Topic
governmentspending
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Politics · United StatesCanada wrote off $4.5 billion in COVID-19 benefits
The federal government wrote off $4.5 billion in COVID-19 benefits last year, a significant increase from the previous year, according to the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. This figure represents payments deemed unlikely to be recovered.
United States2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 59 · Hype 20
Business & Economy · United StatesReflecting Pool liner failed in 85 places
An inspection report found the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's liner failed in at least 85 places. The damage is attributed to a rushed renovation to meet a July 4 anniversary deadline, with costs exceeding $17 million.
United States3 min readTrust 86 · Craft 85 · Hype 30
Politics · United StatesUS Halts ACA Subsidies for 189,000 Enrollees
The US government will stop subsidy payments for 189,000 Affordable Care Act enrollees. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the move, citing duplicate enrollments, other government plan overlaps, or deceased individuals. The action is expected to save hundreds of millions of dollars.
United States2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 57 · Hype 20![Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr departs an event in the East Room of the White House, on March 20, 2026, in Washington [Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ap_6abd508ae4c06-1790791818.jpg?resize=1920%2C1440)
Politics · United StatesFCC Chair Says Trump Ads Don't Need Review
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that taxpayer-funded advertisements featuring Donald Trump do not warrant FCC review, likening them to public service announcements. The White House defended the ads, while Democratic senators have asked the Department of Homeland Security to stop spending funds on them.
United States4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 20
Politics · United StatesUS ICE Wasted Millions on Unused Detention Facilities, Report Says
A Government Accountability Office report found U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement wasted tens of millions of dollars on detention capacity plans that were never used. Initiatives included unused tents and warehouses, with the agency lacking a strategic plan for its budget.
United States3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 20
Politics · United StatesMinnesota shuts down $2 million business fund over fraud concerns
Hennepin County, Minnesota, has terminated a $2 million relief fund for businesses affected by federal immigration enforcement due to widespread fraud. Hundreds of applications were flagged, leading officials to halt the program. The county stated no taxpayer money was lost as fraudulent claims were caught during review.
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Politics · United StatesUS spent $464m on deportation planes that remain mostly unused
The US Department of Homeland Security awarded a $464 million no-bid contract to purchase 10 used aircraft for deportation flights. Three are luxury jets, seven are Boeing 737s parked in Louisiana. An internal document said the agency lacked staff to operate them. The contract was awarded to a firm whose chair donated to a committee supporting former DHS secretary Kristi Noem.
United States5 min readTrust 80 · Craft 95 · Hype 35
Business & Economy · United StatesUS federal deficit hits $432bn in July, fiscal year gap reaches $1.8tn
The US federal budget deficit reached $432 billion in July, a record for the month, pushing the fiscal year-to-date gap to $1.799 trillion. Higher outlays and reduced tariff revenues drove the increase, with calendar shifts adding $99 billion to July spending.
United States4 min readTrust 74 · Craft 77 · Hype 15