PoliticsSecretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during the political terrorism conference on July 16, 2026, in Washington. Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty ImagesThe State Department on July 16, 2026, hosted what officials billed as a ministerial on the resurgence of left-wing political terrorism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio invited…
PoliticsWhy is the US president now handing out US$1,000 to American babies – and what does it have to do with a retirement system built on the other side of the world? President Donald Trump has pointed to Australia as an inspiration for his proposal to strengthen Americans’ long-term financial…
PoliticsAnton Petrus/GettyOn Monday, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen announced they would impose a “maritime embargo” on Saudi Arabia, in what could mark a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The Houthis have indicated they plan to target Saudi Arabian vessels travelling through the…
PoliticsWhen Donald Trump returned to the White House, he promised to avoid another Middle Eastern “forever war”. After the costly experiences of Iraq and Afghanistan, that pledge resonated with an American public weary of prolonged military intervention. For a brief moment, it appeared that this promise might be realised. The…
PoliticsHamas announced this month it would dissolve its government in Gaza to transfer control to a US-backed Palestinian committee. This was one of the mandates of the US-brokered peace deal between Israel and Hamas last year. While this means Hamas will not be operating in a governance role in the…
PoliticsThe U.S. government is 'caging' the most powerful commercial AI models. Wildpixel/iStock via Getty ImagesWhen the U.S. Commerce Department ordered Anthropic on June 12, 2026, to immediately prevent all foreign nationals from using the artificial intelligence company’s two most advanced large language models, it disabled its Claude Fable 5 and…
PoliticsVoters of all ages come to climate policies with different views, and those views are not always tied to party affiliation. Scott Olson/Getty ImagesWhy would a young Republican back solar power but reject a carbon tax? Why would two Democrats agree that climate change is real but split over a…
PoliticsIraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi speaks at the U.S. Iraq Business Summit at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on July 17, 2026, in Washington. AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is on something of a diplomatic roll at the moment. Having concluded a weeklong visit to the United…
PoliticsTreasury Secretary Scott Bessent holds up an image of the proposed $250 bill in May 2026. Jacquelyn Martin/AP PhotoA slang term for cash money is “dead presidents.” But now the very much alive President Donald Trump could appear on U.S. coins and banknotes, too. Ever since Trump returned to power…
PoliticsA person walks the trail along Lake Michigan at Chicago's North Avenue Beach. AP Photo/Charles Rex ArbogastIn a time of political polarization, it’s easy to forget that the vast majority of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs – 80% or more, depending on the poll – value environmental conservation. However,…
PoliticsBecause course grades get averaged, a student who receives just one zero can be dragged down more than a perfect score can lift them. Mariia Vdovychenko/iStock/Getty Images Plus The grades that students receive in high school and college can decide their futures. High school grades shape students’ overall GPA, class…
PoliticsAfter being named leader of the Labour party, Andy Burnham has officially become prime minister of the UK. That many people considered this day an inevitability doesn’t make it any less momentous. Six years ago, Starmer inherited a Labour party that had failed to win four general elections and was…