it’s likely they did. When the index ignores food and energy, the most volatile items, inflation was 3.1%. Some of Trump’s most heavily tariffed items are cars, and the average price for a car rose by 4.8%. As the cost of tariffs starts to truly show, tension will increase over tariff policy.
#us-politics #us-econ
Written & Published August 12th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Donald Trump's new nominee for Commissioner of Labor Statistics, E.J Antoni, has suggested that the agency may halt its release of its monthly report. Instead, he hinted at switching to a less-frequent quarterly report. He champions this plan as part of a shift towards, purportedly, more accurate labor statistics - claiming that this process should become the norm until “[monthly reports are] corrected”. The reasoning for the supposedly faulty data under the previous commissioner, in his words, can be attributed to “things wrong with your models and methodologies” that “need to be revised.”
#us-politics
Written & Published August 11th, 2025 by Aaniya Khan
President Donald Trump announced today he is nominating E.J. Antoni, chief economist at the conservative think-tank Heritage Foundation, as the next Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics; replacing Erika McEntarfer, whom he dismissed after a weak jobs report he labeled “rigged” without evidence. Antoni, who has been a vocal critic of the BLS’s data accuracy in the past, pledged to deliver “honest and accurate” labor statistics. His nomination now awaits Senate confirmation amid growing concerns about preserving the agency’s independence.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 11th, 2025 by Daniel Song
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will join France, Britain, and Canada in recognizing a Palestinian state at a United Nations meeting in September. Albanese had been facing pressure from members of his government and the Australian public to take action in the wake of a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Albanese said the recognition was based on several commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including Hamas being excluded from a Palestinian government, the demilitarization of Gaza, and the holding of elections. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move as “shameful” and said such recognition would not change Israel’s position or military plans.
#intl-politics #alliances #conflict #middle-east
Written & Published August 11th, 2025 by Santiago Jimenez
On January 20th, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorists, and we are now seeing the result. The U.S. government is following through with its declaration by treating drug cartels as war candidates. The United States’ antagonization of cartels isn’t a new trend, with President Trump weighing the consequences of drone strikes earlier this year. What is new, however, is the clear-cut policy actions, and authorization, to do as such.
#us-politics #us-FoPo
Written & Published August 11th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
Donald Trump has ordered the federalization of the Washington DC police department, meaning that 800 National Guard soldiers will be deployed. Roughly 100-200 will be supporting law enforcement agents at any given time. Washington DC’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, called the move “unsettling and unprecedented.” Donald Trump has said that the action is to combat crime and “rampant homelessness” in the city. Statistics from the FBI and Washington DC police department agree crime has fallen, but they disagree on the amount. A total of 16,872 crimes (including non-violent) were committed in the nation's capital in 2024, according to the Washington D.C. police department.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 10th, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
After the Supreme Court's July 8, 2025 decision gave the green light to President Trump's executive order to cut government jobs, federal agencies started mass layoffs this summer. The administration's goal of cutting "waste and bloat" in the government through reductions in force (RIFs) across dozens of agencies helped this happen. More than 148,000 federal workers have quit their jobs, either by taking voluntary buyouts or being fired/laid off. Although some of these changes were delayed by lawsuits and temporary injunctions, major departments like the VA, Health and Human Services, and Education have still experienced harm. Overall, the event has caused fear because the number of people leaving could hurt public services and government operations.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published August 10th, 2025 by Ron Kim
At approximately 1:30 am on August 9, three people were injured in a shooting at Times Square. The suspect, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested shortly after. Though not publicly identified, police reported that he was charged with attempted murder, assault and other related charges. Victims of the incident include Luis Eduardo Rodriguez Palencia, a 65-year-old Colombian tourist, and two other teenagers. Although the motive remains unclear, Palencia’s son claims that the gunman released fire after an argument at Raising Canes. All victims are hospitalized in stable condition.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 10th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
Six people, including a 5-year-old girl, are injured after a mass shooting in northwest Baltimore Saturday night, police said. Gunfire erupted just before 8:50 p.m. as people gathered outside for a crab feast, according to Police Commissioner Richard Worley. The child was shot in the hand and is expected to recover. The other victims, a 23-year-old woman and three men ages 32, 33, 38 and 52, are believed to have relatively minor injuries. No suspects are in custody, and the police have not disclosed a motive yet.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 9th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
Tensions between North and South Korea are reflected not only through weapons buildups or tense trade talks, but also through the blasting of propaganda along the border between the two nations. Thus, Pyongyang’s decision to begin removing their speakers in response to Seoul halting their own broadcasts a few days ago marks a first step towards warming relations. Following the election of liberal president Lee Jae-Myung, South Korea has been seeking improved relations with both Pyongyang and Beijing. As Seoul’s relations with Washington grow tense in the face of tariffs and decreasing security commitments, these relations are becoming more important.
#intl-politics #asia #conflict
Written & Published August 9th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
In light of Israel’s recent decision to take control of Gaza City, Germany has decided to halt all military equipment exports to Israel “until further notice.” This comes as a surprise, because Germany previously was among Israel’s top foreign suppliers along with the United States and Italy, and has refused to recognize Palestine as a state, like many other European countries already have. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, however, has reaffirmed previous stances by stating that Israel “has the right to defend itself against Hamas’ terror” and that Hamas should not have any control of Gaza in the future. Overall, this marks a huge shift in Germany’s view of the war in Gaza, but will likely do little to change Netanyahu’s plans.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict
Written & Published August 8th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, US President Donald Trump announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin would be meeting in Alaska on the 15th of August. This holds enormous significance as ceasefire talks for the Russo-Ukrainian war have
intensified in recent days. Envoy Steve Witkoff previously discussed a potential ceasefire with the Kremlin, and Putin proposed a ceasefire that would cede Eastern Ukraine to Russia. Talks could also center on further sanctions on Russia, as Trump has repeatedly stated the desire to place sanctions targetted at crippling Russia’s war machine.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #conflict #europe
Written & Published August 8th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
U.S. and Russian officials are reportedly negotiating a truce that would formalize Russia’s control over territories it seized in Ukraine—including Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson—and Crimea. The deal, aimed at freezing the conflict, may be finalized during an upcoming Trump–Putin summit, which is scheduled for next Friday. The White House has dismissed the Bloomberg report as speculative. Despite this, Kyiv remains highly cautious about any arrangement that legitimizes territorial annexations.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #conflict #europe
Written & Published August 7th, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
On Thursday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed in an interview with Fox News that Israel’s security cabinet voted to affirm his plan to take total military control of Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) chief of staff, however, advised against this firmly. In a meeting with top officials, he warned that this move may put hostages at risk and trap the military in an enclave. This follows Hamas’ statement that this move would lead to the sacrifice of the remaining hostages. Additionally, the UN has heavily advised against the act, stating that it would risk “catastrophic consequences”. Regardless, Netanyahu still plans to take over Gaza.
#intl-politics #middle-east #conflict #humanitarian
Written & Published August 6th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under the command of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has cut almost $500 billion in funding for 22 projects working towards mRNA vaccines. RFK Jr. claims that mRNA vaccines, like those for COVID-19 and the flu, have been ineffective against respiratory symptoms. The agency is shifting towards “safer, broader vaccine platforms”, like whole-virus vaccines. Experts warn that this move can significantly slow down pandemic preparedness and response.
#us-politics #us-health
Written & Published August 6th, 2025 by Sophia Amundgaard
Yesterday, US District Judge Richard G. Stearns blocked the Trump Administration’s attempt to reallocate $4bn of funding dedicated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). But, Trump’s war on FEMA is far from over. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adopted “an all-hands-on-deck strategy to recruit 10,000 new ICE agents” this morning, announcing the reassignment of roughly half of FEMA’s human resources team to the operation. Transferred employees were instructed to “accept or decline the reassignment within seven days” or risk being fired. As the US approaches the peak of a predicted “above normal” hurricane season, the DHS nonetheless assured that the “deployment will NOT disrupt FEMA’s critical operations”.
#us-politics #us-legal #environment
Written & Published August 4th, 2025 by Daniel Song
El Salvador’s National Assembly approved a series of constitutional amendments which abolish presidential term limits and extend a president’s term in office from five years to six. This empowers President Nayib Bukele to run for unlimited re-election in the future. Bukele’s party enjoys a supermajority in the National Assembly, and he himself was re-elected in a landslide in 2024 as voters rewarded him for reducing crime and combating gangs with hardline security policies such as mass arrests without due process. However, Bukele’s policies have also led to human rights violations, police violence, and thousands of innocent people jailed.
#intl-politics #latin-america
Written & Published August 4th, 2025 by Sadie Zwonitzer
On Monday, Republican House Rep. Nancy Mace announced that she would be running for Governor of South Carolina. The announcement, made in Charleston, also revealed her policy plan for the state. Her platform includes a very Trump-centric agenda, including funding freezes of $11.6 billion - requiring every state agency to cut 3-4% of their budgets each year. Nancy Mace will compete against fellow Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), state Attorney General Alan Wilson (R), state Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell (R) in the Republican primary later this year.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 3rd, 2025 by Roshan Shivnani
More than 50 Texas House Democrats fled to Illinois on Sunday, blocking a Republican-led vote on a new congressional redistricting map (which most of the left claims as gerrymandering) backed by former President Trump. Without their presence, the legislature lacks the quorum (required number of members present) needed to advance the map, which could add five GOP House seats. Unfortunately for the Democrats, experts note that while past walkouts have delayed similar bills, yet have failed to stop them. Lawmakers face $500 daily fines, possible felony charges, and threats of removal from office, with Governor Abbott vowing “full extradition authority” for any absent members.
