‘Brain rot’ named 2024 Oxford Word of the Year Oxford University Press
Counterfire that creates speculation based on debt
Climate/Environment
Can artificial rain, drones, and satellites clean up toxic air? Wired
Interacting with nature Breakdown
Midwest builders are using wood in new ways to build skyscrapers. And it’s climate-friendly Harvest Public Media
Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’ advocates fight abroad in plastics deal negotiations Louisiana Illuminator
Drought likely to continue across much of New England NHPR, according to winter forecast
Is drought coming for Christmas trees? allegheny front
pandemic
Scientists face a mystery: Why are U.S. bird flu cases so mild? Status
Concerns about H5N1 avian influenza are growing. Are the mistakes caused by the new coronavirus being repeated?Forbes
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‘Don’t give up hope’: Longtime coronavirus advocates and researchers say important efforts will continue under Trump administration
China?
Oh, this is big. China just announced a ban on “dual-use items” for “U.S. military users” and a “total ban in principle on export licenses for dual-use items related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and carbide materials.” To the United States” (Source:… pic.twitter.com/34Hyiuz5xP
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) December 3, 2024
U.S. trade vulnerabilities in critical minerals: Pressure points at a time of rising tensions. TD Economics. From October onwards, it will be German. Useful charts:
Germany’s Burbock warns China over Russia’s support for Deutsche Welle
Beijing and Moscow focus on increase in Arctic shipping The Barents Observer
The United States has imposed anti-dumping duties on Electrek solar panels in Southeast Asia. About Chinese manufacturers in Southeast Asia.
US launches new crackdown on China’s chip industry Al Jazeera
How America’s war on Chinese technology backfired on foreign policy issues
Taiwanese leader suspends US visit after arms sale, angering China
A hotbed of Taiwanese nationalism in Texas Texas Observer
Or Canada
President Trump reportedly told Justin Trudeau that if Canada can’t deal with the tariffs, it should become the 51st state, the New York Post reported.
Big Idea: Canada Should Freeze Debt Defaults Until 2025 to Protect From Trump Tariffs Dougald Lamont’s Substack
old blighty
Britain and Australia have a shortage of spies and finding the next generation of talent is proving difficult.
Sebastian Gorka: British intelligence agent? Gray area
Exclusive: British media Skwawkbox serves ads containing anti-UN Israeli propaganda
discord in europe
Gas prices rise as EU storage tanks empty faster than usual Bne Intellinews
Romania to hold presidential run-off after Supreme Court makes first round valid France 24
The French crisis is Macron’s doing. Eliminate the herd. Explanation:
France appears to be facing a constitutional crisis. Did the financial crisis caused by the war coincide with France’s constitutional crisis? Some facts of history. It’s no big deal though. I’m sure it’ll be fine. 🇫🇷👀 https://t.co/TWAdHuRo5D pic.twitter.com/k7SOkDfhEe
— Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) December 2, 2024
If French bonds collapse, can France rely on the ECB? political
Return to class tribune
syrakistan
The long war to reaffirm the West’s supremacy with Israel has changed shape Alastair Crook
Ray McGovern: Neocons try again in Syria Consortium News
Israel maintains second front with new airstrikes as Turkish-backed jihadists advance into Syria Military Monitor
Syria as Putin’s Afghanistan: How a radical fundamentalist takeover of Damascus will change the Middle East Informed Comment
Where do the regional powers stand regarding the attack on Syria? The New Arabs
President Erdoğan issued a warning to the Syrian government RT. Explanation:
Debret Bahçeli, head of Erdogan’s nationalist allies, said Aleppo is “deeply Turkish and Muslim. We’re not the only ones who say that. History says so, geography says so. “So says the Turkish flag on the citadel of Aleppo.” https://t.co/7jOt6A0bjA
— Amberinzaman (@amberinzaman) December 3, 2024
Militants clash with Syrian army ‘ready for peace with Israel’: former intelligence official The Cradle
Pro-Iranian militias rally behind Assad, Syrian rebels vow stability in Iraq New Arab
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US Navy destroyer thwarts multiple Houthi attacks on US ships
Yemen attacks US destroyer and three warships in top military operation. Al Mayadeen
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Israeli army scrapes 600 buildings in Gaza Strip, builds dozens of military bases, expands Netzarim Corridor
Revealed: Israeli settler company specializing in West Bank outposts operating at drop site in northern Gaza
“The quadcopter was making baby sounds and playing the woman’s screams.”
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip say Israel uses small quadcopter drones equipped with loudspeakers to lure Palestinians from their homes and shoot them. #gazacrime pic.twitter.com/W4VytzyvdA
— Al Jazeera Investigation (@AJIunit) December 2, 2024
These billionaires are providing subsidies to the Israeli military through the US nonprofit Truth
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Trump lied about peace, but will bring only misery to Palestine Red Flag
Trump: Release the host or die. pic.twitter.com/zHDaSqwdJO
— Seth Dillon (@SethDillon) December 2, 2024
A new war that’s not so cold war
Ukrainian army desertion rate soars amid catastrophic personnel losses: Most conscripts are just trying to escape Military Watch
The United States announces a $725 million aid package for Ukraine. Inject more mines into Al Mayadeen
Exhausted Ukrainian soldiers in Russia told to hang on and wait for Trump BBC
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Zelenskiy says he is willing to cede territory in exchange for NATO’s anti-war protection
SITREP 12/2/24: Major European companies scramble around the world to take on Simplicius’ thinker in a last-minute bid
Caucasus
The streets are on fire: Are Georgia’s opposition plotting a coup? Responsible statecraft. Explanation:
Some major companies have expressed opposition to the Georgian Dream government’s suspension of EU accession negotiations. Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank, the two largest banks, are banking monopolies. Magticom and Silknet – communications monopolies. Orbi Group – Developer.
Georgian dream…
— Sopo Japaridze (@sopjap) December 2, 2024
Will the West’s bets in Syria and Georgia pay off? Larry Johnson, Sonar21
Biden administration
Intel chief fired after failing to rebuild with Biden’s huge funds 1 photo International News: AFPBB News
Trump administration transition
Howard Lutnick and the Commerce Department Commander Unlimited Hangouts
What awaits Israeli defense technology in the US under the Trump administration CTech
Silicon Valley’s national security axis will accelerate further under the new Trump administration Chatham House
Thiel’s friend and venture capitalist is eyeing second-highest position at Department of Defense’s Responsible National Strategy
Tragic accident during school work-based program, harbinger of child labor under Trump administration WSWS
immigration
These tech companies won’t tell us if they’ll help President Trump deport immigrants
big brother is watching over you
Apple receives patent for system to identify individuals when facial scans alone are not enough The Record
A.I.
Why “open” AI systems are actually closed and why it matters Nature
Braverman, Monopoly Capital, and AI: Worker Collectives and Worker Reunification Monthly Review
GenAI is coming to jobs once considered “safe” to automate The Register
our famous free news agency
Journalism giant gets half its budget from US government drop site
supply chain
The Red Sea crisis and its impact on container shipping development The Loadstar
class war
UAW Employees Union Strikes Over Union Busting – All VW Projects in Germany Strike – USPS Suspends Service in Canada During Strike Payday Report
Investors got big tax breaks to turn Bay Area luxury apartments into affordable housing. Rent is often higher than before San Jose Mercury News
zeitgeist watch
Man converts decommissioned missile silo into fun Airbnb to attract futuristic ‘swingers’
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