Editor's note

President Trump suggested the other day that he might be up for joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership after all. Then, last night, he reversed himself in a tweet. But isn’t it too late for a change of heart regarding the enormous trade deal in any case? Georgia State political scientist Charles Hankla details how the 11 other countries involved have moved on since Trump pulled the U.S. out – and considers whether it’s possible to negotiate a better deal.

Former first lady Barbara Bush died at home in Houston yesterday. She was 92. Bush reportedly suffered from a lung condition called COPD. Frank Sciurba of the University of Pittsburgh explains this chronic disease that affects 16 million people in the U.S.

Superman turns 80 today. Case Western Reserve University’s Brad Ricca takes readers back to the early 1930s, when two friends from a Cleveland high school drew up a character in a cape and tights, gave him superhuman strength, and pitched him out to publishers – only to be met with rejection after rejection.

Emily Schwartz Greco

Philanthropy + Nonprofits Editor

Top Stories

Is there still room for the U.S.? AP Photo/Esteban Felix

What is the TPP and can the US get back in?

Charles Hankla, Georgia State University

Trump, who withdrew the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership when he became president, briefly appeared to consider joining the trade accord again.

Barbara Bush and her husband, George H.W. Bush, at his Houston campaign headquarters June 4, 1964. AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky/file

Barbara Bush may have suffered from a chronic lung disease called COPD – a doctor explains

Frank Sciurba, University of Pittsburgh

The former first lady was reported to have a condition that makes breathing hard and often occurs in smokers. COPD is a condition that affects almost 16 million Americans.

In 1938, a cultural icon was born. ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.com

Superman at 80: How two high school friends concocted the original comic book hero

Brad Ricca, Case Western Reserve University

Pop culture, personal tragedy and heroic persistence all played a role.

Arts + Culture

Health + Medicine

Ethics + Religion

  • What is hell?

    Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross

    The meaning of hell might have changed over the centuries, but for devout Christians it remains a core part of their faith.

Environment + Energy

Politics + Society

From our International Editions

Today’s quote

“A meta-analysis of more than 150 studies also supports the idea that there is a reliable relationship between implicit bias . . . and real-world behavior.”

 

Measuring the implicit biases we may not even be aware we have

 

Kate Ratliff

University of Florida

Kate Ratliff
 

Colin Smith

University of Florida

Colin Smith