When Did Everything Become ‘K-Shaped’? - The New York Times
And what does that mean?
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Waymo Suspended Service in San Francisco After Its Cars Stalled During Power Outage
The self-driving cars came to a halt at intersections when the power outage knocked out traffic signals, causing tie-ups but no accidents or injuries.
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| A Waymo driverless car was stalled at an intersection while not able to detect traffic lights after a major power outage in San Francisco on Saturday. Photo by Tayfun Coskun. |
U.S. Coast Guard Pursues Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela
U.S. Coast Guard Pursues Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela - The New York Times
The latest vessel to be targeted by the United States in its pressure campaign on Venezuela was sending distress signals as it headed northeast from the Caribbean into the Atlantic.
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| A U.S. military helicopter flying over the Panama-flagged Centuries, which was intercepted on Saturday east of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea. The Coast Guard was also pursuing another tanker, the Bella 1. Photo from Homeland Security. |
Trump news at a glance: anticipation high as clock ticks on release of all Epstein files; Kennedy Center Renamed
Trump news at a glance: anticipation high as clock ticks on release of all Epstein files | Trump administration | The Guardian (Thanks to Joe for these)
What to Know on the Initial Release of Materials From the Epstein Files - The New York Times
Kennedy Center board votes to add Trump’s name to DC arts institution | Donald Trump | The Guardian
Kennedy Center starts adding Trump's name | AP News
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| American professor Noam Chomsky pictured on a plane with Jeffrey Epstein. (House Oversight Committee image) |
Thursday, December 18, 2025
US announces $10 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, angering China
US announces $10 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, angering China | AP News (Thanks to Sara for this one)
President Donald Trump’s administration has announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion that includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, drawing an angry response from China.
The State Department announced the sales late Wednesday during a nationally televised address by the Republican president, who made scant mention of foreign policy issues and did not speak about China or Taiwan. U.S.-Chinese tensions have ebbed and flowed during Trump’s second term, largely over trade and tariffs but also over China’s increasing aggressiveness toward Taiwan, which Beijing has said must reunify with the mainland.
If approved by Congress, it would be the largest-ever U.S. weapons package to Taiwan, exceeding the total amount of $8.4 billion in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan during President Joe Biden’s Democratic administration.
| President Trump will visit President Xi in Beijing in April and plans to host him at the White House next year. |
Bangladesh electoral scheduling amid political unrest casts a cloud of doubt
Bangladesh electoral scheduling amid political unrest casts a cloud of doubt - The Hindu (Thanks to Sara for this one)
The country’s election commission announced last week a timetable for the long-awaited general election; despite political parties welcoming the news, pre-poll buzz remains muted; questions arise on security concerns, public trust and poll body’s capability to conduct free and fair elections
Trump says car prices, inflation falling fast in prime-time speech
Trump says car prices, inflation falling fast in prime-time speech | Fox News
4 takeaways from Trump’s White House address to the nation | CNN Politics
Fact-Checking Trump’s Prime-Time Address on the Economy - The New York Times
"Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess. And I'm fixing it. When I took office, inflation was the worst in 48 years. And some would say in the history of our country, which caused prices to be higher than ever before, making life unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans. This happened during a Democrat administration, and it's when we first began hearing the word affordability," Trump said at the start of his speech.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Does China Have a Robot Bubble?
Does China Have a Robot Bubble? - The New York Times
The Chinese government is betting that robots will drive economic growth. But the bots can’t really do much yet.
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| A new Chinese humanoid robot appeared so lifelike that workers cut its leg open during a demonstration last month. Photo by Jade Gao|Getty Images |
On British Roads, Chinese Cars Are Racing Ahead
On British Roads, Chinese Cars Are Racing Ahead - The New York Times
BYD, Chery and other Chinese automakers are winning over drivers in Britain, where tariffs are low and buyers are open to new brands.
Zelensky Expresses Wary Optimism About Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan
Zelensky Expresses Wary Optimism About Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan - The New York Times (Thanks to Matte for this one)
Two days of talks between President Volodymyr Zelensky and allies have brought some progress on security guarantees, but Russia remains opposed to any foreign forces in Ukraine.
