Editors’ Picks for Dec 18
U.S. + Al-Qaeda Together Again?, Kids Receive Christmas Gift of Lead Poisoning in Michigan, Chinese and Russian Robots Versus the Pentagon, and More Picks
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
Is the United States Teaming Up with Al Qaeda, Again? (Trevin)
As the U.S.continues bombing the Islamic State, rebranded Al Qaeda offshoots like Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham creep “closer and closer to international respectability,” and even former CIA director David Petraeus has recommended arming them.
Soaring Increase of Toxin in Children’s Bloodstream (Ben)
Mayor of Flint, Michigan declares a state of emergency due to a great deal of lead found in children’s blood.
After Breach of Clinton Data, DNC Blocks Sanders from Accessing Voter Information (Klaus)
In what could be a serious setback for Bernie Sanders, the Democratic National Committee has blocked the campaign of the Vermont senator from accessing voter data after a staffer had looked at confidential voter information compiled by Hillary Clinton’s camp.
E-Voting Fraud Alleged in Texas (Russ)
Candidate with scientific background noticed anomalies and sued.
The Pentagon is Nervous about Russian and Chinese Military Robots (Ben)
The Pentagon is rushing to keep up with Russian and Chinese efforts to develop highly autonomous robots.
High School Teacher’s Lesson In Arabic Calligraphy Prompts Closure Of Entire School District (Trevin)
The week is ending as it began with the closing of another school district, this time in Augusta County, Virginia, prompted by a lesson in Arabic calligraphy.
‘Brexit’ on the Table for the British, Again? (Inez)
A new poll finds a majority of Britons rethinking membership in the European Union. While always a contentious issue in the U.K., could a wave of anti-E.U. sentiment finally push Cameron to allow the oft-promised referendum?
What Did Charles and David Koch Get One Another for Christmas? Hint: The Same Election Results (Dan)
As the always-acerbic Onion explains, buying a gift for your billionaire brother can be difficult. Especially when interests overlap.“When we realized we both bought New York’s 1st District, we just looked at each other and laughed,’ said Charles Koch.
