Whiskey business
In case you missed it, the United States recently carried out “a massive strike” against the Islamic State in Syria. / BBC News
Reporters use hard-to-find social media accounts to get a glimpse into the Assads’ life of luxury in Russia. / The New York Times [$]
President Trump announces plans for a pair of “Trump Class” warships—the largest ever built, equipped with the “most sophisticated lasers in the world.” / CNN
The 60 Minutes segment shelved by Bari Weiss has been surreptitiously posted online. / 404 Media
See also: This isn’t adding Cousin Oliver to The Brady Bunch or having the Fonz ski jump over a shark. / The Lint Trap of History
A group of charts explain how congestion pricing is working—fewer vehicles, more foot traffic—in New York City. / Bloomberg CityLab
Related: How to save lives with better road design. / Tim Leunig’s Policy Substack
If you enjoy these headlines, please join us as a Sustaining Member to support what we do and unlock access to paywalled links.
An estimated 16 million bottles of whiskey are currently aging in Kentucky while the market collapses. / The New York Times [$]
Remembering Wilson Bentley, the Vermont farmer who photographed snowflakes. Meanwhile, America’s oldest park ranger dies at 104. / Public Domain, SFGate
“Mourning can be a gift, a way to create space to welcome the people who can’t be at your table.” On grieving at the holidays. / Portland Press Herald
Some semi-sarcastic tips on becoming old. “You’ve seen too many changes to endure any more. Repeat after me: ‘Just stop. Enough already!’” / Oldster
The end of the year means it’s time for the Shamsys: awards for excellence in the divulging of information through syntax comprehended by many. / Defector
Thank you to yesterday’s anonymous new supporter! Truly, it’s thanks to supporters that we’re able to produce this newsletter, day in, day out. If you haven’t yet, please upgrade your subscription today.
In the members area, unlocked links from the New York Times ↓