Smash The Bubble

News and opinion from both the left and the right, mixed together so you can break out of your filter bubble.

more info

Today's Headlines

Could El-Sayed Cost Democrats Michigan?

Not all progressives are equal: Candidates of the activist left typically don’t perform as well as other Democrats.

Killings and other violent crimes dropped sharply in 2025

The White House is seizing on new statistics showing that violent crime plummeted last year to boast of a “Trump effect.” But experts note crime began falling well before Trump returned to office.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Cowardice at Cambridge

Between Iraq and a Hard Place

Amid a regional scramble to shape the “day after,” Jordan appears to be the only country without a plan of its own.

Identifying the Enemy

Immigration issues are making unlikely bedfellows in some parts of Europe, while a possible contender for the French presidency talks of a ‘New France.’

Margins of Error

Look closely at almost anything and you'll find data—lots of it. But what are those numbers really saying about who we are and what we believe? Harry Enten is on a mission to find out.

The Ecstasy of the Young Communists

Trump wants to put golden seals on White House ballroom

The planned adornments, which were included in renderings submitted to the Supreme Court, break with tradition and the original vision for the White House grounds.

I Arrested Laken Riley's Killer 6 Months Before Her Murder

Ethan Curreri is a former New York City police officer who arrested Laken Riley's killer for a lesser crime six months before the illegal migrant was released a€” thanks to New York's sanctuarya€¦

What Bank ATMs Teach Us About AI

Greatest Risk to Hollywood Isn't the Merger--It's the Delay

With a federal antitrust trial now set for March, uncertainty could stall projects and shrink production jobs for months.

Democrats abandon Senate races in deep-red states, boosting independents

Democratic Senate nominees in Nebraska, Idaho and South Dakota dropped out, clearing the way for independents. But Alani Bankhead in Montana declined to join them.

Reclaiming the Middle: Chautauqua's Slow Push Toward Balance

Trump backs Republican challenger to oust Letitia James amid ongoing mortgage fraud feud

President Donald Trump endorsed Saritha Komatireddy to challenge Letitia James, calling the New York attorney general the "WORST" in the country.

Thirty Years’ Warning

It is not a good sign that the yields on 30-year treasuries continue to rise.

Together Alone

American individualism and the western, from Fred Zinnemann and John Ford to Larry McMurtry and Taylor Sheridan.

Navy weighs major warship redesign to match Trump’s preferences

The president wants the new fleet of aircraft carriers to more resemble those from World War II. Such a change could cost billions.

Billy Bunter and the Man from Animal Farm

A look back at the 20th century’s most entertaining literary spat—one of the few such encounters that Orwell emphatically lost.

Using Mild Language to Sell ‘Rights of Nature’ Radicalism

We can’t let activists’ non-threatening demeanors seduce us into complacency.

Democrats Make South Carolina the First Contest in 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar

The party’s membership finalized the new order for the first six states to winnow the candidate field, pushing back Iowa and New Hampshire.

In ‘The Brink of War,’ a Return to an Era of Razor-Edge Diplomacy

A new film depicts the 1986 nuclear arms summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, which both offered and dashed hopes of a dramatic breakthrough.

Bernie-backed California House candidate called DEI a ‘social justice-driven duty,’ embraced activist role

Bernie Sanders-backed California candidate Randy Villegas promoted DEI as a "social justice-driven duty" in his academic writings on community colleges.

On a Possible Mangione Federal Guilty Plea

A federal guilty plea would probably doom Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s separate state murder prosecution.

Three Ancient Ways of War

In a new book, Robert O’Connell situates the battlefield tactics of ancient Greek hoplites within the grand sweep of bronze-age military history.

Democrats approve 2028 primary calendar that puts South Carolina first

South Carolina would hold its primary on Jan. 22, 2028 under the Democratic National Committee’s plan. Nevada would follow on Feb. 1. The plan aims to give a bigger voice to Black and Latino voters.

How Kyrsten Sinema's decision makes Democrats' 2024 Senate map tighter

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema decided to shake up the political world on Friday by becoming an independent. The former Democrat is still caucusing with the party in the Senate, so the Democratic caucus still has 51 members. Now, instead of 49 Democr…

Institutional Failures in the Garden of Great Intellects

The Cofnas and Arday controversies show that on matters of race, administrators at Cambridge have failed to conduct deliberate checks, failed in probity, and failed in their tolerance for unsettled science.

Friday's Final Word

Why Australia Gave Up on Getting Richer

McKinsey's Chris Bradley on why Australia stopped investing—and why he believes the poorest country in the world could live as well as Switzerland does today by 2100.

