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

‘America, Who Hurt You?’ Review: Sarah Jones Plays the Melting Pot

The writer-performer takes the country and its fractious multitudes to therapy in her new multicharacter solo show in Brooklyn.

A DOGE Insider Sets the Record Straight

He says he encountered a bureaucracy more labyrinthine and redundant than he could have ever imagined.

U.N. Seeks Relevance on A.I. as the U.S. and China Race Ahead

Artificial intelligence is a race solely between two rival powers with the rest of the world largely on the sidelines, foreign policy experts said.

Dem lawmakers scoff at Trump's $5K 'fantasy land' promise: 'Ain't happening'

President Donald Trump's $5,000 dividend pledge faces bipartisan pushback, with Democrats calling it a "bribe" and Republicans questioning its feasibility.

Claire's Weekly Letter: A Dish in the Sink

A man leaves a dish in the sink. By the end of the night he has been accused of gaslighting, told he lacks emotional intelligence, and sent to sleep on the sofa. Our first feature this week comes from Steve Salerno asks a hard question: has a prof…

Spanberger sparks outrage after sneakily ending Youngkin-era women's sports protections

Abigail Spanberger's administration quietly ended Glenn Youngkin's rulemaking process to protect girls sports along sex-based lines in Virginia.

Democrats Agree to Settle Paramount Merger With Protection for CNN

Trump, Mamdani set to meet again on mayor’s home turf after months of political whiplash

President Donald Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani meet at Gracie Mansion amid fierce clashes over immigration enforcement and the public charge rule.

Richard Landes on Jihad and the Apocalyptic Mind

A medievalist on apocalyptic movements, shame–honour cultures, and why he believes the Western press has spent twenty-five years reporting jihad backwards.

Increased Ectopic-Pregnancy-Related Deaths Show Why FDA Must Reinstate Abortion Pill Safeguards

Rising ectopic-pregnancy-related deaths show why the FDA should restore in-person safeguards for abortion pills.

Sydney Sweeney Laughing All the Way to the Bank

The Left is attacking a Novig ad that features Sydney Sweeney, who drives it crazy for being a beautiful Republican.

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.

AI Labs May Need Nationalizing To Escape Lawsuits

Palantir CEO Alex Karp delivers a critical breakdown on CNBC regarding the hidden dangers of modern artificial intelligence, exposing how enterprise companies are risking their most valuable intellectual property. Karp argues that AI companies see…

Partisanship on the Program at the Kennedy Center

Since the beginning it's been a place where Democrats get lauded and Republicans get booed.

Republicans Enter Final Midterm Stretch With a Significant Financial Edge

The party and its allies are currently set to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on advertising than Democrats are, giving Republicans some hope in a tough midterm environment.

Myths and Illusions of the Digital Age

The digital revolution is not remaking the world as the industrial one did.

Democrat Jared Golden endorses Republican Mike Lawler in competitive House race

Golden, who is not running for reelection, said Lawler “has been a true partner to me.”

Networks Play Follow the Leader Out of White House in Hyper Hissy Fit Over Bans

Banning the Horseless Carriage

Bernie Sanders wants to outlaw artificial superintelligence. The risks he points to are real—but the answer to a powerful new technology is regulation, not prohibition, and China has no intention of pausing.

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…

First, Last, and Fair: Sunday Reflection

Congressional leaders warn White House against adding controls over NIH grants

Political officials are weighing the creation of a commission to review awards by the National Institutes of Health, The Post reported.

Zineb Riboua on Islamism, Israel and the West’s New Culture War | Quillette Cetera Episode 72

Political analyst Zineb Riboua discusses Iran’s declining influence, the Houthis, Turkey’s ambitions, Israel’s changing role in the Middle East, Islamist radicalisation in Europe, AI doomerism, third-worldism and the West’s demographic decline.

Warsh’s Quiet Ambition

I offer a suggestion for how Warsh can achieve his goal without that disadvantage.

Sydney Sweeney Is the Epitome of What Modern Feminists Fight For

So why are they all so mad at her?

Germany's Merz on Sunday's Election Results: 'We Can’t Sugarcoat It, It Was a Disaster'

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.

Who’s Winning the Race for Congress?

We’re 43 days away from the midterms. Here’s the state of play.

AOC joins Macklemore frenzy in bizarre fundraising memo targeting pro-Trump billionaire

Rapper Macklemore gained a new ally in Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who blasted Robert Kraft for allegedly forcing Ed Sheeran to drop him from tour.

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…

Trump and Mamdani to meet in New York

The president of the United States and the mayor have met three times so far.

