The hottest International Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Why Are So Many British Women Getting Abortions? Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 310 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
📰 News International
  1. Abortions in England and Wales are at their highest level since legalization, with roughly one in three pregnancies ending in termination. Easier access to medication, growing normalization of abortion, and a generation of women who feel unready or too imperfect to parent are major factors in the rise.
  2. Social media can serve as a broad public fact-checker, pushing back on and correcting official narratives in high-profile cases like the Alex Pretti killing. Crowdsourced scrutiny sometimes exposes government inaccuracies faster than traditional channels.
  3. Blaming data centers for energy crises misses the root cause: weak, outdated power grids that can’t support modern industrial growth. Improving grid capacity and planning is the real solution, not demonizing data infrastructure.

Former CIA operative attempted to introduce DEA asset to Colombian FTO in Curaçao, according to U.S. attorneys

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 569 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
📰 News International
  1. Former CIA operative Robert Sensi and ex‑DEA official Paul Campo are accused of laundering millions and facilitating large drug deals for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, including converting cash into cryptocurrency and paying for hundreds of kilograms of cocaine.
  2. Prosecutors say Sensi tried to arrange a meeting in Curaçao between a DEA confidential source (posing as a CJNG member) and a representative of a U.S.‑designated Colombian foreign terrorist group. He allegedly discussed sourcing weapons like rifles and even C‑4 explosives.
  3. U.S. attorneys filed WhatsApp messages and other evidence, including many seized phones, to oppose Sensi's bail and argue that his travel and actions show he remains a flight and public‑safety risk despite his age and medical problems.

‘I Joined ICE Watch.’ Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 477 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
📰 News International
  1. Minneapolis activists run secret Signal chats to track and sometimes confront ICE officers. They share tips and a database of suspected ICE vehicles and say the killing of an ICE observer has hardened their resolve.
  2. Reports say Iran’s regime has launched a massive, bloody crackdown that may have killed thousands of protesters, prompting warnings that this looks like a full-scale massacre. Observers are calling for urgent support for Iranians while debating whether and how outside powers should intervene.
  3. The bulletin also highlights other major political and global stories, from Supreme Court fights over trans athletes and the U.S.–China AI race to policy moves like ending TPS for Somali refugees and internet shutdowns ahead of elections. It notes domestic repercussions too, including prosecutor resignations tied to the ICE shooting.

Universal Civilisation or Cultural Decadence?

Glenn’s Substack • 559 implied HN points • 27 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture International
  1. Culture plays a big role in international politics, and France has a strong history of embracing cosmopolitanism.
  2. The opening ceremony of the Olympics may be seen as a show of tolerance, but it also has contradictions regarding accepting criticism.
  3. Liberal societies often struggle with tolerance for different opinions, especially about issues like immigration and gender, which can create cultural pressure to conform.

Does MP Chi Onwurah Defend the Center for Countering Digital Hate to Protect Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney?

The DisInformation Chronicle • 245 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
📰 News International
  1. Chi Onwurah defended the Center for Countering Digital Hate and rejected claims it’s a Labour front, arguing the Online Safety Act was driven by Conservatives — a stance critics say is misleading.
  2. The Center for Countering Digital Hate was founded by Imran Ahmed and Morgan McSweeney, who has close Labour ties, and the group worked with Conservative MP Damian Collins to help shape and promote the Online Safety Act.
  3. There are broader concerns that government units and advocacy groups have influenced social-media policy and takedowns during the pandemic and beyond, raising free-speech and censorship questions that many say need further scrutiny and reporting.
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THB Insider #28 - Thanksgiving Reading

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 922 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
📰 News International
  1. Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, football, and simple traditions like putting the turkey in at sunrise.
  2. The community prizes intellectual hospitality and genuine debate, valuing collegiality, diverse views, and mutual support.
  3. The newsletter curates recommended readings for the long weekend and some content is available only to paid subscribers.

The Smoking Glove

Arkmedic's blog • 4363 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International
  1. The SARS-Cov-2 virus was likely lab-made and created using a specific splicing enzyme.
  2. Lab techniques like restriction endonucleases are used to create infectious viruses from DNA clones.
  3. Evidence suggests that EcoHealth Alliance ordered a specific enzyme needed to splice the COVID virus, supporting claims of a lab origin.

