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Ck Smith

Ck Smith

Salon

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World Cup visitors love ranch dressing, Bu-cee’s and BBQ

As fans tour US, viral reactions and appreciation for US staples like Buc-ee's, BBQ, the "bigger is better" culture

yesterday 4

Salon

Ck Smith

Trump to the authors of “Regime Change”: “Fake News”

After leaked excerpts, interviews and revelations, Trump unloads on Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan's new book

yesterday 4

Salon

Ck Smith

“I’d be the greatest communist in history”: Trump tells evangelicals

President pivots from joking about communism to warning evangelical voters about "godless communists" Democrats

previous day 2

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Ck Smith

Texas mandates Bible readings and Christian-infused curriculum in public schools

Education board decision fuels debate over where teaching about religion ends and religious instruction begins

previous day 2

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Ck Smith

“Hope is not blind optimism”: Obama opens presidential center in Chicago

The Obamas urged Americans to embrace citizenship, community engagement, public service at Chicago campus opening

21.06.2026 5

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Ck Smith

“A heartbreaking tragedy” rehashes calls for NYC carriage ban

A teenage tourist's death revived debate that divided animal welfare advocates, carriage operators, city leaders

20.06.2026 7

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Ck Smith

“Neither I nor Italy ever beg”: Italy’s PM claps back at Trump’s sexist insults

A dispute over a G7 photo expanded into a public clash over sovereignty, military bases and U.S.-Italy relations

20.06.2026 6

Salon

Ck Smith

Daveigh Chase, the voice of Lilo and face of early-2000s horror, dies at 35

The actor from "Lilo & Stitch," "The Ring" and " died of sepsis from meningitis and a blood inflection

19.06.2026 5

Salon

Ck Smith

$14 million, green water, peeling paint: Trump’s reflecting pool reno isn’t going well

Trump spent $14m on a Reflecting Pool that now features green algae blooms, chemical treatments and peeling paint

19.06.2026 7

Salon

Ck Smith

Trump’s Iran framework hits immediate turbulence after announced deal

Escalation in Lebanon, GOP dissent and even lower approval ratings signal the US-Iran peace deal might not be ready

19.06.2026 9

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Ck Smith

Trump turns 80, but his approval is in the 30s

New approval numbers cast a shadow over weekend of UFC fanfare, Freedom 250 events and White House pageantry

14.06.2026 10

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Ck Smith

“Knicks in 5!”: NY fans predict first championship in 53 years

A hopeful fan chant turned into an all-night citywide party after the Knicks beat the Spurs to win the NBA title

14.06.2026 10

Salon

Ck Smith

“Grief is not linear”: Survivors reflect on 10 years after Pulse shooting

Communities honor the 49 victims of Orlando nightclub shooting. Families and survivors reflect on healing and grief

13.06.2026 10

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Ck Smith

A name comes down: Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Center overnight

Crews removed the name overnight as onlookers, livestreams document the scene. A tarp and scaffolding still remain

13.06.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump attacks NBC journalist, then abruptly ends the interview

After repeated fact-checks and challenges, Trump turned his frustration and anger on NBC and Kristen Welker

07.06.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Only in New York: Trump, Mamdani and Elmo talk NBA finals

A president, a mayor and a muppet have little in common — except New York's growing NBA Finals obsession

07.06.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump’s “hero image” includes lions, camels and motorcycles

The surreal video by a Trump-backed candidate adds to a growing archive of idealized AI imagery of "America's hero"

06.06.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Pentagon slashes recognized religions down to just 31 faiths

In an effort to streamline operations, military faith recognitions went from 200 to 31, mostly Christian beliefs

06.06.2026 10

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Ck Smith

It’s June: Welcome to “Nuclear Family Month”

Republican state officials recast June as just for traditional families, challenging local Pride Month celebrations

06.06.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump’s latest spending defense springs a leak

Trump claims Obama and Biden spent "hundreds of millions" on similar renovations, but records show otherwise

31.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Santos, Lindell, Proud Boys eye Trump’s $1.8B fund

"Anti-weaponization" compensation attracts claims from Jan. 6 defendants, political allies, and election deniers

31.05.2026 10

Salon

Ck Smith

Trump says cognitive test proves “extreme intelligence,” doctors disagree

Doctors say MoCA is screening tool for cognitive impairment, not intelligence test, despite Trump’s intellect claim

31.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump says he could replace Freedom 250 artists himself

After multiple performers withdrew, Trump mocked them and proposed turning event into an “AMERICA IS BACK" rally

30.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump’s angry tirade after judge blocks “Trump Kennedy Center”

The president's late-night social media tirade ended with a threat to hand the institution back to Congress

