Monthly Archives: March 2025

2025.03.31

Judge disregarded bankruptcy trustee’s recommendation and punished New Orleans clergy abuse survivors
Molestation survivors were removed from committee in settlement talks after lawyer was accused of improperly identifying school chaplain as child sexual abuser
Ramon Antonio Vargas and David Hammer of WWL Louisiana in New Orleans
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/31/new-orleans-archdiocese-child-sex-abuse-settlement

US Bank vice-chair Terry Dolan believed to be on board crashed plane in Minnesota
Authorities still confirming identity of those on board fallen aircraft that crashed in Brooklyn Park on Saturday
Guardian staff and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/31/terry-dolan-us-bank-plane-crash-minnesota

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians face power outages due to ice storm
More than 300,000 without power as storm, expected to continue overnight, pummels Ottawa, Quebec and Ontario
Reuters
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/30/canada-ontario-ottawa-quebec-power-outage

The Danish island of seaweed cottages, salt and seafood
The remote North Sea isle of Læsø is world-famous for the gastronomic delights that come from its waters – so the best way to explore it is in waders
Ailsa Sheldon
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/31/denamrk-island-laeso-seaweed-cottages-salt-and-seafood

The most beautiful village in England: how Bibury became a victim of its charm
Once a tranquil haven in the Cotswolds, Bibury now grapples with overtourism as hordes of selfie-snapping visitors pour into its narrow lanes
Jamie Grierson
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/30/the-most-beautiful-village-in-england-how-bibury-became-a-victim-of-its-charm

William Morris designs out in the wild – in pictures
Kathryn Bromwich
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2025/mar/29/william-morris-designs-out-in-the-wild-in-pictures

‘This is the information age’: How Microsoft founder Bill Gates mapped out the new internet era back in 1993
Greg McKevitt
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250327-how-bill-gates-predicted-our-it-age-back-in-1993

2025.03.30

When the physicists need burner phones, that’s when you know America’s changed
John Naughton
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/when-the-physicists-need-burner-phones-thats-when-you-know-americas-changed

The Observer view on JD Vance: spurned in Greenland and humiliated at home, the vice-president should resign
Observer editorial
His foolish foreign trip and the response to the Signal chat leak reflect the irresponsibility of White House team
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/30/the-observer-view-on-jd-vance-spurned-in-greenland-and-humiliated-at-home-the-vice-president-should-resign

Interview
‘I go for the jugular’: Carrie Coon on The White Lotus, female friendship and toxic politics
Eva Wiseman
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/30/i-go-for-the-jugular-carrie-coon-on-white-lotus-female-friendship-and-toxic-politics

Always roll your clothes! 13 travel packing hacks to save you space and money – according to seasoned travellers
We asked the experts about keeping luggage as light as possible (and still being ready for anything)
Hayley Spencer
https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/mar/30/travel-packing-hacks-uk

‘I’ve not heard of incel before’: Teenager dissects Adolescence with his worried parents
Anna Lamche
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93nzv49dg2o

No survivors after plane crashes into house in Minnesota
16 hours ago
Phil McCausland
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3evj8w8vy1o

Richard Chamberlain, Shogun star, dies aged 90
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v9xzw09z0o

2025.03.29

MinnPost News Quiz
https://www.minnpost.com/news-quiz/

Esme Murphy at WCCO News writes the proposed cut to Medicaid in Minnesota is $1.5 billion a year from an annual budget that, as of 2024, stands at roughly $18 billion. 1.3 million Minnesotans rely on Medicaid for their health care, 40% of Minnesota kids depend on it and, when it comes to nursing homes, 55% of nursing home residents rely entirely on Medicaid. Via MinnPost

Christopher Snowbeck at the Star Tribune is reporting UnitedHealth Group has scrubbed mentions of diversity, equity and inclusion goals from parts of its corporate website, including a page on careers and company culture that formerly included a dedicated section on DEI. Via MinnPost

Ya missed it?
Skygazers gather across northern hemisphere to glimpse partial solar eclipse
Eclipse peaked in London at about 11am on Saturday and was visible in parts of UK between about 10am and noon
Hayden Vernon
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/29/skygazers-gather-northern-hemisphere-glimpse-partial-solar-eclipse

