Can Bibliotherapy Heal the Pain of the World? Lit Hub
The Psychedelic Scientist Nautilus. “While under the influence of ayahuasca, Bruce Damer gained insights into the origins of life on Earth, and his theories might hold water.”
A Thousand and One Nights in Italy Public Domain Review. “In the mid-19th century, two unique aristocrats embarked on extravagant projects to build impressive castles in the Moorish Revival style. Iván Moure Pazos explores the psychedelic chambers of Rochetta Mattei, designed for electrohomeopathic healing, and Castello di Sammezzano, a sensorial orientalist fantasy.”
<h2>Climate and Environment</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/16/artic-record-heat-shrunken-sea-ice-report" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arctic experiences a year of unprecedented heat as climate scientists alert us to a 'redefined winter.'</a> The Guardian</p>
<p><a href="https://strategicclimaterisks.substack.com/p/from-climate-reports-to-security?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">From Climate Reports to Security Planning</a> New Climate Reality</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theclimatebrink.com/p/tcb-quick-hit-how-climate-change?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TCB quick hit: The impact of climate change on the plumbing of the Pacific Northwest</a> The Climate Brink</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">#BREAKING</a>: New drone footage from Pacific, WA, shows extensive flooding following a levee breach at White River in Pacific City Park. Entire neighborhoods are submerged as water continues to flow from the broken levee. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wawx?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">#wawx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/flood?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">#flood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/drone?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">#drone</a> <a href="https://t.co/QEkcG5QygR" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/QEkcG5QygR</a></p>
<p>— Matthew Pfab (@The_Weatherman2) <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Weatherman2/status/2000994990600937681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 16, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.space.com/astronomy/earth/wildfire-smoke-created-a-new-particle-in-the-atmosphere" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wildfire smoke, lofted high into the atmosphere, could inadvertently influence Earth's climate</a> Space.com</p>
<p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/financial-crisis/they-lost-their-homes-in-the-la-wildfires-now-they-can-t-get-the-mortgage-relief-the-state-promised/ar-AA1Sni4r" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Homeowners from the L.A. wildfires struggle to secure promised mortgage relief</a> LA Times</p>
<p><a href="https://phys.org/news/2025-12-natural-disasters-exacerbate-inequity.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Exploring how natural disasters increase inequality</a> Phys.org</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Water Scarcity</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/16/no-water-no-life-iraqs-tigris-river-in-danger-of-disappearing?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">“Without water, there is no life”: Iraq's Tigris River faces the threat of vanishing</a> The Guardian</p>
<p><a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/from-tehran-to-chennai-a-city-without-water-is-a-harbinger-of-a-thirsty-planet/articleshow/125969025.cms?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">From Tehran to Chennai, cities experiencing drought signal a thirsty planet</a> Economic Times</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Pandemics</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.bigissue.com/opinion/covid-inquiry-recommendations-disabled-people/?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Following COVID inquiries, we can aid disabled individuals by implementing recommended changes</a> Big Issue</p>
<p><a href="https://www.panaccindex.info/p/the-outbreaks-are-the-point?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Understanding how outbreaks are a critical lesson</a> Pandemic Accountability Index</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Global Politics</h2>
<h3>China</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.sinification.org/p/sanctions-and-economic-warfare-in?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Exploring sanctions and economic warfare in U.S.-China relations: The "Renmin School" Playbook</a> Sinification</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theasiacable.com/p/where-is-china-gcc-free-trade-agreement?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Current status of the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement</a> The Asia Cable</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thinkchina.sg/technology/why-china-isnt-rushing-buy-nvidias-h200-ai-chip?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The hesitation of China to acquire Nvidia's H200 AI chip</a> ThinkChina</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>India</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/12/15/india-and-china-in-deep-water-over-himalayan-hydropower/?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The water disputes between India and China over Himalayan hydropower</a> East Asia Forum</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/leveraging-taiwan-india-s-strategic-counterbalance-china?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">India's strategic move leveraging Taiwan against China's influence</a> Lowy Institute</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Middle East Dynamics</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://archive.vn/E9Hcn#selection-691.0-691.94" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A Trump associate advocates for a U.S. military base in Israel, with government officials showing interest</a> Haaretz</p>
<p><a href="https://conflictsforum.substack.com/p/israels-algorithmic-war-and-algorithmic?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Israel continues its ‘Algorithmic War’ and algorithmic assassinations in Lebanon</a> Conflicts Forum</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://responsiblestatecraft.org/us-aid-to-israel-2674403728/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Poll reveals that most Republicans advocate ending U.S. aid to Israel</a> Responsible Statecraft</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🇺🇸🕎 A striking moment from the White House's Hanukkah dinner this evening.</p>
