Reading up on politics

The article argues that code should be protected as free speech, asserting that meaningful AI regulation depends on recognizing this right.

Brad Gerstner, hedge‑fund manager and podcaster, champions Trump Accounts for children while highlighting his firm Altimeter’s strong returns and his crossover between Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and Washington.

The piece details how hard‑line anti‑AI activists, spurred by Sam Kirchner’s disappearance, are escalating protests and fearing extinction, while linked violent acts surge across the U.S.

State-linked actors from China, Russia, and Iran are amplifying U.S. debates about AI data centers to exploit public concerns over the technology's impacts.

Wikipedia faces existential threats from political polarization, AI-generated content, and foreign interference, with a former ambassador leading its defense.

A reader poll generated a diverse list of films that capture America, with “Idiocracy” and “The Godfather” receiving the most votes.

A cryptocurrency analytics report found nearly a million investors lost $3.8 billion on the Trump memecoin, with retail investors bearing most losses while savvy traders profited.

Extreme heat and storms disrupted some Fourth of July events, but President Trump delivered a weather-delayed speech in Washington, D.C., followed by a large fireworks display.

Americans across the political divide are celebrating the 250th anniversary with events from big-city festivals to backyard barbecues.

A collection of ten writers each nominate a different film they believe best captures the essence of America's hopes, dreams, heartbreak, and hilarity as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

President Trump compared himself to Theodore Roosevelt while touring the Roosevelt library, calling him a 'great he-man' and framing him as his alter ego.

President Trump and his family gained massive financial profits from a memecoin while many investors suffered significant losses.

OpenAI proposed giving the U.S. government a 5% stake worth $42.6 billion to ease political pressure, with Sam Altman arguing it shares AI benefits publicly.

Japan's first mayoral maternity leave, taken by Shoko Kawata, sparks backlash from men who argue it sets a bad precedent for governance.

Former President Barack Obama asserts that President Trump is obsessed with him and would not say 'crazy stuff' directly to his face.

A proposed California tax on billionaires faces two opposing ballot measures funded by wealthy individuals, highlighting political tensions over inequality.

If AI replaces all human labor, a permanent underclass results; even the rich and state are eventually disempowered by autonomous machines, making human autonomy obsolete.

Waymo's vulnerability to being blocked by hostile drivers and pedestrians, combined with SF's permissive enforcement, creates a security gap that no remote override can currently address.

The essay argues that Americans must embrace both the famous few and the unsung many who built the nation to forge an honest, unifying patriotism for the semiquincentennial.

The Obama Presidential Center's restaurants feature Obama-approved dishes like a cheeseburger with yellow mustard and sharp Cheddar, reflecting the former first family's food philosophy.

Analysts say that after nearly four months of war, the primary threats from Iran remain unresolved, despite the conflict or any agreement.

Qatar's gift of a new Boeing 747 for Air Force One, displayed by President Trump, sparked bipartisan criticism from lawmakers before its July 4 flyover.

The author reflects on taking teenage sons to the White House for a U.F.C. event, feeling conflicted about cultural exposure amidst political imagery.

Trump's UFC appearance drew mixed reactions from young men, with some dismissing it as tone-deaf and others finding it cool, amid efforts to win back drifting voters.

Waymo's nationwide expansion of driverless taxis is stalled by political opposition from labor unions and safety concerns in major markets like New York, Illinois, and Washington D.C.

The US-Iran ceasefire deal falls short of Trump's 'unconditional surrender' demand, allowing Iran to resume oil sales and negotiate nuclear limits later.

Anthropic employees accuse the Trump administration of unfairly targeting their company by restricting access to its latest AI models, despite having called for regulation.

Sam Bankman-Fried, serving a 25-year sentence for fraud, resists prison life by maintaining his innocence and mounting a campaign for a presidential pardon.

The opinion piece contends that Trump's fight night event was predictably absurd and degraded American dignity.

The Freedom 250 Flag Day UFC event featured athletes and Octagon Girls in red, white, and blue attire as a display of patriotism.

British forces independently seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker for the first time, targeting vessels Russia uses to evade sanctions on fuel transport.

Switzerland voters rejected a referendum to cap the population at 10 million, a measure framed around limiting migration and sustainability.

