Can beehives help humans and elephants coexist? Simple nature-based solutions keep peace EuroNews
South Africa’s ‘very strange-looking’ factory sparks illegal trade boom BBC
US retail real estate boom defies e-commerce doomsday predictions FT
Due to the evolving legal landscape and changes in the administrative law framework, the Federal Reserve Board has announced important changes to improve the transparency of bank stress tests and reduce the resulting volatility in capital requirements. , will soon be inviting public comments (Press Release) System
climate
Human noise is the enemy of nature Nature
syndrome
Oregon cat dies after eating pet food that tested positive for bird flu
Health experts call for reinstatement of social distancing as cases emerge across the UK this Christmas The Sun
FAO: Recommendations for surveillance of influenza A(H5N1) in cattle Avian Influenza Diary
China?
Looking back on a year in Chinese foreign policy
President Xi may face ‘bad or very bad’ situation in 2025 Bloomberg
Luxury wine market is in the red due to drying demand in China FT
Read more: Canal fever hits China amid slowing growth Caixin International
China approves giant dam in Tibet that will generate three times as much electricity as the Three Gorges Dam South China Morning Post
Africa
South African gold mines seized by criminal gangs FT
The worsening crisis in Ethiopia is also an opportunity for President Trump.
Drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon is causing problems for farmers in southern Africa, who are in the middle of the planting season.
syrakistan
The Associated Press reported ambivalence about Israel’s plan to double the number of settlers in the Golan Heights. Happy Holidays:
A huge menorah in Gaza.
Bring light to dark places.
— Living Lchaim (@LivingLchaim) December 24, 2024
It looks authentic, but it’s not new.
Netanyahu threatens Iran-backed Houthis with increased attacks Anadolu Agency
* * *
Israeli army kills dozens in Gaza, faces difficulties in ceasefire negotiations Al Jazeera
* * *
Israel kills five journalists in clearly marked news vehicle in Gaza and Middle East Eye. meanwhile:
Well, but https://t.co/aqLWQUCVVC
— Ryan Grimm (@ryangrim) December 24, 2024
* * *
350 descendants of Ashkenazi Jews, study finds The Times of Israel
discord in europe
A new government has been established in France. Politics and debt overhang complicate next steps Associated Press
Saudi Arabia ‘warns’ Germany over France suspected of Christmas market attack24
Dear Old Blighty
The Telegraph reports that Prime Minister Starmer’s living standards pledge has failed, leaving the UK economy “closer to that of Guyana”. Explanation:
When I say that a country like Britain is in the late Soviet stage, people think I’m exaggerating. It’s really not a joke. This is late Soviet style governance. 🇬🇧 https://t.co/zTIJhyaNeF
— Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) December 22, 2024
A new war that’s not so cold war
President Zelenskiy slowly moves on to Ukraine’s future WaPo negotiations
Ukraine satisfies American conservatives
Deploying EU troops to Ukraine “needs peace”: Belgian FM Quintin France 24
What happens if Russia wins? Timothy Garton Ash, Timothy Garton Ash
* * *
Ukraine attack derails secret efforts for partial cease-fire with Russia, WaPo officials say
Ukraine condemns Russia’s ‘inhumane’ Christmas Day attack on energy grid France 24
* * *
An Azerbaijani airliner crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people and 29 survived, the Associated Press reported. Explanation:
We cannot be sure, but since the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was near Grozny, it is possible that it was hit by debris from the 🇷🇺 air defense system. There may also have been 🇺🇦 drone attacks in this area. The crew made heroic attempts to salvage the situation before the crash. pic.twitter.com/71MnakMWlF
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) December 25, 2024
Please refer to it if you are a debris expert.
Azerbaijani plane crashes with hundreds of thousands off course, dozens of FOX killed, Russia blamed
Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash survivor claims there was an explosion as the plane was about to land in Anadolu, Chechnya
President Aliyev opens criminal investigation into Azerbaijani plane crash Euronews
* * *
An argument for dismantling the rules-based international order Glen Diesen, Glenn’s Substack
New geopolitical terms learned in 2024 foreign policy
Trump administration transition
President Trump’s desire to control Greenland and the Panama Canal: No joke this time NYT
Greenland says no to Trump’s purchase proposal—again LA Times
Here’s the problem with Elon Musk’s debut as federal budget negotiator LA Times
Trumpism’s Medical Fracture Line Corey Doctorow, Pluralism
Biden administration
Biden leaves White House with much fanfare The Hill
Biden signs bill, bald eagle officially becomes US national bird Axios
spook country
“My So-Called Life” was a really great show.
She specifically explains that she attended a “spy camp” where prominent journalists, actors, CIA spies and State Department employees gathered to orchestrate the story https://t.co/3mfhOvdK0g
— 12 Ball (@BoltzmannBooty) December 24, 2024
US government agency focused on foreign disinformation shuts down France24
the final frontier
Case study of new ISS construction: International Solar Sunshade Space News
Christmas post-match analysis
Parents of kids who believe in Santa say they’re spending more on KXXV Christmas. meanwhile:
Merry Christmas.
Cartoon by the wonderful Liz Climo pic.twitter.com/93iQVI5ken
—Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) December 25, 2024
I felt guilty letting my teenager participate in our family’s Christmas traditions. I mourn the days when my kids loved the holidays, Business Insider. Explanation:
Shout out to all the neurodivergents heading into a week of overstimulation, no routine, sky-high expectations, and non-optional socializing.
i see you
— Kate Lister (@k8_lister) December 23, 2024
And no masks or ventilation…
A log of jingle bells in Mandarin
basil
Russia says it’s using Bitcoin to evade sanctions Axios
class war
Starbucks strike extends to Christmas Eve Axios
The world’s most secretive society appoints a new leader, with the inauguration of President Donald Trump as the second president, sparking a seismic shift in world order, Daily Mail.
“Machines of Unaccountability: Why Big Systems Make Horrible Decisions and How the World Lost Sanity” by Dan Davis, Progressive Geography
Why rich people don’t cover their windows The Atlantic
Late Bloomer: The Intricate Artifacts of Mary Delaney British Museum
Antidote (Alexandre Buis (Natfod)):
Click here for yesterday’s link and Antidote du Jour.
