Explainer: What is the State of the Union?
The State of the Union (SOTU) address is an annual address delivered by the President of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress. Read our explainer to learn more.
The Latest
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Factcheck: Vivek Ramaswamy claims Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection was an “inside job”
The claim that the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol was an “inside job” by law enforcement agencies, put forth by Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, is false owing to the fact that there is no evidence of the FBI orchestrating the attacks.
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Fact Check: The First 2023 Republican Presidential Debate
During the first Republican Debate on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, for the Presidential candidacy, several candidates made sweeping claims on policies Americans support and specific issues in the country. Read our fact-checks of some of the claims here.
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Explainer: The Government Narrowly Avoided a Shutdown. Now What?
On Saturday, September 30th, Congress passed a temporary deal to extend government funding until November 17th, with $16 billion allocated for disaster relief but no funding for Ukraine. A government shutdown looms if Congress fails to approve a budget for the upcoming year, affecting various federal agencies and employees, with essential services continuing but employees working without pay.
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Explainer: Biden’s SAVE Plan for Student Loan Forgiveness
Biden's SAVE plan, introduced in August 2023, offers potential relief to millions of student loan borrowers, reducing some monthly payments to $0 and preventing interest from accumulating. The plan aims to benefit low- and middle-income earners, community college students, and public service workers, with early forgiveness for those with low balances. However, opponents argue it could cost taxpayers up to $559 billion and incentivize colleges to raise tuition costs, prompting some House Republicans to seek its overturning through a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution.
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Explainer: Donald Trump’s Indictment and Legal Challenges
Former President Donald Trump is currently facing a series of legal challenges in multiple states, including Georgia, Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, involving a total of 91 counts. These charges range from election tampering to mishandling classified documents and undisclosed payments, potentially impacting his prospects for a 2024 presidential run. The legal battles, particularly concerning attempts to overturn the 2020 election, could have significant consequences for the integrity of future U.S. elections and public acceptance of election outcomes.
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Explainer: Updated COVID-19 Booster Vaccines
The FDA has authorized updated COVID-19 booster vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to combat newer virus strains this flu season, with initial trial data showing effectiveness against specific variants. CDC recommends individuals over 65 with chronic conditions to get the booster, highlighting the safety and accessibility of COVID-19 vaccines alongside flu vaccination.
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Explainer: Philadelphia Water Contamination
A chemical spill in the Delaware River led to concerns about contamination of the water supply for half of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Water Department meticulously monitored the situation, tested the water supply frequently, and determined no contamination.
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Explainer: Controversial Lawsuits Over 2022 Harris County Election Results
Amidst claims of irregularities, 21 lawsuits have emerged from the November 2022 election in Harris County, Texas. Republican candidates contest the results, citing ballot shortages predominantly in GOP areas. The lawsuits could set a precedent for challenging election outcomes nationwide.
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Explainer: Bidenomics and President Biden’s Economic Vision
President Biden has recently touted his economic policies as “Bidenomics” and emphasized how they helped recover the economy from the pandemic. Critics, however, worry that these policies will increase inflation and the federal debt.
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Explainer: The Epidemic of South Asian Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women of all ethnicities nationwide. However, South Asians develop coronary artery disease an average of up to 10 years earlier than the general population. This community only comprises 25% of the world population and yet makes up 60% of all cases of heart disease.
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Fact Check: Bronny James's Cardiac Arrest and COVID-19 Vaccine Connection
The recent cardiac arrest of Bronny James, son of LeBron James, has sparked debates on social media, including claims on Twitter (referred to as The X) linking his condition to the COVID-19 vaccine. Cardiac arrest is distinct from a heart attack and myocarditis, with Bronny experiencing a rare occurrence among young athletes. While cardiologists consider factors like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, and commotio cardis as potential causes, the vaccine is not directly implicated.
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Explainer: India’s Rice Export Ban
India's ban on non-Basmati white rice exports, triggered by rising domestic prices and global factors, aims to ensure affordable domestic availability. The move impacts global rice prices, potentially leading to food insecurity, affecting countries heavily dependent on Indian rice imports