Pacific Standard 🚜🌻☂️
@pacstandardtw.bsky.social
An American perspective at the western frontier of liberal democracy, framed and focused through the lens of life in Taiwan. #LiberalHawk #NeoIdealist
#TaiwanIsACountry
#TaiwanIsACountry
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Huh
"Canada Plans to Fast-Track Immigration for US H1-B Visa Holders in New Talent Drive" ☹️ share.google/WtKFYfJNhfye...
Canada Plans to Fast-Track Immigration for US H1-B Visa Holders in New Talent Drive
The government says it will fast-track immigration for U.S. H-1B visa holders and spend more than $1 billion to attract researchers from the United States and the rest of the world.
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Huh
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I had fun reading to some Burke Elementary students at the Chicago Public Library today. When the Obama Presidential Center opens next year, we’ll have a new branch of the library for the community to enjoy.
December 10, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I had fun reading to some Burke Elementary students at the Chicago Public Library today. When the Obama Presidential Center opens next year, we’ll have a new branch of the library for the community to enjoy.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffirmed his strong refusal to cede any territory, resisting U.S. pressure for painful concessions to Russia as he moved ahead Tuesday to rally more European support for his country. https://to.pbs.org/4poEmox
Zelenskyy again resists U.S. pressure on Ukraine to cede any land to Russia as he rallies European support
Other than Zelenskyy's comments Monday, Ukrainian negotiators have said very little in public about the content of the U.S. proposal or their attitude toward it.
to.pbs.org
December 9, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffirmed his strong refusal to cede any territory, resisting U.S. pressure for painful concessions to Russia as he moved ahead Tuesday to rally more European support for his country. https://to.pbs.org/4poEmox
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The pandemic.
The strike.
The sale of Fox.
“.. Box office experts say 15 to 20 percent of regular moviegoers have simply never returned ..”
@thr.com
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
The strike.
The sale of Fox.
“.. Box office experts say 15 to 20 percent of regular moviegoers have simply never returned ..”
@thr.com
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
December 9, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The pandemic.
The strike.
The sale of Fox.
“.. Box office experts say 15 to 20 percent of regular moviegoers have simply never returned ..”
@thr.com
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
The strike.
The sale of Fox.
“.. Box office experts say 15 to 20 percent of regular moviegoers have simply never returned ..”
@thr.com
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
Reposted by Pacific Standard 🚜🌻☂️
The problem for Republicans is that they’ve never had a serious health care plan; they define themselves by what they’re against. So when they have to produce, nada. Their “ideas” come from creepy billionaire-funded “think tanks,” and would fail in practice.
Why Senate Republicans aren't uniting behind a health care plan
Voting on any alternative to Democrats' Obamacare extension is likely to highlight the divisions in the GOP.
www.politico.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The problem for Republicans is that they’ve never had a serious health care plan; they define themselves by what they’re against. So when they have to produce, nada. Their “ideas” come from creepy billionaire-funded “think tanks,” and would fail in practice.
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“That’s not a peace plan, that is Putin’s Christmas wishlist”. Joined @lbc.co.uk to discuss the latest U.S. proposals for ceasefire in Ukraine and Trump’s continued pressure on Zelensky (but not on Putin).
Zelenskyy, Macron and Merz in London for key Ukraine talks | Tonight with Andrew Marr
YouTube video by LBC
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:01 PM
“That’s not a peace plan, that is Putin’s Christmas wishlist”. Joined @lbc.co.uk to discuss the latest U.S. proposals for ceasefire in Ukraine and Trump’s continued pressure on Zelensky (but not on Putin).
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“.. the president’s most virulent denunciation to date of these Western democracies, threatening a decisive rupture with countries like France and Germany ..”
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
December 9, 2025 at 11:20 AM
“.. the president’s most virulent denunciation to date of these Western democracies, threatening a decisive rupture with countries like France and Germany ..”
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
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Time for European ‘leaders’ to rally around this man and give their full support to Ukraine.
