Global defense spending grew 7% to a record $2.4 trillion in 2023, the fastest annual rise since 2009. / Reuters
Related: “We now risk entering a pre-war era that consolidates the battle lines of conflict globally.” / Noema
In Myanmar, a new generation joins the rebels who’ve opposed military dictatorship for decades. / The New York Times [+]
The United States prepares sanctions on Chinese banks, hoping to slow Beijing’s support of Russia’s military. / The Wall Street Journal [+]
Congress is experiencing a lot of “congressional fluidity” at the moment: dynamic coalitions that are actually making substantive legislation. / Wake Up to Politics
An “exclusive weekly digital salon” hosts off-the-record conversations for anti-Trump legal experts. / Politico Magazine
The UK passes a contentious bill that will send asylum seekers to Rwanda for their claims to be considered. / CNN
“Thousands of years ago, there was a ceremony to bind close friends together as sworn siblings.” A new idea for modern friendships. / Goats and Soda
“Life is a phenomenon that occurs at multiple scales.” What if our planet is a gigantic living creature? / Vox
In China, 60% of electric vehicles sold last year were less costly than their internal combustion equivalent. / axios
Scientists make new discoveries about almost every aspect of feathers. / Scientific American
Gideon Lewis-Kraus flies a new flying car. “Entirely forgotten was the banality of commuting to work.” / The New Yorker
Unrelated/related: Seven movies that are gayer when you’re high. / them
Taylor Swift breaks several of Spotify’s streaming records across multiple categories in only one day. / Vanity Fair
Related: “Pound for pound, song for song, this is the worst album of the 2020s.” / Antiart
