Matthew Fraser
@matthewfraser.bsky.social
University professor in Paris. Ex journalist: columnist, critic, Editor-in-Chief, television presenter. Promeneur du Champ de Mars avec Hector et Djery. Agent: J.P. Marshall
Bryan Reisberg built a social media following in the millions by carrying his corgi, Maxine, in a backpack. Now, he carries shelter dogs.
Carrying for a Cause: Meet the Man Lugging Shelter Dogs Around New York
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Bryan Reisberg built a social media following in the millions by carrying his corgi, Maxine, in a backpack. Now, he carries shelter dogs.
Wonder if George Clooney had to take this test.
'An added stress': Critics blast France's new civics test for foreigners
France’s new civics test for citizenship and certain residency permits is "an added stress" applicants do not need, French civil rights groups have warned.
www.thelocal.fr
January 2, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Wonder if George Clooney had to take this test.
The obvious question: Why is Trump being subjected to so many cognitive examinations? We all know the answer.
January 2, 2026 at 1:46 PM
The obvious question: Why is Trump being subjected to so many cognitive examinations? We all know the answer.
Five years ago, Jan. 6, 2021, was a day that should live in infamy. Instead, it was a turning point toward a version of Donald Trump who is even more lawless than the one who governed in his first term.
Opinion | Trump Is the Jan. 6 President
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Five years ago, Jan. 6, 2021, was a day that should live in infamy. Instead, it was a turning point toward a version of Donald Trump who is even more lawless than the one who governed in his first term.
Reposted by Matthew Fraser
Decades after Chairman Mao approved the Tazara line, Beijing and the US are competing to rebuild colonial-era routes and secure mineral resources ⬇️
Why China and the West are locked in rivalry over Africa’s railways
Decades after Chairman Mao approved the Tazara line, Beijing and the US are competing to rebuild colonial-era routes and secure mineral resources
www.thetimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Decades after Chairman Mao approved the Tazara line, Beijing and the US are competing to rebuild colonial-era routes and secure mineral resources ⬇️
On New York magazine's cover, a group portrait of Zohran Mamdani and his team. Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who recently resigned in an uproar over anti-Semitic statements posted on social media, was erased.
New York Magazine Put Mamdani’s Team on Its Cover. One Aide Was Erased.
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:11 AM
On New York magazine's cover, a group portrait of Zohran Mamdani and his team. Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who recently resigned in an uproar over anti-Semitic statements posted on social media, was erased.
George Clooney fired back at Trump after he mocked his French citizenship: “I totally agree with the current president. We have to make America great again. We’ll start in November.”
George Clooney fires back at Trump after US president mocks his French citizenship
Trump called the actor and his wife, Amal, ‘two of the worst political prognosticators of all time’ after they were awarded French passports
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:21 AM
George Clooney fired back at Trump after he mocked his French citizenship: “I totally agree with the current president. We have to make America great again. We’ll start in November.”
Social media narcissism has killed dancing. Fear of being filmed.
Suddenly Everyone Is Scared to Dance at Concerts and Clubs
More partygoers are worrying about looking goofy on camera, prompting some artists to wonder if social media is killing dance.
www.wsj.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Social media narcissism has killed dancing. Fear of being filmed.
A model of good corporate governance... The Kennedy Center changed its bylaws so that only trustees appointed by President Trump could vote on the decision to add his name to the institution.
Kennedy Center changed board rules before adopting Trump’s name
New bylaws state that only trustees appointed by the president are allowed to vote, shutting out Democrats from the decision
www.thetimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:49 PM
A model of good corporate governance... The Kennedy Center changed its bylaws so that only trustees appointed by President Trump could vote on the decision to add his name to the institution.
Jeffrey Epstein wasn’t just a frequent visitor to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club. The club was also sending young women to Epstein’s nearby mansion for massages, manicures and other spa services.
