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

See also: Thoughts on the legacy of China's incredibly hard civil service test, which strengthened the state "at the cost of freedom and creativity." / aeon

At least five die in a storm that battered Britain, Germany and Scandinavia. Meanwhile, Spain is blighted by long-running drought. / The Associated Press, The New York Times [+]

Some good news: Net forest loss peaked in the 1980s, and the annual rate now is half what it was. / Works in Progress 

An energy drink allegedly made from Amazon drivers' urine is briefly sold on Amazon. / Ars Technica

Female workers may be at highest risk from AI's coming waves of automation. / Foreign Policy

Arist Wendy MacNaughton illustrates her theory that people in San Francisco don't see each other anymore. / The New York Times [+]

Unrelated: An illustrated guide to some of the world's most remote lighthouses. / The Guardian

A map of the United States' least traveled roads. / Atlas Obscura

The world's largest Hindu temple outside of India opens in central New Jersey. / CBS News

Some tips on how to visit Vermont and photograph "the perfect, lobotomized facsimile of Christian Girl Autumn." / Slate