From Greenland to Europe and Senegal: the partial solar eclipse – in pictures
The moon partly obscured the sun during an phenomenon that could be seen across the northern hemisphere
Lizzie Tucker
https://www.theguardian.com/science/gallery/2025/mar/29/from-greenland-to-europe-and-senegal-the-partial-solar-eclipse-in-pictures

Top US vaccine official resigns over RFK Jr’s ‘misinformation and lies’
Dr Peter Marks was seen as a guardrail against any future politicisation of the FDA’s approval of life-saving vaccines
Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/top-us-vaccine-official-resigns-over-rfk-jrs-misinformation-and-lies-dr-peter-marks

Nearly 500 confirmed cases of measles across 19 US states, says CDC
Government reports largest outbreak is in Texas, and 70 people across US needing hospitalization
Guardian staff and agency
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/28/measles-cases-us-cdc

Myanmar earthquake: death toll passes 1,600 as search for survivors continues
Aid agencies warn of ‘extremely difficult’ response amid Myanmar’s continuing civil war with true scale of disaster yet to emerge
Rebecca Ratcliffe in Bangkok, Esther J and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/29/myanmar-earthquake-death-toll-rises-to-almost-700-as-search-for-survivors-continues

‘Our town looks like a collapsed city’: Myanmar earthquake – in pictures
The death toll is expected to rise after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated Myanmar and brought down a high rise building in the capital of Thailand. Its epicentre was about 11 miles (17.2km) from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city
Mike Hohnen
https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2025/mar/29/our-town-looks-like-a-collapsed-city-myanmar-earthquake-in-pictures

Fears for Bagan’s towering Buddhist temples after Myanmar earthquake
City is close to Sagaing faultline and monuments were significantly damaged after the last earthquake in 2016
Kevin Rushby
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/28/fears-for-fate-of-bagans-towering-buddhist-temples-after-myanmar-earthquake

‘The physics community has never split like this’: row erupts over plans for new Large Hadron Collider
Ambitious project could soak up funding for subatomic physics for decades, say opponents
Robin McKie, Science Editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/29/the-physics-community-has-never-split-like-this-row-erupts-over-plans-for-new-large-hadron-collider

New drug for lower back pain could be ‘a gamechanger’
Exclusive: early stage trials of drug that uses antibiotics finds benefits for people whose pain is caused by infection
Denis Campbell Health policy editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/28/new-drug-for-lower-back-pain-could-be-a-gamechanger

Alarm as Florida Republicans move to fill deported workers’ jobs with children: ‘It’s insane, right?’
Governor Ron DeSantis leads push to loosen child labor laws as immigration crackdown leads to workforce shortage
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/florida-republicans-immigrant-jobs-child-labor

Gold leaf and Gatsby: Brussels lays claim to birth of art deco with year of celebrations
Throughout 2025, the Belgian capital is marking 100 years of the movement with events, exhibitions and film screenings
Jennifer Rankin in Brussels
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/mar/29/gold-leaf-and-gatsby-brussels-lays-claim-to-birth-of-art-deco-with-year-of-celebrations

Where cider houses rule in Spain: a tour of Asturias
Loved by the Spanish but less known in the UK, the region is recognised by Unesco for its centuries-old cider culture – and has plenty more to offer
Alyssa McMurtry in Oviedo
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/29/where-cider-houses-rule-in-spain-a-tour-of-asturias

Meera Sodha: ‘I’m thrilled to have new ingredients in the kitchen’
Our cook on why she’s changing the way she writes her recipes
Meera Sodha
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/mar/29/meera-sodha-im-thrilled-to-have-new-ingredients-in-the-kitchen

The return of Sicily’s ancient ‘white gold’
Vittoria Traverso
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250328-the-return-of-sicilys-ancient-white-gold

2025.03.28

I hear the earth moved in Myanmar, a country under a brutal dictatorship even worse than ours.
Thailand and Myanmar earthquake: death toll rises as Bangkok declared disaster area with dozens trapped under skyscraper – live
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/mar/28/myanmar-earthquake-thailand-bangkok-mandalay-latest-news-updates
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crlxlxd7882o
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgwgmkmgzdo

Cities and developers want state money to convert office buildings to housing, other businesses
By: Madison McVan
https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/27/cities-and-developers-want-state-money-convert-office-buildings/

Crowded field emerges to replace former state Sen. Justin Eichorn
Seven Republicans and two Democrats have announced candidacies for the seat left vacant by Eichorn, who resigned after his arrest in a sex sting operation.
by Chelsey Perkins, KAXE/KBXE
https://www.minnpost.com/other-nonprofit-media/2025/03/crowded-field-emerges-to-replace-former-state-sen-justin-eichorn/

