Fortune

Japan carries public debt equal to roughly twice its gross domestic product, the highest ratio among major economies. Yet economists quoted by Fortune argue the United States' roughly $40 trillion national debt is the more serious problem, pointing to faster growth in borrowing, political gridlock over spending, and the dollar's global role making U.S. fiscal risks harder to contain.

German politics is becoming increasingly polarized, with political debate and public opinion splitting more sharply along ideological lines. The trend is drawing attention as observers question which factors are driving the divide, from coalition tensions and economic pressures to the growing strength of parties at the political extremes ahead of upcoming elections.

Almost half of home sellers are offering incentives to attract buyers, ranging from cash concessions of up to $20,000 to perks like free cruises, according to Fortune. The trend reflects a cooling housing market in which buyers have regained leverage, prompting sellers to sweeten deals rather than cut list prices outright.

Japan has moved from a national rice shortage to a rice surplus within roughly two years, according to Fortune. The reversal is attributed to a combination of factors: drought conditions that damaged harvests during the shortage, a surge in inbound tourism that drove up domestic demand for rice, and pressure linked to the United States, including trade considerations around rice imports. The swing highlights how quickly Japan's staple grain supply can shift, with implications for prices and agricultural policy.

A businessman who made his fortune in stickers, endorsed by Donald Trump, is running for Congress and drawing attention for an unusual personal and professional history. Reporting has focused on the strange details of his background as his campaign gains traction, raising questions about what kind of candidate the former president is backing in this race.

The Supreme Court has rejected a Republican-drawn congressional map in Missouri, a decision that hands Democrats a notable win in the ongoing battle over redistricting. The ruling could force Missouri to redraw its district lines, potentially making at least one congressional seat more competitive and affecting the balance of the House. Election watchers are weighing how the decision fits into a broader national fight over gerrymandering ahead of upcoming contests.

Startup DaVoice has filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI, alleging the company stole its wake word technology, according to Fortune. The case centres on voice-activation software that lets devices respond to spoken commands. The legal fight adds to growing tensions in the AI industry over intellectual property, as competition among voice-assistant and AI startups intensifies.

Trump Media, the company behind Donald Trump's social platform Truth Social, is drawing attention again in US news coverage. The company, majority-owned by the former president, has been a volatile stock market player and remains closely tied to Trump's political and business fortunes. No specific new development was detailed in the coverage.