Extra, Extra
A Diversion of Justice: “The Department of Homeland Security has diverted thousands of federal agents from their normal duties to focus on arresting undocumented immigrants, undermining a wide range of law enforcement operations … Homeland security agents investigating sexual crimes against children, for instance, have been redeployed to the immigrant crackdown for weeks at a time.” (Every resource deployed to fight a largely imagined problem is a resource not used to fight a real one.) And from WSJ (Gift Article): A Taco Shop Raid Splits an Ohio Town in Red America.
+ Fema’s Emergency: “During Richardson’s time as FEMA chief, he was heavily criticized for his slow response to the catastrophic floods that devastated Texas’ Hill Country in July. Richardson could not be reached for 24 hours after raging floodwaters killed more than 130 people in the state on July 4 … It was later revealed that Richardson, who did not have emergency management experience before he became acting head of FEMA, had been on vacation for the holiday weekend.” Acting FEMA head resigns.
+ Misconduct Tape: “A federal judge in Virginia on Monday ordered prosecutors to turn over grand jury materials in the criminal case against James Comey after finding the government’s handling of the case raises ‘genuine issues of misconduct‘ that could result in the charges against the former FBI director being dismissed.”
+ Feud Renewed: “The escalation came after comments this month by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan about Taiwan, a self-governed democracy that China considers part of its territory. Ms. Takaichi told the Japanese Parliament that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.” China Escalates Japan Feud With Island Patrols and Warnings to Citizens.
+ Pressure Cooker: High blood pressure rates recorded among young people worldwide nearly doubled in 20 years, research found.
+ Tuition Inhibition: “The rate of new international enrollment at US universities dropped by 17% this autumn compared to previous years, research released on Monday indicates.” (This is probably viewed as a win-win for Trump. Fewer foreign students and less tuition revenue for universities. It’s a lose lose for the rest of us.)
+ Matcha Maker Matcha Maker, Make Me a Matcha: “In 2023, the global matcha market was estimated to be $4.3 billion. That number is expected to nearly double by the end of the decade. Like most trends, this one is a synthesis of several macro-level factors, among them: caffeine anxiety, the wellness boom, rising coffee prices, the proliferation of cheap home milk frothers, and the fact that the color green looks amazing on video.” The Atlantic (Gift Article): The Matcha Problem.