#us-politics
Written & Published August 3rd, 2025 by Ron Kim
In total, more than sixty people have disappeared due to mass flooding in northern China. In recent years, the region has experienced an increase in precipitation, with some scientists attributing the rise to global warming. Earlier on July 23rd, two initial deaths occurred in Hebei Province, alongside a record-shattering 145mm of rain per hour in Fuping County. By the end of the month, thirty people were dead in Beijing and 80,000 were evacuated. The floods cut power and communications in about 130 villages, making many of the victims unreachable. Recovery efforts are currently underway to alleviate the situation.
#intl-environment #asia #humanitarian
Written & Published August 3rd, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said that the organization would revoke its 2009 endangerment finding, which states that greenhouse gases “endanger public health and wealthfare”. Zeldin claimed that this would “save $54 billion annually.” As a consequence, regulation regarding environmental standards set on cars, power plants, and other sources of pollution could potentially be withdrawn. If successfully upheld in the Supreme Court, experts warn that the withdrawal may represent a shift in the Trump administration’s efforts to curb federal climate efforts. Even so, legal analysts assert that the move has slim chances of passing, given the inevitable litany of litigation that could ensue.
#us-politics #environment
Written & Published August 3rd, 2025 by Milie Gupta
A massive fire erupted at a Russian oil depot in Sochi following a Ukrainian drone attack Sunday, injuring no civilians but drawing 127 firefighters to the scene. The blaze, ignited by drone debris hitting a 2,000-cubic-meter fuel tank, was later extinguished. Flights at Sochi’s airport were temporarily suspended but resumed early Sunday. The strike on Sochi’s Adler district marked a rare attack. Russia claimed to intercept 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 60 over the Black Sea. Meanwhile, four were injured in a separate drone strike in Voronezh, as Kyiv faces continued missile bombardments.
#conflict #europe
Written & Published August 3rd, 2025 by Harry Xu
Indian officials announced on Saturday that the country will continue importing oil from Russia. This Wednesday, President Trump declared a 25% tariff on goods from India, including an additional tax for imports of Russian oil. The tariff came after Russia was deemed to have not made progress on a ceasefire in Ukraine. Stating that their relationship was “steady and time-tested”, Randhir Jaiswal, from the Indian foreign ministry, remained adamant on their trade with Russia. Russian oil is currently not subject to direct sanctions, allowing India to buy it at relatively lower costs
#intl-econ #us-FoPo #conflict #alliances
Written & Published August 3rd, 2025 by Dhruv Arun
President Donald Trump said he ordered two nuclear submarines “to be positioned in the appropriate regions” in response to warnings made to the United States by Russian official Dmitry Medvedev. On On Monday, Medvedev said that “each new ultimatum” from Trump “is a threat and a step towards war.” Trump replied that “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.” Arms control advocate Daryl Kimball called the comments “irresponsible and inadvisable.” The US submarines are already deployed and capable of striking Russia.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict #us-FoPo
Written & Published August 3rd, 2025 by Cody Brown
The US economy has seen intense fluctuations in Gross Domestic Product growth rates in the past year. The first quarter of 2025 was marked by a 0.5% loss in growth—the first dip into the negatives since Q1 of 2022—but has since risen up to a growth rate of 3%. However, the labor market tells a vastly different story. A severe reduction in job growth coincided with low consumer spending as a result of tariffs. This led to a prediction of a 50% chance of recession in the coming months. Those two factors could lead to businesses cutting back on investments and chipping away at discretionary spending.
#us-econ
Written & Published August 2nd, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Brown University recently announced a deal with the Trump Administration; in exchange for the return of research grant funding and the end of an investigation into alleged discrimination, the university pledged commitments regarding women’s sports, antisemitism, and admissions practices. For instance, this means that Brown is to adopt the government definition of “male” and “female” and will vanquish all considerations of race from the admissions process. This exchange would also require Brown to set aside $50 million for Rhode Island workforce development organizations.
#us-politics #education
Written & Published August 2nd, 2025 by Brogan Jones
Amid another instance of Israeli soldiers open firing on Gaza aidseekers, US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff flew to Tel Aviv to reassure the families of 49 hostages currently being held in the Gaza Strip that President Trump was working hard to get their family members home. The meeting came one day after Witkoff also visited a U.S. aid station in Gaza to inspect if food was successfully making it into the Palestinian territory. During the Tel Aviv meeting, Witkoff seemed to hint at a plan to "end the war."
#us-FoPo #humanitarian #middle-east
Written & Published August 1st, 2025 by Patrick Li
On Friday, President Trump unveiled new tariffs on more than 60 countries. Some exports, predominantly from Canada, face 35% levies starting today—August 1st—the deadline for countries to renegotiate the president’s April 2nd imposing of “reciprocal” tariffs. The administration has publicly stated that the bulk of the other levies on various other trading partners would start on August 7th. Specifically, India and Taiwan face 25% and 20% rates respectively.
#intl-econ #us-FoPo #us-econ
Written & Published August 1st, 2025 by Christina Yang
President Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, just hours after the organization reported that job growth had reached the biggest downward trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. The BLS reported a mere 73,000 increase in nonfarm jobs in July, far below estimates. Additionally, the BLS made revisions to the May and June numbers, which turned out to be lower than previously announced figures by 200,000 jobs. Many statistical agencies have struggled with shrinking staff and funding, yet Trump still warranted McEntarfer’s termination by stating that the statistics were “manipulated for political reasons.”
#us-politics
Written & Published July 31st, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
Even as deadly Russian airstrikes continue to pummel Kyiv, Ukrainian youth have taken to the streets in defense of their nation’s democratic institutions. They are protesting a Zelensky-endorsed law that stripped away the independence of the country’s anti-corruption bodies. Instead of accomplishing its aim of bringing unity to the nation, the law instead generated massive backlash and launched Ukraine’s bid for EU accession into jeopardy. This culminated in the nation’s first major demonstrations since Russia’s invasion, which pressured Zelensky to quickly backtrack on his plans. Earlier today, Ukrainian MPs voted 331 to 0 to overturn the controversial law, sparking celebrations in Kyiv.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict
Written & Published July 31st, 2025 by Harry Xu
Today, President Trump signed an executive order regarding the Presidential Fitness Test, a physical exam for schoolchildren that includes a mile run and numerous exercises. The plan is to stop the nation’s growing obesity and physical inactivity with the reintroduction. The test was first created in 1966, and was replaced by the Presidential Youth Fitness Program under former President Obama’s term in 2012. The task of creating testing criteria is delegated to the President’s Council of Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, will oversee its implementation in public schools.
#us-health #us-politics
Written & Published July 30th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
Today, President Trump signed an executive order that raised tariffs on Brazil to 50%, quintupling the previous rate of 10%. This follows through on an announcement earlier this month. This executive order will go into effect in a week, on August 6th, 2025. The tariff served a threat to force Brazil to end the ongoing trial against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Another goal of the tax is to encourage Brazilian trade negotiations with the United States.
#intl-econ #us-FoPo #south-america
Written & Published July 30th, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
On July 29, a record breaking earthquake of 8.8 magnitude hit Kamchatka, Russia, in turn posing the threat of a major tsunami. Evacuation orders were placed on Hawaii and some regions of Japan immediately after the earthquake. Furthermore, advisories were placed on the border of California, Mexico, and Alaska. On Wednesday morning, most of these advisories and evacuation orders were lifted or demoted. Despite this, tsunami waves are still expected in the preceding areas, especially in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.
#environment #intl-environment
Written & Published July 30th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated in a press briefing that Britain will recognize Palestine as a state (saying Palestine is independent) starting September, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and goes towards a two-state solution. Starmer believes this move will allow the United Nations to restart the supplying of aid, which has been restricted by previous evacuation orders issued by the Israeli government. France and Saudi Arabia are also pushing for more nations to recognize Palestine.
#intl-politics #conflict #middle-east
Written & Published July 29th, 2025 by Harry Reitman
Earlier today, AstraZeneca, Britain’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, announced their second quarter revenue had increased 11% compared to last year. The primary reason was the state of American markets. Due to the threat of not being able to sell in the region because of ongoing tariff wars, AstraZeneca is promising to invest $50 billion into America by 2030, with the construction of a new manufacturing plant in Virginia being the first step. It isn’t alone: Amgen plans to invest $1 billion and create 370 jobs in North Carolina, while Eli Lilly announced the construction four new American manufacturing plants. Both foreign and domestic drugmakers are ramping up their investment in the US. This will likely also come with lobbying to protect their profits.
#intl-econ #us-econ
Written & Published July 28th, 2025 by Daniel Song
President Trump reduced the time given to Russia to stop its attacks in Ukraine to 10 to 12 days, a sharp decrease from his initial 50-day deadline two weeks ago. This comes as Trump grows increasingly frustrated with Russia’s refusal to end the war and agree to a ceasefire. The potential consequences if Russia failed to stop its attacks would include “very severe tariffs” or additional economic sanctions. However, Trump’s deadlines, including for trade deals and wars, have proven to be highly flexible, so it is uncertain whether Trump will follow through with punishing Russia for failing to comply.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #conflict #europe
Written & Published July 27th, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
Following an increase in hostilities regarding a border dispute, Thai and Cambodian leaders are slated to meet in Malaysia at 07:00 GMT on Monday for a potential ceasefire. This comes after regional and international allies pressured the two nations to abate the violence, which has already killed 35 people and displaced 200,000. Although both sides have accused each other of instigating skirmishes, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), United States, and UN Secretary-General remain hopeful of a peaceful resolution.
