Browser Daily Newsletter 1185
Despicable Methods And Wild Ambition
NK News / KCNA | 13th December 2013
Not from The Onion. North Korean government press release announces the trial and execution of Jang Song Taek, uncle of dictator Kim Jong Un, previously seen as Kim's second-in-command. "Despicable human scum Jang, who was worse than a dog, perpetrated thrice-cursed acts of treachery in betrayal of such profound trust and warmest paternal love shown by the party and the leader for him."
Interview: Hans Küng
Markus Grill | Spiegel | 12th December 2013
Catholic theologian discusses his approaching death, the departure of Pope Benedict and the arrival of Pope Francis. "I recently joined an assisted suicide organization. This doesn't mean that I aim to commit suicide. But, in the event that my illness worsens, I want to have a guarantee that I can die in a dignified manner. Nowhere in the bible does it say that a person has to stick it out to the decreed end"
Against ‘Long-Form Journalism’
James Bennet | The Atlantic | 12th December 2013
It sounds odd coming from the editor of The Atlantic, but he has a point: "I have had it with 'long-form' journalism. By which I mean — don’t get me wrong — I’m fed up with the term long-form itself, a label that the people who create and sell magazines now invariably, and rather solemnly, apply to their most ambitious work. Reader, do you feel enticed to plunge into a story by the distinction that it is long?"
The Turkish Menace
Christopher de Bellaigue | New York Review Of Books | 9th December 2013
The Turkish model of secular state and religious nation has come unstuck. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rightly loosened the military straitjacket of Kemalism; but in doing so he made space for a liberal constituency; the liberals have turned against him; and now he is fighting back. "A vindictive authoritarianism is taking hold of Turkey. To the prime minister’s supporters this is regrettable but necessary".
Missing American In Iran Was On Unapproved Mission
Adam Goldman & Matt Apuzzo | Associated Press | 12th December 2013
Amazing tale, worthy of Homeland. Bob Levinson, American missing in Iran for seven years, was on the CIA payroll — but working for CIA analysts who had no authority to run spying operations. After Levinson vanished, and the CIA found out what had been going on, it sacked three analysts, disciplined seven others, and paid Levinson's family $2.5 million to pre-empt a lawsuit. Still, nobody knows where he is
Everything About Wool
Clara Parkes | Modern Farmer | 11th December 2013
Editor of Knitters' Review tells all. Merino costs half the price of cashmere, and lasts four times as long. A 10% nylon blend is OK, but with 20% you feel the difference on your skin. Uniqlo has the best value sweaters. Australia produces the most wool and their Merino is great, but British wool is best for cold temperatures. Every American major-league baseball contains wool grown at a mill in Massachusetts
Video of the day: Our Drone Future
Thought for the day:
"Interactive is the wrong word. The right word is: Unfinished" — Brian Eno
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