Exclusive | The Incident That Prompted Trump to Ban Epstein From Mar-a-Lago’s Spa
Mar-a-Lago sent an 18-year-old spa worker on a house call to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. She complained to her bosses that Epstein pressured her for sex.
www.wsj.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Jeffrey Epstein wasn’t just a frequent visitor to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club. The club was also sending young women to Epstein’s nearby mansion for massages, manicures and other spa services.
Women apparently don't need corsets any more. There's an alarming new way to achieve the wasp-waist look: rib removal. It's called “Barbie waist.”
Plastic Surgery Comes for the Waist
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Women apparently don't need corsets any more. There's an alarming new way to achieve the wasp-waist look: rib removal. It's called “Barbie waist.”
Finally, a book publishing trend that interests me.
A Hare, a Fox, an Owl, a Snail: Animal Memoirs Are Going Wild
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Finally, a book publishing trend that interests me.
Reposted by Matthew Fraser
When politicians try their hand at romance novels. Had no idea ex-Tory MP Louise Mensch (nom de plume: Louise Bagshawe) has sold over 2 million copies of her 'bonkbusters', including one titled 'Venus Envy'.
Politicians and the romance novel: a love affair
The world of romantic fiction is a strange one — that of political erotica even more so
www.ft.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
When politicians try their hand at romance novels. Had no idea ex-Tory MP Louise Mensch (nom de plume: Louise Bagshawe) has sold over 2 million copies of her 'bonkbusters', including one titled 'Venus Envy'.
The painter David was like the diplomat Talleyrand: he skilfully survived and prospered throughout a tumultuous period in French history by flattering and putting his talents at the service of each new regime.
‘Jacques-Louis David’ Review: Turbulent Life, Towering Work
The Louvre celebrates the French master—who painted for Louis XVI before morphing into an ardent revolutionary and then a portraitist of Napoleon—with an exhibition marking the bicentennial of his dea...
www.wsj.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:32 AM
The painter David was like the diplomat Talleyrand: he skilfully survived and prospered throughout a tumultuous period in French history by flattering and putting his talents at the service of each new regime.
This keeps happening in academia. Another excellent First Amendment case study for my law course.
Exclusive | Prof punished over land acknowledgment joke vindicated by court decision: ‘Not going to be silenced’
Stuart Reges was encouraged to include a land acknowledgement on his syllabus, so he wrote a parody version.
nypost.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 AM
This keeps happening in academia. Another excellent First Amendment case study for my law course.
Reposted by Matthew Fraser
For the Cheyenne and many other tribes inhabiting the plains, dogs were not merely pets but essential companions...
© Reddit
#archaeohistories
#archaeohistories
December 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
For the Cheyenne and many other tribes inhabiting the plains, dogs were not merely pets but essential companions...
© Reddit
#archaeohistories
#archaeohistories
At a small college in Florida, Homer's ‘The Odyssey’ is in, gender studies is out.
New College of Florida Was Progressive. Then Gov. DeSantis Overhauled It.
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
At a small college in Florida, Homer's ‘The Odyssey’ is in, gender studies is out.
A billionaire exodus from California because they don't like paying taxes.
A Wealth Tax Floated in California Has Billionaires Thinking of Leaving
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:44 PM
A billionaire exodus from California because they don't like paying taxes.
Brigitte Bardot has died.
December 28, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Brigitte Bardot has died.
Director Jim Jarmusch is applying for French citizenship to escape the United States. www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/jim-j...
December 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Director Jim Jarmusch is applying for French citizenship to escape the United States. www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/jim-j...
Reposted by Matthew Fraser
“Conservatives would never accept a left-wing government using regulatory favoritism to pressure conservative media”—but now that this is occurring at CBS, they offer “pointillistic defenses” of Bari Weiss spiking a “60 Minutes” story, @jonathanchait argues.
Stop Defending Bari Weiss
It is impossible to take her actions at face value given the context in which she is operating.
bit.ly
December 26, 2025 at 3:45 PM
“Conservatives would never accept a left-wing government using regulatory favoritism to pressure conservative media”—but now that this is occurring at CBS, they offer “pointillistic defenses” of Bari Weiss spiking a “60 Minutes” story, @jonathanchait argues.