yarram

Nothing to see here, folks. These aren't the grifters you're looking for. Move along.
US senator calls for insider trading inquiry over Trump donors buying $12m worth of shares
Co-chairs of LNG firm, who bought stock worth almost $12m each after meeting with Trump officials, deny wrongdoing
Nina Lakhani and Joseph Gedeon
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/10/trump-donors-insider-trading-investigation-senate

Hindsight is always 20/20
Wrong voters, wrong message: progressives’ autopsy lays bare Kamala Harris failures
RootsAction report finds Harris courted moderates instead of working-class Democrats – and Gaza stance did not help
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/10/kamala-harris-election-autopsy

Just 0.001% hold three times the wealth of poorest half of humanity, report finds
Data from World Inequality Report also showed top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90%
Jon Henley
https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2025/dec/10/just-0001-hold-three-times-the-wealth-of-poorest-half-of-humanity-report-finds

Tourists to US would have to reveal five years of social media activity under new Trump plan
Proposed plan would apply to tourists of all countries, including those not required to get a visa to visit the US
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/10/tourists-social-media-trump

Trump’s crackdown on factchecker visas will not protect free speech
Margaret Sullivan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/09/trumps-fact-checker-visa-free-speech

Font of ‘wasteful’ diversity: Trump’s state department orders return to Times New Roman
Memo from Marco Rubio reportedly said cutting Calibri from official communication would ‘abolish yet another wasteful DEIA program’
Reuters
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/10/trump-times-new-roman-font-return-state-department

Gen-Zine: DIY publications find new life as form of resistance against Trump
an illustration of people making zines
People of all ages, from all regions, are making, printing and distributing zines on the streets, in libraries and at local gathering spots.
Zines have made a resurgence as communities seek to share information on everything from ICE raids to local elections
Mallory Carra
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/dec/10/zine-revival-organizing-social-media

Why has the price of silver hit a record high?
Osmond Chia
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62vn22523xo

Anybody heard of a rehearsal? Mangling nominees’ names may be traditional – but it’s still embarrassing
Yesterday’s Golden Globes announcement was a masterclass in mispronunciation that threatens to undo every effort to internationalise awards. Why can’t producers just make their presenters practise?
Stuart Heritage
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/09/anybody-heard-of-a-rehearsal-mangling-nominees-names-may-be-traditional-but-its-still-embarrassing

Review
Heated Rivalry: this horny gay ice hockey drama has everyone talking – but is it any good?
HBO’s new show is part of a wave of gay-themed romance – from Heartstopper to Red, White and Royal Blue – that desexes gay men just enough to make them palatable, like pets for young women
Tim Byrne
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/08/heated-rivalry-ice-hockey-tv-show-review

Pluribus to Alien: Earth: The 25 best TV shows of 2025
Caryn James and Hugh Montgomery
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250417-the-best-tv-shows-of-2025

‘This is the real Santa’s workshop’: a trip to Germany’s toy village
You don’t have to be a child to enjoy Seiffen, the magical ‘home of Christmas’ where they’ve been making traditional wooden toys for hundreds of years
Rebecca Smith
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/09/germanys-toy-village-seiffen-home-christmas

A new start after 60: I moved on to a boat, fell in love – then opened my own restaurant
After a lifetime of working for others, Rich Baker threw caution to the wind. The result was a national award for his pizza and a surprising surge in confidence
Paula Cocozza
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/08/new-start-after-60-moved-to-boat-fell-in-love-opened-restaurant

‘When the church door opens, it’s like a miracle’: the phone app that’s a key to Italy’s religious art
A cultural initiative in Piedmont is unlocking a trove of priceless medieval frescoes in rural churches
Lavinia Nocelli
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/08/new-app-helped-me-discover-beautiful-art-churches-chapels-piedmont-italy

We asked activists from authoritarian regimes what they wish they’d known sooner. Here’s what they said
Activists from Hungary, El Salvador and Turkey offer advice to the US about what they’ve learned about authoritarians
Danielle Renwick
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/09/experts-authoritarian-regimes-trump

Minnesota’s budget is headed for an imbalance, but who or what’s to blame? We asked economists to weigh in
Spending on health and human services is growing, but so is economic volatility from tariffs and other federal policies.
by Shadi Bushra
https://www.minnpost.com/economy/2025/12/minnesotas-budget-is-headed-for-an-imbalance-but-who-or-whats-to-blame-we-asked-economists-to-weigh-in/

The anti-materialist Christmas: Rituals around the world that swap gifts for meaning
Laura Hall
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251208-the-anti-materialist-christmas-rituals-around-the-world-that-swap-gifts-for-meaning

Pioneering new treatment reverses incurable blood cancer in some patients
James Gallagher
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj38ymeyg4mo

New mpox strain identified in England
Philippa Roxby
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2087g0z9po

I went out in the cold today, took a shuttle buses that was replacing the central part of the green line, and walked into a Fidelity office to get the medallion signature I need on the BNY form.

