You’re not alone
In its airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean, the US reportedly disguised its planes to resemble civilian aircraft—which constitutes a war crime. / The Guardian
Trump’s invasion of Venezuela comes with the promise of cheaper oil, which is bad news to the residents of the petroleum capital of Midland, Texas. / The Wall Street Journal [$]
Some states continue to fund American Climate Corps jobs, but have removed the word “climate” from to describe their work. / Grist
See also: The EPA will no longer assign a dollar value to the cost of human health from air pollution, even as it weakens rules that govern those same pollutants. / NPR
A rise in highway overpass protests around the United States is thanks to months of grassroots organizing. / The Guardian
Chinese propaganda uses the gaming phrase “kill line” to describe generalized US malaise. / The New York Times [$]
An app that asks users to confirm they’re still alive has become especially popular in China, where the number of one-person households continues climbing. / Gizmodo
George Saunders: “You know those three things that you’ve always thought of? They’re not true. You’re not permanent, you’re not the most important thing and you’re not separate.” / The New York Times Magazine [$]
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Shrinkflation reaches nutrition labels, where the protein that’s promised isn’t always the protein your body actually uses. / She’s a Beast
As flu continues to run rampant, Xofluza is an antiviral that performs better than Tamiflu, yet doesn’t get nearly the same attention. / The Atlantic [$]
Astronomers have been observing an asteroid that’s spinning so fast that it should have torn apart, meaning it may be made of a stronger material than typical asteroids. / Futurism
Astronauts’ brains change position and shape after long periods in space, according to new research. / NBC News
Unrelated: Before computers, the term “computer” was a human job title. / Digital Seams
Watch: Netflix, but for public domain movies. / WikiFlix
A look back at the TV shows of 1960-61, arguably the worst season of television in history. / Ironic Sans
And now a brief chat with new supporter Lesley K.!
Lesley, remind us how you found TMN? I started reading Tournament of Books, oh, I don’t know… since the beginning, I think. I saw it mentioned in an online newsletter for librarians.
Incredible! What hooked you? I started reading the ToB because I was a book nerd. I was intrigued by TMN, and I kept coming back because the quirky mixture of serious news and more offbeat articles was a perfect way to warm up for a shift on the Reference Desk.
Well, we love librarians—thank you for your support. Any reason today was the day to join as a Sustaining Member? I decided to pitch in after many years when I realized that TMN was providing me a better mix of news (and more important, CONTEXT) than any of the more well-known news aggregators I follow. Keep up the good work!
In the members area, unlocked links from the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Atlantic ↓