<p>Donald Trump proudly declared that Miriam Adelson contributed $250 million to his campaign, both directly and indirectly, joking that this is “not what it used to be.”</p>
<p>— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) <a href="https://twitter.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/2001121756837503474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 17, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Adelson's paper (<a href="https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/there-is-only-one-way-to-protect-jews-against-antisemitism/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Full article</a>):</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Israel's leading online media outlet advocates for global Jewish security architecture, integrating Israeli security forces with local law enforcement— “particularly in the U.S.”— to combat antisemitism.</p>
<p>— Dane (@UltraDane) <a href="https://twitter.com/UltraDane/status/2000783770337911101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 16, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Canada</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://archive.ph/1H9Om#selection-2445.0-2445.91" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A Canadian military intelligence officer is accused of leaking classified information to Ukraine</a> Globe and Mail</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Canada abandons its “Victims of Communism” monument after hundreds of names revealed to be linked to Nazi or Fascist ideologies. <a href="https://t.co/FqB1HD0pdr" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/FqB1HD0pdr</a></p>
<p>— Orikron 🇵🇹 骆培思 (@orikron) <a href="https://twitter.com/orikron/status/2000662887174717565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 15, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<h2>United Kingdom</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2025/12/hunger-strikes-and-court-cases/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hunger Strikes and Legal Battles</a> Craig Murray</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79x54dprngo" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Downing Street asserts that discussions surrounding the U.S.-UK tech deal remain active</a> BBC</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>European Disunion</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.euractiv.com/news/discriminatory-us-threatens-eu-companies-over-tech-fines/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">U.S. threatens European companies with discriminatory actions regarding tech fines</a> Euractiv</p>
<p><a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/frontline-states-eu-cash-russia-threat-defense/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Frontline nations seek EU funding amid growing Russian threats</a> Politico</p>
<p><a href="https://www.telesurenglish.net/volkswagen-closes-a-plant-in-germany-for-the-first-time-in-88-years/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Volkswagen shuts down a plant in Germany for the first time in 88 years</a> TeleSUR</p>
<p><a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-belgium-donald-trump-vladimir-putin-russia-war-ukraine-friedrich-merz/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The EU’s current dilemma is not Belgium — it’s Trump</a> Politico.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">“Recent negotiations faced significant hurdles, prompting EU officials to contemplate invoking the nuclear option: moving forward with majority voting despite objections from certain countries. However, this strategy could deepen existing fissures and lead to a full-blown crisis.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fitchratings.com/research/banks/fitch-places-euroclear-bank-on-rating-watch-negative-16-12-2025" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fitch places Euroclear Bank on Negative Rating Watch</a> Fitch Ratings</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Global Tensions</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.intellinews.com/russia-rules-out-any-concessions-at-all-on-ukrainian-territory-ryabkov-417234/?source=russia" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Russia insists on no concessions regarding Ukrainian territory—Ryabkov</a> Intellinews</p>
<p><a href="https://larrycjohnson.substack.com/p/if-youre-talking-to-yourself-it-aint?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Analyzing Trump’s unsuccessful diplomacy in Ukraine</a> Larry Johnson</p>
<p><a href="https://eventsinukraine.substack.com/p/us-elite-split?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Exploring divisions within the U.S. elite</a> Events in Ukraine</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-claims-worlds-first-underwater-drone-attack-on-russian-submarine" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ukraine claims a historic underwater drone attack on a Russian submarine</a> The War Zone</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I withheld posting about yesterday’s security incident in Novorossiysk until satellite images arrived.</p>
<p>Evaluation shows that the drone strike hit the pier corner, leaving the submarine intact, affirming Russian MOD claims.</p>
<p>— Olga Bazova (@OlgaBazova) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlgaBazova/status/2000906244660543847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 16, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-war/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-switches-to-single-external-power-line-after-fire/3773243" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility switches to a single external power source following a fire</a> Anadolu Agency</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/12/16/jpgz-d16.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The NATO-Ukraine conflict escalates to target commercial vessels in the Black Sea</a> WSWS</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Russia mobilizes all eight nuclear icebreakers to facilitate Arctic export routes</p>