They provided the medallion for my signature, but the woman who handled that told me she thought I would need to redo the _Fidelity_ forms once BNY had transferred the funds, because the inherited IRA would need a brand-new account, not the one I created for the purpose a few weeks ago. Having printed and signed those forms, I asked her to keep them, in case they are usable. (She may have been thinking I'm trying to move the money into an account that already has money in it.)

She also said I do need to put the form with the medallion signature in the mail to BNY, Fidelity can't send it to them electronically. I brought the medallion-ized form home with me, but before I put it in the mail I'm going to scan it and upload the scan to the Fidelity website, in case the previous advisor is right and they can do this electronically.

So that will be another outing in the cold, to a post office, in the hope the letter gets to BNY in good season despite both Christmas packages and the Republican effort to destroy the postal service. Fortunately, there are post office branches at this end of the green line, the part that's still running trolleys.

ETA: I scanned the document, and just uploaded it to the Fidelity website, with a message explaining that I will be mailing the hardcopy to BNY tomorrow.

An “angry clipper” could cut across Minnesota on Tuesday, according to Bring Me The News. “Nothing is concrete yet, but the forecast discussion from the Twin Cities weather service suggests 4-6+ inches [of snow] is possible for a narrow area no more than a few counties wide. Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-weather/heavy-snow-tuesday-nws-says-angry-clipper-could-pack-quite-a-punch-in-minnesota

Elevated levels of manganese have been found in drinking water wells near the city of Emily in Crow Wing County, where a developer is looking to open a manganese mine, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. “A citizens group formed to study the pros and cons of a mine tested samples from 21 private drinking water wells. Twelve contained enough manganese, a neurotoxicant, that the water could not be used in infant formula. Five of those wells had enough of the metal that the EPA warns adults against drinking it.” Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/drinking-water-wells-near-possible-minnesota-mine-site-tainted-with-manganese/601527796?utm_source=gift

Golden Globe nominations: One Battle After Another leads the charge
Sinners, Hamnet and Sentimental Value also key contenders for first major awards ceremony of the season
Catherine Shoard
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/08/golden-globe-nominations-one-battle-after-another-sinners-hamnet-marty-supreme

The 50 best movies of 2025 in the US: 50 to 41
https://www.theguardian.com/film/ng-interactive/2025/dec/08/the-50-best-movies-of-2025-in-the-us

First-century luxury vessel matches description by the Greek historian Strabo, who visited city around 29-25BC
Dalya Alberge
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/08/ancient-egyptian-pleasure-boat-found-archaeologists-alexandria-coast

Linguists start compiling first ever complete dictionary of ancient Celtic
More than 1,000 words used as far back as 325BC to be collected for insight into past linguistic landscape
Steven Morris
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/08/linguists-start-compiling-first-ever-complete-dictionary-of-ancient-celtic

Nutcracker stocking fillers: Brian Levy’s recipe for sugar plum and coffee cookies
A rich, buttery crumb, a hint of bittersweet coffee, a spot of icing and a cherry on top … better gift them before you scoff them
Brian Levy
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/dec/08/sugar-plum-and-coffee-cookies-recipes-brian-levy

Trump vows to slam America’s doors shut as he heaps scorn on immigrants
National guard shooting prompts extraordinary outburst and targeting of people from startling range of countries
Robert Tait in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/07/trump-immigration-ice

Putin should have accepted Trump’s deal. Now Russia’s collapsing economy could lead to his downfall
Simon Tisdall
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/07/putin-accept-trump-deal-russia-economy-ukraine-war

No, New York City’s wealthiest are not fleeing the city after Mamdani’s win
Conservatives warned of a mass exodus if the democratic socialist won, but experts, and property data, paint a very different picture
Adam Gabbatt in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/08/new-york-city-wealthy-mamdani-win

California officials warn foragers after person dies from poison mushroom
Several additional people, including children, have severe liver damage amid 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/06/california-mushroom-poisoning

Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale has become ‘more and more plausible’
Canadian author discusses US under Donald Trump and says setting of dystopian novel has ‘become much closer’
Neha Gohil
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/07/margaret-atwood-the-handmaids-tale-has-become-more-and-more-plausible

How to make the perfect Dubai chocolate bar – recipe
The pistachio-crammed craze makes a superb gift. Our in-house perfectionist tries all the fiddly bits for you …
Felicity Cloake
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/dec/07/how-to-make-the-perfect-dubai-chocolate-bar-recipe

First: The cat in question seems to be basically well.