CNN Political Briefing

The political news you need to know, in 10 minutes or less. Hosted by David Chalian.

Meet the woman steering Biden's bipartisan winning streak on Capitol Hill

The Biden administration managed to rack up a long list of major legislative wins in its first two years despite facing one of the most closely-divided Congresses in history. From bipartisan action on infrastructure, gun safety and same-sex marria…

Hasan Piker torched over playbook to dodge his past controversies: 'Bats--- crazy'

Shannon Watts accused Hasan Piker of deflecting past controversial remarks, sparking a heated exchange over Democrats' responsibility for rhetoric.

Progressive Minneapolis mayor's viral hip-hop moves spark 'humiliation ritual' mockery online

Video captures Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dancing alone at the Black Entrepreneur State Fair, sparking a wave of conservative mockery online.

Swing-state's fraud reckoning raises Minnesota-style alarm as wild schemes exposed

The DOJ's anti-fraud task force expansion into Pennsylvania netted 19 arrests as suspects allegedly billed Medicaid while in prison or driving rideshares.

Advocate reveals freed Marine vet's physical, mental torment in Russian prison as 5 Americans remain held

Global Reach's Kieran Ramsey reveals the beatings and psychological torment Robert Gilman endured during 1,666 days in a Russian prison and pleads for remaining detainees.

The U.S. Military Wants A.I. Dominance. Feuds and China May Thwart It.

The administration is veering wildly in its response to the national security implications of A.I. as China, America’s main technological and military rival, charges ahead.

Something Wonderfully British About the Farage Situation

Nigel Farage and the Great Westminster Vanishing Act

Mission Statements: Sunday Reflection

Fidel Castro's Centenary and Cuba's Kleptocratic Legacy

As Fidel Castro's centenary approaches, Cuba's elite thrive in luxury while the majority suffer from extreme poverty and failing infrastructure that the regime neglects.

Trump says White House needs ‘military complex’ as courts block his ballroom

When Trump first unveiled his plans for the new East Wing addition, he said it was needed to host VIP guests. More recently, he is calling it a 'desperately needed National Security structure.'

J.K. Rowling vs. Amnesty

Is this the reckoning that human-rights NGOs have long avoided?

Fauci refuses Senate appearance after invoking Fifth Amendment more than 100 times in COVID probe

Anthony Fauci's attorney rejected Sen. Ron Johnson's request to testify, arguing a second Senate appearance would amount to political harassment.

Humanoid robots could patrol southern border, CEO pitches, as futuristic technology moves closer to reality

Foundation CEO Sankaet Pathak said humanoid robots could conduct autonomous surveillance and reconnaissance along the southern border's rugged terrain.

Just Say It: Plastic Surgery Is Bad for Us

Women online are reversing their plastic surgery-but all of them caveat their posts with 'I don't want to judge!' Freya India asks: Why not?

Mamdani Comes for Amazon

‘Americans aren’t unhappy with Amazon. Amazon is extremely popular.’

How Republicans Embraced Brandon Herrera, a Texas Republican Candidate and Gun Influencer

Brandon Herrera, long an anti-establishment outsider, is trying to help the party defend a red-leaning House district in West Texas. It’s proving messy.

Angry at the Supreme Court, liberals push a slew of plans for overhauling it

As the midterms near, Democrats are proposing adding more justices, limiting their terms and more.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Beware 'Tax the Rich'

The fine print of the Respect for Marriage Act

Let's start with the positive: Republicans and Democrats are coming together to protect same-sex marriage from the Supreme Court.

Mangione Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

Mangione’s lawyers contend that his federal guilty plea to a stalking charge bars Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg from pursuing a state murder charge.

Prosecutors Examined Firm With Tie to Judge in Trump Hush-Money Trial

The U.S. attorney in Chicago subpoenaed a fund-raising firm that had been co-owned by the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan, who conducted the trial that led to Donald Trump’s felony conviction.

Federal judge clears path for border wall construction in Arizona

A federal judge ruled against a Native American tribe's trespassing claims, citing a 1907 proclamation reserving 60 feet of Arizona border land.

South Florida Venue Cancels Rally With a Pro-Palestinian Congresswoman

Representative Rashida Tlaib was supposed to headline an event called “Chomp the Oligarchy” for three candidates for Congress who face Jewish Democrats in Tuesday’s primary.

President Trump Takes Credit for Steep Crime Rate Declines

Violent crime rates, including murder, have dropped precipitously. The trend began before the president’s current term.

WSJ: Dems Getting Mighty Tired of Hasan Piker. Here's Another Reason Why.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

Go beyond the soundbites and get to know some of the most interesting players in politics.