House Democrat Crosses Party Lines to Endorse Rep. Mike Lawler in Midterms Race

Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican seeking re-election in a swing district in New York, was backed by Representative Jared Golden, Democrat of Maine.

‘This Country Is But One Scene of Massacre’

In the 31st instalment of ‘Nations of Canada,’ Greg Koabel describes the violent provocations that tipped the St. Lawrence region into all out war in the late 1640s.

For Now, Trump Won’t Pull the Trigger on the Houthis

His hand may not be stayed for long, however.

Courthouse Coup, Minnesota Style

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Patrick Schiltz--the former chief judge of the Minnesota district court--described a collective effort to block the administration's deportation plans.

Networks Suspend Pool Coverage of Trump After White House Bars CNN

The move was an escalation of President Trump’s showdown with the White House press corps after he moved to bar journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico.

Can Consumer-Focused AI Save Us from Doom?

AI products that reduce my personal engagement with software and screens while still helping me experience the conveniences of instant communication — that’s a big win.

DOGE and the Doomers

If we’re going to go extinct, we will probably have to do it ourselves.

Trump, Republicans launch ad blitz for midterms as races favor Democrats

Groups tied to President Donald Trump have reserved more than $130 million in advertising in recent weeks.

UK Whistleblower: 99 percent of Asylum Claims Are Fake

The Distinct Shift in the Kamala Harris 2028 Buzz

There’s more talk that she won’t run for president again.

Australia Is Sick: Misha Saul on What Went Wrong

Investor Misha Saul joins Claire Lehmann to discuss Australia’s declining productivity, immigration policy, and the political choices shaping the country’s future.

Will the New Stage Version of The Lives of Others Tell the Truth?

Reporter's Notebook: Congress faces a crisis that the 'AI godfather' warns it may not be ready to address

Geoffrey Hinton warns Congress has a year max to act on artificial intelligence, but political gridlock and midterms could delay legislation.

Award-Winning Gaza Journalist Admits That Hamas Controls the Media Narrative™

The Left Loves Populism Now

Democrats have picked up Trump’s populist baton. All of a sudden, it’s not a dirty word anymore.

The Soros political machine is putting millions to work before Election Day — and zeroing in on key races

Tens of millions from the Soros family flow to Democratic allies as campaign finance records reveal over $40 million in disbursements before Election Day.

Trump seeks fertilizer deal with Russia ally Belarus amid Canadian tensions

The proposed potash purchases would expand trade with a country that helped Moscow launch its invasion of Ukraine.

Carney's EU Delusion

One of the greatest works of Central European literature is The Man Without Qualities. Set in the lead up to the First World War, Robert Musil's unfinished novel depicts a society sleepwalking into catastrophe.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Citizen Sane

The mainstreaming of therapy culture may be driving us all out of our minds.

AI Moral Panic Demands Leadership, Not Pandering

Record share of voters motivated to oppose Trump in midterms, poll finds

In a new NBC News survey, 43 percent of registered voters said they want their vote for Congress this fall to send “a signal of opposition” to the president.

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.

Seattle to residents who have multiple partners: We’re not judging

The city joins a number of others that have passed laws preventing discrimination against people who live in nonmonogamous relationships.

It’s Raining Boxes: Amazon Drones Overwhelm a Texas Suburb

In Richardson, a fleet of drones has started to deliver goods quickly. But the noise is drowning out life for some residents: ‘We can’t live like this.’

Merz Pushes On Despite Latest German Election Humiliation

Chancellor acknowledges disastrous state election results but vow to push on is likely to further alienate voters, and his own party

The Moral Perversion That Lies at the Heart of Lindsay Clancy's Support

CNN, MS Now, Politico Sue Trump Admin Over WH Access

The three national news outlets President Donald Trump banned from the White House - CNN, MS NOW, and Politico - filed a critical First Amendment lawsuit to restore their access.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico to Sue Trump Administration Over White House Access

In a joint statement, CNN, MS NOW and Politico argued that President Trump’s decision to bar them from the White House grounds violates their First Amendment rights.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Republicans’ one clear advantage this November: Money

Republicans’ fundraising advantage remains undiminished, especially among committees and super PACs.

Our Foreign Aid System Is Broken. Thanks to Trump, We Have a Chance to Rebuild It

During my three-decade career as a diplomat and international-development manager, I saw the sector become more wasteful, frivolous, and ideologically self-serving.

Mamdani in hot seat over post mourning death of inmate charged with callous crime: 'Absolutely shameful'

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces fierce backlash after posting condolences for a jail death suspect charged in the murder of Ron Marte.

