2025 Bug of the Year Nominees<\/a> New Zealand Bug of the Year<\/p>\n Where the next financial crisis could emerge<\/a> FT<\/p>\n Climate<\/p>\n Do Carbon Offsets Offset Carbon?<\/a> American Economic Journal: Applied Economics<\/p>\n Canadian forests are more conducive to high-severity fires in recent decades<\/a> Science<\/p>\n \u2018Mystery volcano\u2019 that erupted and cooled Earth in 1831 has finally been identified<\/a> CNN<\/p>\n Freighthopping<\/a> Doomberg (PI).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Syndemics<\/p>\n 5 years after it appeared, things we know and still don\u2019t know about COVID<\/a> PBS. 900 deaths a week. Pretty normal for a new tranche of lethality under Rule #2, well done all.<\/p>\n Covid surges across US after holidays amid low booster uptake<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n Alterations in Cellular Gene Expression Due to Co-Infection With Kaposi\u2019s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus and SARS-CoV-2: Implications for Disease Severity<\/a> Journal of Medical Virology. From the Abstract: \u201cThese data provide a molecular basis for understanding whether patients with pre-existing oncogenic herpesvirus infections are at increased risk for more severe COVID-19 or for developing virus-associated cancers even after full recovery from COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n China?<\/p>\n Antony Blinken: \u2018China has been trying to have it both ways\u2019<\/a> Financial Times. Blinken: \u201cWe have reason to believe that China engaged Russia [on nuclear weapons] and said: \u2018Don\u2019t go there.’\u201d If true, I propose, then, that China continue to have it both ways.<\/p>\n What to expect from Chinese monetary policy in 2025<\/a> China Banking News<\/p>\n Holiday travel boom ignites China\u2019s economic vibrancy<\/a> CGTN<\/p>\n China\u2019s tech giants vow to fix algorithm issues amid government crackdown<\/a> South China Morning Post<\/p>\n China\u2019s overqualified youth taking jobs as drivers, labourers and film extras<\/a> BBC<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n How Global South can resist US hegemony and its isolationism<\/a> South China Morning Post<\/p>\n Myanmar<\/p>\n Q&A: Leader of Myanmar\u2019s shadow government talks civil war strategy in 2025<\/a> Al Jazeera<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Syraqistan<\/p>\n Israeli Settlers Pressured, the Cabinet Approved. Now Annexation Is Creeping Into West Bank\u2019s Area B<\/a> Haaretz<\/p>\n Yemen\u2019s Houthis say they carried out 22 attacks against US, Israeli targets in a week<\/a> Anadolu Agency<\/p>\n Israeli army bombs Damascus outskirts, seizes control of Syrian water sources<\/a> The Cradle<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n European Disunion<\/p>\n Macron Appoints Zombie Government in France<\/a> Brave New Europe<\/p>\n Europe readies for scattergun defence-spend bonanza<\/a> FT<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Dear Old Blighty<\/p>\n Scores of firefighters left with chronic health conditions years after tackling deadly Grenfell Tower fire<\/a> Daily Mail. \u201cEverything is like Grenfell.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n New Not-So-Cold War<\/p>\n Flagship Ukrainian brigade trained in France goes AWOL<\/a> Telegraph<\/p>\n Kremlin not willing to change its conditions for ending war \u2013 ISW<\/a> Ukrainska Pravda<\/p>\n Supporting Ukraine Is in Trump\u2019s Interest<\/a> Project Syndicate<\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re in the end game\u2019: Why Kyiv\u2019s blow to Russian gas threatens to divide Europe<\/a> The Telegraph<\/p>\n Starved of Russian gas, industry shuts down in breakaway Moldovan region<\/a> Reuters<\/p>\n Transnistria refuses to purchase gas from the West, awaits help from Russia<\/a> Ukrainska Pravda<\/p>\n How the Kremlin is giving up Transnistria to regain control over Moldova<\/a> European Pravda<\/p>\n Russia\u2019s Cable-Cutting Could Threaten Europe\u2019s Whole Energy Supply<\/a> Foreign Policy<\/p>\n An Ignored US Diplomat\u2019s Warning on Russia<\/a> Consortium News<\/p>\n The political dilemma facing Russian politicians<\/a> The Spectator<\/p>\n Transcript of \u2018Dialogue Works\u2019 edition of 3 January<\/a> Gilbert Doctorow<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n South of the Border<\/p>\n Panama reports sharp drop in irregular