California is seeking to reverse Trump’s move to “federalize” the state’s National Guard, arguing the act breaks the 10th Amendment. / Politico See also: “If the Trump-Hegseth threats have little purpose as law enforcement, they signify great purpose as political strategy.” For Trump, this is a dress rehearsal. / The
Welcome to the refreshed TMN! If you enjoy these headlines, please join us as a Sustaining Member to support what we do and unlock access to paywalled links. Subscribe Finding themselves unable to accomplish any of their essential tasks, federal officials are rushing to rehire many of the workers DOGE
Welcome to the new TMN! If you enjoy these headlines, please join us as a Sustaining Member to support what we do and unlock access to paywalled links. Subscribe The alarms are sounding for those worried about privacy and intent as the Trump administration begins combining detailed data on Americans
Welcome to the refreshed TMN! If you enjoy these headlines, please join us as a Sustaining Member to support what we do and unlock access to paywalled links. Subscribe The citations to the 500-plus studies referenced in RFK’s “Make America Healthy Again” report are riddled with errors and misstated
Thank you for reading The Morning News! If you enjoy this newsletter, please join us as a Sustaining Member to support what we do and unlock access to paywalled links. Subscribe Trump’s tax bill reduces incomes for the poorest households while enriching the wealthiest—and visualizing this economic redistribution
Welcome back to the refreshed TMN! As a reminder, we depend on your support. So if you enjoy what we do, please join us as a Sustaining Member to keep this newsletter running, plus unlock access to paywalled links. Subscribe Trump’s tax and spending legislation will potentially add $3.
Hello and welcome to the refreshed TMN! If you enjoy this newsletter, please join us as a Sustaining Member to support what we do and get unlocked access to paywalled links. Subscribe With this weekend’s presidential election, Romania joins 2025’s growing number of nations where a Trump-aligned candidate
“Some of what Trump calls good news, like the falling price of oil, is actually caused by bad news, which is the world expecting the possibility of a global recession.” / The Washington Post Already an ethical catastrophe, Trump’s private dinner for top memecoin holders is becoming even suspect, as
Israel has reportedly approved plans to seize control of the entire Gaza Strip and occupy the region for an indefinite period of time. / Associated Press One of Pope Francis’s final requests was to retrofit one of his popemobiles to provide frontline health care “for the children of Gaza.” / BBC
"At the heart of the 11-page agreement is a joint investment fund that is intended to help rebuild Ukraine once the Russian invasion...ends." What's in the US-Ukraine minerals agreement. / Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Experts cite a spike in postponed container ships previously set to
Pakistan may reach the global April heat record of 122 degrees Fahrenheit this week. / The Washington Post [+] India and Pakistan are said to be periously close to military conflict (once again). / Foreign Affairs India pushes mining groups to pursue reserves in the "lithium triangle" between Argentina, Bolivia, and
HHS says there won't be an autism registry, walking back NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya's controversial announcement from earlier this week. / STAT As government and fringe groups—kind of the same thing right now—promote the pseudoscience of eugenics, geneticists must take a stand. / Nature The Dept.
Pope Francis has died at 88, "the first [pope] in generations to make the Vatican feel less like a fortress and more like a field hospital." / Migrant Insider The Bush administration argued Guantanamo should be beyond the reach of the courts; CECOT is the Trump administration's
Staffing cuts at HHS will apparently force the FDA to suspend its network of labs that test food for pathogens and contaminants. / Reuters World Health Organization members agree on a treaty to prevent pandemic disorganization and competition for resources—"the US will not be bound by the pact when
The man arrested for breaking into and setting a fire in the Pennsylvania governor's mansion planned to beat Gov. Shapiro with a small sledgehammer. / AP The Trump administration is privately discussing how to "denaturalize American citizens and deport them to other countries, including El Salvador." / Rolling
"The Trump administration believes it has what game theorists call escalation dominance over China... [but] it is China that has escalation dominance in this trade war." / Foreign Affairs The EU and China are in talks to set minimum prices on Chinese-made EVs, six months after Brussels raised tariffs
Trump often blames popular resistance to his policies as bad polling, but the size and scope of the Hands Off protests were far too large to be the product of faulty data. / Strength in Numbers The Israeli military walks back its account of killing 15 Palestinian medics after video contradicts
Since Trump's inauguration, records show multiple incidents of violence have erupted at Tesla facilities in the US, including one person who tossed molotov cocktails at vehicles. / The Washington Post [+] See also: At a dealership in France, more than a dozen Teslas were ignited in an apparent act of
Economists say the DOGE purge of federal workers could trigger local recessions, and how bad it gets depends on the scale of the layoffs, which is still unknown. / CNBC An explainer on how the billions in cuts that DOGE's public ledger claims to have uncovered are riddled with
The White House and the Treasury will restrict DOGE's taxpayer access to read-only, anonymized data—the same as what academic researchers and IRS IT professionals can see. / The Washington Post [+] See also: Finally, my tax dollars are being used to uncover publicly available government information. / McSweeney's
Even as a decline in illegal border crossings is a gift for Trump, it makes it harder for ICE to put up the arrest and deportation numbers it wants. / The Washington Post [+] More journalists were killed in 2024 than ever before, and Israel was responsible for two-thirds of those deaths.
A central aspect of negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war is that the US would provide Ukraine with post-war security in exchange for access to rare earth minerals. / Reuters See also: "Even now, most Ukrainians see continuing to fight as incomparably better than the terror of Russian occupation."
It wasn't until 2021 that the US included domestic extremism in its counterterrorism scope; Trump's pardons of insurrectionists calls into question who counts as a terrorist now. / ProPublica How to access the full data.gov archive, which as of now contains 311,000 datasets harvested in
As Israel prepares to move ahead with Trump's plan to remove Palestinians from Gaza, Egypt says doing so may threaten its peace deal with Israel. / AP A leading climatologist says limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius by 2100 is no longer possible, calling that target from the
"Commentators should please stop using words such as 'digital' and 'progress' and 'efficiency' and 'vision' when describing this coup attempt." / Thinking about... Related: The engineers playing a key role in Elon Musk's attempt to dismantle federal infrastructure are
It's no longer enough to measure income gaps to depict inequality; now, wealth gaps paint a far bleaker picture of American prosperity. / The Conversation See also: The wildfires exposed a truth about how power operates in Los Angeles: "No city is more in need of its next
Something that's getting lost in yesterday's was-it-or-wasn't-it US-Colombia trade war: "Colombia accepted 475 deportation flights from the US from 2020 to 2024." / AP And also: Because Trump wants to use military—not civilian—flights to transport deportees, "American taxpayers are paying
With the inauguration of Trump's second term, the Doomsday Clock will move forward next week. / The Nation See also: A subreddit that provides "the perfect soundtrack for your personal apocalypse." / r/CollapseMusic Unrelated: When a scientist convinced members of the San Francisco 49ers to ingest radioactive
The CDC is urging labs to accelerate testing patients hospitalized with flu to determine whether they have seasonal influenza or bird flu. / NBC News The future of the West Coast is "hydroclimate whiplash," where, for example, mudslides are the result of wildfires followed by intense storms. / Defector See
There are now at least 24 dead in the Los Angeles wildfires, with increasing winds bringing the potential this week for "explosive fire growth." / Los Angeles Times "We're feeling the magnitude of shared suffering." TMN's Rosecrans Baldwin on the injustice of the
Even as calm winds are providing firefighters in Los Angeles a chance to get ahead of the wildfires, forecasts show more rounds of wind are on the way. / Accuweather As bad as the stress is right now for Angelenos, erroneous emergency alerts urging evacuations are only adding to the trauma.
"Technically, all pandemic flus start as bird flus." Everything you never wanted to know about H5N1. / Astral Codex Ten Following the user exodus from X, Russia's "Matryoshka" disinformation network heads to Bluesky, posting videos to undermine US support of Ukraine. / The Insider A violent
Diagrams suggest how extensive Hamas militants' underground passageways under Gaza could be, and how the tunnels are used. / The New York Times [+] An explainer of what's going on with the multiple investigations into NYC Mayor Eric Adams's campaign fundraising. / The City "I asked him
Hundreds have reportedly been killed in ethnic murders in the Sudanese region of West Darfur, forcing thousands of people to flee. / BBC News Related: Gaza has the world's attention—as it should—yet no one seems to have noticed the world's largest child displacement crisis is
Spain's Socialist Party secures the backing of Junts, a Catalan separatist party, to form a new government. / Reuters Guinea's former president, Moussa Dadis Camara, nearly broke out of prison last weekend. / Africa Is a Country An argument for Taiwan as China's "best province.
The European Commission recommends that formal talks should begin with Ukraine on joining the European Union. / BBC News At least 45 American service members may have been injured in Iran-linked attacks. / NBC News Five takeaways from last night's off-year elections, where abortion rights fueled big Democratic wins. / Politico,
US Marines with heavy artillery deployed to fight the Islamic State returned with a strange set of symptoms—which may have been caused by the very weapons they were using. / The New York Times [+] Around the US, cities are trying to enact laws to protect outdoor workers from extreme heat—
Iran, Russia, and China are mounting anti-Israel disinformation campaigns that are "larger than anything seen before." / The New York Times [+] Retail workers and thieves explain what's going on with all the shoplifting, a problem the businesses don't seem to care about enough to try
By 2050, one in four people on the planet will be African, "a seismic change that's already starting to register." / The New York Times [+] South Africa's rugby team, which recently won the World Cup, is said to be among the few things holding the
Hamas says it's prepared to repeat October's attack on Israel over and over until the country no longer exists. / The Toronto Sun In the first days of the Israel-Hamas war, 15 people have been killed every hour in Gaza, six of whom are children. / Al Jazeera
The world's largest fusion reactor fires up in Japan and produces plasma. / Science China's first domestic gene-therapy breakthrough restores natural hearing pathways for deaf children. / MIT Technology Review Unrelated: The British Navy ends its tradition of "Chinese laundrymen on warships," and will now hire
David Remnick reports from Israel. "The only way to tell this story is to try to tell it truthfully and to know that you will fail." / The New Yorker "It's not even one house in Gaza that they don't have death." On
The United Auto Workers have now reached a tentative deal with GM, effectively ending a 40-day strike against the big three Detroit automakers. / Reuters Shouting antisemitic slogans, a mob storms a Russian airport in search of passengers on a flight from Tel Aviv. / BBC Retail analysts say chains are blaming
Ethiopian-born scientist Gebisa Ejeta receives the National Medal of Science for his contribution to plant genetics. / BBC News A 2021 study predicted there would be a surplus of 8,000 emergency physicians by 2030 in the United States—and it had ripple effects. / STAT Colorectal cancer is highly curable when
The United States attacks two facilities in Syria used by Iran and Iran-backed groups, according to the Pentagon. / Al Jazeera The White House says Russia is killing soldiers who fail to follow orders, also threatening entire units with death. / The Associated Press A very long, very good assessment of China&
"We won things no one thought possible." The United Auto Workers reach a tentative agreement with Ford, as strikes remain at GM and Jeep maker Stellantis. / AP Following weeks of Republican infighting, hard-right election-denier Mike Johnson has been elected House speaker. / NPR This aged poorly—from Tuesday, "
Analyzing the missile video that purports to provide evidence of what happened at the Gaza hospital blast. / The New York Times [+] At the UN, the US wants "humanitarian pauses" for aid to reach Gaza, and Israel calls for the Secretary-General to resign for saying Israel bears some responsibility
No matter what measures are taken to reduce emissions, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will continue melting, according to a new study. / Reuters Though Jim Jordan lost his bid for House speaker, how Republicans voted shows how the party's right wing may win out soon enough. / The New
Israel's Defense Minister says its upcoming ground offensive in the Gaza Strip may last three months. / The Times of Israel The White House promises a "continued flow" of aid into Gaza. / NBC News China launches a tax investigation into Foxconn, Taiwan's iPhone maker. / Reuters
The first humanitarian aid convoy has arrived in the Gaza Strip. Israel says the aid doesn't include fuel, and can only go to areas where civilians have amassed. / Reuters Diagrams of Gaza's dense neighborhoods explain what a ground war could look like—and how Hamas has
The Biden administration is asking Congress for $105 billion in a package that includes aid and resources for Ukraine and Israel. / CNN Yesterday, a US warship intercepted three cruise missiles and several drones launched from Iran-aligned Houthi fighters in Yemen, potentially toward Israel. / Reuters With people now down to an
President Biden is expected to ask Congress to approve $100 billion in emergency funds to arm Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. / Reuters At least 15 journalists have been killed in the first 10 days of the Hamas-Israel war. / axios Misinformation on X has reached unprecedented levels, with aggregators posting thousands of
China and the Kremlin see an opportunity in the Israel-Hamas war to distract and discredit the United States. / The Wall Street Journal [+] Minxin Pei: "The weaker they both are, the greater their incentive to hang together." / Bloomberg Analysis of how the war is being interpreted differently in the
Some 400,000 of Gaza's 1.1 million residents have feld south, following Israel's order to leave. / BBC News Even before the Israeli evacuation order, one-fifth of Gaza's population had been displaced. / The Economist President Biden prepares to visit Israel and Jordan tomorrow. / The
Iran: "It is highly probable that many other fronts will be opened" if Israel mounts a ground invasion of Gaza. / Al Jazeera The Likud government is pushing regulations to imprison Israelis who spread information that could "harm national morale" or be used for enemy propaganda. / Haaretz
Thomas Friedman: "Now Israel believes it must restore its deterrence by proving that it can outcrazy Hamas's latest craziness." / The New York Times [+] Related: A senior Hamas political leader explains the group's strategy. / The New Yorker "There is an unspoken but notable fervor
With a ground attack in northern Gaza imminent, Israel's military warns around 1.1 million Palestinians to evacuate within 24 hours. / CBS News The UN's response: "This will only lead to unprecedented levels of misery and further push people in Gaza into abyss." / Reuters
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speak on the phone about the Israel-Hamas war. / Al Jazeera American intelligence says Iranian leaders were surprised by the operation. / The New York Times [+] In case your social media is flooding with misinformation about the war, here are some
Israel’s defense minister “releases all restraints” on troops in Gaza. TK CIV DEATHS / The Times of Israel Unpacking how Twitter and Telegram beat television networks this weekend to report on Hamas’s attack. / Haaretz The notion of “the poverty line” dominates the language of international development, and there may
Updates on the war in Gaza. The United States sends a carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean. / The Associated Press Jonathan Guyer: Everyone forgot about the Palestinians, and Biden's focus on Israel-Saudi talks may have lit a match. / Vox "It inevitably creates a situation that leaves
Netanyahu says Israel is "at war" after Palestinian militants fired around 2,200 rockets into Israeli territory. / CNN See also: Maps and videos chronicle this morning's rapid escalation in fighting. / The Washington Post [+] 23AndMe confirms stolen data from Ashkenazi Jews is circulating on the dark web.
Following a two-year battle, a federal court orders Alabama to use a redrawn congressional map—here's how the decision will change the makeup of districts. / The New York Times [+] Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi, jailed but still fighting the regime's oppression against women, wins the Nobel Peace
Climate change is making public health gains harder to achieve and undoing some of the world's hard-earned progress. / The New York Times [+] In a quarter of counties in the United States, mostly in the South and Midwest, working-age people are dying at a higher rate than 40 years
Anticipating winter, Russia attacks Ukraine's power grid with missiles, drones, and cyber attacks. / The Economist NATO says its members are running out of ammunition to supply to Ukraine. / CNN Slovakia's recent election shows how vulnerable other democracies are to Moscow's "weapons of mass
Climate change and the rapid evolution of mosquitoes are driving up malaria deaths. / The New York Times [+] Related: A cheap malaria vaccine that can be produced on a massive scale has been recommended for use by the World Health Organization. / BBC News In light of yesterday's Nobel winners,
The Panama Canal Authority says that due to ongoing drought conditions, it will again reduce the daily number of ships that can travel the waterway. / AP "The past month in Tefé has seemed like a science-fiction climate-change scenario." More than 100 Amazonian river dolphins have died over the
A suspect who police say was the "shot caller" in Tupac Shakur's murder has been arrested, 27 years after the shooting. / AP Photos and videos of the sudden, intense flooding yesterday in New York City. / Digg "All drainage systems have their limitations and New York
Google, Meta, and H&R Block "jointly schemed" to scrape and transmit taxpayers' data, alleges a new class-action lawsuit. / Gizmodo Cochran County, Texas, which borders New Mexico, has passed an ordinance prohibiting travel on its roads for the purpose of seeking an abortion. / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal A
The price of crude oil surges to $97.56 a barrel, its highest price in more than a year. / CNBC Foreign direct investment in China was just $4.9 billion in the second quarter of 2023, down by 94% from the same period in 2021. / The Economist Switzerland's
A top European Union official says that X, formerly known as Twitter, is the biggest source of fake news. / Quartz See also: A data-driven overview of populist, far-left and far-right parties in Europe from 1989 until 2022. / The PopuList Amazon's new Cape Town headquarters is on a site
As the Northern Hemisphere emerges from the hottest summer on record, South America exits winter with temperatures pushing 110 degrees in parts of Brazil. / Grist Since the beginning of summer, Ukraine has "massively" stepped up strikes on the Crimean peninsula. / The Economist For US foreign policy, the ouster
NASA has brought back its first asteroid samples—the 4.5 billion-year-old specimens are the largest sample return since the Apollo moon landings. / AP Biden's push to remove medical debt from credit scores is a good start, advocates say, but should extend to banning medical credit cards and
The US and Vietnam may be approaching the largest-ever arms transfer ever between the countries—edging out Russia, which has been Vietnam's main supplier since 2016. / Reuters For only the second time in history, surgeons have transplanted a heart from a genetically engineered pig into a human. / STAT
"Wearing radiation monitors, safety goggles, and seven layers of gloves, they practice shaping new warhead plutonium cores—by hand." How America maintains its aging nuclear weapons. / AP America's relationship with air conditioning went from fascination to addiction in the 20th century—from here on out, life
Russia launches a large aerial assault on several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. / The South China Morning Post In 2022, South Korea sold $17 billion in weapons, more than twice the amount of the previous year. / The Economist Syrian President Bashar al-Assad goes to China for a bilateral summit with President
A study finds that 98% of Europeans live in areas with highly damaging fine particulate pollution. / The Guardian A climate research firm says 39 million homes in the United States are at risk of losing their insurance. / Axios More than a year ahead of its deadline, California installs 10,000
Congressional Republicans are divided on a short-term bill to fund the government through Halloween. / The Hill One theory about our government shutdowns: maybe blame it on Congress's embrace of air conditioning. / Politico Seoul has a 3,000 square meter void underneath one of its most iconic plazas. / The
In a deal that also releases $6 billion in Iranian funds frozen by sanctions, the US and Iran swap five detainees each. / Reuters Vocational schools in China are providing student labor to annotate data in order to feed the country's AI industry. / Rest of World The "healthy
The death toll from flooding in the Libyan coastal city of Serna has now reached an astonishing 11,300 people. / Al Jazeera The CDC says that, compared to last year, it's expecting a similar number of hospitalizations this year from Covid, RSV, and flu. / Reuters Related: "Some
Nigeria gets hit by widespread power cuts following a "total system collapse." / BBC News Increasing protectionism in South Africa, which currently has an unemployment rate around 30 percent, hurts thousands of skilled migrants. / rest of world Previously known as the murder capital of the world, Medellín, Colombia, is
Officials in Libya say more than 5,000 people died after the flooding in Derna, and some 10,000 are reported missing. / Reuters NASA publishes maps from the first space probe designed to measure air quality above North America. / It's Nice That As climate change fuels the destruction
Much of the Libyan city Derna is under water after two dams and four bridges collapsed, killing at least 1,500. / BBC News A new report finds the United States responsible for more than a third of the expansion of global oil and gas production planned by mid-century. / Oil Change
The death toll in the Morocco earthquake has now topped 2,100, as survivors struggle to find food, water, and shelter. / Reuters Covid cases and hospitalizations are rising, mask debates are brewing, and boosters are coming: "This is our life now." / STAT After entering the tournament as a
More than 1,000 people have died in Morocco in the strongest earthquake to strike the country in 120 years. / AP For all the countries that are not China, Russia, or the US, hedging remains a sound strategy—though one that becomes harder to maintain over time. / Foreign Affairs Apple&
Mexico's Supreme Court decriminalized abortion this week, ruling all federal health services and institutions must provide the procedure to anyone who requests it. / ABC This summer, heat records in the northern hemisphere were "not just broken but smashed." / Financial Times Related: August was the second hottest
The "new" Middle East has more money and less war—but now here comes the climate crisis. / The Economist The Biden Administration moves to cancel all remaining oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. / Grist The chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party is a
The European Union says six tech companies—including Alphabet, Amazon and Apple—will be subject to new antitrust regulations. / NBC News Unrelated: A platform for discovering facts about representation in street names across Europe. / Mapping Diversity Bullet points for the "pretty big mess" that Congress returns to after
Spotted lanternflies, the "Labor Day pest," seem like a plague to residents of New York City and Pittsburgh. Invasive hornets are "wreaking havoc" in mainland Europe. / MSNBC, BBC News Unrelated: Werner Herzog pays tribute to a family that adopted him (in Pittsburgh). / The New Yorker The
We'll be off for the holiday weekend—see you Tuesday! Hospitalizations in the US are up 39% due to the new Omicron subvariant, nicknamed Eris—the Greek goddess of strife. / The Independent, The Theoi Project The White House is offering automakers and suppliers $12 billion in grants to
Tropical storm Idalia knocks out power for thousands in the Carolinas after leaving a trail of destruction across the Southeast. / CNN Climate protesters park a 28-foot trailer across the road to Burning Man, causing miles of gridlock. / Vox A pharmacist in DC admits she's filled Alzheimer's
The Kremlin accuses Ukraine of launching strikes on targets in six Russian regions. / The Associated Press A profile of Ukranian tennis player Evita Svitolina about the impact of Russia's war in her country and her sport. / The New York Times Magazine See also: What it's like,
Medicare announces the 10 drugs that will be up first for price negotiation. / STAT News Scientists search for ways to improve air quality in dilapidated school buildings in order to prevent Covid breakouts. / The New York Times In today's Covid wave, experts advise putting a mask on if
The FAA has been investigating around 4,800 active pilots who are still flying, yet collecting veterans benefits for disabilities that could ground them. / The Washington Post Tropical Storm Idalia appears poised to become a hurricane, and is projected to rake across Florida and Georgia later this week. / Orlando Sentinel
The new, highly mutated Covid variant—BA.2.86—still appears to be in "low numbers," but is now spreading to multiple countries. / Reuters While health officials are still trying to understand the new variant, it appears to have greater potential to evade antibodies. / The Washington Post More
Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the mercenary Wagner Group, is believed dead after a private jet crashes near Moscow. The cause of the crash remains unclear. / Reuters See also: In Russia, nobody expects to be told the truth. / The Economist A Russian court extends the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter
India becomes the first country to land a spacecraft near the Moon's south pole. / Space Ronan Farrow on Elon Musk's emerging role at the Pentagon. "We'll talk to you if Elon wants us to." / The New Yorker Fires that have killed 20
To pass exemptions for Texas's abortion ban, a new state law—which focuses on how the previous legislation threatens mothers' lives—avoids the word "abortion." / NPR In history and experiments, randomly chosen leaders perform more democratically than elected officials. / The New York Times See also:
Hilary brings historic flooding to Southern California—here are photos and videos of the devastation. It's the first tropical storm to hit the area since 1939. / Axios, Digg, The New York Times See also: Why the US was unprepared for this summer's extreme heat. / POLITICO Russia&
A new, highly mutated Covid variant differs from the latest omicron subvariant by more than 30 amino acid changes—a similar scale to what originally led to omicron. / CNN "It's really difficult to torque up a planet...but relatively simple to change the moment of inertia and
A US appeals court has now ruled that mifepristone should remain on the market, but must be obtained through in-person doctor visits and cannot be mailed. / NPR In a major step toward using animal organs to save people, for over a month a pig's kidney has been working
"The timing right now is a little bit funny." With Covid again on the rise, experts weigh in on whether you should get a booster now or wait until fall. / NPR A new report says Earth is facing an "unprecedented water crisis," citing increasing demand and
A Georgia grand jury indicts Donald Trump and 18 others for an alleged racketeering scheme to overturn the state's 2020 election results. / NPR John Dean, White House counsel to former President Richard Nixon, says the indictment is "a very, very impressive document." / The Week Record companies
Local police raid a Marion County, Kan., newspaper office, seizing computers and reporters' devices, in what appears to be a violation of federal law. / Kansas Reflector Music labels are suing the Internet Archive over its "Great 78 Project," which contains recordings between 1878 and the 1950s. / TorrentFreak
As Hawaii's death toll climbs to 80 people, the state attorney general announces an investigation into decisions that were made before, during, and after the wildfires. / Honolulu Star-Advertiser The WHO says worldwide Covid cases have risen 80% over the past month, but the true number may be higher
At least 55 people have now died in the Maui wildfires, and more than 1,700 buildings have been destroyed. / The Honolulu Star-Advertiser How a changing environment—with less precipitation and more invasive species—dried out Hawaii's landscape and increased its susceptibility to wildfires. / The New York Times
Fires on Maui kill at least 36 and destroy historic Lahaina, the Hawaiian kingdom’s original seat of power. / The Honolulu Star Advertiser The term “global warming” first appeared in print 48 years ago this week. / History To prepare for future heat waves, cities and architects need to think past
China's economy slips into deflation, with consumer prices falling for the first time in more than two years. / CNN The United States has a new Covid-19 strain, nicknamed Eris, which the CDC estimates is causing 17.3 percent of current cases. / Vox Evidence suggests social media is serving
Italy's government approves a 40% tax on its major banks' 2023 windfall profits. / The Guardian Why does Britain export 80% of its oil? "It makes far more sense for individuals to focus on what they're good at." / Material World Some thoughts on the
From outright lies to demands for loyalty, Trump's actions following his latest indictment follow an authoritarian playbook. / NPR Ocean temperatures are rising, in part because of a 2020 measure to reduce ships' sulfur emissions, resulting in lower cloud coverage overall. / The Telegraph "Google knows my home
Federal prosecutors seek measures to bar Trump from disclosing evidence, citing his social media posts that could result in witness tampering. / NBC News A Texas judge issues an injunction allowing women with complicated pregnancies to receive abortions, and shielding doctors who provide care from prosecution. / The Texas Tribune In a
Florida has "effectively banned" AP psychology after the College Board declined to remove gender and sexual orientation material from coursework. / The Washington Post "The rates of suicide, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse are skyrocketing." The health effects of extreme heat are worse than you think. / STAT
The oddity of the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump is that a great deal of it "is already quite familiar." / Lawfare Richard L. Hasen: It is hard to overstate the stakes riding on this indictment. / Slate Joyce Vance: Trump is finding out that democracy and the
Donald Trump is charged with four federal counts connected to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. / NPR Fitch downgrades the United States' credit rating partly due to a "steady deterioration" in fiscal governance—e.g., all the debt-ceiling standoffs. / Reuters A good overview of China&
Among 18 high-income countries, the United States has fallen to dead last on life expectancy. / The Economist As Saudi Arabia continues to evolve into "a global investment powerhouse," some thoughts on the prospects of a Saudi century. / The New Statesman Related: Walmart didn't just compete with
At least 43 people were killed by a suicide bomber at a political rally in Pakistan, in what may be escalating tensions between groups aligned with ISIS and the Taliban. / The Week The coup in Niger completes a coast-to-coast line of six African countries now under military rule, almost all
Medical board disciplinary records reveal that US doctors who spread Covid misinformation faced few repercussions. / The Washington Post "Things don't just snap back to normal." Removing CO2 from the atmosphere won't entirely undo climate change—it's vital to avoid polluting in the
China plans to increase its global power by building overseas ethnic-Chinese communities. / The Washington Post A tally of 900 tech firms around the world finds more than 220,000 jobs cut in 2023. / The Economist Seven global automakers band together to build an electric vehicle charging network in North America.
Russia raises the conscription age to 30, making more men liable to serve in the armed forces. / BBC News Ukraine demonstrates the power small countries can wield, but its "sovereignty, democracy and post-war stability are Europe's to lose." / Eurozine The total number of Japanese citizens falls
For the first time known to scientists, Antarctic sea ice extent has been unable to substantially recover over the winter. / ABC News "It should be obvious by now that fossil fuel companies have no real plans to change in response to the climate crisis." / The Los Angeles Times
Russia's defense ministry says it downed two drones—which it claims were Ukrainian—over Moscow. / The Guardian According to a new study, watching a one-minute gun-safety video can influence whether children pull the trigger after finding a firearm. / The Washington Post Why pedestrian deaths are on the rise
The UN warns of food shortages and price increases from Russia's continued assault on Ukraine's grain exports. / Reuters Alabama's new congressional map, now approved by the governor, flouts a court order requiring two majority-Black districts. / CNN Country music's political chasm widens as
A federal judge rules Florida has been unlawfully institutionalizing disabled children who should have been eligible for state-provided home care. / The Washington Post Videos of school board incidents reveal patterns around how the tension escalates, and that instigators are nearly always white. / ProPublica More than 9,000 authors sign an
New York City plans to distribute fliers at the United States' southern border telling migrants it has run out of room. / BBC News For many seniors in Europe, heat has become the new Covid. / The New York Times Unrelated: Photographs of skyscrapers on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. / designboom A
Phoenix breaks a 1974 heat record with 19 days of temperatures at 110 degrees or higher. / The Guardian Sophie Benson: What do global sustainability summits actually achieve? "Excitement, cynicism, and hope." / Dazed How doctors are preparing for a future of extreme heat: charity clinics, (lifesaving) body bags, "
Jane Birkin's name was misspelled in yesterday's newsletter. Nous sommes désolés pour l'erreur. 340,000 UPS workers are poised to start the largest single-employer strike in United States history over protections from extreme heat. / LAist Pennsylvania locomotive manufacturing workers go on strike for greener
Russia says there's no connection between an attack on the bridge to Crimea and its about-face on allowing Ukraine to ship grain out of the Black Sea. / BBC News "The total number of Americans dying each day—from any cause—is no longer historically abnormal." Covid
How is Tommy Tuberville single-handedly able to shut down confirmations for military leaders? Because of the Senate's arcane unanimous consent rules. / NPR Three artists are suing Shein, accusing the fast-fashion brand of using AI to spot trendy designs and then steal them. / Hyperallergic From lawsuits to sabotage, a
The heat dome over the Southwest US is expected to continue through the weekend, with record-setting temperatures expected on Sunday. / SFGATE Even in Laredo, where locals are used to hot weather, heat-related deaths are climbing. / The New York Times Heat off the Florida coast reaches unprecedented highs, due to a
Nearly 90 million Americans face heat alerts this week while Republican Senators complain about climate measures in President Biden's proposed 2024 budget. / The Guardian Scientists at Purdue create a white paint that, when applied, can reduce the surface temperature on a roof and cool the building beneath it.
Inflation continues to cool in the United States, where consumer prices rose three percent in the year through June. / The Hill A new report says Europe may see heat-related deaths increase to more than 100,000 per summer by midcentury. / Nature medicine Amazon delivery drivers go on strike in Southern
The "Achilles heel of Finnish defense" against Russia is a demilitarized group of islands in the Baltic Sea. / Spiegel Related: Why NATO is growing, but not to include Ukraine (for now). / Wake Up to Politics A study finds drinking water from nearly half of US faucets likely contains
Abortion bans in the US are expected to break an already strained foster system, with up to 11% more children in Texas's foster care by 2040. / Vox Fossil records provide evidence that Earth is now at its hottest—not just in recorded history, but in the past 100,
"The larger threat to Putin's regime may not have been Prigozhin's mutiny itself but the reaction of the military and the security services to that mutiny." / Foreign Affairs Russians rely on Telegram for uncensored news about the war in Ukraine—yet without platform oversight,
Janet Yellen begins her first day of meetings in China by criticizing the country's "unfair economic practices." / Reuters Syracuse, NY, is about to become an economic test of whether aggressive policies—and $100 billion—can rebuild the United States' manufacturing prowess. / MIT Technology Review The
According to officials, the US intends to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, which can endanger civilians by spreading unexploded bomblets. / NPR Russian jets harassed US military drones that were carrying out an operation against the Islamic State in Syria. / CBS News How grassroots movements near and (often very) far have
A new database finds more than 1,500 lobbyists working on behalf of fossil-fuel companies while also representing environmental groups. / The Guardian The Earth experienced the hottest day ever recorded on July 3. / Quartz July has already seen 11 mass shootings in the United States. / NPR Israel ends its attack
We're headed off for the holiday weekend and will see you on Wednesday. A detailed explanation and history of the Supreme Court's big decision on affirmative action in colleges. / Vox From Ketanji Brown Jackson's dissent: "Deeming race irrelevant in law does not make
Riots spread across France overnight in response to the shooting of a teenager by police. / Reuters Wagner mercenaries apparently will no longer fight in Ukraine after the mercenary group's leader refuses to sign contracts with the Kremlin. / The Guardian Remember that recent Chinese spy balloon? The spying tech
The Supreme Court dismantles a legal theory that would have upended how elections are conducted—and sets up a power grab down the line. / Slate Amia Srinivasan: To hear that your views aren't worth engaging with isn't trampling on your free speech; it might simply be
Rising corporate profits account for almost half the increase in Europe's inflation over the past two years. / IMF Two-thirds of North America may suffer blackouts this summer due to extreme heat. / CNN Related: The MittiCool is a small refrigerator that works without electricity or greenhouse gas refrigerants. / The
Millions of Muslims arrive in Mecca to start the Hajj pilgrimage, expected to be the largest in the event's history. / Al Jazeera Regarding the weekend's events in Russia: "This was a preview of how the war in Ukraine ends." / Thinking about… A list of
The head of the Wagner Group has mounted an insurgency against Russia; troops captured a southern city overnight and are now headed to Moscow. / Reuters Is it a coup? Not yet, as there has been no attempt to seize power from the government. / BBC News "If EVs are the
In 2022, 34,600 migrants had crossed the Mediterranean by the end of May. In the first five months of 2023, 65,000 made the journey. / The Economist Related: "How Deterrence Policies Create Border Chaos." / The Atlantic The search for the privately owned submersible exploring the Titanic ends
As concerns mount over Alito's vacations with a billionaire who later had cases before the Supreme Court, the justice claims innocence in an op-ed. / ProPublica, the Wall Street Journal Even as many Americans may want to believe political norms still exist, their political parties simply don't
During a fundraiser, President Joe Biden equates Xi Jinping, his Chinese counterpart, to a "dictator." / The Economist China introduces a $72.3 billion package of tax breaks over four years for electric vehicles. / Reuters See also: An account of recovering and restoring missing Orient Express train cars. / Messy
Hunter Biden will plead guilty to failure to pay taxes in 2017 and 2018 and enters an agreement over a firearm charge, ending a lengthy criminal investigation. / The Washington Post "The red lines are long gone for Putin." In 2020, Russia attempted to assassinate a CIA informant on
Happy Saturday, everyone! We'll be off on Monday for Juneteenth, and will see you again on Tuesday. Putin says Russia has begun moving tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus for use "in case there is a danger to Russian statehood." / BBC News In a horrific attack on
Following a two-year probe, the Justice Dept. finds Minneapolis police have systematically discriminated against Black and Native American people. / AP The personal information of more than 6.5 million residents of Louisiana and Oregon has been exposed in a massive cyberattack targeting government agencies. / Ars Technica "The government believes
An investigation finds over half of the pills at Mexican pharmacies are counterfeit—meth is sold as Adderall, and many painkillers test positive for fentanyl. / Los Angeles Times A group that counts most House GOP among its members proposes cutting Social Security by raising the retirement age—and turning Medicare
The wars in Ukraine and Sudan have resulted in the largest annual increase in displaced people in decades. / The Guardian What happens now that the Supreme Court has upheld the Voting Rights Act? Election maps in the Deep South will likely be redrawn, which could flip House seats. / ProPublica Lydia
Investigating the effects of noise on health, reporters measure sounds in rural Mississippi, New York City, and suburban California and New Jersey. / The New York Times A real-time view of the subreddits now dark or read-only in protest of Reddit's decision to implement new API charges that would
Among the classified material Trump allegedly sought to hide: information on "potential vulnerabilities" for attacks on the US and allies. / The New Republic "Making a public case is part of what's going on here." Why the Trump indictment is unavoidably political. / The New York
The Trump indictment has been unsealed, revealing 37 felony counts, including violating the Espionage Act and attempting to obstruct the investigation. / POLITICO Related: The indictment document, annotated. / The New York Times The Trump-appointed judge assigned to the case ruled last year to grant Trump's request for a special
The Justice Dept. plans to charge Trump over mishandling of classified documents—and possibly in South Florida, which could curtail potential legal challenges. / The Washington Post Parroting claims of voter fraud, right-wing groups in the US have targeted a system that actually helps identify cross-state voter fraud. / NPR Facing a
Smoke from Canadian wildfires causes New York to become the world's most polluted city. / Quartz An investigation finds Texas companies releasing 1.1 billion pounds of pollution beyond their permit limits since 2002. / Grist See also: "Mussel poop may help clear oceans of microplastics." / Science A
A dam in a Russian-controlled part of southern Ukraine gets blown up, unleashing torrents of water across the region. / The Economist A schedule for when European airports and trains are set to strike this summer. / The Points Guy French public television replaces traditional weathercasts with weather-and-climate reports. / Covering Climate Now
The NYPD has been experimenting with letting neighborhoods—not police—respond to low-level street crime. / The New York Times Sulking is unique in its role as an indirect communication device, the purpose of which is either a plea for help or a tool of manipulation. / Aeon An illustrated guide to
Debt-ceiling talks are causing a pileup of DC lawmakers' priorities, including spending bills. / Politico Reviewing the week in Washington policy news. / Wake Up to Politics See also: "A Day in the Life of a Woke Third-Grade Teacher, as Imagined by a Far-Right Politician." / McSweeney's Internet
Ukraine says it shot down 10 missiles and more than 20 drones launched by Russia at Kyiv. / Reuters An investigation finds previously unreported attacks that killed or wounded hundreds of Cambodian civilians during Henry Kissinger's reign in the White House. / The Intercept See also: "Henry Kissinger at
Florida Governor Ron Desantis's presidential campaign does not get a smooth launch on Elon Musk's Twitter. / The New York Times Even without any glitches, "launching the campaign on a Twitter Space would have been bizarre." / Vox Somes notes on how ProPublica broke the Clarence
Russia's prime minister says relations with China are "at an unprecedented high level." / Reuters Since the Covid-19 pandemic, no American governors have visited China, though four have visited Taiwan since the start of last year. / Politico An investigation finds Chevron's efforts to offset its
An astonishing story of Afghans seeking refuge in the United States after crossing the Darién Gap. / The New York Times A Ukranian refugee moves back to Kyiv because living in Ohio is worse. / Talking Points Memo A fake image showing an explosion near the Pentagon goes viral on Twitter after
President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy return to negotiations over a debt ceiling deal. / Wake Up to Politics China calls the recent G7 summit, hosted by Japan, an "anti-China workshop." / Al Jazeera "The infantry hasn't changed since the First World War." Luke Mogelson
Visualizing all the ways your personal information has been leaked in major data breaches. / ABC It's not just emails and passwords: By collecting trace amounts of human DNA lingering in the air, water—anywhere, really—your privacy could be compromised. / The New York Times In a test to
Our apologies for yesterday's interruption in service. The day job couldn't be tamed. Fair use and transformative works just took a big hit with the Supreme Court's ruling against Warhol, who used photographer Lynn Goldsmith's work in a set of screen prints.
In the next five years, global temperatures are expected to rise—temporarily, but more frequently—above the critical 1.5-degree threshold. / The Guardian As flooding increases in Jakarta, where 40% of the city lies below sea level—Indonesia's president plans to relocate the capital to Borneo, 800 miles
In Florida, DeSantis signs a series of bills to limit diversity initiatives in education beyond what's required by accreditors. / Miami Herald Related: Texas Gov. Abbott tells state agencies and public universities it's illegal to consider diversity when making hiring decisions. / The Texas Tribune See also: What
Voters in Thailand overwhelmingly cast ballots in favor of opposition parties that have pledged to curtail the military. / Reuters The World Health Organization ends the global health emergency for mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. / STAT Responses from residents of Kibera, Africa's largest urban slum, to news of the
A year after the invasion, Ukraine is in full de-Russification mode, erasing remnants of Russia, as well as the Russian language, from public life. / The Washington Post Palantir says it's seeing "unprecedented" demand for its AI platform for militaries. / Fortune "Face to face with a
Sudan's warring factions fail to agree to a ceasefire and continue fighting, despite vowing to protect civilians. / Reuters Alex de Waal: The fighting in Khartoum is a war of choice; allowing it to happen was a failure of international diplomacy. / The London Review of Books At campaign rallies
Climate disasters and war displaced a record 71.1 million people worldwide last year. / Reuters Title 42 expires tonight, ending a rule that made it easier for the US to send migrants back to Mexico. Officials believe attempted border crossings are poised to skyrocket. / BBC News Related: Anticipating an influx
A federal jury finds former President Donald Trump liable for battery and defamation in a lawsuit brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. / NPR The monetary outcome of the trial is "a minor facet of her victory." / Slate Alex Tabarrok: The FDA shows once again it doesn't
The Biden administration plans to introduce regulations requiring airlines compensate passengers for cancellations and delays. / Associated Press "There are no fixed borders between a pandemic...and the ensuing endemic phase." Does the end of Covid emergency declarations mean the pandemic is over? / STAT See also: "Any headline
Russia launches a new wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities, just one day ahead of Moscow's planned Victory Day celebrations. / CNBC Ukrainian prosecutors have opened more than 80,000 war-crimes cases since the invasion. / The Economist Nobody wants a Trump-Biden rematch in 2024, yet each man's
American employers added 253,000 jobs in April, exceeding forecasts. / The Economist Bernie Sanders doesn't know the difference between equality and equity—and apparently neither does anybody else. / Vox Unrelated: Adidas faces a $772 million if it can't sell its surplus of shoes designed by Ye.
Today, the World Health Organization officially ended its Covid-19 Health Emergency—but also reasserted that the pandemic is not over. / STAT Russia sends drone attacks to Kyiv, and now claims the US was behind the drone that exploded above the Kremlin. / Reuters The leader of the Wagner Group threatens to
Shell is accused of a "profiteering bonanza" after posting record first-quarter profits of more than $9.6 billion. / The Guardian France's finance minister explains to his critics why he's published five novels in the last four years: "It's a need."
Russia accuses Ukraine of sending a drone that exploded over the Kremlin—a claim Ukraine says is an excuse for "a large-scale terrorist attack." / Al Jazeera At this point, geopolitics have wholly infected space exploration—but maybe nations can work together to start picking up their space trash.
China is increasingly barring people, including foreign executives, from leaving the country. / The Guardian Young Chinese people have been migrating to Sweden in record numbers, only to discover it's less than ideal. / Sixth Tone A Palestinian militant dies in an Israeli jail after almost three months of hunger
For May Day, workers demonstrate in cities across Asia and Europe—including in France, where unions continue rallying against increasing the retirement age. / Associated Press Actually related: Searching for the best croissant in Paris. / YouTube "You have a completely different experience of transparency when you are the subject."
Florida changes its laws to allow DeSantis to run for president without first resigning as governor. / POLITICO Brazil's da Silva grants federal recognition of Indigenous lands, though progress may be slow with Bolsonaro allies controlling most of the Amazon states. / Associated Press Putin signs a decree allowing those
Diplomats in Sudan worry the longer the conflict rages, the more room for malign outside actors to fan the flames. / The Guardian An annual survey finds South Africans fed up with their prospects and their democracy. / The Conversation A consortium of scientific and public health experts chronicle the failures of
The UK blocks Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, citing concerns it would harm competition in cloud gaming. / Reuters How British American Tobacco circumvented sanctions in order to sell cigarettes to North Korea—a scheme that ended in a $635 million fine. / Financial Times Why the demise
President Joe Biden wants four more years in office "to finish the job." Here's a report card on his key pledges. / The Economist, Politico Some 14% of Biden's 2020 voters now prefer to support Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.. / Wake Up to Politics This month,
China's ambassador to France questions the sovereignty of former Soviet states, a comment China afterward deemed "totally unacceptable." / The Guardian North Dakota becomes the latest state to ban abortion, with exceptions for rape, incest, and medical emergencies in the first six weeks. / Associated Press An analysis
Long lines of United Nations vehicles and buses are seen leaving Sudan's Khartoum as thousands flee the fighting. / BBC News "The night before street warfare broke out, I was at a cultural center listening to a panel of feminist speakers." / 1843 Magazine Russian mercenaries The Wagner
The United States Supreme Court maintains access to the abortion pill mifepristone pending litigation. / Politico In the US, the risk of death at every age is now higher for boys and men than for girls and women. / The Washington Post Derek Thompson: The average American my age is roughly six
In his first visit to Kyiv since the invasion, NATO's chief states his support for Ukraine's membership—though there's no clear roadmap for when it might happen. / CNN A Russian warplane accidentally bombed Belgorod, a Russian city 25 miles from the Ukrainian border. / BBC
In the United States, people ages 65 and older and those who are immunocompromised can receive an additional dose of Covid-19 vaccine this spring. / STAT A new low-cost Covid vaccine that doesn't require refrigeration provided immunity in rhesus monkeys for one year. / Stanford Medicine The case for universal
An investigation into the "black box" of website content that's been used to train the most popular AI chatbots. / The Washington Post Related: To scrape back money from the AI companies that have scraped its content, Reddit will begin charging companies for API access. / Engadget Multiple
Despite any doomsday scenarios, there appears to be little urgency in Washington around the debt ceiling. / Wake Up to Politics The United States' astonishing economic record should be reassuring, but for our poisonous politics. / The Economist Related: A leaked cache of emails from 2019 and 2020 shows the anti-trans
A new study finds that in countries with higher numbers of Black primary care physicians, Black patients have longer life expectancies. / STAT Four people were killed on Saturday night and up to 20 injured in a shooting at a 16th birthday party in Alabama. / AL.com In Kansas City, a
Alito extends the hold to lift mifepristone restrictions as the Supreme Court considers whether to allow a federal judge's decision to take effect. / CNN At a campaign event today in Japan, PM Kishida was evacuated when someone threw an explosive device at him, nine months after former PM
The FBI arrests an Air Force guardsman who was part of a gun-loving Discord group that hosted leaked American intelligence files. / CNN See also: "From Discord to 4chan—the improbable journey of a US intelligence leak." / Bellingcat A tech consultant is arrested in the recent San Francisco murder
The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals partially blocks the decision overturning FDA approval of mifepristone—the medication will remain available, but cannot be mailed. / NBC News Arcturus is the new omicron subvariant; while no more deadly than its kin, it may be 1.2 times more infectious than the
The UN says almost 8,500 civilians have been killed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with many thousands more unverified deaths feared. / Reuters According to the recent leak of US intelligence, a number of countries have military special forces operating inside Ukraine. / BBC News Author Dave Eggers sends
"They are propping up our fossil fuel industry, and that's exactly what we want." An investigation into US bitcoin miners' emissions. / The New York Times Related: Bitcoin mining is expected to cause Texas's electricity costs to increase by nearly 5% this year. / Quartz
China begins a third day of military exercises around Taiwan after Taiwan's president returns from meeting with American lawmakers. / NBC News Analysis of those US intelligence documents circulating on social media. / The New York Times Stuart Lau: Beijing wants to use France as a wedge between European and
A grand jury votes to indict Donald Trump, making him the first president in United States history to face criminal charges. / CNN Trump anticipates the media attention may help him win support and sympathy. / Politico Only eight percent of government employees are under the age of 30. / The Washington Post
In an effort to return war powers to Congress, the Senate votes to repeal the 2002 resolution that led to the invasion of Iraq as well as the 1991 Gulf War authorization. / Associated Press How much would it cost to pay the Russian Army to defect? About $20 billion. / Model
As of yesterday, in the 87 days of 2023, there have been 131 mass shootings in the United States. / Wake Up to Politics Related: 3D animations show the destructive power of an AR-15 on a human body. / The Washington Post President Biden again calls for a ban on assault weapons.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses Russia of "radiation blackmail" by holding a Ukrainian nuclear power station "hostage." / Al Jazeera An official in the Ukrainian frontline city Avdiivka says the town "is being wiped off the face of the Earth" by Russian shelling. / The Guardian Noah Smith:
NATO criticizes Vladimir Putin's plan to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. / Reuters Daniel Ellsberg (famous for leaking the Pentagon Papers): President Biden should fulfill his promise to declare a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons. / The New York Times Thousands of demonstrators hit the streets
Canada and the United States agree to new rules governing asylum-seekers crossing their shared border. / NPR Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the two countries must "double down" on their shared values while facing China. / Politico American intelligence officials expect a slew of new assets due to the
AI-generated photos of Donald Trump getting arrested garner five million views, especially after Trump shares one himself. / Quartz A rundown of the ongoing criminal investigations faced by Trump. / NPR Russia gifts fertilizer to Malawi in hope for support of its Ukraine invasion. Meanwhile, Uganda passes one of Africa's
Shou Zi Chew, the head of TikTok, faces a grilling before the House of Representatives, amid much talk about a ban. / MarketWatch, Wake Up to Politics Recalling a headline from January: "Air Force general predicts war with China in 2025." / NBC News Employees at 100 different Starbucks stores
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is seeking to claw back the White House’s war powers. / Wake Up to Politics Related: 2,500 American troops remain in Iraq. / The Economist Texas’s new anti-abortion law is causing doctors and nurses to leave the state—a drain felt most acutely outside
A United Nations report says the world needs a "quantum leap" in climate ambition to stave off devastating consequences. / Grist A truly eco-friendly golf course in Burkina Faso is played on "browns." / France24 Unrelated/related: A profile of one of America's only airplane repo
Slovakia says it will send fighter jets to Ukraine in the coming weeks, joining fellow NATO member Poland. / NPR Vladimir Putin visits the Ukrainian port city Mariupol. / BBC News The Federal Reserve and the central banks of Britain, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and the EU announce co-ordinated measures to "ease
The International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes. / The Associated Press The Ukrainian government says 16,221 children have been forcibly taken to Russia. / BBC News Another spot shaken by the Silicon Valley Bank collapse: construction of affordable housing in California.
Tropical cyclone Freddy has now killed more than 400 people in Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar. / Reuters By mid-century, storm damage in the northeastern United States is anticipated to rise 87%. / Bloomberg Some $229 billion has been wiped off the market value of America's banks so far this month.
Ukrainian prosecutors use a chart to track war crimes, mapping hundreds of Russian soldiers all the way up to Vladimir Putin. / The Guardian An argument against Israel's proposed judicial reform and an argument for it. / The Free Press Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is confirmed as US ambassador
Honduras plans to establish diplomatic ties with China and sever them with Taiwan. / NPR Argentina's annual inflation rate hits 102.5%, its highest level since hyperinflation in the 1990s. / The Buenos Aires Herald A list of banks that have failed since 2000. / FDIC A guide to the issues
Despite pledging no more drilling on federal land, president Joe Biden approves a sprawling oil project in Alaska. / Quartz Elizabeth Warren: Silicon Valley Bank is gone. It's critical that those responsible not be rewarded. / The New York Times Some $25 billion was spent on industrial robots in 2020.