Americans clash over transgender athletes as debate heats up: ‘Just getting outrageous'

Americans told Fox News Digital they're sharply divided over transgender athletes in women's sports as Sophie Cunningham doubles down on her stance.

Let Us Not Forget Multilateral Institutions

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb recently laid out a road map for middle-power action in The Economist, having recognized the importance of actively taking on the world as it is, not passively waiting for a…

Sherrod Brown Seeks Senate Comeback in Ohio, Hoping His Populist Pitch Still Resonates

At 73, Sherrod Brown is mounting a comeback bid in Ohio. He is one of the Democrats his party is counting on to retake control of the Senate.

Hasan Piker Should Not Be Silenced

Hasan Piker should not be silenced. The radical leftist influencer has burst onto the political scene as a self-styled Marxist kingmaker and viewpoint enforcer.

The only map you need to see as California's billionaire tax fight heats up

Mark Cuban warns he'll pull startup investments from California if the proposed billionaire wealth tax passes, calling founders who stay "idiots."

Cambridge and the Stigmatisation of Intelligence Research

Nathan Cofnas joins a historical line of academics demonised for delivering unwelcome or upsetting news about group differences.

Everything you need to know about Biden's student loan forgiveness program

President Joe Biden's federal student loan forgiveness program, which promises to deliver up to $20,000 of debt relief for millions of borrowers, is on hold indefinitely as legal challenges work their way through the courts.

The Tip of the Iceberg

The Jason Arday fiasco is a reminder why academia has developed a reputation for cowardice, careerism, and conformism in recent years.

For AOC, the Time Is Now

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will probably never have a better opportunity to be elected president than 2028.

Saturday's Final Word

From Drone to Door

Senate hopeful Talarico touts his faith. Texas Republicans call it blasphemy.

The Democratic nominee is seeking to win over faith-based voters in Texas, the Bible Belt’s largest state, but evangelical Republicans aren’t sold.

Is the Democratic Party Facing Its Own Tea Party Moment?

A string of primary wins by progressive candidates has revealed the strength of a high-energy insurgent movement but also its potential limitations.

Trump dismisses families’ concerns about USS Abraham Lincoln conditions

President Donald Trump dismissed the concerns of military families about worsening conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Vance on How Republicans Can Fight Socialism

He’s right to say that criticizing young people for being lazy won’t win them over. But the results of Trumponomics so far hold a warning for Republicans.

Adjuncting Until the End of Time

Universities now have more adjuncts than tenured and tenure-track professors combined. The conditions are unsustainable-for professors and students alike.

Sunday Smiles

Anti-Israel nonprofit under federal investigation over financial dealings: report

The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly probing a U.K.-based nonprofit with ties to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani over sanctioned group links.

New England Journal of Medicine Opinion Editor Takes Credit for Ruining Its Reputation

The editors of the NEJM can restore the publication’s reputation as a sober source of important medical information rather than one with ‘soul.’

Claire's Weekly Letter: What We Take on Trust

Blanche Refuses to Say He’ll Always Be Independent of Trump as Attorney General

The new head of the Justice Department said on “Meet the Press” on Sunday that the president had never asked him to prosecute specific people — and never would.

As China Pushes to Expand in Asia, Trump Focuses on Iran

Asian allies are beginning to wonder whether the United States would or could defend them in a war.

Obama to Tell 'the Brothers' to Vote for El-Sayed

Blanche on whether DOJ will be independent: ‘I’m not going to pledge that’

The newly sworn-in attorney general rejected the idea of an independent Justice Deportment, lent support to Jeanine Pirro and declared the “anti-weaponization” fund dead.

No, Jason Arday Was Not Hounded to Death

Testing the Kill Zone

One reason Ukraine has proved so successful this year in slowing Russia’s advance in the east of the country has been the creation of a ‘kill zone.’

DeSantis says he doesn’t support Republican Rep. Cory Mills in Tuesday’s primary

The congressman is running for a third term under a cloud of controversy.

3.4 Percent Is Not a Good Inflation Rate

The only acceptable number is 2 percent or less, as Kevin Warsh has promised.

Show Us the Prompts

How AI prose exploits the charity that makes reading possible.

Jason Arday Should Never Have Been Allowed High Enough to Fall as He Did

Arday was found dead in his home on Friday.

The notable legal clouds that continue to hang over Donald Trump

All eyes are on former President Donald Trump, who has launched another White House bid.

Trump stumps in N.Y. suburbs, highlighting a dilemma for his party

The president can help rally his core supporters but remains deeply unpopular in many swing areas.