Explore

Analysis-Emerging markets get a hard lesson in tech hype

Analysis-Emerging markets get a hard lesson in tech hype

By Marc Jones LONDON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - A few years ago, when almost every bank research note seemed to focus on soaring U.S. tech stocks, veteran emerging market fund manager Carlos von Hardenberg was struggling to get investors interested in anything else. Not any more.

Walmart is selling a 3-piece patio set for $68 that's perfect for small spaces

Walmart is selling a 3-piece patio set for $68 that's perfect for small spaces

Give your outdoor space a summer refresh with this "budget-friendly patio set."

Senate Panel to Vote on Fauci Contempt Resolution After Fifth Amendment Testimony

Senate Panel to Vote on Fauci Contempt Resolution After Fifth Amendment Testimony

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is set to vote on holding Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. This follows Fauci's invocation of the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing on the government's COVID-19 response. Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul criticized Fauci for not addressing decisions that impacted millions. If approved, the resolution will be referred to the Justice Department. The vote is part of ongoing Republican efforts to scrutinize the pandemic response.

St. Petersburg Mayoral Race Highlights Florida's Primary Election Day

St. Petersburg Mayoral Race Highlights Florida's Primary Election Day

Florida's primary election is set for August 18, 2026, with significant local races, including the mayoral race in St. Petersburg. Incumbent Ken Welch faces challengers such as former governor Charlie Crist and other local figures. Voters in Congressional District 16 will also select candidates from a diverse field. With Governor Ron DeSantis ineligible for another term, the gubernatorial race features Republican candidates like Jay Collins and Byron Donalds, while Democrat David Jolly is expected to secure his party's nomination. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters must bring valid photo ID to cast their ballots.

Iowa Primary Elections Set Stage for November Ballot with Key Matchups

Iowa Primary Elections Set Stage for November Ballot with Key Matchups

In Iowa, the primary elections have concluded, setting the stage for the November ballot. Notably, the race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Joni Ernst will feature Democrat Josh Turek against Republican Ashley Hanson. Other significant matchups include the gubernatorial race between Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn. In Congressional District 1, incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks will face Democrat Christina Bohannan. These elections are crucial as they will determine the political landscape in Iowa, with potential implications for national politics.

Debate Over Firefighters' Union Endorsement of Governor Ayotte Amid Contract Disputes

Debate Over Firefighters' Union Endorsement of Governor Ayotte Amid Contract Disputes

A letter to the editor in the Concord Monitor raises concerns about the New Hampshire firefighters' union's endorsement of Governor Kelly Ayotte, despite ongoing contract disputes. The letter criticizes the union for supporting Ayotte, who is associated with policies that allegedly shift state responsibilities to local taxpayers. This shift is said to complicate contract negotiations for public employees, including firefighters. The letter suggests that the union should reconsider its political endorsements in light of these challenges.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks Advocates for Health Care Price Transparency Amid Democratic Opposition

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks Advocates for Health Care Price Transparency Amid Democratic Opposition

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is actively promoting the Prices on the Wall Act, a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing price transparency in health care. This act mandates that hospitals and health care providers publicly disclose the prices of medical services, enabling patients to make informed decisions before receiving treatment. Despite widespread public support, with a 2024 poll by PatientRightsAdvocate.org indicating that 92% of Americans favor upfront pricing, the proposal has faced opposition from Democrats, who did not support the legislation in committee. Miller-Meeks, leveraging her background as a physician, argues that the act would lower health care costs for Iowa families by providing necessary transparency.

District 6 Candidate Matt Dorsey Prioritizes Long-Term Recovery in San Francisco's Drug Policy

District 6 Candidate Matt Dorsey Prioritizes Long-Term Recovery in San Francisco's Drug Policy

Matt Dorsey, the current District 6 Supervisor in San Francisco, is campaigning for re-election with a focus on making long-term recovery the centerpiece of the city's drug policy. Dorsey, who has been in office since 2022, has been a vocal critic of the harm reduction model and has championed initiatives like the Recovery First Ordinance and Drug-Free Housing. With potential federal cuts to Medicaid threatening funding for drug treatment, Dorsey emphasizes the need to secure resources to support recovery programs.

