Smash The Bubble

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

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Today's Headlines

State Department blasts back at 'rogue judge' who overturned aggressive visa crackdown

The State Department blasted a "rogue judge" who vacated Marco Rubio's immigrant visa freeze on 75 countries as an exercise in Orwellian logic.

Trump wants cheaper beef. Republicans in key races warn his plan goes too far

Senate Republicans, including Tom Cotton and Tim Sheehy, push back on Trump's plan to import 300,000 metric tons of foreign ground beef to lower prices.

Iran-linked hackers suspected in UK power-plant shutdown after alleged Minnesota water attack

Iran-linked hackers allegedly forced a British power generator offline for four days, weeks after striking over 30 community water systems in Minnesota.

The Beautiful and Banned

There is a rather large difference between the banned books promoted by celebrities and genuinely transgressive and provocative writing.

L’Affaire Shirer Revisited

The rise, fall, and rise again of one of the 20th century’s most important journalists.

Vance says Canada friendlier to China on trade than to US: 'Insanity'

JD Vance told Maine voters that Canada treats Chinese goods more fairly than Maine farm products, blaming Ottawa for derailing trade talks.

AI and the Bioweapon Threat

The knowledge and infrastructure needed to engineer a pandemic pathogen, once confined to a handful of elite military and civilian research institutions, are quietly becoming more accessible.

YGBKM: Arbitrator Orders WaPo to Rehire 'Journalist' Who Falsified Charlie Kirk Quote

Schrödinger’s White House Ballroom

It’s entirely privately funded, but, contradicting the president’s pledges, it requires additional taxpayer money.

The Troubled State of Sociology

Increasingly, sociologists are expected to avoid research questions and theories that involve the role of culture in shaping societal inequalities.

Definitional Lunacy: WNBA Banishes Freedom In Every Sense

Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game over T-shirt defining 'woman' sparks controversy.

EXCLUSIVE: LA ICE director reveals officers followed home, harassed as police fail to help in sanctuary city

ICE Los Angeles Field Office Director Thomas Giles reveals how California sanctuary policies force officers into dangerous public confrontations.

Trump Lays It on the Line for Darline Graham Ahead of South Carolina Runoff

The president rallied for the sister of Lindsey Graham in her South Carolina Senate run and pressured allies to endorse her. A super PAC run by his advisers has spent nearly $800,000 on her campaign. Will it be enough?

Secret White House bunker undercuts Trump’s ballroom lawsuit, ex-officials say

The White House already has a nuclear-proof facility buried deep underground and built in secret after 9/11.

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.

AIPAC Wants to Back This Republican, but He Has Some Reservations

The pro-Israel group has been preparing to spend big for Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for Senate in Michigan. Does he want that?

'Same, Lindsey': Sick Mothers Now Doing TikToks About How They Want Their Kids Dead

Can Democrats Win Back the Senate? Why Their Chances Are Improving.

Republicans still have some clear advantages on the map, but President Trump’s unpopularity has opened the door for an outcome that once seemed far-fetched.

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…

Gravesides and Vacations

In the past, I’ve written about driving cheap rental scooters from one barrier island to another.

Trump Threatens New 50% Tariffs on Cars, Trucks and Steel as U.S.-Canada Trade War Unfolds

President Trump vowed to increase tariffs on cars, trucks, auto parts and steel to 50 percent starting Jan. 1, as the countries edged toward a full-blown trade war.

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…

Bigoted Stunts Have Nothing to Do With Protecting Women

The trans women in sports panic is nothing but a stalking horse for permitting violence against trans people-and we should celebrate players like Natasha Cloud who say so.

El-Sayed’s win triggered wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric online, Post analysis shows

After Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic Senate nomination in Michigan, conservative commentary about him shifted focus from socialism to his Muslim identity.

Schiff attack on Trump’s DC IndyCar race backfires after driver points out contradiction

IndyCar driver Graham Rahal fired back at Adam Schiff's claim that Trump's Washington race wasted taxpayer money, noting Penske privately funded it.

Creeping Annexation

Israeli governments have never decided what to do with the West Bank—so the settlers have begun deciding for them.

Alaska Is What a Rigged Election Looks Like

The Democrats' Decoy Dan plot to oust Sen. Dan Sullivan would be hilarious if it weren't actually happening.

