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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
3005 stories archived
Indonesia fights fire with dry ice as toxic haze spreads across region
Having tried cloud seeding and water bombing, one pilot project will see dry ice dispersed by plane across the province of South Sumatra As fires ravage Indonesia, emitting a toxic smoke that has drawn the ire of regional neighbours, the government is testing an unusual new approach to tackle the haze: dry ice. Having tried cloud seeding, water bombing and sending in army personnel to fight the fires, Indonesia’s coordinating security minister said dry ice would be dropped on the province of South Sumatra on Thursday. Continue reading...
Victoria to become first state to make abortions free as Coalition matches Labor election promise
Exclusive: Out-of-pocket costs for abortion care to be covered regardless of who wins November election as Jess Wilson says Liberals and Nationals ‘will not allow Labor to play politics on this issue’ Victoria will become the first state in Australia to make access to abortion care free, no matter who wins the November election, with the Coalition matching Labor’s promise just hours after it was announced as it attempts to neutralise the issue. The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, on Thursday afternoon told Guardian Australia a Liberal National Coalition government would match Labor’s commitment to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care up to 16 weeks’ gestation. This would include GP and specialist consultations, scans, tests or medication, which can quickly add up to more than $1,000. Continue reading...
Greens senator Jordan Steele-John takes leave amid investigation into complaints
Steele-John said he rejected the claims and had referred them to the Western Australian Greens for a ‘fair, independent process’ Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave from the party room after complaints were made, triggering an independent review. The Nine newspapers reported on Thursday afternoon that seven party members demanded an investigation into allegations he made inappropriate comments to a number of women. Continue reading...
Verse from the waste land: Rotterdam’s poetic bin lorries granted cultural status
Lyrical lines printed on side of city’s fleet of rubbish trucks now recognised as one of Netherlands’ proud traditions It is best known for its rich migration history and striking modern architecture. But now the Dutch city of Rotterdam is seeking recognition for a rather different characteristic: its tradition of printing poetry on bin trucks. Since a poetry festival first came up with the idea in 1988, lines of verse have been printed on all of the city’s waste vehicles. The practice was this week elevated to the status of intangible cultural heritage , with formal recognition from a Dutch body that guards the nation’s traditions. Continue reading...
H.R. 10819: United States-India Interparliamentary Group Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 10821: To amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to make changes to the Standard Maximum Deposit Insurance Amount, and for other purposes.
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 10833: Doorway to the American Dream Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 726: Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025
Enacted — Signed by the President: All of this bill was incorporated into S. 240: Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, which was enacted (🖊️ by president) on October 15, 2026.
H.R. 5169: Retire through Ownership Act
Enacted — Signed by the President: Some of this bill was incorporated into S. 2403: Retire through Ownership Act, which was enacted (🖊️ by president) on October 15, 2026.
S. 5688: Acquired Lands Revenue Modernization Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.Res. 1628: Supporting the designation of the week beginning on October 10, 2026, as “National Wildlife Refuge Week”.
Bill Text: This resolution's text is now available.
H.R. 10829: One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act of 2026
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.Res. 1627: Reaffirming the commitment of the House of Representatives to preserve and expand pathways to citizenship.
Bill Text: This resolution's text is now available.
S.J.Res. 221: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the agreement for civilian nuclear cooperation between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pursuant to section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
Bill Text: This resolution's text is now available.
S. 5690: Renewing the Dream Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 10835: Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act of 2026
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
S.Res. 950: A resolution designating the week of September 14 through September 18, 2026, as “National Clean Energy Week”.
Bill Text: This resolution's text is now available.
H.R. 10818: Fire Service Workforce Stability Act of 2026
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
S. 5682: Foreign Government-Owned Media FARA Registration Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 10826: Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 10823: Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 10831: Acquired Lands Revenue Modernization Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
S. 5689: RECLAIM Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
S. 240: Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025
Enacted — Signed by the President: Last Action: Signed by President. Explanation: This bill was enacted after being signed by the President on October 15, 2026.