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Archive

Archives for December 2014

Climate
Why speculators are stashing vast quantities of crude oil on tanker shipsWhy speculators are stashing vast quantities of crude oil on tanker ships
Climate

It’s all about that contango

By Matthew Yglesias
Culture
Here are 9 movies to stream when you’re sick of talking to your familyHere are 9 movies to stream when you’re sick of talking to your family
Culture

The perfect film for your surprisingly cool younger cousin, your grandparents, and that one relative who’s way too smart.

By Emily St. James
Syria
Libya’s horrible, chaotic year, in one mapLibya’s horrible, chaotic year, in one map
Syria

Here the battle lines that continue to divide Libya — more than three years after the US and its allies intervened against Qaddafi.

By Zack Beauchamp
Science
For some people, exercise could be an effective treatment for depressionFor some people, exercise could be an effective treatment for depression
Science

Here are three things you need to know.

By Julia Belluz
Almanac
This is what Christmas dinner at the White House has looked like over the yearsThis is what Christmas dinner at the White House has looked like over the years
Almanac

What tradition? First families eat whatever they want.

By Jenée Desmond-Harris
Climate
People have been counting birds on Christmas for 115 years. Here’s what we’ve learned.People have been counting birds on Christmas for 115 years. Here’s what we’ve learned.
Climate

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the longest running animal census on Earth.

By Susannah Locke
Life
Can fruitcake last forever? A food-safety expert answers.Can fruitcake last forever? A food-safety expert answers.
Life

Welcome to the science of (non-)spoilage.

By Susannah Locke
Science
How astronauts celebrate Christmas in spaceHow astronauts celebrate Christmas in space
Science

Tiny, upside-down trees and thermostabilized turkey

By Joseph Stromberg
Politics
Report: CDC may have exposed a lab worker to EbolaReport: CDC may have exposed a lab worker to Ebola
Politics

The mistake is one of multiple errors the CDC has made this year, including dozens of workers accidentally exposed to anthrax.

By Sarah Kliff
Police Violence
18-year-old Antonio Martin killed by police officer in St. Louis suburb18-year-old Antonio Martin killed by police officer in St. Louis suburb
Police Violence

St. Louis County police say the victim was armed, and aimed a gun at the officer

By Dara Lind
Life
This is what happens when you put Werner Herzog quotes on inspirational postersThis is what happens when you put Werner Herzog quotes on inspirational posters
Life

Happy holidays, everyone.

By Susannah Locke
Movies
This six-second clip shows how awful The Interview truly isThis six-second clip shows how awful The Interview truly is
Movies

For some reason, in the film Kim Jong Un insists that he “has a butthole.”

By Max Fisher
North Korea
Watching The Interview is a propaganda victory for Kim Jong UnWatching The Interview is a propaganda victory for Kim Jong Un
North Korea

Portraying the movie as an act of defiance against Kim Jong Un buys into his propaganda and helps him stay in power.

By Max Fisher
Almanac
This Christmas letter that J.R.R. Tolkien sent his children will warm your heartThis Christmas letter that J.R.R. Tolkien sent his children will warm your heart
Almanac

“It all happened like this: one very windy day last November my hood blew off and went and stuck on the top of the North Pole.”

By Brandon Ambrosino
Almanac
Caganer — the strangest, most scatological part of Catalan nativity scenes — explainedCaganer — the strangest, most scatological part of Catalan nativity scenes — explained
Almanac

Defecation in the nativity scene doesn’t mock Christianity — it helps explain it.

By Brandon Ambrosino