“Under our laws, under international law — and under moral law — we have no right to give anything away…That is what we are fighting for.” @ZelenskyyUa
wapo.st/4iFSKpY
wapo.st/4iFSKpY
Zelensky rules out ceding land to Russia, refusing to bow to Putin or Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country would not give up territory under pressure from Moscow or to satisfy Washington in its push to resolve peace talks.
wapo.st
December 9, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Time for European ‘leaders’ to rally around this man and give their full support to Ukraine.
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Good lord, it’s like Trump’s entire raison d’etre is to weaken the USA and help dictatorships.
December 9, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Good lord, it’s like Trump’s entire raison d’etre is to weaken the USA and help dictatorships.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
British universities’ reliance on Chinese fees fuelling self-censorship, say academics – FT
British universities’ reliance on Chinese fees fuelling self-censorship, say academics
Lecturers call for improved safeguards against Beijing’s influence on UK campuses
www.ft.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:41 AM
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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British universities’ reliance on Chinese fees fuelling self-censorship, say academics – FT
British universities’ reliance on Chinese fees fuelling self-censorship, say academics
Lecturers call for improved safeguards against Beijing’s influence on UK campuses
www.ft.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:37 AM
British universities’ reliance on Chinese fees fuelling self-censorship, say academics – FT
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"The Kremlin’s recent economic policies indicate that the Russian economy is doing markedly worse than Putin’s statements seek to suggest"
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 8, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to portray the Russian economy as able to support a protracted war in Ukraine.
understandingwar.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:48 AM
"The Kremlin’s recent economic policies indicate that the Russian economy is doing markedly worse than Putin’s statements seek to suggest"
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
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Appearing on some of these podcasts must feel like maneuvering through a minefield. Taiwan quantifiably has a stronger democracy, higher level of freedom, freer press, better protections for the LGBTQIA+ community, robust government DEI policies and immeasurable less government corruption.
Taiwan’s president, VP make rounds on major US podcasts | Taiwan News | RTI
YouTube video by RTI English
youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Appearing on some of these podcasts must feel like maneuvering through a minefield. Taiwan quantifiably has a stronger democracy, higher level of freedom, freer press, better protections for the LGBTQIA+ community, robust government DEI policies and immeasurable less government corruption.
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South Korea and Japan scramble jets as China and Russia warplanes enter Seoul’s defence zone – Reuters
S.Korea, Japan scramble jets as China, Russia warplanes enter Seoul's defence zone
South Korea scrambled fighter jets on Thursday when two Chinese and four Russian military planes entered its air defence zone, South Korea's military said.
www.reuters.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:15 AM
South Korea and Japan scramble jets as China and Russia warplanes enter Seoul’s defence zone – Reuters
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Far be it from me to wish Mirror TV would blatantly break the rules, but it would be quite ironic if the first major consequence of the KMT & TPP blocking nominations at the NCC were the airing of a show featuring Chen Shui-bian.
Mirror TV faces fines over rumored Chen Shui-bian politics show: NCC - Focus Taiwan
The National Communications Commission (NCC) said Monday it will fine Mirror TV if the station hosts a political talk show by former President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), following reports it intends to do ...
focustaiwan.tw
December 9, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Far be it from me to wish Mirror TV would blatantly break the rules, but it would be quite ironic if the first major consequence of the KMT & TPP blocking nominations at the NCC were the airing of a show featuring Chen Shui-bian.
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I do wonder if stiff penalties are a deterrent for endemic cost-cutting in Taiwan's construction industry
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
Construction firm owner indicted in deadly Hualien quake collapse case - Focus Taiwan
Prosecutors have indicted a construction company owner on charges of negligent homicide for flaws in a building erected by the firm that partially collapsed in a major earthquake in Hualien County las...
focustaiwan.tw
December 9, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I do wonder if stiff penalties are a deterrent for endemic cost-cutting in Taiwan's construction industry
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
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Hard to know if stiffening penalties will be any deterrent for damaging infrastructure if the aim is to sabotage Taiwanese society as a whole
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
Taiwan extends penalty range for damaging subsea cables, pipelines - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan's Legislature on Tuesday approved amendments to several laws that will include penalties for damaging undersea power cables, natural gas pipelines or water pipelines and allow for equipment use...
focustaiwan.tw
December 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Hard to know if stiffening penalties will be any deterrent for damaging infrastructure if the aim is to sabotage Taiwanese society as a whole
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
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Paramount’s hostile takeover of Warner Bros. using $24 billion from Middle Eastern Sovereign Wealth Funds and $1 billion from Chinese tech company Tencent is concerning. This makes Netflix and Warner Bros. seem more appealing.