California's proposed billionaire tax is prompting wealthy residents to use charitable giving and vacation-home purchases to reduce their net worth and tax liability.

The Trump administration's surprise restrictions cut off foreign access to Anthropic's latest AI models, reigniting a feud and sparking finger pointing.

Bernie Sanders, Trump, and AI companies all support taxing AI but propose radically different methods for redistributing the wealth.

Germany and Japan are rebuilding their militaries and deepening defense ties 80 years after WWII, citing shifting geopolitical pressures.

Switzerland's upcoming referendum will let voters decide on a constitutional amendment capping the population at 10 million to curb migration.

The White House faced internal paralysis as senior officials clashed in crisis meetings over President Trump's refusal to release Epstein-related documents.

Trump again mused that average Americans should share in the tech industry's AI wealth, reflecting a growing Washington debate about equitable distribution.

Because of originalism, the Supreme Court now debates historical trivia such as whether Founding Fathers were drunks to decide cases on gun rights and voting.

Drones from both Russia and Ukraine veer off course into neighboring countries, endangering civilians and forcing them to seek shelter.

Iran's imploding economy after months of war has created widespread hopelessness and disillusionment, even among those who desired regime change.

Kim Jong-un used the pandemic to tighten control over North Korea and later boosted its economy by exploiting Russia's war in Ukraine.

The $850 million Obama Presidential Center in Chicago combines a 19.3-acre community park with a 225-foot museum tower, aiming to transform the surrounding neighborhood.

President Trump announces the DOJ's Model Cities Initiative to reduce violent crime and restore law and order in major U.S. cities.

Jill Biden's memoir portrays an insular White House where loyalty was prized and President Biden's feelings were prioritized over health concerns.

Trump signed an executive order to oversee AI models, shifting from a hands-off approach amid debates on balancing control and innovation.

Federal investigators are probing former Congressman George Santos for betting on his own State of the Union attendance through Kalshi.

Brazil and a Mexican state both claim the caramel-colored street dog as a national or regional symbol, sparking a cultural dispute.

A separatist movement in Alberta has gained enough traction to schedule a provincial referendum on leaving Canada, though the outcome may deepen political divisions.

The reading crisis is real, but existing approaches—not new inventions—can solve it.

OpenAI president Greg Brockman, worth ~$30B, now leads product over 1,500 staff, merging ChatGPT, Codex, and API into a super app.

Newly released Justice Department files and employee accounts reveal Bill Gates's decades-long association with Jeffrey Epstein, including multiple meetings, affairs, and attempts by his staff to control media narratives, leading to severed ties with Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, and international engagements.

The pork industry is pushing a 'Save Our Bacon' provision in the farm bill to block state laws banning gestation crates, overriding voter-approved animal welfare measures.

Zohran Mamdani watches Arsenal at a Brooklyn pub, experiencing a brief return to normal life amid his political ascent.

Jill Biden's memoir focuses on the logistical and emotional details of being first lady, with only mild criticism of Donald Trump.

Graham's attempt to equate a 1% wealth tax with a 20% income tax hike is widely rejected as misleading because it ignores that wealthy income comes from capital gains, not labor, and that the wealthy often pay little income tax.

Peter Thiel is moving to Argentina due to concerns about the U.S. future and alignment with President Javier Milei's right-wing policies.

Jill Biden said she had never seen Joe Biden in that state before or since, recounting his 2024 debate performance.

China is testing its state surveillance model abroad in a remote Pacific village, sparking backlash from locals.

Tesla's brand halo causes overestimation of its self-driving lead, but competitors offer comparable Level 2 systems and the brand declines due to Musk's politics and competition.

Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on artificial intelligence warns Silicon Valley about ethical risks, but its power to slow the AI race remains uncertain.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrangled two nonvenomous snakes during a Florida visit, prompting experts to evaluate his snake-handling technique for safety and correctness.

A beach-shade product called Shibumis has sparked a divide in coastal towns, with some residents loving their simplicity and safety while others push for bans.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called for curbing antidepressants at a psychiatric meeting, sparking fears that patients will be driven away from care.

A new Trump administration rule requiring green card applicants to be physically present in their native country has caused confusion and worry among immigrants and their advocates.