‘I Let the AI Run My Life.’ Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 282 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
📰 News International
  1. A person let an AI manage her bank, inbox, calendar, investments, and daily tasks, showing how easy it is to build an all‑seeing personal assistant and raising questions about convenience versus loss of autonomy.
  2. A new Friday newsletter edition now curates the week's top stories, arrives later in the morning, and includes features like an advice column to help readers catch up on longer pieces.
  3. The reporting spans big political fights and legal battles, human stories about deportation and censorship, and some hopeful news such as falling fentanyl deaths and activists using Starlink to get around internet blackouts.

Decarbonization and climate change hysteria died this winter

Unreported Truths • 57 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment International
  1. The EPA's endangerment finding was revoked, removing a key legal basis for aggressive U.S. decarbonization, and this policy reversal drew surprisingly little public protest.
  2. Many decarbonization policies depended on expensive subsidies and immature technologies like intermittent wind and solar without cheap storage, and Europe’s energy crisis plus China’s rising coal use undermined those efforts.
  3. Political and cultural momentum for radical climate action has faded: voters rejected big green subsidy programs in 2024, legal fights over regulation will likely shift decisions to Congress, and climate activism no longer mobilizes mass protests.

A (highly visual) follow-up to yesterday's piece on the death of climate change hysteria

Unreported Truths • 52 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment International
  1. Global carbon dioxide emissions have risen about 60% since 2000, so the world is emitting more CO2 now than ever.
  2. The US, EU, and Japan cut emissions roughly 25% and now make up only about one-fifth of global emissions, while China emits far more and is rapidly adding coal-fired power plants.
  3. Emphasizing Western cuts while ignoring booming emissions elsewhere weakens climate messaging and breeds skepticism, and clear charts or examples of elite hypocrisy can be persuasive to doubtful audiences.

The Most Dismal News Possible

Gordian Knot News • 769 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International
  1. The Korean APR1400 nuclear reactor is much cheaper and more efficient to build compared to the American AP1000, which has become overly expensive.
  2. Westinghouse has used legal tactics to hinder the APR1400's export, claiming it involves American technology, despite the Koreans having rights to it.
  3. A recent settlement means Koreans now have to pay high licensing fees to Westinghouse, significantly increasing the cost of exporting the APR1400 and impacting the future of affordable nuclear energy.

Bloodshed at Bondi and Brown. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 565 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
📰 News International
  1. Two mass shootings — at Brown University and Bondi Beach — killed and injured many people and show how vulnerable campuses and public gatherings have become.
  2. The Bondi attack underscored a sharp rise in antisemitic and anti‑Zionist violence, prompting urgent calls for honest public debate and stronger protections for Jewish communities.
  3. The newsletter ties these events to broader cultural and free‑speech shifts: worries about the decline of longform reading and concerns over censorship, exemplified by the UK’s age‑verification of The Free Press.

Toohey’s Hot Start and Traore’s Champions League Debut Highlight Top International Prospect Performances

Chad Ford's NBA Big Board • 59 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🎾 Sports International
  1. Nolan Traore had an impressive debut in the Champions League, showing his talent despite earlier struggles. His performance helped his team win a big game.
  2. Alex Toohey is off to a strong start in Australia, making a name for himself early in the season. His skills are catching the attention of scouts.
  3. Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue continue to excel in Germany, proving they are top prospects. Their consistent play is making them standout players in their league.

Top Links 947 Safe assets. Robots in China. Powering Africa. Fascism in the body.

Chartbook • 443 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
💰 Finance International
  1. The production of safe assets around the world is mostly due to US dollar investments. This shows how important the dollar is in global finance.
  2. There are advancements in robotics in China that are changing various industries. This suggests that technology is rapidly evolving and impacting economies.
  3. There are discussions about the energy needs of Africa and how to power it efficiently. It's a critical topic for the continent's development.