Trump Again Targeting Kids w/Anti-Immigrant Agenda

Trump's first administration separated migrant children from their families, now the second is again targeting vulnerable minors.

No New Trial for Karmelo Anthony

El-Sayed distances himself from Hasan Piker after disturbing remarks about Jewish Americans

Abdul El-Sayed distances himself from Hasan Piker after the Twitch streamer's comments about Jewish Americans sparked a bipartisan backlash.

From Noah, John, Luke, Paul & Mary to Cora, Dawson & Callan

The first batch of names are of the Clancy children. The second, the Yates children. They are all the names of young children killed by their mothers.

Oil Price Drops As US Claims Hormuz Traffic Soaring; Bessent Readies Economic War

Florida Is the New Ground Zero for Both Political Parties' Civil Wars

Social Progress Is Important. Relitigating 'Woke 1.0' Isn't

As Democrats are fighting among one another and trying to correct the record on 'Woke 1,' Republican extremism is actively destroying the country.

Making Sense of the Fertility Frenzy

A conversation with Jennifer Lahl, founder of the Center for Bioethics and Culture, on surrogacy, AOC, IVF and the White House, and more.

This not-so-secret document is inspiring the left — and tripping up its candidates

The Democratic Socialists of America platform aims to upend the status quo. That can mean a bumpy ride for those trying to win in the short term.

FIRST ON FOX: ICE quietly arrests jaw dropping number of illegal immigrants in massive DC area operation

U.S. ICE arrested 1,328 illegal immigrants in Virginia and Maryland in just 14 days, including a Salvadoran alien wanted on a murder warrant.

Reagan’s Would-Be Assassin Speaks Out After 45 Years

Hinckley’s statements make it all the more clear just what a pivot point in history the failed Reagan assassination attempt might have been.

Jason Arday Died for Somebody’s Sins — but Not Yours

The only people left with any share of blame in his death are those who credulously and patronizingly promoted and encouraged him.

No, the Media Isn’t Responsible for Jason Arday’s Suicide

The disgraced academic was a pathological liar and lifelong con artist whose misdeeds were covered up for years by self-serving academic administrators. Exposing this kind of rot in elite institutions is our job.

Socialists ripped over kids-focused push in deep-red state: ‘Next generation of comrades’

Democratic Socialists of America's Charleston chapter offers childcare training to grow "budding comrades," sparking indoctrination accusations.

OK, I need to See This Documentary

U.S. Military Kills 2 People in Attack on Boat in Pacific

The United States has killed at least 223 people since its campaign of boat strikes began nearly a year ago.

AOC's Craaazy Economic Theory Lives On

Listen close, and you'll notice MMT still undergirds Democrats' economic agenda, even if they have retired the term.

Trump administration touts ‘hard reset’ for American schools, vows to put parents ‘back in charge’

The president, who joined by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, said his education agenda will expand school choice, boost support for families and give parents a greater say in their children’s education.

The Unholy Alliance You Weren't Supposed to Notice

Two movements with opposite beliefs are marching together-united only by a shared enemy. Discover the

Fears of High Costs & Strains On Grid Hurting Data Centers

Higher electricity costs are the No. 1 concern about data centers.

Like Odysseus. But Real

Twenty-four centuries ago, Xenophon and his 10,000-man Greek army found themselves trapped at the heart of the Persian Empire. Their amazing escape, described in a new book by Robert L. O’Connell, is a tale for the ages.

The Gray Zone Spreads

The ability of drones to give added bite to the underdog will force a redefinition of asymmetrical war.

Trump’s Economic Approach Draws Concern From Some Republicans

A plan to lower tariffs on imported beef and trade tensions with Canada have compounded some G.O.P. worries about a central issue in the midterms.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Farmers Struggle to Get Basic Services From Depleted Agriculture Dept.

After the departure of thousands of federal workers, rural communities report problems obtaining loans, grants, technical assistance and support for infrastructure and other services.

Drink More Ovaltine

The jokes we told in a Venezuelan prison.

What is Ozon and Why Is It Burning?

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.

The New York Times Helps to Launder Karen Attiah’s Lie

There is no reason for the Times to have omitted any mention of the tweet for which Attiah was fired.

With Trump Against Him, Can Ralph Norman Win in South Carolina?

