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

Colleges Against Books

The Trump administration ought to get rid of Rule 164. At the very least, it ought to change the opt-out provision to an opt-in.

When Even Basic Fractions Are a Math Problem Too Far for College Students

Facing Quagmire in Iran, Trump Turns to a Familiar Face: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un

Seven years ago, President Trump failed to disarm North Korea and walked away. Could the same thing happen with Iran?

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

U.S. Airman Says He Would Accept Punishment for Protesting Iran War

Major Watson characterized the war in Iran as an act of American aggression and compared the U.S. military actions to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Did Trump's Harvard Loss Conceal a Strategic Victory?

It's hard to tell in the middle of a president's term how much he's changing the country. Donald Trump's second presidency has seemed transformative on many fronts - trade, immigration and culture - but he has mostly pursued his objectives through…

Show Us the Prompts

How AI prose exploits the charity that makes reading possible.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

A Republican Opportunity on Health Care

This year, Democrats are running three Senate nominees who have endorsed the idea of Medicare for All.

What Trump's Obsession With Small-Dollar Fraud Reveals

Who gets cracked down on, and who gets off easy?

Hegseth Campaigns for Republican Zach Nunn in Iowa

The appearance for Representative Zach Nunn was another departure from previous norms for the defense secretary, whose predecessors kept a greater distance from politics.

El-Sayed aide likens GOP opponent's campaign to 'KKK cross burning' over video with Ford pickup

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers' Ford truck video at the Woodward Dream Cruise drew a KKK comparison from an Abdul El-Sayed staffer.

ICE calls out ‘depraved freak’ illegal immigrant deported after heinous crime in Dem-run state

DHS called out a “depraved freak" sex offender and illegal immigrant who the agency said it recently deported after he abused his own daughter in Democrat-run Virginia.

Don't Say Sophie!

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.

Trump to Travel to Myrtle Beach to Rally for Darline Graham

The sister of Lindsey Graham was appointed to his Senate seat on an interim basis. She must win a runoff next week against a conservative House member to serve a full six-year term.

Backlash in Michigan complicates Democrats’ road to retaking the Senate

The party’s chances may depend on Abdul El-Sayed, who beat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s preferred candidate and has criticized his support for Israel.

The Samurai and the Prisoner: Who Decides Who Lives?

Kiyoshi Kurosawa channels the samurai masters in his latest film.

U.S. Navy destroyer lost power for 4 days in South China Sea

The ship’s crew lost access last month to drinkable water, running toilets and air conditioning, as the fleet sees heavy use by the Trump administration.

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.

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?

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…

Trump meets teen lifeguard and boy saved in viral ocean rescue at Oval Office

President Donald Trump hosted 16-year-old California lifeguard Ryder Williams at the White House after viral video showed his dramatic ocean rescue.

Searching for Answers From the Man Accused of Sabotaging Alaska’s Senate Race

Dan Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher from tiny Petersburg, Alaska, shares a name with the incumbent senator he hopes to defeat. Is he a spoiler trying to divide the Republican vote? We traveled to Alaska to find out.

Milwaukee's Latest Election Mess a Bit of History Repeating

Milwaukee has a way of coming up with just enough votes the Democrat machine needs to win swing state Wisconsin. Call it a 'lair for drama.'

LA gun owners stuck waiting years for concealed carry permits score major DOJ victory

The Department of Justice ended its landmark lawsuit after the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department slashed lengthy concealed carry permit delays.

A French Constitutional Court to the Innerwebs Rescue

The President Is an Idiot

That can be the only explanation for this treatment of North Korea at South Korea’s expense.

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…

Monday's Final Word

Strength in Diversity Tab Keeps Increasing - Lawrence, MA Edition

What’s in an Airport Code? In West Palm Beach, It’s the President’s Initials.

The state’s Palm Beach International Airport has been renamed for the president, complete with a rare change in its three-letter airport code.

Has Texas Succeeded in Decolonizing Academia?

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.

Trump defends his move to cut back U.S.-South Korea military exercises

A day after attributing the decision to a good relationship with North Korea, President Donald Trump also tied the move to South Korea’s refusal to help with the Strait of Hormuz.

Hey, Your AI Is Showing

It's obvious to anyone with an internet connection that AI-generated content is all over the place. Still, case-by-case determinations are often difficult to make. For every piece of unapologetic copy-and-paste chatbot content, there's a student e…

Trump Doubles Down on Strait of Hormuz as U.S. Territory

If you voted for the Republican ticket because it promised a restrained foreign policy, I have some bad news for you.

Justice Department plans to send about 1,000 monitors to the polls this fall

The move to send 1,000 poll monitors is likely the largest number under a Republican president, a DOJ official said.

What Happens When Teens Stop Working, but Keep Spending

Higher productivity has enabled more kids to live off their parents’ income rather than work.

Have Tariffs on China Really Worked?

China has learned to reroute its exports to America through third-party countries.

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.

Hegseth travels to Iowa in his ‘personal capacity’ amid 2028 speculation

Officials familiar with the defense secretary’s thinking believe he is considering a run for president or some other office after his time in the Trump administration ends.

Making Americans Healthier Again

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has transformed how Americans think and talk about health policy.

What to Watch in Tuesday’s Primary Elections in Alaska, Florida and Beyond

An early glimpse of a pivotal Senate race, heated primaries on a newly redrawn congressional map, and a special election to replace Eric Swalwell will be in the spotlight on Tuesday.

The Dutch to Keep Reducing Nitrogen Until No More Cows Left to Come Home

Trump Votes by Mail Again in Florida

The president also voted by mail in 2020 and in a Florida special election in March, even as he has railed against the practice and equated it to cheating.