<p>The first-time simultaneous deployment of its entire fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers aims to maintain winter navigation in the Gulf of Ob and the Yenisei Gulf. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarineTraffic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">#MarineTraffic</a> data… <a href="https://t.co/mjBE03RKYl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/mjBE03RKYl</a></p>
<p>— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarineTraffic/status/2000950369623396830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 16, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Latin America</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://news.antiwar.com/2025/12/16/trump-declares-total-and-complete-blockade-of-sanctioned-oil-tankers-in-and-out-of-venezuela/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump announces a complete blockade of sanctioned oil tankers moving into and out of Venezuela</a> Antiwar</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Military blockades contravene international law and the UN Charter, representing a crime of aggression.</p>
<p>Unless, in response to an ‘armed attack.’</p>
<p>None of Trump’s complaints qualify as an armed attack.</p>
<p>1/ <a href="https://t.co/o92K4SdGJc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/o92K4SdGJc</a></p>
<p>— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/rgoodlaw/status/2001086748642668865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 17, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/16/us-officially-labels-colombias-egc-group-a-terrorist-organization?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The U.S. officially designates Colombia’s EGC group as a ‘terrorist organization’</a> Al Jazeera</p>
<p><a href="https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/trump-corollary-us-nicaragua-ortega/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Exploring why Trump grants a free pass to Nicaragua’s Ortega</a> World Politics Review</p>
<p><a href="https://www.kitklarenberg.com/p/operation-condor-transnational-murder?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Operation Condor: A history of transnational murder</a> Kit Klarenberg</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Trump's Second Term</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://archive.ph/fpHf9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Insights from Susie Wiles, JD Vance, and the “Junkyard Dogs” about Trump's team for a potential second term (Part 1 of 2)</a> Vanity Fair</p>
<p><a href="https://archive.ph/CLjCC#selection-509.0-509.96" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Susie Wiles discusses Epstein files, war tactics by Pete Hegseth, and more (Part 2 of 2)</a> Vanity Fair</p>
<p><a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/16/susie-wiles-trump-interviews-white-house" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The White House moves to mitigate backlash over unfiltered interviews with Wiles</a> Axios. Additional insights:</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Susie Wiles stated that the U.S. strategy for Venezuela involves intimidation, expecting Maduro to surrender without war, mentioned by Trump’s Chief of Staff in a Vanity Fair interview.</p>
<p>Venezuela is unlikely to capitulate. Trump lacked a solid plan, and Maduro accurately called his bluff. <a href="https://t.co/nCvbQVs6Mx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/nCvbQVs6Mx</a> <a href="https://t.co/RlpYhl8QXz" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/RlpYhl8QXz</a></p>
<p>— Ollie Vargas (@Ollie_Vargas_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ollie_Vargas_/status/2001128673110581380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 17, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In today’s Vanity Fair interview, Wiles confirmed speculations about Liberation Day and tariffs, stating these were merely brainstorming ideas without a defined plan.</p>
<p>American consumers and workers have suffered as a result. <a href="https://t.co/X8hYfVXZ0P" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/X8hYfVXZ0P</a></p>
<p>— Tahra Hoops (@TahraHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/TahraHoops/status/2000946164116676665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 16, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wiles told the NYT that she never referred to Elon Musk as “an avowed ketamine user” during one of her eleven interviews with Vanity Fair.</p>
<p>“That’s absurd. I wouldn’t have said that and was unaware.”</p>
<p>Vanity Fair: But here’s a recording of you making that statement. <a href="https://t.co/SblJJHmh58" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/SblJJHmh58</a></p>
<p>— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) <a href="https://twitter.com/jbendery/status/2000969146960621991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 16, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/designating-fentanyl-as-a-weapon-of-mass-destruction/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">DESIGNATING FENTANYL AS A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION</a> The White House</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When everything becomes a WMD and everyone is labeled a terrorist or traitor, it paves the way for unchecked executive power.</p>
<p>DESIGNATING FENTANYL AS A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION <a href="https://t.co/p6aCfRHiP6" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/p6aCfRHiP6</a></p>
<p>— Ben Hunt (@EpsilonTheory) <a href="https://twitter.com/EpsilonTheory/status/2000945633067458698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 16, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://archive.ph/9gdBW#selection-251.0-251.63" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pentagon plans signal major shifts in U.S. military strategy</a> WaPo</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Signs of Decline</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://mazmhussain.substack.com/p/how-capitalism-replaced-america?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Analyzing how capitalism has superseded America</a> Murtaza Hussain</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ianwelsh.net/higher-us-profits-are-why-the-us-cant-compete-american-wont-re-industrialize/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Exploring how high U.S. profits hinder competitiveness and re-industrialization</a> Ian Welsh</p>
