How a major bank cheated its customers out of $2 billion, according to a new federal lawsuit Popular Information
Founder of muckraking financial information firm Hindenburg Research calls it quits AP
The Governments That Survived Inflation Foreign Affairs
The Bitter End Doomberg (PI).
Xiaohongshu (RedNote)
‘TikTok refugees’ unexpectedly turn to Chinese alternative as ban looms LA Times.
America’s youth longs for Chinese e-commerce Garbage Day. Worth a read on social media.
RedNote (1):
the very first thing americans did on rednote is call themselves “refugees” and now a bunch of Chinese people have to be like hi did you know that actual refugees are suffering due to US imperialism pic.twitter.com/XxUFXYAIwa
— sofie ☭ (@darlingube) January 15, 2025
RedNote (2):
RedNote (3):
My kids are on RedNote and already the filial piety in the home has leveled up substantially
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) January 16, 2025
RedNote (4):
RedNote (5):
*join REDnote*
*start posting*-“Taiwan is a country”
-“Free Tibet”
-“Covid came from China”
-“Uyghur concentration camps”
-“Tiananmen square massacre”
-“Mao starved 45 million Chinese” pic.twitter.com/tZ9ynDrIJe— Dispropaganda (@Dispropoganda) January 15, 2025
RedNote (6):
RedNote (7):
Xiaohongshu opened a window for Americans to learn more about China by directly interacting with Chinese people. These exchanges also seem to be sparking an even deeper appreciation among locals for their own systems. An all around massive PR fail for US gov’t propagandists. pic.twitter.com/iJWjYCgr2g
— Daniel Dumbrill (@DanielDumbrill) January 15, 2025
Trump is looking to save TikTok from potential ban, Waltz says Axios
Trump adviser says president-elect is exploring options to ‘preserve’ TikTok AP
‘It’s a personal choice’: China dodges RedNote censorship issue as US TikTokkers migrate South China Morning Post
California Burning
The story of how two Beverly Hills farmers privatized water in California Yasha Levine, weaponized immigrant
Anti-COVID groups distribute masks and air purifiers faster than LA government amidst fires The Gauntlet. Commentary:
This video is a perfect example of what’s happening in Altadena. National guard & cops with guns out on one side of street – while community organizes mutual aid & resources next to a burnt down house across the way
The state isn’t doing anything here other than a show of force https://t.co/RCfttPkHCN pic.twitter.com/MvxyPkCnMU
— People’s City Council – Los Angeles (@PplsCityCouncil) January 15, 2025
California utility faces billions in claims for fire damage even if it did nothing wrong Reuters
Climate
Top financial watchdog warns climate change set to trigger market panics FT
First US congestion pricing scheme brings dramatic drop in NY traffic FT
Syndemics
FOLLOW-UP: “Covidians” & Cults Pandemic Accountability Index
China?
China retail giant bans staff from engaging in domestic violence, sparks privacy concerns South China Morning Post
The Pettis Paradigm and the Second China Shock Noah Smith, Noahopinion
Applicants wanted: China’s C919 to benefit as Beijing bankrolls ‘large aircraft’ research South China Morning Post
In South Asia, Power Shifts Usher in Diplomatic Surprises Foreign Policy
The Koreas
South Korean authorities take impeached President Yoon to detention center after questioning AP
Syraqistan
Live updates: Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement awaits final approval AP:
A “last minute crisis” with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited agreement to pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of people across the war-ravaged territory.
Netanyahu’s office said his Cabinet won’t meet to approve the agreement until Hamas backs down, accusing it of reneging on parts of the agreement in an attempt to gain further concessions.
Commentary:
Ok, I’m a little disappointed with myself for not seeing this earlier.
It could very well be that the whole deal saga is meant to build up fake expectations, give the impression that Israel agrees, and then bring the whole thing down and blame Hamas.
If that’s the purpose of…
— Alon Mizrahi (@alon_mizrahi) January 15, 2025
Bowen: Long-overdue ceasefire may stop the killing but won’t end the conflict BBC
Israel Pulls Out of Gaza Strip as Barack Obama Assumes the Presidency PBS. January 19, 2009, still germane. But it rhymes?
One Question Looming Over Israel-Hamas Truce Deal—Why Now? Foreign Policy
IDF general credits Trump threat as ‘big change’ in securing cease-fire after Hamas rejected same deal in May FOX
A Year of Empty Threats and a “Smokescreen” Policy: How the State Department Let Israel Get Away With Horrors in Gaza ProPublica
US says it’s committed to preventing return of Hamas rule in Gaza following cease-fire deal Anadolu Agency
Netanyahu Just Agreed to a Hostage Deal With Hamas. But It’s Not the Deal He’s Selling His Supporters Haaretz
Outgoing CIA director says ‘no sign’ Iran developing nuclear weapons The Cradle
How US activists are infiltrating Israeli events selling Palestinian land Waging Nonviolence
The New Great Game
Opinion: ‘Armenia and US sign strategic partnership charter as legacy for Trump’ JAM News
European Disunion
German economy continued to shrink in 2024 Anadolu Agency
New Not-So-Cold War
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives in Kyiv to sign ‘100-year yartnership’ treaty Euronews. “Partnership,” actually.
How are EU gas reserves holding up against the halt of Russian supplies? Euronews
Zelenskyy: Europe has no chance against Russia without Ukrainian military Ukrainska Pravda
Trump Transition
The Senate is considering the Laken Riley Act. Here’s what it would do LA Times. Commentary:
Update: senators have rejected amendments to protect children and pregnant women and to restrict to convictions. Instead, almost 20 Dems voted to *expand* the law, including misdemeanor APO. This means any cop in the US could get someone indefinitely detained in the new camps. https://t.co/hA3cF50vOa
— Alec Karakatsanis (@equalityAlec) January 16, 2025
Trump promises an “External Revenue Service” to collect tariffs Axios
Saving the Government Money RAND
The Second Trump White House Could Drastically Reshape Infectious Disease Research. Here’s What’s at Stake. ProPublica
How Trump Got Away With It, According to Jack Smith Time
South of the Border
Depose Maduro Bret Stephens, NYT
Biden Administration
Biden warns in farewell address that an ‘oligarchy’ of ultrarich in US threatens future of democracy AP. Commentary:
Democrats en deshabillé
Kamala Harris Paid the Price for Not Breaking With Biden on Gaza, New Poll Shows Ryan Grim, Dropsite
Spook Country
The CIA’s Racak ‘Massacre’ Hoax Kit Klarenberg, Global Delinquents
The Bezzle
Pension funds dabble in crypto after massive bitcoin rally FT
The Final Frontier
SpaceX rocket launches private missions to Moon BBC
Healthcare
UnitedHealth, employer of slain exec Brian Thompson, found to have overcharged some cancer patients for drugs by over 1,000% Fortune
Zeitgeist Watch
I’m taking my health seriously this winter – here’s why we all should Independent
Kelly Stafford Admits She Felt ‘Guilt’ for Exposing Entire L.A. Rams Team to Sick Kids on Private Jet People
Speculation: Euthanasia Will Become Coercive Lyman Stone
The Co-Opted Chinese Word That Broke Risk Management Oxebridge
The Weight of a Stone American Scholar
Antidote du jour (Derek Keats):
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