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| Damage after bombing in Kostiantynivka, eastern Ukraine, this year. Photo by Tyler Hicks/The New York Times |
The Timing of Trump’s $10 Billion Lawsuit Against the BBC Is Significant
The Timing of Trump’s $10 Billion Lawsuit Against the BBC Is Significant - The New York Times (Thanks to Haadi for this one)
The lawsuit landed just hours before a once-a-decade review of the broadcaster’s royal charter, which governs its mission, purpose and funding.
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| The BBC has been the target of President Trump and his conservative allies in Britain, for what they consider to be its liberal bias. Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth|AP |
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Deadly Attack in Syria on U.S. Troops kills three
What We Know About the American Troops in Syria
The killing of three Americans during what was said to be a counterterrorism operation in central Syria served as a reminder that U.S. troops are still operating in the country.
Deadly Attack in Syria on U.S. Troops Exposes Growing Challenges for Country’s Leader
The attacks further complicate President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s efforts to unify the country and rebuild relationships with the international community, analysts say.
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| President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria in Damascus, the capital, in April. Photo by Daniel Berehulak for NY Times. |
Cops release very grainy new video of suspected Brown shooter on the hunt for new leads
Cops release very grainy new video of suspected Brown shooter — as they hunt for new leads after POI released | New York Post (Thanks to Bernadette for this one)
What We Know About the Deadly Shooting at Brown University
A person of interest was in custody Sunday, the day after two people were killed and nine others injured during an attack on the Rhode Island campus.
Live Updates: Officials Provide Update on Deadly Shooting at Brown
Two people were killed and nine injured in an attack that forced students into an all-night lockdown. Officials described an individual taken into custody early Sunday as a “person of interest" but released the person later when they were cleared.
15 Killed and many injured in attack on Jewish Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach in Australia
10-year-old and Holocaust survivor among those killed in Sydney beach shooting | AP News (Thanks to Sam for this one)
Accused gunman in Bondi Beach shooting charged with 15 counts of murder : NPR (Thanks to Sara for this one)
15 Killed and many injured in attack on Jewish Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach in Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the shooting on Bondi Beach a terrorist attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration. One suspect was killed and another was in custody, investigators said.
Live Updates: Police Say Jewish Community Targeted in Sydney Attack That Killed 15
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Elon Musk Tests Europe’s Willingness to Enforce Its Online Laws
Elon Musk Tests Europe’s Willingness to Enforce Its Online Laws - The New York Times (Thanks to Matte for this one)
Backed by White House officials, the tech billionaire has lashed out at the European Union after his social media platform X was fined last week.
Elon Musk is daring European authorities to take him on.
The billionaire lashed out at the European Union over the past week after regulators fined X, the social media platform he owns, roughly $140 million for violating digital transparency rules.
In response, Mr. Musk called for the abolishment of the 27-nation bloc, compared it to Nazi Germany and cast efforts to regulate X as a personal attack. X also barred the European Commission, which issued the fine last week, from advertising on the platform for policy violations.
“The E.U. should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people,” Mr. Musk wrote on X.
Friday, December 12, 2025
China Is Getting Much of What It Wants From the U.S., Including Chips
China Is Getting Much of What It Wants From the U.S., Including Chips - The New York Times
For China, President Trump’s moves to loosen chip controls, soften U.S. rhetoric and stay silent on tensions with Japan amount to a rare string of strategic gains.
Historic Shift Underway in China’s Economy as Investment Slump Deepens - The New York Times
Investment in manufacturing, infrastructure and property is expected to fall this year, a remarkable turn for an economy whose growth reshaped the world.
Nvidia addresses report that China's DeepSeek is using Blackwell chips
Nvidia Calls DeepSeek Smuggling Claims ‘Far-Fetched’
DeepSeek defies US chip restrictions with new V3.2 model that may just close the AI gap - SDxCentral
Nvidia is reportedly testing tracking software as chip smuggling rumors swirl
Indiana Senate Republicans Reject Trump’s Redistricting Effort
Indiana Senate Republicans Reject Trump’s Redistricting Effort - The New York Times
Republicans hold an overwhelming majority in the Indiana Senate, but more than a dozen of them defied the president’s wishes, voting against a map aimed at adding Republicans in Congress.