#intl-politics #asia #conflict #alliances
Written & Published July 27th, 2025 by Jack Riegler
President Donald Trump has announced that he has reached a preliminary trade agreement with the European Union (EU) which would lower imposed tariffs down to 15% (decreased from the initially threatened 30% but higher than the previous 10% baseline). In addition, the EU is going to purchase $750 billion worth of energy from the United States, $600 billion more than they’re currently investing. President Trump also hinted at potential military sales but exact figures were not provided.
#intl-politics #us-FoPo #intl-econ
Written & Published July 27th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Facing rising international criticism over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel recently announced that they would stop military operations for ten hours every day, with the announcement specific to certain parts of Gaza. Additionally, Israel promised to set up secure pathways to deliver food and medicine from 6 AM to 11 PM. Following this announcement, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates sent 25 tons of aid via airdrop into the Gaza Strip, marking their first in months. As an unforeseen consequence, Gazan health officials said at least 10 people were injured from the falling aid boxes.
#intl-politics #humanitarian #middle-east #conflict
Written & Published July 27th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
Inside a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, a 42-year-old man stabbed eleven people in a random attack on Saturday, prompting Michigan prosecutors to seek terrorism and assault charges. The suspect, identified as Bradford Gille, was apprehended within minutes thanks to bystanders and law enforcement. The ages of victims range from twenty-nine to eighty-four years old, and several remain in serious condition. Officials say Gille used a folding knife near the checkout area. Authorities believe the attack was meant to instill fear in the broader community. The FBI and Michigan State Police are assisting in the ongoing investigation.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 26th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
Previously, Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders, hoping to accomplish several of his policy goals regarding artificial inteligence (AI), which include less regulation, the abolishment of ‘woke AI’, and innovative dominance. Three days later, China is holding its 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Right off the bat, Premier Li Qiang announced that China wants global AI cooperation to regulate and share China’s AI advancements. He also specifically emphasized sharing AI development with the ‘Global South’. The first day of the conference has already sent shockwaves throughout the AI global landscape–and there are still two more to come.
#intl-politics #asia
Written & Published July 25th, 2025 by Patrick Li
Swiftly following a letter from Min Aung Hlaing—a Burmese military officer ruling Myanmar as chairman of the State Administration Council—praising Donald Trump’s “strong leadership,” the United States has lifted the bulk of sanctions against allies of Myanmar’s ruling junta—including various general and military-linked firms. The Treasury, which recently issued notice, gave no reason for the move and has even explicitly stated that there was no link to the general’s letter. However, this pattern—critics say—comes in line with any other nation or group facing economic burdens under the current Trump administration: praise him, and you will receive reprieve in return.
#us-FoPo #intl-econ #asia
Written & Published July 25th, 2025 by Christina Yang
In the midst of escalating tensions between federal and local immigration policies, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a lawsuit against New York City’s sanctuary city policies, which limit cooperation between law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The DOJ is arguing that these policies violate the supremacy clause of the Constitution. The Trump administration blamed these laws for the shooting of an off-duty US Customs and Border Protection officer in a recent Manhattan robbery. This legal action also exacerbates the pressure on New York City’s Mayor Adams, as he has cultivated a close relationship with Trump. Since the lawsuit, Adams has publicly supported changing the sanctuary laws to more easily target criminals.
#us-legal #us-politics
Written & Published July 25th, 2025 by Aaniya Khan
Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, cautioned today that cross‑border clashes with Cambodia “could develop into war” as heavy fighting along a disputed border entered its second day. More than 100,000 Thai and over 1,500 Cambodian civilians have fled after rocket and artillery exchanges near temple sites like Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear. Thailand also declared martial law in eight bordering districts and sealed all land crossings. The UN Security Council is convening an emergency session as international actors, including the US, China, and ASEAN, call for restraint and a ceasefire.
#intl-politics #global-orgs #conflict
Written & Published July 25th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
On July 24th, President Trump took a rare visit to the Federal Reserve to look at the undergoing renovations worth $2.5 billion. Many, including Trump, have criticized the cost, and Trump has bickered with Fed Chair Jerome Powell on the issue on Truth Social. During the visit, he repeated many falsehoods about the renovation. This comes after reports that Trump was planning to fire Powell, citing the renovations and Powell’s unwillingness to decrease interest rates. Powell has stood his ground and defended his positions.
#us-econ #us-politics
Written & Published July 25th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Starting July 25th, up to 50,000 resident doctors (formerly junior doctors) walked out across England in a five‑day strike over pay restoration. Their union—the BMA (British Medical Association)—warns doctors have lost around 20% of their real-term pay since 2008. Even after a recent government offer of a 22% nominal raise (didn't consider inflation), pay talks collapsed. NHS services remain open for emergency care, but routine appointments and procedures are disrupted. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has criticized the union, while patient sentiment remains mixed amid concerns over system strain.
#intl-politics #europe
Written & Published July 25th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
On July 24th, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian PM Narendra Modi finalized a landmark free trade agreement (FTA), the UK's largest since Brexit and India’s first major FTA outside Asia. Under the deal, 99% of Indian exports to the UK—particularly textiles, food, and footwear—will enter duty-free, while UK exports, including whisky, cars, and cosmetics, will see tariffs cut from 15% to about 3%. The pact is expected to contribute billions to both economies annually; however, some sectors like financial services remain under unresolved negotiation. The agreement is pending ratification (formal approval) in both countries.
#intl-econ #alliances #europe #asia
Written & Published July 24th, 2025 by Rebecca Gehlmann
French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X that France will formally recognize a Palestinian State and commit to rebuilding Gaza, becoming the first G7 (Group of Seven) country to do so. The announcement will be made at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in September. France has been a vocal critic of the Israel-Palestine conflict in recent months, and is home to Western Europe’s largest Muslim and Jewish population. Almost instantly after its release, the statement drew sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed that such recognition “rewards terror.” A similar response is expected from the United States.
#intl-politics #global-orgs #conflict
Written & Published July 24th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
This morning, Thailand has launched missile strikes on two Cambodian military sites, both along the long-disputed border. Cambodia has responded in the same manner. Thai authorities say the clashes have killed eleven civilians and one soldier. Both nations have deployed heavy weaponry, with Thailand notably deploying American F-16 fighter jets. The conflict stems from colonial era borders in the region and disputes over cultural sites and land. These strikes are another escalation of previous border skirmishes; In May, Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire, killing one Cambodian troop.
#intl-conflict #conflict #asia
Written & Published July 24th, 2025 by Anya Gordeev
Fulfilling a campaign promise, President Donald Trump signed an executive order overhauling federal homelessness policy. It prioritizes treatment and sobriety over the long supported “housing first” model and supports involuntary commitment (put into treatment for a mental health disorder without consent) for those deemed a danger. It also ties federal funding to support the enforcement of homeless camping bans, following a Supreme Court ruling that allowed cities to penalize outdoor sleeping. Critics stress that the EO criminalizes homelessness and ignores housing shortages, while supporters argue that it addresses addiction and mental health needs.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 23rd, 2025 by Elisa Ma
On July 23, a House Oversight Committee spokesperson stated that the committee will subpoena (legal order/request to release information) the Department of Justice to release files on Jeffrey Epstein, a financier and child sex trafficker. Epstein’s death in 2019 and connections to President Donald Trump have received scrutiny across party lines. On July 22, House Speaker Mike Johnson declared an early summer recess, a move considered a tactic to delay voting on releasing information on Epstein until September. Other names like Ghislaine Maxwell, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton have also been/are to be subpoenaed.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published July 23rd, 2025 by Sophia Amundgaard
In February, US President Donald Trump deemed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “a dictator". The response was an assurance that “all standards for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place”, after signing a law that curbed the function of the nation's two largest anti-corruption agencies. Ukrainians have begun to echo a similar sentiment to that of Trump. Zelensky asserted the bill was passed in order to eliminate Russian tampering in lengthy corruption cases. Despite this, thousands have flooded the streets, pressuring Zelensky to retain the independence of the remaining anti-corruption organizations—a move he committed to on Wednesday.
#europe #intl-politics
Written & Published July 23rd, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
On Wednesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released an ambiguous statement on its website, revealing the assembly of a task force that will look into former President Obama’s alleged attempts to destroy President Trump without substantial evidence in the 2016 presidential election, as well as alleged treason and involvement with Russian hackers. Obama’s office issued a rebuttal, stating that their office does not tolerate “constant nonsense and misinformation”. The creation of the task force follows President Trump’s campaign promises to “lock up” political rivals. The DOJ has already released documents that allegedly undermine the former president's claims of election fraud, and more thorough action is set to ensue as the task force materializes.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 21st, 2025 by Daniel Song
Iceland and the European Union (EU) agreed to start negotiations for a referendum on Iceland joining the EU and a renewed security and defense partnership. Despite being a NATO member in a strategic location near the Arctic, Iceland has no standing army. However, that could change due to Trump’s pressure on European countries to increase their defense spending. The joint partnership will cover bilateral cooperation on issues such as infrastructure, defense and hybrid threats. The partnership would also give Iceland access to the EU’s €150 billion loan-based defense fund, allowing Iceland to invest more in its military and defense.