Silicon Valley Bank reportedly paid out annual bonuses to eligible US employees on Friday, just hours before the bank was seized by the US government. / Axios Noah Smith: This was a very normal bank run on a very unusual bank. / Noahpinion SVB is the largest lender to fail since Washington
Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to re-establish diplomatic ties, a move that was facilitated by China. / The New York Times Singapore rates its Covid performance: several big calls right, several big mistakes. / The Straits Times Zeynep Tufekci: Actually, the science is quite clear that Covid masks work. / The New York
Xi Jinping secures a precedent-breaking third term as China's president after his re-appointment is unanimously rubber-stamped. / Reuters A primer on President Xi and how he'll potentially rule China for life. / The Economist Chinese lingerie companies use male models for their sexiest products to avoid disturbing online
Protesters in Israel began a "day of resistance to dictatorship," following weeks of demonstrations against the government's plans to overhaul the judiciary. / TIME Staff working for a Democratic Senator decide to unionize. / Quartz Among big cities, New York, London, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles have the
Four former bank executives are charged with helping cellist Sergei Roldugin launder funds suspected of belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin. / BBC News Alice Su: Taiwan's fate ultimately will be decided by the battle-readiness of its people. / The Economist The most polluted places to live in the United
Ukraine is using the eastern city of Bakhmut as "a kill box" to "grind down" newly mobilized Russian soldiers. / The Week An interview with a Ukrainian colonel touches on the importance of civilians' "wedding drones" early in the war. / War Translated Several hundred
Eric Topol: It's an inconvenient truth that Covid-19 is associated with an excess of heart attacks and strokes beyond the first month of infection. / Ground Truths A loss of social capital, as well as opioids, explains rising middle-aged mortality. / The Economist By cutting insulin prices, Eli Lilly avoids
"Altasia" is a portmanteau referring to Asian countries that could lure manufacturing away from China. / The Economist Hong Kong convicts three organizers of vigils commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre under its national security law. / The Guardian A longtime Chinese diplomat says the window to stabilize relations between Beijing
Foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States say Russia's nuclear threats are "unacceptable." / NBC News A cruise ship has become a shelter for more than a thousand Turkish earthquake survivors. / The Washington Post Regarding the recent study that reignited a debate over wearing
Protests and strikes in Greece over a railway accident that killed at least 42 people. / CNN Space organizations are considering giving the moon its own time zone. / Sky News Drivers in the United States killed 3,434 people on foot in the first six months of 2022, an 18% increase
China starts a propaganda campaign to rewrite the public's memory of its handling of the pandemic. / The New York Times A study finds people are less likely to wear masks to prevent Covid if they perceive themselves as good-looking. / NPR FBI director Christopher Wray endorses the lab-leak theory.
Community leaders in coal country are eager to be the staging ground for dozens of small, "modular" nuclear plants. / The Washington Post Semiconductor manufacturers wanting part of the $40 billion in new federal subsidies need to ensure affordable child care for their workers. / Quartz In Montana, an investigation
The United States Energy Department concludes—with "low confidence"—that an accidental laboratory leak in China likely caused the coronavirus pandemic. / The Star Tribune National security adviser Jake Sullivan: "There is not a definitive answer that has emerged from the intelligence community on this question." / CNN
Volodymyr Zelensky says he is open to meeting Xi Jinping to talk through a peace plan released by China on Friday. / BBC News, CNN What the war in Ukraine has done to Europe's economy: an energy crisis, low growth, and stubborn inflation. / The Economist South Korea breaks its
Approximately 200,000 Russian troops and 100,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed or wounded in one year of war. / Grid A tracker shows vast differences in different countries' support for Kyiv this year. / Kiel Institute for the World Economy A "volunteer ecosystem" of foreign visitors—mercenaries,
Vladimir Putin hails "new frontiers" reached in Russia's relationship with China. / The Straits Times The United States says Beijing is considering supplying "lethal support" to Russia, allegations which China denies. / BBC News Everything you need to know before this weekend's election in
One year later, Russia's war seems to be making Ukraine into a more Western country. / The Economist American fossil fuel companies have locked in 45 long-term contracts and contract expansions since the war's start. / The Guardian The White House proposes making migrants ineligible for asylum if
President Biden makes an unannounced visit to Ukraine before the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion. / The Associated Press Vladimir Putin says Russia will suspend its participation in New START, its last remaining nuclear arms control agreement with the United States. / Reuters Turkey gets hit by two powerful
The head of the United Nations calls for "a total rethink" of how the financial system works so it can benefit Africa. / BBC News All the reporting on non-African powers in the Sahel betrays a Western-centric bias in international news coverage. / Africa Is a Country Unrelated/related: "
Sorry for the repeated subject line yesterday. Unfortunately it was human error, not a Bing/Sydney lovebomb mistake! Another billionaire banker goes missing in China, likely disappeared in the government's anti-corruption campaign. / Quartz Portugal ends its "golden visas" scheme for foreign property buyers, to address the
Thousands of Chinese retirees take to the streets of Wuhan and Dalian, to protest against cuts to their health benefits. / Al Jazeera French unions stage another day of strikes in protest of a plan to raise the retirement age. / Bloomberg Residents of the Ohio village upended by a train derailment
Rough estimates suggest between 1 and 1.5 million people have died since China ended "zero Covid." / The New York Times A new understanding of spillover viruses may help scientists prevent the next pandemic. / NPR At least 6,000 children from Ukraine have attended Russian "re-education"
The energy crunch caused by the war in Ukraine may have fast-tracked the green transition by five to ten years. / The Economist Africa will be responsible for over 11% of all gas supplies by 2050, double its share now. / Quartz Inflation cools very slightly on an annual basis for a
Russian soldiers are dying in greater numbers in Ukraine than at any time since the war's first week, according to Ukrainian data. / BBC News In Saudi Arabia, 37% of women have a job or are looking for one. In 2017 it was 17%. / The Economist Why so many
President Biden recently taunted Republicans with a phrase he's been using for 25 years that no one understands. / NPR See also: "Joe Biden Won an Otherwise Very Foolish Week." / Slate Vincent Lloyd recounts teaching an anti-racism seminar that turned into a cult. / Compact An essay from
Pressure mounts on the UN to provide support to northwestern Syria, which is yet to receive meaningful aid, largely due to the ongoing war. / The Guardian The Turkish government blocks Twitter, citing technical problems. Typically, "problems" coincide "with periods of intense criticism of the government." / rest
United States officials say China's balloon was part of a surveillance fleet spanning five continents. / Al Jazeera The Australian government says it will remove 900 Chinese-made surveillance cameras from more than 250 of its facilities. / VICE Assessing what's known publicly about the jurors who will face
Six takeaways from President Biden's State of the Union address. / Wake Up to Politics A look back at 10 years of the "worst job in politics"—delivering official responses to State of the Union addresses. / Washingtonian Turkey's earthquake death toll passes 11,000. Experts
President Joe Biden will tout his administration's efforts to make healthcare more affordable as part of tonight's State of the Union address. / Politico Private companies have committed to invest $4.2 billion in Central America as part of an effort to reduce migration by targeting economic
Two large earthquakes strike southern Turkey and Syria killing at least 2,000 people. / The Guardian Earthquakes can't be predicted, but machine learning may soon change that. / The Economist Europe begins its ban on Russian diesel fuel and other refined oil products. / PBS NewsHour What is hybrid warfare?
The Pentagon reports a second suspected Chinese spy balloon flying over Latin America. / The Guardian. Residents in North Carolina are asked not to take potshots at the balloon. / Twitter On the China-Russia border, locals explain why Putin isn't a pariah to them. / The Economist Esteban Almiron (from December)
The United States unemployment rate is at its lowest level in more than 50 years. / CBS News Lackluster earnings reports from Amazon and Alphabet suggest Big Tech's golden age is fading. / The Washington Post Another way to look at it: "It's fair to say Big
In Ukraine, Moscow's forces are becoming more capable before a critical—and increasingly uncertain—spring period as the war drags on. / The Guardian Russia's export system has become less reliant on the West's infrastructure, "and has therefore escaped the scope of sanctions."
Oil giants Exxon, Chevron, BP, Shell, and TotalEnergies record a combined $190 billion in profits for 2022. / Quartz See also: Oil companies vs. "oil bunkering" (oil siphoning) in the Niger Delta. / New Lines Magazine Allison Morrow: Chevron's big stock buyback—rewarding wealthy executives and shareholders, rather
President Biden tells Congress he's ending the dual states of emergency that were declared to address the pandemic. / Deadline From earlier this month: What Democrats achieved—and didn't—in two years of controlling Congress. / The Guardian The death toll from yesterday's suicide bombing at
A new study finds a simple nasal swab can provide early warning of emerging viruses. / YaleNews Related: Nine diseases "that keep epidemiologists up at night." / Goats and Soda A field guide to House Republicans' various investigations, all set to begin this week. / Politico Residents of suburban Atlanta&
A night of mostly peaceful protests around the United States after video is released showing the killing of Tyre Nichols. / NPR See also: Video of Tyre Nichols skateboarding, "living his best life." / Twitter A look at what all three branches of government did this week. / Wake Up to
Despite growing faster than expected in the fourth quarter, the US economy is under threat from reduced demand by consumers—who are trying to save rather than spend. / Reuters "It's still difficult to fight the feeling that CEOs are willing this recession into existence to create a
The world spent $1.1 trillion transitioning to clean power in 2022, the same as the amount spent producing gas and oil. / Bloomberg Alissa Walker: We can't lithium-mine our way out of the climate crisis. / New York Magazine A new report suggests the United States can have a
The United States and Germany agree to send tanks to Ukraine's front lines. / Al Jazeera Germany's Leopard 2 tanks: what are they and why does Ukraine want them? Basically, to shift the balance of the war. / The Guardian See also: "If you want a negotiated
There have been more mass shootings in the United States in 2023 than there have been days in January. I.e., "tragedy upon tragedy." / Gun Violence Archive, The New York Times A gunman kills seven people in California's second mass shooting in three days. / The Los
Statistics, anecdotal evidence, and "unconventional indicators" suggest Covid-19 may have swept through large parts of China. / The Economist Helen Branswell: Do you need to keep up with Omicron's ever-expanding offspring? Not really. / STAT Twelve people are responsible for 65% of disinformation about Covid vaccines on social
Why this debt ceiling crisis is different: After the McCarthy tug of war, right-wing diehards now hold sway in the House and are willing to hold the economy hostage. / NPR Related: The White House's stance of not conceding to Republican holdouts makes a showdown over the debt limit
After an eight-month investigation, the US Supreme Court has been unable to identify who leaked its ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. / Reuters It turns out the reason thousands of flights were grounded in the US last week was that FAA contractors mistakenly deleted files from a critical system. / NPR More
New Zealand's esteemed prime minister resigns at 42, saying basically she ran out of energy. / Quartz The White House press corps is nearly in open revolt against press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. / Reliable Sources The Treasury Department prepares to use "extraordinary measures" when the United States hits
This week's World Economic Forum in Davos is catnip for online conspiracy theorists. / The Associated Press McKinsey executives at Davos say Gen Z workers are more comfortable than millennials working for corporations. / Business Insider The head of the United Nations accuses fossil fuel companies of refusing to abandon
China sees its population shrink for the first time in more than 60 years. / Quartz Municipal authorities begin offering financial incentives to couples, but critics say the subsidies are far from sufficient. / The South China Morning Post Restaurant workers in the United States unwittingly pay—via mandatory safety classes—for
We're off on Monday and will see you again on Tuesday. A House panel led by Jim Jordan is opening an investigation into the classified documents found at Biden's Delaware home and former Washington office. / NBC News See also: Here's what we know about
Merrick Garland has appointed a special counsel to review the classified material found at Biden's Delaware home. / NBC News A timeline of the Biden documents case. / The New York Times Before drawing too many parallels between Biden and Trump's document handling, remember the latter resisted official
Uganda declares the end of its latest Ebola epidemic after four months and dozens of people killed. / Reuters Some trends that will shape urban Africa in 2023: Gentrification, increased focus on emerging cities, confronting flooding. / This Week in Africa Venice's lagoon contains an estimated 2,000 abandoned vessels.
California storm costs may add up to the country's first billion-dollar disaster of 2023. / yahoo! News The entire community of Planada, a town of about 4,000 people, was evacuated amid rising waters from a breached levee. / The Los Angeles Times Some notes on military-funded E-girl warfare, where
Earth's last eight years were the hottest on record. The poles continue to see "worrisome changes as well." / Axios, MarketWatch A study finds the earth's ozone layer on track to repair itself in four decades. / NPR What the House speaker's deal with
Thousands of supporters of Jair Bolsonaro mount an insurrection in Brazil. / The Guardian Questions will be asked about whose side the police were on. More obvious, it seems, were Trump's allies. / The Economist, BBC News Analysis of Xi Jinping's bookshelf from the background of his New
It took all week, but late last night—following a historical, debasing 15th ballot—Kevin McCarthy became House speaker, crediting Trump for getting the final votes. / Associated Press Here's video from last night of Rep. Mike Rogers being restrained after he appears to go after Rep. Matt Gaetz,
Twelve experts offer thoughts on how we can avoid war with China over Taiwan, or anywhere else. / Foreign Policy Related: What we know on day 317 of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. / The Guardian An online black market for Covid-19 drugs is said to be thriving in China. / rest
Retail pharmacies will now be able to distribute abortion pills, no longer requiring patients to receive the drugs directly from their medical provider or a mail-order pharmacy. / STAT However, a federal judge who openly opposed Roe v. Wade might freeze the FDA's approval of one of the drugs
Twenty-three experts tell Helen Branswell what surprised them the most about the pandemic. / STAT China is now proclaimed "the center of Covid." A professor at Yale Law School offers China-related predictions for 2023. / The Guardian, Twitter Temperatures for January reach an all-time high in a number of nations
China lashes out at a dozen nations placing "discriminatory" restrictions on its travelers. Meanwhile, the year's biggest economic event gets going. / Forbes, The Economist California prepares for a third atmospheric river. The rest of the country prepares for severe weather as a result of the second
In a visit to DC, Zelenskyy requests more US support through aid and weapons. / Politico See also: Possible explanations for how Zelenskyy even traveled to the US. / BBC News US life expectancy falls for a second straight year—to its shortest since 1996—due to Covid deaths and drug overdoses.
The House Ways and Means Committee votes to release former President Trump's tax returns in the next couple days. / NPR Details on the government funding package expected to pass this week. / Wake Up to Politics Wells Fargo will pay a record $3.7 billion to settle claims of
Russia's war in Ukraine and Iran's protests limited their respective abilities to interfere in America's midterm elections, according to a US military official. / Associated Press The big takeaway from the final Jan. committee hearing: Though Trump and others will be referred to the DoJ
A Chinese health official says his country faces three waves of Covid infections this winter. / BBC News Helen Branswell: Early flu season in the US may be peaking early. / STAT Research shows doctors and their families are less likely to follow guidelines about medicine. / MIT News Which countries performed best
The US pledges $55 billion to the African continent over the next three years, playing catch-up to China’s investments. / Reuters, South China Morning Post Elections across Africa are becoming increasingly competitive. / The Economist Ukrainian commanders say Russia may be planning a new attack on Kyiv early next year. / BBC
The Senate passes $858 billion defense legislation that includes funding for Ukraine and Taiwan and rescinds the military's vaccine mandate. / CNN EU leaders agree on more sanctions for Russia and €18 billion in financing for Ukraine. / Reuters The Senate has also approved a short-term funding bill to avoid
The Federal Reserve raises its benchmark interest rate to the highest level in 15 years, indicating no reductions until 2024. / CNBC Eight social media influencers are charged in a $100 million stock manipulation scheme. / Business Insider A study from the CDC says US deaths tied to long Covid exceeds 3,
Biden signs legislation requiring same-sex and interracial marriages to be recognized across state lines. / NPR Because it also provides concessions to nonprofit religious groups, the Respect for Marriage Act opens the door for further discrimination against same-sex couples. / The New Yorker From 2014: After moving to a state that doesn&
US scientists produce a nuclear fusion reaction resulting in a net energy gain—a very, very small version of what powers the sun. / CNN Fusion looks unlikely to play a major role in power production before the 2060s or '70s. / NPR Maps show households in denser neighborhoods close to
Arizona's outgoing governor is pressing forward with a scheme to erect hundreds of shipping containers topped with razor wire along the state's border with Mexico. / Associated Press US legal experts on how free speech can be modified to punish lying—or at the very least curtail
Please forgive today's delayed appearance. People are getting sick out here! The White House says Russia and Iran's relationship has warmed to a fully fledged defense partnership. / Al Jazeera Interviews with a self-appointed king living inside Germany, a state he doesn't recognize as legitimate.
The BBC's list of 100 influential women includes Olena Zelenska, Billie Eilish, and Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi. / BBC News Iranian medics say security forces are targeting women's faces, breasts, and genitals. / The Guardian Since 2013, Nigeria's military has run a secret mass abortion program
China eases its harsher coronavirus policies amid mounting public pressure. / Quartz Social media suggests a growing number of Chinese people know someone who has Covid, a month prior to millions celebrating the lunar new year. / The Economist See also: "Based on what we have seen in Hong Kong, this
In the week ending November 26, more than 34,000 positive flu tests were reported in the US, the most in a single week during any flu season on record. / Vox Avian influenza has led to the deaths of over 52 million birds in the United States this year. / Smithsonian
More drone strikes attack Russia. Ukraine doesn't claim responsibility, but a presidential advisor taunts the Kremlin on Twitter. / USA Today, Twitter An explainer why sanctions against Russia will cause long-term damage, but presently aren't working. / NPR For today's Senate runoff in Georgia, five key
A senior official in Iran suggests the morality police have been disbanded, but local media say his remarks have been "misinterpreted." / BBC News Supposedly, a decision will be made in December on whether to abolish the mandatory hijab altogether. / The Economist France bans short haul domestic flights in
Russia says it "will not accept" the G7's $60-a-barrel price cap on its oil exports. / Reuters Internal documents show the US Army planned to sponsor Call of Duty streamers to attract Gen Z recruits. / Motherboard "It is easy to see Metallica as an instigating force—
China plans to announce an easing of its Covid quarantine protocols and a reduction in mass testing. / Reuters Helen Branswell: Hong Kong's zero Covid policy, in the face of Omicron, led to half the population getting infected within two months. / STAT Unrelated: A Buddhist temple in Thailand goes
France becomes the first major western power to support trying Russian officials over the war in Ukraine. / The Guardian Millions of people in Ukraine are said to be without power as winter nears. / BBC News Christopher Blatterman: Peace gets tricky when both sides of a war find the idea of
The United States Senate passes legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriage. Meanwhile, a court in Japan upholds a ban. / CNN, Reuters The White House asks Congress to avert a rail strike, which could cost the American economy as much as $2 billion per day. / Voice of America Jay Caspian
China announces a new social credit law, attempting to codify past experiments. / MIT Technology Review To understand China's zero-covid policy, it's helpful to think of it "as a steampunk pandemic response." / The Economist Unrelated: Cities where "vision zero," regarding traffic deaths, is
In China, protests over Covid lockdown restrictions intensify across multiple cities and universities. / BuzzFeed News Related: With its anti-propaganda team now decimated, Twitter is being overwhelmed by spam in attempts to drown out coverage of the protests. / The Washington Post Iran wants the US suspended from the World Cup over
TMN is going on holiday for a couple days. See you Monday. As 2023 begins, the world's most important climate system remains locked in La Niña. / The Economist Iranian security forces use ambulances against protesters. They also use sexual assault. / The New York Times, CNN Workers at Foxconn&
More than 50 million people are traveling this weekend, reaching 98% of pre-pandemic Thanksgiving travel. / MarketWatch A reporter is detained for wearing a rainbow T-shirt to the World Cup. / Fútbol with Grant Wahl See also: "'It feels,' says one journalist, 'like a country that's
An earthquake shakes Indonesia's main island of Java, killing at least 46 people. / BBC News A 22-year-old gunman opens fire inside a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, killing five people before he's subdued by patrons. / NPR Helen Branswell: How infectious disease experts are responding to Covid
A group of conspiracy theorists have convinced Arizona officials to delay certifying last week's election results, claiming voting machines weren't certified. / Associated Press As the threat of the Supreme Court overturning Obergefell looms, here's what in Congress's new bill to protect same-sex
Fiji's "unprecedented" progress in relocating people threatened by climate change previews challenges to come. / The Guardian While the climate crisis reduces avian populations, an Indigenous-led effort is underway to ensure tribes don't lose access to feathers they need for ceremonies. / Atmos Four dams on
An interactive explanation of how Ukraine blew up the Kerch Strait Bridge connecting Russia to Crimea. / The New York Times "Everybody's a Joe Manchin." By only the slimmest of margins, Republicans have won the House of Representatives. Expect turmoil. / Politico After two decades of leading House
Poland says the missile strike on its land appears to be an accident by Ukraine. / NPR On the day FTX declared insolvency, El Salvador, suffering the Bitcoin crash, announced a free trade agreement with China. / The Guardian A South Korean regional leader's dislike of a new Legoland park
Republicans are one seat away from taking back the House of Representatives. / Politico Former President Trump is expected to announce a third run for presidency tonight. Meanwhile, former Vice President Pence is denouncing him on book tour. / CNN, Reliable Sources Michele Obama says Trump's victory in 2016 still
The planet's population is expected to reach eight billion tomorrow. "Whether this constitutes a threat to civilization is not so clear." / The Economist Demand for lithium may grow more than 40 times its current levels if the world wants to meet its Paris goals. / BBC Future
Why the FBI is so far behind on cybercrime—the bureau's culture prizes agents who can do "any job, anywhere," which pushes out specialists. / The New York Times "The emergency gyno shook her head... 'Whoever did this to you ought to be shot in
Ukraine's armed forces reach the center of Kherson, a key port city, as Russian forces retreat. / The Guardian Imagining peace in Ukraine: How a stable and successful country could emerge from the trauma of Russia's invasion. / The Economist Winnipeg's police chief explains why his
New York passes a $4 billion environmental bond act to disburse benefits to communities most impacted by the climate crisis. / The Guardian France plans to require all large parking lots to be covered by solar panels. Japan seeks to turn down private air conditioners remotely. / Electrek, Japan Today During the
As of this morning, the US Senate is still up for grabs with Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin in play. / Politico Republicans are expected to retake control of the House, even if a "red wave" or "red tsunami" isn't getting them there. / Wake Up
Election day arrives in the United States "shadowed by inflation, abortion, and threats to democracy." / NPR Robert Reich: Please don't say inflation is at a 40-year high without also mentioning that corporate profits are at a 70-year high. / Twitter See also: How can you walk by
For the first time in modern US history, most white Americans don't live in predominantly white neighborhoods. / The Washington Post This week's contest for US Senate control is said to be a "toss up," while the House of Representatives is going "likely Republican.
America was fighting domestic terrorism before Sept. 11—when intelligence resources shifted to the war on terror, far-right extremism grew in the shadows. / Foreign Affairs Fears of nuclear war were replaced by fears of climate change—which makes it all the more strange now that the former has again reared
"Roughly five million Americans would be willing to kill someone to achieve a political purpose, according to a new UC Davis study." / Los Angeles Times Qatar has been preparing for the World Cup for over a decade, in which time thousands of migrants working on the project have
According to the United Nations, more than 14 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February. / PBS A gay Russian journalist relates a very compelling, horrifying story about participating in conversion therapy. / GQ See also: "'Restoring Beds, or Wombs,' and
Russia says it will resume participating in an agreement allowing Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea. / Reuters Eastern Europe's largest bat rescue and research facility keeps operating despite accusations of spreading bioweapons. / Undark Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be on the verge of
Some experts say Russia's recent mixed nuclear rhetoric is an attempt to pressure the West into forcing Ukraine to reach a peace settlement. / Vox Masha Gessen: The more the Kremlin signals its readiness to go nuclear, the more the world seeks a reason to believe that it will
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wins a third term in Brazil after beating Jair Bolsonaro. / The Economist The Disney resort in Shanghai shuts down and prevents guests from leaving unless they test negative for Covid. / Reuters Thanks to the Omicron variant, Covid-19 symptoms look increasingly like those of the flu,
A new UN report says Russian forces have committed an array of war crimes against Ukrainian civilians. (Content warning.) / CNBC Members of Florida's two medical boards approve language for the state's standard of care that would ban children from gender-affirming care. / Politico "What I found
Protests continue in Iran, with outrage spreading beyond the middle class. / The Economist Same-sex marriage goes legal nationwide in Mexico. / Al Jazeera An index measures countries' contributions outside their borders. / Good Country Index Ballot measures to watch across the country this November: abortion, slavery, referenda on referenda. / Wake Up
The world's three main greenhouse gasses hit record high levels last year in the atmosphere. / The Associated Press New York City wants to use sunken basketball courts to soak up tomorrow's extreme rain. / Grist Meanwhile, the "shed insurgency" of New York City dining, where
Following a Russian court's denial of her appeal, Brittney Griner could now be sent to a penal colony for the next eight years. / CNBC Here's what you should read by and about "author and activist, radical hero, and family man" Mike Davis, who died
The Kremlin is said to be weighing how to respond to yet another anticipated battlefield defeat in Ukraine. / The Guardian See also: The three fundamentals that guide Putin's decision-making. / Just Security Ukrainian officials complain that Russia is once more weaponizing water. / Reuters Refugees share pictures and stories of
Kjetil Tronvoll: The world´s largest ongoing armed conflict isn't Russia's attack on Ukraine, but Ethiopia and Eritrea´s massive offensives on Tigray. / Twitter Nigeria's extensive flooding this year has killed more than 300 people. / The Republic Europe seems to be ready for winter
Canada's legislation to "freeze" all sales and purchases of handguns took effect yesterday. The measure was introduced after the mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo. / CBC, NPR Jamelle Bouie: "To wait to rectify the sins of the present—to sidestep justice in favor of comfort—
The White House says Iranian military experts are on the ground in Crimea, helping Russia launch drone attacks on Ukraine. / BBC News Liz Truss entered the role of PM amid economic uncertainty—now her resignation has compounded the challenges facing Britain. / The New York Times Related: Among the possible candidates
Since 2015, more than 500 retired US military personnel—including generals and admirals— have worked for foreign governments, mostly in countries known for human rights abuses. / The Washington Post In the past year, people in more than 90 countries have protested over fuel prices. / BBC News Vladimir Putin declares martial
From Connecticut to South Dakota, a roundup of close political contests to watch next month. / Wake Up to Politics Racist appeals from the GOP appear to be receiving less pushback from Republicans than in previous election cycles. / The Washington Post Francis Fukuyama finds yet more evidence that we really are
About half of American voters aged 19 to 29 say they're absolutely certain to vote in November, much less than their older counterparts. / MSNBC A new poll finds Republicans leading by three points nationally. / The New York Times The current government in the United Kingdom is "a
Visualizing the scale of Russia's attacks this week on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. / The Washington Post See also: Fearing nuclear exposure stemming from the war in Ukraine, some European countries are stockpiling iodine tablets. / Associated Press "It is far more possible than most outside observers realize.
Representatives drawn from 46 national parliaments across Europe call for Putin's Russia to be declared a "terrorist" regime. / CNN Iranian protesters explain why, four weeks later, they're still in the streets. / Intelligencer Background info on the Basij, the volunteers leading the crackdown on Iran&
In its strongest support for Ukraine since the invasion, the UN General Assembly votes to demand Russia reverse its annexation ploy. / PBS NewsHour Since Florida's ban, enacted in July, at least two children who were the victims of incest have been denied abortions. / BuzzFeed News Social Security is
Protests in Iran continue despite the crackdown by security forces that one human rights group says has killed at least 201 people. / BBC News The midsummer polling "tick" in Democrats' favor "has duly been answered by a Republican 'tock' this autumn." / The Economist
Art Laboe, a radio DJ who helped desegregate American music—and who broadcast his final show on Sunday after 79 years on the air—has died at 97. / NBC News The story of Shervin Hajipour's "Baraye," the song that's become the anthem of the
Russian missiles hit civilian targets around Ukraine after an explosion disrupts Crimea's only bridge to Russia. / BBC News The UN opens debate on a resolution condemning Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions. / The Times of Israel See also: How many days since specific types of incident.
We'll be away next week and will return on Monday, Oct. 10—see you then! Surrounded by Ukrainian forces, Russian troops abandon Lyman in Donetsk, a day after Putin declared the annexation of the region. / Reuters "Amid the bluster and veiled threats, [Putin] made three distinct points
How to understand Xi Jingping: as the builder of "a high-tech apparatus of incentives and coercion" designed to maintain party control. / The Economist After a turbulent week for UK markets, some see British Prime Minister Liz Truss causing a political earthquake. / The Guardian Unrelated/related: What's
Hear intercepted calls from Russian soldiers describing battlefield disasters and war crimes. (Content warning.) / The New York Times Claiming occupied areas of Ukraine voted in favor of the move, Russia says it will annex the regions—repeating the process it used to take over the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. / NPR
Floods along Nigeria's borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon kill hundreds and leave tens of thousands homeless. / Foreign Policy Iranian women abroad are watching the ongoing protests "with pride and fear." / BuzzFeed News Patricia Cohen: The dollar being strong is good for the US but bad
Areas in Cuba are evacuating and Florida prepares as Hurricane Ian gains strength. / NBC News According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan will cost $400 billion over 30 years. / CNBC A school shooting in central Russia leaves 17 dead, including 11 children.
Global banks seek to manage exposures in China, considering tensions over Taiwan. / Bloomberg, USA Today Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni claims victory in Italy's election, and is on course to become the country's first female prime minister. / The Economist Denmark and Germany are building the world'
The White House is sending private warnings to Moscow against using a nuclear weapon in Ukraine. / The Washington Post In 2020 and 2021, 109 soldiers assigned to Fort Bragg lost their lives, almost entirely stateside. Eleven soldiers were murdered or charged with murder. / Rolling Stone Thousands of oral histories from
Protests in Iran over the death of a young woman in police custody spread to more than a dozen cities, as shutdowns take effect to disrupt mobile internet and social media access. / Associated Press, The Guardian "This is unprecedented. We haven't seen this level of fury and
Security forces in Russia detain more than 1,300 people at protests denouncing Putin's mobilization. / The Guardian Russian men explain how they're trying to resist Putin's call-up of soldiers. / BBC News Protests spread in Iran after a 22-year-old woman is killed by the morality
One-way flights out of Russia sell out as Putin mobilizes 300,000 reservists. / Reuters In what Ukraine and Western leaders are calling a sham referendum, Russian-controlled regions in Ukraine are voting on whether to become part of Russia. / Associated Press Ranking states based on where it's easiest (Oregon)
President Biden says the pandemic is over. Whether or not it was a gaffe, his health advisors seek to clarify. / Politico Helen Branswell: Reaching the end of a pandemic is not like driving out of one county into the next. / STAT Recalling the New York Times recent investigation into politicians
Citing concerns over authoritarianism and money mismanagement, the EU's executive branch recommends suspending funding to Hungary. / ABC News Russia looks to tighten its "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation" with China. / Associated Press See also: "How the war in Ukraine turned Moscow into Beijing's
A Venezuelan migrant says he was paid $200 to recruit people in San Antonio to go to Florida, where they were then flown to Martha's Vineyard. / San Antonio Report Abbott and DeSantis's transporting of migrants echos the 1962 Reverse Freedom Rides concocted by white southern segregationists.
The weather phenomenon La Niña has formed for the third consecutive year in the Pacific. / BBC News What La Niña is, how it forms, and why it poses a $1 trillion problem for homes and businesses. / Bloomberg The White House wants to develop 15 gigawatts of new floating offshore wind
Railroads and union representatives reach a tentative labor agreement, averting a rail strike that could have sent the US economy into a tailspin. / The New York Times, Associated Press Photos and videos of the military equipment Russian troops left behind while fleeing Izyum. / The Washington Post Patagonia's owners
Ed Yong: Brain fog, one of Long Covid's worst symptoms, leaves people struggling with minds "that are less nimble than before." / The Atlantic China's zero-Covid policy is stressful for students, but perhaps much worse for their teachers. / Sixth Tone Europe follows the US, kinda,
The Justice Dept. approves one of Trump's special master candidates—and escalates its Jan. 6 investigation, issuing around 40 subpoenas in the past week. / The Washington Post, NBC News "In Texas, oncologists say they now wait for pregnant women with cancer to get sicker before they treat
"They asked, in Ukrainian, 'is anyone alive?'" New momentum in the biggest war in Europe since WWII. / BBC News A new report says an estimated 50 million people are victims of forced marriage and forced labor. / CNN China emerges as an IMF competitor by doling out
Luke Mogelson looks at how MAGA Republicans have leaped from "backing the blue" to attacking law-enforcement officials. / The New Yorker A review of what your leaders in Washington worked on this week. / Wake Up to Politics How newspaper covers in Britain and around the world are covering Queen
CIA director on Putin's war: "There is going to be long-term damage done to the Russian economy and to generations of Russians." / The Guardian An elected county official has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Las Vegas journalist who was in the midst
Ukraine's president says his troops have recaptured several settlements from Russian forces. / BBC News France's dearth of Dijon mustard isn't about the war in Ukraine so much as Burgundian farmers and their crop yields. / BBC News By the end of 2022, China will have
Among the materials seized from Mar-a-Lago were documents so highly classified that they required authorized clearance on a need-to-know basis. / The Washington Post For the first time, a judge has referred to Jan. 6 as an "insurrection," in a decision to remove a county commissioner from office for
Liz Truss becomes the UK's prime minister with seeming plans to spend $116 billion to freeze household energy bills. / Reuters Related: Russia's weaponization of its energy supplies is testing Europe's financial resources. / The Economist Unrelated: An unofficial guide to London's most heterosexual
We'll be off for Labor Day on Monday, and will see you again on Tuesday! Dictators have long used various methods to manipulate public opinion, and AI may become their most promising tool yet. / Foreign Affairs See also: The number of electoral autocracies is growing, resulting in more
The UN's outgoing human rights commissioner says China may have committed crimes against humanity by abusing Uyghur Muslims. / BBC News The US imposes new restrictions on sales of some sophisticated computer chips to China and Russia. / The New York Times French tax authorities use AI to spot thousands
In its steepest decline in almost a century, US life expectancy has dropped sharply over the past two years. / STAT The latest national test results among American schoolchildren show the pandemic has reversed two decades of math and reading progress. / The New York Times As US bases reduced pandemic restrictions,
A study finds Black and Asian people in England have to wait longer for a cancer diagnosis than white people, with some forced to wait an extra six weeks. / The Guardian Congress's first Gen Z member is likely to be a Black anti-gun activist from central Florida. / The
In a "monster monsoon," a third of Pakistan is now underwater. / NBC News Related: Before-and-after satellite photos of the destruction in Pakistan. / Axios The Greenland ice sheet is losing ice at a rate that will add nearly a foot to sea levels—and there's no turning
NASA cancels today's "mega-moon" rocket launch due to an engine problem. / NPR The project's conception and execution are said to be "a near-perfect example of pork-barrel politics." / The Economist Related: How to eat desert like an Apollo 11 astronaut. / Atlas Obscura Scientists
Russia blocks adoption of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty over a Ukraine mention. / BBC News Remembering a largely forgotten Navy catastrophe that helped force the US military to desegregate. / Smithsonian Magazine State and federal authorities investigate the killing of a Yellowstone wolf by a veteran Park Service employee. / The Intercept An
Moderna is suing Pfizer and BioNTech, alleging they infringed on patents for the mRNA technology behind the Covid vaccines. / NBC News Following the fall of Roe, trigger laws took effect yesterday in Idaho, Tennessee, and Texas, banning abortion in those states. / CNN Unaccompanied immigrant children who are in US custody
Are sanctions on Russia working? Yes, but they're not a knockout blow, and other autocracies are watching. / The Economist Suketu Mehta: It is crucial that India remains a democracy for all its citizens. / Scroll.in The White House says it will cancel up to $20,000 of federal
Six months after Russia's invasion, Ukraine today marks 31 years of independence, forgoing large celebrations over worries of "brutal strikes." / Associated Press See also: "We cannot stop, and we cannot move into a boring, low-intensity war. We need to think how we can squeeze them
The cost of grains and oils has returned to a level last seen before Russia invaded Ukraine. / The Economist Meanwhile, French supermarkets and gas stations freeze prices for the next few months. / CNN See also: A bull rampages through a bank in Israel. / The Times of Israel In the UK,
Russia claims Ukraine is responsible for the car-bombing death near Moscow of Darya Dugina, daughter of Putin ally and invasion proponent Alexander Dugin. / BBC News Visualizing data from American mass killings—when four or more people are murdered—underscores how most of the deaths aren't those that generate
TMN is taking a week's vacation. See you Monday, August 22. The White House unveils a new Africa strategy that seeks to avoid "painting African countries as geopolitical pawns." / Foreign Policy Kenya's presidential election remains too close to call, not to mention a test
In the raid on Mar-a-Lago, the FBI was searching for classified documents, including some concerning nuclear weapons. / The Washington Post With an estimated 95% of Americans over 16 having some level of Covid immunity, the CDC relaxes its guidelines on quarantining, social distancing, and school testing. / Associated Press Johnson &
A large fire near the French city of Bordeaux forces 10,000 residents to flee. / BBC News It's unclear if the fossil fuel industry will use Joe Manchin's provisions on the senator's terms. / Grist Ahead of last weekend's big vote, Senate Democrats
Biden signs a bill to invest more than $200 billion in American semiconductors in an effort to loosen dependence on overseas manufacturing. / CNN See also: Western chipsets have continued flowing to Russia, even after the invasion. And that same technology is turning up in weapons used to strike Ukraine. / Reuters
The FBI searches Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, part of an investigation into the handling of presidential documents. / Politico Maggie Haberman's forthcoming book reports that White House staff periodically found wads of paper clogging a toilet, and there are photos. / Axios Tucker Carlson is said to be
The $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act—nearly $375 billion of which is dedicated to fighting climate change—passed in the Senate along party lines. / Associated Press How does the Inflation Reduction Act ease the inflation we're feeling right now? It doesn't, but it will curtail persistent
Yesterday, Indiana became the first state to pass a near-total abortion ban since Roe was overturned. / CNN Predicting how other states would vote if they had a Kansas-style abortion referendum. / The New York Times Ineffectual government guidance and Covid vaccine disinformation led to countless stillbirths that didn't have
Russia indicates it's ready to talk about a prisoner swap, a day after it convicts Brittney Griner of drug smuggling. / CNN What we know on day 163 of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. / The Guardian Europe's Baltic ferries may not seem like the most pressing
The Senate voted almost unanimously for the US to approve Finland and Sweden's entry into NATO. / Politico Biden signs an executive order that would use Medicaid to protect interstate travel for abortion access. / Associated Press "If any feminist progress is going to prompt outrage and resistance from
Senator Pelosi leaves behind a "full-on Pelosi lovefest" after her visit to Taiwan. Some detailing of six ways China may respond. / BBC News, Bloomberg Companies are moving operations out of China in the interest of "friendshoring"—looking for places where they won't be caught
In the first Jan. 6 case to go to trial, a Texas man who brought a gun and zip ties to the Capitol has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison. / NBC News See also: A right-wing influencer cooperated with the FBI's Jan. 6 investigation, and
The world's nuclear stockpile is set to expand again this year, "and in many cases is being modernized." / The Economist Inflation continues while the US economy slows, but workers still see their wages rise. / Quartz Millennials gained $4.8 trillion of wealth in the past two
Some key provisions in the climate bill that Democrats hope to get past Republicans next week, provided Kyrsten Sinema goes along. / The New York Times, The New Republic With the US Senate the oldest it's ever been, how are old people hanging on so long? / The Diff An
What's in the surprise Manchin-Schumer legislation, "one of the most consequential pieces of economic policy in recent US history." / The Washington Post In a call yesterday, Jinping warned Biden against "playing with fire" regarding Taiwan. / The Guardian See also: As the likelihood grows that
A melting glacier shifts the border between Switzerland and Italy. A mountain lodge says it's not changing its menu or wine list. / Euronews.green Gen-Z eco-activists on New York City's Upper East Side are deflating tires on SUVs. / The Guardian Saudi Arabia wants to build a
As Russia continues to put the squeeze on Europe's natural gas supplies, EU governments strike an agreement to reduce their consumption by 15%. / Associated Press Russia says it will leave the International Space Station after its partnership with the US expires in 2024. Both Roscosmos and NASA are
The United States resurrects the green-energy loan program that put Tesla on the map. / The Verge A brief history of the devastating early '90s PR campaign that convinced the media that climate change wasn't real. / BBC News Some anecdotal theories as to why certain people still haven&
As of this weekend, the World Health Organization has three declared public health emergencies right now: monkeypox, Covid, and polio. / BuzzFeed News The WHO warns against assuming monkeypox will remain concentrated among gay and bisexual communities, and that it could turn into a wider outbreak. / CNBC In the first three
Russia launches missile strikes on the Ukrainian port of Odesa a day after agreeing Ukraine could resume grain exports. / CNN Zelenskyy: Unless Russia returns occupied areas, a ceasefire will only prolong the conflict. / The Jerusalem Post "In their adherence to invisible rules, Putin and Biden have recaptured an important
The Jan. 6 Committee's "season finale" makes Trump's complicity clear. Four takeaways on his actions and inaction. / Slate, The Washington Post An unvaccinated young adult from New York contracts polio, the first U.S. case in nearly a decade. / The Associated Press Amazon, "
A bipartisan group of senators have finalized legislation to update the 1887 Electoral Count Act, which Trump and his allies exploited to try and pressure Pence to overturn the election. / POLITICO The Secret Service has been ignoring requests for Jan. 6 records since at least October of last year, according
Europe finds its infrastructure struggling under extreme temperatures—roads buckling and train tracks bending. / Vox Extinction Rebellion protesters smash windows at Rupert Murdoch's media company after Britain's heatwave is treated as an upbeat story. / The Guardian Emily Atkin: We've been pushing news outlets to
The UK is now the hottest it's ever been, as record highs continue to blast much of Europe. / AccuWeather Wildfires have forced thousands to flee in Europe, and heat-related causes have killed more than 1,100 in Spain and Portugal. / BBC News, Axios See also: The dangers of
Extreme heat batters the United States and other nations, while Democratic Senators in DC are in a frenzy to pass anything. / Punchbowl News The head meteorologist for the UK's national weather service says heatwaves caused by the climate crisis are likely to be regular things. / The Guardian People
Shortly after officials requested the Secret Service's texts from Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, 2021, the messages were deleted as part of a "device-replacement program." / The Intercept See also: A DC police officer has corroborated details from Cassidy Hutchinson's secondhand account that Trump argued
Biden pledges executive action on climate change following Manchin's choice to sink the administration's environmental legislation. / Associated Press The fossil-fuel industry is doubling down on plastic. A major player is Saudi Arabia, though the costs are being felt in Texas. / Public Health Watch How record-breaking temperatures
The FDA authorizes a Novavax Covid vaccine, in hopes the shot will convince holdouts who fear mNRA technology to get inoculated. / STAT For two months of intense lockdown, a network of volunteers delivered necessities to Shanghai's vulnerable. Then the bureaucracy shut it down. / 1843 Magazine A Los Angeles
Disturbing footage from the Uvalde school shooting shows the infuriating inaction by law enforcement, who loitered in the hallway as children were murdered. (Discretion advised.) / Austin American-Statesman Globally, banning abortion tends not to reduce (by much) the number of abortions. But it makes every pregnancy more dangerous. / The Economist A
The White House says hospitals must provide abortion services in "emergency situations" to save the life or health of the patient, citing a federal law that supersedes state bans. / BuzzFeed News Related: Such emergency conditions include "ectopic pregnancy, complications of pregnancy loss, or emergent hypertensive disorders, such
The world's population will reach eight billion in November, with India likely to surpass China in 2023 as the world's most populous nation. / Quartz A round-up of significant events that happened in China last week. / Twitter The US census is flawed. One answer? Expand the House
Biden signs a mostly noncommittal executive order on abortion access, and tells women it's up to them to vote for representatives who will protect abortion rights. / The 19th Ana Marie Cox on why it's time to make Democratic leadership fear voters. / The New York Times In
Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe is assassinated while campaigning, killed reportedly with a homemade gun. / NPR, The Guardian There were 10 shooting incidents in Japan last year, leaving one person dead and four wounded. / Bloomberg Around 2,000 migrants in Morocco attempt to cross into a Spanish
Following mass resignations by his party, Boris Johnson finally announces he'll resign as prime minister—but wants to stay on until a successor is chosen. / Vox See also: A laundry list of the major scandals from Boris Johnson's three-year premiership. / Reuters Here are the most likely
Millions battle flooding and overflowing sewers in Mumbai as monsoon rains, exacerbated by climate change, lash the city. / BBC News More than 60 million people in central states and the Southwest are under heat alerts. / The Washington Post See also: Political topics to watch for in the news in the
Six people were murdered and two dozen more were injured in a mass shooting at yesterday's Highland Park Independence Day parade. / Chicago Tribune The specter of civil war has long been used in American politics to stoke fear and avoid addressing citizens' grievances. / The New Statesman "
TMN will be off for the Fourth of July, and we'll see you again on Tuesday. Despite the Supreme Court decision limiting the EPA on greenhouse gasses, officials still have ways to address climate change—that may spawn more lawsuits. / The New York Times The Supreme Court'
The Department of Health and Human Services plans to release 296,000 doses of monkeypox vaccine in the coming weeks. / NPR A roundup of data on the rise and spread of the BA.5 Covid subvariant: what we know, where it's gaining, and how to defend against it.
A federal court allows Tennessee's six-week abortion ban to go into effect, as challenges to post-Roe restrictions reach courthouses in multiple US states. / Associated Press Related: A Texas judge has blocked the state's abortion ban enacted last year, allowing many clinics to resume services ahead of
Are LGBT rights and contraception next in the Supreme Court's crosshairs? Perhaps, but more likely targets are affirmative action, election laws, and business regulation. / The New York Times "Somebody who doesn't even know me took my options away from me, and it makes me furious.
This morning, Biden signed the gun-safety bill into law—the first major gun legislation in 30 years. Here's what's included in the bill. / NPR, CNN An annotated version of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, the case that overturned Roe v. Wade
As the US Senate passes a gun control bill, the Supreme Court says Americans don't need a license to carry guns in public. / NPR, The Los Angeles Times Meanwhile, war fatigue in the West may doom Ukraine to "slow strangulation." / The Guardian The UN's
The Supreme Court just struck down New York's law requiring people have "proper cause" to carry a concealed weapon. / Axios Checking the "good guy with a gun" theory: In 22 of 433 shooting attacks, a bystander shot the perpetrator. / The New York Times "
An earthquake in Afghanistan, the deadliest in decades, kills at least a thousand people. / The Associated Press Border-crossing data show a steady flow of Ukranian refugees returning to their country. / The Economist Interview with a Ukrainian software engineer on what it's like to live with air raid sirens,
The Kremlin says the Geneva Conventions would not apply to the two Americans thought to have been captured while fighting for Ukraine. / CBS News A heartbreaking, infuriating examination of the footage showing Uvalde law enforcement's inaction on May 24 at Robb Elementary. / The Texas Tribune Related: Families of
TMN will resume publishing on Tuesday. Have a good weekend. Susan B. Glasser summarizes what we've learned so far about Trump, Pence, and the January 6th mob. / The New Yorker A round-up of what happened in the Russia-Ukraine war this week. / The Guardian A breakdown of the sophisticated
New research findings show people infected with the omicron variant, compared to those who caught delta, are around half as likely to develop long Covid. / NPR See also: Long-term Covid infections give the virus more time for recombination—which it can use to spawn new variants. / Nature Following yesterday'
The Federal Reserve raises its benchmark interest rate by 0.75%, the biggest increase since 1994. Five things to know about how it will affect you. / CNBC, The Conversation Consumer sentiment has declined by 14% since May, continuing a downward trend over the last year. / Surveys of Consumers GiveDirectly is
According to a new study, more than 338,000 lives could have been saved from Covid if America had universal health care. / Scientific American For a glimpse of post-Roe life, look to Poland—abortions have been banned for 29 years and doctors still don't know the rules. / The
What we know on day 111 of Russia's invasion: Zelenskiy calls the fighting in Sievierodonetsk "one of the most violent battles in Europe." / The Guardian Ukraine still has a chance of winning, although the scope of its victory "would most likely be limited." / Foreign
Senators announced a promising new bipartisan gun law yesterday. Red-flag laws and the "boyfriend loophole" are included, but expanded background checks are not. / CNN Several members of Patriot Front from around the US descended on Coeur d'Alene this weekend with a drawn-up plan for disrupting a
Inflation increased 8.6% last month, the highest since 1981, and shelter costs reached their fastest 12-month gain since 1991. / CNBC Related: Average gas prices in the US have also now reached $5 for the first time. / NPR See also: "OPEC is a price-fixing conspiracy by 13 oil-producing countries.
The number of African migrants trying to make it to the US southern border may soon hit a record high. (By 2050, 86 million Africans will be displaced because of climate events.) / Bloomberg For the first time, microplastics have been found in freshly fallen Antarctic snow. / BBC News Six takeaways
The House of Representatives committee investigating the January 6 riot holds its first first public hearing tonight. / The Associated Press A former president of ABC News is producing tonight's hearing "as if it were a blockbuster investigative special." (Unrelated? Newspapers can be woven into art.) / Axios,
In yesterday's primaries, San Francisco voted to oust its progressive DA, Chesa Boudin, just over halfway through his four-year term. / San Francisco Chronicle Elsewhere, Republicans who voted to create the Jan. 6 Committee survived their primaries—a possible signal of Trump's waning influence over the party.
