Trapped but not least
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. / The Guardian
What does science say about the pandemic's start? There is "very convincing" data and "overwhelming evidence" pointing to an animal origin. / Goats & Soda
Umair Irfan: We don't need to know how this pandemic started to stop the next one. / Vox
Bola Tinubu wins Nigeria's presidential election with 37% of the votes. / The Associated Press
The amount of Earth covered by primary tropical rainforest has dwindled by 6.7% since 2000. / The Economist
Archaeologists find evidence that ancient civilizations, from South America to Africa, performed brain surgery. / Science Daily
Some researchers suggest aliens may be using black holes as quantum computers. / Sciencealert
See also: "King of despair" Ben Afflect finds himself trapped in a parking spot. / The Cut
"The experience of being hailed by 'inanimate' matter is widespread." A profile of Jane Bennett, philosopher who believes objects have agency. / The New Yorker
A survey of eight artists who belong to a new generation of transcendental painters. / Artsy
Fans have plenty of works they'd like to see adapted for TV or film before more Lord of the Rings. / Winter Is Coming
Harmony Holiday on Nina Simone's belligerence: "She was obstinate and delicate at the same time and seemed to always and never get her way." / Black Music and Black Muses
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Your headlines are sourced and written by Andrew Womack and Rosecrans Baldwin, Monday through Saturday. View this edition and the latest headlines at TMN.