So,

cattitude has been worrying on and off that our cat Kaja was getting skinny. A few days agp. that got to the point of calling the vet and then taking the cat in for a check-up.

At the exam, the vet told Cattitude that Kaja has not lost weight; if anything, she has gained an ounce or two. What's going on is, the cat has lost some muscle mass, which has led to some redistribution of her weight, and what Cattitude noted was that her legs were thinner. The vet said it was probably arthritis, drew blood to test for some more serious problems, and sent her home.

We got the results this morning, and they are reassuring: Kaja's kidney function, liver function, and thyroid are all fine. So is her blood sugar.

The email said we could have them do X-rays to check for arthritis, but that would require sedating the cat.

Or, they can assume it's arthritis, and give her monthly injections of a pain-killer to treat that, and see how she's doing in a few months.

The third choice is to just monitor the cat's health for now, and give her omega-3 supplements. We need to discuss the choices, but it's Saturday, and none of them involves "so call the vet and set this up right away."

Tags:

cats,
kaja

Swedish navy encountering Russian submarines ‘almost weekly’ – and more could be on the way
Moscow ‘continuously reinforcing’ its presence in the region, says Swedish chief of operations Capt Marko Petkovic
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/06/swedish-navy-chief-russia-baltic-presence-ukraine-peace

DoJ moves to eliminate sexual abuse protections for LGBTQ+ people in prisons
Memo says the policy shift, which advocates call ‘reckless’, was designed to align with one of Trump’s anti-trans orders
Sam Levin in Los Angeles
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/doj-prison-lgbtq-sexual-abuse-protections

US federal judge orders release of Epstein grand jury materials
Ruling compels unsealing of documents from 2006-2007 federal investigation into Epstein in Florida
Joseph Gedeon in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/federal-judge-epstein-grand-jury-materials

Trump releases racist blueprint for the world
by Oliver Willis
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/12/5/2357010/-Trump-releases-racist-blueprint-for-the-world?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_11&pm_medium=web

Frank Gehry obituary
Canadian–American architect who explored crumpling and fish curves in such buildings as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
Charles Jencks and Oliver Wainwright
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/06/frank-gehry-obituary

From Bilbao to Las Vegas: Frank Gehry’s incredible architecture – in pictures
The award-winning designer and architect leaves behind unique buildings all across the world from Dundee to Düsseldorf. He died after a brief respiratory illness at the age of 96
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/dec/05/frank-gehry-architecture-in-pictures

Science journal retracts study on safety of Monsanto’s Roundup: ‘Serious ethical concerns’
Paper published in 2000 found glyphosate was not harmful, while internal emails later revealed company’s influence
Carey Gillam
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/monsanto-roundup-safety-study-retracted

‘I’ve had all the luck you can get’: Michael Caine retires for the fourth time
The 92-year-old actor made the announcement again as he received an award at the Red Sea international film festival in Saudi Arabia
Catherine Shoard
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/05/michael-caine-actor-retires-for-fourth-time

Alexander Skarsgård's encounter with Miriam Margolyes
Alexander Skarsgård reveals to Graham Norton that he once almost rented a room in Miriam Margolyes’ condo in Santa Monica.
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0mkfwyw/alexander-skarsg-rd-s-encounter-with-miriam-margolyes

Winona State University is now home to “Medusa,” which might be a dinosaur mummy, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Medusa appears to be “the remains of an Edmontosaurus [dinosaur] about 66 million years old that researchers believe contains a significant amount of skin and tendon tissue.” There are only about a dozen such specimens in the world — and researchers aren’t sure what they’ll ultimately find. Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/rare-dinosaur-mummy-winona-state-university/601537755

In the midst of yesterday’s cold snap, “hundreds of people just outside Alexandria have gone without heat on Thursday following a car crash that lead to a natural gas leak,” according to Bring Me The News. A suspected drunk driver took out a natural gas pipe. Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/gas-outage-loss-of-heat-to-hundreds-of-homes-near-alexandria-at-worst-possible-time

