Trump’s Relentless Self-Promotion Fosters an American Cult of Personality
2/15/2026 2:02 AM Open Story
President Trump has engaged in a spree of self-aggrandizement unlike any of his predecessors, fostering a mythologized superhuman persona and making himself the inescapable force at home and around the world.
More Than Ever, Videos Expose the Truth. And Cloud It, Too.
2/15/2026 2:02 AM Open Story
In Minneapolis, videos of the Alex Pretti killing undermined the federal government’s account. But an A.I. video of Brad Pitt shows the dangers ahead.
Texas Students Protest ICE Despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s Threats
2/15/2026 2:00 AM Open Story
In dozens of states, students have staged walkouts over immigration enforcement. In Texas, they’re doing so despite threats from Gov. Greg Abbott.
U.S. Deports Nine Migrants in Secret, Ignoring Legal Protections
2/14/2026 5:15 PM Open Story
Most had court orders protecting them from removal to their home countries, so they were sent to detention in Cameroon.
Republican State Legislators Rush to Limit Their Own Regulators
2/15/2026 2:01 AM Open Story
South Carolina’s state legislature is one of 17, mainly in heavily Republican states, that is moving to handcuff state agencies at a moment of tectonic changes in energy, technology and finance.
Shivering Americans Snap Up Firewood as Winter Grinds On
2/14/2026 6:25 AM Open Story
Weeks of freezing temperatures and winter storms across parts of the United States have increased the demand for firewood and manufactured fire logs.
Making the Dancing Lions for Lunar New York Celebrations
2/14/2026 9:01 PM Open Story
In a San Francisco garage, Corey Chan and his team create giant, spectacular lions that will lead the festivities.
What They Wanted From Jeffrey Epstein
2/15/2026 4:00 AM Open Story
His network may not have known everything, but it is hard to deny that many of them knew enough to know better.
The Olympics Take Themselves Too Seriously. Bring Back Ski Ballet.
2/15/2026 4:00 AM Open Story
You want at least one weird entree on the Olympics menu, even if only for the pleasure of not ordering it.
Everybody’s Mom
2/15/2026 4:36 AM Open Story
We explore why we care so much about the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
Iran Protester Dies in Custody, Raising Fears of Execution
2/15/2026 2:01 AM Open Story
Rights groups are investigating the death of Ali Rahbar as a potential extrajudicial killing. Iran denies executions have taken place.
Islamist Party’s Rise Overshadows Student Revolution in Bangladesh
2/15/2026 2:36 AM Open Story
The party is dedicated to running the country under Islamic law, but ran on a more moderate platform. It gained far more seats in last week’s election than it ever had before.
Software? No Way. We’re an A.I. Company Now!
2/15/2026 6:00 AM Open Story
As their stocks tank, software makers are rebranding themselves as A.I. innovators. Sparkle emojis are everywhere, but some efforts have been more successful than others.
What We Know About the Kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie’s Mother
2/14/2026 11:45 AM Open Story
Nancy Guthrie, 84, the “Today” show anchor’s mother, vanished from her Arizona home on Feb. 1. In the time since, very little new information has come to light.