Boris Johnson remains the United Kingdom's Prime Minister despite 148 of his MPs voting to oust him. / The Guardian Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky says the country has lost too many to "simply cede our territory." / BBC News Tick-tock reporting of the 2021 attack on Mozambique&
Russia has restarted its attacks on Kyiv, launching missles into the city for the first time in more than a month. / Reuters According to US officials, Russia is trying to sell up to a half-million tons of grain it stole in Ukraine—possibly to countries facing possible famine. / The New
Beijing orders a $120 billion infrastructure push while China's economy slows. / China Macro Economy The White House forges closer ties to Taiwan through trade and supply chains. / MarketWatch A summary of recent progress on gun control that has—and hasn't—been made at various levels of
Shanghai eases its two-month Covid-19 lockdown for 25 million residents. / BBC News Americans who catch Covid abroad are using a backdoor to get home: flying to Canada or Mexico, then crossing a land border. / The New York Times Helen Branswell interviews a WHO official on the challenges of responding to
"The science is clear: Gun control saves lives." / Scientific American This week, the cruel irony of Texas Republicans' chant that they're "protecting children" has never been so grotesque. / Texas Monthly More from the hypocrisy desk: "If these leaders were truly worried about
Texas Governor Abbott cancels his appearance at today’s NRA meeting in Houston. / CNN More than a quarter of a million people died in Somalia's 2011 famine, most of them children. This year is looking to be the same. / Reuters The Supreme Court blocks a request from Louisiana
"Layla, 10, liked dancing to TikToks, won six races at the school's field day, and loved to swim." These are the victims of the Uvalde school shooting. / BuzzFeed News The Uvalde school district had recently doubled its security budget, which included enhanced safety protocols, new monitoring
Hacked files from Xinjiang reveal new evidence of abuse of Uyghurs at detention camps, including a shoot-to-kill policy for escapees. / Bloomberg From 1825 to the present day, France and the US have bilked Haiti's economy out of billions of dollars. / The New York Times According to a study,
A Ukrainian photographer documented the siege of the Azovstal steel works. Before his capture by Russia, he put his pictures online to be shared. / The Guardian Russia bans 963 Americans from entering, including President Biden and Mark Zuckerberg, though not Obama or Trump. / USA Today Biden says he'll
Pennsylvania's Republican primary for Senate is likely headed for a statewide recount. / The Associated Press An interactive record of proposed redistricting maps shows whether they'll benefit Democrats or Republicans in the midterms. / FiveThirtyEight A roundup of recent bills that passed (or failed) in the House or
Stunning video by a Ukrainian medic who recorded her time in Maripol—before she was captured by Russian troops. / Associated Press See also: A visual investigation of video evidence shows a group of Ukrainian men were in the custody of Russian soldiers before being executed. / The New York Times Related:
Here is one possible future for Covid-19: some people get reinfected many times, and a few experience symptoms for months or years. / The New York Times This op-ed is dully written but ultimately correct: when we discuss long Covid, we need to include medicine's uncertainty about it. / STAT
A 10-year project finds, compared to those who received care, women denied abortions suffer more economically and mentally. / NPR Awareness of abortion medication remains dangerously low—and as recently as 2017, most people trying to end pregnancies on their own did so without pills. / The 19th A Michigan judge has
David Leonhardt: The American political right has a violence problem "that has no equivalent on the left." / The New York Times Exploring domestic extremist-related killings by perpetrator affiliation, 2012-2021. / The Anti-Defamation League Seven things to watch in today's primaries across Idaho, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and
"A hero in our eyes." These are the people who were murdered at a Buffalo supermarket on Saturday. / The Buffalo News The shooting suspect wrote a document invoking the "great replacement theory," the once-fringe, now-popular racist refrain in conservative media. / The Washington Post See also: A
Ukraine says Russian troops are retreating from Kharkiv. / The Guardian With more than three million refugees to inform, a Polish news agency is now reporting and publishing in Ukrainian. / Nieman Journalism Lab "This ... reaffirms the stories we all grew up with." In an investigation into US Indian boarding
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy reiterates his offer to hold direct talks with Vladimir Putin. / The Guardian Why does Russia fear Sweden and Finland joining NATO? For one thing, it would mean "tightening the strategic Nordic grip" on the Baltic Sea. / The Associated Press The global scramble for metals—
In its first war-crimes trial, Ukraine will try a captured Russian soldier accused of killing a civilian. / NPR Finland's leaders are in favor of dropping the nation's neutral status, and apply for NATO membership "without delay." / Associated Press "She left her cellphone behind
Fossil fuel companies are quietly planning multiple projects that function as multibillion-dollar bets "against humanity halting global heating." / The Guardian Republican states like Utah and South Carolina pass clean energy bills in the name of freedom and economics. / Grist Five indicators suggest Anglophone countries are suffering the most
A look at how much of Ukraine is now held by Russia, and where the conflict now stands. / The New York Times The UN says Ukraine's civilian deaths may be far higher than the official toll of 3,381. / The Guardian Ukraine's volunteer IT Army has
New leaks at the Supreme Court say the five jurists opposing Roe are holding steady, despite Chief Justice Roberts trying to pull them away. / The Washington Post NPR's Nina Totenberg says the most likely source of the original leak is a conservative clerk who's afraid of
Two months into the invasion, no one knows how many Ukrainian civilians have died, mainly due to the ferocity of Russia's attack. / New/Lines Millions of Russians are using VPNs to communicate with the outside world. / Yahoo! News Newly released documents shed fresh light on NATO's
"Mailed pills are hard to police. That has not stopped [states] from trying." If Roe falls, abortion pills are the next target. / The Washington Post Even though Louisiana has a trigger law to criminalize abortion if Roe is overturned, lawmakers are pursuing a bill to make abortion a
The Federal Reserve approves a rare half-percentage-point interest rate increase to fight inflation. / CNBC To manage pandemic-related economic fallout, Sri Lanka switched to organic farming. The result is "ongoing catastrophe." / Foreign Policy For your weekly soothe, a 24-hour time-lapse video filmed at a polar station in northern Norway.
"In the US, the rights of many marginalized groups are tied to the legal precedents established in the fight for abortion rights." Alito's plan to repeal the 20th century. / The Atlantic In fact, leaks do frequently emerge from the modern Supreme Court, including for the original
The Supreme Court plans to strike down Roe v. Wade according to a draft of the decision—the first to be leaked in the modern era while a case is still pending. / Politico According to the National Catholic Register, if the decision holds in July, more than a dozen states
Long lines and rationing at gas stations in Ukraine may signal the start of a fuel crisis. / The New York Times Russian troops have stolen nearly $5 million in farm equipment and sent it to Chechnya—where it was learned all the machinery had been locked remotely. / CNN Over the
Charts explain why, for the first time since early 2020, the US economy shrank. / The Washington Post Who's to blame for the recent uptick in robocalls? Ajit Pai didn't help the situation, but the true culprits are the carriers. / Slate The FDA proposes banning menthol tobacco
Moscow confirms it carried out an airstrike on Kyiv during a visit by the UN secretary general. / The Guardian Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the country has faced an unprecedented barrage of hacking. / WIRED President Biden asks Congress to authorize $33 billion to support Ukraine. / BBC News Bernie Sanders wants Democrats
Fauci says even though the pandemic is still active, we may now have entered a "transition phase" that may hopefully lead to fewer disruptions. / CNN Moderna has asked the FDA to authorize the first Covid vaccine manufactured for children under the age of six. / NPR Russia halts gas
Helen Branswell: Vaccine experts are worried the US is sleepwalking into annual Covid-19 boosters without evidence they're needed. / STAT As of the end of February, nearly 60 percent of Americans have been infected with the coronavirus, including three out of four children. / Poynter Reports from the Coachella Valley&
In the first clemency grants of his presidency, Biden pardons three and commutes sentences for 75 serving sentences for non-violent drug offenses. / Axios New reports show more countries are now working on anti-satellite and other "counter-space" weaponry. / WIRED "If enforcing abortion bans is hard, that might encourage
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says he wants to see Russia weakened to a point of being unable to invade its neighbors. / BBC News The US plans to reopen its embassy in Kyiv. / Haaretz Why doesn't the whole world stand against Russia? Rising food prices and a history of
More than a million children in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi have received at least one dose of the first anti-malaria vaccine. / France24 Turkey makes a broad push into Africa in search of markets, resources, and diplomatic influence. / The Economist Recent floods that ravaged South Africa made for one of the
Satellite photos near Mariupol show what appear to be mass graves that Ukrainians say may hold 9,000 bodies. / Associated Press Relatives of crewmen missing after the sinking of Russia's flagship have come forward publicly to demand answers from the government. / The New York Times According to the
Vladimir Putin claims victory in the port city of Mariupol, declaring it "liberated" after nearly two months of siege. / Reuters David Herszenhorn: Western allies’ additional help for Ukraine may be too little, too late. / Politico Europe Mystery clouds the case of Brittney Griner in Moscow, “easily the most
Kreminna, in eastern Ukraine, is the first city in the Donbas region that appears to have been captured by Russian forces. / Al Jazeera Claims of tanks' obsolescence have circulated since WWI, yet—except in the hands of Russia—they can still dominate battlefields. / VICE "I bet Russian satellites
Three mass shootings in the US over the holiday weekend left two dead and at least 31 wounded. / Associated Press Infowars and two other companies owned by Alex Jones have filed for bankruptcy, after several defamation lawsuits. / CBS News Florida rejected 41%—a state record—of math textbooks for its
Ukraine is using facial recognition on dead Russians to contact their families—some experts deem it "classic psychological warfare" and worry it could backfire. / The Washington Post Taiwan is top of mind when we talk about US-China relations now, yet those discussions elude easy Cold War metaphors. / Dissent
Russia formally warns the United States of "unpredictable consequences" if Washington continues to arm Ukraine. / Reuters In France's presidential contest, Marine Le Pen is said to find her strongest support in places that embrace middlebrow Americana / UnHerd A proposal in London would send migrants seeking asylum
Maps show the Russian military has entered the center of Mariupol, after a siege that's lasted more than 40 days. / The New York Times This week, Kentucky lawmakers overrode the governor's veto of a bill that effectively ends abortion access, and Oklahoma's governor signed
The world surpasses half a billion known cases of the novel coronavirus, but it's most likely an undercount. / Axios According to Merriam-Webster, "Covid-19" was the fastest term ever to be accepted in the dictionary. / The Los Angeles Review of Books Millions of people in Shanghai are
Putin's war in Ukraine has spurred Finland and Sweden to push for NATO membership. / The Washington Post Experts say there's little evidence—so far, at least—to show Russia used chemical weapons in Mariupol. / The Guardian "I never understood how people got so moved by
The White House is worried over Marine Le Pen, a Putin sympathizer, possibly winning France's presidential election. / POLITICO See also: Macron and Le Pen have advanced in the first round of voting in France, and will enter an April 24 runoff for the presidency. / CBS News British prime
With today's conclusion of the 2022 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes, your TMN editors really need to take a nap. This newsletter will resume publishing Monday, April 11. Declassified intelligence suggests Russia's Vladimir Putin is being given less than truthful information from his advisers.
We had a link error in yesterday's newsletter regarding the story about Covid-19 deaths in red and blue states. Here's the proper link. Residents in half of Shanghai brace for the second phase of a citywide lockdown. / The Guardian Three-quarters of children worldwide who experienced the
Russia says it will "fundamentally cut back military activity in the direction of Kyiv and Chernihiv" prior to peace talks in Turkey. / The Guardian G7 countries agree to ignore Moscow's demand to pay for Russian natural gas in rubles. / PBS Headline of the week (darkly): "
Ukraine and Russian officials prepare to meet in Turkey for peace talks. / Reuters Meanwhile, Ukraine says it won't open humanitarian corridors from its cities due to warnings of Russian "provocations" on routes. / BBC News Vladimir Putin's cult of war is a mix of "
US President Biden holds a meeting in Warsaw with Ukrainian foreign and defense ministers. Meanwhile, Russia scales back its war goals. / BBC News, Reuters Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, Ukraine's top rock star, is performing in bomb shelters and stations filled with refugees. / The Guardian Ideally, the war in Ukraine unleashes
The United States and the European Union announce a landmark gas deal, in an attempt to cut Europe's reliance on Russian energy. / BBC News US volunteers have been seen fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine. / The Guardian See also: "Inside Ukraine's army of misfits, veterans,
The latest version of the coronavirus, BA.2, now accounts for as much as 70 percent of new infections in many parts of the United States. / Kaiser Health News New Covid trial results may point toward quicker, cheaper ways to study medicines. / STAT Alex Tabarrok: Operation Warp Speed was a
Russia's combat power in Ukraine is said (by the United States) to have declined below 90% of its pre-invasion levels. / The Guardian Joel Simon: For journalists, Ukraine is all about Whats App, Signal, and Telegram. / The Columbia Journalism Review A Russian philosopher asks what everyday Russians are responsible
Russian advances in Ukraine grind to a halt in some areas, with Ukrainian forces holding out in several cities. / BBC News Gay Ukranian soldiers discuss fighting in part from a fear of "Russian repression." / Openly "If plan A doesn't work, and it hasn't,
Ukrainian officials reject a Russian demand to abandon the besieged port city of Mariupol, where "death is everywhere." / The Associated Press Zelenskiy: Russia's destruction of Mariupol is "a terror that will be remembered for centuries to come." / Reuters The last journalists in Mariupol explain
President Biden's tense call on Friday with Chinese President Jinping is seen as a pivot point in the two countries' relationship. / CNN Since 2012, Jinping has been gradually dismantling China's collective leadership system. Ukraine may unravel all of that. / Nikkei Asia See also: Fantasy worlds
A trio of drone incidents amplifies concerns that Russia's war may spill over into NATO countries, if unintentionally. / CNN Russia's attacks on Ukraine's hospitals are part of "a terrible wartime tradition." / Goats and Soda In countries friendly toward Putin, some people think
Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia appear to be progressing. Meanwhile, Russia bombs a theater. / The Associated Press Dave Pell: "You gotta love the members who stood behind Trump when he blackmailed Zelensky on the topic of Ukraine defense weapons and who are standing for Zelensky and democracy today.
A list of companies, updated daily, that have left Russia, and those that continue to operate undeterred. / Yale School of Management Ukraine pays $215 to all workers who have lost their jobs due to the invasion. / The Economist What we know on day 21 of Russia's invasion of
The leaders of Poland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic visit Kyiv to show support for the country. / The Associated Press The Kremlin urges state-friendly media outlets to use more Tucker Carlson clips. / Mother Jones Jane Ferguson: This war is incredibly tough to cover as a field reporter. / Twitter A 69-year-old
US officials say Russia is running out of weaponry and has asked China for help. The United States says, "We will not allow that to go forward." / Axios, The Associated Press Russia hits a military base in Ukraine about 15 miles from the Polish border. / Reuters Keith Gessen
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants foreign volunteers to fight against Ukrainian forces. / BBC News Moscow stalls the Iran nuclear deal, seeking to shield itself from the full effect of Western sanctions. / Foreign Policy Murtala Abdullahi explains the risks facing Nigeria from Russia's war. / HumAngle Natalia Datskevych: Russia'
An oral history of March 11, 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic "seemed to crystallize in the national consciousness." / WIRED Only two percent of Americans now live in counties with high Covid-19 levels. / Reuters Moscow wants to seize assets from businesses that have stopped operating in Russia. Its foreign
Foreign ministers from Russia and Ukraine meet without any agreement on a cease-fire. / The Guardian Russia strikes a maternity and children's hospital. In the same city, people bury their dead in a large communal grave. / BBC News, The Associated Press While Russian artists fear being canceled, Ukrainian curators
The US bans Russian oil imports in response to Russia's Ukraine invasion. Most Americans say they're willing to pay more for gas. / Quartz Farida Rustamova: How Russian officials and parliament members really feel about what's happening. / Faridaily McDonald's, Starbucks, and Coca-Cola suspend
The United Nations’ refugee agency says more than 1.7 million Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion have so far crossed into Central Europe. / RadioFreeEurope Some humanitarian corridors are open, some are closed due to Russian shelling. / Deutsche Welle A lengthy explanation of the letter “Z” being embraced by Russians
Ukraine says Russia's proposed evacuation routes for civilians—to Belarus or Russia—are immoral. / BBC News Edward Ongweso Jr. says sanctions targeting oligarchs are too broad—we should start seizing yachts, everybody's yachts. / VICE A sanctions scholar says Russia's economic isolation will have dramatic
Headline of the week? "In the nation's darkest hours, Ukrainians look out for each other." / The Kyiv Independent A Russian in Ukraine is unable to convince her parents back home that she's being shelled. / BBC News Related: "It's surreal to be
A pair of legal developments suggest the Jan. 6 investigation is closing in on former President Trump's inner circle. / The Washington Post Former US Attorney General Bill Barr says he told Trump that his claims about election fraud were "bullshit." / The Hill Related: Merrick Garland'
Eight experts in public health discuss whether the pandemic is behind us. “For many in the United States: Probably.” / Vox Rachel Cohrs: Ending the pandemic is going to be a huge headache for the entire health care system. / STAT Russian attacks besiege key cities around Ukraine as war refugees hit
Russia attacks key Ukraine cities as invasion intensifies in its seventh day. / BBC News The city of Lviv, previously a hub for tourism, is now a hub for the internally displaced. / The Washington Post In Khakiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, "devastated buildings, failing electricity, and constant fear."
A summary of what's known on day six of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Much of the focus is on a Russian military column outside Kyiv that's 40 miles long. / The Guardian, CNN Some analysis from a Russia expert on how the invasion's
The Russian military issues little in the way of reporting on the Ukraine war, suggesting things are not going as planned. / The Washington Post Did Russian state media accidentally publish an essay describing its fantasy Kyiv victory? / Twitter Masha Gessen spends a night in Moscow's last independent TV
Russian troops pour into Ukraine and launch missile strikes on major cities. Tracking the attack with maps. / BBC News Matthew C. Klein explains why Europe is at greater risk of Russian pressure than the other way around. / The Overshoot From 2012: "Putin is a Soviet person who did not
The Biden administration is investigating ways to train Ukrainian forces remotely, should the country fall to Russia—though it may not be legal, and may make the US a co-combatant. / Axios, Foregin Policy "My internet went down, and I felt fear crawling in my guts. I had never felt
The head of NATO: "We now have war in Europe on a scale and of a type we thought belonged to history." / Axios A stream of Ukranians flee the country for Poland. / Reuters Already suffering high prices for natural gas, Europe now faces risks to Ukrainian gas-transport infrastructure.
Biden enacts sanctions against Russia in response to Putin sending troops into eastern Ukraine. / BuzzFeed News "Although the day would end with advancing columns of Russian armor in eastern Ukraine, it began almost normally for the fourth graders of Avdiivka's School Number 7." / Foreign Policy See
Putin orders troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine, after recognizing them as independent states. / CNN Opinions differ on whether it's an "invasion" of the country. / The Washington Post As the EU prepares to unveil the scale of sanctions to be imposed, the west struggles
Average daily Covid cases continue to fall in the US, with total infections hovering near 100,000—down from more than 800,000 a day five weeks ago. / Associated Press US officials have informed the UN that Moscow has lists of Ukrainians "to be killed or sent to camps
Ikea claims the majority of its timber is sustainably harvested, yet it's the largest landowner in Romania, where illegal cutting is rampant. / The New Republic The National Archives has confirmed Trump took classified documents to Mar-a-Lago and that White House staff did not properly keep social media records.
Japan plans to relax its border control measures after two years of lockdown, though not for tourists. / The Guardian Hong Kong, sticking to its "zero Covid" ambitions, identifies more than 20,000 hotel rooms for quarantine accommodation. / US News & World Report Some evolutionary scenarios for the future
Putin says Russia doesn't want war, but now there's a genocide to address. The White House says this is the fake crisis we told you about. / US News & World Report, The State Department Critical Russian military units continue to move toward Ukraine, not away from
Sandy Hook families have settled with Remington in the first case of a gun manufacturer being held liable for a mass shooting in the US. / ABC News An Army lawyer says Russian strategy relies on "infolawfare"—high-stakes diplomatic and legal challenges combined with propaganda. / Lawfare This is good:
Russia's plans to withdraw some of its troops from the border with Ukraine in a possible threat de-escalation. / The Guardian Canada invokes rarely-used special measures to end protests that have shut some border crossings and paralyzed Ottawa. / Reuters Canada plans to bring in more than a million newcomers
A UK minister says Europe is closer to war than at any point over the past 70 years. / The Guardian See also: Russia is engaged in the largest military build-up in Europe since the cold war. / The Economist The US warns that Russia may create a surprise pretext for an
Pfizer and the FDA pull back from a plan to expedite the review of a Covid-19 vaccine in young children. / STAT Coups and Covid-19 loom large at an African Union summit. / France24 For all of NATO's primacy, it cannot solve the Russia problem, especially without the US. "
What we know about the fast-spreading variant of the Omicron variant that's already circulating in 69 countries, including the US. / Vox New York City is set to fire 3,000 unvaccinated employees today. / The Hill Police shot and killed at least 1,055 people in the US last
Ford and Toyota stop some production as anti-coronavirus mandate protesters block US-Canada border crossings. / Reuters One problem facing Ottawa: towing a big truck without driver cooperation is virtually impossible. / CBC News See also: Fifteen things not to do when using a rapid antigen test. / The Conversation Russia's force
Total worldwide Covid cases reach 400 million, just over a month after hitting 300 million. / Reuters Johnson & Johnson has halted—for now—production of its single-dose Covid vaccine. / CBS News An AstraZeneca vaccine scientist says politicians and other scientists harmed its vaccine's reputation and "probably killed
Governors in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Oregon announce the end of their statewide school mask mandates. / CNN Anya Kamenetz: A post-masking consensus may be closer than it appears. / NPR A thrifty billionaire, who's only making money in order to give away even more, feels misunderstood. / The Washington
In the US, there have been more school shootings in the 2021-22 school year so far than at any point in the past decade. / Reuters A 2012 Supreme Court decision that blocked patent protections for diagnostic tests is one of the reasons why Americans can't get Covid tests.
"Viral fragments with novel patterns of mutations appeared repeatedly." NYC sewage hints at Covid's future. / The New York Times Newly filed tax records show one of the best-funded anti-vax groups in the US saw a 60% bump in revenue in 2020. / NBC News Why have our
The US added 467,000 jobs in January despite the omicron variant surge. / The Washington Post Shares of Facebook parent company Meta plunge in the biggest one-day decline for a stock in US history. / CNBC Explainer: How Apple's push for privacy on the iPhone cost Meta $10 billion.
Biden revives the "cancer moonshot" program he led as vice president, and this time aims to cut death rates by more than half over the next 25 years. / The New York Times A decade after receiving CAR T-cell therapy, two cancer patients still show no signs of their
Assailants attacked Guinea-Bissau's government palace for hours on Tuesday, but the coup was thwarted. / The Associated Press What local power tells us about national politics in South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, and Nigeria. / This Week in Africa President Biden to deploy more troops in Germany, Poland, and Romania, as
The US State Dept. has ordered embassy family members to depart Belarus after a Russian troop buildup on the country's border with Ukraine. / CNN According to new accounts, Trump was a lot more involved than previously thought in efforts to seize voting machines after the 2020 election. / The
World leaders apply diplomatic pressure on Russia ahead of a series of United Nations meetings over the Ukraine crisis. / The Washington Post Even relatively friendly countries in Eastern Europe "mistrust Russian expansionism." / The Economist Portugal's ruling Socialist Party wins parliamentary election, returning it to power. / TIME
A Nor'easter slams the United States' East Coast with extreme snow and wind. / The Washington Post Jane Mayer's big read for the weekend: Is Ginni Thomas, Justice Clarence Thomas's wife, a threat to the Supreme Court? / The New Yorker There's a
Though officials won't "get into the specifics," the US says if Ukraine is invaded it may halt the opening of a Russian pipeline into Western Europe. / BBC A new Omicron variant is spreading rapidly in Asia and Europe, and has now reached the US. Early evidence
The cost of visiting Hong Kong during Omicron can include being sent to the city's government quarantine camp. / CNN Helen Branswell: Hong Kong may become a living laboratory in search for Covid-19 answers. / STAT Headlines of the week? "At Beijing Games, hugs discouraged but condoms available."
As pressures build around a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, the cracks within NATO are showing. / The Washington Post "Trump has succeeded at one of his foreign-policy goals: creating distance between the US and at least some parts of NATO." How Trumpism looms over the West's
Burkina Faso's President Roch Kaboré sees his government dissolved in a military coup. / CNN The ousting of Kaboré is the fourth coup in West Africa in the last 17 months. / BBC News See also: Five Trends that will shape urban Africa in 2022. / This Week in Africa How
NATO is sending more ships and fighter jets to eastern Europe in response to Russia's military build-up in and around Ukraine. / Axios After ordering embassy family members to leave Kyiv, the US recommends all Americans in Ukraine depart immediately. The UK is also withdrawing staff from its Ukraine
How Jan. 22, 1973, changed American history: Kissinger flew to Paris to end the Vietnam War, the Supreme Court decided in Roe v. Wade, and LBJ died. / The Washington Post "There was a couple in the farmhouse. They laid me down on a table and gave me a mask.
The Senate failed to change the filibuster, further stalling voting-rights legislation and sending the fight back to statehouses. / BuzzFeed News, CNN See also: "Tonight the president—and his party—learned the true definition of the phrase 'slim majority.'" / The Atlantic The Supreme Court denies Trump'
Secretary of State Antony Blinken flies to Europe in an effort to defuse tensions over Ukraine. / The Associated Press Sudanese security forces kill seven and injure at least 100 ahead of a visit by senior American diplomats. / The New York Times Democrats are attempting to change Senate rules today to
Moderna and Pfizer predict their boosters will become annual shots for the next few years. / Ars Technica "If it's purely left to be a commercial decision, I'm not so sure that decision will necessarily be the best one." The WHO wants science—not vaccine
The Morning News will not publish on Monday. See you Tuesday. Tsunami waves caused by a giant underwater volcanic eruption hit the Pacific country of Tonga. / BBC News Six months after anti-government demonstrations, Cuban courts have started imposing draconian sentences on protesters. / The Guardian Uganda illegally detains novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija
The Supreme Court has blocked the Biden administration's Covid requirements for large businesses, but will allow a vaccine mandate for health workers to proceed. / Associated Press Jan. 6 prosecutors have filed the rarely used charge of seditious conspiracy against the leader of the Oath Keepers. / Associated Press The
China cancels a growing number of flights from the United States because of passengers who later test positive for Covid-19. / Reuters One woman in a locked-down China city is locked in with a blind date. / BBC News Kazakhstan's protests in six objects, from a Birkin bag to bitcoin.
The latest lockdowns in China are throttling factories and ports, further disrupting supply chains for companies like Samsung, Volkswagen, and Nike. / Sky News Australia Pfizer's Omicron-specific vaccine will be ready by March—though that's likely too late, given the current speed of infections. / CNBC A new
A World Health Organization official says the Omicron variant will infect more than half of Europe in the next two months. / CNN Hundreds of thousands of students in Los Angeles return to school from winter break today. Chicago schools reopen tomorrow. / The Los Angeles Times, ABC7 Related: In case you
The US is now averaging 700,000 new Covid cases per day. / USA Today A malfunctioning space heater caused a fire in a Bronx apartment building that killed 19 people, including nine children. / News 12 Brooklyn With Omicron, pediatric hospitalizations—while still the lowest compared to other groups—have hit
The three men convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery were sentenced to life in prison. / NBC News Kazakhstan's former anti-terror chief has been arrested on charges of attempting to overthrow the government following the recent violent protests. / Associated Press Texas claims 246 people died in the 2021 winter power-grid
Kazakhstan orders security forces to "fire without warning" amid a crackdown on anti-government protests. / BBC News The situation presents Russia with another opportunity to reassert influence in its former Soviet domain. / The New York Times When Putin issues demands down the barrel of a gun, "it should
Garland has told Justice Dept. employees that prosecutors remain "committed to holding all Jan. 6 perpetrators, at any level, accountable under law." / Associated Press One year after Jan. 6, here are the numbers on where the legal efforts stand. / BuzzFeed News In unrest sparked by rising gas prices
One month before the Olympics, China puts a second city into total lockdown after just three asymptomatic Covid-19 cases were detected. / BBC News In Hong Kong, one of the few places still pursuing a zero-Covid policy, testing positive for Covid means lockdown for nearly a month, symptoms or not. / CNN
Driven by the Omicron variant, new Covid infections in the US shatter prior coronavirus records, with more than a million cases reported yesterday. / USA Today As schools across the US open today—or try to, anyway—the FDA authorizes Pfizer boosters for 12-to-15-year-olds. / NBC News, NPR Some people with compromised
TMN is going on holiday break. Below you'll find some of our favorite groups to support. We'll return January 4, 2022. Stay safe, yall. Give Directly facilitates direct cash transfers and lets people spend the money however they need. / Give Directly Plan International helps girls and
Omicron now accounts for 73% of all new US Covid cases, and has surpassed delta as the most prominent variant in the country. / Associated Press So far, the onset of omicron looks different from previous variants; early symptoms resemble the common cold. / KTLA "After waiting about 35 minutes in
Moderna says its booster shot significantly raises the level of antibodies that can foil the Omicron coronavirus variant. / The Guardian Only one in six Americans has received a booster, worrying health officials. / The New York Times Scouring the web for information about the Omicron storm? Here are some deeper dives
Biden's vaccine mandate for large employers is once again a go, after an appeals court overruled a previous judge's decision. / Associated Press Eight charts that show how Covid vaccines shaped 2021. / Nature This week, the Biden administration finally reversed Trump's loosening of shower head
The CDC now recommends the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines over J&J, citing blood-clotting concerns. / NBC News One reason omicron is spreading so much quicker than delta: It multiplies about 70 times faster inside the respiratory tract. / Goats and Soda In 2020, due to the pandemic, the FDA relaxed
It's estimated that without vaccines, the United States would have experienced approximately 1.1 million additional Covid-19 deaths. / The Commonwealth Fund New CDC data show where Covid deaths have been higher than publicly reported. / Muckrock An Omnicron surge in the US is likely, given the variant's
In a massive journalistic effort that will change zero minds, a review of potential cases of 2020 voter fraud shows there wasn't enough to tip the election. / Associated Press Related: Three residents of the Villages in Florida face felony charges for casting more than one vote in the
North and South Korea have agreed to officially declare an end to the Korean war after nearly seventy years. / Forbes Germany warns Russia that any military action in Ukraine will jeopardize the Nordstream 2 gas pipeline. / Barrons In Brazil, sometimes political disputes are solved (not really) with an MMA fight.
Correction: We misrepresented a link in Saturday's newsletter about photos of Finland's Prime Minister that were edited to make her resemble a cat. The photos are the work of right-wing trolls, not the PM. Our sincere apologies for the error. As of Sunday, more than 800,
A series of devastating tornadoes hit Kentucky and other states last night, leaving at least 70 people dead. / NBC News Aerial footage of the aftermath in Mayfield, Ken. / Twitter Now that the Supreme Court has left Texas's abortion law in place, expect more states to pass similar laws.
The Supreme Court will allow Texas's six-week abortion ban to remain in place, but has ruled abortion providers can sue over the law. / NPR, the 19th See also: California releases a plan to become an abortion sanctuary should Roe be overturned. / Associated Press This week marks two years
The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 shot loses power against the Omicron coronavirus variant, the manufacturer says, but a booster restores protection. / STAT Recent: Some of the recent Omicron news explained by Sciencewhizliz. / Instagram Some high-profile Democrats are starting to oppose vaccine mandates, specifically applied to private business. / Politico Two years later, the
If net-zero goals are to be met, by 2050 the world needs no fewer than 200 million public charging points for electric vehicles. / The Economist Many unions representing workers affected by climate legislation have struck deals, but opposition from coal miners persists. / The New York Times See also: The top
Russia is said to be planning a massive military offensive against Ukraine involving 175,000 troops, seemingly in a bid to keep Ukraine out of NATO. / The Washington Post The US government plans to diplomatically boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. / Quartz More people died of malaria in 2020
Early indications suggest the omicron variant of the coronavirus may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations. / The Associated Press All private sector employers in New York City will now be required to implement a Covid-19 vaccine mandate by December 27. / CNN Myanmar'
Russia appears to be planning an invasion of Ukraine, and has demanded the US guarantee Ukraine won't join NATO. / The Washington Post Ahead of Biden's "summit for democracy," China's Communist Party issues a statement saying the Western democratic model is "doomed
Some tips on how to interpret the coming flood of data about the Omicron Covid-19 variant. / STAT A survey of Omicron's best- and worst-Case scenarios. If it ends up causing milder symptoms than Delta, "there's a real upside." / The Atlantic Related: An atomic simulation
The European Commission president says the EU must consider mandatory vaccination in response to the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. / The Guardian Germany's incoming chancellor wants vaccinations to be mandatory by February. / Politico Public health experts say mandates are unlikely to win over those with deep-rooted opposition.
A good primer on today's abortion case at the Supreme Court. / Wake Up to Politics Brazil and Japan report cases of the omicron variant. Of the 11 European countries where omicron has appeared, all cases have been mild or asymptomatic. / Associated Press, Bloomberg The CDC says it plans
Unpublished documents directly link China's crackdown on Uyghur Muslims to the highest levels of the Chinese Communist party. / The Guardian Meanwhile, the party is trying to cleanse Chinese cyberspace of entertainment at odds with socialist values. / The Economist Regarding tennis pro Peng Shuai, Beijing seems to be relying
After scientists in South Africa discovered the omicron Covid variant, which appears to have higher rates of reinfection, the country says it's being unjustly punished through travel bans. / BBC See also: If previous Covid mutations are any guide, travel bans likely won't help quell the spread
We're going to be off next week, and will return on Monday, Nov. 29. See you then! The House of Representatives approves the "Build Back Better" plan, with funding for social benefits and billions to address climate change. / The Washington Post Op-ed: The plan also includes
Belarus has relocated the refugees and migrants from its border with Poland. Of those who were stuck at the border, hundreds are Iraqis who have now flown home. / Al Jazeera, Associated Press The man who shot and killed Ahmaud Arbery admits Arbery did not threaten him, despite claiming he acted
Total deaths in the United States from Covid-19 could reach 1 million by spring as vaccination rates remain lower than 60%. / The Guardian Drug overdose deaths in the US top 100,000 for the first time. / NPR "The Daily" podcast has policies designed to prevent misinformation in its
Tensions escalate at the border of Belarus and Poland, with Polish forces now using tear gas and water cannons as migrants try to cross into the country. / BBC In what may be the second-ever case, a patient has naturally cleared HIV without antiviral treatments or a bone marrow transplant. / Gizmodo
China's Communist Party published a landmark document that sets up President Xi Jinping to potentially rule for life. / Bloomberg Presidents Joe Biden and Jinping pledge to avoid conflict and improve cooperation. / Reuters Russia blasted one of its own satellites out of orbit. The resulting debris forced crew on
Covid cases are rising in the US, with 23 states reporting increases, and Vermont setting a record case count. / USA Today Amid rising infections across Europe, Austria will restrict unvaccinated people to leaving their homes only for essential shopping and work. / Reuters Why do residents support Denmark's reintroduction
A panel of the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals upholds the hold on the White House's vaccine mandate for companies with more than 100 employees. / Reuters Steve Bannon has been indicted by a federal grand jury on contempt for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the
At the close of the COP26 climate summit, commitments to end the use of coal and other fuels are falling apart as countries race to reach a deal. / BBC News The Pacific island nation Tuvalu is looking at legal ways to be a state if it is submerged. / Reuters Unrelated/
In a surprise announcement at COP26, the US and China say they'll work together to achieve climate goals. / CNN "Packing up and moving is, if not impossible, then highly unlikely for the stateless." Those most vulnerable to climate change. / NPR More US cities are ramping up
A federal court pauses the new vaccinate-or-test rule for businesses with over 100 employees. / The Washington Post The partisan nature of US politics has gotten so extreme, public health groups hide news of emerging science for fear of backlash. / BuzzFeedNews See also: A new book from NextDraft's Dave
Fleeing Belarusian forces, migrants at a camp near the country's western border are trying to push their way into Poland. / Associated Press The European Commission accuses Belarus's authoritarian leader of creating the problem at the border by luring migrants with the promise of entry into the
President Biden scores passage of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Time to assess what comes next. / Wake Up to Politics The likelihood that Americans born in the 1980s have of earning more than their parents: 50 percent. For those born in the 1940s? Ninety percent. / The
Nine anti-government factions in Ethiopia say they've formed an alliance "amid growing fears they will attempt to overthrow the government." / The Guardian In Venezuela, a rum company offers gangsters a life outside of crime. In turn, they've helped the company thrive. / The New York
Why the theory that fears over critical race theory hurt Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey doesn't hold much water. / Vox More than a century after the Benin Bronzes were looted by the British Army, the Smithsonian has begun the process of repatriating them to Nigeria. / The New
On Wednesday night the United States surpassed 750,000 deaths from the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins data. / The Week Covid infections reach their highest level yet in England. The World Health Organization's Europe director says all 53 countries in the region are facing "a real threat
The Taliban says ISIS-K is responsible for the attack on a Kabul hospital that has killed at least 19 people and wounded 50 more. / CBS News What does Youngkin's win in Virginia over McAuliffe mean? For Republicans, distancing themselves from Trump—without alienating his base—can mean a
Today is Election Day 2021. It may be an off-year, "but there are still some important races going on across the country." / Wake Up to Politics Tressie McMillan Cottom: To talk about what Kyrsten Sinema is wearing—denim vest et al—is to take her power and politics
In the days and weeks prior to the insurrection, the FBI and other law enforcement failed to act on numerous leads that signaled violence was on the horizon. / The Guardian Related: A timeline of what happened in the 187 minutes between the beginning of the Capitol attack and Trump reluctantly
This week in Congress, petroleum companies denied ever downplaying fossil fuels' role in climate change. Six decades of corporate documents show otherwise. / The Conversation See also: "In a three-degrees-warmer world, the coastlines of today will largely be gone, endlessly reduced over the coming centuries by rising seas."
Why does Puerto Rico lead the United States in vaccination and low coronavirus transmission rate? Because Covid's been politicized "in a different way." / NPR Unrelated: Why did Joe Biden give Olivia Rodrigo a shoehorn? / The Cut Your unvaccinated friends and family are roughly 20 times more
Less known than Facebook's danger to the West is how it allows the rest of the world to drown in misinformation and abuse. / Slate "My body—or bodies like mine—is used to help design military technology." The prosthetics industry and the military share a long
Sudan's military leader defends the takeover of the country, placing blame on political leaders. Soldiers tried to capture injured protesters inside hospitals. / The Guardian Jihadism, crime, and political violence have grown so intense in Nigeria that the country is said to be "sliding towards ungovernability." / The
The tug of war over spending bills has delayed Congressional action on securing the nation's pandemic infrastructure. / STAT The Biden administration says that after months of legal reviews, it doesn't have the authority to share Moderna's mRNA vaccine process. / The Washington Post Rather than
China struggles with new outbreaks of Covid-19's delta variant ahead of the Winter Olympics in February. / The Week A study says "funny or cute memes" made people feel more confident in their ability to face the global health crisis. / The Washington Post Substandard and falsified coronavirus
New research proves that Viking voyagers lived in Newfoundland as far back as 1021. / The Wall Street Journal The country of Westarctica has evolved from an internet stunt to a micronation, to a charity trying to affect climate change. / AFAR A bus company in Hong Kong launched a five-hour tour
"We do not know who has your ear, but it clearly isn't us or your constituents." Five members of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's advisory board quit. / CNN See also: "Under the actual ruling principles of the United States, Manchin is currently the most powerful
A leak finds Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia among countries asking the UN to play down the need to move rapidly away from fossil fuels. / BBC News One way to sequester carbon dioxide? Buy a coal mine (only $7.8 million) and shutter it. / Marginal Revolution West Virginia senator Manchin
When a leader in the field of scientific integrity pointed out errors in a hydroxychloroquine proponent's work, he went on the attack—and unleashed his followers. / BuzzFeed News San Francisco temporarily shut down its only In-N-Out Burger location for not properly checking patrons' vaccination status. / NPR Lockdown
The FDA plans to allow Americans to "mix and match," i.e., receive a different Covid-19 vaccine as a booster than the one they initially received. / US News & World Report The coronavirus is still mutating—how much does that matter? "I see nothing that suggests this
One of the people shot by Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha last year is suing the police, accusing them of coordinating with white nationalists. / BuzzFeed News Jury selection has begun in the trial for the three white men charged with shooting and killing Ahmaud Arbery while he was jogging. / The Atlanta
An FDA panel recommends those who received the J&J Covid vaccine should get a booster—essentially saying it requires two doses to be effective. / STAT Data visualizations explain how, at companies where institutional sexism exists, fewer women reach executive levels. / The New York Times The inequality of today&
Crucial UN climate talks next month are likely to fall short of the global target for cutting coal, gas, and oil emissions. / The Associated Press Nearly half the homes in the US use natural gas for heat, and they may end up paying 30% more than a year ago. / The
Why is America's upper middle class so unhappy? Too much work, and abject disbelief in a meritocracy. / Vox This week's white paper to wonder about says billionaires are better-looking than average for their age. / National Bureau of Economic Research Jessa Crispin: Most laptops provided to US
The International Monetary Fund says the persistence of the coronavirus and global supply chain crisis is weighing on economies. / Bloomberg The White House announces that the Port of Los Angeles will begin working "24/7" to ease supply chain woes. / NPR "Right now, everyone is blaming the
Helen Branswell compiles a primer on what’s known about mixing and matching Covid-19 vaccines. / STAT Texas Governor Greg Abbott bans all organizations, including private companies, from enforcing vaccinations in his state. / BBC News Coronavirus question: Should I humor my friend's request for a pointless Covid precaution? / NPR
Severe flooding recently displaced more than 1.76 million people in Shanxi province in northern China, according to local media. / BBC News Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights this weekend, citing weather and air traffic controller problems. No other airlines seemed to be impacted. / CNN Related: An illustrated
Over the last five years, the top 100 law firms in the United States represented fossil fuel clients in 358 legal cases and transactions worth $1.36 trillion. / The Guardian China is ratcheting up military pressure on Taiwan. / The Economist Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's forces intensify airstrikes
Following this week's ruling from a federal judge, at least one Texas healthcare provider is again performing abortions past six weeks of pregnancy. / BuzzFeed News The estate of Henrietta Lacks is suing a pharmaceutical company for selling her cells, which were taken without her knowledge or consent by
The WHO is rolling out the first vaccine for malaria, a disease that kills hundreds of thousands every year, most of them under five years of age. / STAT Pfizer has officially requested the FDA provide Emergency Use Authorization for its Covid vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. / NPR Studies
How the Facebook outage affected the developing world, which depends on WhatsApp for health services and to shield communications from totalitarian governments. / NBC News, People Related: Telegram says it added 70 million new users while Facebook was down. / The Guardian The Facebook outage forced small business owners to realize that
In a brief glimmer of hope, Facebook and all of its services were down for nearly six hours yesterday. / Associated Press Facebook says the outage was caused by a configuration change, and here's a fascinating observation of how the services disappeared from the web. / The Verge, Cloudflare According
An explosive new report on the vast offshore systems used by the powerful—including 14 current country leaders—to hide billions of dollars. / The Washington Post Litigation over the opioid crisis now shifts to major pharmacy chains, which are accused of dispensing opioids while ignoring monitoring protocols. / NPR The whistleblower
The US death toll from Covid has now surpassed 700,000 people. / Associated Press "Each year, our moon moves distinctly, inexorably farther from Earth—just a tiny bit, about an inch and a half, a nearly imperceptible change." / The Atlantic The FCC wants to curtail SIM hijacking by
Despite telehealth’s expansion in the past year and a half, it has largely failed to reach the 57 million people in rural parts of the country. / STAT Covid-19 is killing rural Americans at twice the rate of people in urban areas. / NBC News Britain’s government-funded furlough program ended
"Today's actions are already writing the opening chapters of the next pandemic's history." We're already not doing enough to prepare for whatever's next. / The Atlantic YouTube says it's extending its ban on Covid vaccine misinformation to cover many
Amid rising demand, oil prices climbed above $80 a barrel on Tuesday, hitting their highest level in three years. / BBC News Britain's gas crisis is now seen as a Brexit crisis. / CNN If the race to electric between Ford and General Motors is tight, "the longer-distance one
The FBI says there was a record increase in murders—a nearly 30% jump—in the US last year. / USA Today See also: Originally stolen from a Wisconsin shop, a single handgun has been linked to 27 shootings in Chicago, including two homicides. / Chicago Tribune Using a technique called "
Germany is set for weeks or even months of coalition talks after the center-left Social Democrats claim victory. / BBC News See also: Who is Olaf Scholz, and what kind of Germany would he lead? / The Economist Arizona finishes its "audit" of the 2020 election—President Biden actually picked
China returns two Canadians in exchange for a Huawei executive, resolving a 1,030-day standoff with the United States. / The New York Times A good article from The Continent's archives on "the un-Hollywood fate of Paul Rusesabagina," who just received a 25-Year prison sentence in Rwanda.
China's massive Evergrande property developer misses its $83 million bond payment, and now has 30 days before it defaults. / CNBC After a series of moves to crack down on cryptocurrencies, today China banned all crypto transactions. / VICE The Maricopa County recount funded by "Stop the Steal"
The FDA approves a Pfizer booster for people who are 65 or older or at high risk of severe Covid-19, including from their jobs. / The Wall Street Journal Over the last 30 days, the world has vaccinated one billion people. / Marginal Revolution A memorial in DC honors the number of
Human Rights Watch calls the Biden administration's immigration policies with regard to Haitian migrants "abusive and racially discriminatory." / Human Rights Watch "An unexpected $500 cost is a serious problem for many." What it's like to try and get an abortion in Texas
Canadians give Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a win in Monday's parliamentary elections, but his gamble to win a majority of seats fails. / The Associated Press The US will lift its travel ban for vaccinated travelers come November. / Quartz More people died in Alabama during 2020 than were born,
Conditions are dire at a makeshift camp in Texas for the approximately 13,000 migrants, mostly from Haiti, who are hoping to enter the US. / BuzzFeed News Related: An on-the-ground report of a day at the migrant camp. / Twitter As of yesterday, the US began flying migrants back to Haiti,
Following Russia's accusations of election meddling, Apple and Google have removed Navalny's tactical voting app from their stores. / Reuters The Wall Street Journal's new series on Facebook finds no evidence of any sort of good the company brings to the world. / Recode Related: Cue
Helen Branswell live-blogs today’s FDA advisory panel meeting on Covid-19 booster shots. / STAT The debate over who deserves credit for pioneering mRNA technology is heating up. Hundreds of scientists have worked on it for decades. / Nature France suspends 3,000 health workers without pay for refusing a Covid vaccine.
A new law in Poland barring restitution for Holocaust survivors takes effect today, during Yom Kippur. / THINK An incredibly detailed tool for calculating Covid risk for various activities based on location, vaccination status, and more. / microCOVID Valley fever, a fungal infection that can turn deadly, is on the rise in
California Governor Newsom beats back the recall effort that dominated his third year in office. / The San Francisco Chronicle The list of politicians and activists excluded from Russia's upcoming elections reads like "a Who's Who of the Russian opposition." / BBC News A personal essay
A guide to today's California recall election—and yes, Trump and Republicans are already saying there's fraud. / Wake Up to Politics See also: Right now the polls look good for Newsom. But you know, polls. / FiveThirtyEight "Serial plaintiffs are protected to litigate each of their
The last known missile fired by the United States in its 20-year war in Afghanistan appears to have killed a longtime worker for a US aid group and seven children. / The New York Times On that note: "A US military robot ship has fired a large missile for the
Serge Schmemann: "I Wrote the Lead Times Article on 9/11. Here's What Still Grips Me." / The New York Times As Ethiopia confronts a new year, Tigrays are accused of pillaging towns and killing supposed enemies. / AFP, The Telegraph Military leaders deposed Guinea's president
What to know about Biden's new vaccine mandates, which will apply to more than 80 million Americans. / USA Today Labor unions are backing vaccine mandates from Tyson Foods and Disney World. / Quartz As of today, Denmark's high vaccination rates have allowed the country to lift all
The White House releases a plan showing how the US could produce almost half of its electricity from solar power by 2050. / CNBC Burning fossil fuels must decline almost immediately, a new study finds, for us to avoid more extreme disasters. / NPR The world's largest "direct air
The Texas abortion ban is the latest in a long history of state officials' efforts to thwart women's health care. / The New York Times "I was used as an expert voice against vaccines." What it's like when anti-vaxxers weaponize your words. / The Guardian
The US marks its 40 millionth Covid-19 case since the start of the pandemic, as delta continues to spread. / NBC News Helen Branswell covers the debate over vaccine boosters, what to call them, and whether they're needed. / STAT Advice for travelers reconsidering their trips in light of the
We're headed out for the weekend. We'll see you on Tuesday. Be safe, be well. Going into Labor Day, the Forest Service is closing every national forest in California, citing the extraordinary risk of fires. / NPR Photos from the battle to stop the Caldor Fire from
The final plane evacuating Americans from Afghanistan departs, ending the longest war in US history. / NBC News A timeline of America's involvement in Afghanistan from 1999 to the present. / Council on Foreign Relations "This is the least reported war since at least WWI." / Axios The Biden
The United States evacuated 1,200 people out of Kabul from early Sunday into early Monday as the Aug. 31 deadline nears. / The Hill Anti-missile defences intercepted rockets fired at the airport this morning, as the US flew out its core diplomats. / Reuters Much of Louisiana is without power following
The Pentagon says it killed the planner of the Kabul airport attack. President Biden has been warned that additional attacks are likely. / USA Today, CNN Several of the American soldiers killed at the airport were babies when the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001. / The Guardian Lessons from Africa that apply
Satellite images and diagrams of the Kabul airport show the danger and complexity of the evacuations. / USA Today The US Supreme Court has ended the moratorium on residential evictions. / Reuters According to a study, light pollution disrupts moths' nocturnal behavior, resulting in a decline in caterpillars' numbers. / BBC
Complex bomb attacks at the Kabul airport kill many. The White House had been worried that ISIS-K, a sworn enemy of the Taliban, planned to carry out multiple attacks. / BBC News, CNN The story of how an Afghan interpreter and his family escaped Kabul. / NPR The founder of Blackwater has
How the Trump administration's deal with the Taliban—"a concession without any clear precedent in US history"—and Biden's adherence to it sabotaged the Afghanistan withdrawal. / Foreign Affairs In a vaguely worded decision, the Supreme Court upholds a Texas judge's demand that
Hawaii's governor tells tourists to stay away amid a surge in COVID-19 infections on the islands. / The Hill With approval expected for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines in a month, Dr. Fauci predicts the US will have Covid under control by Spring 2022. / Reuters Afghan filmmaker
Biden's approval rating has dropped below 50% for the first time in his presidency, due to rising Covid cases and the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal. / NBC News Afghan evacuees may be housed at a Texas border facility previously used to hold migrant children, and that has already been deemed
The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine could receive full FDA approval as soon as Monday, a move some US corporations have cited as necessary for mandates. / CNBC For the first time in recorded history, rather than snowing, it rained at Greenland's summit. / CNN By thinking of Earth as just another
The Taliban are carrying out a door-to-door hunt for people who collaborated with the US and Western allies. / BBC News High-profile sportswomen in Afghanistan have been urged to wipe their social media and burn their uniforms. / The Guardian Sarah Zhang: The coronavirus is here forever. Here is how we live
Statistically, the difference between states with 30% and 70% Covid vaccination rates is a nearly 40-fold increase in weekly cases. / Ars Technica The pandemic has changed abortion access, shifting from in-person visits to telemedicine—and legal challenges may lie ahead. / The New York Times As water shortages loom, towns across
Regional powers Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan express their interest in working with Afghanistan's new leaders. / Newsweek An all-girls Afghan robotics team inspired the world. "Now they're trapped, waiting to be rescued." / The Washington Post Remembering the civilian planes that airlifted refugees out of
US health officials are likely to recommend Covid vaccine boosters eight months after recipients' second doses. / Associated Press Health officials are convincing skeptics to get vaccinated by telling them if they don't trust the government, they should talk with their doctor instead. / VICE A Chicago pharmacist has
Chaos and desperate crowds at Kabul airport. Five people have been killed as people try to flee the Taliban. / The Guardian, Reuters "To blame Afghans for not getting their act together in light of… history is just wrong." / The New Yorker Officials in Haiti say at least 1,
Helen Branswell: The FDA has authorized an additional dose of Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccines for the immunocompromised. / STAT Good news from Chicago: Health officials say Lollapalooza doesn't appear to have been a superspreader event. / Slate "I think you have to live your best life. But be
"The models in late spring were pretty consistent that we were going to have a 'normal' summer." Yes, Delta changed everything. / The Atlantic According to 2020 Census data released yesterday, the number of white people in the US has fallen for the first time since 1790.