<p><a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-plans-financial-restrictions-overbudget-002148795.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump reportedly targets shareholder payouts of defense giants amid mounting cost overruns</a> Reuters</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Party Politics</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://jamiedupree.substack.com/p/house-republicans-block-vote-on-extending?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">House Republicans successfully block a vote to extend insurance subsidies</a> Regular Order by Jamie Dupree</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Surveillance State</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/russia-expands-biometric-id-system?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Russia intensifies the rollout of its biometric identification system</a> Edward Slavsquat</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Immigration and Law Enforcement</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.notus.org/immigration/dhs-denies-that-ice-pulled-over-ilhan-omars-son" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">DHS refutes claims that ICE agents stopped the son of Ilhan Omar</a> NOTUS</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Posting again as I cannot shake the image of Kash Patel’s FBI agents looking completely out of place while marching through snow in Providence 🤣<a href="https://t.co/6AUNufBA9T" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/6AUNufBA9T</a></p>
<p>— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) <a href="https://twitter.com/WUTangKids/status/2000926833970438575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 16, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Meanwhile…</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">To be fair, Katie Miller provided context at the start of her podcast with FBI Director Kash Patel and his girlfriend, but it hasn’t improved the negative feedback it has received (see bottom of screenshots)… <a href="https://t.co/d7dJ5vLG8k" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/d7dJ5vLG8k</a></p>
<p>— Jimmy Simmons (@ArticulateTHGHT) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArticulateTHGHT/status/2001167946413134052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 17, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-12-15/new-years-eve-terror-plot-charges-southern-california" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Federal authorities allege an antigovernment group plotted New Year’s Eve bombings in Southern California</a> LA Times</p>
<p><a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/12/16/fbi-informant-turtle-island-terror-plot/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Longtime paid FBI informant plays a crucial role in terrorism charges against the "Turtle Island Liberation Front"</a> The Intercept</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Criminal Justice System</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/12/15/nx-s1-5645011/death-penalty-2025-report-florida-executions" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Execution rates surge in 2025, nearly doubling in Florida</a> NPR</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Economy</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/12/16/november-jobs-report/87552596007/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The U.S. added 64,000 jobs in November, marking a four-year high in unemployment</a> USA Today</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Technology and Trends</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://oligarchwatch.substack.com/p/why-sam-altman-is-getting-into-the?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sam Altman's venture into the adult film industry clarified</a> Oligarch Watch</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v47/n23/john-lanchester/king-of-cannibal-island" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The story of the King of Cannibal Island</a> London Review of Books</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Gambling Trends</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/14/sports-betting-gambling-young-men-crisis" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The hidden costs of America’s sports betting boom</a> Axios</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Fraud and Financial Crimes</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/meta-tolerates-rampant-ad-fraud-from-china-to-safeguard-billions-in-revenue/articleshow/125993768.cms" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Meta turns a blind eye to widespread ad fraud from China to protect its billions in revenue</a> Reuters</p>
<p><a href="https://asiatimes.com/2025/12/rogue-states-using-crypto-gaps-to-finance-weapon-programs/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rogue states exploit cryptocurrency loopholes to fund their military programs</a> Asia Times</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Labor Issues</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/Lfelizleon/status/2000973789782532148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Greg Bovino from U.S. Border Patrol appears at the Teamsters Local 705 picket line in Chicago, where workers are on strike against manufacturer Mauser since June. Federal agents' intimidation can stifle worker solidarity!</a> <a href="https://t.co/If9kKAQlyP" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/If9kKAQlyP</a></p>
<p>— Luis Feliz Leon (@Lfelizleon) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lfelizleon/status/2000973789782532148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">December 16, 2025</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Today’s antidote for the ongoing issues is: (<a href="https://x.com/Doonvorcannon/status/1992763946483249387" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">via</a>):</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-302711" src="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-1.22.22 PM-1024x577.png" alt="" width="600" height="338"/></p>
<p>For more insights, see yesterday’s links and antidote <a href="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/12/links-12-16-2025.html">here</a>.</p>
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