Bird flu reinfections at US poultry farms highlight need for vaccines, experts say
Aggressive prevention including wider changes to poultry raising needed after at least 56 US farms doubly infected
Melody Schreiber
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/28/bird-flu-us-poultry-farms-vaccines

Off-season: has The White Lotus become a letdown?
The third season of the buzzy resort-set comedy drama has had its moments, but it’s starting to feel like the show is running out of ideas
Adrian Horton
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/28/the-white-lotus-third-season-letdown

‘At 60, the bulk of your life is lived. What’s left now?’ Ralph Fiennes and Uberto Pasolini on their ripped and radical take on The Odyssey
The actor and director on why The Return took 30 years to make, their joy at persuading Juliette Binoche to join them – and the punishing regime that earned Fiennes his battle-scarred physique
Tom Shone
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/28/at-60-the-bulk-of-your-life-is-lived-whats-left-now-ralph-fiennes-and-uberto-pasolini-on-their-ripped-and-radical-take-on-the-odyssey

Russian scientist working at Harvard detained by Ice at Boston airport
Kseniia Petrova was returning to the US from a trip to France when officials revoked her visa and detained her
Maya Yang and Robert Mackey
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/27/russian-scientist-harvard-medical-school-ice-detention

‘We won’t be deterred or scared’: Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community fights for right to march in Pride
Some want to oppose ban, others are nervous, but all see it as a warning sign under Viktor Orbán’s government
Lili Rutai in Budapest
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/28/we-wont-be-deterred-or-scared-hungarys-lgbtq-community-fights-for-right-to-march-in-pride

Why the weasel testicles? Cambridge show explains medieval medicine
Exhibition aims to help visitors get inside the minds that thought mercury and roasted apples would cure lice
Nicola Davis Science correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/28/mercury-weasel-testicles-feature-uk-exhibition-medieval-medicine-curious-cases-cambridge-university-library

Raw, romantic and radical: Joan Baez’s 20 greatest songs – ranked!
With her Diamonds and Rust album turning 50, we rate the standout tracks from the American folk singer and political activist
By Alexis Petridis
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/28/raw-romantic-and-radical-joan-baez-20-greatest-songs-ranked

How to watch Saturday’s partial solar eclipse
Maddie Molloy
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmjdy10rmmo

Is it healthier to use household cleaning products – or not?
Jessica Bradley
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250327-is-it-healthier-to-use-household-cleaning-products-or-not

‘Food is a language everyone understands’: Yotam Ottolenghi on how cuisine connects people
Christopher Luu
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250327-yotam-ottolenghi-interview-influential-katty-kay

New York county clerk blocks Texas abortion telehealth suit
Kayla Epstein
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l13r9dz0go

2025.03.27

Downtown St. Paul Lunds & Byerlys closes, leaving neighborhood without grocery store
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/26/downtown-st-paul-lunds-byerlys-closes

Lawmakers consider fixing ‘loophole’ that blocked records for police chief who resigned
Ryan Raiche KSTP
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/lawmakers-consider-fixing-loophole-that-blocked-records-for-police-chief-who-resigned/

Six reported dead after Egypt tourist submarine sinks in Red Sea – latest updates
Incident took place near the popular Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada
Daniel Lavelle (now) and Tom Ambrose (earlier)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/mar/27/tourist-submarine-sinks-red-sea-egypt-hurghada-latest-news-updates

Johnny Mathis, 89, retires from performing due to ‘age and memory issues’
The US crooner, whose career stretches back to 1956, will play four more scheduled concerts but cancels remainder of 2025 run
Ben Beaumont-Thomas
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/27/johnny-mathis-89-retires-from-performing-age-memory-issues

The White Lotus ‘goes too far’: Duke University unhappy over their prominence in show
Two characters in the troubled Ratliff family are Duke alumni, but the association has displeased the US university
Sian Cain
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/27/the-white-lotus-duke-university-complaints-ratliff

Arnold Schwarzenegger reacts to Patrick’s White Lotus incest scenes
Patrick Schwarzenegger’s wild incest storyline on The White Lotus season 3 has gotten a reaction from his dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Taylor Henderson
https://www.out.com/celebs/white-lotus-patrick-schwarzenegger-incest-storyline-arnold-schwarzenegger