Baby fur seal wanders into a bar in New Zealand
The surprise visitor waddled around the pub during what’s known as ‘silly season’ where seals pop up in unexpected places
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/05/baby-fur-seal-wanders-into-bar-in-new-zealand

60,000 African penguins starved to death after sardine numbers collapsed – study
Climate crisis and overfishing contributed to loss of 95% of penguins in two breeding colonies in South Africa, research finds
Phoebe Weston
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/05/african-penguins-starve-to-death-south-africa-sardine-population-aoe

Patient police say they have recovered Fabergé pendant from man accused of swallowing it
Six days after alleged incident, evidence emerges without requiring medical intervention, New Zealand police say
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/05/police-say-recovered-faberge-pendant-after-new-zealand-man-allegedly-swallowed-it

‘Three sheets to the wind’: how everyday phrases blew in from the sea
David Hambling
From ‘all at sea’ to ‘by and large’, windy weather has had quite an impact on the English language
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/dec/05/weather-watch-everyday-phrases-nautical-expressions-wind-language

Review
Five of the best science fiction books of 2025
An eco-masterpiece, icy intrigue, cyberpunkish cyborgs, memory-eating aliens and super-fast travel sends the world spinning out of control
Adam Roberts
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/05/best-science-fiction-books-2025-ej-swift-jacek-dukaj-silvia-park

Review
The best poetry books of 2025
From Seamus Heaney’s collected poems and Simon Armitage’s animal spirits, to prizewinners Karen Solie and Vidyan Ravinthiran
Rishi Dastidar
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/05/the-best-poetry-books-of-2025

Review
The best memoirs and biographies of 2025
Anthony Hopkins and Kathy Burke on acting, Jacinda Ardern and Nicola Sturgeon on politics, plus Margaret Atwood on a life well lived
Fiona Sturges
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/04/best-memoirs-biographies-2025-anthony-hopkins-kathy-burke-margaret-atwood-josephine-baker

Review
Five of the best young adult books of 2025
Space-travelling telepaths, LGBTQ+ activism, a war-torn Britain, online alter egos and feminist trailblazers
Imogen Russell Williams
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/04/five-of-the-best-young-adult-books-of-2025-kate-mosse-nathanael-lessore-moira-buffini-david-roberts

Sinners to One Battle After Another: The 25 best films of 2025
Nicholas Barber and Caryn James
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250423-the-best-films-of-2025

I went to the dentist yesterday to get my teeth cleaned, and on my way out made a follow-up appointment. When I got home, I realized that they'd given me an earlier appointment than I thought, or wanted, so I had to call them today.

I also got halfway through filing a claim for insurance reimbursement last night, before realizing that I didn't have the right paperwork. In the process, I found out how to file a claim for the glasses I had made a couple of months ago, which I'd thought would be complicated.

Those forms require a National Provider Identification number, which can be found online. Praise wikipedia! Googling didn't find me the relevant website, but the Wikipedia article has a link to it. The website is searchable by anyone, if you have the provider's name and location, and "Arlington, MA" was sufficient, without the street address.

Having talked to the dentist's office, I now have a 3:00 appointment for my next cleaning, and have submitted the insurance claim.

Tags:

MPR News looks at how many Somalis in Minnesota could be impacted by a planned federal operation that would target those who have final orders of deportation. Out of the approximately 80,000 Minnesota Somalis, “[l]ocal advocates estimate that a few hundred people statewide could be directly affected by such an operation. This comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s recent call to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals, a move that could similarly affect several hundred more.” There are currently 705 Somali migrants in the U.S. with TPS. Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/03/how-many-somalis-in-minnesota-could-be-impacted-by-federal-intervention

With the 100th anniversary of the Heights Theater coming up, the Columbia Heights icon has been sold, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Longtime owner Tom Letness is passing the baton to the group that runs Chicago’s Music Box Theater, “a similarly vintage yet adventurous movie house with a good reputation. They intend to keep a lot of the current film programming in place and add a lot more.” Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/heights-movie-theater-columbia-minneapolis-sold-chicago-music-box-theater-wurlitzer-organ/601538558?utm_source=gift

‘Never seen anything like this’: alarm at memo from top US vaccine official
Vinay Prasad memo said at least 10 children had died from Covid vaccination – but offered scant evidence for claim
Melody Schreiber
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/04/us-vaccines-vinay-prasad-memo

Detainees at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facing ‘harrowing human right violations’, new report alleges
Amnesty International finds immigrants at Florida facility were shackled and left outside in metal cage for up to a day
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/04/alligator-alcatraz-human-right-violations-amnesty-report

