Mark Kennedy at the Associated Press is reporting Karla Sofía Gascón, the Oscar-nominated trans actor and star of the movie “Emilia Pérez,” is apologizing for her old posts on social media that denigrated Islam and that called George Floyd “a drug addict and a hustler.” Via MinnPost https://apnews.com/article/karla-sofia-gascon-apology-emilia-perez-16141014a6708add9e049fe2b6526110

Strike averted at Costco as Teamsters reach a tentative deal Some 18,000 employees across the country were poised to walk out after union negotiations stalled Michael Sainato https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/01/costco-workers-strike

Support letter for RFK Jr’s confirmation includes signatures of doctors with suspended or revoked licenses Meant to lend credibility to his nomination to head HHS, the letter is signed by some doctors disciplined for not following Covid guidelines Via AP https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/01/rfk-jr-support-letter-doctors

DeepSeek, ChatGPT, Grok … which is the best AI assistant? We put them to the test Chatbots we tested can write a mean sonnet and struggled with images of clocks, but vary in willingness to talk politics Dan Milmo Global technology editor https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/01/deepseek-chatgpt-grok-gemini-claude-meta-ai-which-is-the-best-ai-assistant-we-put-them-to-the-test

Bullets and blues: Louis Armstrong’s difficult upbringing revealed after discovery of family police records A new book reveals the jazz musician’s mother and sister were arrested several times for prostitution in New Orleans Dalya Alberge https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/01/bullets-and-blues-louis-armstrongs-difficult-upbringing-revealed-after-discovery-of-family-police-records

Declutter, add a flat sheet and turn down the heat: Hoteliers reveal how to get the best night’s sleep…at home Hospitality experts, sleep consultants and interior designers share their tips for creating dream conditions in your bedroom Lucy Pavia https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/01/declutter-add-a-flat-sheet-and-turn-down-the-heat-hoteliers-reveal-how-to-get-the-best-nights-sleepat-home

Huldufólk: Iceland’s mythical world of hidden people Video by David Godi https://bbc.com/reel/video/p0f5xqv0/hulduf-lk-iceland-s-mythical-world-of-hidden-people

Not the usual dog bites man story: Queensland man attacked by ‘massive’ kangaroo estimated to be 2m tall and weigh 100kg Authorities say the quick actions of his neighbour helped save the man’s life after he suffered serious injuries Sharlotte Thou https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/30/queensland-kangaroo-attack-willows-near-rockhampton

I taught rats to drive a car, and it may help us lead happier lives Kelly Lambert https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241128-i-taught-rats-to-drive-a-car-and-it-may-help-us-lead-happier-lives

Another thing Baby^TM Hitler can blame Biden for: Asteroid triggers global defence plan amid chance of collision with Earth in 2032 Hundred-metre wide asteroid rises to top of impact risk lists after being spotted in December by automated telescope Ian Sample Science editor https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/30/asteroid-spotted-chance-colliding-with-earth-2032

I think it’s amazing that an elderly man like Chuck Grassley can give Kash Patel a BJ in the Senate with the whole world watching, though some might just call it an ass-kissing.

Alicia Eler at the Star Tribune reports: “Experts in New York … may have discovered a previously unknown Vincent van Gogh portrait of a fisherman. … the painting first surfaced a few years ago at a garage sale in Minnesota and was sold to an antiques collector for less than $50.” Via MinnPost

Two Feeding Our Future defendants plea guilty as trial approaches Brothers Abdulkadir Nur Salah and Abdi Salah admit to stealing a few million dollars in federal money earmarked to feed underprivileged children. by Joey Peters https://sahanjournal.com/public-safety/feeding-our-future-guilty-plea-aimee-bock-trial/

Stage adaptation of Coraline cancelled after allegations against Neil Gaiman Producers say it is ‘impossible to continue’ with musical that was due to be staged at Leeds Playhouse from April Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jan/29/stage-adaptation-of-coraline-cancelled-after-allegations-against-neil-gaiman

Minnesota Pride group raises $50,000 after dropping Target as a sponsor Non-profit that organizes annual Minneapolis festival cut ties with retailer after 18 years after it drops DEI policies Lauren Aratani https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/29/minnesota-twin-cities-pride-target-sponsor

It’s too bad we don’t do medical research no more! ‘Groundbreaking’: scientists develop patch that can repair damaged hearts Cells taken from blood and ‘reprogrammed’ into heart muscle cells may help patients with heart failure Nicola Davis Science correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/29/scientists-develop-patch-repair-damage-heart-failure

Watch: Shetland skies set alight in Europe’s largest fire festival
https://bbc.com/news/videos/czrl1yn3032o

‘We see young Philippa return to her home village, exhausted after countless rounds of brutal fighting, tasked now with severing her personal attachments, which she succeeds at by giving her family a painful, slow death by infodump.’
http://www.nerds-feather.com/2025/01/what-hell-star-trek.html?m=1

I’ve heard that US AI firms are accusing Chinese DeepSeek AI of stealing their stolen, err, purloined IP for training.

