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Jan 2 2024

Icy Reboot. Fabulous float. Movie science. The Roundup

Jan 2, 2024
David Akin's Roundup
Clippings of #cdnpoli, #media, and #tech content aimed at those with an interest in Canadian politics and policy. And sometimes Canadian postage stamps.
Canada
Senior military leader: Canadians 'overly comfortable' as global security shifts
In a recent year-end interview, he rattled off a list of international issues he's keeping a close eye on, from the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and Israel's war on Hamas, to a string of recent coups in African nations, friction in the Balkans and challenges in South American countries like Venezuela that are fuelling mass migration. [CP]

As one province pauses the gas tax to provide savings at the pumps, another is bringing it back. [CP]
Canadians plunged into frigid waters from coast to coast on Monday to ring in the new year as part of the annual polar bear dip tradition. [Global]
From the provinces
The Health Department says people should stay home if they have a fever and is encouraging people to wear a mask if they have symptoms of a respiratory virus. [Global]
Elsewhere
Canadian Coding for Veterans float takes top international prize at Rose Parade
A float belonging to a Canadian not-for-profit organization that trains veterans for careers in I.T. captured the top international prize at the Rose Parade on New Year's Day. [Global]
This landmark generation is the first to live fully online. Its members have grappled with climate and pandemic — and can spend money more easily at their age than any previous generation. [Axios]

The pitched battle for control of the state party in a pre-eminent presidential battleground is the most extreme example of conflicts brewing in state Republican parties across the country. Once dominated largely by moneyed establishment donors and their allies, many state parties have been taken over by grass-roots Republican activists energized by former President Donald J. Trump and his broadsides against the legitimacy of elections. [NYT]
Lee Jae-myung, who leads the Democratic Party, was attacked by a 66-year-old man in the city of Busan, the police said. Mr. Lee was flown to Seoul for treatment. [NYT]
Media

With the gutting of content moderation initiatives at X, accounts with blue checks, once a sign of authenticity, are disseminating debunked claims and gaining more followers. Community Notes, X’s fact-checking system, hasn’t scaled sufficiently. [ProPublica]
Brigitte Pellerin: A note on why I am switching platforms and what it means for you. [Substack]
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Sci/Tech
Could 'The Last of Us' or 'Jurassic Park' really happen? We asked scientists about sci-fi movies
Science fiction often exaggerates or distorts science for dramatic effect—but many movies and TV shows have a nugget of realism at their core. [National Geographic]

Paying for what you don't use is silly. We've got tips and instructions on how to cancel subscriptions you don't need. [Endgadget]
Issued this day ...
... in 2002: Scott #1928: Traditional Trades Definitives Medium-Value: Jewelry. Design: Monique Dufour and Sophie Lafortune.

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