Kansas babysitter checking for monsters finds man hiding under bed
Police arrest suspect after sitter shocked to encounter man when trying to show child there was nothing under the bed
Guardian staff
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/27/babysitter-man-under-child-bed-kansas

‘I was surprised how common it is’: the director of Sebastian on his controversial film about an author who enters sex work
In Sebastian, a writer sells his body to provide material for his debut novel, then doesn’t give the night job up. Mikko Mäkelä explains what inspired his film – and remembers his cinematic sexual awakening
Ryan Gilbey
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/27/sebastian-author-sex-work-mikko-makela

Let’s put it in language the Signal leakers will understand: what a bunch of pathetic sleazebags
Emma Brockes
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/27/signal-leak-pathetic-sleazebags-maga-fratboy-lexicon

Yale professor who studies fascism fleeing US to work in Canada
Jason Stanley, who says grandmother fled Berlin with his father in 1939, says US may become ‘fascist dictatorship’
Rachel Leingang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/26/yale-professor-fascism-canada

The simple trick to change other people’s minds
David Robson
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250326-the-mind-changing-method-measured-in-minutes

‘I have terminal cancer and lost my life savings to whisky barrel scammers’
Carla Basu
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2r7enl3d1o

I got ma bathroom window back from Hayes Windows. Two of the panes have been broken since I moved into the house a couple of years ago. 1907 textured window glass — I figured they could never match it, so I wanted them to switch the panes so that they ‘balanced’ rather than matched. (The other company I had bid said it was ‘impossible.’)

2025.03.26

Shamelessly stolen from Andrew Ducker:
Universal Coronavirus Vaccine Breakthrough: A Single Shot That Could Protect You From COVID, MERS, and the Common Cold
By American Chemical Society
https://scitechdaily.com/universal-coronavirus-vaccine-breakthrough-a-single-shot-that-could-protect-you-from-covid-mers-and-the-common-cold/

People doing intense exercise experience time warp, study finds
Research suggests those who push themselves when working out perceive time to move more slowly
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/26/people-doing-intense-exercise-experience-time-warp-study-finds

‘The field of human ancestry is rife with racism’: pioneering project to build cancer database in Africa
Less than 2% of human genomes analysed so far have been those of Africans. Yemaachi Biotech’s Africa Cancer Atlas aims to fill the research gap
Sarah Johnson in Accra
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/mar/26/yemaachi-biotech-pioneering-genomic-cancer-atlas-research-dna-africa

Shamelessly stolen from Andrew Ducker:
Discrimination and autism: an analysis from a queer, autistic woman
By Anonymous Author
https://www.libdemvoice.org/discrimination-and-autism-an-analysis-from-a-queer-autistic-woman-77263.html

Stoner alert: Office of Cannabis Management submits rules for final approval
Brittney Ermon & Kyle Brown KSTP
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/office-of-cannabis-management-submits-rules-for-final-approval/

Minnesota’s governors’ 19th Century unrestricted power to pardon
Until 1897, Minnesota’s governors enjoyed unrestricted power to pardon, or commute the sentence of anyone convicted of a crime in state courts.
by Paul Nelson
https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/03/minnesotas-governors-19th-century-unrestricted-power-to-pardon/

Newly shared Signal messages show Trump advisers discussed Yemen attack plans
The Atlantic releases more text from chat after Trump officials claimed none of it was ‘classified information’
Chris Michael
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/26/trump-signal-leak-new-messages

What the accidentally leaked war group chat reveals about the Trump administration
Moira Donegan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/26/trump-signal-chat-middle-east-opinion

Teen member of Musk’s Doge staff provided tech support to cybercrime ring, records show
Edward Coristine, who is 19, is among members of Doge effort that has been given access to official networks
Reuters
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/26/teen-doge-staff-cybercrime-ring

Mike Johnson floats eliminating US courts as Trump faces judicial pressure
House speaker says Congress has ‘authority over federal courts’ as Republicans grow frustrated by judicial blocks
Joseph Gedeon in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/26/mike-johnson-congress-courts-trump

Iowa law banning books including 1984 and Ulysses blocked by US federal judge
Judge rules that law banning school libraries and classrooms from carrying books depicting sex acts had been applied unconstitutionally
Ella Creamer
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/26/iowa-law-banning-books-including-1984-and-ulysses-blocked-by-us-federal-judge

