Bookmarks for 2026-01-24T19:41:59.552Z

Kaizen D. Asiedu on X: "White People Didn't Invent Slavery. The West Ended It. " / X Added: Jan 24, 2026

Site: X (formerly Twitter)
Elon Musk on X: "Davos discussion" / X Added: Jan 24, 2026

Site: X (formerly Twitter)
Bill Maher Labels NYC Mayor Mamdani a 'Straight-Up Communist' / X Added: Jan 24, 2026

Site: X (formerly Twitter)
Vigilant Fox 🦊 on X: "Bill Maher exposes Zohran Mamdani as a “straight-up communist” with damning words from his own advisor. These are real statements from Mamdani’s tenant advocate, Cea Weaver: • “If you don’t believe in the government’s sacred right to seize private property, it’s over.” • https://t.co/pPhaTKXK2U" / X Added: Jan 24, 2026

Site: X (formerly Twitter)
Thomas Sowell Quotes on X: "Bill Maher: "Democrats seem to be having this debate, whether or not Mayor Mamdani is a socialist or a democratic socialist. Let me settle it. He's a straight-up communist. How do I know this? Well, I'm reading between the lines…" https://t.co/9ahskaz8iY" / X Added: Jan 24, 2026

Site: X (formerly Twitter)
Kekius Maximus on X: "I’m 54, a physicist, have spent decades using mathematics to study the universe, solve problems, and build things. If your work touches numbers, now or in the future, and you want to learn math properly, this thread shows a from-the-ground-up math you’ll actually need:" / X Added: Jan 24, 2026

Site: X (formerly Twitter)
X Freeze on X: "Elon Musk: The single biggest thing you can do to lift people out of poverty is giving them an internet connection We can provide low-cost, high-bandwidth internet to parts of the world that don't have it, or where it’s very expensive I think the single biggest thing you can do https://t.co/1xiTmXiP5n" / X Added: Jan 24, 2026

Site: X (formerly Twitter)
Elon Musk Is So Unlikable That His Feud With Random Airline Is Doing Wonders for Sales, Says CEO Added: Jan 24, 2026

Elon Musk Is So Unlikable That His Feud With Random Airline Is Doing Wonders for Sales, Says CEO

Site: Futurism

The CEO of Ryanair Michael O'Leary thanked Elon Musk for railing against the airline, claiming it's brought in more bookings.
Elon Musk Says His Optimus Robot Is So Dope That People Will Forget Tesla Ever Made Cars Added: Jan 24, 2026

Elon Musk Says His Optimus Robot Is So Dope That People Will Forget Tesla Ever Made Cars

Site: Futurism

Tesla CEO Elon Musk suggested Tesla is ready to move on from the EV and is looking to capitalize on the next big hype cycle.
One of the Lawfare Cases Against Trump | Robert Costello - YouTube Added: Jan 24, 2026

One of the Lawfare Cases Against Trump | Robert Costello

Site: YouTube

Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of Pod Force One: https://www.youtube.com/@PodForce1Watch full clips of Pod Force One with Miranda D...
Megyn Kelly Laughs at Patti LuPone's Latest MELTDOWN: "Terrifying and Terrified At The Same Time" - YouTube Added: Jan 24, 2026

Megyn Kelly Laughs at Patti LuPone's Latest MELTDOWN: "Terrifying and Terrified At The Same Time"

Site: YouTube

Megyn Kelly Laughs at Patti LuPone's Latest MELTDOWN: "Terrifying and Terrified At The Same Time"LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos everyday: https://bit.ly/3Aw...
DOJ Promises MORE Arrests Over Church Stunt, w/ Harmeet Dhillon, & Bombshell New Blake Lively Texts - YouTube Added: Jan 24, 2026

DOJ Promises MORE Arrests Over Church Stunt, w/ Harmeet Dhillon, & Bombshell New Blake Lively Texts

Site: YouTube

Megyn Kelly is joined by Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General For Civil Rights, to discuss all the reasons Don Lemon committed a crime and the DOJ wil...
Florida hospital fires nurse over profane post on Karoline Leavitt's pregnancy Added: Jan 24, 2026

Florida hospital fires nurse over profane post on Leavitt’s pregnancy

Site: The Hill

A nurse at a South Florida hospital has been fired for a social media post in which she appeared to make profane remarks about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s pregnancy. A spokespers…

