Author Archives: Larry Sanderson

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

2025.03.21

A scholar and a hater: new podcast focuses on historical figures that suck
Claire Aubin’s podcast This Guy Sucked explores the viler actions of ‘great men’ for a more holistic view of history
Alaina Demopoulos
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/mar/21/this-guy-sucked-podcast-claire-aubin

Big stars, little shine: is anyone actually watching Apple TV+ shows?
The service might boast A-listers like Natalie Portman and Colin Farrell but in a competitive streaming landscape, it’s struggling to be heard
Stuart Heritage
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/21/apple-show-audience

Experience: I’m allergic to nearly everything
You name it, I can’t be near it. Even kissing my boyfriend is risky
Caroline Cray
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/21/experience-im-allergic-to-nearly-everything

Interview
‘Emotions? They’re no big thing, man!’ Jeff Bridges on satisfaction, silver linings – and his secret life in music
Laura Barton
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/21/emotions-theyre-no-big-thing-man-jeff-bridges-on-satisfaction-silver-linings-and-his-secret-life-in-music

Politics have changed but the Democrats haven’t – they are old and out of touch
Moira Donegan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/21/politics-have-changed-but-the-democrats-havent-they-are-old-and-out-of-touch

Winston Churchill’s grandson reveals he was abused at prep school
CBI chair Rupert Soames tells podcast he is ‘completely unembarrassed’ about abuse that occurred in early life
Alexandra Topping
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/21/winston-churchill-grandson-rupert-soames-prep-school-abuse

Ex-Abercrombie boss now facing abuse claims from 40 men
Rianna Croxford
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8vmy56yero

Dark Energy experiment challenges Einstein’s theory of Universe
Pallab Ghosh
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4geldjjge0o

2025.03.20

The Pioneer Press’ Steve Karnowski reports: “A jury found the alleged ringleader of a massive pandemic fraud case in Minnesota guilty on all counts Wednesday for her role in a scheme that federal prosecutors say stole $250 million from a program meant to feed children in need.” Via MinnPost

Ah, spring and the sweet smell of stadium subsidies in the open air:
Frederick Melo at the Pioneer Press reports: “Calling the home of the Minnesota Wild vital to the future of its downtown, the city of St. Paul will ask state lawmakers to cover half the cost of what’s being pitched as a $769 million, top-to-bottom renovation of the Xcel Energy Center and St. Paul RiverCentre, with the hockey team covering 30% and St. Paul splitting the remaining 20% of the price with Ramsey County.”

Where do swear words come from?

Where do swear words come from?

Don’t call it zombie deer disease’: scientists warn of ‘global crisis’ as infections spread across the US
A contagious, fatal illness in deer, elk and moose has taken hold in the US and is now reaching other countries. While it has not infected humans yet, the risk is growing
Todd Wilkinson in Yellowstone national park, US
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/20/chronic-wasting-disease-spread-zombie-deer-global-us-aoe

Dark energy: mysterious cosmic force appears to be weakening, say scientists
Findings could open up possibility the universe will end in a reverse big bang or ‘big crunch’, say cosmologists
Hannah Devlin Science correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/19/dark-energy-mysterious-cosmic-force-weakening-universe-expansion

‘It’s beautiful, don’t you think?’ The urban miners unearthing treasure in Belgium’s homes and garages
As the historic town of Leuven strives to become carbon neutral, it is transforming how its building are made – and demolished. Are there lessons for the rest of the world?
Oliver Balch
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/19/its-beautiful-dont-you-think-the-urban-miners-unearthing-treasure-in-belgiums-homes-and-garages

Tesla’s challenges run deeper than ‘toxic’ controversy around Elon Musk
Theo Leggett
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz61vwjel2zo

Financial Times Analysis: $1.4 Billion of Tesla Assets “Appear to have gone astray”
by Citizen Earth
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/19/2311341/-Financial-Times-Analysis-1-4-Billion-of-Tesla-Assets-Appear-to-have-gone-astray?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web

‘The melodramatic penis’: How The White Lotus reveals the hidden codes of male nudity on screen
Laura Martin
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250319-why-on-screen-male-nudity-is-still-rare-and-taboo

A local expert’s guide to seeing the most beautiful tulips in the Netherlands
Eva Sandoval
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240330-a-local-experts-guide-to-seeing-the-most-beautiful-tulips-in-the-netherlands

At Squirrel Haus Arts donated space: Karen E.Cooper, author, historian and Friends member, will present a free talk sponsored by Friends of Minnehaha Park.
More Famous than Niagara:
Minnehaha Falls in the 1850s
Thursday, March 20
6:00pm—7:30pm
Squirrel Haus Arts
3450 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis
https://www.squirrelhausarts.com/events