The article explains the history and significance of papal encyclicals, highlighting five key examples, and contextualizes Pope Leo XIV's recent encyclical on artificial intelligence.

A survey finds 61% of Americans cut back on groceries, and over 75% (including 55% of Republicans) blame Trump's policies for rising costs.

The Trump administration shifts focus from illegal to legal immigration, making it harder for legal migrants to stay, a risky pivot.

The Trump administration requires green card applicants to leave the U.S. and apply from abroad, ending adjustment of status except in extraordinary circumstances, impacting hundreds of thousands.

Trump canceled an AI executive order that would give government power to evaluate models before release, citing concerns about aspects of it.

Jeff Bezos publicly praised Donald Trump's second term as 'more mature' and denied adjusting Amazon or Post policies to win presidential favor.

European consumers are shifting to the sovereign payment system Wero, which redirects payments through banks, reducing reliance on Visa and Mastercard, but commenters debate the risks of central bank control.

Ishmael Reed critiques Elon Musk and Silicon Valley billionaires, challenging their power and influence in Oakland's literary scene.

The U.S. national debt exceeds GDP, but the real risk is rising interest costs that crowd out other spending and slow growth.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, strategically uses her clothing choices to communicate diplomacy, respect, and political solidarity during official visits to Italy.

Trump's conciliatory tone with Xi Jinping contrasted sharply with his anti-China rhetoric at home, revealing a significant diplomatic difference.

Testosterone is being promoted by right-wing figures and influencers as a biological fix for a perceived crisis in masculinity, driving a surge in supplements and clinics.

The Rocky statue now sits inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of an exhibition exploring race, activism, and violence, moving from its iconic outdoor spot at the museum steps.

A new Banksy statue in London depicts a suited man blinded by a flag, walking off a pedestal, sparking debate on nationalism and Banksy's establishment ties.

President Trump awarded a no-bid contract to a firm he claimed built his pool to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.

Ray Dalio warns the U.S. faces an economic 'heart attack' from unsustainable debt and political dysfunction, urging structural reforms to avert crisis.

Trump and Brazil's Lula met for trade talks but skipped a joint appearance after months of rocky relations.

Obama criticized Trump and urged Democrats to communicate plainly during his Colbert interview, without naming the former president directly.

The final televised California governor debate saw candidates clash on housing and insurance before turning to personal attacks.

Tim Bray argues that rising wealth inequality constitutes a class war the 99% is losing, advocates for wealth taxes on the ultra-rich as a democratic solution, and warns that inaction will lead to violence.

A satirical browser museum contrasts past prices with today's costs to argue middle-class affordability has collapsed, drawing criticism for ignoring inflation and quality improvements.

The U.S. is wealthy in aggregate but faces rising unhappiness driven by political polarization, COVID-19's lingering effects, social media, secularization, and economic insecurity despite high spending by the top 10%.

Palantir employees internally criticize the company's deepening ties with Trump-era immigration enforcement and military actions, calling it a 'descent into fascism.'

Britain's Parliament approved a lifetime smoking ban that will prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone born in 2009 or after.

Fake AI-generated avatars posing as pro-Trump influencers have spread on major social media platforms to attract conservative voters.

The S&P 500 rose on Friday, capping a three-week rally driven by optimism over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and strong corporate earnings.

The Trump administration is seeking automakers like GM and Ford to shift capacity to weapons production, echoing WWII-era industrial mobilization.

Sam Altman shares a family photo after an arson attempt on his home, defends his AI mission as a moral obligation, and calls for de-escalation of rhetoric around AI criticism.

The war with Iran is causing a significant oil supply disruption from the Persian Gulf that is not fully captured by standard price indicators.

Several states are considering bills to expand raw milk access, with MAHA supporters arguing for consumer choice despite health risks.

In an asymmetrical conflict, Iran is deploying sophisticated propaganda and disinformation campaigns to undermine global support for U.S. and Israeli attacks.

A sharp drop in Las Vegas visitors, driven by high prices and reduced discretionary income, may signal a broader national economic downturn as Nevada's governor campaigns for re-election.

The 'No Kings' coalition organized over 3,000 demonstrations across the U.S. to protest President Trump and his policies for the third time.