A nurse at a South Florida hospital has been fired for a social media post in which she appeared to make profane remarks about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s pregnancy. A spokesperson for Baptist Health South Florida confirmed in a Friday statement that a nurse at one of its facilities had been terminated for inappropriate comments. “The comments made in a social media video by a nurse at one of our facilities do not reflect our values or the standards we expect of healthcare professionals,” the statement read. “Following a prompt review, the individual is no longer employed by our health system.” “While we respect the right to personal opinions, there is no place in healthcare for language or behavior that calls into question a caregiver’s ability to provide compassionate, unbiased care. We are committed to an environment that promotes trust, professionalism, and respect for all,” the statement concluded. The nurse was identified as Lexie Lawler, a labor and delivery nurse at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, according to reports from Fox News and local outlet CBS12. Lawler allegedly posted a TikTok, which has since been deleted, in which she said: “As a labor and delivery nurse, it gives me great joy to wish Karoline Leavitt a fourth-degree tear.” Her account no longer appears active. She also made a graphic statement wishing for Leavitt to have an injury from her pregnancy while calling her a four-letter word, according to screen recordings shared on social media. A conservative commentary account on the social platform X, Libs of TikTok, shared the video alongside the caption: “This woman DELIVERS BABIES. Terrifying.” Leavitt announced last month that she and her husband were expecting their second child. “My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother,” Leavitt wrote in a statement on Instagram the day after Christmas. “My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.” Leavitt, 28, is the youngest White House press secretary in history and the first known to be pregnant while serving in the role.
Scoop: Netanyahu rejects WH request for Israel president to attend Board of Peace ceremony Added: Jan 24, 2026

Scoop: Netanyahu rejects WH request for Israel president to attend Board of Peace ceremony

Site: Axios

Israel's absence created the impression that it is not 100% on board.
Gemini with Personal Intelligence is awfully familiar | The Verge Added: Jan 24, 2026

Gemini with Personal Intelligence is awfully familiar

Site: The Verge

It’s getting personal.

By lots of metrics, Gemini is winning. It has raced ahead of OpenAI, become scarily good at creating convincing imagery, and even won Apple’s business. So last week’s news that it was enabling something called Personal Intelligence felt like a victory lap. Personal Intelligence allows Gemini to reference past conversations and access your data in other Google services, including Gmail, Calendar, Photos, and search history, without you specifically prompting it to look in those sources. It’s entirely opt-in, and you choose which apps Gemini can access and which it can’t. It’s in beta and only available to people with AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions at the moment. If that all sounds familiar, it’s because Gemini already offered the option to hook into your Workspace apps. But it required more work on the user’s part — I always found I needed to explicitly ask it to check something in my email or on my calendar if I wanted it to use those as sources. Now, if the prompt seems like it merits a trip to your inbox to look for an email about a concert ticket, it will do so of its own accord. That’s kind of huge. If you have to be specific with every single prompt and babysit the AI, then it’s no more useful than the timer-setting robot assistants we’ve been using for the past decade. Gemini offers some suggested prompts to try once you enable Personal Intelligence, like having it recommend books you might like based on your interests. The titles it suggested to me were annoyingly spot-on. Another one of these conversation starters resulted in a lengthy chat with strategies for dealing with the lawn in my backyard, which I hate and the crows are picking apart anyway. Gemini offered some native plant options to consider, added reminders to my calendar based on the plan I settled on, and put together a shopping list in Keep that I could bring to the hardware store. Even a couple of months ago, Gemini would routinely fail when I asked it to complete tasks like “Add this to my calendar,” so that’s a significant leap forward. The thing is, Gemini gets out over its skis in other ways. I had it brainstorm some new bike routes, asking it to incorporate a stop at a coffee shop. It obliged, and its high-level recommendations were good, though it struggled with the finer details. Trying to nail down specific routes was painful; it would give me a link to a route it claimed to have created in Google Maps, but clicking through to the map showed me a different set of directions. I’m also not convinced about its plan to send me through the woods on some unpaved trails, culminating into a left turn cutting across several lanes of traffic on a busy road, so I’ll probably stick to the routes I know. [Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/gemini_1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] [Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/gemini_2.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] That’s the problem. Gemini can analyze my interests and make some pretty good guesses about what I’d be interested in; it’s the details where AI gets lost. I asked it to look for some neighborhoods I might be less familiar with to recommend for an afternoon outing to take pictures and (naturally) get a coffee. It used my personal data to correctly work out that I’d previously lived in Ballard and shouldn’t include it as a recommendation. The overall list it came up with is solid; the specific locations it recommended weren’t always right. It claimed a restaurant in South Park was in Georgetown, said I would find a Caffe Umbria in the Old Rainier Brewery building (none exists there), and heartily endorsed a T-shirt shop that is quite obviously closed based on its Google Maps listing. I had to do enough fact-checking and reprompting that it all started to feel like more work than it was worth. That might be Gemini’s biggest immediate challenge. A year ago, it needed a lot of babysitting to get to the personal information I needed, and it got stuff wrong regularly. Now, it can do the personal stuff reliably — but getting details wrong is a pretty big bug. You only need to show up once at a vacant storefront to decide you’re done using Gemini. That’s not even touching the privacy aspect of it all. Gemini referenced my husband and child by name in one of our conversations. It’s one thing to know that that information is trivially easy to find with access to my email and calendar; it’s another thing to hear their names out loud. Misgivings aside, I think the inclusion of Personal Intelligence has increased the scope of what I’ll use Gemini for — but only slightly, and I wasn’t using it a whole lot in my day-to-day to begin with. I have a schedule for my yard work and a list to take to the neighborhood nursery, where I’ll ask an actual human if I’m on the right track. Maybe doing that initial planning with Gemini will be what helps me feel just confident enough to get started, even if I end up course-correcting down the line. That’s not a bad tool to have. But you can bet I’m going to be watching my step on whatever path it recommends for me.
Team Trump Is Livid After Canada’s Carney Calls Out U.S. Coercion - WSJ Added: Jan 24, 2026
Carney’s viral Davos speech complicates stalled US-Canada talks - POLITICO Added: Jan 24, 2026

