As we navigate through our increasingly complex world, we encounter various pressing issues ranging from climate change to international conflicts. This collection of insights provides a snapshot of current events and expert analyses, highlighting key developments across multiple domains.
Monstrification Aeon
Scientists Explain Why ‘Harmless’ Sharks Devoured Swimmer in Chilling World First Science Alert
New DNA Evidence Reveals What Really Killed Napoleon’s Grand Army in 1812 ZME Science
The Dupont Metro Sticker Wars Overthinking
Climate/Environment
Melissa Undergoing Extreme Rapid Intensification, Catastrophic Impacts Expected for Jamaica Eye on the Tropics
New Satellite Data Reveal a Shift in Earth’s Once-Balanced Energy System Eos
Something very odd going on..
Arctic temperatures usually begin to fall at this time of year.
Currently there’s very little sign of that, and if anything, it seems likely we will witness another rise in temperatures. pic.twitter.com/hs15pZY9Vp
— Met4Cast 🍂 (@Met4CastUK) October 25, 2025
Pandemics
‘Every time I step outside, the first thing on my mind is my forehead’: the women getting hair transplants The Guardian
Scars from the pandemic: understanding post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease Breathe
WHN joins in the chorus: Medical masks are not PPE World Health Network
The great divide: How different Covid-19 control strategies shaped pandemic outcomes New Zealand Public Health Communication Centre
Tuberculosis cases are surging in the UK: Symptoms and advice you need to know The Independent
Water
Japan
In Abe’s shadow Observing Japan
Takaichi set to remove Japan’s defense export bans Asia Times
China?
US, China tee up sweeping trade deal for Trump, Xi to finish Business Times
The Illusion of American Leverage Warwick Powell. E.g.:
(1) US Auto Plants Weeks Away From Chip Shutdowns, Lobby Group Says Bloomberg
(2) China shift to higher-end exports boosts margins, mutual gains as US reliance dips: report South China Morning Post
(3) China’s industrial profits surge 21.6% in September, biggest jump in nearly two years CNBC
(4) China’s Pharma Leverage Is ‘Nuclear Option’ in US Trade Talks Bloomberg
China’s economic successes are reshaping the Western media narrative South China Morning Post
Stabilizing the U.S.-China Rivalry RAND We linked to a Simplicius piece on this in yesterday’s Links, but here’s a little more:
A remarkable paper by RAND, the main think tank of the US military-industrial complex, indicating a key shift in U.S. policy towards coexistence with China amid ongoing chaos. pic.twitter.com/AHNLfVuv6m
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) October 25, 2025
🇺🇸🇨🇳 Be cautious of analysts promoting US-China “peace” based on obscure papers disconnected from real-world dynamics. pic.twitter.com/Ba7OznWmkG
— Brian Berletic (@BrianJBerletic) October 26, 2025
Navy helicopter, jet crash in South China Sea in separate incidents Navy Times
US grants 0% tariffs to Malaysia alongside Cambodia and Thailand Intellinews
Syraqistan
Revealed: The plan for a ‘New Gaza’ – and the four militias Israel is backing to defeat Hamas Sky News
Israeli excavations around Al-Aqsa threaten partial mosque collapse: Statement Al Arabiya. Conveniently timed.
Trump’s Paradox: Opposing Israeli West Bank Annexation in Words but Allowing It in Practice Haaretz
Baby, Boom: How to Keep Israeli Kids Busy on Vacation? Take Them to a Minefield Haaretz
Trump’s Road to Riyadh: The Geopolitics of AI and Energy Infrastructure American Affairs Journal
PKK says withdrawing all forces from Turkey to northern Iraq Middle East Eye
Killing of Sunni candidate casts shadow over Iraqi elections Amwaj
Old Blighty
Share our nuclear weapons with Germany, say British military chiefs The Telegraph
European Disunion
China humiliated Germany: no one in China wants to meet with German politicians InfoDefense. This raises questions about Germany’s own diplomatic standing.
Germany is experiencing a self-inflicted crisis surpassing even its WWII defeat Tarik Cyril Amar
Flashy hardware, fragile strategy: is Poland, NATO’s largest defense spender, preparing for the right conflict? Notes from Poland
Hungary’s new energy plan subtly redefines Russia as a risk Daily News Hungary
EXCLUSIVE: EU considers replicating US strategy by terminating aid for global health funds Euractiv
New Not-So-Cold War
Russia Just Launched the World’s Longest Ranged Missile: Burevestnik Can Fly Around the World Thousands of Times Before Striking Military Watch Magazine
Trump may not follow through on Russian oil or Tomahawk Indian Punchline
Europe’s Plan B for Ukraine Politico. EU nations may need to mobilize significant joint debt to support Ukraine’s needs following setbacks regarding the use of frozen Russian assets.
Lithuania indefinitely closes border crossings with Belarus after repeated airspace violations Kyiv Independent
South of the Border
Argentina investors poised for a rush following Milei’s election victory Buenos Aires Times
Venezuela condemns US-backed military exercises by Trinidad and Tobago as hostile actions Orinoco Tribune
From Baghdad to Caracas: A Washington Manual on Sanctions and War Z Network
A lithium bust leaves Latin American communities struggling Rest of World
Spook Country
How Secret Agents Work to Hijack U.S. Foreign Policy SpyTalk
Trump 2.0
The risks of allowing Trump to become the military paymaster Can We Still Govern?
The Conservatives Who Feel Trump Isn’t Going Far Enough Boston Review
Trump announces he won’t run for vice-president in the 2028 election Straits Times
Immigration
SCOOP: ICE List Shares Evidence With Letitia James Migrant Insider
Democrats en déshabillé
California Governor Gavin Newsom indicates he might consider a presidential bid NBC News
Mamdani
Though meant to be derogatory toward Mamdani, this largely reads as “vote Cuomo or else we’ll do another 9/11.” https://t.co/EVzSxHVLiy
— Matt Lieb?? (@mattlieb) October 25, 2025
Wars Come Home
How To Kill Subversives and Get Away With It New Lines Mag
Police State Watch
Federal agents detain Laugh Factory night manager, deploying tear gas in the nearby neighborhood The TRiiBE
Imperial Collapse Watch
Golden Fleet: The US Eyes New Generation of Warships to Restore Maritime Dominance Interesting Engineering
Accelerationists
What the Fascist Tech Bros Get Wrong About Prometheus Lit Hub
Groves of Academe
The Rush to Integrate AI in Higher Education Involves More Than Just Technology Defector
Educated Slaves in Ancient Rome History Today
Healthcare?
Monopoly Round-Up: Obamacare Faces a Grim Future BIG by Matt Stoller
PNHP’s New Report Highlights the Illusion of Equity in Medicare Advantage Plans HEALTH CARE un-covered
Against Equity: A Traditional Defense of Equality 3 Quarks Daily
Our Famously Free Press
As Millions March Against Fascism, NYT Issues Warnings Against Progressives FAIR
The White House promoted this Washington Post op-ed peddled by an Abu Shabab gang member from several accounts.
The op-ed was pitched by a pro-Israel PR firm, indicating a profound level of propaganda. https://t.co/YFrubVUVY2
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) October 25, 2025
Sports Desk
Make Sports Sacred Again UnHerd
The Friendly Skies
Over 8,000 US flights delayed due to persistent air traffic control absences Channel News Asia
Air traffic controllers face their first paycheck miss; many are searching for side gigs NBC News
AI
Class Warfare
The Merits of Unified Ownership Works in Progress
Antidote du jour (via):
For additional insights, check out yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