Bari’s Picks of the Week: Charlie Kirk’s Final Message

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 463 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
📰 News International
  1. Charlie Kirk says observing the Sabbath transformed him and inspired his final book, which argues that taking regular time offline can change a life. His wife will discuss the book and their experiences in a town hall about grief and forgiveness.
  2. A new America at 250 newsletter will explore American history and highlight lesser-known Founders like George Mason, arguing his work influenced the Declaration and the Bill of Rights. The project aims to celebrate and reexamine the ideas that shaped the country.
  3. Reporting focused on contentious social issues: a Canadian court ruling recognizing Indigenous "Aboriginal title" has left long-time homeowners in legal limbo, while debates over legalizing assisted suicide (MAID) continue across the West. These stories show how legal and moral questions are reshaping communities and medical practice.

Remembering Rob Reiner. The Heroism of Jimmy Lai. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 426 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
📰 News International
  1. Jimmy Lai has become a powerful symbol of press freedom after staying in Hong Kong to run Apple Daily, and he now faces sedition and collusion convictions with a possible life sentence after more than 1,800 days in solitary.
  2. Rob Reiner’s shocking murder has left a cultural void, and many criticized the president for mocking the dead instead of showing basic respect.
  3. The pieces highlight broader alarms: rising antisemitism forcing Jews into hiding, controversies over human-rights reporting such as Amnesty’s handling of Hamas, and a spate of violent events and policy shifts shaping global news.

Special Report: Emergency Situation as Prigozhin Goes Nuclear Option

Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge • 7713 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics International
  1. Important events are unfolding related to Prigozhin initiating a coup attempt.
  2. The situation has been developing for a while, potentially due to Prigozhin refusing to sign a contract with the Russian MOD.
  3. There are theories ranging from Prigozhin collaborating with enemies to orchestrating an internal coup within the Russian military.

Are the Phones Really to Blame? Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 398 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
📰 News International
  1. Many people blame smartphones for youth mental-health and attention problems, sparking school phone bans and a low-tech backlash. Some experts say those harms are overstated and warn broad bans could hurt free expression and bring unintended costs.
  2. A powerful sedative called medetomidine has appeared in Philadelphia and is knocking users into dangerous, sleep-like states that can send them to the ER or leave them unconscious. Dealers are mixing it into cheap stamps, worsening the city's overdose crisis.
  3. Rising geopolitical risks are piling up: Trump’s aggressive posture in Latin America could accidentally trigger conflict, Ukraine refuses territorial concessions, and incidents like AI-chip smuggling and worries about Iranian operatives add to global instability. Together these developments are making the international situation more volatile.

Killing Narco Speedboat Survivors Is a War Crime. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 398 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
📰 News International
  1. U.S. forces are accused of ordering a second strike that killed survivors of a destroyed narco speedboat, which could amount to a war crime if confirmed; officials deny the report and lawmakers are demanding vigorous oversight.
  2. Prominent writers are sparking public debate, from a tribute to Tom Stoppard's life and craft to a sharp disagreement over whether America's poverty line could realistically be as high as $140,000.
  3. Several major political and policy stories are unfolding at once: Social Security faces a projected shortfall by 2033, controversial clemency and legal actions are drawing criticism, and international tensions and pardon requests are raising rule-of-law concerns.

The Busboy and the Boss. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 412 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
📰 News International
  1. Immigrant experiences in America can lead to glittering success or humble, vital livelihoods, but both share pride and belonging. For many, becoming a U.S. citizen and taking the oath is a deeply meaningful, defining moment.
  2. Entrepreneurs are building erotic AI chatbots to tackle a loneliness crisis and have drawn millions of users. There is real doubt about whether these automated fantasies can truly replace genuine human connection.
  3. Wellness start-ups and celebrity-endorsed practices can morph into harmful, cult-like organizations when power and secrecy go unchecked. Allegations around orgasmic meditation show how such movements can lead to exploitation, labor abuses, and sexual trauma.