Carney’s viral Davos speech complicates stalled US-Canada talks

Site: POLITICO

Rave reviews for the Canadian prime minister are giving way to fears about the continental trade deal.
Claude credited as co-creator of programming language Elo • The Register Added: Jan 24, 2026

Claude credited as co-creator of programming language Elo

feature: Bernard Lambeau, the human half of a pair programming team, explains how he's using AI
CBS News shows, Stephen Colbert on track for record-low January ratings Added: Jan 24, 2026

Exclusive | CBS News shows, Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Night’ on track for record-low January ratings

Site: New York Post

Sources pointed to left-leaning Colbert’s consistent drumbeat of criticism of President Trump.
Man claims this is his number one deal breaker when it comes to women: ‘I find it a turn off’ Added: Jan 24, 2026

Bold man tells woman he’s turned off by her body — then tries to snag a date anyways

Site: New York Post

“Arm hair? Good grief,” one wrote.
Defiant L’s on X: "💀 7 Elon Musk no-chill responses 🧵A thread 1. Is that why Newsom keeps talking about knee pads? https://t.co/ILcoyY0pbS" / X Added: Jan 24, 2026

Site: X (formerly Twitter)
Ancestral lullaby | YouTube Music Added: Jan 24, 2026

Ancestral lullaby - YouTube Music

Site: YouTube Music

Provided to YouTube by DistroKid Ancestral lullaby · Ancient Mother · Dorcas Ndebele · Dorcas Ndebele Ancestral lullaby ℗ 10414626 Records DK Released on...
YouTube Music Added: Jan 24, 2026

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Thuma Mina | YouTube Music Added: Jan 24, 2026

Thuma Mina - YouTube Music

Site: YouTube Music

Provided to YouTube by DistroKid Thuma Mina · Ancient Mother · Dorcas Ndebele · Dorcas Ndebele Thuma Mina ℗ 10414626 Records DK Released on: 2025-10-14 ...
Ungowami | YouTube Music Added: Jan 24, 2026

Ungowami - YouTube Music

Site: YouTube Music

Provided to YouTube by DistroKid Ungowami · Ancient Mother · Dorcas Ndebele · Dorcas Ndebele Emotional Expressions ℗ 10414626 Records DK Released on: 202...
Creole Blood Arise | YouTube Music Added: Jan 24, 2026

Creole Blood Arise - YouTube Music

Site: YouTube Music

Provided to YouTube by DistroKid Creole Blood Arise · Ancient Mother · Dorcas Ndebele · Dorcas Ndebele Songs of her Becoming ℗ 10414626 Records DK Releas...
Shopper walks out with a $4.99 Radeon RX 5700 XT GPU from Goodwill — thrift stores are the hidden goldmines amid the AI-driven GPU crisis | Tom's Hardware Added: Jan 24, 2026

Shopper walks out with a $4.99 Radeon RX 5700 XT GPU from Goodwill — thrift stores are the hidden goldmines amid the AI-driven GPU crisis

Site: Tom's Hardware

Another thrift store miracle
Facebook AI Slop Has Grown So Dark That You May Not Be Prepared Added: Jan 24, 2026

Facebook AI Slop Has Grown So Dark That You May Not Be Prepared

Site: Futurism

A quick perusal of the r/FacebookAIslop subreddit reveals the macabre underbelly of the AI slop world, including seriously twisted videos.
I started integrating Gemini into my daily routine, and it boosted my productivity in no time Added: Jan 24, 2026