#intl-politics #alliances #europe
Written & Published July 20th, 2025 by Jack Riegler
During a carelessly conducted robbery in New York City, a CBP (Customs and Border Protection, largest law enforcement agency of the DHS) officer was shot in the face after he drew his weapon to defend himself from the theft. The officer was 42 years old and was not in uniform at the time of the theft, making it unlikely that it was a targeted event. Miguel Mora, 21, is currently in custody in connection to the attack. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that he is in the country illegally and has a history of violence as recent as a few months ago.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 20th, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
On Sunday, at least 94 Palestinians attempting to get food aid were killed by Israeli military fire. In particular, 81 people were killed in the border city of Zikim as they tried to gain access to flour and other basic necessities. These casualties mark one of the deadliest incidents recorded recently in the region, which also faces an acute hunger crisis that is growing more intense as Israel continues its siege. The UN World Food Program (WFP) condemned the killings, terming them as “completely unacceptable.” Furthermore, global leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, are calling for a more permanent ceasefire that will restore tranquility to the region.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 20th, 2025 by Cody Brown
On Saturday, the story of Maria Farmer resurfaced, including her 1996 and 2006 interactions with the FBI. Farmer accused Jeffrey Epstein and co-conspirator Ghilsane Maxwell of sexually assaulting her, and told agents on both occasions that Donald Trump was an individual to investigate. Farmer later clarified in an interview that she had no proof of Trump being involved in Epstein’s sex crimes, but was still worried about their relationship. If true, Farmer's statements may be among those reportedly searched by FBI agents within the 100,000+ Epstein documents for references to Trump, according to an FBI whistleblower.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 20th, 2025 by Harry Xu
On Sunday, exit polls of Japan’s parliamentary elections revealed that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, lost many seats in the upper house. The LDP failed to reach their goal of winning 50 seats, only winning 47. Last October, Ishiba’s party also lost the majority of seats in Japan’s lower house, meaning that this marks the first time since 1955 for the LDP to lose the majority in both houses. The loss of the LDP’s power comes with the rise of right-wing politicians in Japan. Despite the news, Ishiba intends to continue his reign as prime minister.
#asia #intl-politics
Written & Published July 19th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
U.S. envoy to Syria announced that Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire amid Israel’s recent strikes on the Syrian capital Damascus. This comes in light of clashes between Druze minority groups and Bedouin clans in Syria’s southern Sweida region. These clashes prompted an Israel airstrike of Syria’s capital, Damascus, vowing to protect the Druze (a group that is also located in Israel). While it seems that things may calm down in the Sweida region, it may soon become apparent that agreeing to a ceasefire and enforcing it, are two entirely separate matters.
#conflict #middle-east #intl-politics
Written & Published July 19th, 2025 by Brogan Jones
Luigi Mangione, who became the center of public attention last year following the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been awaiting trial in New York since December, as both the prosecution and defense prepare their arguments. In a letter filed Thursday, the defense dropped an unexpected bombshell, claiming that prosecutors wrongfully obtained Mangione's medical records from his insurance carrier. Specifically, the letter alleged that the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office obtained over 120 pages of information from Aetna, including information about “different diagnoses as well as specific medical complaints made by Mr. Mangione” without the court or defense team’s knowledge.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published July 18th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
On Friday, the Trump administration conducted a prisoner swap between Venezuela, El Salvador, and themselves. 250 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador under Trump’s usage of the Alien Enemies Act were repatriated to Venezuela, and 10 US Nationals in Venezuela were sent back to the US. These ten are the last known Americans imprisoned in Venezuela. This represents a shift in policy and negotiation tactics, as there have been broad concerns about the usage of the Alien Enemies Act. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the agreement, saying he was happy that all remaining Americans detained in Venezuela were repatriated.
#us-FoPo #intl-politics #latin-america
Written & Published July 18th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
The Druze militia, comprised of an Arab minority religious group of around 1 million people who live mainly in Syria, Lebanon and Israel, was previously engaged in conflict with the government of Syria. In order to defend the Druze, Israel launched bombs on Syria, which eventually led to the orchestration of a ceasefire between the Syrian government and the Druze. And recently, Israeli forces, a key player in this conflict, have agreed to permit limited access to the Sweida region of Syria, an area predominantly inhabited by the Druze after bloodshed in the past few days killed around 300 people.
#conflict #middle-east
Written & Published July 18th, 2025 by Patrick Li
This Friday, President Trump—in an unprecedented escalation following the Wall Street Journal’s bombshell report on a collection of letters exchanged between himself and Jeffrey Epstein in 2006—filed a $20 billion lawsuit against the Journal’s publisher, claiming that there were “glaring failures in journalistic ethics and standards of accurate reporting.” Critics allege that the revealed chain of letters—amid an already tremendous controversy over Trump's alleged entanglement with Epstein’s circle of underage victims—reveal shockingly disturbing undertones of pedophilia. Sparking an even greater rift in Trump’s MAGA base, what happens next—that being whether or not Trump gives in to defectors in the MAGA base to ‘release’ more information, or if he succeeds in having the situation completely blow over—remains to be seen.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published July 18th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
The U.S. House narrowly passed a $9 billion rescissions package (216–213) targeting public broadcasting and foreign aid. The bill slashes $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and $7.9 billion from international development agencies, though it preserves $400 million for PEPFAR (HIV/AIDS relief). Republicans framed the cuts as necessary to curb "bloated" spending, while Democrats decried them as ideological. The Senate passed the bill earlier in the week by a 51–48 margin. President Trump is expected to sign it soon.
#us-econ #us-FoPo #us-politics
Written & Published July 18th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
A Royal Caribbean cruise experienced a major health scare, prompting a CDC investigation. On the Navigator of the Seas voyage from July 4–11, 134 passengers and 7 crew members became ill with symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. Though the cause hasn’t been confirmed, norovirus is suspected. The CDC coordinated remotely, while the cruise line increased cleaning and isolation procedures. Experts warn such outbreaks are common in enclosed spaces like ships. This is the latest in a string of cruise-related illness reports in 2025.
#global-orgs #us-health
Written & Published July 18th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Donald Trump has ordered his legal team, led by Pam Bondi, to file for the release of sealed grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein, calling the case a politically motivated “scam.” This move follows a Wall Street Journal story alleging Trump sent Epstein a risqué birthday sketch in 2003—a claim he denies and is threatening to sue over. Legal experts note grand jury materials are rarely unsealed without compelling public interest. Democrats criticized the move as a distraction.
#us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published July 18th, 2025 by Azzy Xiang
The House recently passed the GENIUS act, creating a regulatory system for US dollar-associated cryptocurrency, also known as stablecoins. President Donald Trump is expected to sign it into law. The House also sent two separate crypto bills to the Senate , the first banning the US from issuing a centralized bank currency (the Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act) and the second to structure the crypto market (the CLARITY act). Democratic lawmakers joined to pass the bill, as cryptocurrency has the potential to facilitate instant payments and decentralize transactions, removing the need of a “middle man” or bureaucracy. Cryptocurrency experts expect the bills will provide clarity to the digital asset market, but some senators like Elizabeth Warren warn that the acts may allow loopholes for public companies like Tesla to tokenize assets and avoid SEC regulations.
#us-econ
Written & Published July 17th, 2025 by Anya Gordeev
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after recent bruising on his hand and swelling in his legs sparked public concern. Chronic venous insufficiency is a common, non life threatening condition that causes leg swelling and discomfort due to poor blood flow. Leavitt said the president reported “mild swelling,” which prompted a full vascular evaluation. Ultrasounds ruled out more serious issues like deep vein thrombosis or heart disease. President Trump remains in “excellent health,” and his bruising was most likely attributed to frequent handshaking and aspirin use.
#us-politics #us-health
Written & Published July 17th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
In a statement given to NBC News on Thursday, Secretary of Homeland security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin reported that Centers for Medicaid may begin a data-sharing initiative with the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The program is part of further border crackdowns to ensure that illegal immigrants don’t access Medicaid benefits. This proposed initiative will give ICE access to a database of everyone enrolled in Medicaid - including their races, names, birth dates, and addresses. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state is moving to obtain a court order to block the initiative.
#us-politics #us-legal #us-health
Written & Published July 16th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
A group of 20 attorneys in Boston have filed a new lawsuit against President Donald Trump, with the intention of restoring a canceled grant program that helped states recover after being hit by natural disasters. The Trump Administration previously froze $10 billion for hospitals and nonprofits that potentially relied on grants to operate. The 20 lawyers claim that FEMA illegally ended the grant in April. This come as US citizens complain that communities across America are forced to delay, cancel, or scale back projects because of funding deficits. The program, called BRIC, was established in 2018 and provided over $50 billion in federal grants in its lifetime. Congress has not permitted the termination of BRIC.
#us-politics #us-legal #environment
Written & Published July 16th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
Speaker Mike Johnson has stated in an interview that he hopes to see Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted child sex offender with connections to Jeffrey Epstein, testify in Congress. Johnson also called on the Department of Justice to release files they have on Epstein. Disclosure of details relating to the convicted sex offender's death was also a part of President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. Attorney General Pam Bondi is currently under criticism, especially from Republicans, for her denial of the existence of a client list, a statement that contradicts prior assertions. Trump has called attention to the matter as a hoax created by the Democratic Party.
