Cuba and U.S. Resume Limited Diplomatic Communications Amid Rising Tensions 
Medvedev Warns World Is Growing More Dangerous but Says Russia Seeks to Avoid Global Conflict 
Syria Detains Group Over Rocket Attacks on Damascus Military Airport Amid Hezbollah Allegations 
South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
Peter Mandelson Resigns from Labour Party Amid Renewed Jeffrey Epstein Links 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
U.S. Accuses Cuba of Harassing Top Diplomat Amid Rising Tensions 
Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
Trump Says Fed Pick Kevin Warsh Could Win Democratic Support in Senate Confirmation 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
Trump Calls for “Nationalizing” Voting, Drawing Backlash Over Election Authority 
U.S. and Israeli Military Leaders Hold Pentagon Talks as Tensions With Iran Escalate 
Taiwan Urges Stronger Trade Ties With Fellow Democracies, Rejects Economic Dependence on China 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
U.S. Senate Republicans are scrambling to pass President Donald Trump’s sweeping $3.3 trillion tax-cut and spending bill, despite deep internal divisions over its impact on the nation’s $36.2 trillion debt. In a high-stakes “vote-a-rama,” lawmakers debated amendments well into Monday night, aiming to bypass the usual 60-vote threshold using budget reconciliation rules.
The bill—extending 2017 tax cuts, increasing military and border spending, and slashing Medicaid and clean energy funding—faces strong opposition from Democrats and fiscal conservatives. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Senate version adds $800 billion more in debt than the House-passed bill, triggering warnings from global bond investors.
Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, argue the bill boosts small businesses and economic growth. However, GOP Senators Rand Paul and Thom Tillis oppose the measure, citing unsustainable spending and social program cuts. The bill includes a controversial $5 trillion debt ceiling hike, $1 trillion higher than the House version.
Democrats slammed the bill’s Medicaid cuts and restrictions on reproductive and gender-related healthcare. All proposed Democratic amendments have so far been rejected. Senator Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of favoring billionaires over working families, while Elon Musk criticized the bill’s hypocrisy and hinted at forming a new political party.
If passed, the bill could lead to 11.8 million more uninsured Americans, according to the CBO. The legislation now faces uncertainty in the House, where members are also split over its cost and policy priorities. Despite criticisms, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports the bill, while small business advocates warn benefits are skewed toward the top 5%.
Senate Republicans are using an alternative budget calculation method that omits key cost extensions, which outside experts say is misleading.
