Why I Became a Birdwatcher Nautilus
Ostrich and Emu Ancestor Could Fly, Scientists Discover Phys.org
Climate/Environment
Only a Third of the World’s River Basins Experienced Normal Conditions in 2024 The Guardian
Increased Emissions Threaten Solar Infrastructure in India: Study Down to Earth
This Brick is the World’s Most Boring Climate Solution Atmos
Pandemics
CDC Ends Telework for Employees with Disabilities, Union Claims Government Executive
How to Encourage Engagement with COVID-19: Insights from an Organizer The Sick Times
India
India Joins 40-Nation South China Sea Drill with the US and Japan India Narrative
US-India Steps Toward Mutually Beneficial Trade Talks India Narrative
China?
Trump’s China Trip: Deals with Boeing and Soybeans could be Crucial South China Morning Post
Taiwan Commits to US$10 Billion in US Farm Product Purchases Over Four Years Focus Taiwan
China Halts Google Antitrust Probe Amid US Trade Discussions FT
AI Firm DeepSeek Generates Less-Secure Code for Groups Disfavored by China WaPo
The Evolution of the Chinese Academy of Sciences into a State Venture Capitalist Sinocities
Will China Be the First to Introduce Humanoid Robots at Home? Think China
Testing Humanoid Robots to the Limit
Professor He Kong’s team from the Active Intelligent Systems (ACT) Lab at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China, released a video showcasing a “violence test” designed to challenge the limits of… https://t.co/B01K1ez8g6 pic.twitter.com/97161kcnHh
— RoboHub🤖 (@XRoboHub) September 15, 2025
<p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5qk4de997o" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Flying Cars Collide at Chinese Air Show</a> BBC</p>
Syraqistan
🚨Israel is forcing Gazans on “death marches” southward to areas experiencing “disease outbreaks” & “civil unrest”
370,000 have fled Gaza City, and about 800,000 remain unable or unwilling to evacuate due to the dangers of the south.
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) September 17, 2025
Israeli Military Utilizing Gazan Militias for Operations in Exchange for Pay and Territory Haaretz
“Israeli responses are becoming dull. They repeat the same thing every time; it’s as if they’re generating responses using ChatGPT. With all the money spent in the foreign ministry on propaganda, originality should be expected.
They never engage with the… https://t.co/dUdWu5PM5m pic.twitter.com/liGXjNS4cu
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) September 16, 2025
Smotrich Points to a Gaza ‘Real Estate Bonanza’ as Stock Market Reacts New Arab
Bernie Sanders Becomes the First US Senator to Accuse Israel of Committing Genocide in Gaza The Guardian
In the Wake of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination, Tensions Between ‘America First’ and ‘Israel First’ Resurface Conflicts Forum (Video). Danny Haiphong Interviews Alastair Crooke.
House Seeks to Expand Secretive Arms Stockpile Used in Gaza Conflict Responsible Statecraft
‘United States of Israel’: Bipartisan US Delegation Faces Backlash During Landmark Foreign Trip Middle East Eye
Families of US Citizens Killed by Israel Report Trump’s Administration is Unwilling to Investigate Middle East Eye
Responding to U.S. Pressure, Japan Declines Recognition of Palestinian Statehood Asahi Shimbun
BCG to Educate Staff on ‘Humanitarian Principles’ Following Gaza Outcry FT
Old Blighty
Starmer Pleads with Trump for Concessions on Trade, Ukraine, and Gaza Euronews
GSK Commits $30 Billion in US Investment as Pharma Issues Deepen in the UK BBC
US Tech Giants Pledge $42 Billion in Investments During Trump’s Visit The Register. Major Data Centers Planned.
St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle will host an extraordinary State Banquet tonight featuring a 165-foot-long table, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla welcome President Donald J. Trump, First Lady Melania, and 160 other guests 🇬🇧🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2qMUwzDu3s
— Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) September 17, 2025
More Than a Quarter of Children in the UK Are Growing Up Hungry, Research Shows The Independent
European Disunion
Over 800,000 Expected to Participate in French Protests Against Budget Cuts Euractiv
In Praise of Small Things Aurelien
New Not-So-Cold War
Germany Supports Further Utilization of Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Bloomberg
Polish Military Delegation Visits Ukraine to Study Air Defense Kyiv Independent
Ukraine Will Receive Patriot and HIMARS Missiles, Declares Zelensky Kyiv Independent
Europeans Awaken to a Repeated Reality, akin to ‘Groundhog Day’ Ian Proud
Statistics Reveal Ukraine’s Military Casualties Larry Johnson
Trump’s Envoy on Ukraine Claims the US Could Prevail Against Russia Antiwar
Russian Team Finishes Last in Hungary’s Annual Grave Digging Contest Intellinews
***
Poland’s Border Closure Could Hinder EU-China Trade Politico
Notable Moments in Chrystia Freeland’s Campaign Against Ukrainian Fascism John Helmer
L’affaire Epstein
SWALWELL: If you don’t know how many times Trump’s name appears in the Epstein files, is it at least 1,000?