2025.03.19

Alex Derosier at the Pioneer Press reports: “Minnesota Republicans are calling for the resignation of a state senator police arrested Monday on suspicion of seeking sex from someone he believed was a minor.” Via MinnPost

George Orwell and me: Richard Blair on life with his extraordinary father
Simon Hattenstone
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/19/george-orwell-me-richard-blair-life-with-extraordinary-father

Sponsors drop San Francisco Pride as festival decries ‘rights backtracking’
Comcast, Anheuser-Busch and others cancel funding as US becomes increasingly hostile toward LGBTQ+ communities
Dani Anguiano
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/anheuser-busch-coors-pull-sponsorship-san-francisco-pride

Scientists hail ‘avalanche of discoveries’ from Euclid space telescope
Data from European Space Agency’s mission has allowed researchers to create detailed catalogue of 380,000 galaxies
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/19/scientists-hail-avalanche-discoveries-euclid-space-telescope

Nasa releases first high-def images of sunset on the moon
Scientists eager to examine images to research phenomenon known as lunar horizon glow, first documented in 1972
Richard Luscombe
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/18/nasa-images-sunset-on-moon

Fancy a Belgian city break without the crowds of Ghent or Bruges? Mechelen might be the answer
The majestic Flemish city is dotted with renaissance palaces, great bars and eye-catching contemporary art – yet it’s firmly off the tourist trail
John Brunton
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/19/belgium-city-break-ghent-bruges-mechelen

Piper, no! Parker Posey’s viral White Lotus accent is a gift to us all
The actor’s lorazepam-fueled North Carolinian line delivery in the comedy drama series has taken the internet by storm
Stuart Heritage
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/18/parker-posey-accent-white-lotus

Resurrection plants: The drought-resistant ‘zombie plants’ that come back from the dead
Alex Riley
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250318-resurrection-plants-the-drought-resistant-zombie-plants-that-come-back-from-the-dead

Ben & Jerry’s boss ‘ousted over political activism’
João da Silva
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg8pk9rpx4o

2025.03.18

Well! Eero support asked me to install their app on a second phone to check an issue. Then they emailed me to ask how I was doing on that. Today, I emailed that I was waiting for them to send me a phone. Stay tuned.

So yesterday the guy from Hayes Windows showed up to do some work I set up last year. The window in the sunroom which I have not rehung in the couple of years since I moved into the house, is now hung. The bathroom pocket window, which has been broken since I moved into the house a couple of years ago is on its way to have two panes replaced and one pane moved for esthetics. Along with it went one large lower broken window from a bedroom, and the wooden storm window from the lower stair pocket window, which was not in good shape the last time I put it in after I bought the house a couple of years ago. (Why have time and weather not healed it?) Of course, snow is predicted for tomorrow.
https://hayeswindows.com/

Ya think?
The Star Tribune’s Deena Winter and Jeff Day report: “The city of Minneapolis withdrew its request that a controversial pastor’s nonprofit get a nearly $650,000 violence prevention contract on the same day two violence interrupters who have worked for the pastor were charged with multiple felonies in a shootout after a community barbecue last week.” Via MinnPost

Wait for it:
The Pioneer Press’ Steve Karnowski reports: “A federal judge dismissed the charges Monday against a Minnesota man accused of hiding a stolen pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in the 1939 musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’ after prosecutors informed the court that he died on Sunday.” Via MinnPost

Gold hits record high over $3,000 amid rising geopolitical tensions; Thames Water receives six takeover offers – business live
https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2025/mar/18/gold-hits-record-high-over-3000-geopolitical-tensions-weakening-us-dollar-oil-stock-markets-inflation-business-live-news?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-67d917018f08d273c01e5858#block-67d917018f08d273c01e5858

‘It’s back to drug rationing’: the end of HIV was in sight. Then came the cuts
The abrupt halt to US funding threatens to undo decades of advances, dramatically increasing infections and deaths, but some see an opportunity for Africa to lead the response
Kat Lay, Global health correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/mar/18/global-health-trump-usaid-cuts-hiv-aids-2030-drugs-vaccine-research-africa

Why is Gavin Newsom handing Steve Bannon a megaphone? It’s becoming clear
Margaret Sullivan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/17/gavin-newsom-steve-bannon-podcast

Harvard offers free tuition to students from families earning under $200,000
Ivy League school is latest US university to make step with aim to make it affordable to ‘more students than ever’
Marina Dunbar
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/mar/17/harvard-free-tuition

