Neon Liberalism, episode 97
Source: Liberal Currents
“How the Wheels Came Off: China’s Economic Malaise.” (11/02/26)
Author: Thomas L. Knapp
Prison Gastronomy: Vegemite as a Cultural Right
Source: CounterPunch
by Binoy Kampmark
“Should criminals be allowed the softening joys of favourite foods and longed for staples? The overcooked roast, the undercooked dumpling? And, for Australians, a foodstuff (hardly a food) so reprehensible it would draw disapproval from any respectable panel from UNESCO? Last month, Andre McKenchnie, a convicted murderer detained at Victoria’s Barwon Prison, attempted to test the judicial waters that not being allowed to consume the famous yeast spread of Vegemite was a denial of human rights under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act, specifically the right to ‘enjoy his culture’ as an Australian.” (11/02/26)
https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/11/02/prison-gastronomy-vegemite-as-a-cultural-right/
Somali pirates seize Iranian fishing vessel, raising fears of attacks on cargo ships
Source: ABC News
“Somali pirates have seized an Iranian fishing vessel carrying 23 people, the Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean said, warning that the ship was approaching a commercial shipping lane and could become a floating base for further attacks. The Azini was hijacked Thursday between the coastal towns of Bandar Bayla and Hafun in northeastern Somalia, a maritime security officer with the Puntland Maritime Police Force said Sunday. The officer told The Associated Press that 12 pirates seized the vessel, which was carrying 21 Iranian crew members and two Somali security guards.” (11/01/26)
Antiwar News with Dave DeCamp, 11/01/26
Source: Antiwar.com
“Iran Says Trump Won’t ‘Dictate’ Length of Renewed War, Syria Considers Joining Mecca Pact, and More.” (11/01/26)
Quantum Vibe, 11/01/26
Source: Big Head Press
by Scott Bieser
Cartoon. (11/01/26)
Annual Fundraiser, Act II
THANK YOU to subscribing contributor JS, whose $10 monthly payment over the weekend brings our annual fundraiser total to (as of 5am Monday) $1,093.50!
We’re about 1/3 of the way through the fundraising period, and about 40% of the way to our goal. Ever so slightly “ahead of the curve,” but we’ve also been coasting a bit — and the more quickly we get where we’re going, the more quickly I can stop running my yap about money.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE FREEDOM MOVEMENT’S DAILY NEWSPAPER!
Once we’ve raised $2,751.50, supporter GL will “match funds” to get us across the $5,503 finish line. The latter can’t happen until the former does, so please help out:
https://news.rationalreview.com/support-rrnd
Have a great day!
Yours in liberty,
Tom Knapp
Publisher
Rational Review News Digest / Freedom News Daily
Iran: Regime offers 48-hour Hormuz reopening plan as Trump signals progress in talks
Source: Investing.com
“Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within two days if Washington meets its conditions, offering a breakthrough in talks to end the war as both sides warn that renewed fighting could spread regionally. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Qatari mediators had helped shorten Tehran’s seven-day reopening proposal. Under the revised sequence, the U.S. would take steps on the first day, and shipping would resume on the second. Meanwhile, Iranian negotiators reportedly held a third consecutive day of talks with Qatari mediators on Sunday to advance a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, according to a Reuters News report.” (11/01/26)
Doomsday Plan: Indicator or Not, Prepping is Just Common Sense
Source: Garrison Center
by Thomas L. Knapp
“I’d like to say ‘don’t panic,’ and that’s exactly what I will say — not because I’m convinced nothing bizarre is about to happen, but because ‘prepping’ is always good advice anyway. These news cycle indicators may or may not be predictive in the near term, but laying in some shelf-stable food and bottled water can’t hurt and will stand you in good stead for even the smaller ‘disasters’ that have always been part of life (blizzards, hurricanes, etc.). IS something big coming? I haven’t the faintest. I don’t move in circles of power where I’d pick up that kind of thing before you. That said, we live in a time of multiple escalating crises.” (11/01/26)
Unattended Baggage, episode 361
Source: Unattended Baggage
“It’s election day … again … maybe.” (10/31/26)
https://unattendedbaggage.substack.com/p/episode-361-its-election-dayagainmaybe
Judge tosses frivolous DOJ lawsuit over US Senate race
Source: The Hill
“A federal judge on Sunday dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit in Alaska that sought to block certification if the second Dan Sullivan running for Senate causes voter confusion and leads Democrats to flip the seat. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason ruled the administration hadn’t shown how she could rectify their concerns, as ballots are already prepared and Election Day is on Tuesday. … The administration can now try to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.” (11/01/26)
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/6186982-judge-dismisses-trump-alaska-lawsuit