#republicans #us-politics #us-legal
Written & Published July 15th, 2025 by Harry Reitman
The Trump Administration is allegedly looking to take away the right of undocumented immigrants to receive a bond hearing during removal proceedings. This policy would force migrants who are fighting a potential deportation in court to be detained throughout the entirety of the court case. ICE is well prepared for this, with the One Big Beautiful Bill granting the agency $45 billion over the next 4 years specifically for the purpose of expanding detention systems, doubling detention center capacities from 58,000 to almost 100,000. However, Emory University law professor Charles Kuck tweeted that ICE's position here is laughable and is being rejected by immigration judges all over the US, meaning that if the idea is ever official, it will likely be struck down by the judicial branch.
#us-legal
Written & Published July 13th, 2025 by Harry Xu
This Sunday marked the day one year ago where President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally. Today, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Rand Paul, released the final report on the findings of the investigation. It largely repeated details unveiled from an earlier report published in December; however, new information was released. It revealed communication failures between local law enforcement and the Secret Service; specifically, the Secret Service denied resources many times. Additionally, the Report asserted that many “received penalties far too weak to match the severity of the failures."
#us-politics
Written & Published July 13th, 2025 by Ron Kim
On Sunday, a suspect in Lexington, Kentucky shot and wounded a state trooper near the Blue Grass Airport before fleeing to the Richmond Road Baptist Church. There, multiple people were injured in a second shooting, as confirmed by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear The spree of violence, which began around 11:35 a.m. EDT, only stopped once local authorities and the state police killed the suspect. Although specific details have not been publicly released, the trooper is currently “receiving medical attention.”
#us-politics
Written & Published July 13th, 2025 by Dhruv Arun
US President Donald Trump, once again, reignited trade tensions by threatening 30% tariffs on imports from Mexico and the EU, starting August 1st. He warned that any retaliation would lead to even higher tariffs. Pedro Sanchez, Spain's Prime Minister, called the move “unjustified” and damaging to prosperity. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen warned it would “disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains.” Mexico rejected the terms, stating, “We did not agree.” EU lawmaker Bernd Lange called it “no way to deal with a key trading partner.” The threat of tariffs on Mexico and the EU risks economic fallout and fractures between critical U.S. allies.
#intl-econ #north-america #us-econ
Written & Published July 13th, 2025 by Brogan Jones
Recent fatal floods that occurred on July 4th in Texas have ravaged the town of Kerrville as well as Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp in Kerr County. The death toll of the flood has risen to 129 people, with many still missing, sparking a determined search operation. However, this search has now been interrupted by new floods hitting Kerr County as well as other areas in the state, prompting a pause in search operations. Officials say at least 161 people remain missing.
#us-politics #environment
Written & Published July 13th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
After the deadly crash of Air India Flight 171 that killed 260 people, investigators found that Boeing 787’s fuel cutoff switches had flipped mid-flight. In response, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued "Airworthiness Directives" but reaffirmed the switch design is safe. Years before, a 2018 bulletin had urged inspection of the locking mechanism, which Air India had failed to do. But, the FAA stated that no design flaws warrant grounding the aircraft, and no immediate action is required. Boeing has referred comment to the FAA, and further investigations are ongoing in cooperation with authorities from the U.S and U.K.
#intl-econ #intl-politics #us-tech
Written & Published July 12th, 2025 by Christina Yang
In just three weeks, Canada and the United States went from friendly talks to a suspension of talks, and now, Canada faces high tariff threats from President Trump. Trump threatened to increase the current tariffs on Canada from 25% to 35% and attributed the smuggling of fentanyl across the northern border as the main cause. After Trump threatened these tariffs, US stocks began to fall. The Dow Jones dropped by 0.63% and the S&P 500 fell by 0.33%. Additionally, the value of the Canadian dollar fell by 0.25%. Although these numbers are not as extreme as the declines after Liberation Day (April 2nd, 2025), this new tariff plan significantly deepens the rift between the US and its trading neighbor Canada.
#intl-econ #north-america #us-econ
Written & Published July 11th, 2025 by Patrick Li
The European Union, or the EU, has just unveiled a new retaliatory tariff package this Saturday—a trope seen with almost every other country currently grappling with the Trump administration’s economic madness. Set to take effect July 14th, Brussels is targeting American goods—from agriculture to tech—with tariffs designed to counter Trump's recent 35% levies on Canadian imports and looming auto threats. With stalled negotiations and both sides digging in, what began as containable friction has become a referendum on the transatlantic relationship itself.
#intl-econ #europe #us-FoPo
Written & Published July 11th, 2025 by Arnav Goyal
On Friday morning, the State Department announced a plan to fire 1,353 staffers to streamline the department amid growing scrutiny over DOGE cuts. This comes right after the Supreme Court greenlighted the Trump administration’s plans to lay off vast swaths of federal workers. State Department officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio have defended the cuts as an effort to streamline government and trim government waste, but others say it could derail America’s standing in the world. Overall, the implications of this are uncertain, but one thing is certain: the federal worker layoffs will continue.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 10th, 2025 by Aaniya Khan
President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on all Brazilian imports starting August 1, in response to what he labeled a "witch hunt" against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The move follows a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s treatment of U.S. tech firms and its judiciary’s prosecution of Bolsonaro. Brazilian President Lula responded, pledging equivalent tariffs under Brazil’s new Economic Reciprocity Law. Financial markets reacted swiftly: the Brazilian real dropped, and shares of major firms like Embraer (a planemaker) declined. Analysts warn U.S. consumers may see price hikes on goods like coffee and orange juice.
#intl-econ #us-FoPo #latin-america
Written & Published July 10th, 2025 by Anya Gordeev
On July 9th, Russia launched a large-scale 10 hour overnight attack on Kyiv, killing at least two and injuring 16 civilians. Nearly 400 drones and 18 missiles struck residential areas, starting fires and forcing families to find shelter in subway stations during the middle of the night. President Zelensky responded to the attack, calling it a “clear escalation of Russian terror." As Kyiv undergoes attacks, world leaders gather in Rome for Ukraine recovery talks. Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian officials prepare to meet in Malaysia to discuss Russian and Ukrainian tensions,
#humanitarian #europe
Written & Published July 10th, 2025 by Finian Knepper
Ten crew members were rescued from The Eternity C, a commercial bulk carrier that was sunk by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea on Wednesday. The ship was attacked over the past few days by Houthis using small boats and RPG’s (rocket propelled grenade). Following the sinking, the Houthis claimed they had taken several survivors and transported them to an undisclosed location. Maritime security officials estimate that six were taken captive. The ship was carrying a total of 25 crew members. Three have been confirmed dead, ten have been rescued, and the whereabouts of the remaining seven is currently unknown.
#humanitarian #middle-east
Written & Published July 10th, 2025 by Sophia Amundgaard
Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court’s June 27 ruling significantly downgraded federal judges' ability to issue nationwide injunctions against President Donald Trump’s executive orders (EOs), helping to lubricate the president's efforts to end birthright citizenship in the US. Yet, this morning, Joseph Laplante of New Hampshire posited plans to issue a temporary injunction following a court hearing in which immigrant rights advocates begged the judge to do so (stop the birthright citizenship EO) on behalf of babies whose legal status could be affected by the restrictions. Lapante’s ruling does not include adults.
#us-legal
Written & Published July 9th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
On July 9th, Nvidia’s stock, NVDA, reached four trillion dollars in market cap, the first publicly traded company to ever do so. Nvidia is a US chipmaker supplying other large companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft and is recognized as a leader in developing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Nvidia, alongside names like OpenAI and SoftBank, is part of the Stargate Project, a $500 billion initiative by the Trump administration to bolster the US’s AI leadership.
#us-econ #intl-econ
Written & Published July 9th, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
On June 18, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered that every contract and grant exceeding $100,000 needs her approval before proceeding. This action has led to mass destruction following last week’s monstrous flooding. The $100,000 threshold has been compared to “pennies” as search and rescue teams were unable to be positioned by FEMA until Noem’s authorization, which happened over 72 hours after the flooding began. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, has clarified that FEMA was able to use additional resources initially. Unfortunately, these were quickly exhausted as the damage ensued.
#environment #us-politics
Written & Published July 9th, 2025 by Bryan Gu
On Wednesday, Florida’s immigration law, SB 4-C, a law that makes it a misdemeanor (a minor crime) to enter Florida illegally, was blocked by the Supreme Court. The reasoning was that the law was unconstitutional. This means that for now, Florida is not allowed to enforce the law. The state doesn't have the permission to create its own immigration legislation.
#us-legal
Written & Published July 7th, 2025 by Harry Reitman
Last Sunday, the Chinese government announced that European companies are banned from selling medical devices to the Chinese government. There are two exceptions to this, the first being that the European company in question has contracts worth less than 45 million yuan ($6.28 million USD) with the CCP. The second exception is if the European company has investment or manufacturing within China. This ban is in response to the EU’s June announcement that Chinese companies would be barred from EU government contracts or purchases of medical devices worth more than 5 million euros ($5.89 million USD). Although Europe’s intention was to “level the playing field for EU businesses,” it seems they may have just lit a fire under an already strained EU-China relationship.
#intl-econ
Written & Published July 7th, 2025 by Sharikkaa Shanker
Texas officials confirmed that the death toll from last week’s flash floods has surged past 100, with dozens still missing and thousands displaced across Kerr, Bandera, and Kendall counties. The flooding—triggered by sudden, record-breaking rainfall along the Guadalupe River—swept through several rural communities and summer camps, including Camp Mystic, where at least 27 children and counselors are among the deceased. Emergency crews continue search-and-recovery efforts, however, these are hampered by debris, collapsed infrastructure, and spotty communication. The National Weather Service called the flood “unprecedented in speed and scale,” with water levels rising more than 20 feet in under an hour. State lawmakers are already facing scrutiny over aging levees, inadequate early warning systems, and emergency response delays. A federal disaster declaration is expected by the week’s end.
