voting
Postmortems of voting woes, disenfranchisement, and how countries around the world elect government officials.
Roy Cooper Enters 2026 Senate Race: A Game-Changer for North Carolina Politics
RALEIGH, N.C. — In a bold move that’s already shaking up the 2026 political landscape, former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper has officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. This critical race, set to be one of the most fiercely contested elections in the country, just got a major Democratic boost.
By Waqar Khan7 months ago in The Swamp
Maryland’s Dirty Voter Rolls
In a state where Democrats have long held political dominance, Maryland’s elections officials are facing intensifying scrutiny over what many see as systemic failures in maintaining voter integrity. With the Department of Justice now eyeing potential violations and Republican leaders preparing a federal lawsuit, the quiet confidence of the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) is cracking under bipartisan pressure—though not without protest.
By Michael Phillips7 months ago in The Swamp
US-Japan trade deal gives Trump control over $550 billion in investments. It could be ‘vapor ware’ — and a model for other countries
**The US-Japan trade agreement grants Trump control over investments worth $550 billion. It Might Be "Vapor Ware" and Serve as an Example for Other Countries** Former President Donald Trump claimed in a high-profile announcement that a new US-Japan trade deal gave the United States leverage over 550 billion dollars in Japanese investment. The deal has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism, with Trump hailing it as a landmark achievement for American manufacturing and job creation. Some have dubbed it potential "vapor ware" due to critics' claims that the numbers may be exaggerated, the agreements are non-binding, and the economic impact is speculative. Nonetheless, the way the deal is structured and presented may be used as a model for US trade negotiations in the future, especially if the administration is focused on optics and unilateral gain. At the heart of the agreement is a framework wherein Japan pledged to direct investment toward American industries — especially manufacturing, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. During his presidency, Trump put bilateral trade agreements ahead of multilateral ones and hailed the agreement as an example of nationalist economics. It is in line with his "America First" platform, which places an emphasis on bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States and reducing reliance on supply chains from other countries. However, experts caution that the headline figure of \$550 billion is misleading. Before the agreement was signed, a significant portion of the pledged investment was already in the works. Financial analysts point out that Japanese companies like Toyota, SoftBank, and Mitsubishi have been present in the United States for a considerable amount of time. Trump can take credit for the trade deal because it simply brings together anticipated and existing investments under a new political banner. Furthermore, the agreement lacks specific enforcement mechanisms. It does not include tariff adjustments, guarantees of market access, or procedures for resolving disputes like traditional trade pacts do. Instead, it resembles a memorandum of understanding, which is advantageous from a political standpoint but has no legal force. Because of this, some economists have referred to it as "vapor ware," which refers to a policy that makes headlines but does not result in significant change. The deal's strategy reflects a larger trend in the way trade agreements are being used as political capital, despite the ambiguity. By framing the deal as a huge economic win — regardless of its actual substance — Trump leveraged it for domestic approval and international prestige. His administration argued that the mere announcement of the deal created a “confidence effect,” encouraging private-sector investment and lifting stock markets.
By GLOBAL NEWS7 months ago in The Swamp
Unmasking the US Political Landscape and Trump’s Influence: 11 Powerful Truths
Over the last decade, few figures have reshaped the US political landscape as dramatically as Donald Trump. His presidency, persona, and policies have stirred deep divides, mobilized millions, and altered the trajectory of both major parties. As we stand in 2025, it’s impossible to ignore the lasting ripple effects of his time in office — and his continued influence.
By Kageno Hoshino7 months ago in The Swamp
Flipping Democracy: KP Assembly Seat Decided by Coin Toss Sparks National Outrage
In a strange and symbolic moment in Pakistan’s political history, a coin toss decided a reserved women’s seat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly. This shocking event took place during the reallocation of reserved seats, after the Supreme Court declared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its allied Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) were not eligible to receive them.
By Muhammad Adil7 months ago in The Swamp
Air India Flight 171: The Mysterious Fuel Cutoff That Led to Disaster
1. A Catastrophe Minutes After Takeoff On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171—a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner—crash-landed into a residential hostel in Ahmedabad just 30 to 40 seconds after takeoff. The plane was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of those aboard, 241 perished, and 19 were killed on the ground, with dozens more injured. Only one passenger survived, later identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh .
By Ikram Ullah7 months ago in The Swamp
Trump's Frustration with Putin and the Uncertain Future of the Russia-Ukraine War
The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to test the diplomatic resolve of world leaders, with recent developments highlighting growing frustration in the United States. President Donald Trump, who once vowed to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, now faces mounting obstacles in his attempts to broker peace. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations and increasing diplomatic engagement, a ceasefire remains elusive as Russia intensifies its military campaign against Ukraine.
By Ikram Ullah7 months ago in The Swamp
Elon Musk Launches the America Party: What It Means for 2025 and Beyond
On July 5, 2025, Elon Musk took a surprising political leap: he officially launched the America Party, proclaiming its mission on X (formerly Twitter) as “to give you back your freedom.” This ambitious move follows his falling out with former ally Donald Trump over the controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill” and signals a dramatic shift in the landscape of American politics.
By Bevy Osuos7 months ago in The Swamp
From Inspiration to Isolation
In Lahore, where I watch global news unfold, the images from Gaza—shattered homes, grieving families—stream relentlessly on social media. As a Pakistani observer, I see not just a humanitarian catastrophe but a crisis for America’s global standing. The U.S., long a beacon of moral leadership, risks losing its credibility by contradicting its values with its actions.
By Zeeshan Ali7 months ago in The Swamp
Investors traded a record $6.6 trillion worth of stock in the first half of 2025
In the first half of 2025, "Global Stock Trading Hits Record $6.6 Trillion" Global stock markets witnessed an unprecedented surge in activity in the first half of 2025, as total trading volumes soared to a record \$6.6 trillion. This milestone, the highest half-year figure in history, reflects heightened investor engagement driven by a mix of economic optimism, technological advancements, and a new wave of retail participation reshaping the financial landscape.
By GLOBAL NEWS7 months ago in The Swamp