Happy New Year! BBC weather presenter Sabrina Lee explains what Lunar New Year is and why many people around the world will be celebrating it. https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/ce8j08q95e7o

New documents shed light on police killing of Georgia ‘Cop City’ activist
Records obtained by Guardian give details about events leading to death of Manuel Paez Terán, shot dead in 2023
Timothy Pratt in Atlanta, Georgia
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/28/georgia-cop-city-killing

Oh dear! Experts urge caution over use of Chinese AI DeepSeek Oxford professor advises against putting private data on platform in case it could be shared with Chinese state Robert Booth and Dan Milmo https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/28/experts-urge-caution-over-use-of-chinese-ai-deepseek

Pardoned January 6 rioter faces unresolved charges of soliciting a minor Andrew Taake, 36, assailed police with bear spray at the US Capitol and in 2016 was charged with a third-degree felony Ramon Antonio Vargas https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/28/jan-6-rioter-pardon-andrew-taake

January 6 rioter pardoned by Trump is killed by police in traffic stop Indiana state police say Matthew Huttle, who was given six months in prison, was shot after allegedly resisting arrest Rachel Leingang https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/27/jan-6-pardon-police-killing-matthew-huttle

Merchants of Venice: 10 of the city’s most beautiful historic shops From an elegant apothercary to a jewellers in a baroque salon, these stores all have atmospheric interiors and a history of exquisite craftsmanship John Brunton https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jan/28/10-of-the-most-beautiful-historic-shops-in-venice

Well! There goes the youngin market! Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok, Trump claims US president says he would like to see a bidding war over app, owned by China’s ByteDance, that has been focus of national security concerns https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/28/donald-trump-microsoft-tiktok-purchase-claims

Europe live with Jakub Krupa, Denmark Mona Lisa to be moved as part of ‘redesigned, enlarged Louvre’, Macron says – Europe live French president says world’s most famous portrait will get its own room in the Louvre https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jan/28/denmark-greenland-mette-frederiksen-donald-trump-europe-latest-live-news?CMP=share_btn_url

Ancient British coins found in Dutch field likely to be spoils of Roman conquest Archaeologists hail discovery of very rare hoard featuring 44 gold coins bearing name of Celtic king Cunobelinus Daniel Boffey Chief reporter https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/27/hoard-of-coins-dating-from-roman-conquest-of-britain-found-near-utrecht

Georgina Hayden’s recipe for a herby, crispy rice, shallot and lemongrass salad Crunchy, caramelised rice, coriander and mint in a tangy chilli oil dressing Georgina Hayden https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/jan/28/herby-crispy-rice-shallot-lemongrass-salad-recipe-georgina-hayden

Welcome to the 2nd reign of Herr Trump. Two teapot tempests every morning, and several more in the after.

The Star Tribune’s Eva Herscowitz reports: “Twin Cities Pride has decided to exclude Target from its annual festival and parade after the retailer’s decision to scale back diversity initiatives.” Via MinnPost
https://www.minnpost.com/glean/2025/01/target-bans-dei-twin-cities-pride-bans-target/

Jay Kolls at KSTP reports: “The old Speedway convenience store, now called ‘The People’s Way’ at the corner of 38th and Chicago at George Floyd Square, now has four private groups bidding to purchase the property.” via MinnPost https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/4-private-groups-bid-on-former-speedway-property-in-george-floyd-square/

Global tech shares fall as China AI chatbot DeepSeek spooks investors Chinese startup’s $6m product raises doubts about sustainability of western artificial intelligence boom Dan Milmo, Amy Hawkins and Julia Kollewe https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/27/tech-shares-asia-europe-fall-china-ai-deepseek

Neil Gaiman dropped by US comics publisher after sexual misconduct allegations Dark Horse Comics has cancelled the Anansi Boys series after seven issues, following accusations of misconduct made against the author by multiple women Ella Creamer https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jan/27/neil-gaiman-dropped-dark-horse-comics-publisher

Trump wants to reverse America’s decline. Good luck Samuel Moyn Trump and his supporters would like to buck the tide of history, but they could end up pulled further into it, and have no way to stop it https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/27/trump-wants-to-reverse-americas-decline-good-luck

Are government workers going to stand up to Trump? Judith Levine If they capitulate to Maga, the government folds, and we all go down with it https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/27/government-workers-trump

Interview ‘Our job is to be truthful not neutral’: Christiane Amanpour on Trump, tech and fighting for the truth Tim Adams https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jan/26/our-job-is-to-be-truthful-not-neutral-christiane-amanpour-on-trump-tech-and-and-fighting-for-the-truth

Bill to reinterpret founding treaty with Māori would make New Zealand a ‘laughing stock’, MPs told Introduced to parliament by a minor coalition party, the treaty principles bill seeks to abandon a set of principles that guide the relationship between Māori and ruling authorities Eva Corlett in Wellington https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/27/new-zealand-treaty-principles-bill-maori-relationship-british-crown

New Zealand eases visa rules for ‘digital nomads’ to boost tourismSeher Asaf and Kathryn Armstrong https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2k7xvk2vvo