I started integrating Gemini into my daily routine, and it boosted my productivity in no time

Site: Android Police

From busy to balanced
Mark Carney’s Values | National Review Added: Jan 24, 2026

Mark Carney’s Values | National Review
Comet-3I/ATLAS Dramatically Changed Activity After Perihelion With Massive Release Of Organic Molecules | IFLScience Added: Jan 24, 2026
Quantum AI Just Created Music No Human Has Ever Heard Before Added: Jan 24, 2026

Quantum AI Just Created Music No Human Has Ever Heard Before

Site: Ucstrategies News

Contents What differentiates quantum AI-generated music? How does quantum computing change music generation? Applications and future implications in creative industries Summary table: classic vs. quantum AI music Quantum AI: what could come next? The intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence is no longer confined to research labs—it is now actively transforming how music is […]
US Librarians Are Overwhelmed by Books Invented by AI Added: Jan 24, 2026

US Librarians Are Overwhelmed by Books Invented by AI

Site: Ucstrategies News

Contents What is causing the rise of invented journal references? Common types of hallucinated references from AI Protecting research quality in the era of AI The research landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, and not all changes are positive. While artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as large language models have brought unprecedented efficiency to students and […]
Alex Morgan, Author at Ucstrategies News Added: Jan 24, 2026

Alex Morgan, Author at Ucstrategies News

Site: Ucstrategies News
MAZE on X: "@AasmaShaukatMD Sorry that he had mental illness and was taken advantage of by power hungry Democrat politicians. Let this be a lesson. If you know someone with mental illness, speak up and get them help before they harm themselves." / X Added: Jan 24, 2026

Site: X (formerly Twitter)
CachyOS Starts 2026 By Switching To Plasma Login Manager & Live ISO Using Wayland - Phoronix Added: Jan 24, 2026

CachyOS Starts 2026 By Switching To Plasma Login Manager & Live ISO Using Wayland
Shrews Can Shrink Their Brains by 30%. Here's How They Grow It Back. : ScienceAlert Added: Jan 24, 2026

Shrews Can Shrink Their Brains by 30%. Here's How They Grow It Back.

Site: ScienceAlert

In preparation for winter, the common shrew (Sorex araneus) shrinks its brain by 30 percent to conserve precious energy.
quote of the day january 21: Quote of the Day by Fyodor Dostoyevsky: 'The mystery of human existence lies not in…'—Inspiring quotes by one of history's greatest novelists - The Economic Times Added: Jan 24, 2026

quote of the day january 21: Quote of the Day by Fyodor Dostoyevsky: 'The mystery of human existence lies not in…'—Inspiring quotes by one of history's greatest novelists - The Economic Times

