"Candidates should challenge those instincts: Call for new leadership and say that, if elected, they wouldn’t support the current crop. We saw in 2024 the hunger for more independence from the Democratic status quo. People want change, everywhere." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/o...

"But in the well-being of ordinary citizens? A careful study released Wednesday and based on a measure called the Social Progress Index suggests that in terms of quality of life, the United States ranks 32nd out of 171 countries, behind Poland, Lithuania and Cyprus." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/o...

"They like their Scandinavian welfare system, with its free health care, free education and strong safety net. They feel connected to Denmark even if there are still raw feelings about earlier eras of colonialism and abuse." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/w...

“You do not save democracy by running around, yelling about saving democracy. You do it by demonstrating that democracy and Democratic values deliver better quality of life for normal people.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/o...

"The idea of turning Greenland into America’s rare-earth factory is science fiction. It’s just completely bonkers," said Malte Humpert, founder and senior fellow at The Arctic Institute. "You might as well mine on the moon. In some respects, it’s worse than the moon." www.cnn.com/2026/01/12/b...

Social Security ends year in turmoil as record backlogs delay services Customer service has deteriorated by key measures as the agency enacted sweeping cuts in the president’s second term, internal data and interviews show. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Yes it’s Politico. No I don’t trust them generally. But I spoke to them for this piece about night trains, and they spoke to a bunch of other knowledgeable people too, inc @simplyrailways.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/why-...

"Parents don't need to be AI experts. They just need to be curious about their children's lives and ask them about what kind of technology they're using and why."

The line will be automated, fully underground and have stations as deep as 45m of the transept type (a main shaft for vertical circulation with lateral platforms in a cavern, with a nice architecture as always in Naples.

Webuild has been awarded the contract for the civils of the first 6.5 km, 7-station phase (1A) of Naples metro line 10 for €660 million. The contract includes an option for the subsequent phases of the 14km line whose final cost is estimated at €3.1 bn. www.webuildgroup.com/it/media/com...

🧠: gondolas for ski 🧠🧠: gondolas for urban transit 🧠🧠🧠🤯: gondolas for apples The gondola connecting the central treatment hub of the largest apple producers consortium in Italy to the underground storage facility. Opened last November.

UK trade unions urge Labour to revisit EU customs union www.politico.eu/article/uk-t...

"He looked at the idea of bombing fentanyl labs in Mexico. But it became clear that Mexican leaders would not consent, and the administration feared losing their cooperation on drug and migrant issues." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/u...

I've always maintained the tax piece -- and the resulting data it requires to audit properly -- was always the central issue. Airbnb guards # of locations, booked nights and rates like a trade secret. My take: Airbnb's desire for secrecy is not our problem.

Fascinating paper on crime and public transportation demand in Latin America. Key point: increasing public transit ridership requires just as much attention to crime (perceived and real) on the system as fares and service improvements. publications.iadb.org/en/impact-cr...

I'm sorry, but Joe Biden is personally responsible for voters lashing out at him over inflation. Rather than acknowledge the incredible pain Americans felt in 2022 and 2023, he shuffled across stages, struggled to stand in front of podiums, and incoherently whisper-yelled about "Bidenomics."

Gunmen fire 50 shots, leaving 1 dead and 3 injured on River North street corner cwbchicago.com/2025/12/gunm...

The leader of the Trades Union Congress has called for "the closest possible economic and political relationship with the European Union." www.bbc.com/news/article...

You really have to unpack "immigration." Obviously, Americans are still extremely supportive of immigrants and immigration, but it seems fairly clear to me that the Overton window has shifted right on border security and asylum rules.

US immigration crackdown forces teens to caretake after parents are detained www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

The culture of Latin America will continue its global rise www.economist.com/the-world-ah...

United States government strengthens the position of Liberal Democrats in UK politics

Elon Musk to Thierry Breton on the Digital Services Act in 2022: "I think it's exactly aligned with my thinking. I very much agree with...it's been a great discussion. And I really think, I agree with everything you said, really. I think we're very much of the same mind."

Look at him. He’s in heaven. He loves juicy gossip — loves to talk. Imagine if he had a Limbaugh situation back then — things would have been much different.