New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds
Pace of area’s temperature rise, outpaced in US only by Alaskan Arctic, apparently increased in past five years
Oliver Milman
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/03/new-england-warming

How an invasion of purple flowers made Iceland an Instagram paradise – and caused a biodiversity crisis
Nootka lupins, introduced in the 1940s to repair damaged soil, are rampaging across the island, threatening its native species
Patrick Greenfield
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/04/invasive-species-flowers-iceland-nootka-lupins-lupines-aoe

‘Biggest band that ever lived’: inside the Grateful Dead art show
As the band celebrate their 60th anniversary, a California exhibition draws attention to the unique psychedelic artwork that has long told their story
Matt Shaw
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/dec/04/grateful-dead-band-art-show-california

Interview
Ballet star Matthew Ball on gruelling roles and getting ogled on Instagram: ‘I don’t feel precious about my body’
Lyndsey Winship
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/dec/04/matthew-ball-dancer-interview-royal-ballet-mayara-magri-dance

Interview
Paul Anka on his incredible, star-studded career: ‘Revenge is a motivator like you wouldn’t believe’
Jim Farber
The musician, who wrote My Way and Puppy Love among others, talks career longevity, shrewd business and which star bullied him in his youth
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/03/paul-anka-musician-career-interview

Indian scientists spot Milky Way-like galaxy from 12 billion years ago
Geeta Pandey
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmdk7wkmz4o

Almshouse's 15th Century painting sells for £5.7m
Curtis Lancaster
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxgy49qgvvo

Books read in the last couple of months:

Sofia Samatar, The Winged Histories:. This is odd and somewhat disjointed, set in the same secondary world as A Stranger in Olondria (which I read ages ago and remember very little about). The threads all come together at the end. I’d been displeased earlier because I thought we’d lost both the first narrative voice, which I liked, and the continuity of the narrator's story. The book does get back to her story, or at least her sister and cousin’s stories.

James Thurber, The Thirteen Clocks: read aloud, because Adrian had never read it. Still delightful, a fairy tale set in a world where people have at least heard of fairy tales.

Lorraine Baston, Rules: A Short History of What We Live By. Baston talks about rules as measuring devices, as sets of instructions, and as models, and various shifts in meaning over time. She talks about thick and thin rules, thick rules being ones with (more) examples and details, and which anticipate more exceptions. A about the change in how people learn/are taught all sorts of things, including math. I enjoyed this, and if that description sounds interesting you probably will too.

Edward Eager, The Time Garden: Children's magical adventures while spending the summer with a relative because their parents are in London, working on the premiere of a play. Another read-aloud, this one was new to me, and fun.

Helen Scales, What the Wild Sea Can Be: The state, as of 2023, and possible futures of the ocean and ocean life in the Anthropocene, according to an oceanographer. I asked the library for this because I liked the author's book about mollusks.

Tags:

Fabergé egg made for mother of Russia’s last tsar sells for £23m
Christie’s says the sale price is the highest for a Fabergé, beating a £8.9m auction in 2007
Serena Richards
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/02/faberge-egg-mother-russia-tsar-23m

Man charged with theft over claims he swallowed $19k Fabergé egg
Kelly Ng
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vm754r80vo

Minneapolis, St. Paul leaders condemn reports of immigration enforcement against Somali immigrants
An immigrant rights organization says they’ve received reports that four Somali residents and one Latino resident were arrested by federal agents Monday and Tuesday.
by Joey Peters and Katelyn Vue
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/ice-enforcement-somali-immigrants-minnesota-minneapolis-stpaul/

Federal authorities plan operation in Minnesota focusing on Somali immigrants, AP source says
Federal authorities are preparing an immigration enforcement operation targeting people in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area with final deportation orders.
By MIKE BALSAMO and STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2025/12/federal-authorities-plan-operation-in-minnesota-focusing-on-somali-immigrants-ap-source-says/

FDA drug chief signals possible exit as agency turmoil deepens
Richard Pazdur’s potential retirement weeks into the role adds to upheaval at the FDA amid political pressure
Melody Schreiber
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/03/fda-drug-chief-signals-retires-pazdur

Trump ally admits goal of eliminating same-day registration in federal voting rights trial
Cleta Mitchell was compelled to testify in North Carolina over a recent law that hiked up requirements
George Chidi
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/03/same-day-registration-north-carolina