Quote of the Day: A powerful Quote of the Day often travels far beyond the era in which it was written, offering insight into the enduring questions that shape human life. Few writers have explored those questions with the depth and intensity of Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Known for his profound psychological insight and unflinching examination of suffering, faith, freedom, and moral choice, Dostoyevsky devoted his literary life to understanding what gives human existence its meaning. His works consistently return to the same haunting inquiry, why do people endure pain, and what makes life worth living despite it? The quote highlighted today reflects that lifelong search and remains strikingly relevant in a modern world still grappling with purpose, identity, and inner conflict.126613705 A Quote of the Day matters because it invites reflection rather than instruction. It pauses the rush of daily life and asks readers to consider larger truths. Dostoyevsky’s words do not offer easy comfort or simple optimism. Instead, they confront the reader with a challenge: survival alone is not enough. Meaning, responsibility, and belief are what transform existence into life.126286482 Quote of the Day Today January 21“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” — Fyodor DostoyevskyThe quote is taken from Goodreads. This Quote of the Day captures the essence of Dostoyevsky’s worldview. For him, life’s central mystery was not biological survival but moral and spiritual purpose. His characters struggle, suffer, and often fail, yet through their turmoil they reveal the human need for meaning. The quote reflects Dostoyevsky’s conviction that without purpose, life becomes hollow, no matter how long it lasts.Early Life and Formative InfluencesFyodor Dostoyevsky was born on November 11, 1821 (October 30, Old Style), in Moscow, Russia. Unlike many Russian writers of his time, he was not born into the landed gentry. His father, a retired military surgeon, worked as a doctor at the Mariinsky Hospital for the Poor, while his mother came from a merchant family and was known for her kindness and piety. This contrast between stern authority and gentle compassion would later echo throughout Dostoyevsky’s fiction, as per information sourced from Britannica.126552259 Dostoyevsky spent his early childhood surrounded by the suffering of the poor, an experience that deeply shaped his understanding of humiliation, dignity, and moral struggle. Educated at home and later in boarding schools, he developed an early love for literature, particularly Romantic and Gothic works. Although his father intended him for a career in military engineering, Dostoyevsky felt drawn irresistibly to writing and ideas.Early Literary Success and Psychological DepthAfter completing his studies at the Academy of Military Engineering in St. Petersburg, Dostoyevsky resigned his commission to pursue writing. His first published work was a translation of Honoré de Balzac’s Eugénie Grandet, but his true breakthrough came with his novella Poor Folk in 1846. The work was immediately hailed as a masterpiece for its emotional sensitivity and psychological insight, earning praise from leading literary critics of the time, as per information sourced from Britannica.From the beginning, Dostoyevsky distinguished himself by focusing not on external events but on inner lives. He explored shame, desperation, pride, and moral confusion, particularly among society’s marginalized figures. These early successes established him as a major literary voice, but they also set the stage for intense personal and ideological struggles.126360259 Arrest, Mock Execution, and Siberian ExileOne of the defining moments of Dostoyevsky’s life came in 1849, when he was arrested for participating in the Petrashevsky Circle, a group that discussed social reform and utopian ideas. Along with other members, he was sentenced to death and taken to a public square to face a firing squad. At the final moment, the sentence was commuted. The execution had been staged as punishment.This near-death experience profoundly altered Dostoyevsky’s outlook. He later wrote about the intense awareness of life that comes when death feels imminent, an awareness that surfaces repeatedly in his novels. Instead of execution, he was sent to a Siberian prison labor camp, followed by compulsory military service. The years in Siberia exposed him to extreme suffering but also strengthened his belief in individual freedom, moral responsibility, and faith, as per information sourced from Britannica.Major Works and Literary LegacyAfter returning from exile, Dostoyevsky entered his most productive period. He wrote Notes from the Underground, a radical critique of rationalism and determinism, followed by the great novels that secured his place in world literature: Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, The Possessed, and The Brothers Karamazov. These works are renowned for their psychological complexity and philosophical ambition.Dostoyevsky’s characters are rarely at peace. They wrestle with guilt, pride, love, belief, and despair. Through them, he examined ideas not as abstractions but as forces that shape real lives. His influence extended far beyond literature, shaping existentialism, psychology, theology, and modern philosophy.Quote of the day MeaningThe meaning of Dostoyevsky’s Quote of the Day lies in his belief that existence without purpose is a form of spiritual death. To merely “stay alive” is to exist mechanically, without direction or responsibility. For Dostoyevsky, suffering becomes unbearable when it lacks meaning, but it can be transformed when connected to love, faith, or moral commitment.The quote suggests that purpose gives life its weight and dignity. Whether through compassion, belief, or personal responsibility, humans must find something worth enduring hardship for. This idea runs through Dostoyevsky’s novels, where characters who lack purpose descend into nihilism, while those who discover meaning, even through pain, find redemption.Final Years and Enduring InfluenceIn his later years, Dostoyevsky continued writing, editing journals, and engaging in public debate. Though plagued by illness, epilepsy, and personal loss, he remained intellectually active until his death on February 9, 1881, in St. Petersburg. His funeral drew thousands, a testament to the impact his work had already made.Over time, Dostoyevsky’s reputation only grew. His psychological insight influenced thinkers such as Nietzsche, Freud, Camus, and Sartre. His exploration of freedom, suffering, and moral responsibility continues to resonate in a world still searching for meaning.Iconic Quotes by Fyodor DostoyevskyBeyond today’s Quote of the Day, Dostoyevsky left behind many lines that continue to provoke reflection:“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.”“To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's.”“What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.”“I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.”“But how could you live and have no story to tell?”“Man only likes to count his troubles; he doesn't calculate his happiness.”“It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.”As a Quote of the Day, Dostoyevsky’s reflection on the mystery of human existence remains timeless. It reminds readers that life’s true challenge is not endurance alone, but the courage to seek meaning, even in suffering.
Trump seeks to make amends with UK after furor over NATO remarks Added: Jan 24, 2026

Trump seeks to make amends with UK after furor over NATO remarks

Site: The Hill

President Trump appeared on Saturday to walk back comments he made earlier in the week, suggesting non-U.S. troops in NATO avoided the front lines in Afghanistan, following widespread anger from Br…

