Libya, President Trump, Nemtsov, Rehearsal

Hillary Clinton’s Libyan Gamble

Jo Becker & Scott Shane | New York Times | 27th February 2016

Riveting reconstruction of White House arguments over supporting Libyan rebels against Colonel Qaddafi. President Obama was "deeply wary"; Defense Secretary Robert Gates was against; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, haunted by America's failure in Rwanda, urged intervention and prevailed. At first it looked like her triumph. Now it looks like her catastrophe, with Libya a failed state and terrorist haven (Metered paywall) (6,600 words)

Trump: The First 100 Days

Matt Latimer | Politico | 26th February 2016

"After he takes the oath of office, he kisses his wife, Melania. His children hug him excitedly. A few rows back Howard Stern gives the new president a thumbs up. And then Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States, turns to the lectern to offer an inaugural address that for the first time in history is being delivered without any text or, as much as anyone can tell, without any preparation whatsoever" (1,980 words)

How Boris Nemtsov Was Murdered

Catherine Fitzpatrick | The Interpreter | 27th February 2016

Novaya Gazeta's investigation reveals how, but not why. This was a contract killing by Chechen soldiers. "A tender was announced for four names: Boris Nemtsov, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Alexey Venediktov, Kseniya Sobchak. The list was surprising for Chechnya, since there were no financial or political beefs with these people on the part of the Republic. The price was known: 15 million rubles ($196,713)" (3,300 words)

Things I Do Before We Start Rehearsal

Anthea Kreston | Slipped Disc | 26th February 2016

A violinist prepares a new piece. "There are different opinions about fingerings. Some advise simple fingerings close to the nut for clarity and intonation. Others suggest more dangerous fingerings for colour. I have several different options in my head depending on the opinion of the group. In trio you can really do basically whatever you want, you are more of a soloist, but in quartet it is about the group consensus" (1,060 words)

Video of the day: Loving Vincent

What to expect: Trailer for a film about Vincent Van Gogh in the visual style of Vincent Van Gogh (1'00")

Thought for the day

At least half the sins of mankind are caused by the fear of boredom
Bertrand Russell