Headlines

ULVAC to make rare earth melting furnaces in Japan

If you’ve been following the slow-motion strategic panic over critical minerals, you know that Japan, Australia, the US, Canada, Europe and others are busy talking about China’s dominance both of rare earth mining and refining and of the production of rare earth magnets. Those

Asia

Judge tosses federal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia

A federal judge on Friday dismissed the criminal case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, siding with the mistakenly deported man in finding that he was the subject of a vindictive prosecution. U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw’s ruling marks an enormous victory for Abrego

Trump call with Taiwan’s Lai not yet planned, sources say

WASHINGTON/TAIPEI, May 22 - The U.S. and Taiwan have not yet made concrete plans for talks between their presidents, four people familiar with the matter said, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion he might speak soon with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te about the

Asia

Trump skips son's wedding as Iran talks continue

US President Donald Trump confirmed Friday he would miss his son's wedding, insisting he had to stay in Washington because of "circumstances pertaining to government." Trump had said a day earlier that the Iran war made it "bad timing" for him to attend Donald Trump Jr's

French Gaza activists arrive home after Israel expulsion

Several French pro-Palestinian activists on Friday described what they said was a violent and humiliating ordeal after they were detained by Israeli forces on a Gaza-bound flotilla. Eight French nationals arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris from Turkey on Friday

Platner: 'Of course' Trump needs to be impeached, removed

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) on Thursday told supporters that "of course" President Trump must be impeached and removed from office. Platner, who is leading incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) by 7 points, according to a poll released this week, told supporters

The 5 Best Songs Of The Week

Every week the Stereogum staff chooses the five best new songs of the week. The eligibility period begins and ends Thursdays right before midnight. You can hear this week’s picks below and on Stereogum’s Favorite New Music Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly. (An expanded

Music

Bangladesh’s paramilitary problem cannot be rebranded

Bangladesh’s rulers have a habit of renaming institutions when they become politically radioactive. Roads are renamed after coups, and laws after public outrage. The practice is usually useless. Now, the same survival instinct is being applied to the Rapid Action Battalion

Asia

Channel Tres – “Pop Pop”

A couple of months ago, Compton club funkateer Channel Tres flipped the Crystal Waters classic “100% Pure Love” on his single “Medicine.” Today, he’s got another new track. As far as I know, this one doesn’t interpolate any early-’90s bangers, though it does have some of that

Music