“passes away” is an example of the exculpatory tense, widely favored by law enforcement.

“An autopsy report seen by Newsweek showed Ge was found tied with a bedsheet, with linens around his wrists and ankles in what the report described as a "hog-tied" position.”

How does that happen?

"Lots going on but don’t lose track of the Trump attacks on..."

True for all n.

Great resource, and I am happy to have been a past contributor! Sorry not to have been there.

And to Traub’s point in the NYT editorial – civics education for kids is important, and so is science education. With two soda cans and some Styrofoam, Franklin’s Bells are an opportunity to reveal to them something about the forces that shape the universe!

There are several approved answers, but (knowing I was already safe) I replied ‘Invention of the Franklin Bells’. This answer fell into the category of ‘true but incorrect.’ But Franklin Bells are a great demo of static electricity, easy to perform at home, as I was able to explain to the officer.

The Leader of the Free World actually likes the idea of murdering and chopping up journalists with whom he does not agree.

And in case anyone thinks Trump cares about standing up to China, see this piece from @phillipspobrien.bsky.social , an excellent commentator (on Ukraine and geopolitics in general) whose substack is well worth a subscription:

It’s not just insane but also malevolent. Even if you see China as a geopolitical threat to the US, applying retroactive sanctions to past academic collaborators will do nothing to reduce the threat. The true target here is not China but US academics who are not supportive of MAGA.

I just learned from Mary Droser about the Ediacaran fossils of S Australia, on which she is a leading expert. They are among the earliest known multicellular organisms, and Australia is submitting a bid to have the site recognized for UNESCO World Heritage status. Hard to imagine a stronger claim!

I learned at least one thing from Watson; in The Double Helix he refers to Crick’s “emancipation from the dullness of his Northampton upbringing.” I’m from the same town (and same high school), but when I was growing up nobody ever mentioned Crick and probably very few people were aware of his work.

Hooray - what's good for Elon is good for America, right?

Surely they should know that St Patrick drove the lions out of Ireland...