December 8, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Paramount’s hostile takeover of Warner Bros. using $24 billion from Middle Eastern Sovereign Wealth Funds and $1 billion from Chinese tech company Tencent is concerning. This makes Netflix and Warner Bros. seem more appealing.
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Chinese industrial production broke records this year as its factories churned out more cars, machinery and chemicals than ever before. Despite the disruptions of tariffs, the country’s trade surplus in goods has set a record www.wsj.com/world/china/...
China’s Manufacturing Is Booming Despite Trump’s Tariffs
U.S. pressure has only cemented its rival’s status as the world’s indispensable factory floor, sending its trade surplus above $1 trillion.
www.wsj.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Chinese industrial production broke records this year as its factories churned out more cars, machinery and chemicals than ever before. Despite the disruptions of tariffs, the country’s trade surplus in goods has set a record www.wsj.com/world/china/...
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How China Wins the Future:
Beijing’s Strategy to Seize the New Frontiers of Power www.foreignaffairs.com/china/how-ch...
Beijing’s Strategy to Seize the New Frontiers of Power www.foreignaffairs.com/china/how-ch...
How China Wins the Future
Beijing’s strategy to seize the new frontiers of power.
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:55 AM
How China Wins the Future:
Beijing’s Strategy to Seize the New Frontiers of Power www.foreignaffairs.com/china/how-ch...
Beijing’s Strategy to Seize the New Frontiers of Power www.foreignaffairs.com/china/how-ch...
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December 8, 2025 at 8:39 PM
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Last year, ASML sold an essential chip machine part to a military research institute of CETC, one of China's key defence companies. A Chinese quantum institute was also a customer.
.
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ASML supplied product to military research institute in China
Nieuwsuur discovered that ASML supplied components for chip machines to Chinese military and quantum institutes. Experts warn that this technology could be crucial for military applications.
nos.nl
December 9, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Last year, ASML sold an essential chip machine part to a military research institute of CETC, one of China's key defence companies. A Chinese quantum institute was also a customer.
.
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China’s trade surplus hits $1 trillon in just 11 months despite plunge in shipments to US www.cnn.com/2025/12/08/b...
China’s exports grow 5.9% in November despite major drop in US shipments | CNN Business
China’s exports returned to growth in November following an unexpected contraction the month before, although shipments to the United States dropped nearly 29% from a year earlier in an eighth straigh...
www.cnn.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:43 AM
China’s trade surplus hits $1 trillon in just 11 months despite plunge in shipments to US www.cnn.com/2025/12/08/b...
Whether—more importantly, how—this poses a threat is something we need to solve. But AI—esp ChatGPT—tends to be almost obsequiously affirmative about its users' outlook. Inflated egos aside, is it such a bad thing for kids (and adults) to finally have tech that makes them more optimistic about life?
‘I feel it’s a friend’: quarter of teenagers turn to AI chatbots for mental health support www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
‘I feel it’s a friend’: quarter of teenagers turn to AI chatbots for mental health support
Experts warn of dangers as England and Wales study shows 13- to 17-year-olds consulting AI amid long waiting lists for services
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Whether—more importantly, how—this poses a threat is something we need to solve. But AI—esp ChatGPT—tends to be almost obsequiously affirmative about its users' outlook. Inflated egos aside, is it such a bad thing for kids (and adults) to finally have tech that makes them more optimistic about life?
Reposted by Pacific Standard 🚜🌻☂️
‘I feel it’s a friend’: quarter of teenagers turn to AI chatbots for mental health support www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
‘I feel it’s a friend’: quarter of teenagers turn to AI chatbots for mental health support
Experts warn of dangers as England and Wales study shows 13- to 17-year-olds consulting AI amid long waiting lists for services
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM
‘I feel it’s a friend’: quarter of teenagers turn to AI chatbots for mental health support www.theguardian.com/technology/2...