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Bo Erickson

The $9 billion cut to foreign aid and public media the U.S. House of Representatives passed amounts to roughly one-tenth of 1% of the $6.8 trillion federal budget.

WORLD

Jul 18, 2025

U.S. House Republicans pass Trump plan to cut foreign aid and public broadcasting

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 216 to 213 in favor of the funding cut package, with only two Republicans voting against it.

Elon Musk said his "America Party” is dedicated to defeating Republicans who backed U.S. President Donald Trump’s massive tax-cut and spending bill.

WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS

Jul 8, 2025

Musk faces a daunting path in challenging U.S. two-party system

Musk announced the birth of the "America Party” — dedicated, he said, to defeating Republicans who backed Trump’s massive tax-cut and spending bill.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (fourth from right, front row) gestures after signing U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Thursday.

WORLD / Politics

Jul 4, 2025

U.S. Republicans muscle Trump's tax-cut and spending bill through Congress

The 218-214 vote is a significant victory for U.S. President Donald Trump that will fund his immigration crackdown, make his 2017 tax cuts permanent and deliver new tax breaks.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk speak in the Oval Office before departing the White House in March.

WORLD / Politics

Jun 7, 2025

Republican lawmakers try to dodge Trump-Musk crossfire

Their buddy-movie dynamic evaporated this week as Musk and Trump openly feuded over a sweeping tax-cut and spending bill.

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks to members of the news media along with U.S. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday.

WORLD / Politics

Dec 20, 2024

Trump-backed spending deal fails in U.S. House as shutdown approaches

Government funding is due to expire at midnight on Friday.

A rancher stands near a door of the wall built under Donald Trump's presidency. A poll completed this week showed that 65% of registered voters believe the U.S. is on the wrong track on immigration policy, with voters favoring Trump's approach.

WORLD / Politics

Oct 25, 2024

U.S. Democratic candidates step up immigration messaging in last weeks

Almost 15% of pro-Democratic messages have addressed immigration or border security, up sharply from the 3% share in the final weeks of the 2022 midterm campaign.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris applauds during a campaign event in Savannah, Georgia, on Thursday.

WORLD / Politics

Aug 30, 2024

Harris widens lead over Trump with boost from women and Hispanics

Harris leads Trump 45% to 41% in the poll published Thursday.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris waves upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Saturday.

WORLD / Politics

Jul 30, 2024

As Democrats embrace Harris, some pivotal House candidates hold back

In the 35 competitive races that will determine control of the House, 12 Democratic incumbents or challengers have so far held off on endorsing Harris.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

In 2020, 38% of all households were single-person. That figure is projected to rise to 44.3% by 2050.

The rise of AI companionship in a lonely Japan

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

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