The delta variant is one of the most contagious respiratory viruses known. Is it as contagious as chicken pox? Not really. / NPR Parents in Japan are sending bags of rice that weigh the same as their newborn babies to relatives who are unable to visit. / The Guardian California will become
The Senate appears to be on track to give final approval to the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan. / The Associated Press The EU mounts one of its largest ever firefighting operations to tackle wildfires in Italy and Greece. / The Guardian Half of all invasive species in the ocean have only
The Dixie Fire in Northern California is now estimated to be the second largest wildfire in state history. / NPR A new UN climate report cites recent extreme weather as further evidence of human-induced climate change—though swift action can still reverse some (but not all) effects. / BuzzFeed News See also:
Scientists are detecting signs that the Gulf Stream may be collapsing. / The Guardian The US has returned to winter levels of daily Covid infections, averaging around 100,000 new cases a day. / Associated Press Related: If last year is any guide, Covid might surge in the fall and winter. Or
Moderna says a booster shot of its vaccine will be necessary to contend with the Delta variant going into winter. / The New York Times Mattel releases a Barbie doll of vaccinologist Sarah Gilbert, the scientist who designed the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine. / BBC News An argument for Project Bioshield as the
Mexico is suing American gun manufacturers, accusing them of facilitating a "deadly flood" of military-grade weapons to cartels. / The New York Times A majority of New York State Assembly members say they support impeachment if Cuomo doesn't resign. / Associated Press Niall Reddy: What happened last week
Starting in September, New York City will require people to prove they've been vaccinated to eat indoors, visit gyms, or go to theaters. / Vox For the moment, New York Governor Cuomo defies calls, including from President Biden, to resign. / The New York Times The Biden administration issues a
The rate of Covid-19 vaccinations in the United States continues to rise, a positive sign amid rising cases and hospitalizations. / CNN As of last week, nine states have enacted 11 laws with prohibitions on vaccine mandates (two each for Arizona and Arkansas). / NPR A Florida school district drops its mask
Dozens of vaccinated staff at San Francisco hospitals developed Covid over the past six weeks. Good news? None have been so sick they need to be hospitalized. / The San Francisco Chronicle Everything you need to know about how the Delta variant works. / Nature An overview of last week's
The pace of US vaccinations is ticking upward as the delta variant drives up demand for shots. / CNBC Your weekend white paper: A study shows Ohio's Covid lottery preventing one infection for every six vaccinations the cash prizes successfully encouraged. / SSRN The mainstream media comes under fire for
According to the CDC, the Delta variant appears to spread as easily as measles and chickenpox. / CNN The life sciences sector is booming to the point that office space emptied by the pandemic is being converted into labs. / The New York Times "The BDSM industry is really big on
The increase in government aid prompted by the coronavirus will cut poverty nearly in half this year from prepandemic levels. / The New York Times Congressional Republicans want to move on from the 2020 presidential election, but Trump won't let his party shift gears. / Slate Norman Lear is a
From 2051 to 2080, prolonged, record-breaking events are expected to become three to 21 times more probable. / The Verge Whether or not the human body can survive in our heat-riddled future comes down to humidity and wet-bulb temperatures. / Slate The fastest-growing places in the US are also some of the
California, New York City, and the Department of Veterans Affairs announce that employees must get vaccinated or face weekly testing. / Politico Meanwhile, a restaurant in Huntington Beach says patrons must show proof of being unvaccinated. / The Orange County Register France approves a law requiring special virus passes for all domestic
"All five influenza pandemics we have details about developed more virulent variants before settling down." A history of variants. / The Washington Post The very important differences between how vaccinated and unvaccinated bodies respond to Covid. / The Atlantic Now that Covid is endemic, like influenza, life expectancy in the
By tracking marsquakes, NASA's InSight mission has been able to create the first detailed map of the red planet's interior. / The New York Times "Broadcast TV morning shows spent nearly as much time on Jeff Bezos's space launch in one day than on
Photos and impressions from the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics Opening Ceremony. / The Japan Times A Spanish swimmer wanted her nursing baby in Tokyo, but the rules are so "drastic," she chose to leave him home. / The Washington Post Kurt Streeter: The Olympics rely on, but don'
Over the past two weeks, Covid cases in the US have nearly tripled. / Associated Press Success in driving down new Covid cases may have caused many Americans to forego vaccination. Unfortunately, it might take a new surge in deaths to make them reconsider. / The Atlantic "The FDA's
Will Hoenig: I think the reality of endemic Covid needs to be communicated to the world at this point. / Twitter If you're fully vaccinated, what's your risk of "long Covid" as the delta variant spreads? / The San Francisco Chronicle Helen Branswell: More than 200
Yesterday, the UK reopened with "freedom day," even as new Covid cases surged by 41%. / The Guardian, NPR Also yesterday: The US State Dept. and CDC told Americans they should avoid traveling to the UK due to Covid infections. / Reuters With new Covid cases spreading across the US,
Journalists from multiple news groups present evidence of industrial-scale spying that targets reporters activists, politicians, and business executives around the world. / The Washington Post Here is an overview of the findings thus far. / PBS Oregon’s Bootleg fire grew to more than 476 square miles over the weekend, an area
The combination of more Delta and more unmasked, unvaccinated people means "your vaccine-induced immunity is challenged more often." / STAT Fewer than half of people in the U.S. ages 18 to 24 are fully vaccinated. / NBC News Rescuers race to find survivors of floods that have killed more
The US surgeon general has published an advisory warning that vaccine misinformation is a "serious threat to public health." / CNN As coronavirus cases surge, Los Angeles County once again will require masks to be worn indoors. / Los Angeles Times After allegedly destroying a "Back the Blue"
One week before the Olympics, Tokyo reports its highest number of new Covid cases in almost six months. / ABC News A record number of French people sign up for vaccinations after being told they'll need them to return to cafés. Restaurant workers aren't thrilled about doing
Canada and Thailand defend mixing Covid vaccines after the World Health Organization's chief scientist calls the strategy "chaotic." / The Washington Post See also: Weed becomes the latest giveaway for vaccines in Long Beach. / The Long Beach Post Because they won't have to deal with
Vladimir Putin's United Russia party is loath to lock down ahead of fall elections, creating a Covid doom loop. / Foreign Policy David Wallace-Wells: Now is the time to rethink COVID safety protocols for children. / New York Magazine One couple's way of traveling (more) safely this summer:
Asthma attacks plummeted during the pandemic, and researchers are now reconsidering the most common triggers. / The Atlantic Crypto traders are running into a big problem in trying to sue Binance for losses during a service outage: The company has no headquarters. / The Verge With his Wimbledon win yesterday, Novak Djokovic
Thursday's dramatic flooding in New York City is a sign the city's infrastructure isn't prepared for future climate conditions. / The Guardian A tour of the "Anom" phone the FBI sold to unwitting criminals as part of a honeypot scheme. / VICE If the
Several Asian countries rush to implement tough new restrictions to fight variants of the coronavirus. / The Associated Press Five undervaccinated clusters, mostly in the South, put the entire United States at risk. / CNN BLK, the dating app for single Black people, has a new song encouraging users to "vax
Last month was the warmest June on record for North America. / The Boston Globe Scientists say last week's Pacific Northwest heat wave would have been "virtually impossible" without climate change. / BuzzFeed News Another effect of climate change: Wild animals are shrinking in body size. / Vox How
Helen Branswell runs through 12 lessons Covid-19 taught us about developing vaccines during a pandemic. / STAT Heathrow airport is trying fast-track lanes for fully-vaccinated arrivals. / BBC News ICU nurses in Appalachia who risked their lives during the pandemic feel like they fought a war that no one acknowledges. / The Washington
The world's poorest nations won't receive Covid vaccines for another two years. / Nature See also: How countries without adequate Covid vaccine access are simultaneously fighting the pandemic and negotiating for vaccines. / NPR "A 40-minute panoramic take on Jan. 6, the most complete visual depiction of
TMN is heading out early to beat the traffic. See you Tuesday. TK NEWS TK NEWS For escape during the next pandemic? A new "yacht liner" is stocked with three dozen condos that are said to retail for $11 million each. / The Daily Mail The rise and fall
The UN calls for global action on reparations, citing institution racism against people of African descent in North America, Europe, and Latin America. / BBC In a victory for trans student rights, the Supreme Court declines to revisit a lower court's decision on a case that began seven years
As of Sunday night, 152 people are unaccounted for and 134 are accounted for in the collapse of Surfside's Champlain Towers. / CNN Surfside's chief building official told residents the condominium was "in very good shape" after reading a report that flagged major structural damage.
The Pentagon has released its long-awaited UFO report, detailing 143 sightings, most—but not all—of which are probably equipment malfunctions. / VICE X-Files creator Chris Carter says the government's new UFO report reveals more about who we are than whether aliens exist. / The New York Times Oklahoma City
Rescuers search for survivors trapped in the rubble of a collapsed 12-story residential building north of Miami. / BBC News "It just doesn't happen. You don't see buildings falling down in America." / The Miami Herald More Americans quit their jobs in May than any other
The US intelligence community thinks Afghanistan's government may collapse as soon as six months after US troops withdraw. / The Hill Related: Ahead of US troops' departure, some members of Congress are urging the White House to evacuate Afghans who aided the US. / Associated Press The Saudi Royal
The Chinese government has organized a campaign to produce and spread thousands of videos in which citizens deny Beijing’s abuses against their communities. / ProPublica Morgan Stanley plans to bar unvaccinated staff from its New York headquarters. / BBC News Junaid Nabi: Vaccine hesitancy and refusal in the US are a
The Supreme Court unanimously agreed that the NCAA's limits on the ways schools compensate athletes violate antitrust laws. / BuzzFeed News A new report finds algorithmic bias in medicine is influencing nearly every aspect of how patients are treated. / STAT "I procured more than 60 inches worth of
A new poll shows a majority of Americans are open to a progressive police reform bill. / Vox Politicians around the world are borrowing Trump’s “Stop the Steal” tactics. / The Atlantic The Barstool-ification of the GOP could reconfigure its cultural politics for a generation. / Politico Fareed Zakaria: The decay of
We're off tomorrow in observance of Juneteenth, and will return on Monday. The Delta variant is on the rise in the US, and could further cleave the nation by surging in areas with higher unvaccinated populations—but barely registering elsewhere. / BuzzFeed News How the pandemic is an example
Biden is now set to sign into law the bill that will make Juneteenth a federal holiday. / Associated Press How will teachers explain to students why they have the day off in states that are banning critical race theory in classrooms? / BuzzFeed News An Alabama lawmaker who wants to ban
An emboldened President Biden meets an unbothered Vladimir Putin—but they both find themselves craving some predictability. / The Washington Post Unrelated: A new computer simulation shows that a technologically advanced civilization can colonize a galaxy in a modest amount of time. / Gizmodo At the height of the pandemic, workers were
President Biden and European Union leaders reach a deal to end a 17-year-old trade dispute. / The Washington Post The uncrewed aerial vehicle business is booming thanks to regulators starting to relax laws that govern drones. / The Economist Reality Winner, a former intelligence contractor jailed for leaking classified information, has been
Covid cases are no longer falling in the US, due to a slowing vaccination rate as well as the more contagious and severe Delta variant. / The New York Times Related: US governors are assessing whether to keep emergency orders in place. / Associated Press "They were so close, they weren&
Between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, four shooting incidents killed at least two people and injured at least 34 in Austin, Dallas, Savannah, and Chicago. / CNN Trump's Dept. of Justice secretly subpoenaed Apple to hand over metadata on some members of the House Intelligence Committee. / The Verge See
A new outbreak of the coronavirus suggests that lockdown measures could be a part of Chinese life for some time to come. / The New York Times More children and adolescents are experiencing chronic symptoms after Covid even as the pandemic ebbs in the US. / STAT Researchers hope that work on
The number of undocumented migrants at the US-Mexico border has reached its highest number—180,034—since April 2000. / BBC These are the countries the State Dept. says vaccinated Americans can travel to—though there's no guarantee they'll be let in. / Quartz June appears to be
ProPublica publishes tax and income details of people like Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett to expose how the wealthy avoid income tax. / ProPublica As a result, internal and external investigations are beginning—to find out who leaked. / The Wall Street Journal Your weekly white paper: Less educated citizens in democracies
According to the NOAA, there was "no discernible" change in carbon emissions during the pandemic. / USA Today A sinking ship near Sri Lanka carried 78 metric tons of plastic pellets that now pose unimaginable environmental consequences. / NPR The Justice Dept. has recovered $2.3 million of the ransom
Major Indian states that were virus hotpots are easing restrictions as Covid numbers continue to fall. / BBC News A study of federal pandemic aid finds the largest benefits going to the poorest households and those with children. / The New York Times One unexpected upside of the pandemic: The flu virus
As the vaccination rollout continues, many people have embraced group activities, while many others are entering a new phase of anxiety. / The New Yorker Related/unrelated: “‘I took part in the psilocybin trial and it changed my life.” / The Independent The Army Corps of Engineers recommends a 20-foot, six-mile seawall
The NIH director says states with vaccination rates below 70% are at increased risk for future outbreaks. / CNN See also: Charts and maps show how Covid cases are declining across the US. / BuzzFeed News Say what you will—and many have—about the AstraZeneca vaccine, but it was instrumental in
The president of Tokyo 2020 says the Olympics will go ahead “100 percent,” though perhaps without spectators. / BBC News American and Southwest Airlines won’t resume serving alcohol until passengers stop attacking their flight attendants. / Food & Wine Movie theater chain AMC offers free popcorn to retail investors in response
Innovative shifts in manufacturing processes have resulted in huge profit windfalls—and now, massive supply shortages globally. / The New York Times A recruiter explains why restaurants really can’t find enough staff. “Restaurants are just going to have to pay people more or have better benefits.” / Washingtonian Related: “The Post-Covid-19
Vietnam says it has detected a highly transmissible new variant of the coronavirus that’s helping fuel a new wave of infections. / The Washington Post As Covid dissipates in the US, cold and flu viruses may return with a vengeance. / STAT Millions of people registered with Dr. B for a
It’s entirely possible that most Covid deaths could occur after there are enough vaccines to protect those most at risk globally. / The New York Times See also: “Coronavirus Variant Excited To Compete With World’s Top Mutations In Tokyo This Summer.” / The Onion “It absolutely has not processed yet.
President Biden tells the US intelligence community to redouble its efforts in investigating the origins of Covid-19 and report back in 90 days. / CNN Daniel Engber: The shift in public thinking about the lab leak theory is "all the more remarkable for its lack of any major associated revelations.
The Wuhan "lab leak" theory suddenly goes mainstream, leading to renewed calls for a real investigation. / The Washington Post Jonathan Chait: Notice how the media originally dismissed the theory and smeared its supporters. / New York Magazine Maggie Haberman: The media was responding to Trump making it instantly political.
After being deployed on Jan. 6, the National Guard will fully depart the US Capitol grounds this week. / The Washington Post Texas Gov. Abbott is set to sign a bill that will allow Texans to carry handguns without a license. / The Texas Tribune "White tears hit different in a
Helen Branswell: Here’s how the Covid pandemic in the United States reaches its end. / STAT Stores in the US begin to give away their abundance of hand sanitizer. “It’s worth more to us gone.” / The Wall Street Journal Kaitlyn Tiffany: We’ve just lived through the most online
In 2020, more than twice as many folks were displaced within their own country by climate disaster as were forced out as refugees. / The Guardian “We think we’re taught history. But we’re really taught propaganda.” Geography is the chessboard of history. / Uncharted Territories Israeli population cartography incorporated Palestinians
Federal prosecutors say there was a "leadership meeting" among right-wing extremists in the days leading up to Jan. 6. / BuzzFeed News See also: "All your 1/6 Commission questions, answered." / Wake Up to Politics If you don't think Republicans can minimize the Jan. 6
As fighting winds down in a ruined Syria, Iran and Russia compete for influence and spoils of war. / The Washington Post A senior official with Hamas says he expects a ceasefire with Israel "within a day or two." / BBC News Analysis of the Israeli leadership’s grim status
As US Covid cases reach their lowest levels in a year, India just set the new global record for daily coronavirus deaths. / CNN, Associated Press The five profiles that capture Americans' attitudes toward the Covid vaccine: the enthusiast, the watchful, the cost-anxious, the system distruster, and the Covid skeptic.
The US will release an additional 20 million doses of Covid vaccines, bringing the total being shipped out to 80 million. / Yahoo! News Generation Z showed improved mental health during the start of the pandemic. Why? Better sleep and more time with family. Meanwhile, veterinarians report feeling toasted. / The Wall
The CDC defends its latest mask guidance, and says the decision wasn't influenced by political pressure. / PBS Related: Scientists say you're going to want to hold onto your masks for when cold and flu season rolls around. / STAT Australia could reopen its international border by the
Today, after the Israeli military ordered the building evacuated, an airstrike destroyed the AP and Al Jazeera offices in Gaza City. / Associated Press As the Israeli-Palestinian violence continues to escalate, the White House hasn't taken a meaningful public stand. / NPR See also: How social media misinformation is further
The CDC says people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can safely participate in indoor and outdoor activities without a mask. Meanwhile, Singapore re-imposes Covid curbs. / STAT, Reuters “Is it OK to ask someone for proof of vaccination status?” “Is oral sex more Covid-safe than kissing?” And other questions to guide the
Unlike in previous conflicts, Israeli politicians are blaming the incumbent government for the escalating crisis. / The New York Times See also: Last month, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of committing "crimes against humanity" in its treatment of Palestinians. / NPR Instagram removed content about one of Islam's
Dozens are killed—mostly Palestinians—as Hamas and Israel approach war. "We have not seen this kind of violence since October 2000." / The Economist, The Washington Post What led to the escalation? The forced expulsion of Palestinian families from an East Jerusalem neighborhood. / Al Jazeera Ezra Klein interviews
In an escalation of violence between Gaza and Israel, 24 people—including nine children—were killed, most in Israeli airstrikes. / Associated Press America's energy infrastructure is a patchwork of internet-connected and legacy equipment—creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited, as evidenced by the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack. / The Washington
India’s coronavirus infections and deaths hold close to record daily highs, increasing calls for a nationwide lockdown. / Reuters The Lancet blasts the Indian government for ignoring warnings of a second wave and failing to be transparent on Covid data. / Lancet See also: What it’s like to be a
President Biden’s separation from past Democratic presidents reflects an evolution in thinking among economists and “a bet that boldness may be a better political strategy than moderation.” / The Atlantic Making the case for a new Reconstruction Finance Corporation—to become “a new bulwark for states and cities against the
Together, Florida and Texas represent 70 Electoral College votes. This week, Republicans in both states have passed—or are ready to pass—new voting restrictions. / The New York Times Related: A breakout of the limits included in each state's bill. / Wake Up to Politics A postmortem on Bernie
The White House backs a World Trade Organization proposal to waive intellectual property protections for Covid-19 vaccines. / NPR Alex Tabarrok says patents are not the problem! Helen Branswell says it’s more of a symbolic milestone anyway. / Marginal Revolution, STAT Canada is the first to authorize Pfizer’s vaccine for
The number of US births has fallen to its lowest level since 1979. / CBS News What's changing Covid vaccine skeptics' minds: loved ones, trusted figures, and not thinking about Will Smith's I Am Legend. / The Washington Post Related: A demographic breakout of the three kinds
The FDA plans to authorize Pfizer’s Covid vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 15 by early next week. / Ars Technica A plan to waive patents to enable other countries to make generic vaccines wins some backers in the Biden administration. It might just be in our best interest. / The
Arundhati Roy: "[India's] government has failed. Perhaps 'failed' is an inaccurate word, because what we are witnessing is not criminal negligence, but an outright crime against humanity." / The Guardian See also: What's happening in India is what happens when rich people do
Starting Tuesday, Biden will restrict travel from India, as the country deals with a second wave of Covid infections. / NBC News "Knowing something is safe and feeling safe are very different things." On post-vax anxiety. / The Atlantic Advertised as a way to keep your vaccination details handy, fake
President Biden is on track for the strongest stock market performance during a new president's first 100 days since John F. Kennedy in 1961. / CNN John Harris: Biden’s address to Congress was the most ambitious ideological statement made by any Democratic president in decades. / Politico Rammesh Ponnuru:
The FBI seized phones and computers yesterday from Giuliani's apartment, as part of an investigation into his dealings in Ukraine. / The New York Times The Justice Dept. has brought federal hate crimes charges against the three men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery while he was jogging in February 2020.
President Joe Biden will announce a $1.8 trillion spending proposal tonight aimed at assisting American families and lifting millions out of poverty. / The Washington Post “If secondhand cars are getting cheaper and rentals are easy to book, then the US is making progress.” / Bloomberg Related: In Hawaii, a shortage
According to the new Census report, over the past decade the US population grew at its second slowest rate since 1790, due to less immigration and a declining birthrate. / The New York Times The numbers are also in on redistricting, and California and New York are among the states that
President Biden will mark his 100th day in office on Friday. Some brief analysis of how he compares to Franklin D. Roosevelt, who set the (arbitrary) benchmark. / Wake Up to Politics Health officials around the country resume offering Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine. / The Wall Street Journal A vaccine
US health officials reinstate the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which will now have a warning label about the rare risk of blood clots. / The Washington Post The Biden administration says healthcare workers no longer need to ration N95 masks, and should return to a one-mask-per-patient policy. / Associated Press If you
Following two days of daily global records of new Covid cases, India now faces a devastating oxygen shortage, with some hospitals hours away from depletion. / The Guardian Four possible pandemic endings, from the best (vaccines restore normality) to the worst (variants revive the pandemic). / BuzzFeed News See also: New research
Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in the death of George Floyd. / Star Tribune The conviction is exceedingly rare. For the sake of comparison, police officers are prosecuted for murder in less than 2% of fatal shootings. / Vox See also: The Chauvin verdict isn't justice. But
Deaths from Covid-19 are accelerating globally. "It took nine months to reach 1 million deaths, four months to reach 2 million and three months to reach 3 million deaths." / Vox, CNN Rising cases push German hospitals to the limit. Meanwhile, English beer gardens have never been so busy.
The closing arguments are happening right now in the Derek Chauvin trial for the killing of George Floyd. / CNN "Since testimony in Derek Chauvin's trial began on March 29, more than three people a day have died at the hands of law enforcement." / The New York
Three million people worldwide have now died of Covid-19. / Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center Current vaccination rates show states that had larger shares of Trump voters in 2020 are likely to have more vaccine-hesitant adults. / The New York Times "Man accidentally gets one Moderna and one Pfizer COVID vaccine.
Eight people were shot and killed in a shooting late Thursday at a FedEx facility. A list of recent mass shootings in the United States. / The Associated Press Toure: We interrupt our coverage of the protests of the police murder of Daunte Wright which interrupted the trial of the police
A US health panel has requested more data before deciding how and whether to resume use of Johnson & Johnson's Covid vaccine. / Reuters The CDC has found that keeping the middle seats open on airlines could limit passengers' Covid exposure by a third. / BuzzFeed News Health investigators
The United States, European Union, and South Africa pause the Johnson & Johnson rollout—a relatively common event in the world of vaccines. / ABC News, Quartz Joan Walsh: Anyone worried that the pause may sow vaccine hesitancy should be more concerned about how ignoring medical issues provides grist for the
Federal authorities recommend states pause use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine while investigators try to find out what caused clotting problems. / STAT Biden has yet to make good on his plan to raise the annual refugee cap above Trump's historically low 15,000. / The Washington Post
India produces most of the world's vaccine doses but its own vaccination drive appears to be struggling. / BBC News Covid-19 is fueling a “Zoom-boom” in face-lifts and lip-plumping. Meanwhile, beauty filters are said to be changing the way that young girls see themselves. / The Economist, MIT Technology Review
Parts of the United States may be close to meeting demand for the coronavirus vaccine—”well before the country has reached herd immunity.” / Axios Countries around the world hit new records for virus cases and deaths. / The Associated Press Scientists work toward an elusive dream: a simple pill to treat
In March, US authorities took 172,331 migrants into custody at the Mexico border—the most people in nearly two decades, including a record number of unaccompanied minors. / The Washington Post Biden announces steps to curb gun violence, including regulations on untraceable guns and allowing law enforcement to remove guns
Scientists and researchers call for a new investigation—with or without China’s participation—into Covid-19’s origins. / US World & News Report Six months after being diagnosed with Covid, one in three patients experiences a psychiatric or neurological illness. / STAT See also: Your Nespresso pods can be converted into
Biden moves up the deadline for states to open Covid vaccinations for all adults, to April 19. / CNBC A new "double mutant" strain of Covid that may be behind a surge of cases in India has now been detected in the US. / The Hill In the US, "
More than four million people in the United States received a coronavirus vaccine on Saturday amid a rising caseload and increase in hospitalizations. / The Washington Post At the same time, more than six million people have taken flights since Thursday, many of them spring breakers. "America appears to be
The CDC says fully vaccinated people can safely travel at "low risk to themselves." / BuzzFeed News It's unclear whether the US is now entering a fourth Covid wave, or simply another pandemic upswing. / The Washington Post Scientists worry the UK's new Covid-risk traffic-light plan
President Biden will announce a $2 trillion package of infrastructure spending to be paid for by a substantial increase in corporate taxes. / The New York Times Why isn't the Federal Reserve more worried about inflation? Because even if the economy booms again, it's still in bad
Deborah Birx, the coronavirus response coordinator under President Trump, says most deaths in the US could have been prevented. / The Washington Post The CDC director warns of "impending doom" as Covid cases tick upward in the United States. / The Week Senate Minority Leader McConnell urges Republican men to
The trial of Derek Chauvin begins this week with the whole world watching. / The Guardian Juvenile incarceration is down generally, but many young people in facilities have gone months without seeing their families. / NPR After violent crime plummeted during the pandemic, Baltimore decides to continue to decline prosecution of drug
Dominion Voting Systems has filed a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News. / Associated Press Biden on Georgia's new voting restrictions: "This is Jim Crow in the 21st century. It must end. We have a moral and constitutional obligation to act." / The Washington Post The
The coronavirus’s "psychological grip on the US has weakened" thanks to pandemic fatigue, warmer weather, and the surge in vaccinations. / The Washington Post What to make of the AstraZeneca vaccine data—and the surrounding controversy. / STAT New analysis finds that fear-mongering articles connecting vaccines and death have
A new study asserts the US national news coverage of Covid-19 has been "much more negative than coverage by" scientific journals, major international publications, and regional media. / The New York Times Every state’s vaccine website measured for accessibility and privacy protections. / The Markup Behind the scenes, companies
The EU finalizes new rules that will likely severely cut vaccine exports to Britain and other countries to ease supply shortages at home. / The New York Times Germany announces an intensified coronavirus lockdown going into Easter. "We are now basically in a new pandemic." / NPR Some 60% of
In less than a week, the news media is again reporting on a mass shooting. This time, the scene is in Colorado. / The New York Times, The Associated Press "I've been a reporter in Colorado for 11 years (including four in college) and this is at least
The outer fencing erected around the Capitol was removed this weekend. Still, the legislative branch remains “toxic and unsettled.” / CNN, The Associated Press Charges against officers in the Capitol riot ignite concerns about extremists working in law enforcement. / USA Today A new video shows how Capitol police tried and failed
Another of Cuomo's current aides has come forward with claims of sexual harassment by the governor. / The New York Times See also: The surprise isn't that Cuomo is embroiled in scandals, but that he's finally being held to account for the toxicity he'
The United States plans to send millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Mexico and Canada. Meanwhile, Europe resumes its use. / The Wall Street Journal, CNBC Did the EU halt on AstraZeneca increase vaccine hesitancy? / Marginal Revolution "It's really hard to go back on on a
The UN Conference on Trade and Development revises its global growth forecast from 4.3% to 4.7% for this year. / Reuters Two recent studies quantify the consequences of flooding hospitals with Covid patients. / NPR Post-pandemic advertising is coming up fast, but brands are wary of celebrating prematurely. / Vox Related:
Shootings killed eight people at three massage parlors in Atlanta. Six of the victims were Asian American women. / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CNN Graphs show lifestyle and mental health disruptions during Spring 2020. / Twitter In early January, a secretive scramble took place inside the White House: political appointees trying to crash
A cascading number of European countries have halted distributing the AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 vaccine over concerns about blood clotting. / The Associated Press More than 17 million people have received the AZ vaccine. As of March 8, only 37 people subsequently developed blood clots. / Quartz The EU's medicine regulator
The White House is about to unveil a billion-dollar PR campaign aimed at convincing every American to get vaccinated. / STAT A large Facebook study on users’ doubt in vaccines finds a small group appears to play a big role in pushing skepticism. / The Washington Post Congress has its own supply
The Justice Dept. says its Capitol attack investigation "will likely be one of the largest in American history, both in terms of the number of defendants prosecuted and the nature and volume of the evidence." / NPR New York congressional Democrats, now including Schumer and Gillibrand, are calling on
Dexter Filkins assesses the state of negotiations in Afghanistan amid an ongoing assassination campaign (possibly from both sides). / The New Yorker Statistics reveal that the police in South Africa are substantially more violent than those in the US. / Africa Is a Country In France, the Redouane case represents the agonizing
Today marks the one-year anniversary of coronavirus taking hold in the United States. An oral history of where people were, from the Oval Office to the Utah Jazz locker room. / WIRED, BuzzFeed News Readers share the final picture they took before the coronavirus was declared a pandemic. / NBC News Ramesh
White House officials prepare a sprawling sales campaign designed to draw attention to the benefits of President Biden’s Covid-relief package. / Politico “Many Republican politicians conservative commentators had other priorities in recent days.” / The Associated Press Both administrations deserve credit for the vaccine rollout, although “neither wants to grant much
The Centers for Disease Control grants fully vaccinated Americans more freedom to socialize and engage in routine daily activities. / The Washington Post In the last week, an average of 2.17 million doses per day were administered. / Bloomberg A new Pew Research survey finds public intent to get vaccinated is
It was around this week last year that CNN began to use the term “pandemic” to describe the outbreak. / CNN See also: Comments from Fox’s Sean Hannity around that time. / Twitter To travel backward a bit further, here’s Ed Yong in 2018: “The Next Plague Is Coming. Is
The Senate has passed Biden's $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill. / CNBC Details on the legislation: Lower caps on who receives checks, no minimum wage hike. / Vox Biden is currently polling around 10 points higher than Trump ever did. / The New York Times A lack of presidential landslides,
The Senate moves towards passage of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. / The Washington Post Action was delayed after Sen. Ron Johnson called for a reading of the 628-page bill. / Vox What a "vote-a-rama" is and what it means for Biden's
The House of Representatives is closed today out of concern that QAnon believers—who believe Trump is to be restored to power on March 4—may attempt to storm the Capitol. / BBC, the Week An intelligence bulletin discusses extremists' plans to "take control of the US Capitol...on
Gov. Greg Abbott says it's time to "open Texas 100%" and end the statewide mask order. / Austin American-Statesman Companies like General Motors, Toyota, Target, and Macy’s say their Texas employees will keep their masks on, thank you very much. / Reuters Meanwhile: Houston is the first
The Biden administration will allow families separated at the border under Trump to reunite and settle in the US. / POLITICO Reporters Without Borders accuses Crown Prince Mohammed of crimes against humanity in connection with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the prosecution of other journalists. / The Hill A third person
A steady decline in new coronavirus cases in the United States appears to have stalled. / The Washington Post Zeynep Tufekci lays out five key fallacies and pitfalls that have affected public-health messaging. / The Atlantic Vaccine refusal is actually a portfolio of issues—dissent, deliberation, distrust—requiring a portfolio of strategies.
US intelligence concludes Prince Mohammed approved the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, but the Biden administration says penalizing him would risk American interests. / The New York Times This morning, the House passed the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package. The bill now heads to the Senate, where debate is expected to
The House of Representatives votes on the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill today. It has already lost its minimum wage provision. / CNBC, NPR Anne Helen Petersen: The future of the middle class depends on student loan forgiveness. / Vox Related: The inhumanity of America's minimum wage, as told by
US regulators find the single-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine to be safe and effective, paving the way for it to be authorized within days. / BBC News A sweeping new Covid-19 data platform offers access to more than 5 million anonymized records from 160 countries. / STAT Helen Lewis: The scarcity
A federal judge has banned Biden's 100-day moratorium on deportations, but did not require them to resume at their previous pace. / Associated Press The Biden administration has reopened a Trump-era facility in Texas to hold migrant teens. / The Washington Post Related: "Biden unveils cool teen migrant detainment
The United States' Covid-19 death toll passes half a million people. Mourners share stories of their loved ones on an Instagram post from the White House. / BBC News, Instagram Unrelated: Four years of stories from employees at DC's Trump Hotel, where directions for pouring the former president&
In February 2011, frigid temperatures took down part of Texas's power infrastructure. Officials ignored the warnings, setting the state up for last week's disaster. / BuzzFeed News After the 2011 freeze, El Paso—which isn't on the same grid as most of Texas—prepared its
Dozens of Texans died during this week's winter storm, but the true death toll won't be known for weeks or months. / The Texas Tribune Last year, Texas utility regulators cut ties with a group that had been hired to monitor and enforce reliability standards—including weatherization
The Biden administration pledges $4 billion to a coronavirus vaccination program for poorer countries. Boris Johnson pledges to donate most of the UK's surplus supply. / Reuters, BBC A 90-year-old woman walks six miles through snow to get her vaccine. / The New York Times A "vaccine passport"
Millions in Texas are now under a boil-water notice. / NPR This morning, Texas's energy authority announced all controlled outages have ended, and local utility companies may now begin restoring power as they see fit. / KXAN Republicans are trying to blame Texas's power grid failure on wind
Millions in Texas are still without power, while more snow and ice are expected to sweep across the South and East in the coming days. / The New York Times "It's worse than a hurricane. I think we are going to be more days without light, that is
Amid record low temperatures in Texas, more than four million people remain without power. / NBC News "It limped along on underinvestment and neglect until it finally broke under predictable circumstances." What broke the Texas power grid? / Houston Chronicle See also: Why does Texas have its own power grid,
Two days before Presidents Day, the Senate acquits former President Trump of inciting an insurrection (no matter Sen. McConnell's condemnation afterward). / POLITICO, Vox The vast majority of Republicans standing by Trump is "a clear indication of the firm—if slightly weakened—grip that he retains on the
Republican senators face a historic choice after both sides in the impeachment trial of former President Trump rest their case. / The Hill A desire to "overwhelm the problem" has become the mantra for President Biden's Covid team. / The Associated Press Fwiw: Inadequate healthcare killed 461,000
Biden says the US will have enough doses by July to inoculate 300 million Americans. / Associated Press Fauci: In April, "virtually everybody and anybody, in any category, could start to get vaccinated." / People About 40% of America's coronavirus deaths could have been prevented, says a new
Today’s newsletter was delayed by a technical glitch. Sorry about that! The Biden administration is considering whether to impose domestic travel restrictions, including on Florida, to contain coronavirus mutations. / The Miami Herald The UK government defends its threat of a 10-year jail term for anyone found to have falsified
The Senate voted 56 to 44 to proceed with Trump's impeachment trial, rejecting the argument that the trial is unconstitutional. / The Washington Post Takeaways from the first day of Trump's trial, which included a shocking video montage of what happened on Jan. 6. (Warning: graphic content)
A team of WHO scientists in China says the coronavirus likely first spread to humans through an animal. / The Guardian A new study finds that people with dementia are at significantly greater risk of contracting Covid-19 and suffering its worst outcomes. / The New York Times. Texas Republican Ron Wright becomes
The WHO says Ebola has returned in an area of Congo that was one of the epicenters of the second-largest outbreak. / Bloomberg Biden refuses to lift economic sanctions on Iran unless it complies with the 2015 nuclear deal. Khamenei says sanctions must be eased first. / BBC Demand remains lower, but
"This is the definition of defamation." Legal experts weigh in on voting software company Smartmatic's $2.7 billion lawsuit against Fox News. / CNN Following the Smartmatic lawsuit, Fox News cancels Lou Dobbs Tonight, its highest-rated show and a promoter of Trump's election fraud claims.
Ed Yong: How Covid-19 has changed science this past year—and offered the industry an opportunity for self-correction. / The Atlantic Scientists have been overwhelmed by media attention lately. Some advice (for anybody, really) on how to engage. / Science Helen Branswell: Don't believe necessarily what you hear about the
Israel becomes the first country where vaccinations are beginning to drive down Covid numbers. / BuzzFeed News The side effects of the Covid vaccine's second dose are a feature, not a bug. / The Atlantic Anti-vaxxers are using a long-standing database of vaccine side effects to spread misinformation about Covid
Why rich countries should foot the bill for the world’s vaccination: to save several trillion dollars. / The New Yorker Now trending: Criminals selling forged negative Covid-19 test results to people looking to bypass travel restrictions. / CNBC Dr. Fauci urges Americans to “lay low” and not hold Super Bowl parties
Following the deadliest month of the pandemic so far, US cases and hospitalizations are plummeting. / Associated Press Also: "More Americans have now received at least one dose [of the vaccine] than have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began." / Bloomberg An interactive simulation shows when America
David Leonhardt: The news about the vaccines continues to be excellent—and public discussion of it continues to be more negative than the facts warrant. / The New York Times On Saturday, anti-vax protesters disrupted operations at Dodger Stadium’s mass vaccination site. / The Los Angeles Times See also: A Chick-fil-A
Video shows the suspect believed to have planted pipe bombs at the RNC and DNC headquarters the night before the Capitol insurrection. / The Washington Post A reporter's terrifying, minute-by-minute account of being in the Senate during the Jan. 6 attacks. / Poynter The CDC mandates that masks will be
Johnson & Johnson's Covid vaccine is only 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe illness, but appears to be 100% effective at preventing hospitalization or death. / STAT Covid can trigger antibodies that attack a patient's own tissues—rather than the virus—in a condition that can
The world surpasses 100 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus, a figure almost unimaginable 12 months ago. / CNN U.S. coronavirus hospitalizations have been declining since Jan. 12. / The Wall Street Journal A day in the life, in photos, at Dodger Stadium’s mass vaccination site. Unfortunately, a different story
Battle lines form in President Biden’s effort to address the climate crisis: unlikely allies in corporate America, opposition from senators in fossil-fuel states. / The New York Times The government’s fleet of 600,000-plus vehicles is about to go all-American, all-electric. / Jalopnik Unrelated: A picture of a 1954 Swallow
President Biden says he’s hopeful that the US soon can ramp up its capacity to administer 1.5 million vaccine shots daily. / POLITICO In just a month, Israel has vaccinated over a quarter of its 9.2 million people. / The Associated Press One Israeli healthcare group reports a 60
The US reaches 25 million cases of Covid-19. Now it's a race between vaccines and variants. / CNN The White House restricts entry of non-US citizens from the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, where new Covid strains have emerged. / CNBC Why scientists are more worried about the Covid-19 variant
The Justice Dept. has learned one of its lawyers devised a plan with Trump to replace the attorney general with a loyalist who would force Georgia to overturn its presidential election results. / The New York Times "Healing and unity will only come if there is truth and accountability."
President Biden signs 10 executive orders directed at ramping up vaccinations, including by invocation of the Defense Production Act. / The Wall Street Journal See also: Biden’s new national plan to fight Covid-19, explained. / Vox If the pace of vaccination only reaches one million doses a day, the virus won’
From reentering the Paris climate agreement to repealing Trump's travel bans, here are details on the 17 executive orders Biden signed yesterday. / The New York Times "Getting Americans to mask up will be critical during the early months of Biden's tenure." The nine biggest
President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in today as the United States’ 46th president at an inauguration like no other. / Vox Kamala Harris makes history as the first female vice president in the nation's history, also the first Black vice president and first female vice president of South
Online caches show Trump campaign members played key roles in the rally that happened before the insurrection, and have attempted to erase posts connecting them to the event. / Associated Press "What is striking about the videos, though, is how often this entitlement is laced with insecurity." Important moments
The speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. find particular resonance “amid a year of sickness and death, Black Lives Matter protests and the storming of the Capitol.” / The New York Times Washington DC will host 25,000 members of the National Guard to help provide security at this week'
"Our current state of affairs is a paradox." Balancing the need to talk about 1/6 with the worry of inspiring other wrongdoers. / Bloomberg Darren Walker: The ideal of democracy is the greatest threat to the ideology of white supremacy. / Ford Foundation for Social Justice A vivid report
Biden introduces a $1.9 trillion pandemic rescue plan that includes more checks, unemployment benefits, and healthcare measures. / BuzzFeed News Because of security concerns, Biden's inauguration rehearsal has been postponed. / POLITICO In a court filing, federal prosecutors say Capitol insurrectionists intended "to capture and assassinate elected officials.
Donald Trump becomes the first American president to be impeached twice. Any trial in the Senate won’t begin before he leaves office. / Vox, CNN Macaulay Culkin joins calls to get Donald Trump’s cameo removed from Home Alone 2. / The Guardian Washington DC locks down a week before Biden’
The House of Representatives is currently engaged in debate over impeaching Trump for inciting insurrection. / The Guardian In yesterday's House vote to request Pence invoke the 25th Amendment, all but one Republican voted against it. / BuzzFeed News McConnell reportedly approves of impeachment, hoping it will make it easier
According to a new study, Covid-19 immunity likely lasts for years after someone is vaccinated or recovers from infection. / MIT Technology Review For one couple, a cancer diagnosis during the pandemic led them to move into a contemporary commune, to have more “OSOs” (Other Significant Others). / The New York Times
Pelosi tells Democrats that the House will begin impeachment proceedings "with urgency." / The Guardian The House releases its Articles of Impeachment, charging Trump with "incitement of insurrection." / CNN "The key issue is this: One of the three branches of the federal government has just incited
Twitter permanently suspends Donald Trump "due to the risk of further incitement of violence." / Twitter "Can a disgraced president addicted to outrage and innately governed by the same forces as the attention economy survive without his primary outlet?" / The New York Times Trump has been trying
More officials resign in protest as President Trump reluctantly concedes defeat without giving up his lies about election fraud. / The New York Times Online researchers race to identify raid participants. / The Verge Some of the wanted rioters: Holocaust deniers, white supremacists, conspiracy theorists, and six Republican lawmakers. / The Independent Interviews
"On Jan. 6, at the president’s direction, the constitutionally scheduled process for the transfer of power was interrupted by violence." / Slate Watch: This report from ITV shows the moment Trump's mob breached the US Capitol. / YouTube Accounts of what it was like inside the Capitol
Today’s joint session of the House and Senate may be the last attempt by the president and his allies to overturn the election results. Here’s what to expect. / POLITICO, CNN Protests in DC are feared to turn ugly, egged on by the president’s Twitter feed. / The Washington
To combat the new, more infectious Covid variant, Boris Johnson announces a national lockdown for England until at least mid-February. / ABC News California, Colorado, and Florida have confirmed cases of the new, more infectious Covid variant. / CNBC Battling a Covid surge, Los Angeles County ambulance crews have been told not
In leaked recordings of a one-hour phone call, President Trump urges Georgia’s secretary of state to “find” enough votes to overturn his defeat. / The Washington Post Carl Bernstein: This is “far worse” than what occurred in the Watergate scandal. / Huffpost All 10 living former defense secretaries say that involving
TMN will be offline through the holidays, and the newsletter will return on Monday, Jan. 4. Until then, here's our annual round-up of some of the places we like to give money. Advice on how to give to charity if you're not wealthy. The Human Restoration
Pfizer and BioNTech will provide the US with an additional 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine by mid-summer. / The Guardian The Chilean army reports 36 cases of the coronavirus at its research station on the Antarctic Peninsula. / BBC News Why are Americans so numb to the coronavirus death toll? Blame
Nine months after the CARES act, Congress has passed a second stimulus bill that’s half the size of its predecessor. / The New York Times In addition to direct payments to Americans and more unemployment benefits, the stimulus extends tax breaks for film and TV production companies and includes funding
US lawmakers agree to issue stimulus payments of $600 and distribute a federal unemployment benefit of $300 for 11 weeks. / The New York Times, The Washington Post Moderna’s Covid vaccine begins rolling out. / Reuters The CDC says that adults 75 and older, as well as frontline essential workers, be
The World Health Organization says its Covid-19 vaccine program has secured 2 billion doses. / STAT Moderna’s vaccine becomes the second to receive emergency use authorization. / Reuters The coronavirus vaccines, developed and tested at record speed, are the breakthrough of the year. / Science Magazine Dhruv Khullar: The vaccine will make
Research suggests July was the deadliest month in modern American history for people between the ages 25 and 44. / The New York Times ICU capacity in Southern California has dropped to 0% based on available beds and the ratio of Covid patients. / NBC Southern California “I saw a guy with
Congress is closing in on a roughly $900 billion coronavirus relief deal, lacking the Democrats’ aid to states and cities or the Republicans’ liability protections for companies. / The Washington PostMacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, lists the 384 organizations she found to give away more than $4 billion this year.
Citing Monday's Electoral College votes, Mitch McConnell acknowledged Joe Biden as president-elect. McConnell also urged against disputing the Electoral College tally on Jan. 6, as it would result in Republicans voting against Trump. / CNN, Associated Press Why sowing election doubt helps Republicans post-Trump: It's fuel for
The Food and Drug Administration supports authorizing Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use. / NPR Helen Branswell: A guide to who can safely get the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. / STAT Videos of vaccine deliveries are making people burst into tears. / The Washington Post Related: Each day is a small room
This morning, an ICU nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center became the first person in the US to receive the Covid-19 vaccine as part of Operation Warp Speed. / Reuters Right now, the Electoral College is meeting to cast its votes for president. / CNN Why the Electoral College doesn'
The Supreme Court rejected the Texas lawsuit intended to overturn election outcomes in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. / CNN US officials say Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine will start arriving in states on Monday morning. / Associated Press Tracking coronavirus vaccine distribution, state by state. / The Washington Post Russian health officials
The FDA says it will rapidly work toward approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine now that federal advisers have endorsed it. / The Washington Post The timeline for vaccine distribution keeps slipping. Experts say it will change again. / STAT Emily Oster on how the pandemic will end: slowly, in drips, with
On Wednesday, 3,054 people died from the coronavirus in the US—the highest daily death toll in the pandemic so far. / NPR We posted a link to an article yesterday stating that Biden wants "100 million Americans vaccinated in his first 100 days." The president-elect's
More than a third of Americans live in areas where hospitals are running critically short of intensive care beds. / The New York Times Another Trump lawyer tests positive for the coronavirus, stirring fears of an additional White House superspreader event after she attended a party without a mask. / Axios More
The UK begins the first Pfizer Covid-19 immunization rollout. A grandmother who turns 91 next week was the first person to receive the vaccine as part of the program. / BBC An exhaustive look back at how we got to the vaccines—and the distribution challenges yet to come. / The New
Most of California goes back under lockdown, with the latest stay-at-home order to remain in place through December. / BBC News A Korean study shows how a person can (and did) infect another person 21 feet away indoors in only five minutes. / Insight Media coverage of the pandemic continues to overlook
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges “universal mask use” anywhere outside people’s homes. / The Washington Post To visit Iowa right now is to go back to the pandemic's early days, "when the horror was fresh and the sirens never stopped." / The Atlantic Related:
With ICUs around the state filling up, California will issue its strictest stay-at-home order since the beginning of the pandemic. / The Guardian Despite locals' entreaties, tourists continue flocking to West Texas—a virus hot spot that's running out of hospital beds. / The Texas Tribune While US air
Helen Branswell: The Covid-19 vaccines are a marvel of science. Here’s how we can make the best use of them. / STAT A factory in New York is racing to make enough glass vials to deliver more than 100 million vaccine doses by January. / The New Yorker On Wednesday, the
The CDC voted in favor of a Covid-19 vaccine schedule that prioritizes health care workers and elderly people living in long-term care facilities. / Science Related: A broad timeline of when various groups in the US can get vaccinated, based on risk. / CNN The new recommended Covid-19 quarantine period from the
Moderna says that if its vaccine is approved for emergency use, Americans could get injections as soon as December 21. / The Associated Press Centers for Disease Control advisers will vote today on who should get first priority for vaccines. / CNN The number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 in the US
An in-depth look at the past 20 incredibly stupid days of Trump's attempt to overturn the election. / The Washington Post The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has thrown out US Rep. Mike Kelly's election challenge, which would have invalidated millions of mail-in votes. / NBC News "And now
Trump's demand for a recount in Wisconsin's two largest counties has so far resulted in a net gain of 132 votes for Biden. / The Guardian What was behind Michigan’s fake voter fraud scandal? Endangered Republicans vying to prove their loyalty to Trump. / POLITICO Following a
Thanksgiving is seen as a test that will make or break the United States’ coronavirus response. / The Associated Press The share of Americans who plan to eat Thanksgiving dinner with people outside their household is highest among Libertarians. / The New York Times “These holidays are going to be the real
Michigan has certified Biden's win, ending Trump's fight to delay the election results in the state. / BuzzFeed News Following Michigan's vote to certify, the General Services Administration officially recognized President-elect Biden, and has started the transition process. / Associated Press Biden's cabinet picks
US approval for distributing a Covid vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech may come as soon as Dec. 11. / Reuters British company AstraZeneca says its new vaccine is up to 90% effective. / The Associated Press How Americans can make the best of a very small holiday this
A poll of more than 2,000 Americans finds that 38 percent intend to gather with 10 or more people during the holiday season. / Vox California institutes a limited stay-at-home order that will last through December. / The Associated Press Rachel Maddow was off for most of the past two weeks
At current rates, the US could reach 2,000 daily coronavirus deaths within a month—the highest toll since the spring. / The Atlantic "This is a strong recommendation." The CDC is asking people not to travel for Thanksgiving. / BuzzFeed News Losing her mother to cancer during the pandemic,
More than three million people in the US are estimated to be contagious with the coronavirus. Over 250,000 people have died. And yet little changes. / The Washington Post More than 900 Mayo Clinic staff have contracted COVID-19 in the past two weeks. New York City shuts down its schools.
It's now been one year since the first known case of COVID-19 was identified. / Futurism Pfizer and BioNTech announce their COVID-19 vaccine has 95% efficacy. / STAT See also: A million-dollar donation from Dolly Parton helped fund the Moderna vaccine. / The Guardian Blood samples from those who've
Governors issue new restrictions in Iowa, North Dakota, West Virginia, and other states as the coronavirus surges. / The New York Times Despite having no federal mandates to follow, more US airlines and airports are offering preflight coronavirus testing. / The Washington Post New Zealand's Chatham Islands are experiencing overtourism
Last week, the US added one million new cases of the coronavirus, bringing its total to more than 11 million confirmed infections. / Reuters North Dakota alters course, issuing a statewide mask mandate, as New Mexico and Oregon enter partial lockdowns. / NBC News "Even transmission from surfaces may pose a
As Biden calls for the current administration to take urgent action against the coronavirus, Trump says the White House won't go into lockdown. / The Hill The last few weeks of Trump rallies are linked to more than 130 Secret Service agents becoming infected with COVID-19 or quarantining. / The
Eight days after the U.S. hit 100,000 cases in a day for the first time, the number topped 160,000 on Thursday. / The New York Times US Civil War combat deaths per day: 449. US combat deaths per day during World War II: 297. US deaths per day
The coronavirus is spreading wildly across the US: "Any number of cities and states might now be considered the worst off, depending on the measurement used." / The New York Times In just one week, new daily coronavirus infections in the US have shot up from 104,000 to
On Tuesday, the US hit another one-day record, logging more than 135,000 new coronavirus cases. There are now 40 percent more people hospitalized with COVID-19 than there were two weeks ago. / The Washington Post, The Atlantic US hospitalizations overall have nearly doubled since September. Experts fear multiple epicenters where
Coronavirus cases in the US and Europe are surging as global infections approach 50 million. / The New York Times Early results from Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trial show the drug is strongly effective and exceeded expectations. / STAT In response to the vaccine news, the Dow and S&P
Joe Biden is declared President-elect of the United States, becoming the first person since 1992 to oust a sitting president. / The News & Observer Kamala Harris makes history as the first woman and woman of color as Vice President-elect. That said, this is nothing new for the rest of the
Four days after the election, the US presidential race hovers in suspended animation. Three storylines to watch over the weekend. / POLITICO Meanwhile, the president’s chief of staff and several employees of the White House and Trump’s campaign team test positive for the coronavirus. / The Associated Press Joe Biden
The US continues to break daily coronavirus records, with more than 121,000 new cases on Thursday. / The New York Times "At this point, I didn't really give a shit." The Americans who are traveling internationally, and don't care. / The Cut Trump voters turned
Joe Biden wins the battleground prizes of Michigan and Wisconsin, leaving him one battleground state away from victory. / The Associated Press The Trump campaign launches a flurry of lawsuits. Meanwhile, Biden maintains narrow leads in Arizona and Nevada. / The Washington Post, The New York Times As long as Biden’s
The US presidential election is still too close to call. However, early this morning Trump made good on his plan to declare victory anyway, claim fraud, and call for votes to stop being counted. / AP, The Washington Post Democrats will maintain control of the House, but it's looking
A politics wonk in DC explains how to properly "enjoy" today’s elections, broken down by segments of the day. / Five Points by Matt Glassman Voting in person is roughly as safe as going to the grocery store. / Vox Reuters is equipping its reporters with protective gear. Retailers
Trump's alleged plan to win reelection: Prematurely claim victory on election night so remaining vote counting appears fraudulent. / Axios "Competent criminals rarely announce their crimes in advance." The Trump's campaign's "illegitimate and stupid plan" to win the election. / The Message
On Friday the US had more than 99,000 new coronavirus infections—the highest single-day figure for any country since the start of the pandemic. / The Washington Post Taiwan reaches a record 200 days without any domestically transmitted cases of COVID-19. / The Guardian Your weekly white paper: COVID-19 trends in
The United States, which reported its first known coronavirus case in Washington State 282 days ago, surpasses nine million total infections. / The New York Times Helen Branswell: It may be time to reset expectations on when we’ll get a Covid-19 vaccine. Fauci says he doesn’t expect “semblances of
In the US, more than 71,000 people a day are testing positive on average, up from 51,000 two weeks ago. / The Associated Press Related: “A room, a bar, and a classroom: how the coronavirus is spread through the air.” / El País Cases of the coronavirus grew at a
As of Monday, more than 42,000 people were hospitalized in the United States with Covid-19. / The Washington Post A Scottish bishop asks for a Christmas truce—a one-day break from Covid restrictions—as if the virus was a German army. / BBC News France is Europe’s epicenter of the
The third wave of the novel coronavirus in the United States is officially worse than the last two. / TIME "If we took aggressive steps right now, we could potentially forestall the worst of it, but we're not going to do that." The US is close to
The US average of new daily cases is now at its highest point of the entire pandemic. / CNN After five aides to Vice President Pence test positive for Covid-19, the White House admits it can’t control what’s happening. / CNBC In Italy, gyms, swimming pools, cinemas, and theatres are
The US sets a daily record of over 85,000 new cases on Friday while the resurgent virus attacks the heartland. / The New York Times As cases spike across Europe, Italy imposes lockdowns on its three largest cities: Rome, Milan, and Naples. / The Associated Press Curfews across England and France,
In their final debate, Donald Trump and Joe Biden fight over how to tame the coronavirus. Pundits credit the quality of the debate to “muted mic deterrence.” “It’s not the actual power of the mute but the threat of the mute.” / The Associated Press, The New York Times, Twitter
Some good news to start: A pair of peer-reviewed studies show a sharp drop in mortality among hospitalized Covid-19 patients. / NPR The only two residents of a remote Italian village both wear masks when they meet for coffee. "It's a matter of principle." / CNN In case
The United States is averaging 59,000 new cases a day of the novel coronavirus—on pace to record the most new daily cases of the entire pandemic in the coming days. / The New York Times Argentina becomes the fifth country to surpass 1 million Covid-19 cases, after the US,
As Covid infections soar, Trump attacks Fauci, dismissing his scientific advisers as “these idiots.” / The New York Times A report from inside the White House task force as the coronavirus surges. / The Washington Post The president attacking a top doctor amid a global pandemic “would normally make for shocking news.