PATEL: It’s not.
SWALWELL: Is it at least 500?
PATEL: No.
SWALWELL: Is it at least 100?
PATEL: No.
SWALWELL: What is the actual number?
PATEL: The… pic.twitter.com/jvn8peuUi4
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 17, 2025
South of the Border
Pentagon Lawyers Question Trump’s Attacks on Alleged Drug Boats WSJ
Tens of Thousands Protest Dundee’s Ecuador Mining Project Near Critical Water Reserve Reuters
Our Famously Free Press
BREAKING UPDATE: The government pressured ABC — and ABC acquiesced. The timing of ABC’s decision, following the FCC chairman’s commitment to the network, outlines the entire narrative. Another media outlet succumbs to governmental influence,…
— FIRE (@TheFIREorg) September 17, 2025
This clip apparently led to Kimmel’s indefinite suspension. Hear it for yourself & judge if it warranted his removal from the air. https://t.co/q6SFi9cnaQ
— Evan Newton (@_evannewton_) September 18, 2025
Note on Jimmy Kimmel Matt Taibbi
They didn’t even take a year to turn into the Democrats and become the Internet police. At least that party openly expresses its desire to censor; these folks disguised their agenda for five years. https://t.co/aoyEiWD1Wj
— Branko Marcetic (@BMarchetich) September 17, 2025
Trump 2.0
The Pendulum Swings: Free Speech Challenges Persist Simplicius
Trump Proposes Labeling Anti-Fascist Antifa as a Terrorist Organization France24
House Republicans Urge Treasury to Review Anti-Genocide Leftist Organizations
House Oversight Chair James Comer and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna submitted a 5-page letter requesting formal scrutiny of Neville… https://t.co/iWjC9WdH2J
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) September 16, 2025
🚨 The Earth just tilted off its axis.
Tucker Carlson has criticized Trump’s administration, alleging it uses the assassination of Charlie Kirk as an excuse to undermine the First Amendment, detain citizens, and promote a totalitarian regime.
Yes, he said that, and he has reason to be concerned. pic.twitter.com/cy5oYXbJb4
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) September 17, 2025
***
A 12-foot golden statue of Donald Trump holding a Bitcoin stands outside the U.S. Capitol as the Federal Reserve Announced an Interest Rate Cut, September 2025. pic.twitter.com/1V8HaiUqUs
— Future Adam Curtis B-Roll (@adamcurtisbroll) September 17, 2025
Police State Watch
Republicans Consider a Crime Bill for Trump and Upcoming Midterms Semafor
Defense Bill May Lead to Private Military Contractors at the Border The Lever
Airlines Hand Over 5 Billion Plane Ticket Records for Government Surveillance 404 Media
Weimar Republic
Updates on the Shooting of Charlie Kirk: Kash Patel Faces Questions, Classes Resume at UVU USA Today
After Charlie Kirk’s Murder, Elite Arrogance Remains Apparent Matt Taibbi
Healthcare?
Doctor Leaves Patient During Surgery to Engage with Nurse, Allowed to Continue Practice The Guardian
Surgeon General Nominee Under Scrutiny for Supplement Company Ties Axios
AI
Meta Unveils New Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, A Step Toward ‘Superintelligence’ The Independent
OpenAI Admits Models Prioritize Fabrication Over Acknowledging Ignorance The Register
Delegation of Tasks to AI Can Lead to Increased Dishonesty Phys.org
Following Child’s Trauma, Chatbot Developer Allegedly Coerced Mother into Arbitration for Minimal Compensation Ars Technica
Anthropic Annoys White House with Restrictions on AI Use Semafor. The AI Bluesky?
Screening Room
Kneel Before Zod The Baffler
Guillotine Watch
Most Billionaires’ $7.6 Trillion Has Never Been Taxed Americans for Tax Fairness
Mr. Market
Federal Reserve’s Rate Cut Comes with Conditions, Leaving Investors Cautious Reuters
Funds are Shifting Away from US Investments Amidst Trump Uncertainties, Mercer States Bloomberg
Class Warfare
The Moral Deterioration Linked to Debt Charles Hugh Smith
Face to Face with the Scale of the Cosmos IEEE Spectrum
Antidote du Jour (via):
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
