Domestic Affairs
Introduction President Donald Trump has publicly and decisively rejected the idea of raising taxes on millionaires, a proposal that has recently gained traction among some Republican lawmakers as they search for ways to finance the administration’s ambitious policy agenda. The president’s comments, delivered during a press briefing in
Domestic Affairs
Introduction The U.S. housing market, long a bellwether for the broader economy, experienced a significant setback in March 2025. Sales of existing homes plummeted 5.9% from the previous month, marking the sharpest monthly decline in more than two years and bringing activity to its slowest pace since 2009.
Global Affairs
Introduction In December 2024, the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Tehran marked the beginning of a tense diplomatic standoff that reverberated far beyond the borders of Iran and Italy. Sala, a respected reporter for Il Foglio and host of a popular podcast, was detained while on assignment in
Global Affairs
Introduction In late December 2024, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago—a twin-island nation long celebrated for its vibrant culture and economic dynamism—was thrust into the international spotlight for a far more troubling reason: a dramatic and deadly surge in violent crime. With more than 620 murders recorded in
Global Affairs
The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed two interconnected geopolitical developments that underscore its volatile security landscape: the formal elevation of Philippines-South Korea relations to a strategic partnership and North Korea’s intensified nuclear rhetoric amid joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises. These events reflect broader regional efforts to counterbalance adversarial
Domestic Affairs
Introduction In a dramatic turn for global markets, the technology sector has experienced a powerful rally following signals from the Trump administration that U.S.-China trade tensions may soon ease. President Donald Trump’s remarks that current tariffs on Chinese imports are “too high” and will “come down substantially”
Domestic Affairs
Introduction Senator Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the United States Senate and a towering figure in Illinois and national politics, announced on April 23, 2025, that he will not seek reelection in 2026. This decision marks the conclusion of a congressional career that has spanned over four decades, including
Domestic Affairs
Introduction In a landmark decision with far-reaching implications for press freedom, federal oversight, and the boundaries of executive power, a U.S. District Court has ordered the Trump administration to immediately reinstate employees and contractors to Voice of America (VOA) and restore its programming and funding. The ruling, issued by
Domestic Affairs
Domestic Affairs
Domestic Affairs
Introduction The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply downgraded its U.S. growth forecast for 2025, warning that President Trump’s sweeping tariffs and the resulting global trade tensions are acting as a major drag on the American and world economies. In its April 2025 World Economic Outlook, the IMF
Global Affairs
Introduction The African Union (AU) is confronting an unprecedented convergence of security, governance, and economic challenges in 2025. A wave of military coups, protracted civil wars, and the rise of violent non-state actors have destabilized key regions, while shifting U.S. foreign policy—marked by aggressive tariff regimes and reduced