Doctor investigated after smuggling his pet cat into hospital for CAT scan Independent
New Indo-European genetic evidence Language Log
Climate
The world has probably passed “peak air pollution” Our World in Data
How huge parts of the U.S. could become uninhabitable within decades — even so-called ‘climate havens’ Independent
Microplastics Build Up in Human Organs, Especially the Brain The Scienstist
Wind propulsion now a force to be reckoned with Seatrade Maritime. The deck: “Wind power should now be considered as an option for regulatory compliance and cost savings says classification society DNV.”
Water
Why the water Trump ordered released in California won’t help Los Angeles firefighting CBS
Syndemics
Could the Bird Flu Become Airborne? NYT
Differential protection against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection pre- and post-Omicron Nature. From the Abstract: “Before Omicron, natural infection provided strong and durable protection against reinfection, with minimal waning over time. However, during the Omicron era, protection was robust only for those recently infected, declining rapidly over time and diminishing within a year.”
China?
How China’s government is supercharging the rise of humanoid robots South China Morning Post
Chinese-Style Modernization: Revolution and the Worker-Peasant Alliance Monthly Review
China can detect US Seawolf-class submarine with magnetic wake tracking: study South China Morning Post
Myanmar
Casinos, high-rises and fraud: The BBC visits a bizarre city built on scams BBC
Syraqistan
No guarantees for Netanyahu during Trump meeting: Israeli media Al Mayadeen
Trump’s Real Estate Envoy to the Middle East Foreign Policy. Steve Witkoff.
Egypt lobbies against Trump plan to empty Gaza of Palestinians as Israel prepares for it AP. Commentary:
Netanyahu dismisses Palestinian state, suggests Saudis should take Palestinians instead Anadolu Agency
Trump’s Gaza plans fall flat with GOP lawmakers The Hill
Dear Old Blighty
Britain’s Machiavellian Answer for Trump Foreign Policy
New Not-So-Cold War
Poll in Russia shows high public support for war against Ukraine, ISW reports Ukrainska Pravda
Poll shows Ukrainians mostly feel hope and pride when thinking about Ukraine Ukrainska Pravda
Smuggled Grand Pianos Show Trump’s Challenge in Pressuring Putin Bloomberg
Will Fico and Orbán’s blackmail succeed in restoring Russian gas transit? European Pravda
Baltic nations end electricity ties to Russia through Soviet-era grid and tighten EU bond EuroNews
Wagner’s Business Model in Syria and Africa: Profit and Patronage RUSI
Trump Administration
Judge halts Trump buyouts ahead of deadline The Hill
‘Fork in the Road’ buyout offer reaches space and national security agencies despite exemptions Space News
Senate confirms Project 2025 architect Russell Vought to lead powerful White House budget office AP
Trump’s gut-it-all plan for D.C.’s “Deep State” Axios
Donald Trump seeks to close tax loophole enjoyed by private equity groups FT
Trump sanctions ‘illegitimate’ International Criminal Court Al Jazeera
A Late-Night Call Between Trump and Bannon The Bulwark
Immigration
Entitled residents of East Coast hamlet hold panicked meeting to keep nannies from being deported Daily Mail
DOGE
Bessent’s Goals Won’t Work Unless DOGE Does, Too John Authers, Bloomberg. The deck: “It’s becoming clear how much the Trump economic plan needs significant federal spending cuts.” Important!
Elon Musk’s Demolition Crew ProPublica
Lawsuits Related to Trump Admin Executive Orders Court Watch. Current as of 2/6/2025 at 3:40PM EST.
13 states to sue Trump administration over Musk’s access to federal payment data Anadolu Agency
The US Treasury Claimed DOGE Technologist Didn’t Have ‘Write Access’ When He Actually Did Wired. Treasury will want to be checking its systems for whatever back doors these guys built in.
Donald Trump’s administration plans to retain fewer than 300 USAID staff FT
Trump admin halts NOAA-sponsored studies as DOGE work speeds up E&E News
Read: Trump sued by unions over “illegal” move to dismantle USAID Axios
Representative Val Hoyle Statement on Leaving the DOGE Caucus Congressman (press release) Val Hoyle, OR-04
The Bezzle
Donald Trump Jr Says Crypto Is the ‘Future of American Hegemony’ CoinDesk
Digital Watch
Man jailed over police AI program, then freed 17 months after victim raised doubts ABC27
Supply Chain
US farmers ‘prepare for the worst’ in new Trump trade war FT
Zeitgeist Watch
You’re Being Alienated From Your Own Attention The Atlantic
Class Warfare
MLMs are the mirror-world version of community organizing Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic
Devoted nap-takers explain the benefits of sleeping on the job AP
Antidote du jour (John Mackenzie Burke):
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