President Trump appeared on Saturday to walk back comments he made earlier in the week, suggesting non-U.S. troops in NATO avoided the front lines in Afghanistan, following widespread anger from British political leaders and military families. “The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump remarked during an interview at the World Economic Forum on Thursday that the U.S. “never needed” non-U.S. troops. “You know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did – they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines,” Trump told Fox Business in Davos, Switzerland. The assertion sparked outrage across the United Kingdom, where leaders spanning the political spectrum, along with former soldiers and parents of fallen military members, slammed Trump for doubting NATO’s commitment to its allies and diminishing the role of non-U.S. troops. NATO allies sent troops to Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, supporting the effort for more than 20 years. Roughly 3,500 NATO and partner-nation soldiers died in the conflict, with U.K. forces suffering more than 450 casualties – the second most losses behind the U.S. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Trump’s remarks as “insulting” and “frankly appalling,” while paying tribute to the British personnel who died and were severely injured. “I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country,” Starmer said. “I consider President Trump’s remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.” Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey suggested that Starmer should demand an apology from Trump, calling his comments “totally unacceptable.” Diane Dernie, the mother of a former paratrooper severely injured in Afghanistan, told BBC News that it was “absolutely disgraceful” to have her son’s experience “negated” by Trump. Trump’s remarks also drew the ire of Danish Ambassador to the U.S. Jesper Møller Sørensen, who responded in a post on the social platform X that “Denmark answered” when the U.S. called for help fighting terrorist groups overseas. “Thousands of Danish troops served in Helmand – on the front line. We lost more soldiers per capita than even the United States. That was solidarity. We stood with America then – and we still do. I witnessed our brave men & women during my 1.5 years in Afghanistan,” Sørensen wrote.
Admit it: The GOP has a perception problem Added: Jan 24, 2026

Admit it: Republicans have a perception problem

Site: The Hill

There is a growing perception that the GOP is are struggling with several key issues — and it could lose them the next election.

As my old boss Lee Atwater always said, perception is reality in politics. No matter if some in the Trump administration and greater Republican Party admit it or not, there is a growing perception that the GOP is struggling with several key issues: immigration, affordability and accountability. The first two are hurting the party with independent and minority voters. The last is an issue with some of the MAGA base. Political commentator Michael Smerconish recently touched on the topic, saying “Republicans, based on all the polling data, are on defense in a major way.” But he also addressed another perception believed by tens of millions of Americans — that being that Trump is doing a fantastic job. "He's gotten a hell of a lot done,” said Smerconish. “You may not agree with how he's gotten it done or what he's gotten done, but on a productivity level, you would have to say that he's been a very consequential president already in this one year.” Indeed, he has. Tens of millions of Americans truly do believe that Trump’s America First agenda is paying substantial dividends. And yet, that pesky perception issue is still hanging out there — and it might just be enough to at least flip the House of Representatives back to the Democrats come November. Elections can be won or lost by flipping just slivers of the vote in certain districts, counties or states. Back in 2016, then-businessman Trump shocked the political world by defeating heavily favored Hillary Clinton. What many don’t realize is that, out of approximately 135 million votes cast, if just about 80,000 had been flipped in three states, Clinton would have won. The same applies to the 2020 election: Out of approximately 157 million votes cast, if just about 50,000 had gone differently in several key states, Joe Biden never becomes president. Some Republicans seem to think that it is somehow disloyal or showing weakness to even admit to such perception problems. But they risk alienating voters if they ignore, downplay or denounce voter concerns. A percentage of those voters may feel cast aside or insulted and vote accordingly. If it’s a big enough percentage, it can doom the party. Much better to address the problem head on. If done in the correct way, Republicans can reverse or minimize the damage, and potentially paint Democrats as the ones ultimately at fault for the perceived problems. But they can’t do any of that with their heads in the sand. Vice President Vance showcased how to do this to maximum effect earlier this week in Minneapolis, in response to a loaded question about a "five-year-old student" being "arrested" by ICE — a false story that has naturally gotten a great deal of coverage in the mainstream media. "I actually saw that terrible story while I was coming to Minneapolis,” replied Vance. “I see this story, and I am the father of a five-year-old little boy, and I think to myself, ‘Oh my God, this is terrible. How did we arrest a five-year-old?’ Well, I do a little bit more follow-up research, and what I find is that the five-year-old was not arrested — that his dad was an illegal alien, and when they went to arrest his illegal alien father, the father ran. “So the story is that ICE detained a 5-year-old. Well, what are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death?" Gee, you would think a "reporter" would do the same research as the vice president. Unless, of course, he didn't care about the truth. Bias in reporting does play a pretty massive role in the perception issue now plaguing the Republican Party. Some of that can be mitigated if Republicans remember what former Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill once famously observed: “All politics is local.” If one buys into that axiom, then “all votes are local” logically follows. Former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato (R-N.Y.) took pride in being nicknamed "Senator Pothole.” The nickname delivered him votes from grateful constituents. D’Amato knew that voters cared most about what was most affecting the quality of their lives, be it roads, schools, hospitals or factories. Foreign policy wins are great — and regularly much needed — but picking up the trash and filling potholes while paying attention to other local constituent services goes a long way with working-class Americans. Republicans should neither deny nor overthink the perception issue threatening their control of Congress. Better to use every tool at their disposal to deal with the issue before the media can twist it, and flip it back onto the Democrats. JD Vance just showed them the way. Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.
Stratospheric warming developing over the Arctic forecast to weaken the polar vortex and influence February weather - The Watchers Added: Jan 24, 2026

