Extra, Extra

Hong Kong Wrong: “A Hong Kong court convicted pro-democracy former media mogul Jimmy Lai of conspiracies to commit sedition and collusion with foreign forces in a case that marks how much the semi-autonomous Chinese city has changed since Beijing began a wide-ranging crackdown on dissent five years ago.” (As we’ve learned, political winds can shift quickly and with great effect.)

+ An American Disgrace: Even by the sick and low standards he’s set, Trump’s response to Rob Reiner’s death was disgusting. I didn’t include this in the section above because nothing out of Trump’s mouth deserves to be anywhere near Rob Reiner.

+ Grok Schlock: Shocker: Grok is spreading misinformation about the Bondi Beach shooting.

+ Seed Investors: “Some Chinese parents, inspired by Elon Musk’s 14 known children, pay millions in surrogacy fees to hire women in the U.S. to help them build families of jaw-dropping size. Xu calls himself ‘China’s first father’ and is known in China as a vocal critic of feminism. On social media, his company said he has more than 100 children born through surrogacy in the U.S.” WSJ (Gift Article): The Chinese Billionaires Having Dozens of U.S.-Born Babies Via Surrogate.

+ Panda-Monium: “The two countries had made positive noises about continuing the loan, but tensions between them have increased since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan could help defend Taiwan from any Chinese aggression.” Chinese pandas to leave Japan amid diplomatic row.

+ Strike a Pose: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza becomes the school’s first Heisman winner. (Obviously, his key jump in skill and ability came during his year playing for Cal…)

+ Tails Tax: “They have no independent income; they reside exclusively with their humans, and they have annual expenses that top $5,000. Calling them property, she argued, does not accurately reflect their role in a household.” IRS faces a lawsuit that would reclassify pets as dependents.