In a Twist, Polar Bears Are Getting Fatter in the Norwegian Arctic

Listen To This Story

In a Twist, Polar Bears Are Getting Fatter in the Norwegian Arctic (Maria)

The author writes, “Images of haggard, starving polar bears and projections that the species could disappear in many places by the end of the century have turned the animals into emblems of the toll of climate change on the natural world. But the polar bears of Norway’s Svalbard archipelago are, for the moment, enjoying a happier fate. Over the past 2 decades, even as the sea ice on which polar bears rely quickly shrank in the surrounding Barents Sea, bears there grew significantly fatter, according to a paper published last week in Scientific Reports.”

‘Fucking Insane’: Journalist Finds at Least 2,300 Illegal ICE Detentions Since July (Sean)

The author writes, “In yet another display of the Trump administration’s disregard for the US Constitution, there have been at least 2,300 cases in which federal judges have ruled that immigration officials illegally detained people without bond or due process since just July, according to one journalist.”

Trump Rollbacks Put Children’s Health at Risk as Pollution Increases (Laura)

From Capital B: “New federal decisions remove health protections as Black communities face rising pollution and asthma rates.”

Tiffany’s Donation from College Republicans Looks Smelly (Al)

From Urban Milwaukee: “On January 8 the Wisconsin College Republicans announced ‘they will be major players in the 2026 election cycle and beyond, launching the largest political effort in their organization’s history.’ ‘We have already raised more than $1 million this cycle,’ Wisconsin College Republicans Chair Nicholas Jacobs declared, ‘and we are gearing up for a major push in 2026.’ By contrast, The Young Democrats of Wisconsin listed just $2,517 in donations from 20 individuals in the most recent July-December filing period. In a prior year it raised just $9,621 from 55 donors, according to Transparency USA, which tracks campaign finance data. How did the young Republicans bury the young Democrats in donations?”

Israel’s West Bank Occupation Is a Danger to Women (Dana)

The author writes, “Women in the West Bank face daily harassment by Israeli settlers and troops. While Israel often paints itself as more forward-thinking on women’s rights, its occupation crushes Palestinian women’s autonomy and exposes them to violence.”

Why Are Most Companies Failing To Benefit From AI? It’s About the People Not the Tech (Mili)

The author writes, “Successful uptake of new technology is a matter of emotions — and with 4 in 5 companies saying they’re failing to capitalize on its potential, managers need to know how to deal with them, say researchers from Aalto University. AI has the potential to enhance decision-making, spark innovation and help leaders boost employees’ productivity, according to recent research. Many large companies have invested accordingly, in the form of both funding and effort. Yet despite this, studies show that they are failing to achieve the expected benefits, with as many as 80 percent of companies reporting a failure to benefit from the new technology.”

San Francisco Mountain Lion’s Cute Baby Photos — And Life Story (Reader Steve)

From the San Francisco Chronicle: “San Francisco’s mountain lion has a name — and a past. After the animal was captured Tuesday following a 30-hour search in the area around Lafayette Park, wildlife researchers realized it was the same one they had once lost track of as a kitten. 157M, as he was originally named, was born in April 2024 near Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Preserve on the Peninsula, according to Chris Wilmers, a professor in UC Santa Cruz’s Environmental Studies Department.”