The 19 to 31 vote was a highly public defeat for Mr. Trump, who has spent significant political capital pushing for redrawn maps in Republican-led states and who repeatedly threatened political consequences for Indiana Republicans who did not fall in line.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Noem links seizure of oil tanker to US antidrug efforts; Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Machado, turns up in Oslo, Norway
Noem links seizure of oil tanker to US antidrug efforts | AP News (Thanks to Sonia for this one)
Related:
What to Know About Trump’s Seizure of an Oil Tanker Near Venezuela - The New York Times
Trump Says U.S. Seized Oil Tanker Off Venezuelan Coast - The New York Times
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Machado Says U.S. Helped Her Leave Venezuela - The New York Times
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| María Corina Machado at a news conference in Oslo, Norway, on Thursday after spending more than a year in hiding. |
Treasure hunter unearths 900-year-old figure of Jesus in windswept field
Treasure hunter unearths 900-year-old figure of Jesus in windswept field | New York Post (thanks to Bernadette for this one)
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| A metal detectorist in Norway recently found a striking depiction of Jesus Christ in a grassy meadow — a gilded figure that dates back over 900 years. |
Bulgarian government resigns after mass anti-corruption protests
Bulgarian government resigns after mass anti-corruption protests | Bulgaria | The Guardian (Thanks to Joe for this one)
Prime minister makes government resignation announcement before parliament vote on no-confidence motion filed by opposition
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| Protesters demand the resignation of Bulgaria’s government in Sofia on Wednesday amid anger over the 2026 draft budget they said was an attempt to mask corruption. Photograph: Spasiyana Sergieva/Reuters |
A Maryland mom discovers her family’s place in history — as Pearl Harbor spies
A Maryland mom discovers her family’s place in history — as Pearl Harbor spies | New York Post (Thanks to Joe for this one)
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| Aunt Ruth’s affair with Joseph Goebbels went bust when he discovered she was half Jewish. |
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Trump speaks in PA on Affordability and plans $12 Billion in relief for farmers due to tariffs
Trump cites cheaper groceries, gas as he pushes back on Dem affordability message | Fox News
Farm Relief: Trump Defends Tariffs Amid Growing Concerns Over Affordability; Farmers to receive $12 Billion - The New York Times
Related:
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Trump Criticizes Zelensky as Ukraine Peace Talks Drag On With European Leaders; The Future of War & Trump's Nvidia Chip Reversal
Trump Criticizes Zelensky as Ukraine Peace Talks Drag On With European Leaders - The New York Times
Despite pressure from the Trump administration, Mr. Zelensky, after meeting with European leaders who vowed continued support in the war, said Ukraine’s position on territory had not changed.
Related: The Future of War | This Is the 21st-Century Arms Race. Can America Keep Up? - The New York Times
How Trump’s U-turn on Nvidia chips changes the game for China’s AI - Wall Street Journal
Trump greenlights exports of Nvidia H200 chips to China - CNN
Illinois enacts immigration protections amid Trump crackdowns
Illinois enacts immigration protections amid Trump crackdowns | Reuters (Thanks to Graydon for this one)
The bill, which was sent to Pritzker's desk by the state legislature last month, restricts immigration enforcement efforts outside of state courthouses and allows plaintiffs to sue for damages.
"With my signature today, we are protecting people and institutions that belong here in Illinois. Dropping your kid off at day care, going to the doctor, or attending your classes should not be a life-altering task," said Governor Pritzker.
Do all roads lead to Rome? Well, 187,460 miles did
All 187,460 Miles of Road That Led to Rome, Mapped - The New York Times
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| A section of a 12th-century reproduction of the Tabula Peutingeriana, an illustrated map showing the road network of the Roman Empire. |
Honduras seeks arrest of ex-President Hernández after Trump pardon
Honduras seeks arrest of ex-President Hernández after Trump pardon : NPR
Convicted and sentenced to 45 years and then pardoned, Honduras prosecutor seeks to end impunity.
Millions of Australian children just lost access to social media as country bans it for those under 16
Millions of Australian children just lost access to social media. What’s happening and will it work? | CNN (Thanks to Graydon for this one)
Australia launches youth social media ban it says will be the world's 'first domino'
Related: Could a social media ban happen in the US? | CNN Business
A.I. Videos Have Flooded Social Media. No One Was Ready. - The New York Times
Somewhat related: These Travel Influencers Don’t Want Freebies. They’re A.I. - The New York Times
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