South Korea admits to ‘mass exporting’ children for adoption
Tessa Wong, Hosu Lee and Jean Mackenzie
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyjryv1kpgo

Window cleaner in quest to confirm priceless Shakespeare portrait
Eric Johnson & Louise Parry
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yr37nlzv8o

2025.03.25

You go to war with the clown car you have, not the clown car you might want or wish to have at a later time.
Stunning Signal leak reveals depths of Trump administration’s loathing of Europe
Andrew Roth in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/25/stunning-signal-leak-reveals-depths-of-trump-administrations-loathing-of-europe

‘They chose the billionaire’: Tim Walz returns to Minnesota as part of redemption tour
The former Democratic VP nominee’s tours around the US and vows to ‘bring revenge’ against Republicans
Rachel Leingang in Rochester, Minnesota
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/tim-walz-democrat-tour-minnesota

Nathan Lane says ‘homophobia is alive and well’ in Hollywood
In a Vanity Fair interview The Producers and The Birdcage star claimed that being an out gay actor cost him roles in his career
Andrew Pulver
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/25/nathan-lane-says-homophobia-is-alive-and-well-in-hollywood

Iron age hoard found in North Yorkshire could change Britain’s history
More than 800 objects unearthed near Melsonby show the north was ‘definitely not a backwater’ 2,000 years ago
Mark Brown North of England correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/25/iron-age-hoard-melsonby-north-yorkshire

The magical medieval tale revealed by a hi-tech camera
Donna Ferguson
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250324-the-magical-medieval-tale-revealed-by-a-100000-dollar-camera

Nasa rover discovers largest organic compounds yet found on Mars
Presence of long-chain alkanes in rock raises new questions about possible existence of life billions of years ago
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/24/nasa-curiosity-rover-mars-long-chain-alkanes-rock-sample-discovery

The image that changed our view of the Universe forever
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0l039dj/the-image-that-changed-our-view-of-the-universe-forever

Stamp fanatic professor stole 3,000 items from Scotland’s national archive
Academic who died in 1987 is thought to be responsible for documents that vanished over a 30-year period
Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/25/stamp-fanatic-professor-stole-3000-items-from-scotlands-national-archive

Callooh! Callay!
US postmaster general resigns with immediate effect
Louis DeJoy led dramatic effort to restructure the US postal service over past five years
Reuters
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/postmaster-general-louis-dejoy-resigns

Tokyo court orders dissolution of ‘Moonies’ Unification church
Assassination of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe spurred official request for closure of South Korea-based sect
Associated Press in Tokyo
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/25/tokyo-court-orders-dissolution-of-moonies-unification-church

Glasgow demolitions and a Gaza umbrella: photos of the weekend
Elena Goodinson
https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2025/mar/23/glasgow-demolitions-gaza-umbrella-photos-of-the-weekend

Most Britons do not know scale of UK’s involvement in slavery, survey finds
Vast majority unaware how many people were enslaved and for how long, although poll finds support for reparations is rising
Chris Osuh Community affairs correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/25/most-britons-do-not-know-scale-of-uks-involvement-in-slavery-survey-finds

2025.03.24

How did childcare in the US become so absurdly expensive?
Families are taking out lines of credit, working second jobs, commuting for hours and forgoing careers. It doesn’t need to be this way, experts say
Robin Buller
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/childcare-daycare-cost-absurdly-expensive

DNA testing firm 23andMe files for bankruptcy as CEO steps down
Co-founder Anne Wojcicki to pursue independent bid as California attorney general tells users to delete data
Julia Kollewe
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/24/dna-testing-firm-23andme-bankruptcy-ceo-anne-wojcicki-data

Prostate cancer surgery breakthrough offers hope for erectile function
Neurosafe procedure allows doctors to remove prostate while preserving as much nerve tissue around it as possible
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/24/prostate-cancer-surgery-erectile-function-neurosafe

‘The goal is to disassemble public health’: experts warn against US turn to vaccine skepticism
As measles sickens hundreds and health secretary RFK Jr spreads dubious information, experts sound the alarm
Jessica Glenza
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/vaccine-disinformation-trump-measles-covid

The one change that worked: I volunteered in a Paris bar – and found a whole new life in France
At first, I didn’t know my mouchoir from my torchon, but shifts at Le Bar Commun improved my French, opening up a world of opportunities
Megan Clement
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/24/one-change-paris-bar-french-opportunities

