In Washington, the Democratic Party is historically unpopular—and on track to retake the House of Representatives in 2026. / Vox Why the DOGE takeover is worse than we realize: Agencies are being dismantled, but we haven't felt the ripples of that—at least not yet. / WIRED Most of
European Commission leaders go to India in a bid to strengthen trade ties. / Semafor Around a billion people in India lack enough money to spend on discretionary goods or services. / BBC News Natalia Antelava says Vladimir Putin has scripted a new ending to the Cold War. / coda Some reasons why
South Korea's fertility rate rises for the first time in nine years, supported by an increase in marriages. / Reuters Denmark's economy is one of Europe's fastest-growing thanks to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic drugs. / BBC News Brooke Harrington: Trust in government
Ukrainian and American negotiators are said to be in the final stages of a minerals deal. / The New York Times [+] The White House's mixed signals on Russia and Ukraine may reflect an internal strategic clash. / Just Security Facilities in Mississippi and Texas are holding the most detained immigrants.
Five trends that will shape urban Africa in 2025—e.g., the Addis Ababa model. / The Week in Africa William Shoki: Elon Musk's opinions about South Africa want to reinforce the idea that black political power is threatening. / Africa Is a Country How to understand President Trump best?
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is charged with leading a plot to overthrow the government. / Reuters Argentina's president tries to deflect criticism after a cryptocurrency he endorsed on X collapses, erasing $4 billion in value. / The Wall Street Journal [+] President Trump suggests Kyiv is to blame for Russia&
Scientists worry about the politicization of vital statistics. / Undark Magazine Connecting the dots between Vice President Vance's recent "Nazi apologia" and his artificial-intelligence boosterism. / Forever Wars See also: Thanks to under-moderated social platforms, anyone can write their own Mein Kampf now. / Garbage Day "
Historians say the United States is on the cusp of "competitive authoritarianism." / Foreign Affairs Chris Geidner: Trump and Musk are trying to sell America on being an authoritarian state, "but they can't do it unless we allow them to do so." / LAWdork The State
The playbook on how to win influence over President Trump is well known—and it still works. / Wake Up to Politics Law professors explain what happens if the White House ignores the courts. / NPR Benjamin Wittes: How effective can judges be in this task? Courts, after all, don't
M. Gessen explains the five categories of arguments people use when they engage in "anticipatory obedience." / The New York Times [+] Spencer Ackerman: Regarding Palestinians, Donald Trump is "a fulfillment of longstanding currents in American history." / Forever Wars A trend forecaster plots the chart between Brat Summer
