海角大神

The U.S. and Japan agreed to boost rare earths production as U.S. President Donald Trump, in Tokyo, strikes another deal aimed at reducing U.S. reliance on China for the critical minerals. On trade, Mr. Trump and the new Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, agreed to a 15% limit on U.S. tariffs, while Japan buys more goods from and invests $550 billion in the U.S. The hawkish Ms. Takaichi has also pledged to advance a big defense buildup as part of strengthened U.S.-Japan military cooperation initiated under the Biden administration.

Nearly 7,000 flights were delayed across the U.S. yesterday amid air traffic controller staffing shortages. Disruptions are likely to increase as roughly 13,000 controllers go without their first full paycheck today, 28 days into the government shutdown. Around 50,000 TSA officers are also working without pay. Lawmakers ended the 35-day shutdown in 2019 following a surge in absences among air safety staff.

Russian forces have been coordinating drone strikes and unlawful deportations to drive Ukrainian civilians from their homes, according to a new report by the U.N.鈥檚 Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. The findings, presented yesterday to the General Assembly, document war crimes and crimes against humanity in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk. Investigators drew on over 200 interviews and 500 videos.

Amazon is preparing to lay off up to 30,000 corporate jobs, or close to 10% of its corporate employees, according to Reuters. Layoff emails are reported to begin going out this morning, in what would be the largest round of cuts since late 2022. CEO Andy Jassy said in June that artificial intelligence could make some jobs redundant.聽

A federal judge in North Carolina widened a lawsuit over claims that teens at the 62-bed Cabarrus Regional Juvenile Detention Facility are locked alone in their rooms for 23 hours a day. The state argues the practice, banned for minors since 2016, isn鈥檛 punitive but stems from staff shortages and safety concerns. The judge refused to extend the case to all state juvenile facilities but ruled that any resulting reforms must apply to current and future detainees in the facility.

Global extinction rates聽are not accelerating after all, according to a new University of Arizona study. Analyzing 500 years of data, the researchers found species losses peaked about a century ago and have declined since, partly because conservation efforts are working. They caution that while biodiversity loss remains serious, many predictions rely on outdated assumptions, and a more nuanced understanding can lead to better action. In an unrelated memo today, Bill Gates also warned against a 鈥渄oomsday outlook鈥� on climate change.

Afghanistan鈥檚 exiled women鈥檚 soccer team played their first international match since fleeing the Taliban, taking the field Sunday as Afghan Women United. Though they lost 6-1 to Chad, the game marked a return for players who hadn鈥檛 competed internationally since 2021. The team, scattered across Australia and Europe, says they鈥檙e playing not just for themselves but for Afghan girls back home. 鈥淲e鈥檙e showing them that their dreams are valid,鈥� goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi told Deutsche Welle.

鈥� From our staff writers around the world

A dozen states are drawing new congressional district maps, or thinking about it, as Republicans and Democrats maneuver for control of the U.S. House after the 2026 midterm elections. The efforts could diminish the importance of individual voters.

Top Chinese leaders generally keep their machinations to themselves. But the current purge of top generals and Communist Party officials suggests that President Xi Jinping is maneuvering to ward off potential rivals for the top job, as well as to curb corruption.

As one veteran teacher puts it, a curriculum is more than lessons; it shows how a nation understands itself. Syria鈥檚 new school year, the first since the fall of the Assad regime, has a revised look at history and increased emphasis on religion.

The populist campaign of Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor has energized the growing number of democratic socialists across the U.S. They could change the direction of the Democratic Party.

Detroiters take great pride in their city鈥檚 claim to inventing the Coney dog. For more than 100 years, two side-by-side restaurants have been embroiled in a (mostly) friendly rivalry. People will even specify 鈥淟afayette鈥� or 鈥淎merican鈥� on dating profiles. Our reporter decided to put his dislike for hot dogs aside and give each an honest try. Anything for journalism.

On Sunday, voters in Argentina sent a weighty message to other countries going through severe, if necessary, austerity. In a pivotal legislative election, they gave a stronger-than-expected endorsement to President Javier Milei and his policy jolts for an economy dragged down for decades by financial decadence.

The vote was the first national test for Mr. Milei. He more than passed, gaining nearly 41% of the national vote and enough seats in Congress to continue his free-market reforms. Yet it also revealed that Argentines have enough essential shock absorbers 鈥� prudence, restraint, and patience 鈥� to rely on as Mr. Milei鈥檚 difficult reforms kick in and start to bear fruit.

Inflation and the poverty rate have dropped dramatically since Mr. Milei was elected in 2023, although both measures remain high. Economic activity picked up in August. And the government has achieved its first fiscal surplus in 14 years, winning support from key international creditors.

This initial progress, as well as the election result, is more than a sign of public resiliency. It shows that Argentina, which is Latin America鈥檚 third-largest economy and one of its most abundant in resources, has the ability to adopt new ideas and practices. 鈥淲e want to be a country that grows,鈥� Mr. Milei said after his party鈥檚 win.

The president himself hinted that he may adopt a new practice 鈥� dialogue and compromise. Not known for his nuanced political skills, the libertarian economist invited his rivals in Congress to 鈥渇ind common ground鈥� during the second half of his four-year term. 鈥淭here are dozens of deputies and senators from other parties with whom we can reach basic agreements,鈥� he said.

That could set a new tone for a country still divided between left-leaning statist populism and right-leaning economic discipline and open markets. Soon after he took power, Mr. Milei asked citizens for their 鈥減atience and trust.鈥� With this election, he won it. It shouldn鈥檛 be a shocker if he now shows patience and trust with his opponents.