Trump Administration Withholds Over $1 Billion in Medicaid Funds from California and Minnesota Amid Fraud Allegations

Trump Administration Withholds Over $1 Billion in Medicaid Funds from California and Minnesota Amid Fraud Allegations

The Trump administration has announced the withholding of over $1 billion in Medicaid funds from California and Minnesota, citing insufficient evidence for disputed medical claims. This decision involves $867 million for California and $200 million for Minnesota. The administration claims the states failed to provide adequate documentation for certain medical services billed under Medicaid. This move is part of a broader initiative called Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH), aimed at combating Medicaid fraud. The Democratic governors of the affected states have criticized the action as politically motivated. Historically, Medicaid fraud allegations have been used to justify spending cuts and discredit the program, with critics arguing that such rhetoric often masks ideological opposition to Medicaid expansion.

Dan DeVos and Pamella DeVos Fund John James' Super PAC Amid Michigan Election Challenges

Dan DeVos and Pamella DeVos Fund John James' Super PAC Amid Michigan Election Challenges

Dan DeVos and his wife Pamella have been significant financial backers of John James' political efforts in Michigan. They have contributed to the funding of James' super PAC, Mission Michigan, with an initial investment of $5 million. Despite this support, James faces financial challenges in his campaign for governor, with only $1.4 million cash-on-hand as of July 19, 2026. His campaign is further strained by a 134% burn rate during the recent period. James' alignment with President Trump's policies, which are unpopular in Michigan, poses additional hurdles. His campaign is criticized for self-enrichment and corruption, including voting for tax cuts that benefit himself and failing to report stock trades. Meanwhile, his opponent, Jocelyn Benson, has a significant cash advantage and a strong record as Secretary of State, focusing on lowering costs and raising wages.

San Francisco's Shift from Harm Reduction to Recovery-First Drug Policies Under Mayor Lurie

San Francisco's Shift from Harm Reduction to Recovery-First Drug Policies Under Mayor Lurie

San Francisco, under Mayor Daniel Lurie's administration, is moving away from harm reduction strategies in drug policy towards a recovery-first approach. This shift marks a significant change from the previous administration's policies, which included city-funded distribution of drug supplies to addicts. Lurie's 'Breaking the Cycle' plan, introduced in March 2025, restricts the distribution of drug supplies to sanctioned sites and pairs them with recovery information. This policy change follows a federal directive from the Trump administration to halt funding for harm reduction efforts.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Criticizes Democratic Party's Climate Silence

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Criticizes Democratic Party's Climate Silence

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, is leading a pushback against the Democratic Party's trend of 'climate hushing,' where the party has been focusing less on climate change in political discourse. This shift is partly attributed to the belief that emphasizing climate change contributed to the Democrats' loss in the 2024 presidential election to President Trump. However, new polling from the 2035 Initiative at the University of California, Santa Barbara suggests that discussing climate change could actually bolster support for Democratic candidates. The research indicates that climate change is not as politically toxic as previously thought, with a significant portion of voters supporting government investment in renewable energy regardless of the framing.

Republicans Block IVF Proposal, Undermining President Trump's Campaign Promise

Republicans Block IVF Proposal, Undermining President Trump's Campaign Promise

During the 2024 presidential campaign, President Trump promised to make in vitro fertilization (IVF) free for Americans. However, recent actions by Republicans in Congress have moved in the opposite direction. Despite Trump's executive order to expand IVF access, it remains far from free. Congressional Republicans have blocked a proposal to expand military health coverage for IVF treatments, influenced by anti-abortion groups. This marks a shift from previous bipartisan support for broadening IVF availability for military members. Senate Republicans have ensured the measure was excluded from the defense bill, contradicting campaign promises and highlighting a disconnect between GOP campaign rhetoric and legislative actions.

Alaska Elections Director Maintains Inactive Status for Voters Amid Controversy

Alaska Elections Director Maintains Inactive Status for Voters Amid Controversy

Carol Beecher, the director of the Alaska Division of Elections, has decided not to restore 3,048 voters to active status after they were moved to 'inactive' based on outdated citizenship information. This decision comes despite a bipartisan request from 23 lawmakers to immediately restore voting rights for those affected. The division had sent letters to voters indicating potential citizenship issues, prompting them to confirm their status. Lawmakers argue that the data used was flawed and that eligible voters should not be disenfranchised based on inaccurate information.