The ultraconservative congressman who has broken with the president on spending is hoping voters reward his experience, contrarian streak and all.

Oh, Isn't It Good, Norwegians Would Even When the EU Won't

A Regicidal Proposal for Aircraft Carriers

Get some two-part primer out and put some names we can be proud of on those big beautiful hulls.

As Democrats Struggle in Some Western States, Independents See an Opening

From South Dakota to Alaska, independents are challenging incumbent Republicans and eschewing a Democratic label that Western voters find toxic.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

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.

U.S. Unveils Campaign to Cripple Iran’s Economy, but Offers Few Details

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged the effort was more of a warning shot that would begin a period of “quiet diplomacy.”

‘Economic Vandalism’: Geoff Wilson on Labor’s War on Australian Aspiration

Fund manager Geoff Wilson tells Claire Lehmann that Labor’s new capital gains tax will drive Australian capital out of growth companies and into franked dividends—and push a generation of founders offshore.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Punished for Truth-Seeking

AfD Is Riding the East German 'Vespa' on High Hopes

Stop the Earth, I Want to Get Off Right Now...

Vance's decade-old ‘great regrets’ resurfaces as El-Sayed’s jab at second lady comes back to bite him

Abdul El-Sayed's swipe at Usha Vance backfired after critics pointed to a passage in JD Vance's "Hillbilly Elegy" that directly undercut his attack.

Trump’s visa ban on 75 countries struck down by federal judge

A federal judge said the indefinite pause, which affected nationals of countries in every corner of the globe, ran afoul of antidiscrimination protections.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Jeffries Hit With Backlash After Private Meeting With Kushner

The meeting, an unusual instance of a top Democrat and a Trump confidant coming together to discuss potential areas of agreement, has drawn scrutiny from some within Democratic circles.

The Truth About the Gender Pay Gap with David Maywald | Quillette Cetera Episode 70

David Maywald on the female wage premium, the rites of passage boys no longer have, and why the science on sex differences keeps losing to ideology.

What We Are Missing in the Lindsay Clancy Case

Whether or not the jury finds Lindsay Clancy legally insane, justice demands that we separate the individual case from our gendered, racial and classist expectations of parenthood.

Lindsay Clancy's Fans Normalizing Horror of Mom Killing Kids

The bizarre fandom around Lindsay Clancy is the latest example of a moral rot infecting a small cohort of conspiracy-minded, self-engrossed women.

Definitional Lunacy: WNBA Banishes Freedom In Every Sense

Clarence Thomas scorches racial litmus tests policing thought: ‘Stay Black and die’

Clarence Thomas compared restrictions on Black conservatives' viewpoints to racial segregation in a wide-ranging interview with Sen. Ted Cruz.

See photos from the first IndyCar race in Washington

Drivers are dashing around the National Mall at speeds expected to exceed 185 mph.

Inside the Network Sabotaging Trump's DC Prosecutions

A trainer at a Washington jury nullification workshop presented attendees with a hypothetical assignment: get through the jury selection process.

The Depleting Platoons

Conservatism itself was rooted in the idea of inheritance and posterity.

Pence says U.S.-Canada trade fight adds to affordability concerns for economy

“I think the last thing we need right now, as our economy is getting back on its feet, is a trade war with Canada,” the former vice president told CNN.

I Never Thought That the Words 'Queer Turtle' Would Ever Be Uttered in Polite Company

What Is Canada For?

Might Canada’s fate foreshadow that of other advanced but dependent democracies, clinging to old ideals of cooperation and diplomacy as they’re rolled under the treads of China’s or America’s naked self-interest?

Trump’s Summer of Fun Ends With IndyCar Race on Streets of D.C.

It was the final, major event planned for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The president took a lap.

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.

The Latest Trade War Helps El-Sayed

The trade war with Canada will hit Michigan particularly hard.

What’s happening between the U.S. and Canada

And what it could mean for the American economy.

Sean Duffy’s Reality Show: From ‘The Real World’ to the Deal World

“The Great American Road Trip” sends the transportation secretary and his family on a wholesome, dull tour, with a lot of help from their sponsors.

Beef Tariffs Are Still Doing What They’re Supposed to Do

Lawmakers who represent cattle ranchers understand that they exist to raise prices.