#environment
Written & Published July 7th, 2025 by Sahana Srikanth
Austria has just faced its deadliest shooting in the nation’s history. The 21 year old suspect is accused of using two weapons to kill ten individuals at his former high school in the city of Graz. The young assailant had obtained the guns legally, despite failing psychological screenings for military service in the past. This incident comes as a surprise for policymakers and citizens, because despite Austria being heavily armed (the 12th most armed in the world), the nation has only faced a few mass shootings since 2013. Now, political activists are considering whether more gun reform is needed, given that the two largest weapon manufacturers in Austria, Steyr and Glock, are both headquartered in the country.
#europe #intl-politics
Written & Published July 7th, 2025 by Ron Kim
Shares of Tesla (TSLA) nosedived by as much as 7.6% in premarket trading following Elon Musk’s announcement that he was forming the America Party, a third party that would primarily focus on fiscal conservatism. Investors saw Musk’s close association with politics as a burden on the company's value, and their theories were validated when Tesla’s stock rose swiftly after he departed from DOGE in May. The massive drop in stock value was likely a result of Trump’s incensed reaction to the news. On Sunday, he called Musk’s intention to form the America Party “ridiculous” and “completely off the rails.”
#us-econ #us-tech
Written & Published July 7th, 2025 by Adhiyanth Ram
Following the recent BRICS summit, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, President Trump recently warned on Truth Social, "Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy." In retaliation, Brazil’s president responded, "The world has changed. We don't want an emperor.” Meanwhile, South Africa asserted that the country isn’t anti-American, and that their discussions with America would stay “constructive and fruitful.” On the other hand, Russia stated that BRICS’s target would never targetedly be directed towards third countries.
#intl-politics #alliances #global-orgs #intl-econ
Written & Published July 7th, 2025 by Daniel Song
In a deal with the Trump administration, the University of Pennsylvania, or Penn for short, agreed to ban transgender women from participating in women’s sports. Penn also adopted the administration's definitions for the words ‘male’ and ‘female’. As part of the deal, the Trump administration released $175 million of federal funding to Penn which was previously blocked over the issue of transgender athletes. This will affect people like Lia Thomas, a 2022 graduate and swimmer of the university. She was ne of the athletes who sparked a national debate over transgender athletes in sports. Thomas will have her records erased at Penn.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 6th, 2025 by Christina Yang
On July 6, 2025, Israel launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen for the first time after the ceasefire. The Israel Air Force dropped 56 munitions, and the Yemeni ports that were attacked include the western port of Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Saif. The strikes on these Houthi-controlled sites also include a power station and a commercial ship that the Houthis hijacked two years ago. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the strikes were part of a larger mission named “Operation Black Flag.” The Israel Air Force also noted that these attacks were a response to the “repeated attacks” by the Houthis and the suspicion that the targeted Houthi ports were being used to carry out terror plans and transfer weapons.
#middle-east #intl-politics
Written & Published July 6th, 2025 by Jack Riegler
Tariff rates will revert to their April 2nd rates on August 1st unless countries establish new trade deals with the United States, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The Trump administration has reportedly sent notices to over 100 smaller countries to encourage them to speed up talks. European Union has around a day remaining to resolve a trade dispute as the 90-day pause provided by President Trump nears its end as the threat of 50 percent tariffs on all goods sold to the US looms.
#intl-econ
Written & Published July 6th, 2025 by Milie Gupta
Firefighters of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department were ambushed and shot at on Idaho’s Canfield Mountain, after responding to what appeared to be a routine wildfire. Authorities say 20-year-old Wess Roley set the fire intentionally to lure responders before shooting from a tree, but a clear motive has not been confirmed. Fire Battalion Chiefs John Morrison and Frank Harwood were killed, and firefighter David Tysdal remains hospitalized. The suspect was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. As the investigation continues, officials and colleagues are grieving the losses and praising the courage of first responders.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 6th, 2025 by Ayat Nayyer
Unprecedented flood waters ravaged Central Texas, killing several and leaving many others unaccounted for. The lack of preparation has called the National Weather Service (NWS) into question regarding its forecasts of only three to six inches of rain on Wednesday, with critics pointing to President Trump’s prior cuts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). The NWS lost nearly six hundred workers earlier this year as a result of the cuts, including at least six vacancies in the Austin/San Antonio Weather Forecast Office, which overlooks the counties most impacted by the floods. A NOAA budget cut for the coming fiscal year would eliminate funding for these institutions, which were cited as “doing vital research and modeling of severe weather.” As walls of water of up to thirty feet high continue to climb in Texas, many people across the nation remain uncertain. Timely and accurate weather forecasting reports are necessary to prevent these kinds of disasters.
#environment
Written & Published July 5th, 2025 by Dhruv Arun
On July 5th 2025, Musk wrote on X, which he owns, that he’s launching a new U.S. political party after suggesting he might form one for days in response to the Senate and House's passage of the OBBB. He later tweeted on X, “By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!” He has named it the “America Party,” which he claims will give Americans their “freedom” back. Musk said his party would focus “on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts.” Musk called it a response to a “corrupt political establishment," mostly focusing his ire on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was just signed into law by President Trump and erase most of DOGE's efforts to decrease the federal deficit—increasing it by nearly $3.3 trillion instead.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 5th, 2025 by Patrick Li
In a radical shift that few could have predicted, OPEC+ (a group of 12 major oil-exporting nations) announced Saturday that it would raise oil production by 548,000 barrels a day in the coming month of August—a figure far above the 411,000 ratio expected. With prices low and demand increasingly waning, the cartel would typically be inclined to stay more cautious. Yet Saudi Arabia, having led years of cuts that failed to boost prices in the past, is now spearheading the fight to reclaim the market share lost to the U.S. and non-OPEC rivals. Prices briefly spiked after the Israeli strikes on Iran in June, but have since slumped in tandem with an increasingly slower global economy (a result of foreign central banks anticipating the volatility of Trump’s fiscal policy). Now, the Gulf’s new supply surge risks deepening the very price dip that they hoped to prevent in the first place. OPEC is no longer just pumping more—it’s betting on relevance in a market it doesn't control.
#intl-econ #intl-environment
Written & Published July 5th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
At least 32 people, including 14 children, have died as a result of floods from the Guadalupe River in Central Texas. The waters have devastated communities in Travis County, where the city Austin is located, and Kerr County, which is northwest of San Antonio. This is where more than 850 people were evacuated by rescuers. Unfortunately, there are still over two dozen girls missing from a summer camp and countless others having yet to be accounted for. As of the writing of this breaking news, 32 people have died, and unfortunately, the death toll is only devastatingly rising.
#environment
Written & Published July 5th, 2025 by Yael Fishman
Following Donald Trump’s presidential signing of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” into law, speculation has surfaced of coercive manipulation and browbeating to secure support for Trump’s legislation. The bill relied solely on the backing of Republican congressmen, which were allegedly reported to be pressured by Trump. However, Trump’s political victory will be challenged in the 2026 midterm elections, as many target the alleged intimidation used to push it through Congress, and the controversial content of the bill.
#us-politics #republicans
Written & Published July 5th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Firefighters in western Turkey have successfully contained six out of nine wildfires near İzmir province as of July 4. The blazes, fueled by record-high summer heat, destroyed over 1,200 hectares of forest. Officials are still battling the remaining three fires and evacuating affected villages. Fortunately, no major casualties have been reported.
#intl-environment #europe
Written & Published July 5th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Hamas has given a positive response to an U.S.-brokered 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal, signaling openness to indirect talks—including those mediated by Egypt and Qatar—aimed at halting 21 months of conflict. The proposal includes staged exchanges of 10 live hostages and 18 bodies for Palestinian detainees, Israeli troop withdrawals, and entry of humanitarian aid under ICRC/UN supervision. Trump expressed cautious optimism for a deal within a week. Despite this, Israeli strikes continue, with at least 60 Palestinians killed in recent days, and Hamas still seeks guarantees this ceasefire leads to a permanent end of hostilities.
#intl-politics #middle-east #humanitarian
Written & Published July 5th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Flash floods along the Guadalupe River have killed at least 27 people, including nine children, and left more than 25 campers unaccounted for at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' summer camp near Kerrville. Torrential overnight rain—5–11 inches in places—caused the river to surge over 29 feet in under two hours, sweeping away cabins and stranding victims. Emergency responders—including 14 helicopters and hundreds of personnel—have rescued over 850 individuals. Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency and pledged unlimited resources. President Trump confirmed federal aid, while search-and-rescue efforts continue amid ongoing flood watches.
#environment
Written & Published July 3rd, 2025 by Harry Xu
Today, President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Vietnam. The U.S. will impose a 20% tariff on exports from Vietnam, as well as a 40% tariff on transshipping, which is when products created in other countries are sold to Vietnam, then exported to other countries. The agreement significantly reduces the tariff rate on Vietnam, which was previously 46%. This trade deal marked the third deal made by the Trump administration. The 90-day reprieve period from the tariffs announced in early April ends on July 9th, so other foreign countries may face impending uncertainty regarding their economies.
