Tarique Rahman’s Return: What It Means for Bangladesh’s Next Election Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Key Takeaways After 17 years in exile, Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has returned to Dhaka ahead of crucial February 2026 elections. Rahman’s comeback follows the ouster of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina and the formation…

How Local Belonging Can Help Heal National Political Divisions Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Key takeaways Many Americans are experiencing profound loneliness and disconnection, which fuels political extremism and mistrust. Local communities, mutual aid networks, and service projects can rebuild a sense of belonging across political and social divides. Research highlighted in the book The…

Christmas Politics, Community Service and a Nation on Edge: What Australia’s Year-End Headlines Reveal Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Key takeaways The prime minister and cross-party politicians spent Christmas serving meals in Sydney, signalling a push for unity and hope amid a difficult year. Australian politics is grappling with the aftermath of the Bondi beach…

Hawaii Secures $149M for Universal Broadband: What It Means for Local Communities Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Key Takeaways Hawaii’s final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has been approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The state can now access about $149 million in federal infrastructure funds to…

How to Talk About Politics With Family Over the Holidays (Without Ruining Dinner) Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Choose the right time and place for political conversations, ideally in smaller, calmer settings and not after heavy drinking. Lead with curiosity, not conversion: focus on understanding your family member’s perspective instead of winning an argument. Look…

Why Newly Released Epstein Files Are Politically Explosive for 2026 Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Newly unredacted Justice Department documents show that Donald Trump flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet more often than previously known. Internal federal emails tie a number of those flights to the same period prosecutors examined in building the sex-trafficking case…

Understanding the Vercel Security Checkpoint: Why You See “We’re Verifying Your Browser” Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Key Takeaways “We’re verifying your browser” is a standard Vercel security checkpoint designed to protect websites from bots, abuse, and malicious traffic. The message “Enable JavaScript to continue” means your browser must allow JavaScript for the page to…

How Politically Divided Families Can Keep the Peace During the Holidays Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Key Takeaways Clear ground rules about political talk help families avoid holiday blowups. Focusing on shared values and traditions creates emotional safety, even when votes differ. Simple strategies like topic time-outs, curiosity questions, and defined boundaries can de-escalate tension.…

Can Democrats Really Become Washington Disrupters? Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Key Takeaways Leading Democrats acknowledge they are seen as the party of the status quo and are openly pushing to redefine that image. Figures like Senators Chris Van Hollen, Elissa Slotkin, and Chris Murphy are calling for Democrats to “embrace change” and “shake up…

Political Dynasties 2.0: Why 2026 Is Shaping Up as a Big Year for Politicians’ Kids Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Key Takeaways 2026 is bringing a surge of political legacies, with the children and relatives of well-known lawmakers running for offices from governor to Congress to state legislatures. Maine is ground zero for this trend,…