The Ape in the Basement

Why is masturbation so shameful?

I, Victim

Pascal Bruckner’s book about victimhood culture invites us to choose liberation, and to move from resentment to a secular kind of grace.

Sunday Smiles

JB Pritzker Says He Used GLP-1s to Lose 80 Pounds

Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois, widely seen as a potential presidential candidate, revealed in an interview on “CBS Mornings” that he had been on a GLP-1 regimen since 2024.

The MA Home Inspection Nannies Will Have That Look at Your Newborn Now

Blue state gov ignites online firestorm with plan to send gov't into homes of newborn babies: 'Lunatic libs'

Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey's Welcome Family program sparked a firestorm after a viral clip about home visits for new parents.

Swing-state billboards use football trash talk to call foul on tariffs

A small-business group is targeting gridiron-obsessed states hit hard by the Trump administration’s economic policies.

Center-Left Needs To Step Up

These are tough times for center-left parties, which increasingly find themselves squeezed into a shrinking middle ground by populist insurgents on the right and left. Few are rising to the challenge of offering restive voters an inspiring alterna…

U.N. General Assembly to Confront Familiar Crises, New Conflicts and A.I.

The United Nations is also searching for a replacement for António Guterres, who has served two terms as the secretary general and is stepping down.

Patrick Clancy Lost His Children. We Lost Our Grace

In his 60 Minutes interview, he was a figure unfamiliar to internet mobs: a man emerging from devastation by way of forgiveness and hope.

Trump's Greenland fixation revealed as wars expose why the Arctic island matters now more than ever

President Donald Trump's Greenland interest spotlights critical minerals and oil as Strait of Hormuz disruptions threaten global energy supplies.

AI Labs Just Want to Be Relieved of Existing Regulations

Nvidia founder Jensen Huang suggests that the recent focus on AI regulation from major research labs is primarily an effort to sidestep existing regulations.

Will Trump’s AI Force Accomplish Anything?

It sounds remarkably similar to Bernie Sanders’s proposal to establish a cabinet-level agency to monitor frontier AI systems.

Another Canadian Euthanasia Horror

Euthanasia is bad medicine and even worse public policy.

White House won't back down as attorney predicts how Trump's latest press tussle will play out in court

A First Amendment attorney predicts Trump's White House ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW will fail in court, calling the action blatantly unconstitutional.

How Potential 2028 Presidential Candidates Are Talking About A.I.

Democrats are jockeying to embrace new safeguards, while Republicans have aligned with President Trump’s warnings against slowing down the technology.

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.

White House Plan to Subsidize Stay-at-Home Parents Divides Conservatives

Some praise the idea championed by Vice President JD Vance to direct federal money to support traditional families, while others say it cuts against conservative principles.

The Price of Affirmative Action in Canadian Academia

Podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Eric Kaufmann about his new report, ‘⁠The Equity-Excellence Trade-Off: A Study of EDI in the Canada Research Chairs Program⁠’

Starbucks Resolves Lawsuit, Ends Race/Sex-Based Hiring

The Starbucks settlement requires four years of annual compliance certifications and applies to all company operations, not just Florida stores.

Trump’s Familiar, and Legally Dubious, Move to Revoke White House Press Passes

With the Trump White House revoking CNN’s press pass, it is understandable if you feel like the news is in reruns.

SEE IT: Chinese nationals intercepted in ‘extremely dangerous’ infiltration attempt near Florida coast

Video shows CBP and the Coast Guard intercepting a 27-foot vessel near Key Largo carrying 13 Chinese nationals and other illegal immigrants.

CNN Political Briefing

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

GOP lawmakers sound alarm on diesel fuel costs

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa joined the chorus of concerns over the weekend.

White House media bans have been tried before. They rarely hold up in court.

Trump’s ban on reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico could run afoul of the Constitution.

Brandon Gill unloads on Democrats over illegal immigrant charged with raping teen: 'Collateral damage'

Brandon Gill slams Democrats for ignoring an illegal immigrant's alleged kidnapping and rape of a teen in Maryland while fixating on Austin ICE.

9th Circuit Panel Overturns Ruling on Oregon Trans Prisoners

Did I Betray My Own Child?

A decade ago, I made a decision about my daughter's education that I hoped would challenge New York City's separate and unequal school system. Now 16, she thinks I made the wrong choice.

U.S. proposes AI incident alert system in talks with China

U.S. and Chinese officials plan to discuss “more transparency” on artificial intelligence at a summit in Washington this week.