An eco obscenity: Norman Foster’s steroidal new skyscraper is an affront to the New York skyline
It contains enough steel to go round the world twice – and even has a fake breeze to flutter the stars-and-stripes flag in its lobby. If this colossus is just the first of a new breed of bulky supertalls, is Britain next?
Oliver Wainwright
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/03/eco-obscenity-norman-foster-skyscraper-jp-morgan-new-york

‘BDSM on screen used to just mean a gimp in the basement’: the kink community’s verdict on Pillion
Pillion, which explores a relationship between leather dom Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) and submissive Colin (Harry Melling), has just opened in UK cinemas. But how realistic is its portrayal of a group little seen in mainstream cinema?
Barry Levitt
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/03/bdsm-on-screen-kink-community-pillion-alexander-skarsgard-harry-melling

We found the authentic Liguria: an off-season road trip through north-west Italy’s brilliant villages and cuisine
By avoiding the famous hotspots and travelling in December, we enjoy culinary delights and historic charms without the summer crowds
Alexis Steinman
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/03/liguria-italy-out-of-season-road-trip

Thailand relaxes afternoon alcohol ban to boost tourism
Joel Guinto
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mprzzxn73o

Five of the world's safest countries for 2025
Lindsey Galloway
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250822-five-of-the-worlds-safest-countries-for-2025

A rare freshwater jellyfish the size of a quarter was spotted in Taft Lake in Richfield this past October, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. “According to the DNR, most years pass without a single verified sighting.” Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/richfield-freshwater-jellyfish-taft-lake/601534536?utm_source=gift

Review
Prime Minister review – portrait of Jacinda Ardern shows a fully human being in charge for once
Documentary about New Zealand’s former leader records a shrewd but likable premier who did without the usual politician’s defences
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/02/prime-minister-review-portrait-of-jacinda-ardern-shows-a-fully-human-being-in-charge-for-once

Review
Marty Supreme review – Timothée Chalamet a smash in spectacular screwball ping-pong nightmare
Following every dizzying spin of Chalamet’s table tennis hustler, Josh Safdie’s whip-crack comedy serves sensational shots – and a smart return by Gwyneth Paltrow
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/01/marty-supreme-review-timothee-chalamet-ping-pong-table-tennis

Shells found in Spain could be among oldest known musical instruments
Conch-shell trumpets discovered in Neolithic settlements and mines in Catalonia make tone similar to french horn, says lead researcher
Sam Jones in Madrid
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/02/neolithic-conch-like-shell-spain-catalonia-discovery-musical-instruments

Hole in Antarctic ozone layer shrinks to smallest since 2019, scientists say
EU’s Copernicus monitoring service hails ‘reassuring sign’ of progress observed this year in hole’s size and duration
Ajit Niranjan
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/01/hole-in-ozone-layer-antarctica-smallest-since-2019-scientists-copernicus-eu

Dutch king says he ‘will not shy away’ from slavery history on rare royal visit to Suriname
The king and queen’s visit to the former colony is the first by members of the Dutch royal family in nearly five decades
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/02/suriname-slavery-royal-visit-dutch-king-willem-alexander

'Tis the season for CO poisoning?
As the cold forces us indoors, Hennepin Healthcare officials are sounding the alarm on carbon monoxide poisoning, according to KARE 11. “Carbon monoxide, which is odorless, colorless and tasteless, can build up quickly in enclosed spaces and, if not treated promptly, can cause serious damage to the heart and brain or even be fatal.” Hennepin Healthcare reports 12 cases in November, “a number doctors describe as unusually high for this point in the cold-weather season.” Don’t miss the tips on how to reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning at the end of the article.
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/health/hennepin-healthcare-sees-spike-in-carbon-monoxide-poisoning/89-4c01aaf2-8127-4701-ade1-3f0608b37089

Rising levels of hate forcing women out of Swedish public life, says equality agency
Country seen as champion of equal rights faces reckoning after senior politician says she felt compelled to quit
Miranda Bryant in Stockholm
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/01/harassment-and-hate-forcing-women-out-of-swedish-politics

Cooking with gas gets more expensive as Americans face rising prices into 2026
Trump promised to cut consumers’ energy costs within his first year in office but gas price is up 4% on average
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/01/gas-energy-prices

Airbus averts further travel disruption by fixing most jets hit by software glitch
French manufacturer had to ground thousands of planes at weekend but fewer than 100 now need update
Lauren Almeida
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/01/airbus-averts-further-travel-disruption-by-fixing-most-jets-hit-by-software-glitch