​How a tiny village in a deserted part of Spain became a centre for gay weddings
A couple of hours’ drive from Madrid, Campillo de Ranas has played a huge role in promoting same-sex marriage – and revived the fortunes of the ‘black villages’ of Guadalajara
Paul Richardson
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/18/how-a-tiny-village-in-a-deserted-part-of-spain-became-a-centre-for-gay-weddings

‘A very deep bond of friendship’: The surprising story of Van Gogh’s guardian angel
Deborah Nicholls-Lee
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250317-the-surprising-story-of-van-goghs-guardian-angel

How sex with Neanderthals changed us forever
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0kytlx7/how-sex-with-neanderthals-changed-us-forever

The Matrix film producer files for bankruptcy
João da Silva
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgwzp2jpneo

2025.03.17

How, err, convenient?
Jeff Wald at FOX 9 reports: “Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management licensing website shut down at 9 p.m. on Friday, leaving business applicants scrambling to complete the process by the 11:59 p.m. deadline.” Via MinnPost
https://www.fox9.com/news/mn-cannabis-licensing-down-hours-before-deadline

Happy trails, Peter Callaghan, your Minnesota legacy lives on
State government reporter Peter Callaghan ended his time at MinnPost on Friday after more than 10 years.
by Elizabeth Dunbar
https://www.minnpost.com/inside-minnpost/2025/03/happy-trails-peter-callaghan-your-minnesota-legacy-lives-on/

Let the heavy avalanche of sternly worded letter begin!
Democrats demand investigation into Musk over possible criminal corruption
Leading figures urge Pam Bondi to examine ‘Mr Musk’s activities at the FAA’ amid conflict-of-interest concerns
Martin Pengelly in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/17/democrats-elon-musk-investigation

A missile here, a missile there, pretty soon we’re talking WWIII.
Japan to deploy long-range missiles able to hit North Korea and China
Planned missiles on Kyushu said to be part of ‘counterstrike capabilities’, as fears grow over US security pact
Gavin Blair in Tokyo
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/17/japan-long-range-missiles-north-korea-china-us-security-pact

From sewage and scum to swimming in ‘blue gold’: how Switzerland transformed its rivers
In the 1960s, the Swiss had some of the dirtiest water in Europe. Now, their cities boast pristine rivers and lakes – and other countries are looking to follow their lead
Phoebe Weston in Geneva
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/17/from-sewage-and-scum-to-swimming-in-blue-gold-how-switzerland-transformed-its-waterways-aoe

‘All the birds returned’: How a Chinese project led the way in water and soil conservation
The Loess plateau was the most eroded place on Earth until China took action and reversed decades of damage from grazing and farming
By Helen Davidson
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/14/how-china-led-way-water-soil-conservation

Bad Art Expert! Bad! Bad! Bad!
The art expert did it: LGG Ramsey revealed as 1951 thief of Van Dyck painting
Exclusive: How one historian’s investigative work led to artwork finally being returned to ‘English Versailles’
Dalya Alberge
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/mar/17/art-expert-did-it-lgg-ramsey-revealed-1951-thief-van-dyck-painting

Avoid the White Lotus effect: Thailand travel without the tourists
The country is no stranger to pop-culture fuelled overtourism. But behind the scenes there are islands, wild places and temples to explore
Eloise Basuki
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/17/white-lotus-filming-location-setting-koh-samui-four-seasons

Ittsa chewing gum and a floor wax!
The explosive potential of custard powder
Veronique Greenwood
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250313-the-explosive-potential-of-custard-powder

May your green beer look half as fine coming up as it did going down:
Dublin goes green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Kevin Sharkey
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwygjq5jv93o

2025.03.16

Russell T Davies: gay society in ‘greatest danger I’ve ever seen’ after Trump win
Exclusive: Doctor Who writer says he feels ‘a wave of anger heading towards us’ and hostility in UK as well as US
Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/16/russell-t-davies-gay-society-greatest-danger-ever-seen-trump

Back to cash: life without money in your pocket is not the utopia Sweden hoped
Miranda Bryant
Nordic countries were early adopters of digital payments. Now, electronic banking is seen as a potential threat to national security
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/16/sweden-cash-digital-payments-electronic-banking-security

Rocks and racism? How geologists created and perpetuated a narrative of prejudice
Kathryn Yusoff sparked a culture war with her latest book, suggesting slavery and white supremacy informed the work of geology’s founding fathers. Here, she and other experts suggest that attitudes have changed little since
Miriam Frankel
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/16/rocks-and-racism-how-geologists-created-and-perpetuated-a-narrative-of-prejudice

