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The Netty, a former Victorian-era public convenience turned hotel in Oxford, is an unusual place with ‘jolly’ decor.

The Monkey King at the San Francisco Opera, visually spectacular and musically superb, ‘suggests a bold future for American opera.’

Senegalese artist El Hadji treats his home city as a canvas in his gallery exhibition at Dakar’s Selebe Yoon.

George Ovashvili’s most personal film, The Moon Is a Father of Mine, follows a bullied 12-year-old reunited with his imprisoned father.

The posthumous exhibition Kaari Upson: Dollhouse – A Retrospective at Denmark’s Louisiana Museum offers the first comprehensive look at Upson’s career.

COP30 falls short of ambitious deal

COP30 ended without the plan some countries sought, but did manage to produce a few promising workarounds.
COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago at the COP30 plenary.Adriano Machado/Reuters

A man for Four Seasons: Alejandro Reynal’s ‘intentional growth’ plan

The luxury hotel brand’s CEO says knowing where his brand has the right to win is the key to its global expansion.
Alejandro Reynal.Courtesy of Four Seasons/Joey Pfeifer/Semafor

Saudi Arabia quietly widens alcohol sales for expats

Non-Muslim holders of premium residency are now able to buy from a store previously limited to diplomats.
People toast with their drinks at a bar in BrasiliaA bar in Brasilia. Adriano Machado/Reuters

Trump stops getting everything he wants from fellow Republicans

It’s early, but members of the president’s party are starting to spurn his demands on everything from tariffs to redistricting.
President Donald TrumpKent Nishimura/Reuters
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Politics

US senators favor pressure on Russia amid Ukraine peace talks

As Trump pressures Kyiv on a controversial peace proposal, US lawmakers would prefer to turn the screws on Putin.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., takes part in a press conference announcing a bill to name Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Principals Live: Powering America’s Future

One of the few areas of bipartisan consensus is the critical need for permitting reform.

Trump threatens six Democrats with death penalty

Trump accused six Congressional Democrats of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH” in a post on Truth Social.
US President Donald Trump. Frank Robichon/Reuters

Debatable: Congressional term limits

The gerontocracy that has taken hold on Capitol Hill in recent years is sparking new talk of possible age or term limits.

Lawmakers press for committee vote on stock-trading ban this year

“Certainly I would prefer to see [a vote] before Christmas,” Rep. Chip Roy said.

Trump stops getting everything he wants from fellow Republicans

It’s early, but members of the president’s party are starting to spurn his demands on everything from tariffs to redistricting.

Some US economic data lost for good because of shutdown

An information shortfall will likely make economic policymaking much harder.

Trump, MBS agree to develop rare earths refinery in Saudi Arabia

An American minerals firm will partner with Riyadh’s state-owned mining company to supply both countries’ manufacturing and defense industries.

Senate struggles toward a health care deal

There are no official negotiations going on yet, just informal talks with Republicans.

Saudi leader’s Washington visit has plenty of fanfare but few details

One clear theme of the US-Saudi business summit: the importance of exporting US tech to the global AI race.

Democrats start falling for risk-takers as their early 2028 conversation begins

In the aftermath of the shutdown and the party’s successful off-year elections, the Democrats who’ve taken the biggest risks have seen the biggest benefits.
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