#intl-econ #intl-politics
Wri
Today, President Donald Trump’s megabill, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” passed the House and will now go to the president's desk for signing. Although steep opposition was starting to form, much of it was quelled through backroom negotiations after Speaker Johnson vowed to keep the floor open for as long as possible. The bill includes provisions such as cuts to spending and taxes, and much criticism was raised over cuts to Medicaid and the additional $3T added to the deficit over the next 10 years. Despite this, it passed the Senate and House and will be signed soon.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 3rd, 2025 by Finian Knepper
The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has ruled to strike down a motion from a federal judge, allowing 8 men to be deported to South Sudan. 7 are not originally from South Sudan, and all men have been convicted of serious crimes. This is a follow-up from a ruling a previous month earlier, in which the Supreme Court ruled that illegal immigrants with criminal records could be deported to countries that were not their country of origin. Afterwards, Federal Judge Brian Murphy filed a motion that impeded the action. With the new move, the Supreme Court struck this motion down, allowing the men to be deported.
#us-legal #us-FoPo
Written & Published July 3rd, 2025 by Anya Gordeev
Late this Wednesday, four people were killed and at least 14 others were wounded in a drive by mass shooting located outside the popular nightclub Artis Restaurant and Lounge, in Chicago’s River North. Police say three suspects opened fire from a passing vehicle around 11 pm as a crowd was leaving an album release party. The victims, ranging in age from 21 to 32, were left in critical condition. Authorities believe the attack was targeted and are investigating possible gang ties. As of now, no arrests have been made.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 3rd, 2025 by Aaniya Khan
Major General Mikhail Gudkov, deputy commander of the Russian Navy, was killed on July 2nd in a Ukrainian HIMARS strike targeting a command post in Korenevo, a town in Russia’s Kursk region, which is near the Ukrainian border. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the strike. Gudkov, who was previously the commander of the 155th Marine Brigade and recently elevated by President Putin, is among the most senior Russian officers killed during the war. At least ten other Russian officers were reportedly killed in the same attack. Gudkov’s death marks a critical loss for Russian naval leadership amid ongoing frontline operations.
#europe #conflict #intl-politics
Written & Published July 2nd, 2025 by Elisa Ma
In a 4-3 ruling backed by the liberal majority, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the state’s 1849 policy that made it a felony for anyone other than the mother to “intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child”. The 1849 ban was voided in 1973 when the US Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide with its ruling in Roe v. Wade. In 2022, after Roe v. Wade was overturned, many healthcare providers halted abortion procedures to comply with the 1849 ban. In 2023, a state judge ruled that the 1849 ban did not pertain to consensual medical abortions. The ruling removes a massive legal hurdle for abortion providers.
#us-legal #republicans #democrats
Written & Published July 2nd, 2025 by Jana Schodzinski
On Wednesday afternoon, Paramount reportedly agreed to pay $16 million to settle its lawsuit with Donald Trump. The lawsuit has been ongoing since October of 2024, shortly after the 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris aired. Donald Trump filed the lawsuit under claims of deceptive editing in support of the Harris-Walz campaign. The official statement revealed that the settlement will also include a “release of all claims regarding any CBS reporting through the date of the settlement”. This follows the ongoing trend of the Trump Administration’s attacks on independent journalism.
#us-legal #republicans #democrats
Written & Published July 2nd, 2025 by Bryan Gu
After 13 hours of deliberation, a judge in Manhattan has found Sean Combs, better known as P. Diddy, guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution. He was found not guilty of a racketeering conspiracy count and two counts of sex trafficking. Combs faces 20 years in prison. The prosecution was unable to persuade the jury that Combs had run a crime syndicate, in other words, that the sex he had with “Jane", an alias, involved drugs and sex. Aside from this trial, Combs still faces multiple civil lawsuits.
#us-legal
Written & Published July 2nd, 2025 by Andrew Lu
On July 1st, the U.S. Senate approved President Trump’s sweeping tax‑cut and spending package—nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—by a razor‑thin 51–50 vote, with Vice President Vance casting the tiebreaker. It extends 2017 tax cuts, deepens Medicaid reductions, boosts defense and border security spending, and slashes funding for AI moratoriums. The non‑partisan CBO estimates the bill will add $3.3 trillion in debt over the next decade—around $800 billion more than the House version. It now shifts to the House, where its fate is uncertain.
#us-politics #us-econ #republicans #democrats
Written & Published July 2nd, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Japan has refused to "sacrifice" its agricultural sector amid stalled trade talks with the U.S., as Washington threatens to impose steep reciprocal tariffs—up to 25% more on vehicles and 35% on most products starting July 9 unless a deal is reached. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stressed the importance of national interest, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Japan about looming tariffs. Tokyo is now arranging a seventh negotiating visit to Washington to prevent further escalation.
#us-FoPo #asia
Written & Published July 2nd, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Billionaire Elon Musk has reignited his threat to launch a new political entity—the America Party—if Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” passes. He’s promised to challenge Republicans who support it and redirect federal support away from his companies, Tesla and SpaceX. Musk’s move reflects growing disillusionment with the GOP, adding pressure to an already volatile political landscape.
#us-politics
Written & Published July 2nd, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Oil markets remain calm as traders anticipate an OPEC+ production increase in August, offsetting the effects of a weaker U.S. dollar and mixed economic data. Brent crude is hovering around $67.07/barrel, and U.S. WTI at $65.36. Analysts note that a 680,000-barrel build in U.S. crude inventories and steady OPEC+ output are balancing the market. Investors are eyeing upcoming U.S. jobs and official stockpile data for further direction.
#us-econ #intl-econ
Written & Published July 2nd, 2025 by Sophia Amundgaard
Following an ordered reevaluation of American stockpiles, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a pause on artillery shipments to Ukraine. Since 2022, 40% of Ukrainian ammunition has been from America. The move comes as a continuation of president Donald Trump’s “America First” plan after evaluators found significant weaponry depletions, though spokesman Sean Parnell asserted that “America’s military has never been more ready and more capable”. Nonetheless, the move remains significantly detrimental for Ukraine, who is currently facing an increased wave of aggressive Russian aerial attacks.
#us-FoPo
Written & Published June 29th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
The Bank for International Settlements cautioned that global trade tensions—particularly stemming from U.S. policy moves—as well as fragmented geopolitics, are threatening to unravel the post-World War II economic framework. BIS head Agustín Carstens emphasized that persistent policy uncertainty could disrupt global financial stability, urging coordinated action among central banks and governments.
#intl-politics #intl-econ
Written & Published June 29th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
A fierce heat dome is blasting southern Europe, with temperatures soaring above 100°F (38 °C) in Spain, Portugal, and France—and reaching up to 109°F (43 °C) in parts of Portugal. Authorities are issuing heat warnings, opening public pools (e.g., Marseille), and restricting outdoor work in Sicily to reduce wildfire and health risks. With marine heatwaves intensifying conditions, experts warn that high mortality and wildfire rates are likely to rise rapidly if the heat persists.
#intl-environment
Written & Published June 28th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
The largest LGBTQ+ Pride march in Hungary’s history was held with around 100,000 people taking to the streets of Budapest. This comes in response to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s efforts in March to get a law through parliament that made it an offense to hold an event to “depict or promote” homosexuality to minors–a law that specifically targeted the Budapest Pride marches. This is seen as a huge blow to Orbán’s tight grip on the country, and comes as Hungarian opposition continues to rise in popularity.
#intl-politics #europe
Written & Published June 29th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
The Senate narrowly advanced the massive $940 billion tax-cut and spending bill with a 51–49 procedural vote, triggering a weekend marathon session that will include amendment debates (“vote‑a‑rama”) and a final vote expected Monday. The Congressional Budget Office warns the legislation may add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. While Senators Thom Tillis and Rand Paul voted against it—citing Medicaid cuts and rising debt—Elon Musk criticized it as “insane and destructive.”
#us-politics #us-econ
Written & Published June 28th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
The U.S. Supreme Court handed conservatives key victories yesterday. In Trump v. CASA, the Court ruled 6–3 to limit federal judges from issuing nationwide injunctions, clearing the way for former President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Court upheld parental rights to opt children out of LGBTQ-inclusive lessons in public schools, citing First Amendment protections. Advocates warned that both decisions could have sweeping civil rights implications.
#us-legal #us-politics
Written & Published June 28th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
President Trump immediately terminated all trade negotiations with Canada in protest of Ottawa’s new 3% digital-services tax on U.S. tech giants, calling it “...a direct and blatant attack on our country.” He announced via Truth Social that retaliatory tariffs on Canadian goods would hit within a week. The abrupt move rattled markets, sending the Canadian dollar lower and prompting speculation of a Section 301 investigation. Canada’s PM Mark Carney vowed continued engagement despite rising tensions.
#intl-econ #north-america
Written & Published June 28th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
The U.S. Senate rejected a bipartisan resolution that would have required President Trump to seek congressional approval before launching further military strikes on Iran. The measure failed in a 53–47 vote, largely along party lines. Supporters said the resolution was essential to uphold constitutional checks on war powers, especially after the controversial June 22 airstrikes. Opponents argued it would undermine U.S. credibility during an active conflict. The White House called the vote a “clear mandate” to continue defending U.S. interests abroad.
#us-FoPo #us-politics
Written & Published June 28th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Global Markets rally to record highs as investors bet on a Federal Reserve rate cut by September. The S&P 500 and Dow both closed at all-time peaks, while the U.S. dollar fell to a 3-year low against the euro and yen. Commodities surged, with oil stabilizing and gold nearing $2,400/oz. Analysts cite easing inflation and dovish Fed commentary as key drivers.