Brittney Ermon and Ben Henry at KSTP are reporting the plans for George Floyd Square are on hold yet again after the Minneapolis Climate and Infrastructure Committee decided to hold off on voting on a design plan. Via MinnPost https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/5-years-after-murder-future-of-george-floyd-square-on-hold-again/

ARTS & CULTURE Warm up your weekend at Great Northern, Lunar New Year celebrations The 10-day winter festival includes the screening of a Prince film, saunas and more. Plus: Podcaster Celisia Stanton holds a launch party for “Truer Crime” Season 2; and Year of the Snake events across the Twin Cities. https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/twin-cities-things-to-do-great-northern-crime-podcast-lunar-new-year/

The oil crisis fuelled by Russia’s war is evaporating – and so are the profits Jillian Ambrose Results from Shell and Exxon this week will be weaker – and Trump’s desire to drill may result in oversupply https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/25/the-oil-crisis-fuelled-by-russias-war-is-evaporating-and-so-are-the-profits

Diamonds lose their sparkle as prices come crashing down Lab-grown rocks and fewer weddings have put a huge dampener on the market. On the bright side, a big dazzler is now affordable for many James Tapper https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/25/diamonds-lose-their-sparkle-as-prices-come-crashing-down

Carl Bloch’s lost masterpiece Prometheus Unbound finds fame again in Athens Work that made its creator a superstar then mysteriously disappeared is mesmerising art lovers once more Helena Smith in Athens https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/25/carl-bloch-lost-masterpiece-prometheus-unbound-finds-fame-again-in-athens

Free ebooks today “Welcome to our first Queer Your eReader event! Queer authors have generously made their books available for free for 24 hours on 25th January, 2025 – there’s a great selection of books below in Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi and Romance. All listings contain the blurb for the book, details of representation and content warnings, as provided by the authors.” https://divinationhollow.com/queer-your-ereader

Guinness boom prompts owner Diageo to consider sale or spin-off Stout, which has become fashionable with gen Z drinkers, likely to be valued at more than £8bn Zoe Wood https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/24/guinness-diageo-sale-spin-off

KARE 11’s David Griswold reports: “The James Beard Foundation announced its semifinalists on Wednesday, and it includes six local chefs and five local restaurants.” via MinnPost https://www.kare11.com/article/entertainment/dining/food-drink/6-chefs-5-restaurants-minnesota-james-beard-semifinalists/89-ae9418a3-e3e7-4f84-82ba-440c1d8677fb

Matt Sepic at MPR News reports: “An organization that represents police across Minnesota is suing the state for releasing private information about undercover officers.” via MinnPost https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/01/22/police-group-sues-state-over-release-of-undercover-officers-names

Seven Texas police officers shot while responding to ‘suicide in progress’ call
Suspect later found dead inside an apartment after standoff, says San Antonio police chief
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/23/stone-oak-san-antonio-texas-police-officers

Trump’s executive order on gender uses language pointing to ‘fetal personhood’ Words ‘at conception’ in order gesture to push by anti-abortion movement to give embryos and fetuses legal rights Carter Sherman https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/23/trump-executive-order-fetal-personhood

Republicans reportedly ready to cut Medicaid funding to pay for Trump plans
House and Senate Republicans float ideas to pay for Trump’s immigration crackdown and to fund tax cuts
Adam Gabbatt
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/23/republicans-medicaid-funding-trump

Revealed: Microsoft deepened ties with Israeli military to provide tech support during Gaza war Leaked documents shed light on how Israel integrated the US tech giant into its war effort to meet growing demand for cloud and AI tools Harry Davies and Yuval Abraham in Jerusalem https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/23/israeli-military-gaza-war-microsoft

Storm Éowyn: Scottish parliament and hundreds of schools to close in UK Rare red weather alert issued as storm forecast to bring gusts of up to 100mph, with ‘extreme risk to life’ warning in Ireland https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/23/storm-eowyn-red-weather-warning

How Scandinavian dressing can make us happier Faran Krentcil https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250121-how-scandinavian-dressing-can-make-us-happier

Swede dreams: How Sweden is embracing its sleepy side Lizzie Enfield https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250113-how-sweden-is-embracing-its-sleepy-side

Sundance 2025: the 10 films not to miss at this year’s festival From a Jennifer Lopez musical to an Ayo Edebiri horror to a provocative prison documentary, this year’s Utah-based festival has plenty to be excited about Benjamin Lee https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/23/sundance-2025-movies-watch

Oscars nominations 2025: Emilia Pérez breaks record with 13 as The Brutalist and Wicked both trail with 10
Oscars nominations 2025: the full list
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/23/oscars-nominations-2025-the-full-list
Jacques Audiard’s trans musical beats record for most nominations by a film not in the English language
Star Karla Sofía Gascón becomes first out trans actor up for an Oscar
Snubs for Pamela Anderson, Denzel Washington, Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie
Catherine Shoard
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/23/oscars-nominations-2025-emilia-perez-breaks-record-with-13-as-the-brutalist-and-wicked-both-trail-with-10