30.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump, nearing 80, faces renewed health scrutiny

Trump’s upcoming medical visit renews debate over presidential age, health transparency and fitness for office

25.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Summer travel kicks off with mixed forecast, rising costs

Memorial Day travel demand remains strong as NOAA predicts below-normal hurricane season and rising vacation costs

25.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump’s holiday message targets “Dumocrats”

Trump’s Memorial Day posts continued his blending ceremonial patriotism with political combat and online mythology

25.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

“Lethality over likability”: Military graduations boost political theater

Trump, Hegseth and Caine celebrate 2026 military graduates with political and culture wars and anti-woke jokes

24.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump intensifies attack on citizenship rights

Green card applicants face increased scrutiny as Trump again targets birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment

24.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump’s vision of the White House is starting to look like a fortress

After another shooting nearby, Trump again used it in his narrative of permanent threat and militarized spectacle

24.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Colbert isn’t gone, he just changed channels for a day

After a CBS farewell watched by millions, the host popped up on a Michigan public access show watched by hundreds

23.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

A Trump family wedding, and the explanation that overshadowed it

Donald Trump Jr. married Bettina Anderson in a private ceremony, but his father's absence was oddly explained away

23.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump trashes Colbert’s high-rated finale as “no ratings”

Late Show finale surged in viewership, Trump attacks with AI clip showing him throwing Colbert into dumpster

23.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Christian nationalists pray for a return to America’s “Christian roots”

Christian Nationalists gather to pray for a return to America's "Christian roots" to kick off the 250th celebration

17.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

“We won’t go back”: Still marching in Selma for voting rights in 2026

Invoking the legacy of 1965 Selma marches, protesters march for voting access and representation in 2026

17.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

“The Golden Calf”: Trump’s sculpture artist speaks out

The Ohio artist tells the story of being hired by "cryptobros" and the constant edits of Trump's "turkey neck"

17.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

“Tenacity & gratitude”: 2026 graduations hear strong advice and pushback on intentional controversy

Graduation season 2026 shows how universities struggle to maintain consensus over what is wisdom and inspiration

16.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

PCOS is now PMOS. Millions of women might now get better diagnosis, treatment

This change to this common reproductive health issue could lead to better and earlier treatment for 15% of women.

16.05.2026 20

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Ck Smith

The new Helen of Troy is Black — and that’s upsetting racists

The controversy of Lupita Nyong'o in “The Odyssey” echoes earlier backlash to casting in other fantasy adaptations

16.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Trump Mobile promised a gold phone. Customers are still waiting

Trump-branded phone launched with patriotic fanfare, but shifting timelines and limited updates fuel uncertainty

10.05.2026 20

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Ck Smith

Trump’s newest gold statue revives “golden calf” criticism

Trump’s fascination with gold aesthetics fuels criticism from religious observers uneasy with his imagery, branding

10.05.2026 20

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Ck Smith

The art Nazis stole is still waiting to go home

Musée d’Orsay’s new permanent gallery exposes the unfinished search for justice decades after World War II

09.05.2026 20

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Ck Smith

RFK Jr. pushes “personal choice” over teen tanning bed ban

Public health officials warn the decision fits a growing pattern of deregulation across youth health policy

09.05.2026 20

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Ck Smith

When Canvas crashed, colleges had no backup plan

The nationwide cybersecurity incident exposed how fragile our increasingly digital campuses are during finals week

09.05.2026 20

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Ck Smith

New York Archdiocese proposes $800 million abuse settlement

Covering over 1300 survivors, the deal is part of a broader pattern, beginning with Boston and expanded nationwide

03.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

Show ID to eat? Todd Blanche makes awkward analogy to support federal voter ID law

Acting AG compares voter ID with an ID shown to eat, sparking backlash and the reality gap with daily American life

03.05.2026 10

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Ck Smith

“The man, the myth, the liability”: SNL’s “Pete Hegseth” shares cold open with new “Kash Patel”

Like usual, the familiar cold open anchored the latest episode of "Saturday Night Live" and featured a new cameo

03.05.2026 20

Salon

Ck Smith

“I HAVE ALL THE CARDS”: Trump’s late night posting spree features new AI images

He posted online 11 times in under an hour, combining altered visuals, repeated imagery and political commentary

02.05.2026 20

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Ck Smith

Spirit Airlines collapses after bailout efforts fail

The shutdown of Spirit marks end of a major low-cost carrier and raises questions about budget air travel in future

02.05.2026 20

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Ck Smith

Court ruling fuels new push to restrict abortion pills by mail

Targeting mifepristone’s delivery system raises practical and medical questions that extend far beyond abortion

02.05.2026 10

Salon

Ck Smith