Unearthed notebooks shed light on Victorian genius who inspired Einstein
Michael Faraday’s illustrated notes that show how radical scientist began his theories at London’s Royal Institution to go online
Donna Ferguson
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/15/notebooks-michael-faraday-victorian-scientist-einstein

They had a fairytale American childhood – but was radiation slowly killing them?
Sophie Williams
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2e7011n03vo

The ancient drink serving the world for 13,000 years
Scientists have found evidence of ancient beer production from different kinds of crops all over the world.
From our modern point of view, beer might just be a mind-altering beverage. But in fact, it has played a significant part in human life since near the dawn of civilisation.
Video by Pierangelo Pirak
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p09h36ld/the-ancient-drink-serving-the-world-for-13-000-years

The fascinating history of the f-word
It’s one of the most versatile words in the English language, but where does it come from? Lexicographer, etymologist and broadcaster Susie Dent activates the f-bomb and takes us on a journey through time.
Animation by Adrian Hartrick and Dominika Ozynska
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p08fy0xs/the-fascinating-history-of-the-f-word

How Covid-19 changed the way we die
The pandemic forced many people in England and Wales to reflect how they might die with dignity, and the numbers of those wanting to die at home is on the rise
Harriet Sherwood, Pamela Duncan and Matthew Pearce with graphics by Tural Ahmedzade
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/16/how-covid-19-changed-way-we-die-england-wales

Demon-child movie wows China – and smashes global box office records
Virtually unknown in the west, Ne Zha 2 is the world’s highest-grossing animation at £1.6bn – outdoing Inside Out 2 – just weeks after its release
Amy Hawkins Beijing
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/16/ne-zha-2-animation-chinese-box-office-inside-out-2

‘I’ve always felt a little neurospicy. But it’s my factory setting!’ Natasha Rothwell on taking The White Lotus by storm
Michael Hogan
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/15/ive-always-felt-a-little-neurospicy-but-its-my-factory-setting-natasha-rothwell-on-taking-the-white-lotus-by-storm

2025.03.15

Minneapolis set a record Friday (75 degrees, fondly Fahrenheit or ~24 C for the rest of you). Of course, snow is forecast, but it ain’t here yet.

‘Brain pacemakers’: implants to be tested to help alcohol and opioid addicts
Trial will determine whether electrical pulses can control and decrease yearnings
Robin McKie, Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/15/brain-implants-alcohol-opioid-addicts-trial

‘Spreadsheets of empire’: red tape goes back 4,000 years, say scientists after Iraq finds
Ancient Mesopotamian stone tablets show extraordinary detail and reach of government in cradle of world civilisations
Dalya Alberge
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/15/stone-tablets-mesopotamia-iraq-red-tape-bureaucracy

‘They’re on. They’re off. We can’t plan’ – bourbon makers dazed by Trump tariffs
The president’s chaotic policy on import duties makes planning impossible, says the CEO of a Kentucky distillery – and state Republicans are unhappy, too
Callum Jones in Louisville, Kentucky
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/15/bourbon-makers-trump-tariffs

Baby wombat-snatching US influencer apologises and says she was ‘concerned’ for Australian animal
Sam Jones, who left Australia on Friday, posted a 900-word statement questioning outrage in country where ‘slaughter of wombats’ is permitted
Nino Bucci
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/15/baby-wombat-snatching-us-influencer-apologises-and-says-she-was-concerned-for-australian-animal-ntwnfb

How a New Zealander working from her mum’s kitchen started a news service read by Madonna
The success of Shit You Should Care About has been down to Lucy Blakiston’s focus on social media at a time where news avoidance is growing
Eva Corlett in Wellington
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/mar/15/shit-you-should-care-about-lucy-blakiston-media

Clothes brand gets 100 complaints a day that models are ‘too fat’
Jennifer Meierhans
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2xjd41g33o

Trump is coming for your poppers: Major producer closes amid FDA crackdown
Several other companies seem to have followed suit.
By Mey Rude
https://www.out.com/news/poppers-fda-crackdown-double-scorpio

U of M Regents Pass Resolution Gagging Faculty
Plus the Wolves basketball boss, weird weed rulings, and don’t drive like a dumbass in today’s Flyover news roundup.
By Racket Staff
https://racketmn.com/university-of-minnesota-regents-pass-resolution-gagging-faculty-speech

Meera Sodha’s vegan recipe for Lebanese moussaka with five-garlic-clove sauce
The Lebanese take on moussaka is a simple vegetable stew of aubergines, chickpeas, spices and herbs, here spruced up with a lively garlic sauce
Meera Sodha
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/mar/15/lebanese-moussaka-five-garlic-clove-sauce-recipe-meera-sodha

Wallace and Gromit on the couch:

Animators React to Wallace and Gromit!