NPR Politics Podcast, 03/12/25
Source: National Public Radio [US state media]
“How Trump is reshaping the executive branch to consolidate power.” (03/12/25)
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/12/1237991512/podcast-trump-executive-branch
Author: Thomas L. Knapp
Trump’s Attacks on the Human Rights of Palestinians Are Next Level
Source: The UnPopulist
by Emily Tamkin
“But Biden’s policies toward a people that is suffering massively and needs help were flawed too.” (03/12/25)
https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/trumps-attacks-on-the-human-rights
Alibaba launches new version of AI assistant tool as competition heats up
Source: CNBC
“Alibaba Group on Thursday launched a new version of its artificial intelligence assistant app that will be powered by its own flagship Qwen AI reasoning model, amid a heating global race to produce next-generation tech. The launch is the company’s latest effort to gain an edge amid growing competition on the AI application front, further intensified by the emergence of DeepSeek’s blockbuster R1 model model earlier this year. Up till now, Quark, which was launched in 2016, had been using the app’s own AI models, known as QuarkLLM. The updated version will integrate functions including a chatbot, deep thinking, task execution into a one-stop app, Alibaba said Thursday.” (03/13/25)
Anarcho Agenda, episode 129
Source: Anarcho Agenda
“On episode 129 I discuss the world stage.” (03/12/25)
https://anarchoagenda.libsyn.com/anarcho-agenda-ep-129-2025-03-12
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast, 03/12/25
Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
“A tech policy bonanza! The FCC, FTC, AI regulations, and more.” (03/12/25)
Trump White House has asked US military to develop options for the Panama Canal, officials say
Source: NBC News
“The White House has directed the U.S. military to draw up options for increasing the American troop presence in Panama to achieve President Trump’s goal of ‘reclaiming’ the Panama Canal, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the planning. During a joint address to Congress last week, Trump said, ‘to further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal.’ Since then, administration officials have not said what ‘reclaiming’ means. U.S. Southern Command is developing potential plans that vary from partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces to the less likely option of U.S. troops seizing the Panama Canal by force, the officials said. Whether military force is used, the officials added, depends on how much Panamanian security forces agree to partner with the U.S.” (03/13/25)
Bureaucrats Paying for Empty Buildings
Source: Independent Institute
by Craig Eyermann
“Washington, D.C.’s empty federal office buildings rank high among the most visible examples of wasteful government spending. Where else can you find blocks of high-dollar real estate going virtually unused by the very bureaucrats for whom these buildings are supposed to be the nerve centers for their supposed vital functions? Well, as it turns out, you can find similar examples of federal government waste all across the country. Bureaucrats don’t just pay millions to not use their own buildings. They also pay millions in service contracts to outside organizations for facilities they don’t use either.” (03/12/25)
https://blog.independent.org/2025/03/12/bureaucrats-paying-for-empty-buildings
Where’s the economic sense behind Trump’s tariffs?
Source: Washington Post
by Ramesh Ponnuru
“If you think tariffs are painful, try watching President Donald Trump’s aides and supporters attempt to defend them. Whenever they come up with a rationale for his policies, however dubious, he immediately says or does something to contradict it. They say Trump’s trade strategy is all about containing China — then he slaps tariffs on the allies we would need to do so. They explain that the law lets him impose tariffs on Canada to protect our national security, only for him to let slip that he’s mad about Canadian dairy policies. The truth is that Trump just likes tariffs and people who tell him they make sense. His trade adviser, Peter Navarro, thinks imports harm the economy because he doesn’t understand how gross domestic product data is calculated. The administration has no grand trade strategy. But the demand for sophistry in defense of Trump’s tariffs is apparently inexhaustible.” (03/12/25)
Judge grants expedited discovery in lawsuit over Musk’s and DOGE’s authority
Source: MSNBC
“What exactly have Elon Musk and DOGE been up to? A new court ruling could help provide some answers. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan granted a request for expedited discovery in a lawsuit brought by Democratic-led states challenging Musk’s and the Department of Government Efficiency’s authority. The plaintiff states are seeking ‘to identify DOGE personnel and the parameters of DOGE’s and Musk’s authority — a question central to Plaintiffs’ claims,’ Chutkan wrote in an opinion explaining her decision. If the judge’s name sounds familiar, she also presided over one of Donald Trump’s four criminal cases before he won the 2024 presidential election. In this current civil case, Chutkan emphasized in her ruling that the plaintiffs aren’t seeking information from Trump himself.” (03/13/25)
USDA ends $1 billion for schools, food banks to buy food from local suppliers
Source: United Press International
“Schools and local food banks will lose about $1.1 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the purchase of food from local farms, ranchers and producers. The agency will be marking a return to ‘long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives,’ instead of ‘short-term plans with no plan for longevity,’ the agency said in a statement. Two programs bought food from local farms and ranchers. They are $660 million for the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement Program from local farmers, ranchers and fishers to schools; and about $470 million for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which helped fill food banks with products from small farmers within 400 miles.” (03/13/25)