A French university is offering ‘scientific asylum’ for US talent. The brain drain has started
Alexander Hurst
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/24/french-university-scientific-asylum-american-talent-brain-drain

‘I’m not stepping down’: Chuck Schumer defies Democrats’ calls over funding bill
Party leader faces backlash over his decision to support Republican-led bill to avoid government shutdown
Maya Yang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/chuck-schumer-democrats-funding-bill

Francis Bourgeois explores Malaysia’s iconic jungle railway
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0kz9068/francis-bourgeois-explores-malaysia-s-iconic-jungle-railway

‘We use them every day’: In some parts of the US, the clack of typewriter keys can still be heard
Chris Baraniuk
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250321-the-people-who-still-use-typewriters

Pioneering trial could ‘switch off’ arthritis
Sharon Barbour
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clynp17k23po

2025.03.23

More US states report measles cases amid vaccine misinformation
Ohio, Maryland and Alabama among states to report new cases, with 378 confirmed in first few months of 2025
Melody Schreiber
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/measles-spread-vaccine-misinformation
Alabama (exposure)
Alaska
California
Florida
Georgia
Kansas
Kentucky
Maryland
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island,
Texas
Vermont
Washington

Three killed and at least 15 injured in mass shooting in New Mexico
Authorities responded on Friday to reports of gunfire at a park and have asked for videos from bystanders to aid in investigation
Maya Yang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/22/mass-shooting-new-mexico

Tribal land ruling undercuts marijuana law’s claims of undoing racial disparities
Hannah Harris Green
Chippewa member Todd Thompson sold cannabis after Minnesota legalized it, but police still seized all his merchandise
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/minnesota-tribal-land-ruling-minnesota-racial-disparities-canabis-charges

Flow review – beguiling, Oscar-winning animation is the cat’s whiskers
Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis’s enchanting eco-fable about a lone moggy in a flooded world is a triumph of imagination over budget
Wendy Ide
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/23/flow-review-gints-zilbalodis-oscar-winning-latvian-animation-eco-fable-flood

Ittsa hard, ittsa hard, ittsa hard quiz for you and me:
Trumpworld is failing this constitutional quiz. Can you pass it?
Lawrence Douglas
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/23/trump-us-constitution-quiz-satire

A great effusion of words:
Donald Trump’s imperial presidency is a throwback to a greedier, pernicious age
Simon Tisdall
His attempts to bully and exploit the weak hark back to an era when the US emulated the worst aspects of the British empire
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/22/donald-trump-peace-imperialism-ukraine-gaza

Egg prices have tripled, chicken has doubled: the cost of US inflation in 10 items
Egg prices are up 310% since 2005. But it’s not the only staple with soaring prices
Mona Chalabi
https://www.theguardian.com/business/datablog/2025/mar/22/egg-prices-us-inflation-cost

Rare Wright’s gardenia reappears in record numbers in Seychelles
Conservationists find critically endangered species thriving on Indian Ocean island of Aride
Patrick Barkham
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/22/wrights-gardenia-reappears-in-record-numbers-in-seychelles

Well! Could never happen here! Amiright?
‘Key lessons of Covid are being forgotten,’ UK scientists warn
The alarm has been raised by experts as the nation marks the fifth anniversary of the introduction of lockdown
Robin McKie Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/23/key-lessons-of-covid-are-being-forgotten-uk-scientists-warn

2025.03.22

US tourism industry faces drop-off as immigration agenda deters travellers
Westerners increasingly hesitant to travel to US out of fear of arrests and detentions as Trump enforces crackdown
Robert Tait in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/22/tourism-trump-immigration-arrests

‘The Kite Runner’ author ‘bewildered’ by book ban in St. Francis Area Schools
By Soyoung Kim
https://www.fox9.com/news/st-francis-book-policy-takes-effect

Scientists identify ‘tipping point’ that caused clumps of toxic Florida seaweed
Giant blobs along 5,000-mile-wide sargassum belt has killed animals, harmed human health and discouraged tourism
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/22/cause-toxic-seaweed-florida-sargassum

Gold has surged amid economic uncertainty. Should you buy some?
Adam Gabbatt
As Trump escalates a global trade war, looking to gold to shield cash might not be the worst option
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/22/gold-price-trump-trade-war

Female-first travel: The ultimate guide
Lindsey Galloway
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250321-female-first-travel-the-ultimate-guide