The United States surpassed eight million known Covid cases last week, and reported more than 70,000 new infections on Friday, the most in a single day since July. / The New York Times Some senior living facilities are quietly using automated tracking systems to guide contact tracing. / The Verge “How
Health experts offer advice on how to plan for a safe Thanksgiving during the Covid period. / STAT In Switzerland, yodelers created a superspreader event in late September. / The Daily Beast Five reasons why Covid-19 has been less deadly in Africa than elsewhere. / BBC News James Carville: Americans are coming together
What happened when the United States’ emergency aid money ran out: eight million people entered poverty. / The New York Times Public health officers across the country rush to plan for the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine. / NPR How the CDC was felled by a virus, the president, and “the capitulation
A proposal to speed up herd immunity to the coronavirus gets White House attention “but appalls top scientists.” / The Washington Post See also: “Which states had the best pandemic response?” / POLITICO Paris and other French cities enter a curfew to curb the virus’s rapid spread. / BBC News Helen Branswell:
The Czech Republic has Europe’s highest rate of coronavirus infection, despite July’s massive “Farewell Covid” party. / NBC News In the UK, the resurgence is blamed on lax social distancing and the prime minister’s public health directives. / Vox Cristiano Ronaldo becomes yet another major soccer player to test
An otherwise healthy 25-year-old man from Nevada was reinfected with Covid-19, and the second bout was worse than the first. / BBC News Johnson & Johnson pauses its Covid vaccine study due to unexplained illness in a participant. / STAT Sean Penn has created the United States’ largest coronavirus testing program. Somebody
A new wave of COVID-19 cases is building across the United States, a harbinger of difficult winter months ahead. / Vox President Trump will hold a rally today in Florida, though he won’t say whether he has tested negative yet for the coronavirus. / The Washington Post “Taking Page From Authoritarians,
Spain imposes a state of emergency on Madrid to bring down COVID-19 infection rates. Cases are inching up in New England. / BBC News, The New York Times Wearing masks doesn’t harm your health, but the idea has lived on through multiple debunkings. / The Atlantic See also: See if you
The Nobel Peace Prize goes to the UN’s World Food Program for its efforts to combat a surge in global hunger amid the coronavirus pandemic. / The New York Times Most of the infections faced by our ancestors are still with us. A review of how other pandemics came to
The New England Journal of Medicine condemns the White House’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and calls for Trump to be voted out of office. / The New England Journal of Medicine Dexamethasone, the steroid being administered to the president as part of his kitchen-sink treatment for COVID-19, makes musicians
Washington, DC, records its highest number of daily coronavirus cases in more than four months. / WAMU Several members of the Pentagon's senior leadership are quarantining after a top Coast Guard official tests positive. / CNN First President Trump says he won’t negotiate a new fiscal stimulus package, then
The US has reported more than 97,000 new Covid cases since the news of President Trump’s positive test. / Vox The Midwest keeps reopening as states reel from new virus cases. Meanwhile, the White House is doing almost nothing to investigate its outbreak. / POLITICO, The New York Times The
Yesterday, Trump took a brief motorcade with two Secret Service members to wave to supporters outside Walter Reed hospital. / BuzzFeed News A Walter Reed attending physician: "Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might
Please note: We chose to delay yesterday's Headlines until today, now that it appears the news regarding Trump's condition has slowed a bit. Trump’s medical team says the president has had two concerning drops in oxygen levels, but may be discharged from Walter Reed as
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have contracted the novel coronavirus. / Vox The news arrives just hours after reports surfaced that Hope Hicks, one of Trump’s closest aides, tested positive for the virus as well. / CNBC A list of other world leaders who have contracted the virus.
Democrats had a fundraising spike following Biden's debate with Trump, receiving close to $8 million between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. / CNBC On Wednesday, Fox & Friends hosts and guests offered pointers to Trump for the next debate—probably since there was a good chance the
Biden and Trump’s first debate was a fiasco, where Trump was “nothing short of a horror show,” standing by white supremacists and actively sowing doubt about election integrity. / USA Today, The Washington Post, The New York Times See also: Trump highlighted his hunger for a rushed, election-eve vaccine approval.
More than one million people worldwide have now died from COVID-19, and many regions are still reporting surges of new infections. / BBC Of the one million deaths, one in five victims was an American. / The Washington Post See also: Based on an average over the past month, more than 5,
Twenty-one states report increased COVID-19 cases as experts warn of a fall surge. / CNN An interactive model lets your neighborhood become the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. / The Washington Post An org chart of Operation Warp Speed shows a highly structured organization in which military personnel
The White House is expected to nominate Amy Coney Barrett to fill fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. / The Washington Post Operation Warp Speed is the White House's best attempt at fighting coronavirus. Trump can't seem to help
Senate Republicans, including McConnell, dismiss Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses. The Senate also passed a resolution reaffirming its support for such a transition. / NBC News, The Hill Letters from presidents to their successors show what a peaceful transfer of power
A large genetic study shows the coronavirus mutating and potentially evolving amid its rapid spread in the United States. / The Washington Post Johnson & Johnson says it has made advancements with its potential Covid-19 vaccine and hopes to know its efficacy by the end of the year. / The New York
France and Spain, currently Europe’s hardest-hit countries, are tracking a rise of coronavirus cases even worse than their springtime peaks. / Vox Over the weekend, multiple states including Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Utah experienced a record number of new daily cases. / Esquire Charting the pandemic over the next 12 months.
The CDC has now reverted its guidance on COVID-19, removing language added on Friday stating the virus can spread through the air. / CNN What we've learned over the past six months of the pandemic: You don't need to disinfect your groceries, but you do need to
Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died at 87. / The Washington Post Ginsburg in 2004: "My heritage as a Jew and my occupation as a judge fit together symmetrically. The demand for justice runs through the entirety of Jewish history and Jewish tradition." / The Washington Post Ginsburg
A new allegation accuses the President of the United States of sexual assault, increasing the tally to at least two dozen. / The Guardian Related: Trump's former lawyer says Trump hit on his 15-year-old daughter in front of him. The daughter, Samantha Cohen, told her version to CNN earlier
The US National Hurricane Center says the flooding caused by Hurricane Sally on the Alabama-Florida coastline is "historic and catastrophic." / The Guardian Following the CDC director's Senate testimony in which he said a coronavirus vaccine wouldn't be widely available until at least mid-2021, Trump
The last 10 years have broken fire records in California, and 2020 tops them all. / The Los Angeles Times Photos from the last month of wildfires in Brazil, Greece, and Argentina, during what may go down as the hottest year yet recorded. / Heated Can you slap an HVAC filter on
Phosphine, a gas produced by bacteria, has been detected in the atmosphere of Venus. On Earth, phosphine hints at the presence of life. / CNN The air quality in Portland, Ore., currently ranks as the worst among the world's cities. / NPR Smoke from the fires on the West Coast
Firefighters across the American West brace for strong winds may fan uncontrolled blazes. / The New York Times A big chunk of ice has broken away from the Arctic's largest remaining ice shelf. / BBC News See also: “How Big Oil Misled The Public Into Believing Plastic Would Be Recycled.
Links between wildfires and the climate crisis are straightforward, and effects to come likely will be larger than any we've seen. / The New York Times Oregon prepares for a “mass fatality incident.” Photographs of Oregon’s deadly fires. / The East Oregonian, NPR To keep the United States on
A federal court has blocked Trump's attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from being counted in the census for apportionment, calling the move "unlawful." / The Washington Post Senate Republicans were unable to advance their coronavirus stimulus plan, marking the fifth failed congressional aid package. / CNBC Microsoft has
In February, Trump told Bob Woodward he knew exactly how deadly the virus was, and in March, admitted he kept that knowledge from the public. / Vox Related: A list of unfiltered moments from Woodward’s new book. / CNN For Joe Biden, the revelation is a "life-and-death betrayal.” Carl Bernstein,
The Justice Dept. has moved to take over the defense of E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit from Trump’s lawyers, arguing the president’s remarks were made while performing his official duties. / NPR Georgia Republicans disenfranchised hundreds of thousands of voters, claiming residents changed addresses—two thirds had
California sets a grim record with more than two million acres burned, with several weeks remaining in the middle of fire season. / USA Today One backpacking party’s frightening story of escaping the Creek Fire. / Twitter In Los Angeles, a pyrotechnic device that was part of a gender-reveal party started
Russian “malign influence actors” have targeted the absentee voting process by spreading disinformation since at least March. / ABC News The former assistant secretary for counterterrorism and threat prevention at Homeland Security says President Trump’s encouragement of white-supremacist terrorism is a significant threat. / The New York Times A new book
Spain enters a second wave of the coronavirus—spreading at eight times the rate in Italy, 10 times the pace in Germany. / The New York Times The Trump administration says it won’t join a global vaccine effort in part because the World Health Organization is involved. / The Washington Post
Around 145,000 fewer Americans would have died if the US had done an average job of fighting COVID-19. / The New York Times See also: Sorting the COVID-19 death data to try and ascertain how many people have died as a result of the outbreak. / Nature According to post-mortem analysis,
The Justice Department secretly took steps in 2017 to keep investigators from completing an examination of President Trump’s personal and business ties to Russia. / The New York Times A man was killed in Portland on Saturday after clashes between a caravan of Trump supporters and counterprotesters. / The Associated Press
Interviews with unemployed Americans going without federal funds find rage toward Trump and the Republicans for the lapse. / The Washington Post Reporter Kevin Roose put together a Twitter feed that tracks each day’s 10 top-performing posts by Facebook pages in the United States. All of them are alt-right or
Making landfall early yesterday morning, Hurricane Laura pummeled parts of Louisiana, leaving six people dead. / CNN Japan's Shinzo Abe, the country's longest serving prime minister, is resigning due to poor health. / Reuters Trump's speech last night at the Republican National Convention echoed the speech
Half a million residents have been told to leave parts of Texas and Louisiana as Hurricane Laura makes landfall overnight. / BBC News Britain to pay low-income residents to self-isolate if they test positive for the coronavirus: £130 for 10 days of isolation. / World Economic Forum New Covid-19 testing guidelines, crafted
The first documented COVID-19 reinfection has been reported. The patient had a new immune response, but was asymptomatic. / The New York Times Nigeria becomes the last African country to be declared free from wild polio. / BBC News Medical experts say the FDA "grossly misrepresented" its stat that blood
Even in the context of recent years, the size and scope of Northern California’s fires are historically unprecedented. / Weather West See also: A useful fire and smoke map for people living in the Western United States. / AirNow To study disease-carrying mosquitoes, scientists let them feed on their own blood.
The Republican National Convention begins today, and Trump will make an appearance every single night. / NPR, CNN The Republican National Committee won't present a party platform at the convention, and will instead "enthusiastically support the president’s America-first agenda." / MarketWatch See also: What happens when a
In the past week, the wildfires in California have now engulfed 918,000 acres, prompting requests for out-of-state firefighting assistance. / Los Angeles Times It's now been more than five months since Breonna Taylor was murdered, and calls for the officers' arrests are intensifying. / The Washington Post As
Joe Biden’s big speech at an all-virtual DNC is “rousting, emotional, surprisingly effective,” proving he’s still an American romantic. / The New Yorker Close watches of Elizabeth Warren’s speech noticed several Easter Eggs in the background. / The Morning News The Postal Service, run by a staunch Trump supporter,
Russian opposition leader and staunch Putin critic Alexei Navalny is in serious condition after being poisoned this morning. / BuzzFeed News Steve Bannon has been arrested and charged with defrauding donors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars as part of the "We Build the Wall" crowdfunding campaign. / Axios
The second night of the Democrats’ convention offers moments of confusion, but also some unexpected joy. / Vox “The program’s very existence was a kind of political argument: If this doesn’t look normal, it’s because none of this is normal right now.” / The New York Times Why are
More than a dozen US states may sue the Trump administration over postal service cuts. / Reuters Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will testify before a senate panel on Friday over concerns about mail delays ahead of the election. / The Hill A history of how the US Postal Service has been repeatedly
The Democratic Convention begins today as a television production combining live feeds, taped segments, and a telethon. / The New York Times “At a regular convention, audience reaction is a huge part of the speeches. We needed a way to do that technologically and virtually.” / The Washington Post See also: The
The Postal Service warns states it may not be able to meet deadlines for delivering last-minute mail-in ballots. / The New York Times Thanks to the social media panic, though, it pledges to quit removing mailboxes (for now). / The Washington Post Considering the Republican Party’s attacks on the voting by
The US Senate has now adjourned for a month—a sign that there won't be a coronavirus relief package passed this summer. / BuzzFeed News In a deal brokered by the White House, Israel and the United Arab Emirates agree to establish full diplomatic relations. / Associated Press The number
A new study isolates live virus from aerosols at a distance of seven to 16 feet from patients hospitalized with COVID-19. / The New York Times Charts and maps help to explain the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. In the country’s largest county, 1 in 8 have likely
Joe Biden picks Senator Kamala Harris for vice president, making Harris the first woman of color to be nominated for vice president by a major political party. / The Washington Post, NPR “When Kamala was Attorney General, she worked closely with Beau. I watched as they took on the big banks,
The world reaches 20 million confirmed coronavirus cases and is edging closer to 750,000 deaths globally. / CNN The United States’ fumbling response to the pandemic is making it one of the chief risks to a global rebound. / The Associated Press According to different indices, the American passport is fast
Executive actions Trump signed on Saturday may not hold water, crossing the line into congressional tax and spending powers. / The Washington Post TikTok is planning to sue the Trump administration over the president's executive order banning the service from the US. / NPR Police in Hong Kong have arrested
Congressional Democrats call for an investigation of the postmaster general over cost-cutting measures that have delayed delivery of mail-in ballots. / The Washington Post The postmaster general refutes accusations that he's beholden to Trump. / The News & Record See also: What Democrats must do to save the USPS in
The White House and Democrats seem resigned to the likelihood that Congress won't reach a stimulus deal amid the economic crisis. / The Washington Post Congress can’t even agree on the kind of thermometer to use test lawmakers for coronavirus symptoms. / The Washington Post Incidentally, “the White House”
Following the massive blast in Beirut that killed 135 people and injured thousands, people are accusing the government of negligence over the storage of ammonium nitrate. / Associated Press Related: Mapping the damage from the Beirut explosion. / The New York Times Defense Secretary Mark Esper refutes Trump's claim that
A massive explosion in Beirut kills at least 100 people and injures more than 4,000. Photos show a city in tatters. / BBC News, Al Jazeera A study finds Americans feel overwhelmed by the volume and speed of news they see online. / Knight Foundation How to evaluate COVID-19 news? You
The chief adviser to the Trump administration's accelerated vaccine program says media scrutiny into his pharma stock ownership could delay a vaccine. / BuzzFeed News How the pandemic defeated America: chronically underfunded public health and an unhealthy population. / The Atlantic See also: Trump has signed an executive order to
Six months into a respiratory pandemic, people are still doing surprisingly little to mitigate airborne transmission. / The Atlantic A school that opened in Indiana this week had to quarantine students within hours. / The New York Times A school superintendent in Arizona: “I’m worried. I’m worried about everything.” / The
The World Health Organization reports a record increase in global coronavirus cases, with the total rising by 292,527. / The Guardian Russia plans a mass vaccination campaign against the coronavirus in October, the health minister says. Dr. Fauci says the United States’ lack of a unified federal plan helps to
In a tweet yesterday, Trump suggested delaying the election. Though he doesn't have the legal authority to change that date, his point was really to cast doubt on mail-in ballots and the election results. / CNN A co-founder of the Federalist Society: "This latest tweet is fascistic and
Russia continues to run operations against the US, and the president continues to be unwilling to confront the Kremlin about it. / The Washington Post Related: Trump confirms he has never raised the bounty issue with Putin. / Politico China's incarceration of its Uighur population is the largest mass internment
Arkansas, California, Florida, Montana, Oregon and Texas report record spikes in coronavirus fatalities on Tuesday, and cases in Texas pass the 400,000 mark. / Reuters The head of the Republican party attacks the government’s top infectious disease official, alleging a scheme to spread COVID-19. / The Wall Street Journal The
Details on what’s inside the Republicans’ delayed $1 trillion stimulus bill as they enter negotiations with Democrats, who prefer the $3 trillion plan they passed back in May. / NPR To make Trump care more about the coronavirus, advisors present him with maps showing spikes in cases among “our people.
Coronavirus deaths in the US are at their highest level in two months, topping 1,000 for four consecutive days. / The Washington Post One way South Korea has been able to quash the coronavirus: Contract tracers working in a society willing to sacrifice privacy for the greater good. / Bloomberg North
Over the past week, nearly 40 countries had record single-day increases in confirmed COVID-19 infections. Fauci: A coronavirus vaccine likely won't be widely available until deeper into 2021. With just two drugs shown effective against COVID-19, the NIH will begin a "flurry" of large clinical trials
With 1 million new cases in the past 15 days, the US has now passed 4 million total coronavirus cases, with hospitalizations reaching a record high. California now finds itself at the center of the pandemic twice over. In Southern California, Huntington Beach has come “to symbolize resistance to many
Coronavirus infections in the US are much higher than confirmed, but far below what’s required for widespread immunity. In light of expiring CARES Act benefits, how state jobless benefits stack up against workers’ wages. Republican arguments about unemployment insurance de-incentivizing people to work ignore a harsh reality: many people
Trump doubles down on sending federal law enforcement to cities with protests—and says of the cities he's considering, all are “run by very liberal Democrats." Portland, Ore., vet in viral video says he was struck after asking unmarked feds if they would uphold their oath to
The White House is trying to block billions in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill for states to conduct testing and contact tracing. The US has been incapable of controlling the pandemic, and now the government resists addressing the resulting economic reality. The source of our inability to control the pandemic
The US hit a new record high in new coronavirus infections this week, with more than 77,000 cases reported on Thursday. Florida, South Carolina, and Texas also reported their largest one-day spikes in fatalities. See also: Texas ICUs are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients, some of whom are being transported
The number of deaths from the coronavirus in Latin America for the first time exceeds the figure for North America. Meanwhile, a second death surge is coming for the United States. Governors and mayors scramble to issue new mask orders and limit the size of gatherings. COVID-19 vaccine trials are
In what's thought to be the first case, a baby contracted COVID-19 while still in the womb (and has made a full recovery). Echocardiograms of COVID-19 patients show heart damage in 55% of the scans. One in seven have "severe abnormalities." Some first-person reporting: “I took
As of last week, the President of the United States has made over 20,000 false or misleading claims. A 30-year-old Texan dies after attending “a COVID party,” saying he thought the disease was a hoax. Dr. Fauci, now frequently derided by the White House and Donald Trump, says on
On Saturday, Florida reported at least 15,299 new COVID-19 cases, a new record for the most new cases in a single day in any state. Now with no active coronavirus cases, New Zealand lifts most restrictions, though its borders remain closed to foreigners. New York City has reported its
Trump has commuted the prison sentence for Roger Stone, who had reportedly been "praying" for Trump to do so. After months of decline, America's death rate from coronavirus has risen sharply, with death tolls increasing by more than 100% in Texas, Arizona, and South Carolina. Scientists
The Supreme Court says Trump doesn’t enjoy absolute immunity from a state prosecutor’s criminal investigation. They also say he enjoys special rules. In a 5-to-4 decision invoking the country’s long history of mistreating Native Americans, the Court rules that much of eastern Oklahoma remains Indian land. A
The Supreme Court has ruled Trump isn't immune from the Manhattan DA’s request to obtain the president's tax returns. Civil rights groups are concerned by potential fallout from the Supreme Court ruling in favor of employers who want to deny birth control coverage for religious
Secretary of State Pompeo says the US may follow India and ban TikTok for security concerns. The FBI says it’s opening a new China-related counterintelligence case “approximately every ten hours.” Canada's Trudeau turns down a White House invitation to visit. Were he to travel to the US,
The US is now approaching three million COVID-19 cases, and hospitals in many states are reporting unprecedented levels of hospitalizations. After weeks of controlling coronavirus outbreaks, California is becoming a new hot spot, with cases up 90% over the past two weeks. An honest attempt to answer Cornyn's
About 45 million Americans have recently lost their jobs during the pandemic. At the same time, US. billionaires made $584 billion. Seattle clears the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. Russia votes for constitutional changes to enable Putin to rule until 2036. Polls show a high level of enthusiasm for voting this
Fauci says at the current pace, US coronavirus infections could top 100,000 new cases a day. The CDC calls American Airlines' decision to resume full flight capacity a "substantial disappointment." The EU announces it will now allow travel from certain countries that have been hit by
China formally adopts a controversial security law, giving it new powers over Hong Kong. In anticipation, the US begins eliminating Hong Kong’s special status. The CDC says the coronavirus is spreading too rapidly and broadly for the US to get it under control. Looking back on January and February,
As of yesterday, there have now been 500,000 confirmed deaths worldwide and 10 million cases of COVID-19—and record-breaking daily new infections. Public health experts dispute Pence and Azar's claims that increased testing, not reopening, is the cause for the uptick in COVID-19 cases. One possibility for
The White House renews trying to kill the Affordable Care Act in a brief filed with the Supreme Court. Democrats see the effort playing in their favor. The House of Representatives votes to make Washington DC the 51st state; the Senate is not expected to consider the legislation. Pending US
The US has had more than 1 million jobless claims a week for 14 straight weeks. Millions face an “income cliff” if their CARES Act support ends in July. Across the United States, 39,327 new coronavirus infections were on Thursday, topping the previous single-day record of 38,115, which
The US experienced its highest single day of new coronavirus cases on Wednesday with more than 45,500, breaking its April record. A study finds cable news appearances by the White House’s coronavirus task force have fallen from 61 appearances in March to just one appearance so far in
Dr Fauci, America's top infectious disease expert, warns of "a disturbing surge of infection" and "increased community spread" in many southern and western states. The CDC’s director says Covid-19 has "brought this nation to its knees." The US has handled the
State and city leaders in the US respond to a surge in coronavirus cases by implementing new rules, scaling back on reopening plans. In many areas, Latinos comprise a dramatically higher percentage of positive COVID-19 tests. The director of the Harvard Global Health Institute says more than 100,000 Americans
The WHO reports the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases, more than 183,000 new cases in the latest 24 hours. A dozen states have seen record highs of new COVID-19 cases since Friday. One expert likens the spread to a “forest fire.” The era of the pandemic may also
"Being Black Is not a Crime," says a full-page ad in the Oklahoma Eagle, meant to be turned into a protest poster. From the Tulsa World’s editorial on Monday: “We don’t know why he chose Tulsa, but we can’t see any way that his visit
The Supreme Court has blocked Trump's plan to end DACA, concluding the administration violated the Administrative Procedure Act by not taking into account the interests of the 700,000 DREAMers. Why all Americans should celebrate Juneteenth: it helps us see all the ways that slavery still shapes this
The new book from John Bolton accuses Donald Trump of “obstruction of justice as a way of life.” For example, asking China to help him win reelection. “The thing is, there's not a Republican in the Senate who didn't know all this already. They chose party
In its deadliest clash in 45 years, a disputed Himalayan border sees 20 Indian soldiers die in a fight with Chinese forces. Here’s the India-China border explained in 400 words. See also: “Why North Korea just blew up its de facto embassy with South Korea.” China ramps up containment
Six months into the pandemic, Donald G. McNeil Jr., science and health reporter for The New York Times, tells Michael Barbaro where we’re at. The Vice President blatantly lies to reporters about the trajectory of COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma, ahead of Saturday’s Trump rally. The Fed begins purchasing
Protests are happening in Atlanta after police killed Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, shooting him in the back as he ran away during a traffic stop. In a preview of Republicans' police reform bill, a major difference with Democrats' legislation is that qualified immunity remains untouched. Firing
The Trump administration has rolled back Obama-era health and insurance nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people. In its coverage of Seattle protests, Fox News digitally altered photos to include a gunman. A legal analysis of whether a government drone flying over protests in Minneapolis was a violation of the Fourth Amendment.
Two months after the International Criminal Court approved an investigation into potential war crimes by US troops in Afghanistan, the White House imposes sanctions against court officials. A court-appointed adviser says the attempt to undo Michael Flynn's conviction is “a gross abuse of prosecutorial power.” The chairman of
A second wave of COVID-19 cases is occurring in parts of the US, as the confirmed total number of infections tops two million. But the White House remains silent on the coronavirus. Though their coronavirus cases are still rising, India, Mexico, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan are ending lockdowns in order
On Tuesday, all eyes were on Houston as George Floyd was honored before being laid to rest next to his mother. A timeline uses video and other records to document the clearing of protesters outside the White House before Trump’s photo-op. A New York City police officer who shoved
Thousands turned out in Houston for George Floyd's public visitation yesterday. Photos of demonstrations around the US show how massive the protests are. Related: In Los Angeles, a hundred black horse riders came out for the Compton Cowboys Peace Ride. A Google Sheet has collected hundreds of videos
From big cities to small towns, to foreign capitals around the world, the weekend’s protests against police brutality were massive. And they may continue through November. “On Monday, they were forcibly removed from the street by law enforcement. On Saturday, they danced.” Washington D.C.’s mayor had “Black
Earth just had the hottest May on record, with 2020 on track to be one of the top 10 warmest years, alarming climate scientists. Restoring summer tourism isn’t just an economic necessity for Europe, but also a cultural one. A large group of infectious disease experts publish an open
Buffalo police claimed an elderly protestor "tripped and fell" until a viral video proved they were lying. Related: "That awful video in which a white person is getting their skull cracked by a cop? That happens to black people ALL THE TIME." Police may be killing
Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin now faces second-degree murder, and three other officers at the scene are charged with aiding and abetting. In the United States, there were only 27 days in 2019 where the police did not kill someone. In March, Manuel Ellis of Tacoma, Wash., died as a
Police brutality prompted this week’s protests. In some cities and towns, the police response has only proved the protesters' point. Meanwhile, Black Lives Matter is working: the number of black people killed by the police has gone down since 2014. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is scrutinizing a
Peaceful protesters near the White House were gassed and shot so the President of the United States could have a photo op in a church after threatening to rain down military force on his own citizens. The New York Times takes widespread heat for treating the moment blithely on its
Yesterday, peaceful demonstrations over the murder of George Floyd continued across the US—though some protests are being overshadowed by people looting and rioting. Scenes of police brutality have been on display during the protests. See also: "Police erupt in violence nationwide." Protests are now heading outside the
Last night and this morning, protests—some turning violent—have continued across the US in response to the murder of George Floyd. Derek Chauvin, the fired Minneapolis officer who killed Floyd, has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. For a higher murder charge, prosecutors would need
Minneapolis enters a fourth day of unrest in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. Photos capture the stark contrast in police response to the George Floyd protests and the anti-lockdown protests. Twitter hides a tweet from President Trump—"When the looting starts, the shooting starts"—for glorifying
More than 100,000 people in the US have now died of the coronavirus. Public health experts say the CDC's new COVID-19 death rate estimates are too low, and accuse the agency of bowing to political pressure to minimize the deadliness of the coronavirus. So far, predominantly Democratic
Latin America is now the center of the global pandemic, with cases surging in Brazil. India begins loosening restrictions. In Russia, the statistics show signs of fraud. A live-tracking map shows where the coronavirus outbreak is growing in the United States, and where it’s slowing down. In case you
Beijing will impose new security legislation for Hong Kong. It's China's most aggressive move to curtail civil liberties for Hong Kong residents since the city's 1997 handover. The man who filmed the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery has now been charged with felony murder "
State officials in Florida, Arizona, and Georgia caught censoring scientists and/or providing questionable COVID-19 case data. Florida’s top data scientist says she was ousted for refusing to manually change data “to drum up support for the plan to reopen.” Brazil reports a record high number of COVID-19 deaths,
As of today, all 50 US states have begun easing coronavirus restrictions. States are facing accusations of manipulating COVID-19 data in order to support reopening plans. "They've already been vetted. But they need to be put on the screens." GOP advisors want doctors to publicly push
The UK announces a new post-Brexit tariff regime to replace the European Union’s external tariff. A Federalist approach to reopening the United States by July 4 requires color-coded zones across the country and testing, testing, testing. With the pandemic still spreading fast, the US and its allies may be
Nearly 90,000 people in the US have now died of COVID-19. The White House introduces a plan to develop and manufacture hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of the year. Brazil now has the fourth-highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases—after the US, Russia, and
Graphs show which US states are seeing COVID-19 cases increasing or decreasing. See also: Where coronavirus hospitalizations are rising and falling. This week the Senate came within one vote of upending part of the Patriot Act's warrantless browser spying. With work-based health coverage taking a hit, America'
Russia now has the second-highest number of reported coronavirus cases in the world, behind the US. Mexico is said to be severely undercounting its virus deaths. Meanwhile, New Zealand is reopening businesses and schools after three straight days of no new cases. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia establish Europe’s first
Wisconsin's Supreme Court overturns the state's stay-at-home orders and limits the governor's powers to implement future restrictions. The FBI has seized Sen. Burr's phone in a federal probe into his stock sales during the early weeks of the pandemic. The World Health
Over 80,000 Americans have died of coronavirus. Millions are out of work. And the president is busy constructing a separate reality to keep fans distracted. A list of Mr. Trump's favorite coronavirus talking points (i.e., lies) that Fauci's Senate testimony debunked. Regarding meat plants:
More than 200 people were arrested during anti-government protests in Hong Kong on Sunday, as authorities seek to prevent a revival of last year’s massive demonstrations. Wuhan will test 11 million citizens for coronavirus after six new cases emerge. Governors are winning bipartisan support for handling of pandemic, but
As the White House faces its own virus outbreak, the Vice President self-isolates while Dr. Fauci is under quarantine. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear three cases over Trump’s financial records. Boris Johnson unveils a "conditional plan" to reopen British society with a new “Covid Alert
Researchers say the coronavirus outbreak in New York City became the primary source of infections around the United States. Plane travel was already rife with small indignities. An anecdotal report finds it’s even worse right now. A fundraiser to help Native Americans fight the outbreak takes off in Ireland,
European leaders hold muted commemorations to mark the end of World War II on the continent. France (though not Paris) begins reopening next week, Australia likely soon after. Many governors across the US are disregarding or “creatively interpreting” White House guidelines for safely easing restrictions. The Trump administration buries a
A day after announcing the end of the coronavirus task force, Trump says it will now continue "indefinitely." Trump is urging the Supreme Court to overturn Obamacare, apparently ignoring Barr's argument that parts of the law should remain in place during the pandemic. It will take
The US lost another vital month in responding to COVID-19, pretty much plateauing in its number of daily coronavirus tests. The White House says its coronavirus task force will wrap up around the end of this month. A series of interactive simulations to explain how epidemics grow. According to a
The US plans to borrow $3 trillion in the second quarter to finance stimulus efforts, more than five times what it borrowed in a single quarter during 2008. The US and UK begin talks for a post-Brexit trade agreement. For the third time in two weeks, a whistleblowing Russian healthcare
Europe's longest coronavirus lockdown ends in Italy today, as four million people return to work. South Korea says it traded gunfire at the DMZ with North Korea, and reports no casualties. Pompeo says there is "enormous evidence" the coronavirus pandemic began in a Wuhan laboratory, and
The FDA has authorized the use of remdesivir in patients who are severely ill with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19. Canada’s Trudeau: "Effective immediately, it is no longer permitted to buy, sell, transport, import or use military-grade assault weapons in this country." Citing a state medical privacy law,
Half of American adults say they find it difficult to sift through what’s true and what’s false right now. Part of that is likely due to the pandemic’s scale and pace, but part is our own fault as humans. Related: A simple method for spotting coronavirus misinformation
"What it has proven is that a drug can block this virus." A clinical trial of remdesivir shows promising results—though an earlier trial in China found no "significant clinical benefits." "If the first results from antibody surveys in the US are anything to judge
The US passed 1 million confirmed Covid-19 cases on Tuesday. Frontline officials from other countries explain what the United States needs to do to re-open. About rebuilding: “The notion of putting 7,000 people in a building may be a thing of the past.” Amsterdam plans to embrace an Earth-friendly
A state-by-state breakdown of COVID-19 testing shows many fall short of the levels needed for a safe reopening. See also: A new model shows contact reduction is tied to how sharply the death toll rises in each US state. Texas will allow certain businesses and facilities to operate with reduced
Vietnam begins easing its aggressive containment campaign after few infections and no deaths. China says all coronavirus patients in Wuhan have now been discharged. Another bright spot: during a pandemic, the odds of a war between major powers seem to go down, not up. Also, we’re getting closer to
In the past week, the African continent has seen a more than 40 percent rise in Covid-19 cases. In Kenya and in other African countries, a tragic question for some communities: to eat or to heal? "Governance failures, economic inequalities, societal resilience." A range of young scholars talk
A new model estimates that instead of the 23 cases confirmed in five major US cities on March 1, there were actually 28,000. See also: Antibody tests show one in five New Yorkers may have had COVID-19. In LA County, the coronavirus is now killing more people every day
For Earth Day 2020, the side effects of the pandemic offer a glimpse of an alternative future. "What the original Earth Day showed is that, when Americans are mobilized, remarkable things are possible.” Advice from an emergency planner, a mosquito hunter, a survivalist and more on how to prepare
The Senate passes a $484 billion coronavirus relief plan that expands testing and provides aid to small businesses and hospitals. The House hopes to approve the legislation today. “If 9/11 and 2008 wore out trust in the old political establishment, 2020 should kill off the idea that anti-politics is
The president wants to suspend all immigration to protect the country from an “invisible enemy.” "Trump, who says the country is ready to begin reopening, says the crisis is so bad that he is signing an order 'temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!'" According to
The US coronavirus death toll from COVID-19 has topped 40,000 people, among more than 750,000 cases. A live, state-by-state measure of Rt, an important value for how fast COVID-19 is growing. In Nova Scotia, a gunman murdered at least 16 people over the course of 12 hours in
Health experts say coronavirus testing needs to double or triple before the US can safely reopen. "It's the paradox of public health: When you do it right, nothing happens." Why America is not overreacting to the coronavirus. Florida reopens some of its beaches and parks, but
A study finds severe Covid-19 patients who take the antiviral medicine remdesivir experience rapid recoveries, with nearly all patients discharged in less than a week from a Chicago hospital. In case you missed it: TMN’s Rosecrans Baldwin profiles the scientist who figured out remdesivir’s capabilities. New guidelines released
This week brings the total number of people in the US who've filed for unemployment benefits to 22 million. The unemployment rate is about to appear artificially low, because the number of people who want work but have been discouraged from looking is exceptionally high—a better measure
Think your job has gotten strange in the past month? Imagine being tasked with rescuing humanity from a pandemic. See also: How Anthony Fauci became America’s doctor. The UN and Bill Gates criticize President Trump’s decision to withdraw funding for the World Health Organization. President Obama endorses Joe
After governors on the East and West coasts formed coalitions to decide when their states will reopen, Trump breaks with the Constitution, claiming his "authority is total" in ordering when to lift restrictions. In a joint livestream, Bernie Sanders endorsed Joe Biden, and asked his supporters to get
Tornadoes in Mississippi and Louisiana caused "catastrophic" damage after touching down Sunday. The US overtakes Italy with nearly 22,000 fatalities from Covid-19, the most in the world. There have been at least 3,620 deaths in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, up from around 450 just
In the absence of federal direction, states and America’s top experts forge the path ahead. A guide to the stimulus checks being sent to a large majority of American adults. Worries about liquidity in the mortgage finance system have been building for years. As the pandemic exposes the US
New York state now has more cases of the coronavirus than any other country in the world. Boris Johnson has left intensive care, but remains under observation. The US unemployment rate is currently 13%, the highest since the Great Depression. A landlord trade organization says 69% of tenants were able
A coronavirus surge in Singapore raises fears of post-lockdown breakouts, perhaps a glimpse of what the US faces. The Chinese government has been "hugely successful" in convincing China that the US Army brought the coronavirus to Wuhan. Unlike the United States and other countries, New Zealand chose "
Scientists in China say some people who've recovered from COVID-19 are showing low or no antibody levels, which could mean there's potential for reinfection. People crowded into China's parks and public spaces over the weekend after quarantine regulations were lifted. The death toll in
China reports no Covid-19 deaths for the first time since January. In Italy, a feeling grows that the worst has passed. Meanwhile, a state of emergency settles in Japan. The UK’s Boris Johnson spent the night in intensive care receiving oxygen support. Ireland’s prime minister, a physician before
Yesterday, Dr. Anthony Fauci prepared Americans: "We've got to get through this week that's coming up, because it is going to be a bad week." "If things collapse, and cases start to go up substantially, then you need to go back to the
3M responds to Trump's order that the company should stop exporting N95 respirators to Canada and Latin America: "There are...significant humanitarian implications." Along with pledging to send 1,000 ventilators, China “shipped 12 million gloves, 130,000 N95 masks, 1.7 million surgical masks, 50,
The White House invokes the Defense Production Act for ventilator manufacturing. Google will start releasing user location data in 131 countries, “aggregated and anonymized,” to assess the effectiveness of social distancing rules. The Earth is actually moving less, thanks to the coronavirus. Related/unrelated: Mars may be made of “mashed-up
In a report, US intelligence concludes China intentionally underreported its COVID-19 cases and deaths. The number of people filing for unemployment benefits in the US reaches a new high, with an additional 6.6 million claims this week—bringing the total to around 10 million over the past two weeks.
The last thing America needs right now is partisan squabbling. “But when we’re back on our feet, the country needs to know what went wrong.” On pretense of pandemic, Hungary's Orban is granted sweeping new powers, becoming the dictator of his dreams. Turkmenistan bans the word “coronavirus.
"12 million gloves, 130,000 N95 masks, 1.7 million surgical masks." America is massively airlifting in medical supplies. Here are some pictures of field hospitals treating patients. John Krasinski, best known for The Office, offers good news from around the world. Why the government should pay people
With businesses closed, streets quiet and neighborhood walks becoming a national pastime, it’s a great time to get into bird-watching. From bats to humans, how a coronavirus evolves. Researchers in New York City begin collecting blood from COVID-19 survivors, with the hope that their immunity can be shared with
The White House orders General Motors to manufacture ventilators to help handle the surge of coronavirus patients. The $2 trillion relief package passed by Congress is meant to flush the economy with cash, but much of the money will take weeks to arrive. The governor of Alabama won’t issue
The United States overtakes China to have the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world. China will no longer accept most foreign citizens into the country. In Nepal, hundreds of trekkers are stranded on high-altitude mountain trails. Related/unrelated: Virtual reconstructions of Europe’s fortified past. Smartphone data
"We will survive. This is a time to overprotect but not overreact." That discomfort we’re all feeling just might be grief. A chart about St. Louis's response to the 1918 flu pandemic shows how ending social distancing now will only make things worse. Thanks to
Nobel-winning economist Paul Romer: If we screen the public on a weekly basis and boost protective equipment, we can save the economy. One Harvard economist’s proposal for social insurance: monthly payments that last the entire pandemic. The White House and Senate lawmakers reached a $2-trillion stimulus deal. The World
Authorities are planning to lift the mass quarantine on Wuhan, where the global coronavirus outbreak began. Meanwhile, the UK becomes the latest country to go into lockdown. Sweden is trying a “laissez-faire” model. Trump says he may soon push businesses to reopen, defying the advice of coronavirus experts. A man
In the absence of meaningful national leadership, the public’s response to the coronavirus “will stand as a remarkable moment of national mobilization.” Regarding leadership: Mr. Trump is no stranger to crisis. He has spent a lifetime grappling with bankruptcy, fending off creditors, evading tax collectors, defending lawsuits, deflecting regulators,
Related: An excellent round-up of links and news (COVID and other) from the past week in Africa. A nice comic by Laura Gao, "The Wuhan I Know," about her hometown. This is how we can beat the coronavirus: “If we screen everyone, and do so regularly, we can
California governor says citizens should stay at home indefinitely. Los Angeles goes one step further and requires its citizens to stay home. Let’s strive for physical rather than social distancing; social isolation has the equivalent adverse impact on physical health to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. See also: An
The latest updates on the coronavirus from the Guardian, the Boston Globe, Buzzfeed News. A ray of hope: For the first time since the pandemic began, China announces no new locally transmitted infections. Financial columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin spent the week talking to people behind other bailouts and came up
For news round-ups on the coronavirus, try the New York Times, CNN, Washington Post, or the BBC. We also like updates from Andy Slavitt. Internet providers such as AT&T and Verizon are on high alert for dramatic changes in home internet consumption. Scientists warn we may need to
Olympic Games organizers meet via teleconference today to discuss the virus’s impact on the 2020 Tokyo Games. How to play tennis in the time of cholera. Norway’s leader holds a press conference just for children to reassure them. Also: A nice example of a woman calmly talking her
There are now more reported cases of the coronavirus outside China than in, for the first time since the outbreak began in December. Los Angeles and New York shutter entertainment venues and bars and limit restaurants to take-out and delivery. The US central bank said it is targeting a federal
The House passes a coronavirus economic relief package that includes paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, free testing, and money for food stamps. As to what’s next in the Senate: More legislating. Covid-19 resources: statistics updated live; envelope calculations by a virus expert; Johns Hopkins situation reports; some excellent coverage
“No one alive has ever experienced what the next two months will be like around the world, but here we are.” In South Korea, the number of new cases is less than the number of patients who recovered. Italy now has over 10,000 cases of the coronavirus, too many
The coronavirus is now officially a pandemic. President Trump orders a month-long travel ban to the US from Europe. Americans snap to attention as big events get cancelled. Congress's in-house doctor tells Capitol Hill staffers that he expects 70-150 million people in the US to contract Covid-19. This
Biden closes in on the Democratic nomination with primary wins in Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho. Coronavirus cases pass 115,000 worldwide, including at least 1,000 in the US. "In most cases, symptoms are mild, and young people are at very low risk." Reasons to be reassured
Last week Trump told aides he's afraid journalists will try to purposefully contract coronavirus to give it to him on Air Force One. “None of us want to be Chicken Little, but there is too much consistent data to not begin to rattle the cage pretty loudly.” Life
China’s cases of Covid-19 are finally declining, which suggests the virus may have peaked there (for now). An editor at CNBC Business News suggests giving every American the coronavirus—meaning about 11 million deaths—to calm the markets. What the fight against Ebola can teach us about beating Covid-19.
Donald Trump has a plan for nothing. So why did voters reject the candidate who has a plan for everything? Martina Navratilova: Warren had a plan for everything with one major thing missing—the “right” sex. “I was told when I first got into this, there are two lanes,” Warren
In the biggest day of voting in the primary season, Joe Biden posts victories in nine states, maybe 10, in a rout that has no comparison in the history of party primaries. Mike Bloomberg, who spent $500 million in ads, only won in American Samoa. Alexandra Petri: “I just remembered
Four more people in the Seattle area have died after contracting the coronavirus, bringing the total of US deaths associated with COVID-19 to six. A World Health Organization expert explains why China's COVID-19 cases are now declining: "The faster you can find the cases, isolate the cases,
Around 84,000 people in at least 56 countries have now been infected with the coronavirus, and about 2,900 have died, suggesting a global pandemic is inevitable. Whether or not the global economy tips into a recession depends on the coronavirus’s spread, and how governments manage the outbreak.
A whistleblower says the Dept. of Health and Human Services sent more than a dozen workers—without protective gear or proper training—to receive American evacuees from Wuhan. "It’s clear that the virus is spreading undetected in the United States—but how broadly it’s spreading is an
US health authorities say they’ve identified the first case of coronavirus that doesn’t have known ties to an existing outbreak. Saudi Arabia halts travel to the holiest sites in Islam over coronavirus fears just months ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Amid the coronavirus lockdown, Chinese social media
"It’s not a question of if this will happen but when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illnesses." The CDC expects the COVID-19 coronavirus to spread in the US and warns that disruptions to daily life could be “severe.” "
After five days of deliberation, a jury in New York finds Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape and a felony sex crime. Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, who first broke the story, explain what the jurors were asked to do and what it means that they did it. Photographs of the
In addition to trying to help Trump, a new report says Moscow has been attempting to mess with the Democratic primaries to aid Senator Bernie Sanders. Trump appears more concerned about the politics of Russian meddling than the ongoing attack itself. The Nevada caucuses, occurring today, explained. Twitter will suspend
A hundred new coronavirus cases are reported in South Korea, bringing the country’s total to 204. According to a Chinese expert, patients who think they’re fully recovered may still be infectious. Last week, intelligence officials warned House lawmakers that Russia is meddling to re-elect Trump. Which explains why
Roger Stone is currently being sentenced. Despite Trump's complaints, the initial recommendation of seven to nine years "has not been withdrawn." Related: Trump's interference in the Stone case may be unwise, but the Constitution assigns the president the power to do exactly this. What
Democracies die in two ways: gradually, then suddenly. If Trump represents top-down oligarchy, Bloomberg is the bottom-up version. Want to eat and drink well for free? Attend a Bloomberg event. John Oliver kicks off the latest season of his talk show by analyzing the pros and cons—and siding with
White House report on the drone strike that killed Soleimani contradicts the original justification the administration provided. A national association of federal judges called an emergency meeting over concerns about Trump and DoJ officials' intervention in the Roger Stone case. Bloomberg qualifies for the next Democratic debate, thanks to
Attorney General Barr boosts worries of political interference in the Justice Department by installing an outside prosecutor to reexamine the case against former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Trump ignores Barr’s request to stop tweeting about the DOJ. Before he died, Daniel arap Moi was a disgraced former dictator.
The US House voted to remove the 1982 deadline on the Equal Rights Amendment. During the debate, Republicans against the ERA argued it would mean abortion couldn't be restricted. According to newly available data, the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill were "larger than generally publicized.
“This year, the race looks like no other Democratic primary in modern history, an increasingly muddled mix of ideologies, backgrounds and theories on what has unfolded." To win the primary, Sanders needs to broaden his appeal. He might start with his “normie” contemporaries. Bloomberg receives three endorsements from the
Six takeaways from the New Hampshire primary, which Bernie Sanders won, trailed closely by Buttigieg and Klobuchar. See also: Five takeaways, 10 takeaways, four takeaways, a bunch of takeaways... The opinions: Mainstream Democrats should not be afraid of Sanders, vs. mainstream Democrats should pray for Bloomberg. Universal basic income candidate
The daily death toll from coronavirus tops 100 for the first time, pushing the total above 1,000. "To our delight, Princess gave us free internet and added many new movies." A couple blogs while quarantined on a cruise ship in Japan. As New Hampshire votes in the
A new political theory says there is no swing voter, only pro- and anti-Trumpers. For either side to win, fear of America’s future must be stoked. ICYMI: Internet trolls and Trump supporters clogged Iowa caucus hotlines for reporting results. Going into Tuesday’s primary, the Iowa debacle is shaking
To curtail the spread of coronavirus in China—where infections are doubling every four days—officials have ordered house-to-house searches in Wuhan, moving the sick to massive quarantine centers. Chinese authorities appear to be trying to censor the news that the doctor who alerted the medical community about the start
Trump’s acquittal gives him a moment of triumph and a shot of momentum, but not the finality he craves. Trump quickly makes a mockery of comments by Republican senators Collins, Alexander, and Portman, who thought he might behave better going forward. Related/unrelated: New paintings in Luke Pelletier'
Partial results from the Iowa caucuses—the outcome of which is now unlikely to change—show Buttigieg and Sanders in the lead, followed by Warren, Biden, Klobuchar, and Yang. Today, senators will almost certainly vote to acquit Trump and bring an end to the impeachment trial. According to Gallup, Trump&
The Iowa Democratic Party says a "coding issue" in its reporting app is to blame for the delay in last night's presidential caucus results, but says the data recorded by the app is accurate. With no actual outcome in place in Iowa, each of the Democratic
By not wanting to hear witnesses, Lamar Alexander has done us all a favor: the trial that wasn’t really a trial will soon be over, “and we will no longer have to listen to it.” Republicans feel trapped by Trump in Washington and by his “cult” of supporters back
Republican senators appear likely to vote down a motion to call witnesses, which likely means the end of the impeachment trial. As of midnight in Brussels, Britain will no longer part part of the EU. Here's what happens next in trade and other negotiations. Acknowledging that coronavirus poses
The World Health Organization meets again to consider whether coronavirus—170 dead, over 7,000 infected—is a global health emergency. Related: Questions about the virus that scientists are struggling to answer. Infectious disease mortality rates were declining long before vaccines or antibiotics, thanks to cleaning up the environment. Hundreds
McConnell says he doesn't have the votes to block witnesses at the impeachment trial. "By 2016, the nation’s political map corresponded neatly to the distribution of prosperity." Explaining the GOP's identity shift. As panic over coronavirus spreads, it's a good time
The White House works to contain potential damage from allegations in John Bolton’s forthcoming book. How long can Republicans really play dumb about Bolton? Here’s a view we don’t endorse, but do appreciate: Your vote doesn’t matter, also you’re likely to harm others. The AP
Please note that we’ll be off next week, and the newsletter will return on Jan. 28. See you then! How far has US election security come since 2016? It's improved, but so have the hackers. "Sure, that might lead to a dystopian future or something, but
Impeachment proceedings officially started yesterday in the Senate, with the trial set to begin next week. The Government Accountability Office has concluded that the White House broke the law when it withheld aid to Ukraine. This week, Virginia became the final state necessary to ratify the ERA, though legal battles
New material shows Trump’s team offering yet another quid pro quo in Ukraine, as well as surveilling the US ambassador there. Lessons from a former Obama speechwriter who recently conducted focus groups in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Miami. What political reporters forget: Twitter stories and micro-scandals don't
Takeaways from the final Democratic debate before voting begins in the Iowa caucuses. The New York Public Library waited 25 years to carry Goodnight Moon, finding the book "unbearably sentimental." Related: The New York Public Library’s 10 most checked-out books of all time. A duo has pled
The US delists China as a currency manipulator. China commits to spend $200 billion on US agricultural products. Democrats hold their final debate before Iowa—a state that remains up for grabs. Across 32 countries, 64% of people say they do not have confidence in Trump to do the right
Iran says its military unintentionally shot down the Ukrainian airline, blaming "human error" for the incident. Three weeks ahead of Caucus Day in Iowa, a new poll shows Sanders is now leading the Democratic presidential contenders. Pelosi announces that articles of impeachment against Trump will be sent to
That Ukraine International Airlines flight in Tehran appears to have been downed by an Iranian missile, possibly fired by mistake. Iran’s civil aviation chief disagrees. After severe earthquakes recently damaged Puerto Rico, hundreds of thousands are without water. Australians prepare for another weekend of fire. In Island Park, Idaho,
Pelosi says the House will vote to limit Trump's war powers—though any legislation isn't likely to pass the Senate. "You may be giving up your children, but by advocating for war, I’m risking my reputation." The case for war, by someone whose
Iran launches missile attacks against Iraqi bases hosting US troops, though in a manner to avoid casualties. Iraq was warned ahead of time, “The US military was anticipating an attack and personnel had taken cover. Iran can claim it took revenge. Feels more like an escalation to deescalate.” A Ukrainian
Iran's supreme leader: Any retaliation against American interests for the death of Soleimani must be direct and proportional, and carried out by Iranian forces, rather than proxies. The Pentagon says the letter claiming the US would withdraw from Iraq was "poorly worded," and that there are
Trump insisted that Obama would start a war with Iran to get re-elected. Will fighting a war now be an extension of his domestic politics? Two US presidents before Trump rejected plans to kill Soleimani, fearing the risks of wider war. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promises “harsh retaliation” for the assassination
Amid escalating US-Iran tensions, Trump ordered an airstrike in Baghdad that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds force. "The targeted strike, and any retaliation by Iran, could ignite a conflict that engulfs the whole region, endangering US troops in Iraq, Syria, and beyond."