Long-lost Rubens painting sells for $2.7m at auction
Auctioneer found the Flemish artist’s masterpiece – depicting a crucified Christ – in a Paris mansion as he was preparing for the property to be sold
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/01/long-lost-rubens-painting-sells-for-27m-at-auction

Power surge: law changes could soon bring balcony solar to millions across US
Tweaks to state laws mean many Americans will be able to benefit from small, simple plug-in solar panels
Oliver Milman
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/30/balcony-solar-power-states-laws

From Dylan Thomas’ shopping list to a note from Sylvia Plath’s doctor: newly uncovered case files reveal the hidden lives of famous writers
Exclusive: Hardship grant applications to the Royal Literary Fund, including unseen letters by Doris Lessing and a note from James Joyce saying that he ‘gets nothing in the way of royalties’, show authors at their most vulnerable
Ella Creamer
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/nov/28/from-dylan-thomas-shopping-list-to-a-note-from-sylvia-plaths-doctor-newly-uncovered-case-files-reveal-the-hidden-lives-of-famous-writers

'A large amount of weirdness': The long, strange success of the Grateful Dead
Greg McKevitt
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20251127-the-long-strange-success-of-the-grateful-dead

Over 120,000 home cameras hacked in South Korea for 'sexploitation' footage
Gavin Butler
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj01q6p7ndlo

Greek sheep and goat cull raises fears of feta cheese shortage
Kostas Koukoumakas
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgex9d0212xo

I signed up for a 2026 Medicare Advantage (part C) plan today. I had it narrowed it down to two plans, and decided yesterday which one I like better. There are minor differences--in particular, the one I chose has a lower copay for physical therapy--but there don't seem to be significant differences. It also has a slightly better rating, according to the Medicare.gov site, by half a star, but that might not be significant (an average 3.7 rounds to 3.5, and 3.8 rounds to 4).

Now, it should just be a matter of telling various doctors and pharmacies that my insurance has changed as of Jan. 1st, and maybe dealing with a new mail-order pharmacy for the Kesimpta.

They gave me a confirmation number, and if I don't hear from the company in the next few days I will call. (Normal open enrollment ends Dec. 7, but I have a "special election period" that runs through February.)

Current Mood: accomplished

Tags:

All the president’s millions: how the Trumps are turning the presidency into riches
Tom Burgis
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/nov/30/all-the-presidents-millions-how-the-trumps-are-turning-the-presidency-into-riches

How to boost your calorie-crunching brown fat in the cold winter months
Jasmin Fox-Skelly
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251128-how-to-boost-your-calorie-crunching-brown-fat-in-the-cold-winter-months

At least 193 dead in Sri Lanka flood, many more missing
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yq26x0dd6o

Seated salsa - the miracle movement to help ease back pain
Jasmin Fox-Skelly
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251106-seated-salsa-the-miracle-movement-to-help-ease-back-pain

Revealed: Europe’s water reserves drying up due to climate breakdown
Exclusive: UCL scientists find large swathes of southern Europe are drying up, with ‘far-reaching’ implications
Rachel Salvidge
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/29/climate-crisis-depleting-europe-groundwater-reserves-analysis

Analysis
They tried to overturn the 2020 US election. Now, they hold power in Trump’s Washington
Rachel Leingang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/29/2020-election-deniers-trump

‘Nature’s original engineers’: scientists explore the amazing potential of fungi
Unique properties of fungi have led to groundbreaking innovations in recent years, from nappies to electronics
Linda Geddes
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/nov/29/fungi-scientists-innovations

At least 460 killed in south-east Asia floods and landslides, reports say
More than 300 people killed on Indonesia’s Sumatra island with 162 reported dead across Thailand
Donna Ferguson and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/29/indonesia-and-thailand-flooding-death-toll-tops-350-as-rescuers-struggle-to-reach-worst-hit-areas

Meera Sodha’s recipe for Christmas aubergine and rice timbale
A stunning but simple festive vegetarian centrepiece for the whole table to enjoy
Meera Sodha
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/nov/29/christmas-spiced-aubergine-timbale-cream-cheese-fruit-nuts-recipes-meera-sodha

Interview
‘If I was American, I’d be worried about my country’: Margaret Atwood answers questions from Ai Weiwei, Rebecca Solnit and more
Introduction by Lisa Allardice
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/nov/29/if-i-was-american-id-be-worried-about-my-country-margaret-atwood-answers-questions-from-ai-weiwei-rebecca-solnit-and-more

Cats became our companions way later than you think
Helen Briggs
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8dvdp9gn7o

Lightning detected on Mars for the first time, scientists say
Fiona Nimoni
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q5w13e58zo

