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
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
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