Following US airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran-backed militias, hundreds of protestors storm the US embassy in Baghdad, chanting "Death to America" and slogans in support of the militias. See also: Photos from the embassy attack. The Chinese scientist who created the first gene-edited babies has been
We asked some of our favorite journalists, writers, and thinkers: What were the most important events of 2019, and what were the least? This week, New York City's transit quagmire made it cheaper for Uber riders to take a helicopter than a car. Graphing 2019's brief,
A round-up of six of the most high-impact, cost-effective, evidence-based organizations fighting the climate crisis. In case you want to feel better about flying this year: certified carbon offsets from Green-e. See also: How to buy carbon offsets, and a calculator for tallying your offsets for the year. Oil Change
Trump signs two spending packages totaling $1.4 trillion that include funding for the federal government, the border wall, and Space Force. Boris Johnson's Brexit bill passes a House of Commons vote, setting up the UK for a Jan. 31 departure from the EU. "The United States
Pelosi refuses to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate until more information is released about how the trial will be conducted. Christianity Today calls for Trump's removal from office, deeming the president's Ukraine actions "profoundly immoral," and encouraging evangelicals to abandon their
“This will only strengthen him,” a bartender at the president’s hotel said as he prepared another round of cocktails. “Right?” For his conduct toward Ukraine and his refusal to cooperate with an inquiry, Donald Trump is the third president in US history to be impeached. At his annual end-of-year
What to watch for as the House of Representatives prepares to vote on two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. Boeing says it will suspend production of its flawed 737 Max jetliner in January. The $50 billion merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot will create the world’s fourth-largest auto
The Supreme Court delivers a victory to homeless advocates and deals a setback to Western cities trying to regulate encampments. A side-by-side comparison, with lots of video, of a homeless camp in Oakland and one in Mexico City. UN climate negotiations end in disarray amid worries that Donald Trump will
Next week, the full House of Representatives will vote on the articles of impeachment against Trump. Here is how their votes are shaping up so far. The Supreme Court will hear three cases related to the release of Trump's financial records in March, which could delay a decision
Boris Johnson’s Conservative party wins a big majority, its largest since Margaret Thatcher’s 1987 landslide. The Scottish National Party wins 48 out of 59 seats north of the border, strengthening the possibility of another independence referendum. A popular tradition in Britain: taking pets to the polls. Johnson now
Jersey City officials say the shootings at a Jewish kosher deli on Tuesday were a "targeted attack." Trump signs an executive order prohibiting federal funding for colleges and universities that allow anti-Semitism. Opponents of the order say it would "have a chilling effect on free speech and.
Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2019 is "they." Top contenders included "crawdad," "egregious," and "tergiversation." For your final commutes of 2019: every top article from Longreads' weekly "Top 5" emails this year. China imprisoned at least 48
Democrats will unveil two articles of impeachment against the president this morning, one charging him with abuse of power, the other with obstruction of Congress. Through three presidents, US officials knew they were lying about a war they couldn't win. These are the "Afghanistan Papers." The
Justice Ginsburg orders a temporary stay on the release of Trump's financial records, as the Supreme Court considers whether to grant additional time for Trump's legal team to formally appeal. "New York drivers called, texted, or swiped through apps about 22% of the time.” On
According to Uber's first-ever safety report, there were 3,045 sexual assaults and nine murders during Uber rides last year. China's version of 23andMe includes longevity, skincare advice, and—though the company isn't clear if it's shared—Uighur ancestry. Pinterest and The
The House of Representatives begins drafting impeachment articles against President Trump. A new Trump rule may lead to hundreds of thousands of people losing their food stamps. Under Trump, the US pays more to NATO and dedicates more troops to Europe. Lisa Page says being insulted by the president isn’
The House Intelligence Committee voted to send its impeachment report to the House Judiciary Committee, which will determine whether the findings constitute high crimes or misdemeanors. Kamala Harris ends her presidential campaign, citing a lack of financial resources. ICE contracted with McKinsey to find "detention savings opportunities.” Among the
The Washington Post makes the Mueller Report available as a six-part illustrated series drawn by Jan Feindt. The Democrats prepare their impeachment report while Republicans insist Trump did nothing wrong. What does chaos look like for Democrats this winter? Iowa to Buttigieg, New Hampshire to Warren, South Carolina to Biden,
Akin to a Starr Report, here is a synthesized narrative of the Ukraine affair based on what we know so far. "Effective disinformation is embedded in an account you agree with." How Russian trolls are breaching America's political divide in 2019. Ohio's state legislature
A new UN report finds the world further off course than ever from averting climate catastrophe. Mass protests in Iran leave 731 banks and 140 government sites torched. Protesters in Iraq block roads with burning tires. Heavy snows, hurricane-force winds, and a “bomb cyclone” disrupt Thanksgiving travel around the US.
The House Intelligence Committee says it has the evidence necessary to advance the impeachment inquiry to the next phase: determining whether to draw up articles of impeachment. A federal court rules former Trump White House attorney Don McGahn must comply with a House subpoena: "The primary takeaway from the
Not surprisingly, Trump doubles-down on his debunked Ukraine conspiracy theory, and finds new ways to attack former Ambassador Yovanovitch. Btw, that conspiracy theory Trump loves? It’s a yearslong operation run by the Kremlin. A forthcoming Justice Dept. report is expected to find that political bias did not taint top
At yesterday's impeachment hearings, Trump's former lead adviser on Russia, Fiona Hill, testified that the GOP's theory that Ukraine—and not Russia—meddled in US elections "is a fictional narrative that has been perpetrated and propagated by the Russian security services themselves."
Gordon Sondland, US Ambassador to the European Union, says there was a quid pro quo with Ukraine and “everyone was in the loop.” Fiona Hill, Trump's former Russia aide, plans to warn Republican lawmakers to not push politically driven falsehoods “that so clearly advance Russian interests.” In the
In his testimony to Congress today, Ambassador Gordon Sondland confirmed Trump ordered US support to Ukraine be withheld in exchange for investigating Biden and the 2016 election. "Everyone was in the loop." See also: Takeaways from yesterday's impeachment hearings. With Evo's exit, Latin America&
Leaked documents show how China is carrying out the mass detentions of ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region. Iranian intelligence cables find Tehran deeply embedded in Baghdad's affairs, but struggling to maintain its hegemony. Stories from three journalists travelling through every mainland country in West Africa. A parable
In her testimony at yesterday's impeachment hearings, former US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch described the smear campaign against her by Trump and his allies. Trump attacked Yovanovitch on Twitter during her testimony, amounting to what Schiff called "witness intimidation in real time" and what Fox
The latest in impeachment news: Giuliani has “insurance,” Pelosi sees “bribery,” and Marie Yovanovitch returns. Giuliani may soon be indicted on campaign finance violations and/or a failure to register as a foreign agent. Can Republicans afford to be pro-immigrant? Only if they make peace with socialized medicine and other
Key takeaways from the first day of public impeachment hearings, which included Ambassador Taylor's testimony that a member of his staff overheard Trump ask Sondland about "the investigations." The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin called that moment in the hearing "a bombshell," and
The House impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump enters its public phase. A guide to who will testify and how the questioning will work. Related: Key people, facts and documents in the inquiry. The Republicans and the Democrats signal how they plan “to present radically different interpretations of Trump’s actions.
After being removed from office in what many are describing as a coup, former Bolivian president Evo Morales has been granted asylum in Mexico. Six brief notes on how to interpret Latin American coups, from historian of empire Greg Grandin. An American libertarian who moved to Chile drove through a
After a week of transcripts, a quid pro quo in Ukraine seems locked, if only from Giuliani's hand. Bolton's lawyer says the former National Security Adviser has info that hasn't been disclosed. A New York judge rules that Donald Trump must pay $2 million
In his testimony to the impeachment inquiry, a senior State Dept. official said Trump "wanted nothing less than President Zelensky to go to a microphone and say investigations, Biden and Clinton." Also at the inquiry, a Pence aide on the Ukraine call testifies she found the conversation unusual
In late September, Trump wanted the Attorney General to hold a press conference clearing him of wrongdoing on Ukraine. Barr declined. A good summary: “Impeachment transcripts reveal a consistent, damaging narrative for Trump.” Confirmation of two judges this week will mean Trump has seated a quarter of the 179 federal
This week, the US ambassador to the EU backtracked his impeachment inquiry testimony, acknowledging Trump and Giuliani pushed for a quid pro quo with Ukraine. In last night's elections, Virginia flipped both houses of the General Assembly, and is now on track to become the 38th and final
It’s election day in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, with races that may lead to major shifts in political power. Get out, have fun, go vote! Today in impeachment news: One of Giuliani’s Ukrainian-American associates is
Smugglers are sawing through sections of Trump's border wall using relatively inexpensive power tools. Beto O'Rourke ends his presidential campaign, telling supporters he won't run for office next year—and that includes a Senate bid. "People dismiss 15-year-old girls, but they know what’
The House of Representatives approves its first resolution related to an impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump: an explainer. Another Trump aide confirms that military aid to Ukraine was linked to an investigation of Trump’s political rivals. “We think we’re ready.” Democrats reach the end of closed-door depositions. Trump
After hearing the White House's top Ukraine adviser's concerns about Trump's Ukraine call, the national security legal adviser broke protocol by moving the transcript to a highly classified server. Responding to an invitation to voluntarily testify at the House impeachment inquiry, Bolton's
Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri submits his resignation, after nearly two weeks of anti-government protests. Hariri’s ouster was sparked by a proposed tax on the first WhatsApp call users make each day. Officials fear that Turkey-backish militias are killing civilians in US-abandoned areas, using weapons that the
"We are taking this step to eliminate any doubt as to whether the Trump Administration may withhold documents, prevent witness testimony, disregard duly authorized subpoenas, or continue obstructing the House of Representatives." The House will vote to formalize its impeachment inquiry. The National Security's Council'
In a victory for the impeachment inquiry, a federal judge ruled the Justice Dept. must supply Mueller's grand jury materials to the House Judiciary Committee. The US government's annual budget deficit widened to $984 billion—its largest since 2012 and the first time since the early
Thousands have been evacuated in Southern California as four separate wildfires burn. The Justice Dept.'s review of the probe into Russian election interference is reportedly now a criminal investigation. "Nothing kills a global political scandal like debate about process, and that’s exactly what Republicans are betting
Despite Russia’s “peace plan,” Kurdish forces say a Turkish land offensive has forced thousands to flee. Turkey doesn’t deny it. Trump’s betrayal of Kurdish allies for Russia and Iran worries evangelical supporters. Approval of the impeachment inquiry reaches its highest level, with 55% in favor of possibly
In a shocking testimony, a top US diplomat has testified that Trump was indeed engaging in a quid pro quo arrangement with Ukraine, holding back military aid in exchange for investigating Democrats and the Biden family. Hong Kong has withdrawn the bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China,
With nine days to go until Britain's scheduled EU departure, Boris Johnson will try and gain support for his Brexit deal and push it through Parliament. If unsuccessful, Johnson says he'll call for a general election. Trudeau wins reelection in Canada, though without the majority government
In a Saturday session to vote on Boris Johnson's Brexit deal, the UK parliament instead passed an amendment requiring Johnson to write to the EU to request a Brexit delay. 1/16 Chile's president declares a state of emergency after days of violent protests in Santiago
White House chief of staff Mulvaney says Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine to pressure an investigation of his political rival, “absolutely.” Hours later, “after Mr. Trump told aides to clean up the mess,” Mulvaney denies saying this at all. In a podcast episode, David Sanger from the New York
“Don’t be a tough guy!” The White House leaks a letter that Trump wrote to Erdoğan. It reads like something written by a third-grader. Erdoğan threw the letter in the trash. Related: The musical anatomy of “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish. More from our president: “They’ve got a
Haiti enters a fifth week of being locked down by protests, with some protesters vowing to paralyze the country until President Moïse steps down. Edwidge Danticat: Protesters in Haiti want Haitian-led solutions. "They want an end to impunity." A report explains the failed promise of USAid in Haiti—
Russia says its units are patrolling between Turkish and Syrian forces following Trump’s pullout of US troops. An investigation by the New York Times finds Russia has repeatedly bombed hospitals in Syria “to crush the last pockets of resistance to President Bashar al-Assad.” Kurdish forces hold out in a
The former ambassador to Ukraine defied orders from the State Department and testified before Congress. Ambassador Yovanovitch, despite doing “nothing wrong,” was recalled from Ukraine because Trump wanted her out, she told investigators. In a stunning day of setbacks, five federal courts dealt blows to the president. Also, the president’
Our apologies, but technical difficulties prevented us from sending out today’s newsletter this morning. Two men who had been helping Giuliani investigate Biden were arrested—as they were attempting to flee the US—on charges that they were funneling foreign money to American politicians. Capitulating to Chinese pressure, Apple
Pacific Gas & Electric cuts power to 800,000 customers in California to avoid wildfires caused by winds damaging power equipment. The utility has long warned it would such a cut, but critics are still furious. SoCal may get cuts next as Santa Ana winds roll in. Maybe it’s
In a scathing letter, the White House says it refuses to participate in the House impeachment inquiry, a move Pelosi calls "further evidence of obstruction." A GOP-led Senate committee calls for congressional action to ensure social media isn't used to interfere in the 2020 presidential election.
The White House blocks Gordon Sondland, hotelier-turned-US Ambassador to the European Union (and Ukraine fixer), from appearing for a deposition. Why Trump fears Sondland’s testimony: it could show the president directing a cover-up. Here’s all the evidence collected so far in the Trump impeachment inquiry. Republicans join Democrats
The Trump administration announces it will deny visas to immigrants who cannot prove they have health insurance or can pay for their own medical expenses. A second intelligence official more directly tied to Trump's involvement with Ukraine may file a whistleblower complaint. "The Guardian traced the munition
President Trump openly encourages China and Ukraine to investigate his political rival while his impeachment defense is under siege. Text messages show that Ukraine-US relations depended on Ukraine’s new president investigating Biden and discrediting Robert Mueller's Russia probe. A private pilot explains what it's like
The Trump administration wants to reverse a 2010 regulation and extend the collection of DNA samples of undocumented immigrants to those who are not detained on criminal charges or who are awaiting deportation. After experiencing chest discomfort on Tuesday, Bernie Sanders received two stents to ease a blocked artery. Amber
Hong Kong reels after an 18-year-old protester is shot in the chest with a live bullet, one of six live rounds fired by police. In March, President Trump suggested any migrants trying to reach the United States on foot should be shot in the legs. When it comes to any
Trump and Barr have been asking foreign governments to help in a Justice Dept. inquiry to discredit the Mueller investigation. The State Dept. has now been tied to the Ukraine quagmire, with reports that Pompeo was also on the Trump call. Three House committees have subpoenaed Giuliani to turn over
Please note: We’ll be off next week for a short break, and will be back on Tuesday, Oct. 1—see you then! As seen at yesterday's climate strike, teens and children are making their voices heard. Twenty-three states are suing the Trump administration for overreaching on emissions
The whistleblower complaint about Trump made by an intelligence official would appear to involve Ukraine. On CNN, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani denies asking Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, then admits he did just that. Nicholas Kristof (invoking Robert Gates): Saudi Arabia “wants to fight the Iranians to the last American.
"This is the moment in history we need to be wide awake." Climate activist Greta Thunburg addresses Congress. Trump says the US will pursue sanctions against Iran in retaliation for the attack on Saudi Arabia's oil installations. Alleging Trump made a "promise" to a
The White House plans to revoke California’s authority to set the country’s strictest automobile emissions standards. On a visit to the state, Trump’s comments about the housing problem sound similar to those of California’s most liberal politicians. See also: A round-up of more than 200 tweets
Officials say Iranian weapons were used in the attack on Saudi oil installations that removed 5% of the world's oil output. As part of its investigation into hush money payments, the New York County DA's office has subpoenaed eight years of Trump's tax returns.
Actress Felicity Huffman gets two weeks in prison for paying to rig her daughter’s university entrance exams. “I don’t wish this for anyone, but a sentence to 14 days for actual serious fraud just shows how unfair my sentence is.” A response from Crystal Mason, the black Texas
The third Democratic presidential primary debate's winners and losers, according to the New York Times opinion desk. The US government's budget deficit has broken the $1 trillion mark for the first time in seven years. California passes a bill banning for-profit prisons and immigration detention facilities
The top 10 Democratic presidential candidates debate tonight, with the three frontrunners facing off for the first time. Biden is expected to attack Warren, his new top competitor, with accusations of hypocrisy, and for having too many solutions. Meanwhile, in the White House: President Trump postpones more China tariffs as
John Bolton has left the Trump administration, after either resigning or being fired. Trump is expected to announce the fourth national security advisor of his presidency next week. Ahead of an appeal that will be heard by the UK's Supreme Court next week, Scotland's highest civil
In 2017, the US extracted a top spy in Russia, worrying that Trump’s cavalier handling of intelligence information might expose them. David Leonhardt: If Democrats insist on ending private health insurance and decriminalizing border crossings, they’re playing into Trump’s hands. Some Democrats see Trump using the presidency
The death toll from Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas is currently at 43, and expected to rise drastically. Many buildings are underwater and hundreds of residents are stranded on an island in North Carolina's Outer Banks, after Dorian moved up the coast. "A hurricane doesn't
Hurricane Dorian picks up speed, loses strength, while approaching North Carolina, where more than 200,000 have lost power. In the Bahamas, the horror of the hurricane’s destruction continues to unfold. One consequence of Hurricane Dorian: bricks of cocaine floating up on Florida beaches. Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean independence
Photos of the Bahamas before and after the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. Dorian has strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane, and is now projected to move "dangerously close" to the Carolinas' coast today. Visualizing the number and scale of fires that burned in Brazil during August. Key
The Pentagon will divert $3.6 billion in military construction funds to build President Trump's proposed border wall. The Justice Department drafts legislation to address recent incidents of gun violence—with faster executions. Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas brace for Dorian—"the greatest national crisis" in
The latest maps on where and how hard Hurricane Dorian is expected to affect Florida and the east coast of the US. Trying to force rebel Tory MPs to back his government and abandon blocking a no-deal Brexit, Boris Johnson has threatened a snap general election. Johnson can afford to
We will be off tomorrow for Labor Day, and we’ll see you on Tuesday. All of Florida is under a state of emergency with Hurricane Dorian potentially arriving as a Category 4 storm on Monday. We read hurricane maps as predictions, but they're really averages—a misinterpretation
The Trump administration significantly loosens restrictions on methane emissions. Even major oil and gas companies oppose the move. Russia and China move to exploit the Arctic as the climate crisis opens up “a whole new ocean.” Nicholas Kristof: Seattle has done an outstanding job halting the war on drugs, but
Boris Johnson asks England’s Queen to suspend Parliament to stop lawmakers from blocking a no-deal Brexit. From the Fed to China to Obama, a rundown of those Trump will most likely blame in case of recession. "The next recession—this year, next year, whenever it comes—will likely
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $572 million in the first ruling in the US holding a drugmaker accountable for helping fuel the opioid epidemic. As a final gesture of the G7 summit, leaders offer a $20 million aid package to Brazil to fight wildfires. Brazil refuses. See also: Trump
Yesterday, China announced $75 billion in tariffs on US goods, Trump answered with increased tariffs on Chinese goods and "ordering" US companies to cut ties with China, and the Dow ended the day by dropping 600 points. Related: Exemptions to Trump’s China tariffs read like a laundry
South Korea will scrap its intelligence-sharing pact with Japan. The move, benefiting North Korea and China, shows the weakness of the White House. For a 12th weekend of protests, Hong Kong plans for a 33-kilometer human chain of some 100,000 people holding hands. Putin critic Alexei Navalny is released
The Trump administration wants to remove limits on how long undocumented families can be detained, arguing the regulation incentivizes migration. The Congressional Budget Office forecasts the federal deficit will reach nearly $1 trillion this year. The deficit's share of the economy in the next decade will far surpass
Boris Johnson visits Berlin in an attempt to negotiate a new deal, with only two months before the Brexit deadline. The Danish legal system is being roiled because of errors in cellphone tracking data offered as evidence. “Bemusement has turned to fury in Denmark” after Donald Trump cancels his planned
Five years after choking Eric Garner to death, NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo has been fired. Planned Parenthood withdraws from federal funding, citing the Trump administration's rule barring abortion referrals. Related: You can donate to Planned Parenthood at its website. For the first time, Facebook and Twitter have identified
Topical headline TK Topical headline TK Topical headline TK Some think democracy is having a midlife crisis. New books suggest we don’t even know what democracy is. This year is stocked with police officers being shot by people who were not legally allowed to possess guns. We should expect
A new Trump proposal would allow federally contracted businesses to use religious objections as a means of discriminating against workers based on nearly anything. Following reports that Trump repeatedly asked his staff about buying Greenland from Denmark, Greenland responds that it's "not for sale." Greenlanders overwhelmingly
Global markets continue to slide, with the 30-year US government bond yield dropping to its lowest level on record. People who buy expensive bunkers—a booming business currently—feel that global forces have left society increasingly vulnerable. A large survey of voting machine security finds a significant number of voters
Since El Paso, at least six men have been arrested in separate threats to undertake copycat murders. A lack of diversity in media is seen in the short shrift given to the targeted nature of the El Paso attack. A comparison of right-wing media and the El Paso killer'
For yet another day, protesters practically shut down Hong Kong’s airport. Hong Kong’s chief executive refused to offer a political solution to the crisis. “What we have is racist harmony.” Singapore’s government likes to think it's unprejudiced. Furor over a "brownface" ad proves
Accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was found dead by apparent suicide in his jail cell this morning. Critical US voting systems remain vulnerable, with many still accessible online, despite officials' assurances to the contrary. With 8chan's shutdown, far-right users head to messaging platforms, the dark web, and
The annual Hajj pilgrimage begins today. In 2018, 2.37 million Muslims made the journey to Mecca. Russians plan protests tomorrow in Moscow and 40 other cities for another weekend of civil unrest. Domino's spent $8.5 million stockpiling ingredients to prepare for a hard Brexit. Many companies
In raids on seven food-processing plants in Mississippi, 680 undocumented workers were arrested, in some cases leaving children with no one to pick them up from school. Swept up in Trump's immigration enforcement, a 41-year-old Detroit man was deported to Iraq, where he died on Tuesday from lack
The President visits Dayton and El Paso. Dayton’s mayor says Trump’s comments on guns are “unhelpful.” Leaders in El Paso urge Trump to stay away. Venezuela and Uruguay issue a travel warning about the US, warning visitors about violence and hate crimes. For 24 hours, 36 journalists spread
Two more people have died from this weekend's mass shooting in El Paso, bringing the death toll to 22 victims. How the Trump campaign has used Facebook advertising to promote the use of the term "invasion" in the context of immigration. "You’re a good
The US officially quits the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces agreement, so maybe we’ll have a new arms race with Russia. Trump lets it be known he doesn’t believe Mueller’s warnings about Russian election-hacking. More than 110 US towns and cities can claim that a 2020 presidential candidate put
No one knows who will become Puerto Rico's governor after Rosselló steps down at 5 p.m. today. In a memo, the FBI has identified fringe conspiracy theories—specifically naming QAnon and Pizzagate—as a domestic terrorist threat. Today the US formally withdraws from a landmark 1987 arms
The winner of Wednesday’s debate? Universal healthcare. The theme of the debate? Joe Biden is too far behind the Democrats’ shift to the left. The Republicans’ real nightmare: Among black Americans, the most common age is 27, same for nonwhite Americans overall. The most common age among whites is
Winners from night one of the second Democratic debate: Warren, Delaney, and “Republican talking point.” For tonight’s round two, expect to see Harris and Biden square off again. Here’s a guide to where 2020 Democrats stand on various policies. "Race and politics is really the story of
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders face off tonight alongside eight other candidates in another round of Democratic debates. How to approach the Democratic presidential candidates like Marie Kondo. Hundreds of residents mourn the three people shot and killed at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. The shooter’s semiautomatic weapon, illegal to
Three University of Mississippi students are under investigation for posing with guns in front of a bullet-riddled sign honoring Emmett Till, the 14-year-old African American who was tortured and murdered in 1955. Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration can use money from the Dept. of Defense for a
The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands all broke high-temperature records yesterday.Europe's hottest summers for the last 500 years have come in the past 17. There's a strong likelihood that July will end up being the warmest month ever measured on Earth. Forget the
In Mueller's Congressional testimony yesterday, Republicans claimed bias, Democrats claimed obstruction, and no one paid attention to the former special counsel's repeated warning that Russia and other nations are actively working to undermine the 2020 election. Following days of protests, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announces
Members of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, voted unanimously Tuesday to impeach President Trump. Former special counsel Robert Mueller testifies today before the House Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee. To elect Boris Johnson prime minister, only 160,000 members of the Conservative Party voted—
After winning the Tory leadership, Boris Johnson will succeed Theresa May as Britain's next prime minister. Amid Gov. Rosselló's refusal to resign, hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans protested in the streets of San Juan yesterday. The ICE raids that targeted thousands of families in the
A slip of the tongue may best explain Trump's collective foreign policy: to align the United States with white nations. Secretary of State Pompeo calls China's large-scale detention of Muslims and other minorities the human rights "stain of the century." From a meeting with
Trump says the Navy shot down an Iranian drone that came within 1,000 yards of a US warship, a claim Iran denies, saying none of its drones have been lost, and that the US may have downed one of its own drones. The EPA has rejected a ban on
The White House’s immigration policies follow a model pioneered by the European Union and Australia. What the US-China trade war is really about: Huawei's communications technologies and the future of Taiwan. “Send her back” joins “build that wall” as the latest Trump rally chant. On the appeal
Federal prosecutors won’t bring criminal charges against the New York City cop who choked Eric Garner to death. "Trump appeared in a live-action remake of racial comments," and other handy euphemisms for white supremacists. Snopes stops saying "fake news," as the term is too imprecise,
The White House projects the deficit to surpass $1 trillion for the first time in US history. A new Trump rule effectively kills asylum protections for most migrants at our southern border. Democrats will censure the president for doubling down on remarks that four of its members “go back” to
Now 40 miles off the coast of Lafayette, La., Hurricane Barry is currently a Category 1, and is expected to make landfall sometime today. A Palantir user manual shows how the secretive company, which manages information for ICE and other government agencies, uses data to identify and track individuals. A
Tropical Storm Barry presents New Orleans with an unprecedented problem: a Mississippi river cresting at 19 feet. Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta steps down amid criticism of the Jeffrey Epstein plea deal. See also: R. Kelly arrested on a 13-count federal indictment of child pornography and sex trafficking charges.
The ICE raids that were postponed a few weeks ago are now scheduled to begin on Sunday. Today's White House social media summit won't include anyone from Facebook or Twitter, but will have invitees from a site once popular with neo-nazis. Photos from yesterday's
Migrant arrests at the US-Mexico border fell 28% in June after reaching a 13-year high in May. Mexico's finance minister quit abruptly, saying the current administration's policymaking was not "based on evidence." The Affordable Care Act is being challenged in court again. "If
Billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein has been charged with running a sex-trafficking operation involving underage girls as young as 14. How Russian intelligence helped start and spread the Seth Rich conspiracy theory that eventually made its way to primetime Fox News. Homeland Security plans to hold mass video immigration proceedings in
Another major earthquake rocks buildings and baseball stadiums across Southern California. The 7.1 magnitude quake, the second big tremblor in two days, caused damage, rockslides, and power outages in the Ridgecrest area. For our West Coast readers: how to plan; what to do; a podcast that simulates the Big
One day following news that the 2020 US census was being printed without a citizenship question—adhering to the Supreme Court ruling against adding the question—Trump instructs the Justice Dept. to find a way to include it. "The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by
The total taxpayer cost for Trump's Fourth of July extravaganza in DC tomorrow is unknown, but it's going to be expensive—and $2.5 million of the bill will be covered by funds diverted from National Park improvement. Iran will "take the next step"
This month marks the longest US economic expansion on record, and the longest stretch of monthly job gains. Most of those jobs are in the service sector, doing little to lift communities suffering lost manufacturing jobs. A good headline to summarize the weekend in diplomacy: “Trump Helps Bring Shunned Authoritarians
Following a meeting with Xi at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Trump announces trade negotiations with China are "back on track." Trump tweets an invitation to Kim Jong-un to meet up and shake hands at the DMZ tomorrow. Obama birthers are going after Kamala Harris, questioning her eligibility
Trump is still so bothered about the legitimacy of his election, Russian hacking is now a joke he makes with Putin. Your weekly white paper: How Saudi Arabia is introducing "a new form of obedience" that replaces the old social contract. An Economist reporter live-tweeted the greatest hits
Among the takeaways from the first night of Democratic debates: Castro had a breakout evening, Warren stayed the course, and de Blasio surprised. Here's what to watch for in tonight's debate. In a pair of rulings, the Supreme Court blocks adding a citizenship question to the
Democrats pass a $4.5 billion emergency border aid bill tied to efforts to oppose Trump's broader immigration agenda. Republicans in the Senate have a different plan in mind. Robert Mueller will testify before Congress on July 17. Two neighborhoods in Chicago, Streeterville and Englewood, have the most
Hundreds of migrant children are being moved from a Border Patrol station in Texas after lawyers visited last week and discovered the squalid conditions, where detainees aren’t provided with adequate soap, toothpaste, and other essentials. "For God's sake, they're kids, man." Town residents
Tomorrow's ICE raids in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco are intended to detain up to 2,000 families, targeting people "who have received final orders of deportation." "We've never had anything like this
Trump tweets that he called off a retaliatory strike on Iran with 10 minutes to go after learning it could kill 150 people, which he said wouldn't be "proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone." It was unclear why Mr. Trump would have been getting information
It’s World Refugee Day. Here’s the story of a baby separated from his father while both of them tried to apply for asylum in the United States. The number of people displaced worldwide by war, persecution, and violence in 2018 would amount to the world’s 20th most
The most important news today: On its very first mission, Boaty McBoatface, the submarine named by the internet, uncovers a link between Antarctic winds and warming seas. Boris Johnson widens his lead to become the UK’s next prime minister, but his most vocal Tory critic is still in the
Trump officially launches his reelection bid and quickly fires several pollsters after numbers leak showing the President trailing Democratic candidates in key states. Trump says ICE will make mass arrests of “millions” of undocumented immigrants starting “next week.” In El Paso, Border Patrol is detaining migrants in “a human dog
In a victory for trans rights, the 9th Circuit vacated a lower court's precarious decision that Trump's trans military ban is unconstitutional, and has ruled the ban discriminates against transgender people. "The past few weeks have witnessed a nasty internecine fight among religious conservatives about
A British court will decide if Julian Assange will be extradited to the US where he faces charges under the Espionage Act. France bans the publication of statistical information about judges’ decisions, punishable by five years in prison. The sound of crying detained children wails through speakers in 24 art
Two oil tankers, one owned by Japan and the other owned by Norway, have been attacked in the Gulf of Oman, as PM Abe was wrapping up talks in Tehran. Between 2012 and 2017, ICE placed detainees in solitary confinement in over 8,000 instances. Some immigrant children detained at
Protesters face off against riot police in Hong Kong. Sunday saw the city’s largest protest ever, opposing a controversial bill to make extraditions to China easier. Thanks to the climate crisis, we can look forward to a significant expansion of dengue fever. See also: To reduce your arachnophobia or
A helicopter crashed on top of a midtown Manhattan building yesterday, killing the pilot. Officials say there's no indication of a terror threat. Mexico's foreign minister says there is no secret immigration deal, despite what Trump has claimed. Photos of tens of thousands of travelers entering
Trump calls off tariffs on Mexican goods following news that the US and Mexico have negotiated an agreement on immigration enforcement, details of which have yet to be announced. Photos from yesterday's second line for Dr. John in New Orleans. Any criticism can be dismissed as an attempt
Ahead of Trump's Monday tariff deadline, Mexico has arrested two caravan organizers and will send 6,000 national guard troops to its southern border in order to stem the flow of undocumented immigrants. Additionally, Mexico and the US are discussing changes to asylum rules, including a requirement that
A new report, modeling future scenarios based on existing research, says the climate crisis may pose a doomsday scenario as soon as 2050. Related: How many Americans will die in major cities as a result of the climate crisis and in what fashion. A report from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the world’
At least 60 people are dead after troops attacked pro-democracy protesters in Sudan's capital Khartoum. The UN’s deputy high commissioner for human rights says a recent global rise in illiberalism has a single source: Donald Trump. Related: Pompeo made a big statement on Tiananmen and the Uighurs.
It’s been 30 years since the massacre in Tiananmen Square. Hong Kong maintains its annual vigil. In a rare acknowledgement from the Chinese government, a minister actually defends the killings of hundreds or perhaps thousands of unarmed protesters. Answers from inside Venezuela to uncomfortable questions about a suffering nation.
A Virginia Beach city employee shot and killed 12 at a municipal center. It's the deadliest US attack since the November 2018 shooting in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Federal prosecutors have disregarded a judge's order to make public transcripts of conversations between Michael Flynn and Russia'
Trump says he’ll impose tariffs on all Mexican imports—an old, favorite threat—unless Mexico prevents migrants from reaching the US border. In West Texas, the folks crossing the border illegally are Americans, returning from doctor appointments. Markets show fears of a global recession as the China-US trade war
Speaking publicly about the Russia investigation, Robert Mueller states the special counsel's report did not exonerate Trump: "If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so." Joining Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, and Missouri, Louisiana passes a
In the Midwest, government weather forecasters have logged reports of more than 500 tornadoes in 30 days. Weeks of heavy rain result in historic flooding that’s swamping Oklahoma and Arkansas. Meanwhile: An overview of the White House's new plans to undermine the National Climate Assessment. Your obsolete
Election, elections, elections: Europe goes to the polls, Modi wins in India, Britain enters chaos post-May, and South Africa’s results reflect widespread disillusion. Nevada may become the 15th state seeking to break from the Electoral College in favor of a popular vote. “If POTUS stopped negotiating legislation, would anyone
Theresa May announces she will step down as Conservative Party leader on June 7, and will remain as PM until a new leader is in place, likely by the end of July. The US Justice Dept. indicts Julian Assange under the Espionage Act, the first time a publisher has been
The Pentagon presents plans to the White House to send up to 10,000 more troops to the Middle East. For the third time in barely six months, the president blew up a meeting with Nancy Pelosi, his nemesis. Perhaps Trump is just trying out the latest trendy advice column
Contradicting Mnuchin, a confidential IRS memo says Trump's tax returns must be handed over to Congress, unless the president invokes executive privilege. In more than 500 demonstrations, thousands marched yesterday in the US as part of #StopTheBans. Here are photos from the protests. In the past six months,
President Trump’s former counsel will skip his hearing today with the House Judiciary Committee, at the White House’s instruction. House Democratic leaders spar with Pelosi and her allies over beginning an impeachment inquiry. The White House loses a lawsuit challenging a House subpoena for Trump’s financial records.
Of the 24 Democrats currently running for president, only 10 mention reproductive rights on their websites. In border wall planning, Trump prefers sharp, injury-prone spikes rather than field-tested anti-climbing surfaces. Trump's "Tech Bias Reporting Tool" is almost certainly a ruse to lure people into being targeted
Trump says he doesn’t want war with Iran, while his senior diplomats look for ways to defuse tensions. Iran says Trump’s approach to resuming talks is like “holding a gun at someone and asking for friendship and negotiations.” Analysis: Any student of international relations will notice the White
After Alabama and Georgia, Missouri is the next state ready to pass a near-total abortion ban. The best time to get angry is earlier, when the local advocates and organizers who do the hard work of securing freedoms in red states day in and day out could use the support.
Carbon dioxide hit its highest levels in human history this weekend. Also, it was 84 degrees near the Arctic Ocean. Thirty-seven years ago, Exxon scientists described all the horrors we’re facing now thanks to rising emissions. A retired naval officer just made the deepest dive ever inside a submarine.
Following last week's tariff increase on Chinese imports, China retaliates with tariffs on nearly $60 billion of US goods that would go into effect on June 1. According to one retail industry representative: "Americans' entire shopping cart will get more expensive." The Trump administration has
South Africa's corruption-riddled African National Congress (ANC) returns to office after winning parliamentary election once again. Alabama postpones a vote on what would be the country's most restrictive abortion ban. “It’s work porn. It’s exhilarating work porn.” A study of the subtly professional media
As the trade negotiation deadline passes, Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods jump from 10% to 25%, and economists think it's likely China will miss its growth targets as a result of the tariffs, and will enact stimulus measures. In an op-ed, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes calls
The White House on Wednesday asserted executive privilege over special counsel Robert Mueller’s full report, further escalating its conflict with Democrats. Reactions: "We are now in a constitutional crisis" (Jerrold Nadler). “I think it’s a constitutional confrontation. I don’t think it’s yet a crisis”
One student is dead and eight are injured in a shooting at a Colorado school. "I heard a gunshot," said Makai Dixon, 8, a second grader who had been training for this moment, with active shooter drills and lockdowns, since he was in kindergarten. "I’d never
A massive new UN report finds that nature is collapsing around us, "with devastating implications for human survival." A 25-foot fiberglass shark crashing through a roof in Oxford, England, has oddly become a source of civic pride. Queen Elizabeth I of England drank from "a unicorn horn
In a phone call yesterday, Trump and Putin agreed "there was no collusion." Asked afterward whether they talked about election meddling or if he warned Putin not to do it again, Trump said, "Really, we didn’t discuss it." “They feel no obligation to provide appropriate
Your heavy-think read for the commute: Americans need to consider if our foreign policy is actually an insidious form of empire. In the poorest countries as well as the richest, mental disorders are "the greatest thief of productive life." See also: Burger King introduces a range of unhappy
In a senate hearing that played out along party lines, Attorney General Barr faced scrutiny over his handling of the Russia investigation findings. Following the release of Mueller's letter questioning Barr's portrayal of the special counsel's report, some senators pointed out Barr lied during
In Venezuela, anti-government demonstrators clash with forces loyal to the president. France deploys a massive police presence, bracing for a repeat of last year's May 1 violence. Twenty-seven years ago, L.A. burned after four cops were acquitted for the savage beating of Rodney King. But was it
Thousands of schoolchildren in Puerto Rico have developed symptoms of PTSD due to the stresses of Hurricane Maria. Trump has instructed officials to issue new regulations that would speed up immigration cases in court and impose an application fee for asylum seekers. Donald Trump and three of his children—Donald,
"This greatly encourages us and gives us hope." Brief interviews with members of the global climate strike movement. France’s Macron promises reforms to the yellow vest movement, but many see Macron as the problem. Since 1989, 2,425 wrongfully convicted people in the US have been exonerated.
Estimates show immigration can lower the Social Security deficit by offsetting record numbers of retiring boomers. Trump flip-flopped in his definition of a "great job" on border arrests; though by either measure, Bush and Obama outpaced him. UCLA and Cal State LA quarantined hundreds of students and faculty
Greenland's ice is melting six times faster than it did in the 1980s. The ice losses are likely to get worse. More than 600 million Indians face acute water shortages. Climate change will be a "force multiplier" for the crisis. Los Angeles has a shade problem—
Sri Lanka has detained 18 more suspects in its hunt for the bombers who killed more than 350 people on Sunday. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin delays a decision on whether to release Trump's tax returns to Congress, saying he needs until May 6, "after receiving the Justice
Sri Lanka holds a national day of mourning as the Easter attacks’ death toll rises to 310. Meet the five Africans on TIME's annual list of the 100 most influential people globally. From photographer Marta Moreiras, portraits of Senegalese fathers carrying their babies on their backs. President Trump
Two teenagers have been arrested in journalist Lyra McKee’s murder, which Northern Ireland police deem a “terrorist incident.” From carbon taxation to nuclear energy, the 18 Democrats seeking the presidency state their positions on climate policies. Not built to withstand flooding, many US nuclear power plants are located in
So, the (redacted) Mueller report: read it for yourself, try a summary of greatest hits, or just dip into the report’s executive summaries. Or try it with annotations! Or study the redactions! Or listen to a group of legal experts. What most people don’t say: “Dear Democrats: Mueller
Prior to sending the redacted Mueller report to Congress today, Attorney General Barr will hold a news conference at 9:30 a.m. (ET). Here's what to watch for during and after Barr’s conference and the document's release. Based on what Barr previously told Congress,
President Trump vetoes a resolution that would have stopped US support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. “This resolution is an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities.” As always, it’s all about him. The five US counties with the highest IRS audit rates are all predominantly
A fire consumed the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, destroying two thirds of its roof and bringing down its spire in what investigators believe is an accident. After a nine-hour operation that involved nearly 400 firefighters, the Paris fire department announced this morning that "the entire fire is out.
Trump reportedly told Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan he'd pardon him if he disregarded US law and blocked asylum seekers. Trump confirms the report that the White House wanted to send detained immigrants to sanctuary cities, and claims he's still considering the move. Related:
Thousands turn out in Los Angeles for Nipsey Hussle's funeral procession. After four months of protests, Sudan's President al-Bashir has finally been arrested, only to be replaced by his defense minister, who is accused of carrying out war crimes in Darfur. Ohio's governor has
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is arrested after Ecuador withdraws its asylum after seven years. “From his alleged interference in other countries’ affairs to accusing his hosts of spying, the WikiLeaks founder finally has to face life outside.” See also: how the Trump administration stepped up its pursuit of Assange. "
"We have seen what we thought was unseeable." Scientists have released the first-ever photo of a black hole. Appearing before a House subcommittee, Barr defends his four-page summary of the Mueller report, telling lawmakers they don't have the authority to view the full report, and says
“They are decapitating the entire department.” The White House dismantles the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security. Why? For months, Trump has demanded they reinstate his policy of separating migrant families at the border. Here’s a master list of departures since Trump took office, also an interactive timeline.
In the past two weeks, three historically black churches have burned in a single Louisiana parish. Brexit news is now so erratic that machine-driven trading systems can't forecast the price of the pound. Prediction markets work pretty well at guessing the future, but surveying individuals with solid track
In the US-supported, Saudi/UAE-led bombing campaign in Yemen, there have been 17,729 civilian casualties. Congress invokes never-before-used powers to demand that Trump withdraw support from the war in Yemen. Trump is expected to veto. A poem to relate: "No Explosions," by Naomi Shihab Nye. In the
Investigators from Mueller's team say the findings from their report are worse for Trump than Barr portrayed. The House Democrat-controlled Ways and Means Committee has formally requested the Treasury provide the past six years of Trump's personal and business tax returns, as well as details of
House Democrats subpoena the full Mueller report “without redactions” and “without delay,” a move that will likely end up in court. See also: "Trump Aides Fear He Is Overselling His 'Exoneration.'" Whether it’s closing the border or health care, DC is “reeling with policy whiplash”
If Trump closes any portion of the US-Mexico border, as he's threatening to do, it would cost US businesses billions, and would be, according to El Paso's mayor, "a critical killer to us, frankly." Brexit remains in disarray after Parliament voted on four new
End the madness: Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut sees paying college athletes as a civil rights issue. Researchers fall in one of two camps about homework: those that support the "10-minute rule," and those that absolutely do not. The visible-butt revolution has not ruined us yet. And still,
A federal district court judge blocks another Trump administration effort to undermine Obamacare. The FDA head calls for the release of what could be millions of unpublished reports of injuries caused by medical devices. “The immigration system is at breaking point.” The number of new arrivals at the US southern
The Brexit process “remains in deadlock” after the British Parliament fail to find a majority for any of eight different options on Wednesday. The trouble with Theresa May’s promise to resign: “It does nothing to solve Britain’s Brexit mess.” Very good Jeremy Harding on why the rage in
The Affordable Care Act remade the US health insurance system. Unfortunately, the White House has no plan for what comes next if courts decide to overturn it. Related: The White House wants to revoke an Obama-era rule designed to make light bulbs more energy efficient. A timeline of Nixon'
As you probably know, Mueller found that Trump didn’t collude with Russia, and Barr concluded that he didn’t obstruct justice. A legal guide to reading the letter sent by Barr to congressional leaders on Sunday. Both sides of Congress want Mueller’s full report, which may detail what
Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III concludes his nearly two-year investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. In a different letter, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform wants to know why Trump son-in-law Jared Kusher uses WhatsApp for government business. Moving to stifle the left, the Democratic
Hundreds of thousands are expected to turn out tomorrow for a march in London demanding another vote on Brexit. If May’s latest deal fails, the EU will back a delay only until April 12. Over two million people in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe have been affected by Cyclone Idai.
Extreme precipitation and flooding may be the new normal in the Great Lakes region due to climate change. Along the Missouri River, one man controls a network of dams “that dictates the fate of millions of people.” A new Amnesty International report says US air strikes in Somalia—ramped up
Robert Mueller's team would appear to be winding down their investigation. At the same time, it appears to be quite busy. See also: “New Mueller probe revelations explain Trump's rage,” or “Trump's ever-expanding list of grievances.” The Nebraska Farm Bureau puts crop and ranch
Robert Mueller's team would appear to be winding down their investigation. At the same time, it appears to be quite busy. See also: “New Mueller probe revelations explain Trump's rage,” or “Trump's ever-expanding list of grievances.” The Nebraska Farm Bureau puts crop and ranch
Dismayed by political barriers to popular policies, 2020 Dems look at structural reforms to the judiciary, filibuster, and more. The question before the US and other advanced countries is not: Immigration, yes or no? “The questions to ask are: How much? What kind?” The US government and others—without consent—
In the wake of New Zealand’s mass shooting, Trump finds ways to downplay the threat of white nationalism. Students around the world skipped school on Friday to demonstrate for climate action. Here’s the story of a formerly homeless student who learned this week he’d been accepted to
At least 49 people were killed and 20 seriously injured in mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand. A 17-minute video of a portion of the attack “leapt across the internet faster than social media censors could remove it.” The UK Parliament votes to postpone the Brexit deadline, leaving
Beto O’Rourke becomes the eleventh current or former elected official to enter the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. Andrew Sullivan on what happened when Britain's Labour party went hard left. The President faces his first two vetoes after Senate Republicans break rank over Yemen and Trump’s border
A growing number of countries are grounding or banning Boeing 737 Max 8 plans, but the FAA stands firm on their safety. Trump and Boeing’s CEO chat on the phone. Perhaps Trump said that he doesn’t want really, really, really smart people flying planes. Worth remembering: An American
Singapore and Australia ban Boeing 737 Max aircraft after an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing Max 8 crashed on Sunday, killing 157 people on board. Airlines, passenger advocates, and insurance experts discuss the popular Max 8. Southwest Airlines has the most Max 8s in the world. “This week will mark a turning
The latest action heroes in Gotham: female building inspectors equipped with rappelling equipment. "TelAbortion" enables women to have the procedure at home, but with medical oversight. Neoclassicism meets anime in Cristina BanBan's paintings of the female figure. Many of the biggest stars in US women'
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort gets 47 months in jail for tax and bank fraud. More sentencing awaits. Even without knowing what’s in the Mueller report, “we already have witnessed the biggest political scandal in American history.” Someone in the White House leaks documents related to Jared Kushner
The number of migrants intercepted at the US southern border reaches an 11-year high—“a border security and a humanitarian crisis.” When the New York Times says it’s an emergency except when Trump says it is, a reader asks, so is it a crisis or not? The American consensus
House Democrats postpone voting to condemn anti-Semitism after "an array of progressive groups" call for solidarity with Rep. Ilhan Omar. See also: Making tone-deaf remarks isn’t as bad as supporting de facto apartheid. A self-described neoliberal describes why the Democrats need to accept the politics, if not
The House Judiciary Committee launches a sweeping investigation into whether Trump and his team have engaged in obstruction of justice, corruption, and abuse of power. FYI: The next several months will be a doozy. McConnell says there are enough disapproving votes in the Senate to block Trump’s national emergency
Massage parlors are a $3 billion-a-year industry with thousands of women “ensnared in a form of modern indentured servitude.” Teenagers who struggle to stay safe in their neighborhoods annotate a crime article to offer tips for journalists covering murder. The Pew Research Center moves its polling online as the response
After the Trump-Kim summit fell apart over disagreements as to who would give up what, don’t be surprised if Kim responds by accelerating production on his nuclear arsenal. Yes, pedophiles are using YouTube to spread child pornography and yes, there are videos on YouTube telling children to commit suicide.
