When the facts aren't in your favor, just gaslight away: "Marco Rubio is using real censorship to fight fake censorship. In the name of protecting free speech, the U.S. government just banned five Europeans from entering the country — because it doesn’t like their speech." www.ms.now/opinion/marc...

Until Trump began conspiracies about mail voting, Republicans were fully on board with GRACE PERIODS for ballots to arrive as long as postmarked by Election Day. They passed it overwhelmingly in KS, OH, & elsewhere. But now Trump hates it. So 4 red states—KS, OH, ND, UT—all banned it this year.

This time, barbarians are coming from inside the house: "In just the first three months of his second term, US President Donald Trump has destabilized eight decades of government support for science." www.nature.com/articles/d41...

"ICE Agents Arrest Man on Christmas Eve—and Then Steal His Groceries" And yes, you read that right. newrepublic.com/post/204750/...

After WWII, the U.S. saw major changes, including the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which ended decades of racist immigration policies. When you peel back the hateful theatrics, Stephen Miller's aim is to undo this law to preserve a demographically white conception of the US. More here...

The weaponization of freedom of speech and expression. "‘It’s frightening’: How far right is infiltrating everyday culture. Extremist messaging now woven into music and YouTube videos, with one expert saying: ‘You can be radicalised sitting on your couch’" www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Sure, Russia wants peace. "Russia is likely preparing to station its new nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system at a disused airbase in eastern Belarus, according to two US researchers who analysed recent commercial satellite imagery." defencematters.eu/new-russian-...

After WWII, the U.S. saw major changes, including the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which ended decades of racist immigration policies. When you peel back the hateful theatrics, Stephen Miller's aim is to undo this law to preserve a demographically white conception of the US. More here...

"Secret Service: Meet the Posters Behind Instagram’s Federal Agency Alt Accounts. How to defend the work of government, one meme at a time." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

A world in flux needs a press that's free. Please stand up for an independent press by supporting us as we head into 2026. theguardian.com/support/eoy-sc

The theme of this year's charity appeal is hope, and we are partnering with five charities that deliver practical projects designed to foster empathy, build trust and promote positive change on the issues that matter for local communities. Donate at theguardian.com/charityappeal25bsk

Interesting fact: Ukraine only began celebrating Christmas on December 25 two years ago, after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law moving the official Christmas holiday from January 7, which is traditionally observed by the Russian Orthodox Church, to December 25. www.cbc.ca/news/world/z...

With so much stress in the world, even the people who make paint are taking note. Meet the 2026 Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer - "a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection." www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...

Christmas attack on civilians in Kyiv. Sure, the Russians want peace

"Trump claims he's the 'president of peace' — so why is he bombing so many overseas hotspots? U.S. has carried out well over 500 bombings across the globe this year, conflict monitors say." www.cbc.ca/news/world/t...

"The commander of the Royal Canadian Navy is floating the idea of an ice-capable amphibious landing ship to move troops and equipment around the country’s Arctic — and perhaps elsewhere." www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

"Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax today during a stopover before Ukraine’s president heads to the U.S." www.cbc.ca/news/carney-...

A typical social media experience: Engage thoughtfully. Get insulted. Reflect on your life choices.

This is complete insanity, made worse by how dangerous it is. "Vice-President JD Vance warned on Friday that France and the United Kingdom could pose a future security risk to the US if what he called “Islamist-adjacent” ideas were to gain political influence." www.euractiv.com/news/europes...

"US strategy is leading to a Europe squeezed from the east and the west." www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/u... Maybe one day we will know the significance of that hastily arranged Alaska Summit.

Catholics, evangelicals, mainline Protestants, Orthodox, Pentecostals, & others don’t just differ; many don’t even recognize each other as entirely legitimate Christians. So, next time you hear someone say the US should be a “Christian nation,” ask them which denomination? #CanOfWorms

As the U.S. leans harder into calling itself a “Christian nation,” it raises a question no one wants to answer: which denominations? That’s where the rhetoric collapses into a political and theological landmine.

The influencers involved have denied knowing about the source of their funding and I don’t get to say otherwise without proof 🙂 www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Bradley did not perceive their waving to be a “two-arm surrender. After 45 minutes, a second missile screamed down from the sky on Bradley’s order. Two more missiles followed in rapid succession, sinking the remnants of the boat. Nothing remained of the men. theintercept.com/2025/12/23/b...

Here is a list of 3 stories I am very jealous I did not write this year. ✍🏻 (Kudos to the writers who did!) First, this brilliant essay by @petergleick.bsky.social about the dangerous contortionist Trump has become — twisting “national security” in knots to justify his personal war on “windmills.”

A typical social media experience: Engage thoughtfully. Get insulted. Reflect on your life choices.