Stratospheric warming developing over the Arctic forecast to weaken the polar vortex and influence February weather

Site: The Watchers

Meteorological forecasts show a major sudden stratospheric warming event forming over the Arctic, likely to cause significant weakening of the polar vortex in early February 2026.
Earth’s Atmosphere Is Leaking To The Moon… And It Might Help Future Astronauts | IFLScience Added: Jan 24, 2026
US antisemitism envoy feuds with prominent European rabbi, drawing praise from Elon Musk | The Times of Israel Added: Jan 24, 2026

US antisemitism envoy feuds with prominent European rabbi, drawing praise from Elon Musk | The Times of Israel
I use the 'unicorn prompt' with every chatbot — it instantly fixes the worst AI problem | Tom's Guide Added: Jan 24, 2026

I use the 'unicorn prompt' with every chatbot — it instantly fixes the worst AI problem

Site: Tom's Guide

A universal solution to better chatbot responses
Wealth Quote of the Day by Charlie Munger: Wealth Quote of the Day by Charlie Munger, “Most people get interested in stocks when everyone else is. The time to get interested is when no one else is” The Munger–Buffett partnership and the power of patience - The Economic Times Added: Jan 24, 2026

Wealth Quote of the Day by Charlie Munger: Wealth Quote of the Day by Charlie Munger, “Most people get interested in stocks when everyone else is. The time to get interested is when no one else is” The Munger–Buffett partnership and the power of patience - The Economic Times