The president’s former lawyer tells Congress that the president manipulates financial records, pays to cover up extramarital affairs, and says racist crap, among other things. Basically: “My loyalty to Mr Trump has cost me everything.” To prove that Trump is not racist, a North Carolina Senator invites a black
Michael Cohen is set to publicly testify today before the House Oversight Committee. Among the many assertions in Cohen's opening statement for today's testimony is that he heard Trump take a call from Stone about the planned Wikileaks dump—and that Trump never wanted to win,
The president’s former lawyer will detail to Congress this week how he witnessed "lies, racism and cheating" during a decade with Trump. US House members will vote today on a measure to undo Trump’s “national emergency.” It will probably also clear the GOP-controlled Senate. Britain’s
The US Dept. of Health and Human Services releases a draft of its Title X revisions, which would effectively defund Planned Parenthood. A state-by-state comparison of Trump's current net approval against his 2016 margin of victory shows he's doing better in some states he won, but
Venezuelans need help, but the international community agrees that the US should stay out; its motive is provocation, not aid. House Democrats will file a resolution today seeking to block President Trump's emergency declaration. A wide-ranging disinformation campaign aimed at Democratic 2020 candidates is already underway on social
A US Coast Guard lieutenant and self-proclaimed white nationalist has been arrested for illegally stockpiling weapons with the intent of launching a terrorist attack targeting media figures and Democratic politicians. The Supreme Court has ruled there are constitutional limits on civil forfeiture, in which states seize cash and other private
A sweeping report on Donald Trump’s two-year war on the investigations encircling the White House. Sen. Bernie Sanders raised more than $4 million in 12 hours after announcing his 2020 presidential campaign. (Harris raised $1.5 million in the first 24 hours.) A scientist says low levels of toxic
California, joined by 15 others states, is suing the Trump administration for using emergency powers to divert taxpayer funds "lawfully set aside by Congress for the people of our states." Additionally, three Texas landowners, along with an environmental group, have filed suit, claiming Trump's order violates
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to essentially shutter the state’s high-speed rail project is disappointing to supporters of the Green New Deal. “The United States is overdue for high-speed rail: it represents the standard we are trailing.” Another day in America: An employee opened fire at his workplace
Trump is expected to sign the new funding bill today—avoiding another government shutdown—as well as declare a national emergency in order to pay for his wall. The presidential power to declare a national emergency is provided under the National Emergencies Act of 1976, which—in Trump's
Since the Parkland massacre one year ago, there's basically been another Parkland every five days. "Most gun stores face no legal requirements to secure the weapons they sell." How to rob gun stores: an illustrated journey. A federal judge rules that Paul Manafort lied about his
Another partial government shutdown will be triggered Friday if Trump doesn't approve the new funding bill currently making its way through Congress. In addition to falling well short of Trump's $5.7 billion demand for the wall, the bill specifies the barrier cannot be built with
Eight-one percent of American adults believe Robert Mueller’s report should be released, including 79 percent of Republicans. About 34% of Americans say putting on blackface for Halloween is always or sometimes acceptable. A computer model predicts which nations currently are at greatest risk for genocide: the DRC, Afghanistan, and
Since the beginning of Trump's Bedminster golf club in 2004, dozens of undocumented workers from Costa Rica—with management's knowledge—have worked there. Some even helped build it. Washington told itself a comforting story that minimized the importance of this outbreak of kleptomania: These were criminal
The United Kingdom has started to recruit civilians to work in an emergency crisis center in the aftermath of a potential no-deal Brexit. One London radio host has become famous for trying to convert Brexiteers every day on his show. A breakdown of Ocasio-Cortez and Markey’s new Green New
After Virginia's attorney general admits he wore blackface at a party, the state's Democratic leadership appears in peril, and Republicans look to capturing a state Trump lost in 2016. A county-by-county census map shows how slavery spread in the US between 1790 and 1860. Hours after
President Donald Trump used his second State of the Union address to make repeated calls for bipartisanship, much to Democrats’ puzzlement. Last week the president called bipartisan negotiations a "waste of time." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi trends on Twitter after she “invented this weird walrus clap that was
In violation of US agreements, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have given American-made weapons to al Qaeda, Iran-backed rebels, Salafi militias, and other factions waging war in Yemen. Federal prosecutors have ordered Trump's inaugural committee to hand over financial documents, potentially to investigate money laundering or election fraud.
Trump pulls the plug on a decades-old nuclear arms treaty with Russia, saying Moscow’s been violating it “with impunity.” "At least we have a secretary-general who is listening." The UN takes baby steps toward becoming a feminist organization. See also: Girls can now become Eagle Scouts, too.
The US has suspended a nuclear arms treaty with Russia that's been in effect since 1987, accusing the Kremlin of violating the terms of the agreement. At least 21 people have died so far in the polar vortex, many due to cold-related injuries. A US judge has ruled
From Chicago to Australia, more greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere increase the chances of abnormal temperatures. See also: “Yes, fire is used to keep Chicago trains running in the cold.” Pictures of Australia's January heat wave, which follows the warmest December on record. Equipment owned by California’
An explanation of the polar vortex that's right now making Chicago colder than the Arctic. New polls find most Americans are worried about climate change, but few would pay more than a dollar a month to fix it. The goal was to address the global scientific community through
Trump's shutdown cost the US economy $6 billion—more than the $5.7 billion ransom he demanded for his wall. Some federal contractors lost their health insurance during the shutdown, and fear losing it again if a second shutdown happens. Why more Americans will never retire: Among other
During the 2016 presidential campaign and transition, Donald J. Trump and at least 17 campaign officials and advisers had contacts with Russian nationals and WikiLeaks, or their intermediaries. Trump ends his hostage negotiations, signing a stopgap spending bill that will reopen the government for the next three weeks, allowing 800,
The FBI arrests longtime Trump aide and confidant Roger Stone after being indicted for allegations he lied to and obstructed the House Intelligence Committee's investigation. A US District Judge revokes Paul Manafort’s bail to prevent him from contacting witnesses. Here’s everyone who’s been charged in
Amid economic turmoil in Venezuela, protestors are calling for President Nicolás Maduro to step down. The leader of the country's legislative body, Juan Guaidó, who has argued last year's elections were rigged by Maduro, has publicly assumed the presidency, and has now been backed by the
The US Army concludes that Iran was the only winner of our eight-year war in Iraq. Official photos of the president are retouched occasionally for social media to make his face thinner, his fingers longer. See also: Photographs of balloons on the verge of popping. A record 1,500 individual
Kamala Harris announced yesterday that she’s running for president, becoming the third senator expected to enter the 2020 race, alongside Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren. The problem isn’t that Harris was an especially bad prosecutor. She made positive contributions as well—encouraging education and reentry programs for ex-offenders,
Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office says the Buzzfeed story about Cohen and Trump is inaccurate. Ironically, Trump relied on his nemesis, Mueller, to advance his critique of BuzzFeed and the press on Friday night. Interview with the author of a mash note to Mueller, her “sweet, square Swan.” Chris
In a bombshell new revelation, federal law enforcement officers say Trump directed Cohen to lie under oath to Congress about ongoing negotiations for a Moscow Trump Tower—even as Trump told the public he had no business dealings in Russia. The House Intelligence committee says it will investigate. Related: In
Do you like being a loner? It might be time to rethink that. Interacting with other people can lead to a lot of great things. In fact, the Tournament of Books would never have been started if some friends hadn’t gotten together at a bar for a friendly social
House Speaker Pelosi asks President Trump to postpone his State of the Union address, currently slated for January 29. Aides want Trump to use the speech to move public opinion to his side. Privately, Trump’s expressing frustration. A suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State kills at least 16
Yesterday, Theresa May's Brexit deal lost by a 230-vote margin—the worst defeat in the history of the House of Commons—sparking a no-confidence vote against May today. If she loses, it could mean another general election. In his senate confirmation hearing, Trump's attorney general pick
Ah 2018, the year of the Super Bowl selfie kid, Fortnite, and A Star Is Born. These movements, and more, dramatically impacted the cultural landscape of 2018. Don’t even get us started on the sheer volume of Ally and Jackson Maine Halloween costumes this year. All of these trends
Last year, President Trump repeatedly suggested a move equal to destroying NATO: the withdrawal of the United States. “Even discussing the idea of leaving NATO—let alone actually doing so—would be the gift of the century for Putin.” Eighteen other reasons the President of the United States may be
The shutdown is now our government’s longest. Around 800,000 federal employees missed their first paycheck. About 40 percent of Americans have said in surveys that they can't handle a surprise $400 expense. Trump's national emergency gambit, "a new obvious face-saving off-ramp for the
Trump is considering using funds set aside for disaster relief projects in Puerto Rico, California, and Texas to pay for his border wall. “Siphoning funding from real disasters to pay for a crisis manufactured by the president is wholly unacceptable and the American people won’t fall for it.” Trump’
Compared to 2017, fewer nations last year experienced a decline in democracy—and 48 countries even improved. "You respect our president, and you pray for our president." Inside a firearms training program for teachers. The President visits the southern border in Texas today accompanied by an unusual guest:
Back in November, Mueller’s office accused Manafort of lying to investigators after agreeing to a plea deal, and now it’s known what he allegedly lied about: sharing public and private polling data related to the 2016 election with Russia. This new information was revealed to the public because
Depending on where you get your news, you might have been hearing a lot lately about telemedicine. What does it mean? There’s a lot to it, but the basic idea is that you get health care remotely, using technology to connect with health care providers and services from wherever
In a televised address tonight, Trump will make his case to Americans that a wall is necessary to combat a border crisis. (Or will he? Who even knows. There’s a lot of Fox News between now and then.) In 2014, the major networks refused to air an Obama address
The federal government shutdown continues, which President Trump has taken to calling it a “a strike.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is floating a 70 percent top tax rate. Some studies indicate she’s aiming too low. The men who run college football's biggest bowl games make millions of bucks organizing
In one of its first actions, the new House passed a bill to reopen the government—without funding the wall. Although the Senate passed a similar bill last month, McConnell says he won’t bring the new bill to a vote. Senate Republicans up for reelection are calling for an
The 116th US Congress begins today, with record numbers of women being sworn in, and Democrats taking control of the House, bringing with them an agenda that covers everything from infrastructure to voting rights to prescription drug prices to the ACA. Incoming House speaker Nancy Pelosi breaks with the Dept.
TMN is going dark for the holidays and will resume publishing on January 2. As per custom, we post some of our favorite nonprofits and charities before we turn off the lights, as linked below. See you in the new year! CAST provides life-saving services to hundreds of human trafficking
Bowing to Trump's threats of a government shutdown if his wall isn't funded, the House passes a stopgap measure that includes $5 billion for the wall. Today the House bill heads to the Senate, where it's expected to fail, triggering a government shutdown. Trump
Trump stuns the rest of the government by declaring victory over ISIS and ordering a complete withdrawal from Syria. Such a move offers “a prime opportunity” for the Islamic State, Iran, and Russia. “Donald is right.” Putin backs Trump in somewhat intimate terms during a press conference. Speaking of Putin,
In a bipartisan vote of 87–12, the Senate passed landmark criminal justice legislation, already endorsed by Trump, that will reform “three strikes” sentences, mandatory minimums, and early release options. Michael Flynn's sentencing has been postponed after yesterday’s hearing went into unanticipated territory, in which the judge
A new report finds Russian disinformation teams targeting Robert S. Mueller with sweeping campaigns to discredit the special counsel’s investigation. One tactic employed by the Kremlin-backed Internet Research Agency: an anti-masturbation hotline. Russian meddling found big wins on Instagram, with more than twice the audience engagement of Facebook. "
The White House defends the Border Patrol in the exhaustion and dehydration death of a seven-year-old Guatemalan girl, placing blame on the child's father. Related: “US Border Patrol systematically destroyed water supplies left for migrants in desert.” At the current pace, the amount of US government debt accrued
The Senate votes 56 to 41 to revoke—symbolically, mostly—American military support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. The United States suffered 94 school shooting incidents in 2018, a near 60% increase on the previous high set in 2006. Meanwhile, US death row executions are at a
Michael Cohen is sentenced to three years in prison for his role in committing crimes at Trump's direction and on Trump's behalf. Law experts say a tabloid publisher's admission yesterday that it paid off Playboy model Karen McDougal in order to influence the election
During an impromptu debate in the White House, Trump interrupts Nancy Pelosi 15 times (and still leaves angry over losing). Meanwhile Vice President Pence said nothing, prompting the best jokes. A new category of falsehood—“the Bottomless Pinocchio”—is created to accommodate Trump’s compulsive lying. Photographs of migrants getting
Responding to the yellow vest protests, Macron promises a minimum wage increase and other concessions, but many protestors view his speech as a charade. Ending days of assurance that a Brexit vote would happen today, Theresa May calls off the vote, and will try and negotiate a new deal with
Yesterday's filings in the Russia investigation show that Trump directed Cohen to break campaign finance laws by making hush payments to Stormy Daniels and others, and that Mueller's office has evidence Manafort lied when he said he didn't facilitate connections between Russia and the
With the race for California's 21st District now called for TJ Cox, Democrats secure a net gain of 40 House seats. Another midterm race yet to be called: North Carolina's Ninth District, where allegations of fraud may require a new election. Biden, Sanders, or Warren beating
In what's being viewed as a significant escalation of the US-China trade war, Canada has arrested Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou—who is also the daughter of the company's founder—at the request of the US, though no charges have been made public. New clues in the
Robert Mueller recommends that Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, not get jail time because of his “substantial assistance.” Anticipation builds for Mueller's document dump on Friday, with news outlets trying to connect the dots in a bigger narrative. Why did Michael Cohen confess to everything?
The French government suspends a planned fuel tax increase in an effort to appease the yellow vests. A quick explainer on who are France’s yellow vest protesters, what do they want, and why do they pose a threat to Macron. A Republican says bye-bye to Paul Ryan—a disastrous
Former US President George H.W. Bush has died at 94. Often known for presiding over the end of the Cold War, Bush also began America's large-scale military involvement in Iraq, with Operation Desert Shield in 1990, which led to Operation Desert Storm the following year. There are
Cohen’s guilty plea yesterday makes him number 33—and arguably the most significant person Mueller has charged. Worth noting? Mueller’s “witch hunt” is starting to cross a red line Trump once warned could prompt his firing: by probing his business empire. The number of witches and wiccans in
In an unexpected hearing, former Trump fixer Michael Cohen pled guilty this morning to lying to Congress about Trump's business dealings in Moscow. Due to suicide and drug overdoses, American life expectancy continues to drop. It's the longest period of life expectancy decline in the US
From airlines to beer to high-speed Internet access, competition is quickly dying in American capitalism. Joe Kennedy III sounds a lot like his grandfather Bobby in a speech responding to GM’s decision to cut 14,000 jobs. As of August, Democrats have a more positive image of socialism than
What had happened to so many of these working dads and moms, that they could see a girl freezing in a concrete room and laugh? How could these regular Americans tell a boy his fingers would be severed if he disobeyed? Where some seek to help, others are fine with
Jim Baker, once the top FBI lawyer, draws parallels between the Watergate road map and Trump's attempts to control the Russia investigation. A former White House counsel says Trump's voting fraud lies undermine voting rights and the Constitution—an impeachable offense. After 32 people in 11
Thanksgiving week started with four fatal shootings across the United States, killing 10 people in a matter of hours. A late Monday ruling requires the White House to allow migrants to seek asylum even if they enter the US between official crossings, i.e. illegally. San Francisco, Stockton and Sacramento
In California, the Camp Fire has now killed at least 71 people and left more than 1,000 missing—and many residents say all the signs were there that something like this could happen. The CIA has concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Jamal Khashoggi's murder.
US prosecutors inadvertently reveal in a recently unsealed court filing that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been charged. A new food truck in Washington, sponsored by MoveOn, is serving free ice cream with Mueller-related themes. A growing number of Conservative MPs submit letters expressing no confidence in Theresa May amid
Saudi Arabia claims an intelligence officer, not Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ordered Jamal Khashoggi's murder, and has charged 11 individuals. What the bipartisan prison reform bill, which Trump says he will support, would do for current and future inmates. In an effort to curb the rise in
A close reading of court filings and some snooping suggest that Mueller may have already subpoenaed the President. The only thing that motivates Donald Trump is more Donald Trump. The midterm elections that still haven't been decided, explained. By exaggerating and lying about what transpired at the protest
As the death toll reaches 42 people, the Camp Fire in Northern California is now the deadliest fire in state history. Before and after photos from a block in Malibu that was destroyed by the Woolsey fire. A study finds that climate change has doubled the number of acres burned
A late season wildfire swept through and destroyed Paradise, Calif., while 30,000 people fled for their lives. In 2016, California voted to outlaw high-capacity magazines, such as the one used in Thousand Oaks. A federal court said no. Black female politicians who won in 2018 are significant not only
Some inside the Thousand Oaks, Calif., country bar attacked by a shooter were also at last year's Harvest music festival in Las Vegas. With the midterms over, the media is no longer breathlessly covering Republicans' racial-anxiety-stoking story of the migrant caravan, which has now arrived in Mexico
Jeff Sessions, ousted as Attorney General, is expected to be only the first Trump Cabinet member to go in a post-midterm shuffle. Hundreds of protests are planned across the US “to demand Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker recuse himself.” Some animations to help answer the question: So was
In yesterday's midterm elections in the US, Democrats took control of the House of Representatives, flipping many Republican-held districts that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Among other victories, Democrats will now be able to prevent a repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Essential to recognize in the midterm
It’s election day in the United States. A quick guide to your voting rights in case you’re turned away at the polls. “Accountability” and “the will of the majority” are things that elections cannot do. Vote anyway. Bad weather will greet many voters today. Republicans are happy to
On Thursday, Trump directed troops deployed to the US-Mexico border to shoot if someone throws rocks at them, which former military officers confirmed is "an unlawful order." Here’s what Trump originally said: “They want to throw rocks at our military, our military fights back. We’re going
The US will allow eight countries, including several Asian partners, to keep buying oil from Iran after it reimposes sanctions. John Bolton, the national security adviser, says he looks forward to the governments failing in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. One of the Koch brothers joins "a left-right coalition"
Google employees around the world are staging a walkout today, protesting the company's handling of executives accused of sexual misconduct. See photos from the walkouts. The White House claims ISIS has been defeated, but an intelligence service in Iraq says the terror group has launched dozens of attacks
Thousands of Venezuelans make for Peru, fleeing their crashing nation, with hopes of acquiring residency before a deadline. How Trump's “birthright” idea went from the fringes of conservative thinking to the Oval Office. A company seemingly run by a pro-Trump conspiracy theorist offered to pay women to make
In an interview, Trump says he intends to sign an executive order to change how the 14th Amendment is applied and end birthright citizenship. Expect the courts to decide whether this is unconstitutional. With the announcement it will deploy troops to the US-Mexico border, the US military will have more
An incomplete list of the far-right attackers Trump has inspired since 2015. A survey of bombing suspect Cesar Sayoc's tweets answers many of the questions raised by the stickers on his van. The recent market tumble isn’t a crash: "It’s a reset." Meaning it&
The manhunt for the sender(s) of bombs to Trump critics focuses on South Florida. Meanwhile the FBI confirms an 11th package was addressed to Senator Booker. The good news about Trump using an iPhone that's being actively tapped by China: he's too ignorant to know
More critics of President Trump receive explosive devices in the mail. Despite his penchant for celebrating and inciting violence against his enemies, Trump presents himself as healer-in-chief and blames the media. Trump insists on using an unprotected iPhone to call friends. Intelligence sources confirm that China and Russia have been
Two days after a suspected explosive device was found near George Soros's home, other potential devices that appear related have been sent to the homes of the Clintons and Obamas and CNN's New York offices. This story is developing. A seventh child has died in an
Turkey’s Erdogan says Khashoggi’s murder was a premeditated, meticulously planned political operation by Saudi Arabia. A brief explanation of “post-Salafi,” an emerging, amorphous category of Muslim thought derived partly from Wahhabism. President Trump and the Republicans settle on fear and falsehoods for their midterm-winning strategy. This includes suggesting
The Saudi government now claims journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight at the consulate in Istanbul. Five of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's officials have been fired, and 18 other Saudis have been arrested. Strong judge of character and probing thinker Donald Trump says he has
The CDC is warning against acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a polio-like illness that's appeared in children in 22 states this year. A caravan of about 2,000 Central American migrants is making its way to the US despite threats from Trump. Mexico has sent police to its southern
US intelligence has more and more reason to believe Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman was responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Post held off publishing it because we hoped Jamal would come back to us so that he and I could edit it together.
Thirteen million people in Yemen face starvation, what the UN says could become "the worst famine in the world in 100 years." Zimbabwe plunges into its worst economic crisis in a decade, complete with price spikes and product shortages. Canada becomes the second country after Uruguay to legalize
Sources claim the Saudis are preparing a report admitting Jamal Khashoggi was killed, and that his death happened during an interrogation. Cherokee Nation official responds to the Trump-Warren squabble over DNA results: "It really undermines tribal interest, frankly." “I had an encounter with a Native American on a
Climate change is the only issue that matters. As the American midterms loom, candidates are failing to devise solutions. Trump's poison pills for China may not lead to a recession (for the US). However, "there sure are lots of poison pills out there!" Our current Senate
Hurricane Michael has killed 12 people and left a path of destruction from Florida to Virginia. Georgia's Secretary of State, Brian Kemp, is under fire for delaying registrations for 53,000 voters—most of whom are African-American. The move reeks of voter suppression, as the Republican Kemp, who
Hurricane Michael, with maximum sustained winds at 155 miles per hour, is close to a Category 5 storm, the most severe on the scale. "This is the worst storm the Florida Panhandle has seen in more than 100 years," said Florida Gov. Rick Scott. European shares fall to
In an unexpected move, Nikki Haley announces she will step down as US ambassador to the UN by the end of the year, and quells rumors of a presidential run. Set to make landfall today, Hurricane Michael could be the strongest-ever hurricane to reach the Florida panhandle. You can expect
A very good, awful, lucid list of facts from the last 10 days in Trump’s America, from pig manure to Canadian crabs. Christine Blasey Ford won't be able to go home for quite some time, says her lawyer, due to "unending" death threats. "How
With Sens. Collins and Manchin saying they'll vote "yes," the Senate is expected to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court today. Kavanaugh...will be the first justice nominated by someone who lost the popular vote to earn his seat on the bench with support from senators
The Senate, still “plowing ahead,” is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh today. Among those who oppose Kavanaugh, you can count retired Justice John Paul Stevens, same for a trio of Kavanaugh’s drinking buddies at Yale. Supporters of Kavanaugh include pretty much the entire Republican
With the FBI report on Kavanaugh in senators' hands, Grassley says there's "no hint of misconduct"; Schumer disagrees. Ongoing updates here. The investigation's credibility is in question, mainly due to its extremely limited scope and timeline—and because the FBI ignored testimonies from
With three days left in the FBI investigation into allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, attorneys for Christine Blasey Ford say she still hasn't been contacted. A deep investigation into Trump’s fortune finds plenty of dubious tax schemes and "outright fraud." And now the New York Dept.
Texts between Kavanaugh and former classmates in the days before Deborah Ramirez's allegations went public in the New Yorker suggest he was lying when he testified the first he'd heard of her accusations was when the article was published. Here's the full list of
Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation gets delayed by a week so the FBI can investigate sexual assault allegations. Meaning Trump has to eat his words. Among the voices that pressed pause on Kavanaugh was his alma mater, Yale Law School. A striking chart shows every time Ford and Kavanaugh dodged
The Senate Judiciary Committee votes at 1:30 pm. ET on Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination. If it passes, a full Senate vote could happen early next week. "Look at me and tell me that it doesn't matter." Sexual assault survivors this morning confronted Sen.
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Ford testify today before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Multiple news outlets are streaming it live online. The split between views of Democrats and Republicans on Kavanaugh’s nomination is even wider than the gulf on Trump’s border wall. Today, he needs to
Republican senators have chosen Rachel Mitchell, chief of the special victims division of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, to question Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh in tomorrow's Senate hearing. "The move allows the 11 Republicans on the committee—all white men—to avoid the
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and his wife go on television to protest his innocence, using a peculiar virginity defense. One alarming aspect of Kavanaugh’s appearance was how much it diverged “in tone and substance” from a letter he sent the same day to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Is
There have been 262 mass shootings in America in the first 263 days of 2018. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley says Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has until 2:30 p.m. ET today to decide whether to testify before Congress, or the vote to confirm Kavanaugh will proceed on Monday.
The New York TImes publishes a timeline of Russia's hacking of the 2016 election and Trump's insistence that it's all a hoax. An excerpt from The Apprentice, a narrative history of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. Lawyers for Dr. Ford start negotiations
At 2:18 p.m. Eastern Time today, American cell phone users will receive their first emergency "Presidential Alert" text message. And no, you can't opt out. Hurricane Trump headed to the Carolinas to wreak additional havoc on people's intelligence, including asking about whether
Dr. Ford, accuser of Judge Kavanaugh, wants him investigated by the FBI before she testifies. Republicans refuse. Ford’s lawyers say she’s received death threats, her private email has been hacked, and she’s being impersonated online. “This has been a drive-by shooting when it comes to Kavanaugh,” says
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday to hear testimony from Christine Ford and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on allegations of sexual assault. The Senate vote on Kavanaugh, which was scheduled for Thursday, has now been put on hold. Lawyers say the delays and discrepancies
At least five people have died, and nearly a million people are without power in the Carolinas after Hurricane Florence made landfall yesterday. Only seven of the 27 US counties where midterm toss-up races are occurring have confirmed they've implemented two-factor authentication on their election offices' email
Hurricane Florence makes landfall in North Carolina. Despite slowing winds, the threat of storm surges has not diminished. North Carolina may now be forced to reconsider a law that banned using sea level rise to forecast coastal planning. Track rising water in North Carolina with a tool that serves data
Massive damage in the Carolinas is expected as Hurricane Florence makes landfall today through tomorrow. Just because Florence has been downgraded to a Category 2 doesn't make it any less dangerous. Wind speed doesn't matter as much as the size of the wind field. This morning
Hurricane Florence, still a Category 4, is expected to slow down at the coast of the Carolinas through at least Saturday, increasing the likelihood of dangerous flooding. This seems unnecessary, but: a fact-check of Trump's claim that "Puerto Rico was an incredible, unsung success." A photographer
Bracing for an increasingly dangerous Hurricane Florence, more than a million people may face mandatory evacuation in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. If public housing is the physical manifestation of a hope for social progress, that hope has its own historical twist in the United States. Nine of the
Please note: We’re taking next week off, and we’ll back on Monday, Sept. 10. See you then! Half a million people have been killed in Syria's seven-year war. Signs suggest a massive final battle is coming. Immigration officials say that birth certificates aren't enough
Canada and the US inch closer to a NAFTA 2.0 deal for Trump’s Friday deadline. For what it’s worth, the Friday deadline isn’t actually real. Thanks to Trump, teenagers appear to be more interested in current events, but also more skeptical of the press. Sixty percent
Bipartisan members of Congressencourage the president to impose sanctions on Beijing for incarcerating millions of Uyghur Muslims in “training centers.” The White House has reportedlycreateda secret task force to sabotage public support for marijuana. More evidence that Trump may have obstructed justice: disclosures about the White House doing nothing about
California’s Assembly passes a bill requiring 100% of the state’s electricity to come from carbon-free sources by 2045. A federal court rules that North Carolina Republicans illegally gerrymandered their congressional districts. Southern senators resist renaming a federal building for McCain. It currently honors a senator who led the
Trump and Mexico reach a deal on NAFTA, now re-dubbed the US Mexico Trade Agreement, putting pressure on Canada. Voters head to the polls in Florida, Arizona, and Oklahoma to pick general election candidates. Taiwan, oddly enough, has become a pioneer in digital democracy with a crowdsourcing platform called vTaiwan.
Hi, this is Andrew and Rosecrans from The Morning News. We’re trying to get better about doing this, but we just wanted to take a moment to thank our Sustaining Members for their generosity in making the TMN Headlines and the Tournament of Books possible. And if you’re
Across North America, prisoners are striking over treatment and forced labor that amounts to modern slavery. Since 2010, at least 404 people with mental illness have died in US jails—which are now "default treatment centers." The US Dept. of Education is considering exploiting federal student health and
Hurricane Lane has weakened, but it’s still expected to be hazardous in Hawaii over the next couple of days. A week of chaos continues in Australia’s government. It’s nothing new: The past decade has been marked “by a series of leadership coups.” President Trump’s smash-mouth tactics
Trump's tweet about the murder of South African farmers—which are at a 20-year low—and land expropriation is a popular conspiracy theory among white nationalists who want to push the threat of "white genocide." The close of trading in New York yesterday officially marked the
In a dizzying day of news, Manafort is found guilty, Michael Cohen implicates the President, and the White House says there’s nothing to see here. The President, Donald Trump: “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of
Last night, protesters on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tore down the "Silent Sam" Confederate statue. In 2017, UNC spent $390,000 on the monument's security. Microsoft announces the capture of six websites created by Russian cyberattackers. The sites appear
Torrential flooding in the southern Indian state of Kerala kills more than 320 people. More rains are predicted. Yet another problem caused by climate change: “border water.” The White House intends to make it much easier to let the coal industry set its own rules on carbon pollution. Trump'
“When that lady sits down at the piano and gets her body and soul all over some righteous song, she’ll scare the shit out of you. And you’ll know—you’ll swear—that she’s still the best fuckin’ singer this fucked-up country has ever produced.” Much has
More than 70 people overdosed in New Haven, CT, on K2, a synthetic cannabinoid that may have been laced with fentanyl. More than 72,000 Americans died last year from drug overdoses, a 10% increase over 2016. America has a physician shortage. One solution: let students complete school and see
“For many of us, those earlier stories happened someplace else, someplace away. Now we know the truth: It happened everywhere.” The grand jury on the sexual abuse investigation of six Pennsylvania dioceses delivers a horrifying report. Thirty-nine people died yesterday when a highway bridge in Genoa, Italy, collapsed, sending approximately
Vanguard says the chances of a recession by late 2020 have risen to between 30 and 40 percent. A path forward for the GOP: Running candidates in cities like San Diego who are focused on what locals really care about. White House aides often tell President Trump not to call
Horror at Charlottesville did not temper the president’s enthusiasm for demonizing religious and ethnic minorities that characterized his 2016 campaign, and has not dampened his administration’s efforts to turn those convictions into policy. Charlottesville proved that white nationalists are winning within the Republican Party. Twitter suspends various accounts
Washington prepares for a rally tomorrow of Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other alt-right-ers. American flags and Confederate flags are permitted at the rally. Nazi flags, unlike last year, are not. John Bolton and other senior US national-security officials worked behind Trump’s back to shield a NATO agreement. The ghost
In a 38-31 vote, Argentina's senate rejects a bill to legalize abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Behind the scenes on Rep. Chris Collins and Innate Immunotherapeutics, and how he roped in his family and colleagues to invest and, according to prosecutors, engage in insider trading
Tuesday night ended with Republican Troy Balderson narrowly ahead in an Ohio district that Trump previously won by 11 points. CNN says it’s time for Republicans to panic about the House. The Democrats’ most liberal candidates fared poorly in almost every closely watched race across several states. At least
Today's special election in Ohio's 12th District is the final Democrat challenge to a Republican stronghold ahead of the midterms. And in today's Democratic primaries across four states, progressive candidates will test how far left some Democrats are ready to go. "The rate
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson may have lost his job because he fought too hard to prevent Saudi Arabia from invading Qatar. Looking at Zimbabwe's election, Mnangagwa has one clear backer: China. He likely admires Xi Jinping's grip on power. Hong Kong has less than 30
It’s time other newsrooms learn to spot these hateful campaigns for what they are. In a message of support for writer Sarah Jeong, The Verge calls on publications to stand up to trolls who seek only to "waste our time by debating their malicious agenda." In yesterday&
It’s not at all uncommon for couples to choose to work with a marriage counselor—and not all couples resort to this step when their relationships have hit rock bottom. Even in the strongest of relationships, seeing a therapist can offer benefits. Over the past 25 years, the practice
The Manafort trial sees much talk of expensive cars, clothes, and furnishings, none of Manafort’s work running Trump’s campaign. Day three is likely to be another day “heavy on documents and details.” After the President tells the Attorney General to shut down the Mueller probe, his lawyers scramble
The 2020 electoral map is looking markedly different than in prior races—states rarely in play suddenly are. Depending on your 2016 electoral map visualization, you can argue America's heading left, right, or nowhere. Jokes about a House candidate's Bigfoot erotica proclivity hide the fact that
The first trial of Mueller’s Russia investigation begins today with former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort. It’s widely believed, including by the judge, that Mueller is pressuring Manafort to flip on Trump. The difference between “collusion” and “conspiracy” is mostly semantics—and Rudy Giuliani knows as much, no
Twelve legal experts on whether Trump obstructed justice, in light of Cohen's claims the president knew about the 2016 Trump Tower meeting: If true, it's likely obstruction. The GOP tax cuts have lowered corporate taxes so much, and so quickly, that the federal budget deficit is
On Friday night, much of the world will see a blood moon during the 21st century’s longest lunar eclipse. Facing pressure from China, US airlines like American, Delta, and United no longer say Taiwan. Portugal may not be an anti-austerity story, but it shows that "positive real shocks&
Today's Headlines edition is sponsored by Jamf Now. The White House banned CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins from a press conference yesterday, claiming she asked Trump inappropriate questions—about Cohen and the tapes—at a photo op earlier in the day. Journalists who were there say the questions were
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CNN obtains the tape where Trump and Cohen discuss a payoff for Karen McDougal. One of the big unanswered questions about the tape: What is “the Charleston thing?” Trump pulls an Obi-Wan, tells a rally in Kansas City, "What you are seeing and what you are reading is not
Satellite images show North Korea has begun dismantling its main missile launch test sites, though probably not due to negotiations with the US. According to one analyst: "This is consistent with North Korea's public line, which is that its successful test program is now transitioning to mass
None of the various hypotheses for Trump being a Russian pawn quite pan out—which still leaves collusion as a possibility. It's not inconceivable Russia would aid Democrats in 2018—in order to give Trump a reelection punching bag. Republicans are actively eroding public health care, which could
Ethiopia and Eritrea declare an end to 20 years of conflict after "an impressive combined effort by the international community." The Director of National Intelligence expresses mild surprise at news that Putin is coming to America just in time for this year’s midterms. The White House promptly
Thousands of Amazon employees across Europe commemorated Prime Day by going on strike to protest grueling working conditions. This summer's heatwave is revealing forgotten landscapes in the UK normally kept hidden by grass and crops. Absent serious reductions in global emissions, the most extreme, once-in-25-years heat waves would
Trump backtracks on his presser with Putin, says he meant to say the opposite of what he said with regard to whether he believes Russia interfered with the 2016 election. To better understand what Trump really said or actually meant, here's our annotated version of the transcript. To
{image-1} Jamf Now is a device management solution for the iPad, iPhone, and Mac devices at work. We make management tasks simple and affordable, so you can support your users—no IT required. Create your free account! * * * Trying to configure devices without a mobile device management (MDM) solution can take
President Trump backed Vladimir Putin on the subject of hacking US elections and many people expressed alarm. Video: President Trump kicked off his Putin summit with a friendly wink. Even Newt Gingrich said Trump siding with the Kremlin against his own government was “the most serious mistake of his presidency.
As if asking foreign agents to hack his political opponent—which in fact happened that very same day—wasn't bad enough, a royal etiquette expert (and former royal butler) confirms the internet's fears that yes, Trump broke protocol by standing in front of the Queen. One
I truly believe that today’s hearing is just another victory notch in Putin’s belt and another milestone in our enemies’ campaign to tear America apart. From FBI agent Peter Strzok’s statement before Congress. The meeting quickly degenerated. Brett Kavanaugh will face tough questions in the Senate. Some
A thorough, 17-day timeline of the trapped Thai soccer team's ordeal. US Embassy warns Americans in London to "keep a low profile" during Trump's visit—it's standard protocol, but still. NFL Players Association files a grievance over the National Anthem rule, stating
Torrential rain storms have killed at least 176 in Japan. More than 50 people are still unaccounted for. Three reasons why the US is vulnerable to big disasters: coastal populations; problematic access to cash; troubled supply chains. As President Trump’s trade war rolls on, Japan and the EU agree
All 12 members of the Wild Boar soccer team and their coach have been rescued from the cave in Thailand. Overnight, Theresa May hired a new cabinet after Boris Johnson and David Davis quit over May’s plan for a soft Brexit—and the discord in her party may spark
After two days of talks in Pyongyang, Pompeo deemed them "productive"; North Korea, on the other hand, called the meetings "regrettable." Interactive tools show which companies in each US state are profiting from ICE. The fourth step in thinking of zero—that is thinking of zero
Secretary of State Pompeo visits North Korea to talk denuclearization. Kim Jong Un’s program is still going strong. Mueller begins to outsource his widening investigation, with surprising court fights tying up resources. Alan Dershowitz likens party chatter around Martha's Vineyard this summer to McCarthyism in the 1950s.
A New York Times reporter tracks the many payments made on a migrant’s journey from El Salvador to the United States. See also: Photographs of items taken from migrants crossing the United States border with Mexico. Merkel saves her government with an immigration deal, compromising her welcoming policy toward
Tomorrow, Mexico votes for a new president. All four candidates are strongly anti-Trump—and the frontrunner, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is a leftist populist. Inside one of the fake news operations—of which hundreds apparently exist—trying to swing Mexico's elections. To support the Capital Gazette, a journalist
About 575 people, mostly women, were arrested in Washington D.C. while protesting Trump’s immigration policy. In the run-up to his new summit with Putin, Trump says once again Russia probably didn’t hack our election in his favor. Ten reasons why this is the best time ever to
Justice Anthony Kennedy, the Supreme Court's swing vote, plans to retire, enabling Trump to establish a conservative court. Kennedy has long been considered "the most powerful man in America.” Multiple experts explain why. An America after Anthony Kennedy looks significantly different from America before. The movement against
President Trump's third version of a travel ban survived the Supreme Court, limiting citizens of eight nations from entering the US. One good thing about the Supreme Court’s ruling: it removed a very powerful gun—Korematsu—out of Donald Trump’s hands. Mitch McConnell would like to
US border patrol pauses criminal prosecution referrals—and therefore family separation—for those illegally entering the US with children. You know Auschwitz isn't going to be for you. Filipino author Rin Chupeco's Twitter thread on calls for civility amid Marcos's rise to autocracy. Supreme
President Trump issued an executive order to end his policy of separating families, but the government still has no plan for returning the children it has already taken. The Guardian printed the names of 34,361 refugees who died trying to make the journey to Europe. Traveling across the Sahara,
This week Trump repealed Obama's executive order that protected oceans and the Great Lakes, opening the door to industry and drilling. Health and Human Services asks the Pentagon to ready three military bases to house up to 20,000 migrant children. It's true: There's
President Trump abandoned his policy of removing migrant children from their parents’ care. The White House changed its story no fewer than 14 times before ending its border policy. “If kids don’t eat in peace, you don’t eat in peace.” Protesters confronted the Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen
Perhaps you've already heard it, but here are the sounds of crying migrant children as they're separated from their families at the US-Mexico border. Right now, my six-year-old is excited to see what the tooth fairy will leave him for one of his bottom front teeth
Free speech advocates are cheered by a judge’s ruling to allow a white nationalist to sue Twitter. The US Supreme Court delays making a decision on gerrymandering. The head of an asylum nonprofit in Houston relates what she’s seeing in border detention facilities. Inside an old South Texas
A trade war between the US and China looms once again. Following a brief truce in May, the White House launches new tariffs on Chinese goods, and Beijing responds with more retaliatory tariffs. While many US consumers likely won't feel the effects of the tariffs, American farmers and
Battles in eastern Yemen may endanger up to 250,000 civilians. Here’s the Yemen conflict explained in 400 words. According to the Inspector General, former FBI Director Comey was “insubordinate” in handling the Clinton probe, but not biased. Look for Trump to exploit the report on many levels. Most
Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, has separated from his lawyers and may be ready to cooperate with federal investigators. Anticipating Cohen's possible flip, Trump's team has already begun rolling out a smear campaign against him. It's Donald Trump's birthday.
Trump showed Kim a movie trailer made by the White House for their meeting, presenting Trump and Kim as two heroes on the verge of changing world history. North Korea claims the US committed to lifting sanctions. That’s not what Trump said. “The negative commentary I am seeing is
At the end of yesterday's summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un, the two leaders signed a vague document with loophole-friendly agreements—e.g., "the DPRK commits to work towards the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." In a post-summit press conference, Trump announced the end
Trump’s tariffs are pushing away some of his most loyal Congressional allies and Republican backers. Macron asks other G7 countries to confront Trump on trade, climate change, and the Iran nuclear deal. And then there’s that handshake. A doofus's unpredictability and narcissism helped precipitate the fall
In an apparent second high-profile suicide this week, Anthony Bourdain has died at age 61 in France. In a new CDC report, suicide rates in the US have increased dramatically since 1999, especially among those with no known mental health conditions. If you or someone you know is having thoughts
Democrats aren’t sick of voting yet, and neither are Republicans: Lessons learned from this week’s elections. California may be the heart of the Trump resistance, but it's largely apathetic about voting in primaries. Paul Ryan joins Trey Gowdy in dismissing Trump’s “spygate” conspiracy theory. Our
A play-by-play of Trump’s surreal “Celebration of America” event yesterday, thrown together after the president nixed the Philadelphia Eagles' visit, for which only one player was confirmed to attend. Everyone's claiming victory in the Supreme Court gay wedding cake decision, and no one knows what a
Fifteen legal experts discuss whether President Trump—as he claims—has the power to pardon himself. Etiquette-ing a Trump-Kim summit: Who sits where, who enters when, and who picks up the check. Barring an act of Congress, the Secret Service will protect a former president or first lady who goes
I want to tell you, dear strangers, why I’m here and what I encountered. The three-winged pigeon. My cynical doppelganger. The loneliness and marvels and confusions of the house. And most importantly the ghost living in my bedroom. She was everything I’d hoped to find, but she was
The US unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest since 2000; however, by tweeting this morning about the jobs report ahead of its release, Trump broke federal regulations that are in place to avoid influencing markets. After Trump allowed their tariff exemptions to expire, Canada, Mexico, and the EU hit
The number of excess deaths related to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico is 4,645, more than 70 times the official estimate of 64 people. Donald Trump is a liar—and that fact remains weirdly poorly integrated into ongoing coverage of the White House. The story of the Trump administration
Secretary of State Pompeo to meet “North Korean regime insider” Kim Yong-chol in New York to discuss the lingering possibility of a June summit. Trump to meet Kim Kardashian after months of talks between her and Jared Kushner over a pardon for a one-time drug offender. North Korea is a
Online therapy has become quite popular, and for some good reasons. It’s a more affordable, more portable option, and because of improving technology, you can talk to your therapist anywhere. This allows you to be able to make updates, get help in any situation, and be able to have
President Trump cancels the summit with North Korea after the Vice President is called an idiot. The commemorative coin is still for sale from the White House gift shop. Trump’s unpredictability is leading to narrowing options, producing “a mounting list of foreign-policy failures.” Especially in the United States, data
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A longtime North Korean diplomat calls Mike Pence “stupid,” and says any comparisons to Libya are “ignorant.” At the same time, North Korea dismantles its main nuclear-weapons test site. Another American consular employee falls ill after a mysterious sonic attack, this time in China. Trump tells CBS's Lesley
After winning Georgia's Democratic nomination yesterday, Stacey Abrams could now become America's first black woman governor in November. See also: More key election takeaways from Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, and Texas. Multiple McDonald's and Walmart employees take up sexual harassment lawsuits against their employers. The
The Justice Department expands its internal investigation into the FBI's Russia probe after FBI and Justice officials met with President Trump. The question is, who blinked? A thoughtful Twitter thread to help you understand Trump’s latest tweeting about the Justice Department. Trump meets today with South Korean
Three months after Parkland, America grieves yet another massacre of children by a young man with guns. This year has seen an average of slightly more than one school shooting per week in the United States. About 51 million households in the US don't earn enough to afford
A new White House proposal would prevent Planned Parenthood and other organizations from receiving federal money while providing abortions, even if those services use private funding. After one death and more than 170 known incidents of illness, the CDC says romaine lettuce is now safe to eat. A year into
“Gaza buries its dead as death toll from protests at fence with Israel rises to at least 60.” Are we to assume that the protests—and not the Israeli military—killed these people? American media avoids saying who it was that killed more than 60 Palestinians on Monday. In Pennsylvania,
Yesterday, North Korea seemed to take an abrupt about-face, canceling a meeting with South Korea and threatening to call off the Trump-Kim summit—possibly over US-South Korea military drills or diplomatic disrespect around its nuclear program. The Senate votes today to repeal the net neutrality changes that assign more power
Funerals begin in Gaza after 58 Palestinians were killed and 2,700 were injured in conflict with Israeli forces during the controversial inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem. Israel and the White House pin the violence on Hamas, and refuse to bear responsibility for an outcome that was obvious
By maligning McCain, the Trump White House reached a new low for political debasement this week. Worth remembering with all this talk of torture: Christopher Hitchens got waterboarded so you’d know what it’s like. Liuba Grechen Shirley is the first female candidate to get federal permission to use
Senator John McCain—recently mocked by a White House official, not to mention grossly insulted on TV by a Fox News analyst—is fighting Trump with his dying breaths. Europe’s biggest economies take steps to protect their commercial and political interests in Iran. Here are five scenarios for what
President Trump thanks Kim Jong Un for releasing three Americans detained in North Korea. Here's how it happened and what it means. Michael Cohen made more than $2 million "working as a Trump whisperer." He's not the only one. A black student at Yale
Normally silent about the doings of the White House, Obama responds to Trump’s plan to pull out of the Iran deal. Trump’s plan to abandon the nuclear deal, with no alternative policy in place, puts “US diplomacy on a collision course with some of Washington's closest
European diplomats, despite recent talks, expect Trump to say he intends to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal this afternoon. If Trump moves to re-impose sanctions, look for a brief preservation of the deal between Iran and Europe, and then possibly a resumption of nuclear work. A good way
“Every little thing that we eat has been bred for very specific characteristics. People have fought about the breeding of apples the same way people think about building new technology.” The fight to protect “clean” meat may already be lost; by now, all food has been altered by innovation. Many
The White House’s trade delegation in China wants a bilateral trade imbalance slashed immediately, and for China to stop subsidizing tech. Netanyahu’s case against the Iran deal—which is basically Trump’s case, too—leaves many nuclear analysts “fuming with outrage.” Among the upside risks of the Trump
A month after Trump claimed he didn't know about the $130,000 Michael Cohen gave Stormy Daniels, new Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani says Trump reimbursed Cohen $35,000 a month for a year after the election, and Trump confirmed the reimbursement this morning. Giuliani claims it's
In early March, Mueller told Trump’s legal team he could issue a subpoena for the president to appear before a grand jury. They weren’t happy to hear it. Not only does Robert Mueller know more than we think, he likely know how all of this ends. According to
What did you mean when you told Russian diplomats on May 10, 2017, that firing Mr. Comey had taken the pressure off? An analysis of the questions Robert Mueller supposedly wants to ask President Trump. How did Mueller’s questions reach the media? Trump calls it a “disgraceful” leak, though
Three lessons the White House could learn after the fall of yet another Trump administration nomination. President Trump's live interview with his favorite TV show is already causing legal problems for President Trump. A new law in China bans any questioning of the folklore surrounding the 1949 formation
The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl! What a historically great game…for those of us who can remember it. We all hope that the great athletes who lay life and limb on the line for a moment that cements them in the history books do not suffer neurological disorders
In a historic meeting, North Korea's Kim Jong-un and South Korea's Moon Jae-in meet at the border, pledging to remove nuclear weapons from the peninsula and end the Korean War that began 68 years ago. With Mike Pompeo’s confirmation as Secretary of State, LGBT activists
Dr. Ronny Jackson withdraws his nomination to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs, but remains on the job as the president’s physician. The White House press corps has never had it so bad and so good at the same time. Thousands of Germans don yarmulkes and march in several cities
Federal judge rules DACA must be reopened, calling the White House's maneuvers to end it "arbitrary and capricious," while allowing the Dept. of Homeland Security 90 days to provide an adequate argument for why the program should be illegal. The thousands-strong caravan of Central American migrants
The manhunt ends for the suspected shooter who killed four people at a Waffle House in Tennessee. James Shaw Jr., who wrestled away the suspect’s AR-15, has since raised thousands of dollars for the victims’ families. More than half of the world's wealthy investors say they expect
Every day, Newsmeister serves up a dozen questions that test your knowledge of the news. {image-1} The free quiz that takes less than three minutes to play, and offers news junkies worldwide a chance to outscore their friends. Questions focus on trending global news, covering categories such as sports, business,
The Comey memos, composed after each of his meetings with President Trump, have gone public. In one of the memos, the President suggested jailing journalists to prevent stories from getting out of his leaking White House. No one's talking about the new tax law—supposedly the GOP'
Before Facebook, before Cambridge Analytica, Peter Thiel's Palantir began mining your data, and it's never stopped. Online echo chambers aren't real. Research shows social media exposes us to more perspectives, not fewer. A nascent social network, Minds, represents a post-Facebook future where users are
As potential grows for direct talks between Trump and Kim Jong Un, Trump gives himself an escape hatch: "If we don't think it's going to be successful, we won't have it. If the meeting when I'm there isn't fruitful,
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a secret visit to North Korea recently, becoming the most senior US official ever to meet with Kim Jong Un. Barbara Bush dies at 92, one of only two women in American history (her and Abigail Adams) to be both wife and mother of
Following last week's FBI raid on Trump fixer Michael Cohen's home, office, and hotel that resulted in the seizure of multiple documents and devices, yesterday a Manhattan judge blocked Cohen and Trump's request to review all documents before prosecutors. During the Cohen hearing, the
France, Britain, and the US launch coordinated bombing strikes against Syria. Trump quickly says, echoing W., “Mission accomplished!” Members of Congress insist the White House needed to consult with them first. Russia says the strikes were ineffective, claiming most of the missiles were intercepted. Hitting Assad now might bring a
After exiting the Trans Pacific Partnership soon after entering office, Trump now wants back in—if he gets a better deal than Obama. It might not be so easy, though, since the other countries have already renegotiated a plan that doesn't include the US. Rummaging for data to
Steve Bannon is back, or he’s trying to be: pitching White House aides and Trump allies on a plan to kill the Mueller probe. Worth remembering: Trump's recent tweets on Russia mirrored the conversation and the storylines, in almost real-time, from an episode of Fox & Friends.
Russia and the US rattle sabers over Syria, with military maneuvers by both nations—as well as a pair of Trump tweets that travel from aggressive to conciliatory within an hour of each other. The midterms just got bleaker for Republicans, as House Speaker Paul Ryan tells colleagues he won&
Bipolar disorder is one of the most confusing types of mental health disorders and affects more than three million people in the United States. That is close to two percent of Americans 18 and older who suffer from this debilitating and life-changing disease. The condition is described as extreme highs
The FBI raids the office, home, and hotel room of the President's longtime lawyer, prompting an “extraordinary scene” at the White House. The fact that the raid was handled by a US attorney’s office suggests Trump’s efforts to co-opt the Justice Department “have been unsuccessful for
A brief edition today as we take the rest of the week off to recover from the 2018 Tournament of Books. To all who followed along with this year’s ToB: Thank you, and we hope you enjoyed what turned out to be one of our wildest, topsy-turviest years yet.
Ex-French president Nicolas Sarkozy will face trial for corruption and influence peddling. Eighteen percent of Poles don't accept Jewish people as Polish citizens. Twice as many feel the same about Muslims. Japan makes it known that it, too, would like a summit with North Korea, thanks. Video: At
All 22 female senators from both parties sign a letter protesting the Senate's inaction on sexual harassment. American special forces are in more than twice as many countries as US ambassadors. In case you missed it: Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens calls for the repeal of
A liberal reporter hits the road with his 93-year-old, Trump-loving cousin to ask people how to fix America. Anyone bothered by teenagers protesting America's gun problem with memes is desperately out of touch. R.I.P., Linda Brown Thompson, the girl at the center of Brown v. Board
The March for our Lives movement could succeed where others have failed because of "issue intensity." White people don’t frame Trump’s vast negligence as racial, but they should. Federal arts funding actually went up under Trump’s administration. It required a Fox News host to inform
Trump names John R. Bolton his national security advisor. With Mike Pompeo nominated for State, he’s got “the most radically aggressive foreign policy team… in modern memory.” Homeland Security and the FBI admit Russia hacked the US power grid and continues to attack our infrastructure. No one expects Trump
The White House plans to announce tariffs to punish China for intellectual property theft. France’s Macron trumps other European leaders in bro-ship with Mr. Trump by using “man’s man” language and flattery. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince brags about having the First Son-in-Law, Jared Kushner, “in his pocket.
