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The Remarkable Collapse of Iran’s Powerful Alliances

The Islamic Republic is weaker—on multiple fronts—than it’s been in nearly half a century.

The Bald Eagle Isn’t Actually America’s National Bird — but That’s Poised to Change

After learning the U.S. doesn’t officially recognize the bald eagle as its national bird, a Minnesota man swooped in. This week the House passed his bill, which now heads to Biden’s desk.

Do Affirmations Work? a Psychologist Explains Why They’re So Effective

Wait — do daily affirmations even work? A psychologist explains.

Out-of-Office Emails Are Getting a Refresh — and Helping Employees Set Work-Life Boundaries

Bold and sarcastic emails are sending a message that employees won’t work outside of their regular hours. But not all snarky autoreplies strike the right tone.

I’m Spending the Holidays Watching Cabin Builders on TikTok—While I Still Can

Even if TikTok doesn’t get banned in the US next year, it’ll still be far from the zone-out place it once was.

Fascinating stories

Manchester City Was the Most Dominant Team in World Football. Now It Can’t Win a Game.

Winners of six of the last seven English Premier League titles, Pep Guardiola’s club has just one win in its last 10 games in all competitions.

The Six Keys to Positive Communication

Communicating better can help you achieve your goals and deepen your relationships.

This Journalist Is Pushing Back Against the Erasure of Native American History

Her podcast “This Land” and novel “By the Fire We Carry” are grounded in the gaps she sees in education and media representation.

It’s the Biggest New Novel of the Year. It’s Almost Unreadably Bad.

Imagine a Hoover novel with an idealistic heroine who has horrible things happen to her—and then: “I heard rumors of something bad up near My Lai.”

The Biggest Games Coming in 2025

2025 brings us the long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto 6 and one of the most stacked new release schedules in recent memory.

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Employers Lobby to Keep Health Care Prices Transparent in Hopes of Containing Costs

Donald Trump’s first administration advanced rules forcing hospitals and insurers to reveal prices for medical services. Employers don’t want to risk backtracking during Trump’s second administration.

11 Recipes to Indulge Your Morning Sweet Tooth

From a light and refreshing customizable yogurt parfait to a surprisingly easy-to-make chocolate Dutch baby pancake.

The Perfect Humidifier Doesn’t Exist

Our love-hate relationship with this frustrating, hard-to-clean, potentially dangerous household device.

The Towns That Inspired One Hundred Years of Solitude

As a new Netflix series thrusts Gabriel García Márquez’s masterpiece back into the spotlight, these are the real-life places that inspired the writer’s magical realism.

Is Therapy-Speak Making Us Selfish?

Boundaries are important. But our relationships require a touch more compassion than some online blueprints offer.

These Smart Home Automations Can Make Christmas Even More Magical for Kids

Christmas is magical, but sometimes you need a little help managing that magic. Enter smart-home technology, which can help you with everything from making sure your kids aren’t snooping around their gifts, to talking to Santa.

Google Street View Helps Catch Suspect of a Grisly Crime

The image captured the moment a suspect loaded a large, lumpy, white bag into the trunk of a car.

The Quiet Power of Car-Free Neighborhoods

Restricting or banning vehicles in congested city centers pays off with cleaner air and safer streets. We need to talk more about the other big benefit — less noise.

These Will Be the Biggest Wellness Travel Trends of 2025

From fertility enhancement programs in the Himalayas to brain bootcamps in Switzerland, these wellness experiences are driving our desire to travel.

As Global Cities Expand Rapidly, People Must Be at the Center of Planning

Housing, planning, and equity must be at the heart of urban transformation, writes the executive director of UN-Habitat.