Russian lawmakers vote to ban all media that promotes "a child-free lifestyle," including social media. / Semafor Since the 1990s, deaths have nearly always outnumbered births in Russia. / The Washington Post [+] What can President Biden do prior to Donald Trump's new term? "Use his clemency
Israel says there will be no ceasefire or pause until its war objectives are met. / The Times of Israel A video round-up of what's happened in north Gaza since the US gave its 30-day warning a month ago. / Al Jazeera Between news-averse voters and disinformation,
For the first time in history, every incumbent party in a developed nation this year lost vote share in elections. / Financial Times See also: A German far-right party won a regional election in September, which hasn't happened since the Nazi era—a result of 30 years of
The United States and Somalia sign an agreement formalizing debt cancellation worth $1.14 billion. / The South China Morning Post Cuba's power grid fails again as Hurricane Rafael crosses the island. / The Guardian Germany's ruling coalition collapses, triggering political chaos in Europe's largest economy.
Before any political news, some wanderlust to kick things off: pictures of a modern cabin in Vermont. / The New York Times [+] Also, some fashion illustrations from the roaring twenties in Très Parisien magazine. / Flashbak (Fwiw, today's clothes are made using enormous amounts of petrochemicals and fossil fuels.) (Clothes
Ukrainian officials say North Korean soldiers deployed to fight alongside Russian troops came under fire. / The Kyiv Independent A fascinating long read about an Israeli college student who wound up in a prisoner swap because of her Instagram stories. / The New York Times Magazine [+] The United States is spending an
There could be more continents than you think. Case in point: New Zealand may be part of its own continent, separate from Australia. / The New York Times [+] The Greenland Ice Sheet temporarily stores a large amount of meltwater in the summer, a discovery that may aid in accurately forecasting future
More than 200 people have now died from the flooding in Valencia, Spain, in Europe's deadliest weather disaster since the 1970s. / Reuters Long a crime that targeted Black and Latino people, jaywalking is now legal in New York City. / HuffPost "Even liberal yuppies in my Brooklyn neighborhood
North Korea launches an intercontinental ballistic missile, perhaps looking for attention prior to the US presidential election. / USA Today The Economist magazine endorses Kamala Harris, saying "being independent and being opinionated" aren't in conflict with each other. / Semafor Election officials in battleground states are trying—and
Foreign interference in this year's election is said to be far more sophisticated, and far more difficult to track. / The New York Times [+] China is considering approving $1.4 trillion in extra debt to revive its economy. / Reuters Related: If "Xi Jinping Thought" is not a
