| Why earmarks, deplored by many Republicans, find a new fan in Trump Posted: 10 Jan 2018 01:16 PM PST ![Why earmarks, deplored by many Republicans, find a new fan in Trump]( "Why earmarks, deplored by many Republicans, find a new fan in Trump") At one point during Tuesday's remarkable 55-minute televised negotiation with members of Congress over immigration reform, President Trump suddenly switched gears and came out in favor of … earmarks, those spending deals inserted into legislation for individual lawmakers. Banned by Congress in 2011 for abuse and waste, earmarks could actually bring back bipartisanship and help get things done on the Hill, said the president, who famously prides himself on his dealmaking prowess. "[Earmarks] did have some problems," Mr. Trump admitted, saying there would need to be better controls.
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| On DACA, old political fault lines – but new room for optimism Posted: 10 Jan 2018 12:59 PM PST ![On DACA, old political fault lines – but new room for optimism]( "On DACA, old political fault lines – but new room for optimism") After months of wrangling over the fate of young unauthorized immigrant "Dreamers," both Republicans and Democrats are encouraged. Thanks to a remarkable, mostly public negotiating session with President Trump on Tuesday, they have at least settled on the scope of a deal. On the wall, for instance, "the problem is that both sides have been rhetorically locked into positions on things," says Theresa Brown, immigration policy director at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC).
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| How to enforce gender equality? Iceland tests the waters Posted: 10 Jan 2018 12:32 PM PST ![How to enforce gender equality? Iceland tests the waters]( "How to enforce gender equality? Iceland tests the waters") Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir recalls the autumn afternoon when she, along with nearly every woman in Iceland, didn't show up. Ninety percent of Iceland's female population joined in, shutting down entire industries. "Women showed their solidarity, that they are many, that they can be a real change factor," says Ms. Gísladóttir, who was studying history at university at the time and went on to help found the first women's political party in Iceland's modern history.
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| After South-North talks, Seoul tries to chart slow-but-steady course Posted: 10 Jan 2018 12:06 PM PST ![After South-North talks, Seoul tries to chart slow-but-steady course]( "After South-North talks, Seoul tries to chart slow-but-steady course") Ri Son-kwon, the head of the North Korean delegation that met with South Korean negotiators on Tuesday, wanted his counterparts to know that it's been an unusually cold winter in the North. The biggest breakthrough, the North's decision to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics, was announced before noon. Recommended: Kim 101: How well do you know North Korea's leaders?
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