For 50+ years, the NPR Network has offered America trusted information, free of charge. As public media faces a future without federal funding, we're relying on you to sustain this work in 2026 and beyond. Donate now to power Tiny Desk concerts, local reporting and more: n.pr/4pCcFIx

One observation about the “Heritage American” discourse is that the same people advancing this false and amorphous definition of authentic Americans are the same people who love to claim that *their* ancestors all arrived after Emancipation…

This is right up there w/ Americans saying they w'ld move to Canada after not getting the election results they had hoped for. Or wealthy New Yorkers threatening to move to Fl if Mamdani was elected. So far, no wealthy New Yorkers have shown up at any of the early bird senior specials in Florida.

Strange… So, does this mean the Canadian government was okay with it? Has the investigation into Russian funding of Tenet Media been concluded? Typically, aren’t passports suspended while someone is under investigation?

Good article, but I think we could add that many of the current government officials & influencers spreading political point-scoring falsehoods during crisis events HAVE BECOME gov officials & influencers BECAUSE of their bullshit-spreading talents. System effects of rotten attention dynamics.

Here's more info re: Canada's (& G7) efforts to combat transnational repression. Sadly, since the summer of 2025, trade & sovereignty have taken over, overshadowing everything. See: www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scr... www.international.gc.ca/transparency... freedomhouse.org/report/trans...

When the rule of law is applied selectively and conditionally, justice becomes a privilege rather than a right. "Her husband's kidnapping became Malaysia's biggest mystery. Then came a stunning confession," Hopefully she will get the justice she is seeking. www.bbc.com/news/article...

This is complete insanity, made worse by how dangerous it is. "Vice-President JD Vance warned on Friday that France and the United Kingdom could pose a future security risk to the US if what he called “Islamist-adjacent” ideas were to gain political influence." www.euractiv.com/news/europes...

"But this year, the 84-year-old senior district judge did something he hadn’t considered for a long time: He retrieved a gun he had stored at the federal courthouse in Seattle years ago and brought it back to his home in case he needed it to defend himself."

Chilling to read. The US is becoming '90s Russia. ““I’m 84 years old. Threats against my life expectancy are kind of hollow. I don’t have much time anyway,” he said. “I’m more concerned that our democracy is at risk because of the trends against the rule of law.”

Sadly, there is more evidence that we'll all be poorer. If the concerns raised in this article materialize, it'll alter the flow of money and investment around the world. "So long, American exceptionalism For the first time, investors are talking about ‘US risk’. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

I guess I overestimated this lame stunt's lifespan when I said a month. It looks like the White House stopped updating its bias tracker. I can't say I've conducted a comprehensive review, but I don't see anything past early December, and the current "offender of the week" is a report from Dec. 4.

For new followers, if you are curious about what we do at the Social Media Lab, check out the links in the post from yesterday. Also, check out our media appearances here: socialmedialab.ca/media-covera...

The most lucrative business model is one that invents the problem and then sells the cure. "The best distraction blockers to jump-start your focus in the new year" techcrunch.com/2025/12/25/t... Here's my 💳💰...

"More than half a million pounds spent on influencers by the UK government since 2024" www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d... Surprised it's not more. Since the pandemic, Governments around the world have been hiring influencers to tap into their loyal and ever-growing audience.

"The year data centers went from backend to center stage" techcrunch.com/2025/12/24/t... And if critics are correct, in a few years, there will be stories of new white elephants as these places shutter for a lack of demand and overinvestment. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

"The protesters showing up every week to shut down ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: ‘We will end this’" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

China's High Speed Rail network has now surpassed 50,000 KM in length after opening 4 new lines. The country plans to hit 60,000 KM by 2030. Spain is the #2 country in HSR length, with approx 5,000 KM. Map below is a year out of date but shows how the network has evolved since 2008.

This morning, I spoke with President Zelenskyy about ongoing efforts to secure a just and lasting peace. As Ukrainians face another winter of Russian aggression, I reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to Ukraine, and the need to maintain pressure on Russia to negotiate.

I'm once again politely asking Bluesky developers to allow us to attach multiple photos and videos in one post.

🚨🔥 Warmest Christmas on record for the Contiguous U.S.! The average high of 57.9F and the average low of 36.6F each broke the Christmas record by a full 3F. 🔥🚨

Just wow. @pluralistic.net.web.brid.gy came out swinging in this article. He's right though and that's the coolest part.

🎉 Woohoo! "Liberals to open new fast track to permanent residency for 5,000 foreign doctors" in Canada. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Launched on December 9, 2025, the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program is a federal initiative to help Canadian institutions attract world-leading international researchers focused on high-impact solutions to national and global challenges. www.canada.ca/en/impact-pl...