Rep. Judy Chu Calls for Accountability Following Eaton Fire Investigation

Rep. Judy Chu Calls for Accountability Following Eaton Fire Investigation

Rep. Judy Chu has responded to the findings of an investigation by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which concluded that the Eaton Fire was caused by out-of-service equipment managed by Southern California Edison. The fire, which occurred on January 7, 2025, resulted in 19 fatalities and displaced thousands in Altadena and Pasadena. Chu emphasized the need for accountability from Southern California Edison and urged Congress to approve disaster recovery funding requested by Governor Gavin Newsom. She also advocated for the passage of the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act to prevent survivors from being taxed on settlements.

CAIR Launches Muslims.Vote Initiative to Boost Muslim American Voter Turnout

CAIR Launches Muslims.Vote Initiative to Boost Muslim American Voter Turnout

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has launched a new initiative called Muslims.Vote to encourage Muslim Americans to participate in the upcoming midterm elections. This non-partisan campaign aims to provide American Muslims with the necessary tools and resources to register and vote. Despite being designated as a foreign terrorist organization by some state governors, CAIR has successfully challenged these designations in court. The initiative emphasizes the significant impact Muslim voters can have, particularly in key swing states, and aims to increase voter registration and turnout among the estimated 8 million Muslims in the U.S.

Senator John Cornyn Acknowledges GOP's Limited Influence Over President Trump

Senator John Cornyn Acknowledges GOP's Limited Influence Over President Trump

Senator John Cornyn has publicly acknowledged the Republican Party's limited ability to influence President Donald Trump's actions. Cornyn, who has previously supported Trump, now faces political challenges after Trump endorsed his primary opponent, Ken Paxton, in the Texas Senate race. Cornyn's recent opposition to the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general highlights his attempt to distance himself from Trump's policies. Despite assurances from Blanche, Cornyn remains concerned about Trump's desire to establish a fund for those deemed victims of government 'weaponization,' including January 6 rioters. Cornyn's comments reflect broader tensions within the Republican Party as members navigate their relationship with Trump.

Justice Elena Kagan Urges Progressives to Moderate Criticism of Supreme Court

Justice Elena Kagan Urges Progressives to Moderate Criticism of Supreme Court

Justice Elena Kagan, a prominent liberal voice on the U.S. Supreme Court, has cautioned progressive critics against harsh attacks on the Court's conservative majority. Speaking at the 9th Circuit Judicial Conference, Kagan emphasized that the Court is not merely a tool of President Trump's administration, countering claims that it rubber-stamps the administration's policies. She highlighted a recent case where Trump-appointed justices ruled against the President's tariff policies, illustrating the Court's independence. Kagan's remarks come amid growing calls from progressives for court reforms, such as court packing and judicial term limits, aimed at reducing the conservative majority's influence.

President Clinton Acknowledges Inappropriate Relationship with Monica Lewinsky During Grand Jury Testimony

President Clinton Acknowledges Inappropriate Relationship with Monica Lewinsky During Grand Jury Testimony

On August 17, 1998, President Bill Clinton became the first sitting U.S. president to testify before a grand jury as the subject of an investigation. The testimony was part of an inquiry into his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern. Following his testimony, President Clinton addressed the nation, admitting that his relationship with Lewinsky was 'not appropriate.' This admission came after months of public speculation and media scrutiny regarding the nature of their relationship. The scandal had significant political ramifications, leading to Clinton's impeachment by the House of Representatives later that year, although he was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.

Documentary 'Leaving Afghanistan' Explores Political Efforts to End the War

Documentary 'Leaving Afghanistan' Explores Political Efforts to End the War

The documentary 'Leaving Afghanistan,' available on Prime Video, provides a detailed account of the political efforts to end the war in Afghanistan. Directed by Jack MacInnes and featuring insights from political insiders, the film examines the complex negotiations and decisions leading to the fall of Kabul in 2021. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges faced by international and Afghan leaders in their attempts to bring peace to the region.