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One for the Ages: Quantum Computing Inches Closer to Reality (Maria)
The author writes, “On Monday, Google unveiled a new quantum computer that may end this back-and-forth race with traditional machines and that points to a future in which quantum computers could drive advances in areas like drug discovery and artificial intelligence. Google said its quantum computer, based on a computer chip called Willow, needed less than five minutes to perform a mathematical calculation that one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers could not complete in 10 septillion years, a length of time that exceeds the age of the known universe.”
Trump Expands His Deportation Threats to Include U.S. Citizens (Reader Jim)
The author writes, “Trump is very OK with deporting U.S. citizens to achieve his grim vision for America. The president-elect sat for a testy, nearly hour-long interview with Meet the Press’s Kristen Welker, in which he doubled down on some of the cruelest parts of his ‘Day 1’ platform.”
9 States Poised To End Coverage for Millions if Trump Cuts Medicaid Funding (Dana)
From KFF Health News: “With Donald Trump’s return to the White House and Republicans taking full control of Congress in 2025, the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion is back on the chopping block. More than 3 million adults in nine states would be at immediate risk of losing their health coverage should the GOP reduce the extra federal Medicaid funding that’s enabled states to widen eligibility, according to KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. That’s because the states have trigger laws that would swiftly end their Medicaid expansions if federal funding falls.”
We’re Watching Israel Self-Destruct — At the Hands of Its Own Leaders and Citizens
From Forward: “How did Israel change from the Jewish democracy of our families’ dreams into a potentially authoritarian state on the road to something that might be called apartheid? Why would anyone seek this transformation? Is it a bug in the operating system of human nature? Or a feature of Judaism? Perhaps a plague of the Middle East? My reading of the situation is that Israel, having drawn in Jews from all over the world, is a microcosm of all the world’s wonder — and all the world’s craziness.”
Rupert Murdoch Fails in Bid to Change Family Trust (DonkeyHotey)
The author writes, “A Nevada commissioner ruled resoundingly against Mr. Murdoch, who was trying to give full control of his empire to his son Lachlan and lock in Fox News’s right-wing editorial slant.”
It’s Time to End the Denial About Bird Flu (Laura)
From Time: “Since the beginning of the bird flu outbreak nearly three years ago, state and federal departments of agriculture have had one goal in mind: Maintain consumer confidence — as tens of millions of birds are culled and taxpayers bear the cost of industry bailouts. Every new media report of an infected dairy herd, poultry flock, or farm worker comes with the ubiquitous industry-approved mantra, ‘Don’t worry, the meat and the milk are safe.’ But this messaging deflects from the production methods that have enabled the virus to spread in ways yet to be fully understood.”
Chimpanzees Pass Tool-Use Skills Across Generations (Sean)
The author writes, “A fascinating study reveals that chimpanzees, like humans, are gradually improving their tool-using skills through the exchange of ideas and information across different populations. … The study highlights parallels between the knowledge-sharing behaviors of chimps and early humans.”
