Politics

Several states have redrawn congressional maps outside the usual ten-year cycle, setting up high-stakes contests ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

Congress passed a stopgap funding bill ending the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history, with a January 30, 2026 funding deadline and health care subsidies still unresolved.

Congress passed a funding bill ending the 43-day U.S. federal government shutdown, the longest in American history, and President Trump signed it into law.

Texas, California, Missouri and North Carolina have redrawn congressional districts mid-decade, setting up a high-stakes fight for House control in the November 2026 midterms.

International watchdog organizations report a continuing decline in democratic governance worldwide, with free speech, election integrity, and judicial independence under pressure across multiple continents.

The government shutdown was a top news search of 2025. Here is a clear explainer of what it meant.

Zohran Mamdani was a breakout political search of 2025. Here is who he is and why interest spiked.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was a top political search of 2025. Here is a neutral, plain-language explanation.

Charlie Kirk was the No. 1 trending Google search in the U.S. in 2025 after his death in September. Here are the questions people asked most.

Political scientists and international watchdogs warn that democratic institutions face unprecedented pressure across multiple continents heading into 2026.

Political scientists and international watchdogs warn that democratic institutions face unprecedented strain heading into 2026, with elections and governance under mounting pressure worldwide.

Iran has announced plans to close the Strait of Hormuz and accused the United States and Israel of breaching a recently negotiated ceasefire agreement, escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Democracy indexes worldwide continue to show alarming declines as populist and authoritarian governments consolidate power across multiple continents heading into 2026.

Freedom House and international watchdogs report continued democratic decline across multiple continents, marking two decades of consecutive global freedom loss.

Pope Leo XIV's seven-day visit to Spain draws massive crowds in Madrid, marking the first papal visit to the country in 15 years.