The Golden Age of Humanity? We’re Living in It. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 412 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
📰 News International
  1. Many people feel modern life is empty, but Enlightenment ideas like reason, rights, and science have driven huge gains in health, wealth, and freedom, leading some to call this a golden age for humanity.
  2. There’s a notable religious revival and a strain of political nostalgia on the right that longs for older Christian social orders, even flirting with monarchic or feudal ideas that challenge modern democratic norms.
  3. Current events show a mixed reality: legal battles, heated debates over the Second Amendment, foreign-run social media accounts stoking outrage, and rising utility shutoffs all highlight serious problems that persist despite long-term progress.

Should Israel Pardon Bibi? The AI Cure for Deafness. Plus. . . 

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 306 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
📰 News International
  1. Netanyahu's formal pardon request has split Israel: some see a pardon as a way to heal the nation, while others view it as a dangerous blow to the rule of law.
  2. Recent Trump-linked lawfare efforts are backfiring because inexperienced prosecutors were disqualified, delaying hearings and weakening the cases they were meant to press.
  3. Rapid advances in AI and gene editing are reshaping medicine and ethics — they could make deafness rare and force society to decide whether editing embryos to prevent disease is a moral duty or a slide toward eugenics.

An Interview With Oscar About College in Ireland

Design Mom • 1434 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🚌 Education International
  1. Oscar chose to study in Ireland to do his coursework in English and be closer to his family in the EU.
  2. In his university in Ireland, students have to pick specific Courses when applying instead of declaring a major later on.
  3. American universities start with general education classes, while in Oscar's university, students apply directly to their preferred Course from a list.

Editors’ Picks: Jimmy Lai, Norman Podhoretz, and Rob Reiner

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 199 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
📰 News International
  1. Editors highlight the lives and legacies of three notable men: Jimmy Lai, Norman Podhoretz, and Rob Reiner.
  2. This week included a string of brutal violence — a shooting at Brown University that killed two students and injured nine, an MIT professor was later murdered, and Rob Reiner and his wife were fatally stabbed.
  3. The pieces mix remembrance and ongoing struggle, noting that while some are being mourned, one of the three is still fighting for his freedom.

10 Things I Learned From the Epstein Files

The Corbett Report • 38 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
📰 News International
  1. Jeffrey Epstein had deep ties to intelligence services, wealthy elites, and global institutions, appearing to act as an operative, fixer and broker between governments, businesses and security actors.
  2. The released files show troubling links across finance, technology and internet culture — from coded "pizza" communications and 4chan connections to funding in bitcoin and gaming — suggesting a broad network of influence and possible abuse, though many items are suggestive rather than definitive.
  3. The DOJ release is partial and heavily redacted, exposed survivors, and left major questions unanswered about his death and who else was involved, prompting calls for more documents and accountability.

THE SHOW NOTES: Houthi Attacks, Biden’s EPA Failure, & The Coldest NFL Game Ever?

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1238 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International
  1. The coldest NFL game in history could be the Dolphins at Chiefs playoff game.
  2. The US and its allies conducted a significant attack on Yemen's Houthi rebels after they ignored demands to cease attacks on merchant ships.
  3. Remote workers are being promoted less frequently than office workers and also receive less mentorship.

How the Kyiv Independent used global sympathy to generate membership revenue

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 124 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
📰 News International
  1. Being the main English-language outlet on the ground during Russia’s invasion brought massive global attention and traffic.
  2. They turned international sympathy into income by shifting from one-off donations to a Guardian-style membership model without using a paywall, growing recurring revenue.
  3. They’ve also started producing longform documentaries as part of their editorial and revenue strategy.

Does the State of Israel Have a Case Against The New York Times?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 542 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International
  1. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu is considering legal action against The New York Times for an article about starvation in Gaza. He believes the article falsely defames Israel.
  2. Some legal experts think Israel could win a defamation case due to the seriousness of the claims in the article.
  3. However, under U.S. law, countries cannot actually sue for libel, so Israel's chances of winning such a case are very slim.