Most people are tolerant and supportive of immigrants, but asylum abuse (false claims made by economic migrants who’ve paid traffickers) is a major problem that’s seriously undermining support for immigration and enabling vicious right-wing populists like MAGA, Reform, and AfD.

Amtrak Faces More Delays Rolling Out New Trains Failure to upgrade maintenance facilities in time means the railroad will probably have to idle some new trains www.wsj.com/us-news/amtr...

“According to the mayor, the growth of short-term rentals has contributed to rising housing costs, the spread of very small units and the conversion of garages and commercial spaces into makeshift accommodation, making it harder for residents to find long-term housing.”

The 60 Minutes story was fine. There really wasn’t anything new (though I’ve followed this story for a while). I don’t know if she tried to delay the story for Trump or not, but obviously it would have been nice for the journalist to be able to confront Stephen Miller or someone from DHS.

It would be nice for Joe Biden to express some remorse over his political choices.

Montpellier FR began service on Tram 5 this past weekend. The 17.5 km line includes 11 km of new infrastructure as well as the creation of two major squares; the project cost €440 million, so roughly €65 m/mile. It's expected to serve 80,000 daily riders.

‘Incredibly reckless’: Trump’s wind halt stuns even some allies www.politico.com/news/2025/12...

Europe’s holiday wish? More speed, more options, more time for YOU. While many are winding down, Europe is gearing up: a major high-speed rail plan is set to transform travel by 2040. Here’s what’s coming ↓

This egregious violence happened in the middle of the afternoon on Sunday. We need more visible police and private security in transit stations (like WMATA has done in DC) -- and we should reflect on banning masks.

Subway conductor beaten, robbed of train keys in Brooklyn "Police are looking for a heavyset man in his early 20s, last seen wearing a surgical mask and a black hoodie, and carrying shopping bags." www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/22/s...

“The problem is that if your primary goal is always to avoid upsetting anyone, it makes it really hard to learn from past mistakes.” @simonbazelon.bsky.social

"Top consultants on the Biden-turned-Harris campaign privately urged the DNC to keep their names out of the report." Infuriating. www.thebulwark.com/p/dnc-autops...

How immigration ‘swallowed up’ federal gun crime efforts, including in Baltimore thedailyrecord.com/2025/12/22/b...

Not good. gothamist.com/news/four-ny...

If there are really national security issues related to radars, why does Poland — bordering Russia and Belarus — feel comfortable building an offshore wind farm? www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/c...

"Quality-of-life policing matters. When disorder is ignored, serious crime follows. When it’s addressed, communities reclaim their streets and parks — and people feel safe again." nypost.com/2025/12/20/u...

A car with a modified exhaust just passed me, deliberately sounding like gunfire. Imagine the chaos that could cause in a country like our own with constant shootings. Unsurprisingly, it also had illegal tint. Police intervention urgently needed.

"[T]he United States, the world’s most powerful travel economy, typically enticing tens of millions of international travelers each year, will be the only major nation to experience a downturn in spending this year." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/t...

Trump’s ‘A+++++' economy collides with reality in a Pennsylvania city critical to the midterms apnews.com/article/trum...

"Administration officials say they plan to hire thousands more agents, open new detention centers, pick up more immigrants in local jails and partner with outside companies to track down people without legal status." This is not what the public wants. www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

Boy, 15, and man, 38, slashed in Midtown Manhattan subway attacks hour apart www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/20/b...

"In many countries, this would be illegal. World leaders agreed in 2008 to fight so-called transplant tourism, and most nations do not provide organs to overseas patients. Yet the United States has long allowed it."

"The Times analyzed every transplant performed in the United States since 2013. Overall, it found that patients who traveled from other countries received transplants faster than patients from America and were less likely to die waiting for an organ." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...

The rhetoric from the Trump administration on how to discuss the past is “very similar to Chinese Communist Party propaganda,” he said. “Only positive stories, only positive energy, no negative energy allowed when you’re talking about history.” www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

Four ICE detainee deaths in four days spark alarm as arrests grow www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...

Trump still has a narrow edge on border security, but Americans don’t want to see long-standing, non-criminal migrants violently deported. Democrats have an opportunity to win the public over with tough border measures, major asylum reforms, and a sensible pathway to residency.