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This old dog learned some new tricks -
"Best of" end of year listsThe best science and nature books of 2025
From the threat of superintelligent AI to the secrets of a longer life; plus the evolution of language and the restless genius of Francis Crick
Am reading Super Agers and will add the Crick biography to my list. Probably Proto, too.
Topol talks to the author of the Crick book:
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A failed alternative to gerrymanderingDays after issuing him a pardon, Donald Trump criticized US House member Henry Cuellar of Texas for deciding to run for re-election as a Democrat.
Trump pardoned Cuellar and the congressman’s wife on Wednesday as they faced bribery charges. They were alleged to have accepted thousands of dollars from Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank in exchange for advancing their interests.
Shortly after the pardon, Cuellar filed for re-election as a Democrat and said he had no intention of changing his party.
Trump suggested on Sunday that Cuellar was targeted by Democrats for being critical of the party’s position on immigration – before the president went on to say that the congressman was not loyal.
The statement constituted another example of how Trump expects loyalty from those who benefit from him.
“I never spoke to the Congressman, his wife, or his daughters, but felt very good about fighting for a family that was tormented by very sick and deranged people – They were treated sooo BADLY!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social site on Sunday. “Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry’s daughters, will not like. Oh’ well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!”.
https://theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/07/trump-henry-cuellar-pardon-democrat-reelection-texas
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2025 International Landscape Photo of the Year -
Never miss an opportunity for self-promotionFinally, a Peace Prize.
Trump wins his peace prize from Fifa – any chance of a VAR review?
At a gaudy and gauche World Cup draw, Gianni Infantino went all out to flatter the world’s most precious ego
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/trump-peace-prize-fifa-world-cup
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The last 12Pearl Harbor survivors. None of them will be at today’s remembrance ceremony.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/07/us/pearl-harbour-bombing-anniversary-hnk
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The name is Bond, James BondA 1960s James Bond-style Aston Martin DB5 - which became so dilapidated local children played on it - has been restored and is now worth £1m.
John Williams, 71, from Mold, Flintshire, bought the vehicle second hand in 1973 for £985 - the equivalent of about £15,000 today.
He last drove the car, made famous in films Goldfinger and Thunderball, in his 20s, before leaving it to rust on his driveway.
Mr Williams saved £400,000 for a three-year restoration at Aston Martin's Buckinghamshire works, where experts had to remove a mouse nest before carrying out 2,500 hours of repairs.
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The National Security StrategyThe Trump administration released its much-anticipated National Security Strategy this week. CFR convened seven of its experts to discuss the implications of a document that could reorient the United States’ approach toward the world.
Expert Brief by Rebecca Lissner, Will Freeman, David Sacks, Liana Fix, Steven A. Cook, Michelle Gavin, and Paul B. Stares
https://www.cfr.org/expert-brief/unpacking-trump-twist-national-security-strategy
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Tai chiCan tai chi help insomnia? Recent study published in the BMJ says it might.
The study:
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RIP Frank GehryPhoto gallery:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/dec/05/frank-gehry-architecture-in-pictures
They are intriguing but I have to say they're not my style of architecture.