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.

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.

Mamdani Comes for Amazon

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

Florida Primary Underscores State’s New Identity as a Republican Juggernaut

Republicans hold every statewide elected office and have drastically swung voter registration in the state. A newly gerrymandered congressional map has added four Republican-leaning seats.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Claire's Weekly Letter: What We Take on Trust

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

Arday was found dead in his home on Friday.

Trump administration can’t scrap plan to move FBI headquarters to Md., judge rules

The administration sought to keep the agency’s headquarters in Washington.

AIPAC has a new target to exert influence over Democrats

The organization’s super PAC poured nearly $2.5 million to boost Melissa Hernandez over Aisha Wahab in a California congressional race.

NYC drivers shell out $9 congestion toll. City admits it failed to improve air quality

New York City's own Health Department report found no statistically significant air quality improvement after a year of the $9 congestion toll.

The Tragedy of Jason Arday

Before he died, he pondered his own possible downfall. Instead of blaming racism, his defenders should admit the true cause of his collapse, writes Douglas Murray.

Using Mild Language to Sell ‘Rights of Nature’ Radicalism

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

What Tasks Was Rep. Swalwell Performing for China?

OANN's Jack Posobiec speculated about this new report from "Just The Nes about Rep. Eric Swalwell's relationship with an alleged Chinese spy, Monday on Bannon's "War Room."

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.

House Democrat investigated over alleged 'inappropriate sexual contact' with staffer

The House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez over allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.

The divide between Trump and Vance on Iran

Trump and Vance had differing answers about why the United States is waging war with Iran.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Cowardice at Cambridge

Fraud: Liberian Government Official Moonlights as Director at Minnesota Group Homes

Warsh Is Wise To Ditch the Dots

The first major component of Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's reform agenda to be implemented is the elimination of "forward guidance" by the Federal Open Market Committee and Fed officials as to future policy positions. The FOMC's postmeeti…

Socialist insurgency storms Trump’s backyard, with pro-Israel Democrats in crosshairs

DSA-endorsed Oliver Larkin challenges Rep. Jared Moskowitz in Florida's 25th District primary as the Democratic Party's left-center civil war heats up.

Rep. Cory Mills’s GOP primary offers the latest test of running under an ethical cloud

The Florida Republican faces allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic abuse, on top of campaign finance violations.

Mixed Signals or Taqiyya? Hamas Pledges Disarmament As Iran Plots Wider War

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.

Ukraine's Long Shot

The country may have hoped that deeper drone attacks would cause Russians to protest the war, but mass demonstrations don't look likely.

Illegal immigrant learns fate after using stolen identity to vote in US elections for decades

Carlos Felipe Jaramillo-Grajales used a stolen Social Security number and passport to register to vote and cast ballots over roughly 20 years, DHS says.

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.

Declassified FBI docs reveal Swalwell had sex with 'Fang Fang' multiple times

Former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell admitted to FBI agents in 2015 that he had intimate relations multiple times with suspected Chinese spy Christine 'Fang Fang' Fang.

Planned Parenthood to spend more than $600,000 against Susan Collins in Maine

The ad buy, which will focus on the senator’s vote to confirm Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, is the largest investment from Planned Parenthood Votes in any state this cycle.

House Panel Investigates Charges a Democrat Had Sexual Contact With Aide

Representative Jimmy Gomez of California acknowledged “personal mistakes” outside his marriage but denied breaking rules that bar relationships with a direct subordinate.

Off the Deep End: Dems Make 'Abolish ICE' Official Position

Democrat Divisions on Display in Austin

Monday, August 17th on RealClearPolitics:00:00 How Big is the Big Tent? 07:12 Jeffries and the Socialists11:05 DSA Accuses Rubio of Genocide18:12 Debbie Wass...

Harvard, NYU among 30 universities hit with Pentagon foreign-tie audit deadline

The Pentagon ordered 30 universities to audit foreign ties or risk losing federal funding, targeting entities linked to China, Russia and Iran.

Judge Orders Release of Woman Accused of Vandalizing World War II Memorial

Prosecutors led by Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney in Washington, argued that Melissa Farris posed a flight risk and asked the court to reverse its decision.

House ethics panel investigates Rep. Jimmy Gomez over sexual misconduct allegations

The California Democrat said that he had “made personal mistakes outside my marriage” and that he will cooperate with the investigation.

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.’

Judge Rules Trump Administration Can’t Scrap F.B.I. Move to Maryland

The ruling is almost certainly not the end of the lengthy fight over the F.B.I.’s future headquarters, which has lasted for years.

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.

60 days after signing Iran deal, Trump stuck in quagmire as war drags on

President Donald Trump’s interim deal with Iran in June set aside two months for negotiations, but the window has now closed and broader talks are at a standstill.

Appeals court rules Trump admin unlawfully appointed Nevada's top federal prosecutor

A federal appeals court found the Justice Department unlawfully bypassed Senate confirmation to install Sigal Chattah as Nevada's top prosecutor.

Mike Johnson taunts Hakeem Jeffries for losing Dems' civil war 'in his own backyard'

Speaker Mike Johnson says Democrats are in an "open civil war" after DSA-linked candidates backed by Zohran Mamdani toppled Jeffries' allies.

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.’

Together Alone

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

Racism Did Not Kill Jason Arday

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.

How Endemic Is Fraud in Prestige Academia?

CA Admits It Doesn't Track Noncitizens on Voter Rolls

California has now told the country that it doesn't know how many noncitizens have been removed from its voter rolls.

J.K. Rowling vs. Amnesty

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