World roundup: January 10 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 766 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International
  1. 2023 was the hottest year on record with global temperatures reaching 1.48 degrees Celsius higher than in the 19th century.
  2. There is concern whether the increasing temperatures are a one-time spike or the new normal.
  3. Humanity is close to breaching the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold set in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

Three Uncomfortable Truths About Bukele's Crackdown On Gangs

CrashOut by Ioan Grillo • 1218 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics International
  1. The crackdown on gangs in El Salvador led by President Bukele has been effective in reducing crime rates significantly.
  2. Despite criticism, Bukele's offensive is popular among the people of El Salvador due to the tangible benefits seen from the eradication of gang influence.
  3. The methods used in the crackdown, while successful, have been brutal, leading to concerns about human rights violations and the high number of individuals incarcerated.

Evolve Exec Pleads The Fifth in Missing Money Case

Fintech Business Weekly • 44 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
💰 Finance International
  1. Evolve’s tie-up with Synapse left thousands of customers unable to access funds, reconciliations showed huge shortfalls, a key exec invoked the Fifth on FDIC insurance, and the bank is still finding and distributing more money more than 600 days after the freeze.
  2. Evolve is resisting document requests by citing consumer privacy rules even though it was previously hacked and leaked terabytes of data, and court filings say the bank doesn’t know how the forensic firm Ankura calculated amounts returned to users while seeking to seal deposition transcripts.
  3. bunq is reapplying for a U.S. national bank charter under a new U.S. holding structure, but faces tough odds: other European digital banks have struggled in America, the addressable market of European expats is small, and bunq’s fee-driven model, limited lending, and clunky app may not win many U.S. customers.

Top Links 828 Cocoa smuggling. From radical to neo-Nazi. "Your darkness" & Pop goes the Easel.

Chartbook • 429 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
📰 News International
  1. Cocoa smuggling is a significant issue affecting the chocolate industry, highlighting global supply chain challenges.
  2. There are discussions about radical groups and how their ideologies can evolve into more extreme forms like neo-Nazism.
  3. Wage growth for low-wage workers in the US has sharply decreased, meaning workers have less power to negotiate better pay.

Investors bet on Waymo's acceleration

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
💼 Business International
  1. Big AI labs are deliberately diversifying cloud and chip partners and raising massive sums to secure compute capacity, which spreads vendor dependence across several big players. This reduces single-vendor risk but also deepens ties between top cloud and chip companies and the major AI models.
  2. The US is using public funds and joint ventures to build domestic critical-minerals processing capacity, backing a Korea Zinc-led smelter project with loans, equity stakes, and subsidies to onshore supply chains. That approach hands significant control to U.S. public and private actors while accelerating industrial capacity at scale.
  3. Waymo is gearing up to rapidly scale its fleet and expand into many new cities, including international markets, and is courting large financing at a roughly $100B valuation because investors expect quick revenue growth. Its main risks are eroding rider and regulator trust if it moves too fast and tougher competition from rivals.

World roundup: January 24 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 530 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International
  1. Groundwater depletion is accelerating in many parts of the world, especially in dry regions with extensive cropland.
  2. Some aquifers have shown a decline in depletion where governments have improved water management.
  3. Negotiations around the ceasefire plan for Israel-Palestine are progressing, with disagreements on the duration and terms of the ceasefire.

Kemi Badenoch: ‘I Don’t Think DOGE Is Radical Enough’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1126 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International
  1. Kemi Badenoch believes that the weakness in values is a bigger threat than external dangers, like Russia or China. She thinks it's important to stand firm on core beliefs rather than being overly tolerant of harmful ideas.
  2. She supports the idea that Europe needs to toughen up against things that could undermine its security, as highlighted by J.D. Vance's speech at a recent conference.
  3. Badenoch emphasizes that it's not liberal values themselves that are the issue but the extreme focus on tolerance that could lead to weakening societal foundations.

Top Links 795 How global bond markets closed for low-income borrowers and then reopened. Selling ICE fossils to Russia. China's AI competition & One Art.

Chartbook • 472 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
💰 Finance International
  1. Global bond markets have shifted, closing previously to low-income borrowers, but they have now opened up again. This change can affect how governments of poorer countries manage their debt.
  2. The topic of selling fossil fuels to Russia is being discussed, highlighting the complexities of international trade and its implications on climate change.
  3. China's competition in AI is growing, showing how important technology is in today's world economy and how it can impact various sectors.