migration through Darien Gap<\/a> Al Jazeera<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Biden Administration<\/p>\n Biden blocks $14B sale of US Steel to Japanese firm<\/a> Anadolu Agency. Commentary:<\/p>\n Oops. \u2014 Ken Moriyasu (@kenmoriyasu) January 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center> The US\u2019s Worst Fears of Chinese Hacking Are on Display in Guam<\/a> Bloomberg<\/p>\n White House confirms hack of Treasury Department\u2019s sanctions office<\/a> Anadolu Agency<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Trump Transition<\/p>\n A user\u2019s manual to certifying the presidential election<\/a> FOX<\/p>\n Only one spiteful group wants to see Trump sentenced before inauguration<\/a> Andrew McCarthy, FOX. Merchan\u2019s order:<\/p>\n Justice Juan Merchan has DENIED Donald Trump\u2019s motion to dismiss his hush-money indictment and vacate the guilty verdict and ordered him to appear for sentencing next Friday at 9:30 a.m. virtually or in person. pic.twitter.com\/GEGOMPp043<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Molly Crane-Newman (@molcranenewman) January 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center> House approves new rules protecting Mike Johnson from ouster<\/a> Axios<\/p>\n Kamala Harris botches one of her final acts as VP\u2026 and J.D. Vance can\u2019t wipe the smile off his face<\/a> Daily Mail<\/p>\n Trump appoints (and rebukes) Morgan Ortagus as deputy Middle East envoy<\/a> Axios<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Greenland\u2019s PM pushes for independence from Denmark amid Trump\u2019s interest<\/a> EuroNews. Commentary:<\/p>\n NEW: Greenland Prime Minister M\u00fate Egede calls for independence from Denmark as Donald Trump ramps up his calls for acquiring the territory.<\/p>\n “It is now time to take the next step for our country,” Egede said.<\/p>\n “Like other countries in the world, we must work to remove the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/uiRXzchjN7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center> <\/p>\n The Blob<\/p>\n Top 10 Think Tanks That Receive Funding Pentagon Contractors<\/a> Think Tank Funding Tracker. Handy chart:<\/p>\n Spook Country<\/p>\n Las Vegas Bomber Story Takes An Alarming Turn<\/a> Larry Johnson, Sonar 21. Commentary:<\/p>\n NEW: FBI says they have “strong evidence” that the email shared on Shawn Ryan’s show *was* sent by Livelsberger before the explosion.<\/p>\n The statement was made just 1 hour after Ryan released the episode.<\/p>\n In the email, the individual believed to be Livelsberger said the NJ drones\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/9ZpGlmrPW0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center> <\/p>\n Driver of exploding Cybertruck left letters of anguish: \u2018I needed to cleanse my mind\u2019<\/a> LA Times<\/p>\n Suspect in Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion previously appeared on reality show<\/a> Anadolu Agency. No kidding:<\/p>\n Laughs aside, I think the US doesn’t really know what it’s doing, and there’s a real chance a covert civil war is already being fought between different arms of the gigantic security apparatus. Or it could be the quiet stage of an actual war. <\/p>\n I’m saying this regarding the\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Alon Mizrahi (@alon_mizrahi) January 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center> <\/p>\n The tweet is worth reading in full.<\/p>\n Incongruities (1):<\/p>\n BREAKING: Las Vegas Metro police release message found on Matthew Livelsberger’s phone in Tesla cybertruck.<\/p>\n “This was not a terrorist attack, it was a wake up call.” pic.twitter.com\/dvl5oD9RYS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) January 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/center> <\/p>\n Incongruities (2):<\/p>\n Zero chance these 2 letters were written by the same people.<\/p>\n The white one reads like it was written by Jack Posobiec and the email reads like it was written by Jack Bauer. <\/p>\n Everything about this case is weird AF and I don\u2019t know what to believe. pic.twitter.com\/tdIsj4lZC6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mel (@Villgecrazylady) January 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center> <\/p>\n Incongruities (3):<\/p>\n He was (most recently) a special forces sergeant (18Z) in the army’s MOS 18, within the special forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). <\/p>\n From all the data, it seems he was working on Ukraine, frequently in country, probably focusing on drone tech use and development against\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/F85AUPWceJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Joe Quinn (@SeosQuinn) January 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center> <\/p>\n What a shame Ryan Routh wasn\u2019t around to help him.