Train and simple
Researchers in Sweden say the United States is no longer a democracy. “Our data on the USA goes back to 1789.” / The Guardian
Speaking of data, researchers say the current White House and other governments are undermining the credibility of official statistics. / Nature
A federal judge blocks the Trump administration's attempts to overhaul vaccine policies. / NPR
Among reasons why the White House should lose its birthright citizenship case: a link to slavery that “negates every one of its arguments.” / Lawfare
Unrelated: California Highway Patrol says wrapping a jacket around a passenger seat doesn’t count in the carpool lane. / Facebook
Russia expands military cooperation with Iran to prolong a war that it’s benefiting from militarily and economically. / The Wall Street Journal [$]
Ukraine calls blackmail over being forced to reopen a Russian oil pipeline to appease Europe’s needs. / Politico
Anne Applebaum: Few foreign leaders have been able to acknowledge that someone without any strategy can actually be president of the United States. / The Atlantic [$]
Spencer Ackerman: The Trump people, on top of everything else, do not know ball. / Forever Wars
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The White House’s efforts to keep coal plants open that are too costly to run and aren’t needed hits a snag. / Canary Media
Some climate scientists disagree with a recent study that says global warming is accelerating. / Grist
The secret recipe for fashionable skincare product La Mer apparently includes playing music to kelp. / The Wall Street Journal [$]
Luxury fashion brands appear to have discovered “luxury sound,” or in-store listening rooms. / Highsnobiety
For listeners using Spotify, “algorithmic bias” is found to benefit popular artists over less established ones. / The Conversation
A story of IVF told from both a mother and a child’s point of view. “This feels like a lonely journey.” / The Pudding
Robert Greene on the benefits of reading challenging books. “I beg you to train your mind like you train your body.” / Open Culture
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