Wealth Quote of the Day by Charlie Munger, “Most people get interested in stocks when everyone else is. The time to get interested is when no one else is.” This famous line from legendary investor Charlie Munger captures a core investing truth: contrarian thinking often precedes outsized returns. Munger’s philosophy wasn’t just about stocks — it was about disciplined judgment under uncertainty. His life and principles offer insights for investors today, including those navigating markets affected by geopolitical instability such as the rising tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.Munger and Buffett first met in 1959 through a mutual friend in Omaha. Despite a seven-year age difference, they connected instantly. Their partnership lasted more than six decades, with no public disputes and remarkably aligned thinking.One of Munger’s most important contributions was his criticism of Berkshire’s early textile business. He openly called it a mistake. Rather than clinging to sunk costs, he encouraged Buffett to pivot toward insurance, where steady premium income could be reinvested through float. That decision transformed Berkshire’s financial engine.Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on January 1, 1924, Munger rose from Depression‑era hardship to become Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. He brought a multidisciplinary mindset to value investing, insisting that understanding psychology, economics, and human behavior matters as much as balance sheets. Over decades, he demonstrated that quality businesses held patiently can compound wealth far beyond broad benchmarks. This perspective resonates as global markets digest real‑world shocks — from energy price volatility to foreign policy risks — reminding readers that long‑term thinking beats reactionary trading.From law to legendary investing: Charlie Munger’s path to successCharlie Munger’s early life was shaped by the Great Depression. His father was a lawyer, and young Charlie worked at a grocery store owned by Warren Buffett’s grandfather — a foreshadowing of a partnership that would define modern investing. After studying mathematics at the University of Michigan and serving as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Munger graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1948. He practiced law in California before shifting to investments.In 1962, he founded Wheeler, Munger & Co., which delivered about 20% annualized returns from 1962 to 1975 — more than three times the S&P 500’s 5% during that period. This early success set the stage for his later role at Berkshire Hathaway, where he helped shape a portfolio centered on exceptional businesses with durable competitive advantages — or “moats” — such as Coca‑Cola, GEICO, and later Costco.Munger famously championed the idea of quality over cheapness, preferring “wonderful businesses at fair prices” over mediocre companies at deep discounts. His emphasis on mental models — frameworks drawn from psychology, economics, and other disciplines — helped investors avoid common cognitive errors such as herd behavior and short‑term fixation. For Munger, patient conviction was a core virtue: “The big money is in the waiting.”Principles that shaped Berkshire Hathaway’s record performanceMunger’s investing philosophy was rooted in rationality. He urged investors to define a circle of competence — knowing what you truly understand and avoiding what you don’t. He also taught the importance of inversion: solving problems by first asking what causes failure, then avoiding those pitfalls. This risk‑first mindset shaped how Berkshire assessed opportunities and dangers, especially during market stress.His practical rules were simple: stay rational, avoid emotional trading, demand a margin of safety, and focus on long‑term compounding. These tenets helped Berkshire achieve roughly 20% compound annual growth since 1965, a stunning record compared to a 10% CAGR for the S&P 500 over the same span. Although Munger had few major public failures, his investment in Alibaba in 2021 is widely acknowledged as a significant misstep, suffering notable drawdowns amid Chinese regulatory crackdowns.Some Berkshire highlights include early stakes like Coca‑Cola, which multiplied many times since the late 1980s, and Costco, which has delivered extraordinary returns, embodying Munger’s thesis of durable business models that thrive regardless of broader market sentiment.Investing lessons for a world of geopolitical riskToday’s financial landscape is deeply shaped by geopolitical tensions, including rising confrontations between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. Recent months have seen dramatic developments.Widespread protests and a severe government crackdown in Iran have intensified internal instability. Reports indicate thousands of casualties and continued internet shutdowns restricting communication.Iran’s leadership has accused the U.S. and Israel of inciting unrest and meddling in domestic affairs. Claims of external influence have added volatility to the region.President Donald Trump and U.S. policymakers are navigating a complex mix of diplomatic overtures and military positioning. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump highlighted Iran’s willingness to engage in talks while reinforcing U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf.Tehran signals readiness to respond forcefully to any strikes, showing that regional stability remains fragile.These tensions directly affect global markets, including energy prices, key supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz, and investor risk sentiment. Analysts warn that a regional conflict could disrupt oil flows, driving higher prices and impacting global inflation and economic growth.In this environment, Charlie Munger’s investment principles are crucial: disciplined analysis, long-term focus, and avoiding emotional reactions remain essential. Markets often overreact to geopolitical headlines, creating both risks and opportunities for patient investors committed to fundamentals.FAQs:Q: What is Charlie Munger’s investment strategy and how has it performed over time? A: Charlie Munger focuses on buying “wonderful businesses at fair prices” and holding them long-term. His strategy emphasizes quality, durable competitive advantages, and disciplined patience. Through Berkshire Hathaway, Munger achieved roughly 20% annualized returns since 1965, compared to the S&P 500’s 10%, with major wins in Coca-Cola, Costco, and GEICO.Q: How do global events like Iran-Israel tensions impact Munger’s investment approach? A: Munger’s philosophy prioritizes risk assessment and contrarian thinking during uncertainty. Geopolitical crises, such as recent Iran-Israel-US developments, affect markets, energy prices, and investor sentiment. He advocates focusing on fundamentals, margin of safety, and long-term compounding rather than reacting to short-term volatility, exemplified by Berkshire’s resilient holdings during global shocks.
Queensland teenagers create coding app to bridge digital divide - ABC News Added: Jan 24, 2026

The Queensland teenagers taking a new coding language global

Young coding whizzes Neth Dharmasiri and Chinmay Lal believe learning the language behind computer software shouldn't depend on where you were born.
AI can develop 'personality' spontaneously with minimal prompting, research shows. What does that mean for how we use it? | Live Science Added: Jan 24, 2026

AI can develop 'personality' spontaneously with minimal prompting, research shows. What does that mean for how we use it?

Site: Live Science

When large language models (LLMs) are allowed to interact without any preset goals, scientists found distinct personalities emerged by themselves.
Colorado parents of man killed in Minneapolis urged him to be careful at ICE protests - The Colorado Sun Added: Jan 24, 2026

Colorado parents of man killed in Minneapolis urged him to be careful at ICE protests

Site: The Colorado Sun

Alex Jeffrey Pretti “loved this country, but he hated what people were doing to it,” his mother said from Colorado.
Dr. Mehmet Oz on Fixing American Healthcare + Fraud | Live from Davos - YouTube Added: Jan 24, 2026

Dr. Mehmet Oz on Fixing American Healthcare + Fraud | Live from Davos

Site: YouTube

(0:00) The Besties introduce Dr. Oz(3:26) Trump’s vision for healthcare in America(13:26) AI & self-directed healthcare(30:10) The future of GLP-1s and affor...
How Woke Ideology Is Harming Indigenous Kids | Jacinta Nampijinpa Price - YouTube Added: Jan 24, 2026

How Woke Ideology Is Harming Indigenous Kids | Jacinta Nampijinpa Price

Site: YouTube

In this historical clip, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price delivers a powerful warning that ideological debates are distracting the nation from its most urgent respon...