<\/p>\n Incongruities (4). Once again:<\/p>\n Both his army ID and passport were found in the truck, having, almost miraculously, survived the fire that burned his body, and the interior of the truck, beyond recognition. <\/p>\n So yeah, super sketchy. pic.twitter.com\/XDPW8tM4sL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Joe Quinn (@SeosQuinn) January 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center> <\/p>\n This whole thread is worth a read.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Zeitgeist Watch<\/p>\n Abby Martin of The Empire Files:<\/p>\n Making art has been keeping me sane. Just finished this little piece \ud83d\udd35 Salt Divine, 11 x 14″, collage & paint pen pic.twitter.com\/nM3w04V6Yz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Abby Martin (@AbbyMartin) January 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Digital Watch<\/p>\n Good to know:<\/p>\n False alarm.<\/p>\n It’s porn: https:\/\/t.co\/rckofBv3N7<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/Q0UgAxpJsz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Proton (@ProtonPrivacy) January 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Our Famously Free Press<\/p>\n Washington Post Cartoonist Ann Telnaes Quits After Bezos-Owned Paper Kills Trump Satire Piece<\/a> The Wrap. Commentary:<\/p>\n Ann Telnaes, who has worked at The Washington Post as an editorial cartoonist since 2008, says her cartoon below was killed \u2014 and now she has quit the paper pic.twitter.com\/ThHbQiATOS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Supply Chain<\/p>\n Cass acquires ocean, airfreight invoice audit platform<\/a> Freight Waves. Commentary:<\/p>\n The intersection of finance and supply chain is increasingly important.<\/p>\n In the latest illustration, Cass Information Systems just acquired Acuitive Solutions\u2019 freight audit platform. AcuAudit focuses on ocean, air and drayage shipments.<\/p>\n Cass was the industry pioneer in freight\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Benjamin Gordon \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf1 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 \ud83d\ude9a \u2708\ufe0f (@benjaminhgordon) January 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Final Frontier<\/p>\n The other space control: who does what in the national security space enterprise<\/a> Space News<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Book Nook<\/p>\n Happy birthday (yesterday):<\/p>\n \u201cNot all those who wander are lost\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n J.R.R. Tolkien <\/p>\n Tolkien was born OTD in 1892. pic.twitter.com\/AD6v8DKrS2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 leahmcelrath.bsky.social (@leahmcelrath) January 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Class Warfare<\/p>\n Blaming Low Wages on Bad Schooling Is a Neoliberal Myth<\/a> Jacobin<\/p>\n Park City Ski Patrol Goes on Strike<\/a> Liftblog<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Your life is not a story: why narrative thinking holds you back<\/a> Psyche<\/p>\n Antidote du jour (Rhododendrites<\/a>):<\/p>\n Not really an antidote, but fun:<\/p>\n Maths tricks \u2013 South Korea vs. China (via:visualfeastwang) pic.twitter.com\/ApZdjpPfr3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Learn Something (@cooltechtipz) January 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center> <\/p>\n I wouldn\u2019t call them \u201ctricks.\u201d They\u2019re methods<\/em>; I was taught the one on the left.<\/p>\n See yesterday\u2019s Links and Antidote du Jour here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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White House copy-and-pastes from a previous presidential order on a Chinese real estate transaction and uses it for the Nippon Steel announcement. And forgets to delete the title. pic.twitter.com\/8ibeSYujxI<\/a><\/p>\n
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