Trump’s telephone call to congratulate Putin—despite notes saying “DO NOT CONGRATULATE” in all caps—should lower expectations for his upcoming summit with Kim Jong Un. Incidentally, the White House is furious that a senior staffer leaked the all-caps advice. Trump doesn't have a conscious intent to
A bomb destined for Austin, Texas, explodes at a FedEx facility in San Antonio, injuring one. Austin police say it’s likely connected to a recent string of attacks. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrested over alleged Libyan funding for his 2007 election campaign. If you follow the news, it
The Attorney General fires ex-FBI deputy Andrew McCabe two days shy of his retirement. McCabe says it’s an attack on the FBI and the Special Counsel investigation. Trump says it’s a great day for America. If you're not keen on this White House, here's
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster is expected to depart the White House within weeks. Other Trump advisors continue to compete for his approval. By doing what? Telling big whoppers, answering sensitive questions with offensive remarks. India and Pakistan are literally doorbell-ditching one another’s diplomats. The People’s Congress
On a day of student protests against gun violence, a gunman shot two hospital employees at a University of Alabama hospital. Fleeing ICE and, presumably, deportation, two die in a car crash in California. Electricity demand in the US is flat, thanks to efficiency and outsourcing. Utilities failed to see
Stephen Hawking dies at the age of 76. An obituary, a list of quotes, a tribute to his place in pop culture. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson confirms that Russia probably poisoned a spy in London. Hours later, Trump fires him. (“Rex, eat the salad.”) Russia now has more intelligence
Mattis makes an unannounced visit to Afghanistan, says the Taliban’s interested in talks to end the more than 16-year-old war. Trump visits California, not his favorite place, judging by his tweets. Too bad he’s looking at his silly wall, not a real border problem like sewage. Because Pat
Kim Jong-un invites the President to chat about North Korea’s nuclear program. In a “breathtaking” gamble, Trump spontaneously agrees to meet by May. The analysis is only just getting started: where did this come from and what does it mean? Is Trump walking into a trap? And here’s
In a major new JAMA study, patients on opioids do no better than those taking alternatives. The White House sues California to invalidate three of its immigration laws. Gov. Brown calls it a "stunt." Governors in New England declare states of emergency in the face of another major
Today in Trump-ville: Kushner goes to Mexico, economic adviser Cohn has left the building, and Stormy Daniels sues the president, alleging that he never signed their nondisclosure agreement. The President seems prepared to blame Parkland on the gaming industry—catching gamers by surprise. Only 13 Delta tickets were ever sold
GOP strategists say Trump's threat of a trade war appears to be in part timed to Pennsylvania's March 13 special election. An economic analysis of Trump's proposed steel and aluminum tariffs shows that for every US job they would create, five would be lost.
Trump's threats of a steel and aluminum trade war erupted without any prior review by officials—and may well be added to his heap of other random policy changes that come out of nowhere, and then go nowhere. Interior Department emails show that Trump's move to
Italy votes for a new parliament this weekend and Berlusconi is back. At the same time, Germany expects to get another four years of the ‘grand coalition.’ Ireland’s shut down and at least 55 people have died amid sub-zero temperatures across Europe. A discussion of “long peace”—the relative
Donald Trump shocks a room full of Republicans by endorsing nearly every gun-control measure sought by Democrats, though both sides think he’ll bend with the wind. FYI: Americans tend to bend over in a way that makes us look like cashews. Thanks to the Dickey Amendment, government dollars can&
Jared Kushner’s security clearance gets downgraded after a report says foreign powers tried to seek leverage over him. Officials in at least four countries have privately discussed ways they can manipulate Jared Kushner...by taking advantage of his complex business arrangements, financial difficulties, and lack of foreign policy experience.
The President says he would’ve attacked the gunman at Parkland even if he was unarmed. We know this is a lie given every other time Trump has encountered danger. Trump calls Parkland a “setback” from being able to talk about the economy. Once again, the real victim is him.
Ten Colorado hospitals successfully reduced patient opioid usage through alternate pain management methods and meds. It's not just rate of fire: AR-15 ammo travels three times faster than a handgun's—victims and doctors are helpless. School shootings are only the most public of tragedies. Others, on
Another mass shooting, more outpouring of outrage, and some very impressive, grieving teenagers—and still the outcome looks to be the same. President Trump adds his own twist to the NRA’s talking points: teachers should carry guns, but with a pay raise for their trouble. Teachers and police officers
From a White House "listening session" to Marjory Stoneman Douglas students speaking at the Florida State House to a televised town hall with the students confronting Marco Rubio and the NRA's Dana Loesch, yesterday was a dramatic day in the pursuit of American gun reform. It&
Syrian government airstrikes have killed at least 200 people over the past two days on the outskirts of Damascus. Sixty-two percent of Americans fault Trump for not doing more to prevent mass shootings; sixty-six percent now support stronger gun laws. Trump’s talk about regulating bump stocks is, again, likely
Hostilities escalate outside Damascus; yesterday was the deadliest day in the area in three years. A sentiment analysis of every one of Trump's 2,551 tweets during his first year in office—a third are negative. Facebook plans to send physical postcards with verification codes to anyone trying
The Justice Department charged 13 Russians and three companies with a vast campaign to subvert the 2016 election and support Trump. Here’s a breakdown of what the indictment says, and an example of what that subversion looks like. The Boston Globe dedicates its front page to the next mass
Yesterday the Senate voted down four different bills that would have saved DACA. The only option that stood much of a chance—but still couldn't pass—came up short on the White House's additional requirements for a Dreamer bill, which include border security, limiting family reunification
A teenager killed 17 of his classmates and wounded 15 more at a South Florida school. Students documented the shooting as it happened. Just seven weeks into 2018, this is America’s eighth school shooting to result in injury or death. Since 2013, we average one per week. America’s
US intelligence officials say Russia is actively meddling in this year's midterm elections. Tactics currently include bots spreading disinformation over social media—no hacking efforts have been disclosed. Now Facebook was the place where publications could connect with their readers—and also where Macedonian teenagers could connect with
Jacob Zuma defies an ultimatum from South Africa’s ruling ANC party to resign within 48 hours. Politics has broken out in Germany—a revolt against the “Merkel method.” The US Senate's immigration debate, currently underway, will test the willingness of conservative groups to compromise in the Trump
Trump blocks declassification of Democrats' rebuttal to the Republican memo, asks the Justice Dept. to work with lawmakers to revise their statement. Dozens of White House staff still don't have permanent security clearances—if accelerated, it takes up to six weeks. Desalination could avert Cape Town'
The 2018 Winter Olympics have begun. Here’s a story about the unified flag marched under by North and South Korea. The US government briefly shut down again last night after Kentucky’s junior senator drew attention to the GOP’s hypocrisy on deficit spending—but the deal was never
To avoid another government shutdown, Congress must pass a short-term spending bill by midnight tonight. The Senate is expected to approve a bipartisan deal today that includes military budget increases and an additional CHIP funding extension—but, notably, no DACA protections. The bipartisan bill’s passage is less certain in
Senate leaders say they’re close to brokering a two-year budget deal. Meanwhile, the President tells the Defense Department he wants a military parade. About 4,000 former Trump University students should begin to receive payments from a $25 million settlement. The President's advisors may advise going back
Markets were choppy this morning after the past two days of declines on Wall Street and abroad. One very good (or awful, depending) reason: The global economy is strong, so banks don't need to stimulate growth, which means interest rates are likely to increase (including for corporations), as
John Kelly was reportedly less enthusiastic than Mr. Trump about releasing the Nunes memo, possibly because the last paragraph undermines the Right’s Trump-Russia conspiracy theory. Comey on the memo: “That’s it?” Being in Congress these days is less about policy, and definitely less fun. That’s bad because
This morning at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Phil the groundhog saw his shadow, prognosticating six more weeks of winter. Punxsutawney Phil is less accurate than a coin flip in predicting the end of winter. Every Feb. 2, Woodstock, Ill., where Groundhog Day was filmed, celebrates the movie
If we’re being honest, the month of January felt like an entire year of news in 31 days. So rather than bring you this morning’s dump of headlines about the GOP/FBI memo, here are three of our favorite thought-provoking articles about the bigger story: 1) “Trump'
FEMA blindsides Puerto Rico by announcing that, as of today, its food and water shipments to the island will cease, citing the recovery of the commercial supply chain. At current rates of depletion, Cape Town will turn off water taps in April—exacerbating socioeconomic divides. The director of the CDC
Republicans vote to release a secret Republican memo about the FBI—though not a secret Democrat memo—no matter that the Justice Department says releasing it is "extraordinarily reckless." A Taliban suicide bomber used ambulances to kill over 100 people in the worst attack in Kabul in months.
This year's flu is the worst since 2009—and hospitalizations just jumped, which likely means deaths will increase. Scientists now posit Earth's first eon, the Hadean—thought to be "dark and hellish"—may still have supported life. To aid astronauts on Mars, lest they
President Trump ordered special counsel Robert Mueller fired back in June, but he backpedaled after White House counsel Don McGahn threatened to resign. Here are five takeaways from the Mueller-firing news and lots of Beltway Twitter chatter. “There are good reasons to be critical of how Comey handled the Clinton
Trump sends mixed signals to the nearly 700,000 Dreamers, saying he would be open to citizenship after "10 to 12 years," just days after killing a bipartisan plan—in his "shithole" meeting—that offered a path to citizenship. Dara Lind on Twitter: "It is
The government shutdown only broke because Senators had to wait their turn to hold Susan Collins's "talking stick." Democrats fail at Republican tactics—like government shutdowns—because they don't hate the government sufficiently. Illinois’s Sen. Duckworth says she’s expecting her second child
The government shutdown ends (for the next three weeks, anyway) and the big question is: Who won? Democrats or Republicans? This question represents everything wrong with our current politics, in which we've become preoccupied with rooting for one side and lambasting the other, to the point that actual
The Republicans have become the first party in American history to control the White House and both houses of Congress and manage to shutter the government. Here’s what’s open, what’s not. And here’s a handy list of Hill reporters to follow on Twitter for the latest
To avoid a government shutdown, the House has passed a stopgap spending bill. Now the Senate must approve the measure by midnight tonight—which looks unlikely. Even as the GOP tries to pin the shutdown on Democrats, three Republican senators say they won't approve the measure. Here'
In the world's coldest town—Oymyakon, Russia—a bonfire must be lit to warm the ground before burying any dead bodies. About 2,000 people live in a Paris replica in China, many of them working in a nearby France-themed amusement park. The US plans an open-ended military
After a federal judge revived most of the DACA protections on Jan. 9, Sessions announced yesterday that the DoJ would sidestep the US Court of Appeals and take the case directly to the Supreme Court. Hoping to avoid a government shutdown, and with immigration at an impasse, Congressional Republicans bait
Bannon meets behind closed doors with the House panel on Russia. Trump sends a preemptive tweet, “The Russian Collusion Hoax is dead.” African immigrants who come to the US are generally the continent's best and brightest, with superior educations. Photographs of streets across America named after Dr. Martin
Whether New Yorkers recover from opioids at home or must travel to a clinic correlates with race and income. “It’s the prescription thing that’s really severely scary to me. It’s the scariest. I had to go to the street to get it. We were just partying, and
Trump denies calling Haiti, El Salvador, and all of Africa “shithole countries”—a comment even the White House didn’t try to claw back. “This is CNN Tonight, I’m Don Lemon. The president of the United States is racist. A lot of us already knew that.” The Guardian offers
Last fall, a crowdsourced spreadsheet titled “Shitty Media Men” began privately circulating among women in media. A new variation on a whisper network, it named powerful men in media who were known by female colleagues to have engaged in inappropriate—sometimes criminal—sexual behavior. As the spreadsheet grew longer and
At least 13 are dead from mudslides in Southern California, the region’s “worst-case scenario” after the recent fires. Canyon dwellers in California defend their way of life—offline and tightly knit—no matter what the weather brings. Among recent extreme weather events, here is the Sahara Desert in northwest
The Trump administration says the 200,000-plus Salvadorans living in the US under temporary protection for the past 17 years must leave by September 2019. Some US-born children of Salvadorans ordered to depart may choose to remain in the US, though many will leave for a country they've
The White House wants $33 billion over the next decade to start building Trump’s border wall. To defend himself from this week’s furious fire, Trump calls himself a "genius.... and a very stable genius at that." Headline of the week? "White House Staff Forced to
The winter "bomb cyclone" currently battering the Northeast is expected to make life miserable—and for many, life-threatening—over the next few days. Photos of the treacherous conditions, including lots of people who should be inside. Ordering food delivery during dangerous weather is unethical—as is the phone
“They’re going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV.” In a new book by Michael Wolff, Steve Bannon says a 2016 meeting between Trump’s son and the Russians was “treasonous,” “unpatriotic,” “bad shit.” Trump’s lawyer hits Bannon with a cease-and-desist letter for violating a
North Korea reopens its border telephone line with the South—a dramatic reversal of relations and probably a clever strategic move to thwart the White House. If you thought Trump couldn’t make himself look any more pathetic: after Kim Jong Un mentioned a nuclear button on his desk, Trump
Each year, we ask our editors for their favorite charities and nonprofits to support. You’ll find them below. And if you haven’t become a TMN Supporting Member yet, please join us. We’re grateful for your support. Research shows that when you give cash directly to the extreme
Yesterday at the UN, four of the five largest recipients of US financial aid defied Trump's threat to cut their benefits, and voted against recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Compared to last year, the total number of ACA signups was down by just 4%, despite cuts
The United Nations General Assembly holds a rare emergency special session to vote on a resolution calling for Trump’s Jerusalem declaration to be withdrawn. Trump wants it known that he’s taking it personally. For the first time in history, more women are going to medical school than men.
Early this morning, the Senate passed the GOP tax bill, which now has a clear path to Trump's desk before Christmas. Because it's a gift. But not for you. How Republicans passed their deeply unpopular tax reform: Fueled by the ACA repeal defeat, they rejected Congressional
The GOP tax bill advances to the House floor for a vote. On average, the cuts for highest earners go way beyond those of people making less. 1/16 Analysis of 27 extreme weather events from 2016 found that human-caused climate change was a “significant driver” for 21 of them.
After last-minute changes to appease Rubio and Corker, the Senate GOP's tax bill now appears to have the votes to pass next week. Here's what's in the final (for now) bill. US executions continue to remain at a 25-year low, as does public support
The Kremlin feels like it got a nice return on the half-million spent on defeating Putin's enemy: Hillary Clinton. “Sharp power” is how authoritarian regimes “coerce and manipulate opinion abroad.” China's vast surveillance network only needs seven minutes to track down a BBC reporter. A German
Starting at 10:30 a.m. ET today, the FCC will meet to vote and—most likely—kill net neutrality. Here's where to watch, and here's a thread on what you can do to make your voice heard before and after the vote. As the Republican
The contest to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Senate is finally over, and the Democrat won. The president says the loss in Alabama, despite his endorsement, is no big deal; after all, he saw it coming. A Democrat hasn’t won a Senate seat in Alabama in almost
Ahead of today's special Senate election in Alabama between Roy Moore and Doug Jones, Alabama’s Supreme Court has stayed a judge's order that all ballots, which Alabama typically destroys after an election, must be preserved for at least six months. As news broke of yesterday&
The five-day siege of Southern California is beginning to come into focus, with more than 500 structures burned. An LATimes photographer explains how to shoot wildfires. Human rights activists in Singapore explain what it’s like to work in a country where conversations can be illegal. Authoritarian governments and despots
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Congress passed a two-week spending measure to keep the government open. The next shutdown deadline is the Friday before Christmas, when lawmakers will be leave for home, placing additional pressure on solving the partisan budget impasse. In a rare outcome, a white police officer who killed a black citizen has
The world condemns Trump’s Jerusalem announcement, and protests break out in Gaza and the West Bank. Thanks to Trump, people are spending more on newspapers, social advocacy groups, and civil and social organizations. What the Republicans have learned from the White House: You can say anything you want; the
Rohingya refugees, hurricane debris, the President getting the finger: here are the top 25 news photos of 2017. Wind-driven wildfires burn out of control around Los Angeles; officials predict a tough battle for the rest of this week. “The President stole your land.” Patagonia will sue the White House over
Deutsche Bank, Mr. Trump’s biggest lender, hands some of Trump's private banking information over to Mueller Alas, none of Trump’s tweets this year made Twitter’s list of most retweeted, though three of Obama’s did. “The Mormons came into this area in 1879. Since the
Early this morning, Senate Republicans passed their tax bill, much to the joy of plutocrats and those who believe they're just a lottery ticket away from becoming one. A pair of economists, one from each side of the aisle, discuss the finer points of the GOP tax plan—
Using dynamic scoring, the Joint Committee on Taxation says the GOP’s tax bill will cost America about a trillion dollars. Some Republicans consider that a bit of a snag. The Irish Stock Exchange sold for $163 million—about the same as what some top bankers were paid last year.
White House officials say they're planning to replace Tillerson with Pompeo, whose role as CIA head would be filled by Tom Cotton. Among our endangered English words: “proditomania,” the feeling that everyone around you is a traitor. In other news today, Trump has more inflammatory tweets and more
North Korea’s missile test, demonstrating that Washington D.C. is technically within its reach, puts new strain on US-China relations. A Russian television show in Syria shows grateful Syrians naming their babies after Vladimir Putin. A woman approached the Washington Post with a fake story about Roy Moore, all
An explanation of the legal tug of war that's left the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with two acting directors, one newly appointed by Trump and the other tapped by the departing director. Three years ago, Trump's CFPB appointee referred to the Bureau—which is designed to
ISIS has yet to claim responsibility for the attack on a Sufi mosque in Egypt that killed 305. TIME says it didn’t offer its “Man of the Year” cover to Mr. Trump, as Mr. Trump claims. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos is worth over $100 billion, thanks to Black Friday. Twenty-five
Your Headlines Edition will be off for the next two days, and will return on Saturday, stuffed with dressing and deeply discounted smart TVs. After Zimbabwe's government had already begun the impeachment process, Robert Mugabe announced he would resign as president, ending 37 years of rule. Mugabe will
Putin hugs Assad during a rare meeting at a resort on the Black Sea. Putin promised to call Trump afterward to let him know how it went. Justice Department takes “a surprisingly tough stance” by attempting to stop AT&T Inc.’s takeover of Time Warner Inc. Harvard’s
US-led airstrikes in Iraq have killed many more civilians than we hear about—31 times more, in fact. Here’s the story of one man who found out why his family was targeted. Cards Against Humanity buys land on the US-Mexico border, hoping to thwart Mr. Trump's plans
House Republicans passed their tax overhaul yesterday; the Senate will reconvene after Thanksgiving to vote on its own package. Under the new GOP plan, the only clear winners are businesses. While many Americans will receive tax cuts, about 13 million middle-class households will pay more. And by eliminating the ACA&
More women say Roy Moore made unwanted overtures when they were young. He pulled one of them out of trigonometry class to ask her on a date. Republicans who say they believe the women accusing Moore won't talk about the women who accuse Mr. Trump. (They just want
In an apparent coup, Zimbabwe's military has taken custody of President Robert Mugabe, the country's only leader since its independence in 1980. The takeover seems to be in response to Mugabe's removal of the vice president, a move that elevated his wife, Grace Mugabe,
Bob Corker convenes a Senate hearing to examine Trump's authority to deploy nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Sessions may investigate his boss's list of "conservative concerns"—what some call "a fog machine." The Kremlin turns its disinformation machine to Catalonia's political crisis,
A five-year study of online news chatter confirms that people’s opinions can shift to fit news outlets' ideologies. All those "Trump country" articles won't predict election outcomes; they only reflect our current political state. “Look even further into the wilder weeds of this world,
White House says Trump and Putin won’t meet officially in Vietnam. Putin’s staff says they’ll meet “on the sidelines.” Profiles of six new stars in the Democratic party, who were inspired by Mr. Trump to run for office and won big this week. A breakdown of Trump&
Today Senate Republicans are likely to reveal their tax plan, which is expected to eliminate deduction of state and local taxes and partially remove the estate tax. The new House GOP tax plan violates the Byrd Rule, which prohibits massive deficit increases over the next 10 years. Maine voters chose
Democrat Ralph Northam won the Virginia’s governor race last night amid a broad sweep for Democrats. Interesting stories from the elections: Maine expanded Medicaid by ballot initiative; Danica Roem of Virginia became America’s first openly transgender state legislator, defeating an avowed homophobe; Vi Lyles is Charlotte’s first
Despite the Trump administration's attempts to cripple ACA awareness, signups doubled on the first day of open enrollment, compared to 2016. In a reversal of Bush and Obama policies, the Dept. of Homeland Security says in 2019 it will end the temporary protected status of Nicaraguans living in
Lost amidst all of this week's Facebook news was its admission that it now has around 270 million fake accounts. In 2012, when Facebook hit one billion users, many noted that if it were a country, it would be the third largest in the world. Now its fraudulent
The GOP’s new tax bill is both a “sensible framework” and a “deficit-exploding tax cut” for corporations and the wealthy. Here’s what it means for different income brackets. Democrats have been spreading lies about the tax plan on social media, when most families making under $86k will get
Trump's call to execute the terrorist behind this week's attack in New York may compromise the court case, since defense attorneys could argue it prevents the defendant from receiving a fair trial. ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the New York attack—its standard operating procedure
The investigation into yesterday's attack in New York expands overseas. Officials caution against talk of a bigger plot. Of minor interest: What happens when reporters on the street encounter an eyewitness. Defiant New Yorkers enjoyed Halloween anyway. So did the Dodgers, forcing a deciding game seven for the
The biggest news in yesterday's big news out of the Mueller investigation was that George Papadopoulos, a Trump campaign adviser, actively tried to court a relationship between his candidate and the Russians. Also entangled in the Manafort indictment is Tony Podesta—brother of Clinton campaign manager John—whose
New aerial photos of North Korea show its network of prisons and labor camps, which Pyongyang says don't exist. The China Post commissions five commemorative stamps to celebrate the country's most important technologies. Completely unrelated: ongoing revelations around who commissioned the Trump dossier. American television is
Elections in western Kenya are postponed after protests prevent voting. Turnout is generally lower across the country. A list of highlights from an impromptu press conference shows, if nothing else, how much Trump truly loves the media. Related: A new bot can detect whether that's a bot or
Whitefish Energy Holdings LLC—the two-person Montana company that has personal links to a major Trump donor and the Interior Dept. and that was awarded, circumventing competitive bidding, the contract to restore Puerto Rico's power—apologizes after a day of sparring with the San Juan mayor over Twitter
Whitefish Energy Holdings LLC—the two-person Montana company that has personal links to a major Trump donor and the Interior Dept. and that was awarded, circumventing competitive bidding, the contract to restore Puerto Rico's power—apologizes after a day of sparring with the San Juan mayor over Twitter
The Senate voted to kill the fine print that opens banks and credit card companies to class-action lawsuits, instead forcing consumers to seek arbitration to resolve financial disputes. Chinese President Xi Jinping, elevated to Mao status with the enshrinement of his words in the Communist Party of China's
Trump's executive order temporarily banning refugees expires today, as the White House preps stricter refugee admission procedures. The Pentagon provides a loose, detail-free timeline of the events in Niger, while local sources say US troops were almost certainly set up. As the caliphate dissolves in Iraq and Syria,
In dealing with drug laws and lobbyists, Congress is way out of its league, and the result is legislation that's stripping law enforcement of its power to protect Americans from prescription drug abuse. Puerto Rico faced a pollution crisis even before Maria struck. Now with an urgent need
Senate passes a budget resolution protecting a planned $1.5 trillion tax cut—that's been crafted behind closed doors—from Democratic filibuster. In addition, the budget resolution passage leaves Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge open to oil exploration. New research finds that diseases caused by pollution—
ISIS may be losing physical ground, but its roots in recruiting jihadists from afar are still intact, as shown by the months-long standoff, now quelled, in the Philippines. Spain says it will rule Catalonia directly from Madrid, further blocking the region's independence. The stock boom that Trump takes
If passed, the bipartisan Senate deal would continue funding the ACA insurer subsidies and advertising outreach Trump wants to kill. US-backed forces have captured Raqqa, the "capital" of ISIS, which in the past three months has lost two of its three most important strongholds. The bombing in Mogadishu
In Iraq, the government seized Kirkuk's resources to help starve moves for a separate Kurdish state. Part of the power of "me too" is it confirms ordinary people harass other ordinary people every single day. With the discovery of a wi-fi security flaw, most connections are
Crowdsourced maps are proving vital to aiding recovery teams in natural disasters, as conditions are ever-changing. Scientists develop a method to trap carbon dioxide emissions in basalt rock—before they can escape into the atmosphere. As participation in high school football continues to decline, many schools are closing their programs.
The outcomes of Trump's executive order opening the door to healthcare deregulation aren't clear yet, since it all depends on how the new rules are formed. For a glimpse at what might happen, the "skimpy" plans Trump will approve are allowed in Tennessee and
NBC says Trump wanted America's nukes to be increased tenfold, prompting Tillerson to call him “a moron.” Military advisors thankfully convinced Mr. Trump otherwise. The White House responds to NBC’s scoop by threatening to yank NBC’s license. Fortunately, NBC doesn’t have a license that Trump
New allegations against Harvey Weinstein are coming fast and furious. Many of Weinstein’s male allies remain silent, thought it doesn’t look like Ben Affleck’s going to escape unscathed. Unrelated: Travel around the world in paper cutouts. (Because not everything can be about Weinstein.) Tokyo has spent billions
Fires in Northern California’s wine country kill at least 10, destroy at least 1,500 buildings. A family films their way out while evacuating a wildfire in Sonoma County. The Las Vegas massacre marked the 273rd mass shooting in the United States in 2017. “When I found out that
“This is a very weak president in danger of complete failed presidency.” Mister Trump had yet another terrible week. In case you missed it: Mattis, Mnuchin, and Tillerson have a "suicide pact" in place in case Trump tries to remove one of them. Here are all the Obama-era
The Nobel Peace Prize goes to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). “I think Secretary Tillerson, Secretary Mattis and Chief of Staff Kelly are those people that help separate our country from chaos.” Getting in his dings on his way out the door, Tennessee Senator Corker is no
Kazuo Ishiguro, master of memory, is your Nobel Laureate for Literature for 2017. Fascinating stuff: How Kazuo Ishiguro wrote The Remains of the Day, with a little help from Tom Waits, in four weeks of extreme seclusion. Without offering any specifics, Trump says his administration will help wipe out Puerto
The girlfriend of the gunman in the Las Vegas shooting was met last night by authorities at Los Angeles International Airport. After the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Democrats occupied the House floor for a full day. After Vegas, with midterm elections coming up, they're setting their sights
Equifax's former CEO heads to congressional hearings as news emerges that an additional 2.5 million Americans were included in its data breach. The other side of gun control: Amid slumping gun sales under Trump, the White House may loosen gun export laws, and gun-maker stock prices rose
Police shut down more than half of the 2,315 schools in Catalonia designated as polling stations. Tens of thousands are expected to vote in a referendum that’s already been blocked by Spain’s constitutional court. Polar bears converge in the hundreds on a bowhead whale carcass in Siberia.
The situation in Puerto Rico is spiraling into a full-blown health crisis. Nearly half of the population has no drinking water, many have no food, and communication remains spotty. With much of Puerto Rico's power grid still offline, the island’s health disaster compounds as medicines requiring refrigeration
Florida governor Rick Scott heads to Puerto Rico to coordinate recovery efforts. A vast migration of Puerto Ricans to Florida is expected in the months ahead. Warned that Puerto Rico may become his Katrina, Trump waives the Jones Act. Hugh Hefner dies at home at 91, remembered by many for
Before-and-after aerial photos of Puerto Rico offer a glimpse at the extent of devastation. On the ground, the health situation is dire—only 20 hospitals are operational and 911 is offline. The Republican runoff to fill Jeff Sessions' Senate seat in Alabama became a proxy battle of Bannon v.
The cost of damage in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria may reach as much as $20 billion. Just 40 percent of islanders in Puerto Rico currently have potable water. Federal aid starts to flow, but Trump doesn’t much care for humanitarian crises offshore. Puerto Rico after Maria—in pictures.
Maria downed communication lines to half the island, as Puerto Rico tries to evacuate 70,000 residents downstream of a failing dam. “Consider the amount of standard daily doses of opioids consumed in Japan. And then double it. And then double it again. And then double it again. And then
With Merkel poised to win a fourth term as chancellor, much of her appeal is that she advances successful systems over political agendas. Merkel's popularity is strongest among young voters, who view her handling of the refugee crisis as proof of her authenticity. A posthumous exam of the
Hurricane Maria knocked out power on all of Puerto Rico, and it could take up to six months to restore service. Here’s how you can help the island's relief efforts. Photos from Maria's path of destruction across the Caribbean. Ways to help Mexico's
Maps and photos of the devastation from yesterday's 7.1-magnitude earthquake south of Mexico City. More than 200 people have now died in the earthquake, which occurred on the anniversary of the 1985 quake that killed 20,000 and resulted in Mexico upgrading its building codes and seismic
Addressing the UN this morning, Trump says if Pyongyang continues its nuclear threats, the US "will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea." No one yet knows what it means that the US wiretapped Manafort before and after the election or that federal agents told him
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the London Tube bombing. "He doesn't so much act as much as he merely behaves on camera." This video retrospective shows why Harry Dean Stanton, who died on Friday at the age of 91, is the G.O.
Twenty-two were hospitalized after an IED was detonated at a tube station in Southwest London. No leads yet on who's behind the terror attack, but details are developing here. Theresa May and London police rebuke Trump for his morning terror tweets after the bombing. "Our spacecraft has
Pelosi and Schumer say Trump has agreed to protect DREAMers, separate from his fantasies of a southern wall. "We send a report every morning to ICE—all the names of everybody that comes in." Some Motel 6 locations in Phoenix appear to be working directly with ICE to
While considering appeals, the Supreme Court temporarily blocks US entry to some 24,000 refugees and puts a hold on Texas redistricting. A new tactic for ICE: going after relatives who let undocumented kids stay with them after entering the US. The Gates Foundation says the world is on course
UN official accuses Myanmar of "ethnic cleansing" of Rohingya Muslims, driving hundreds of thousands from their homes following an attack by Rohingya militants. Bangladesh has opened its doors to the Rohingya, but its camps are now overwhelmed and conditions are quickly deteriorating. "It's survival mode
After making landfall in Cuba last night and slowing on its way to Florida, Hurricane Irma is back to a Category 5, and its outer bands are now reaching Miami-Dade County. Highway, airline, and marine maps show the sheer scale of Florida's mass evacuation—the largest ever in
After leaving more than 60% of Puerto Rico without power, Hurricane Irma slows to a Category 4, and is on a path to reach the Florida Keys on Saturday and Miami on Sunday. "As soon as I went outside, I realized how panicked people were." Florida's
After killing eight on St. Martin and leaving Barbuda "barely habitable," Hurricane Irma is now hitting Puerto Rico, and will likely reach Florida on Sunday and may reach Georgia and South Carolina on Monday. Aerial photos of St. Martin show the massive destruction left in Irma's
Hurricane Irma, now the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, made landfall early this morning in Antigua and Barbuda and has now reached St. Martin, where it destroyed four of the island's "most solid" buildings. Forecasts show the hurricane will reach Puerto Rico midday today
Following criticism of the Trumps’ Texas visit last Tuesday—hawking hats, wearing stilettos, not addressing or meeting with victims, claiming first-hand witnessing of damage—the president and first lady head to Houston for a do-over. The White House hedges on Trump’s promise to personally donate $1 million to Harvey
"Why would you want to leave a place you love just because your possessions get ruined?" Houstonians displaced by floods return to their homes to see what's left. Refinery and chemical plant damage and shutdowns on the Texas coast have released millions of pounds of pollutants
Long after floodwaters recede, Houstonians may deal with health problems due to mold, the effects of which "we're only beginning to understand." The world is so big, and we are so small: Aerial photos of the Houston flooding. A brief selection of the stories of everyday
"The state of Texas is about to undergo one of the largest recovery housing missions the nation has ever seen." Texas health officials rush tetanus vaccines to Houston, and say so far there's been no evidence of water contamination from industrial facilities. With a new Texas
Now that chief news curator Gen. Kelly chooses what information Trump does and doesn't see, right-wing sites worry their agendas won't reach the president. Hurricane Harvey is strengthening, forecasted to reach Category 3, and expected to make landfall in Texas tonight or early tomorrow. Houston is
Trump really could force a government shutdown over funding his wall. Here are all the scenarios, including their likeliness to occur. With the debt ceiling looming, if GOP leaders try to attach a new spending bill to a debt increase—and then there's a shutdown—it could spell
Despite reports of peaceful demonstrations, Phoenix riot police tear-gassed protesters outside the Trump rally without first ordering a dispersal. Officials say people were throwing rocks and bottles, and the situation was worsening. With Angola's president stepping down, the country is voting on its first new leader in 38
Trump's Afghanistan strategy mostly resembles Obama's. Though by avoiding details on troop numbers or what success looks like, he may hope to avoid backlash from his supporters. Time and again, Bannon disrupted attempts to escalate in Afghanistan. Now that he's gone, Trump is listening
The president and first lady announce they won't attend the Kennedy Center Honors in December, one day after the entire Arts and Humanities Committee resigned—in a letter that spelled "RESIST" with the first letter of each paragraph. Bannon's departure marks the eighth top
The various Jefferson Davis Highways around the US were part of a larger scheme hatched in the 1910s to skew history with the "Lost Cause" falsehood, explains Erin Blakemore in a Twitter thread that's definitely worth your attention. Most Confederate monuments were erected in the first
After multiple domain registrars banned The Daily Stormer, the white supremacist website moved to the Russian internet—where it's now been banned as well. Cloudflare CEO explains why he kicked The Daily Stormer off its services: "The people behind the Daily Stormer are assholes and I’d
During his impromptu defense of white supremacists yesterday, Trump rhetorically questioned whether statues of slaveholders Washington and Jefferson are next for removal—which was probably inspired by an interview on Fox host Martha MacCallum's show the previous night. A group of congressional Democrats have asked a Yale School
Last night, protesters tore down a Confederate statue in Durham, NC (video here). "The president is being advised by people who don't know what's going on." Emboldened by Charlottesville, white supremacists plan more marches. A reminder: Why it's the duty of every
Ahead of today's white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., torch-carrying marchers clashed with counter-protesters last night on the UVA campus. Trump's pugilism feeds North Korea's ongoing narrative that, as the victim of American bullying, it needs a nuclear program. “If Trump or his advisers
Google cancelled an all-hands meant to address the controversial diversity memo, after employees voiced concerns they might be harassed online for asking questions during the meeting. Long before CRISPR gives your descendants superhuman abilities, it could be used to edit pigs' DNA to grow human-ready replacement organs. A group
Pyongyang says its attack plan, still awaiting Kim Jong-un’s approval, involves four missiles that will fly over Japan and land 17 miles from Guam. (1/15) US officials say key to a pre-emptive attack is bombing North Korea’s missile-launch sites, which the military has been practicing since May.
Their accomplishments may be seldom recognized, and throughout history, they have had to fight for their achievements in the first place. Even today, their prominence in tech is not what it should be. Yet there are many women in technology who have changed the world. We think these women deserve
The draft of the latest National Climate Assessment, a quadrennial report, is currently under review by the White House. The New York Times has obtained a copy of the report, which forecasts average US temperatures will increase by 5.0 to 7.5 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the
We're very excited to announce that you're going to see some changes in this feed over the next few days. Most significantly, posts will increase dramatically—to around 15 or 20 a day, as opposed to one or so a week. This is because we'
An adorable animation explains that the key to solving insomnia may be a daily dose of philosophy.
When their father is imprisoned, three kids’ fates are up for grabs. From the Guardian: “In a government building in Nanzhao, the Zhang children’s father awaits his fate. He accidentally killed a child and will probably be executed. The Chinese state makes no provision for prisoners’ children. The Sun
“The high bidder at an auction has paid more money for a work than anyone else in the world thinks it’s worth at that point in time.” via Artsy
Edward Hardy is 93, lives in a nursing home, and suffers from dementia and depression. Sam Kinsella, one of Mr. Hardy’s care givers and the narrator of this video, learns of Edward’s prior life as a jazz pianist. After Sam arranges for a keyboard to be brought in,
Shimon is a robot that can play marimba chords and sequences that can’t be replicated by any single human. Jason Barnes is a drummer who lost part of his arm, and who now wears a robotic prosthesis that can drum up to 20 beats per second. Via Quartz
We use our entire brain—and not just the temporal lobe, as once believed—to group words by meaning. Via Aeon
Suffering from panic attacks, Ryan Bassil finds solace in the sounds of William Basinski, Oval, and Brian Eno, who “at one point felt like an angel sent to me from heaven.” Related: For those who experience anxiety attacks, every day is a case in survival. One writer’s journey to
In 1977, David Nash planted 22 ash saplings and trained them to grow into a dome. Nearly 40 years later, his vision continues to take shape. Via This Is Colossal See also: A man who spent three years painting the same English tree repeatedly—in all weather, day and night—
Referencing historical photos of Denali National Park, a photographer takes exact matches that show how climate change has altered the landscape. Via WBEZ Chicago Also, if you liked this video, you'll probably enjoy Paul Colangelo's "Sacred Headwaters" series about three of Canada’s biggest
To sing in water, composer Laila Skovmand developed “a technique where she keeps an air bubble in her mouth and sings through it when submerged, rising to the top about every minute to take in a breath and a new bubble.” Related: Here’s Thom Yorke kind of singing underwater,
A primer to the controversial and brilliant Pet Sounds, which turns 50 this month. The album was such a major departure for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys that Capitol Records released the first single, “Caroline, No” under Wilson’s name only, and then attempted to scuttle the album two
This is what real giants would look like in the real world: often miserable. by Dan Chen
As the landscape unfolds, an unlucky driver keeps arriving in horror movie scenes.
Left on mute, this video for “Love Again” by Run the Jewels is merely a suggestive nature film. That would also be missing the point.
Drones outfitted in LEDs accompany traditional Japanese musicians for a performance in front of Mt. Fuji. More by Sky Magic
In a stunning new video from Braids, vocalist Raphaelle Standell-Preston is singing around architecture.
Orly Faya’s portraits merge her subjects with the nature surrounding them.
A man and his selfie stick circumnavigate the world. Here’s footage of his travels, one second for each of his 200 days. See also: We asked people around the globe—in Uganda, Ecuador, Fiji, and more—to make food from the opposite side of Earth.
You binged-listened and -watched Lemonade all week. Now see the only review you can agree with. See more by Evelyn From the Internets, and you’ll want to after this.
Armed with a macro lens, artist Pyanek shows how the everyday is anything but average. via Neatorama More at Pyanek’s Facebook
After artists Andy Leek and Daniela Sea are matched on Tinder, each agrees to film their side of the date.
Eddie Watkins, the original drummer for math rock pioneers Polvo, died this week. Whether or not you know their work, an excellent place to start learning (or paying your respects) is “Tilebreaker” from the band’s second album, Today’s Active Lifestyles.
You are required to stay with it past the 45-second mark. “I’m having trouble looking at you when I’m saying these things.” by Just Not Sports
Enjoy “Rife w/ Typo,” the latest from M. Sage, the video for which transports you to what might be the botanical garden at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Conservatory.
A mini-doc about a National Geographic photographer and why he does what he does. (Job perks include peeing outdoors and avoiding humans.) More by Andy Maser
While walking along a Bed-Stuy street in 2013, Antonius Wiriadjaja was shot by a stray bullet. In this video he recounts his shooting and recovery and reunites with John Morant, a bystander who helped save his life. One month after filming, Morant was shot and killed in South Carolina. By
“A short film about a birthday party you weren’t invited to.” Official website: asongforyourmixtape.com
Pedestrians on a busy crosswalk become motion blurs, creating new city backgrounds. By Hiroshi Kondo / STNW
This short film is based on an actual YouTube comment. Years after his father died, a son rediscovers the Xbox they used to play together. There, in an old copy of Rally Sport Challenge, he can still race alongside his father’s ghost car. By John Wikstrøm
A brief history of how Al Capone—aka “Scarface”—got his scars. Capone’s scars weren’t the result—as he claimed—of war wounds from overseas, but rather an inappropriate comment made to the sister of a man with a knife. via Laughing Squid
Time-lapse video of the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis, shot from the International Space Station. For a better soundtrack, mute the above and turn this up instead: Auroras occur when charged particles enter the upper atmosphere. Or when a witch dies. via NASA
The inner thoughts of a dance crew as their performance kicks off. Interview with Alter Ego by Ira Glass. Music by Nico Muhly for Contemporary Color. via Pitchfork
A Carmina Burana street performance becomes a decadent flashmob opera. Produced by MeTube 2, “the love child of opera, Pulp Fiction, and Grumpy Cat.” Discovered in 1803, Carmina Burana is a medieval collection of mostly NSFW poems satirizing the Catholic Church. In 1936, Carl Orff composed songs around 24 of
Song-of-the-year contender Mitski’s “Your Best American Girl” now has a video to match the empowering intensity of WHEN THOSE CHORDS HIT, and then HIT AGAIN, and do they ever. See also: How to play “Your Best American Girl” because you’re going to want to learn guitar after hearing
Hyperrealist sculptor Carole Feuerman’s astounding work feels so alive because there’s an unbreakable spirit inside each piece. See more at Artsy and carolefeuerman.com
Richie Jackson is a skateboarding pioneer. In “Death Skateboards” he gives every trick a wacky, unexpected twist. See also: Thrasher’s longstanding editor Jake Phelps is nearly too hardcore in his embodiment of skate culture.
A music-video supercut spanning 41 years of Bruce Springsteen performing “Thunder Road,” the lead track from his iconic Born to Run. Clarence Clemons, RIP. Video by Phil Whitehead
{image-1} The Tulsa Artist Fellowship is a program established by the George Kaiser Family Foundation to enhance the local art scene by retaining and recruiting artists to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Entering its second year, the TAF is expanding to include writers. With the inaugural class of artists beginning their fellowships this
When Prince asks you to DJ his party, you say yes. When he wants you to stop so he can watch Finding Nemo, well. Questlove learned the answer the hard way.
Fans of Archy Marshall (aka King Krule) will like knowing about his lifetime of creating with his brother Jack—seeing them make music, write poetry, paint, and receive haircuts from their mom. Archy Marshall’s A New Place 2 Drown is included in our top albums of 2015.
Jeff Desom creates dioramas of famous movie scenes, then populates them with holograms from the films. See also: Scenes from Dr. Strangelove reproduced using household objects
Former inmate Chris Wilson demonstrates how he learned to paint with crushed Skittles and makeshift brushes. Via Huck Magazine
Wherever you live, this video is about to make you feel a lot colder. By ZALUSKArt
Michael Chanan’s portrait of Pierre Boulez, The Politics of Music (1972), documented the composer’s quest to move classical music out of the concert halls and into public spaces. One of the 20th century’s most significant composers, Pierre Boulez, died this week at 90.
Outside Taos, this off-grid community’s 65 homes are made entirely of natural or recyclable materials and collect and produce all their own energy and resources. See also: Photographer Antoine Bruy hitchhiked around Europe’s backcountry, photographing off-the-grid communities struggling to survive apart from society.
Rachel Kolb’s short helps others understand the life of a lip reader and the magic of human conversation. See also: Rachel Kolb at TEDxStanford: “Navigating Deafness in a Hearing World”
George Saunders explains the difference between “Frank was an asshole” and “Frank snapped at the barista who reminded him of his dead wife, who he dearly loved.” See also: “I had read Ayn Rand at a vulnerable moment and I didn’t want to be one of those life-sucking parasitic
Watching a motorized Lego sculpture of Sisyphus pushing a rock would be enough to satisfy our brains. But the detailed frieze work puts this one in a whole new class of mind happiness. See also: A survey of the many names people call various Lego bricks
“One of my biggest pet peeves in art is the lazily-desaturated DSLR video,” says filmmaker Julianna Thomas. This video is her “personal response to treating black and white as an editing afterthought.” See more videos by Julianna Thomas
Astronaut Helen Sharman recounts a dream she has of returning to space and viewing Earth from above once more. From A Place Called Space
Time-lapse tessellations of cities in motion. Directed by Florian Rouzaud Cornabas
When you’re not doing anything meaningful, why do it yourself? Directed and animated by molistudio
Sol LeWitt’s instructions for Wall Drawing #797 (1995), “The first drafter has a black marker and makes an irregular horizontal line near the top of the wall. Then the second drafter tries to copy it (without touching it) using a red marker. The third drafter does the same, using
Plastic people acting like real people is a favorite of ours. As we can see here, Elon Musk has every reason to be worried about the future. See more videos by Pierre Grillère
Max Richter’s latest composition, From Sleep, is eight hours long. This remix by Mogwai is your alarm. If you’re in need of slumber, you may do better with this.
In his video for “Siamese Brutality” by the Soupcans, Winston Hacking uses his fingers instead of a computer to animate his collages. From CMJ: “I decided the images needed to come to life before their inevitable destruction, so I just moved them around with my fingers and an exacto knife.
This is Jarbas Agnelli, “walking around [his] ranch, looking for everything that makes interesting noises.” His ranch sounds great. Drummers reinventing their craft never gets old.
Like a Stonehenge in the present day, the Clock of the Long Now is a project to build a clock that can operate for the next 10,000 years. The project’s director, Alexander Rose: “In trying to design a 10,000-year clock, we’re invested in generational thinking and
Social media makes it easy to virtually tour our neighbors’ homes—and really, their entire lives. The hard part: finding the clear divide between entertainment and cyberstalking. John Sherman reads “The Downstairs Gays,” originally published at TMN
At the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center eye clinic, patients were going blind waiting for treatment. “Sometimes when you work in chaos, you don’t know how to get out of it,” says H-UCLA Chief Improvement Officer Susan Black. The system had to change, and a partnership with Toyota showed them the
Here are three minutes from Max Richter’s From Sleep, an eight-hour composition he calls his “personal lullaby for a frenetic world.” Download From Sleep
When your keyboard turns literal and the toothpaste attacks, you can tell. It’s another one of those days. Directed by Terri Timely
David Sedaris reads “You Can’t Kill the Rooster”—the greatest story in human history—about his brother Paul, aka The Rooster. The text for “You Can’t Kill the Rooster”
A listener calls into Nick Pandolfi’s radio show with the story of when his mother predicted a hurricane the BBC didn’t. Also: Proof animation obviates subtitles. Animated by Steve Kirby
Just as I remember it. Directed and animated by Yoann Hervo
Try as they might, toys can’t quite do anything people do. Though they may appreciate art. Directed by Vincent Tsui
In Nevada, friends build the first scale model of the solar system. Then they drive the orbits in a car, and we can feel how big it is—and how small we are. A film by Wylie Overstreet and Alex Gorosh
Because “buffalo” is a noun, a proper noun, and a verb, it can be used to form a one-word sentence. Just like “Ship-shipping ship, shipping shipping-ships.” Because English. via The Kid Should See This
John Cage’s best-known work is commonly thought to be a prank: four minutes and 33 seconds of silence. But that was never Cage’s intent. Instead, audiences should interpret whatever sounds may occur during the piece as the “performance.” Of his cover, Fraham says, “This rework could be considered
Created entirely through CG, this stunning short is based upon artworks by Yayoi Kusama and Ai Weiwei. It’s like Night at the Museum, but really really really really good-looking. “Themes & Variations” by Ziye Liu
A group of DC skaters finds abandoned backyard pools to drain and skate. From Run Riot Films
The next time you have insomnia, remember it could be worse. You could be a time-lapsed painting version of yourself. A film by John Shaffner
If a skater travels out of the city, far from urban parks and handrails, he does not cease to skate. A film by Vitùc
A “coyote” is a smuggler paid to traffic people over the border from Mexico into the US. This film is one coyote’s story, adapted from an original interview. Directed by Javier Barboza
Whatever this video is about, don’t worry about it. It is what it is. Whatever it is. Directed and animated by Masanobu Hiraoka
While you were (probably) sleeping, Earth was treated to its annual viewing of the Perseid cloud, a stream of debris flung behind the Swift-Tuttle comet. See also: NASA’s live coverage of the Perseid meteor shower includes four hours of color commentary by meteor experts. Perseids Wikipedia page
Riley Blakeway shot “Life Therapy” using only available light from dusk to dawn. It has nothing to do with Point Break, but what a great movie that was. For a second there I absolutely thought someone was going to surf off that waterfall. rileyblakeway.com
The new Ash Koosha album, GUUD, is definitely worth your time. But if you don’t have that kind of time right now, watch this instead. Video by Hirad Sab. hiradsab.com
Robert Gagno is Canada’s pinball champion. He also has autism. Wizard Mode follows his journey into the international pinball circuit. This short film is a preview of the forthcoming documentary of the same name. wizardmodefilm.com
“What shapes us? Do we shape as much as we are shaped?” “You Could Sunbathe in This Storm” is a beautiful short film by Alice Dunseath that, at least to us, feels like the dead of summer and the dead of winter all at once. That crackling noise: Is it
“These animals have such a tolerance for humans. And we have no tolerance for them. These animals need to be protected. And we need to evolve in the way we see them.” The particular exhilaration of watching sharks at night, in a film with Joe Romeiro and Bill Fisher.
The next time someone tells you to go fly a kite, show them this, and they’ll invite you to stay and show them more delightful videos. Filmmaker Cy Kuckenbaker cut multiple kite-flying sessions into a single take: “In the near future, you will be able to make a video
The video for “Other Side of the Boundary” by Springtime Carnivore, directed by Eddie O’Keefe, wraps what could’ve been 21 different videos for the song in one mesmerizing, unique montage. Eddie O’Keefe previously directed Springtime Carnivore’s “Creature Feature”—about the ghosts of five masked swimwear pageant
On Sundays when you’re ready to tuck into an evening of HBO, what you’re really doing is putting off the inevitable: another Monday morning of existential career crisis. What you should be doing: redefining your view of success. Animation for The School of Life directed by Lara Lee
This computer is programmed to “sing” number-one ballads from the 1990s. As soon as one ends, another begins. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead. Created by Martin Backes, the machine
My parents didn’t want me to be a drummer because they were concerned I’d destroy their upholstery practicing rolls with my drumsticks. (This is not an unreasonable concern, if you’ve ever been to a drummer’s apartment.) If only they’d seen this video, they would have
Azel Phara, “Green” According to Bif, the directing duo behind the film, the pastels represent nature and the contrasting colors are “representative of damaging human action.” Directed by bif. Produced by Mill+.
This simulated flyover depicts Pluto’s Norgay Mountains and Sputnik Plain, named thusly in our continuing history of Earth-centric interplanetary exploration. The animation was created from images captured by New Horizons from a distance of 48,000 miles, and shows features as small as a half-mile across. Video via NASA
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Frequent readers of The Morning News will have noticed that, since last month’s relaunch, we’ve introduced something new into our regular publishing schedule: short columns by a handful of writers, each focused on a single subject over the course of a few installments. Here’s our current rotation:
Even then, better to ignore the reasons than enter months of mockups, head-to-wall banging, interminable revisions, and the inevitable trip to the Genius Bar, bruised laptop in hand. Instead, we peered into the safety of our phones and—why not—loaded up our site. We zoomed in to read a