US regulators ‘taking seriously’ allegations of bankers’ support for Epstein
Exclusive: It follows calls from US senator Elizabeth Warren to investigate bank executives including ex-Barclays boss Jes Staley
Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/28/us-regulators-taking-seriously-allegations-of-bankers-support-for-epstein

Alabama priest leaves clergy after woman alleges ‘private companionship’ beginning when she was 17
Robert Sullivan’s self-imposed removal comes after accusations he provided financial support in exchange for arrangement which included sex
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/28/robert-sullivan-alabama-catholic-priest

Amid ‘instability and fear’ in Trump’s economy, Americans are cutting holiday spending
In addition to rising prices and tariffs, readers cite growing unemployment as a reason not to exchange gifts this year
Lauren Aratani
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/28/trump-economy-holiday-spending

Florida professor may have solved mystery of Peru’s Band of Holes
Charles Stanish surmised indentations were rudimentary market place and later adapted as accounting and storage system
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/27/peru-band-of-holes-mystery

Avatar: Fire and Ash to Marty Supreme: 12 of the best films to watch this December
Nicholas Barber
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20251126-12-of-the-best-films-to-watch-this-december

The mysterious black fungus from Chernobyl that may eat radiation
Alex Riley
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251125-the-mysterious-black-fungus-from-chernobyl-that-appears-to-eat-radiation

Facing burnout, she chased her dream of making pie - and built an empire: ‘Pie brings us together’
She left Silicon Valley to master pie, became Hollywood’s baker and now films its healing power
Victoria Clayton
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/nov/27/pie-movie-pieowa-beth-howard

And with tomorrow’s [today's] menu at the top of mind, did you know that Minnesota produces more turkeys than any other state? WCCO shares how we got there. Via MinnPost
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-turkey-production-thanksgiving/

Speaking of turkeys, it's Turkey Day here in the USA. Happy Thanksgiving.

How to be a good party host (or guest)
From picking your guests (always add a random) and your outfit, to coping with drunks and nudity, this is what you need to know
Zoe Williams
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/nov/26/how-to-be-a-good-party-host-or-guest

‘Stay tuned’: new Anne Rice film could foretell release of unpublished work by late author
Documentary series of Interview with the Vampire writer available to stream with potential for further releases
Ramon Antonio Vargas in New Orleans
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/nov/27/anne-rice-author-anthology

Netflix crashes within minutes of releasing Stranger Things series five
Viewers unable to watch episodes of long-awaited final series on TV when the streaming service briefly froze
Rachel Hall
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/27/netflix-crashes-stranger-things-series-five

Review
Stranger Things season five review – this luxurious final run will have you standing on a chair, yelling with joy
The kids growing up might have changed this show’s appeal, but they manage to go out in a flame-throwing, bullet-dodging blaze of glory – while still being more moving than ever before
Jack Seale
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/27/stranger-things-final-season-five-review-netflix

‘We like it a lot’: how Romania created the largest deposit return scheme in the world
In the two years since the system was launched, beverage-packaging collection and recycling has risen to 94%
By Andrei Popoviciu in Bucharest, Romania
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/27/we-like-it-a-lot-how-romania-created-the-largest-deposit-return-scheme-in-the-world

‘I didn’t even know this type of attack existed’: more than 200 women allege drugging by senior French civil servant
In a case echoing the Pelicot trial, dozens of women allege they were given hot drinks mixed with a diuretic to make them urinate. Three of them speak out here
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/nov/26/women-allege-drugging-by-senior-french-civil-servant

'Extraordinary discovery' at Orkney Neolithic site
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7836wvx4q4o

Novel scientific method proves pit circle near Stonehenge was man-made, say researchers
Archaeologists use multiple types of geophysics equipment to analyse ‘extraordinary structure’
Steven Morris
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/nov/27/novel-scientific-method-proves-pit-circle-near-stonehenge-was-man-made-say-researchers

Scottish fashion designer Pam Hogg dies
Steven McIntosh
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm28v743mpyo

From Paul Krugman: https://youtu.be/tJE3KDxTbWI?si=vKYHnCMiS0nDelby

2025.12.10

2025.12.09

more IRA paperwork

2025.12.08

2025.12.07

cat health worries

2025.12.06

2025.12.05

dentist, and insurance

2025.12.04

Wednesday reading

2025.12.03

2025.12.02

2025.12.01

signed up for a 2026 Medicare plan

2025.11.30

2025.11.29

2025.11.28

2025.11.27

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