Can beehives help humans and elephants co-exist? A simple nature-based solution is keeping the peace EuroNews
Illegal trade booms in South Africa’s ‘super-strange looking’ plants BBC
Boom in US retail real estate defies prediction of ecommerce apocalypse FT
Due to evolving legal landscape & changes in the framework of administrative law, Federal Reserve Board will soon seek public comment on significant changes to improve transparency of bank stress tests & reduce volatility of resulting capital requirements (press release) Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Climate
Syndemics
Oregon house cat died after eating pet food that tested positive for bird flu AP
Health experts call for a return of social distancing as cases surge across UK this Christmas The Sun
FAO: Recommendations for the Surveillance of Influenza A(H5N1) in cattle Avian Flu Diary
China?
China’s Year in Review Foreign Policy
Xi May Be Facing a No Good, Very Bad 2025 Bloomberg
Fine wine market in the red as Chinese demand dries up FT
In Depth: Canal Fever Grips China Amid Slowing Growth Caixin Global
China approves Tibet mega dam that could generate 3 times more power than Three Gorges South China Morning Post
Africa
The South African gold mines taken over by criminal gangs FT
Ethiopia’s worsening crisis is also an opportunity for Trump The Hill
El Nino-induced drought impacts haunt farmers in southern Africa amid crop planting season Xinhua
Syraqistan
Israel’s plan to double the number of settlers in the Golan Heights is met with conflicting emotions AP. Happy Holidays:
Giant menorah set up in Gaza.
Bringing the light to a dark place.
— Living Lchaim (@LivingLchaim) December 24, 2024
Seems authentic but is not new.
Netanyahu threatens Iranian-backed Houthis over increased attacks Anadolu Agency
* * * Israeli forces kill dozens in Gaza as ceasefire talks face challenges Al Jazeera
* * * Israel kills five journalists in clearly marked press vehicle in Gaza Middle East Eye. Meanwhile:
Ah well, nevertheless https://t.co/aqLWQUCVVC
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) December 24, 2024
* * * Ashkenazi Jews descend from 350 people, study finds Times of Israel
European Disunion
France has a new government, again. Politics and crushing debt complicate next steps AP
Saudi Arabia had ‘warned’ Germany about Christmas market attack suspect France24
Dear Old Blighty
Britain’s economy to be ‘closer to Guyana’ as Starmer’s living standards pledge falls flat TheTelegraph. Commentary:
People think I’m exaggerating when I say countries like Britain are in a late Soviet Union phase. I’m really not joking. This is late Soviet-style governance. 🇬🇧 https://t.co/zTIJhyaNeF
— Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) December 22, 2024
New Not-So-Cold War
Zelensky’s slow shift toward negotiating for Ukraine’s future WaPo
Ukraine Has Had Its Fill The American Conservative
‘You need peace’ to send EU troops to Ukraine: Belgian FM Quintin France24
What if Russia wins? Timothy Garton Ash, Timothy Garton Ash
* * * Ukraine’s offensive derails secret efforts for partial cease-fire with Russia, officials say WaPo
Ukraine condemns Russia’s ‘inhumane’ Christmas Day attack on energy grid France24
* * * Azerbaijani airliner crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 with 29 survivors, officials say AP. Commentary:
We can’t be certain, but it’s likely that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was hit by shrapnel from a 🇷🇺 air defence system as it was in the vicinity of Grozny. There might have been a 🇺🇦 drone attack in the area as well. Crew made heroic attempt to save situation before the crash. pic.twitter.com/71MnakMWlF
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) December 25, 2024
Shrapnel mavens please weigh in.
Survivor of Azerbaijani Airlines plane crash claims there was explosion when plane tried to land in Chechnya Anadolu Agency
President Aliyev launches criminal probe into Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash Euronews
* * * The Case for Dismantling the Rules-Based International Order Glen Diesen, Glenn’s Substack
New Geopolitical Words We Learned in 2024 Foreign Policy
Trump Transition
Trump’s Wish to Control Greenland and Panama Canal: Not a Joke This Time NYT
Greenland says no thanks to Trump purchase idea — again LA Times
This is the trouble with Elon Musk’s debut as a federal budget negotiator LA Times
Trumpism’s healthcare fracture-lines Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic
Biden Administration
Biden to leave White House with little fanfare The Hill
Bald eagle officially U.S. national bird after Biden signs bill into law Axios
Spook Country
And what a great show “My So-Called Life” was:
She explicitly describes attending a “spy camp” where prominent journalists and actors and CIA spooks and State department officials all hang out and coordinate narratives https://t.co/3mfhOvdK0g
— 12 Ball (@BoltzmannBooty) December 24, 2024
US agency focused on foreign disinformation shuts down France24
The Final Frontier
The case to build a new ISS: the International Solar Sunshade Space News
Christmas Post-Game Analysis
Parents of kids who believe in Santa say they’re spending more on Christmas KXXV. Meanwhile:
Merry Christmas.
Cartoon by the wonderful Liz Climo pic.twitter.com/93iQVI5ken— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) December 25, 2024
I guilt-tripped my teen into joining a family Christmas tradition. I’m mourning the days when my kids loved the holidays Business Insider. Commentary:
Shout out to all the neurodivergents, heading into a week of over stimulation, no routine, sky high expectations, and non optional socialising.
I see you.
— Kate Lister (@k8_lister) December 23, 2024
And no masks or ventilation…
Jingle Bells punned in Mandarin Language Log
The Bezzle
Class Warfare
Starbucks strike expands on Christmas Eve Axios
World’s most secretive society appoints new leader as second Trump presidency sparks seismic shift in global order Daily Mail. The Bilderbergers.
Dan Davies, The Unaccountability Machine: Why Big Systems Make Terrible Decisions—and How the World Lost Its Mind Progressive Geographies
Why Rich People Don’t Cover Their Windows The Atlantic
Late bloomer: the exquisite craft of Mary Delany The British Museum
Antidote du jour (Alexandre Buisse (Nattfodd)):
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
