Largest world stock of animal-killing virus destroyed by UK lab BBC
Why sleeptrackers could lead to the rise of insomnia – and orthosomnia Guardian
In Pablo Picasso’s Studio During the Nazi Occupation of Paris Literary Hub
NEW UNDER-18 MODEL BANS ARE CHANGING HOW AGENCIES RECRUIT AND SIGN TALENT Fashionista
Waste Watch
Where does your plastic go? Global investigation reveals America’s dirty secret Guardian. Today’s must-read – a through introduction to a depressing subject. Grab a cup of coffee – but please eschew the disposable cup.
You’re Eating, Drinking and Breathing Microplastics. Now What? Massive Science
Gilets Jaunes
Venezuela
Ecuador gives US military permission to use Galapagos island as airfield Independent (anon in so cal). Hoisted from comments.
Syraqistan
Iran threatens to increase enriched uranium stockpile beyond limits set by nuclear deal in 10 days WaPo
The Arab spring is still alive openDemocracy
Scepticism as Sudan moves to put Omar al-Bashir on trial Al Jazeera
Big Brother IS Watching You Watch
What Happens When a US Border Protection Contractor Gets Hacked? Motherboard
Julian Assange
Assange to Face 5-Day Extradition Hearing in February 2020 Consortium News
737 MAX
Profit over safety? Boeing under fire over 737 Max crashes as families demand answers Guardian
Boeing CEO admits ‘mistake’ with 737 Max ahead of Paris Air Show, as analysts note ‘ominous dark cloud’ hanging over the entire industry Business Insider
Guillotine Watch
If you’re crazy rich, you can pay Ferrari to be a test driver Ars Technica
Banks accused of ‘systematic’ gouging of small customers on FX FT. Quelle surprise.
Credit ratings: old risks and new challenges for financial markets The Conversation
Class Warfare
Where Have All the Young Farmers Gone? American Conservative
Pennsylvania Bill Aims to Shift Water Clean-Up Costs From Residents to Polluters
TruthOutTrump campaigned on defeating the opioid crisis. It’s hard to tell if he’s winning. Politico
Drug Cop Worth $400 Million After Bets on Brooklyn Real Estate Bloomberg
2020
FOX News Poll: Bernie Sanders Would Beat Trump By 9 Points Common Dreams
2020 race brings free college back to the national stage AP
Trump Set to Launch a Campaign That Never Really Ended WSJ
Can Elizabeth Warren Win Back Trump Country? Vanity Fair
Health Care
California goes even bigger on Obamacare Politico
Trump says he will roll out new health care plan in next couple of months The Hill
Amgen, Merck, and Eli Lilly sue over Trump administration policy to require drug prices in TV ads Stat
Summer camp is newest front in battle with US measles outbreak Times of Israel
India
US’s Legacy of Using Trade Act to Steer Course of International Relations The Wire
India may trade places with US to ship items to China Economic Times
In Bengal, speak Bengali: Squeezed by BJP’s Hindutva, Mamata Banerjee grasps at Bengali nationalism Scroll
China?
US-China rivalry makes rare earths a matter of national security, rather than economics SCMP
While Lam relents, Hong Kong calls massively for her ouster Asia Times
Trump Transition
Trump says supporters might ‘demand’ he serve more than two terms as president Sydney Morning Herald (skippy). Hoisted from comments.
EXCLUSIVE: Trump cites lessons from Nixon, says he ‘was never going to fire Mueller’ ABC News
Trump claims ‘Obama had to know about’ efforts to undermine presidency Fox
US Attacks Russia’s Power Grid; Trump Kept in Dark Common Dreams For those who missed yesterday’s links on this topic…
British business travellers to US haunted by old offences FT
Antidote du Jour (via):
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.