#intl-econ
Written & Published June 25th, 2025 by Elisa Ma
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old socialist and New York State Assemblyman born in Uganda, won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani’s campaign is recognized as a shift from traditional electioneering, choosing grassroots mobilization over heavy advertising spending. Mamdani’s proposed policies include progressive taxation to fund universal childcare, public buses, and rent freezes on subsidized units. In November, Mamdani will run against Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and independent candidates, including Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.
#us-politics
Written & Published June 28th, 2025 by Yael Fishman
Russia conducted a mass drone attack on Ukraine’s port city of Odesa. This operation was carried out overnight and resulted in the death of two people, with an additional 17 left in critical condition. One of these Russian drones hit a residential building, destroying three floors and trapping residents inside. A married couple died, and three children were left terribly injured. In response, Ukraine initiated a drone strike on several air bases in Crimea. These attacks focused on destroying several military institutions, such as Russia’s air defense systems and general aviation. Diplomatic discussions have halted, and tensions have escalated as further retaliation is anticipated.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict
Written & Published June 24th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
President Donald Trump arrived in The Hague for the NATO summit today, sparking debate by casting doubt on the U.S.'s commitment to NATO's mutual defense guarantee under Article 5, stating it "depends on your definition". Meanwhile, NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte praised Trump for prompting European nations to "pay in a BIG way" on defense, backing a new 5 % GDP spending target. Trump is also expected to meet Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, discussing Patriot missile systems and sanctions on Russia.
#intl-politics #europe #conflict
Written & Published June 24th, 2025 by Andrew Lu
A U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency assessment reveals that last weekend’s airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan nuclear sites did not destroy the country’s nuclear program. Instead, the strikes only delayed it by a few months, and Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and centrifuges remain largely intact. The White House has disputed the findings, calling the leak “flat‑out wrong.” As experts warn that the fundamental nuclear capability endures, policymakers continue debating whether further strikes or a diplomatic reset are viable paths forward. Strategic US bases may be in jeopardy.
#intl-politics #middle-east
Written & Published June 22nd, 2025 by Andrew Lu
A massive heat dome over the Eastern U.S. is trapping sweltering air and humidity, pushing temperatures above 100 °F from the Plains through Mid‑Atlantic and into the Northeast—including New York, D.C., and Boston. Over 200 million people are under extreme heat alerts, with heat indices topping 105°F and overnight lows remaining in the 80s. Officials warn of heightened risks for heat-related illnesses and urge residents to stay hydrated, use cooling centers, and avoid outdoor activity during peak hours.
#us-politics #environment
Written & Published June 22nd, 2025 by Andrew Lu
Pakistan sharply condemned President Trump’s airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites—just one day after nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize—labeling the action a blatant violation of international law and warning that it risks “severely damaging implications for the region and beyond.” Islamabad urged a return to diplomacy in line with the UN Charter and emphasized the need to protect civilian lives. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally conveyed Pakistan’s protest to Iran’s president, while thousands rallied in Karachi against the U.S. and Israel.
#intl-politics #asia
Written & Published June 21st, 2025 by Andy Choy
American Armed Forces bombed Iranian nuclear facilities this afternoon, joining the Israeli military’s ongoing airstrikes against Iran. The bombings follow rumours earlier this week that the Trump administration was considering direct attacks to support Israel and prevent Iran’s potential nuclear weapons development. Israel and Iran exchanged airstrikes against each other throughout this week, causing severe damage in both countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a video praising America’s bombings while President Trump announced the attack in a Truth Social post and a White House speech. Whether Trump intends to take further military action against Iran remains unclear at this time.
#intl-politics #middle-east #conflict
Written & Published June 21st, 2025 by Jack Zhou
India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, stated that the Indus Water Treaty would never be restored and that the Indus River water would be diverted from Pakistan to India for domestic use. This comes after the Indus Waters Treaty, sharing water between India and Pakistan, was suspended after the April terror attacks in Kashmir. This river is critical for Pakistan’s agriculture as it guarantees water for 80% of Pakistan’s farms. Pakistan had even previously warned that blocking the flow of the water could be considered an “act of war”.
#intl-politics
Written & Published June 14th, 2025 by Christina Yang
A few days before the United States and Iran were set to hold another round of nuclear talks, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes against Iran. Claiming that Iran’s nuclear program would be an existential threat, Israel attacked at least six military bases, many housing complexes for military commanders around the capital, Tehran, and some of Iran’s most important nuclear facilities. As a result, two high-ranking Iranian military officials and nine scientists working on the nuclear program were killed. In turn, Iran retaliated with a wave of missiles that fired over the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem skies, resulting in many casualties. The U.S. involvement is still unclear, but it is in the process of moving military assets away from the Middle East and urging Iran to reach a nuclear deal.
#intl-politics #middle-east #conflict
Written & Published June 14th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
On Saturday, the US Army celebrates 250 years since its founding, and at the same time, Trump is celebrating his 79th birthday. To celebrate both special events, Trump has promised a “spectacular” military parade in DC with “thundering tanks and breathtaking flyovers.” This has come as a surprise, as it is rare for the United States to have military parades, which are more often associated with authoritarian governments. As a result, the parade has drawn pushback from anti-Trump groups, with 1,500 “No Kings” protests being planned.
#us-politics
Written & Published June 9th, 2025 by Jack Riegler
As anti-ICE protests enter their fourth day in Los Angeles, California, President Donald Trump calls on 700 Marines and 2,000 more National Guard troops to respond to sections of the protests that have devolved into riots. California Governor Gavin Newsom claims that approximately 300 of the original 2,000 have been deployed while ‘The rest are sitting, unused, in federal buildings without orders’ while President Trump has stated that the riots are getting out of hand and that Los Angeles would become ‘completely obliterated’ without the federal deployment. It has proved impossible for journalists to independently verify either Governor Newsom's or the Trump Administration's claims. Over the past 24 hours, the riots seem to be ongoing. Public infrastructure has been damaged with pedestrian signs damaged, park benches removed, cars burned, windows smashed, several fires set in dumpsters and trash sites, buildings tagged with graffiti, and businesses looted.
#us-politics
Written & Published June 10th, 2025 by Jack Riegler
John Fetterman becomes the first Democrat to condemn rioters in Los Angeles, calling it ‘Anarchy’ alongside saying Democrats ‘lose the moral high ground’ by failing to condemn attacks against federal buildings and officers. On the other hand, Democratic Representative Maxine Waters claims ‘There was no violence.’ Looting of department stores and Apple locations continued. The State of California has sued the Trump Administration for deployment of National Guard troops, bypassing the confirmation of the state governor in addition to requesting an immediate intervention U.S District Judge Charles Breyer declined Newsom’s emergency ruling request, granting the Trump administration's request for more time to respond to the governor’s filing. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
#us-politics
Written & Published June 8th, 2025 by Jack Riegler
As anti-ICE demonstrations entered their third day, President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles with 500 marines prepared to deploy. This deployment comes in response to attacks on federal buildings, rocks thrown at federal agents during operations, and multitudes of “kill ICE” graffiti sprayed around the area. Although most demonstrators appear to be peaceful and are often seen waving Mexican flags, some have escalated to violence against federal buildings and personnel, obstructing operations. California Governor Gavin Newsom called federal control over California National Guard troops “unlawful,” and asked for President Trump to stand down. Recently, demonstrators blocked 101 Freeway in downtown LA as the California Highway Patrol cleared them. Additionally, other demonstrators set Waymo autonomous taxis on fire. Their reasoning is currently unknown as Waymo lacks any connections to ICE, but experts allege mob mentality is influencing decisions.
#us-politics
Written & Published June 9th, 2025 by Christina Yang
In the early hours of Monday morning, Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship named the “Madleen.” Those on board the ship include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, and other activists from Brazil, Turkey, and Spain. The intercepted vessel has been carried to the Israeli port city of Ashdod and the Madleen crew has been detained. Israeli forces described the ship as a “selfie yacht”, while the Madleen crew stated that they were raising awareness about the current aid restrictions. The global backlash has emerged as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Turkish government have issued statements condemning Israel, describing them as a “flagrant violation of international law.”
#intl-politics #middle-east
Written & Published June 6th, 2025 by Patrick Li
In a significant escalation early Friday that followed Ukraine’s decisive drone raid on strategic bombers deep in Russian territory, Russia has launched a retaliatory strike in what has been dubbed the “greatest aerial assault of the war.” Deploying a barrage of nearly 400 drones and 40 ballistic missiles across wide swaths of Ukraine including Kyiv, the strike is estimated to have resulted in at least 3 deaths and 50 injuries. In a recent interview, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha labeled the Russian attack as an unwarranted “response” to its destroyed aircraft by blatantly “attacking civilians in Ukraine.”
#intl-politics #europe #conflict
Written & Published June 7th, 2025 by Jack Zhou
The man who has been at the center of debates and legal battles over the Trump Administration’s mass deportations to El Salvador has been returned to the US after over 2 months. The Trump Administration, which had mistakenly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia and ordered by the Supreme Court to facilitate his return, made clear that he was only now returned due to an indictment on charges of migrant trafficking. Mr. Garcia will have a hearing on June 13, where, if convicted, could face up to 10 years in prison. Mr. Garcia’s lawyer has referred to the charges as “an abuse of power.”
#us-politics #us-legal
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