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Dec 31 2023

Trudeau’s numbers. Kinew’s TikTok. Alcohol prescription. The Roundup

Dec 31, 2023
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.
Another pause in this newsletter's publishing schedule is upon us: I'll be sleeping in on the first day of 2024. I hope you are able to to do the same. Best wishes for the new year and, with any luck, this newsletter will resume publishing on Jan. 2. - DA
Canada
As 2023 parliamentary sitting ends, can PM Trudeau turn slumping poll numbers around?
The West Block host Mercedes Stephenson is joined by Globe and Mail Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife and Toronto Star deputy Ottawa bureau chief Stephanie Levitz to look back at 2023 and ahead to 2024 - DA [The West Block]
From the provinces
Public asked to avoid overcrowded N.B. emergency rooms unless absolutely necessary
Capacity issues forced New Brunswick's francophone health authority to ask the public to avoid two of its emergency rooms on Friday unless they need critical care. [CP]
As Manitoba's first premier from the millennial generation, Wab Kinew is familiar with - and a big believer in - the reach of social media. [CBC]
Newfoundland and Labrador’s chief electoral officer has set Jan. 29 as the date for a byelection in the provincial riding of Conception Bay East-Bell Island. [CP]
Elsewhere
‘Reckless’ Red Sea attacks show no sign of ending as trade traffic picks up: commander
Since Operation Prosperity Guardian was announced just over 10 days ago, 1,200 merchant ships have traveled through the Red Sea region, and none has been hit. [Global]
The U.S. military said Sunday it shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired toward a container ship by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Hours later, four boats tried to attack the same ship, but U.S. forces opened fire, killing several of the armed crews, the U.S. Central Command said. No one was injured on the ship. [AP]
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber said state law does not allow her to remove Donald Trump from the March 5 ballot and leaves the decision up to the courts. [LA Times]
In December 1931, having just embarked on a 40-stop lecture tour of the United States, Winston Churchill was running late to dine with financier Bernard Baruch on New York City’s Upper East Side. [Open Culture]
Media
Canada's public broadcaster told The Canadian Press on Friday that "financial pressures" have led the network to cancel this year's countdown, which inched towards midnight with musical performances and a fireworks show. Bit of an anachronism in any event when you're the public broadcaster in a country where the New Year is rung in at seven different times between St. John's and Vancouver! [CP]
Ben Damoff reviews Walter Isaacson's Elon Musk: "The world’s richest man is dismembering one of the world’s most important websites in large part because he believes letting people choose their pronouns will prevent the human race from colonizing Mars." [NY Review of Books]
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Sci/Tech
Scientists Discover How to Convert CO2 into Powder That Can Be Stored for Decades
The breakthrough follows an almost centurylong effort to turn CO2 into a cheap, clean fuel. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology exposed CO2 to catalysts and then electrolysis that turns the gas into a powder called sodium formate, which can be safely stored for decades. [Scientific America] 

iOS apps can play a pivotal role in helping to reach new goals, form habits, or simply improve personal productivity – here's five you should consider. [MacRumors]

The holidays are a time for indulgence, but there are ways to drink alcohol without suffering the painful effects. [Scientific America]

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