Robin MacNab
@robinmacnab.bsky.social
Canadian Foreign Service Officer 1971 - 2015. RTs of news on international affairs, technology and other subjects.
How Epstein got so rich www.dw.com/en/where-did...
How Epstein got so rich
How did the well-connected financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein amass such great wealth?
www.dw.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:10 AM
How Epstein got so rich www.dw.com/en/where-did...
In the past two years, the Kremlin has expanded a campaign of disruption and sabotage across Europe aimed at weakening the resolve of western powers in their support for Ukraine and sowing social unrest. www.ft.com/content/dbd1...
Russia’s Wagner Group pivots to European sabotage, say western officials
Recruiters involved with fighter group are said to be targeting agents for operations on Nato soil
www.ft.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:49 PM
In the past two years, the Kremlin has expanded a campaign of disruption and sabotage across Europe aimed at weakening the resolve of western powers in their support for Ukraine and sowing social unrest. www.ft.com/content/dbd1...
Devised to facilitate internet connectivity in the most remote regions of the world, Elon Musk’s Starlink has become a vital means of communication in crisis regions and war zones. There are downsides to this. www.dw.com/en/starlink-...
Starlink: How Elon Musk's company influences geopolitics
Devised to facilitate internet connectivity in the most remote regions of the world, Elon Musk’s Starlink has become a vital means of communication in crisis regions and war zones. There are downsides...
www.dw.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Devised to facilitate internet connectivity in the most remote regions of the world, Elon Musk’s Starlink has become a vital means of communication in crisis regions and war zones. There are downsides to this. www.dw.com/en/starlink-...
Kingston Whig Standard’s @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social Although the level of repression in the United States has not yet reached that of China, it is painfully obvious that Washington and Beijing share an authoritarian disdain for human rights and press freedom www.thewhig.com/opinion/beij...
Beijing and Washington assault press freedom
In authoritarian states, press freedom and freedom of expression are suppressed and journalists are persecuted for telling the truth.
www.thewhig.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Kingston Whig Standard’s @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social Although the level of repression in the United States has not yet reached that of China, it is painfully obvious that Washington and Beijing share an authoritarian disdain for human rights and press freedom www.thewhig.com/opinion/beij...
The United States exports more weapons than any other country. Data shows which regions buy the most US-made weapons — and experts discuss strategies for escaping dependence. www.dw.com/en/eu-seeks-...
EU seeks self-reliance as US, China dominate defense sector
The United States exports more weapons than any other country. Data shows which regions buy the most US-made weapons — and experts discuss strategies for escaping dependence.
www.dw.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:31 PM
The United States exports more weapons than any other country. Data shows which regions buy the most US-made weapons — and experts discuss strategies for escaping dependence. www.dw.com/en/eu-seeks-...
This gift article from the Washington Post wapo.st/4rH39Fi on Maryland’s efforts to establish a centre for quantum computing is interesting in the context of the same initiatives being undertaken by Canada and the Waterloo Region in particular.
This Maryland lab’s quantum computer could cure cancer — and steal passwords
Gov. Wes Moore (D), who calls quantum computing a “lighthouse industry” for Maryland, has secured more than $1 billion in funding to help create a local industry hub.
wapo.st
February 8, 2026 at 8:26 PM
This gift article from the Washington Post wapo.st/4rH39Fi on Maryland’s efforts to establish a centre for quantum computing is interesting in the context of the same initiatives being undertaken by Canada and the Waterloo Region in particular.
Toastmasters International -2026 Golden Gavel Honoree. Congratulations to Jennifer Moss, yet another Waterloo Region success story! www.toastmasters.org/events/2026-...
Toastmasters 2026 Golden Gavel Honoree
A bio and session description of Toastmasters 2026 Golden Gavel Honoree
www.toastmasters.org
February 8, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Toastmasters International -2026 Golden Gavel Honoree. Congratulations to Jennifer Moss, yet another Waterloo Region success story! www.toastmasters.org/events/2026-...
From a year ago. Still dead on: Trump isn’t a narcissist – he’s a solipsist. And it means a few simple things | John R MacArthur www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump isn’t a narcissist – he’s a solipsist. And it means a few simple things | John R MacArthur
The president delights in being attacked, since it keeps the focus on him. The press should handle him like parents with an ornery child
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:22 AM
From a year ago. Still dead on: Trump isn’t a narcissist – he’s a solipsist. And it means a few simple things | John R MacArthur www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A brilliant assessment: Can neuroscience shed light on Trump’s new world disorder? www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Can neuroscience shed light on Trump’s new world disorder?
We can expect ever-escalating behaviour, until something breaks the cycle
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:16 AM
A brilliant assessment: Can neuroscience shed light on Trump’s new world disorder? www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Solid piece from the New York Times “The Globalization of Canadian Rage” (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/o...
Opinion | The Globalization of Canadian Rage
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Solid piece from the New York Times “The Globalization of Canadian Rage” (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/o...
Under a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led SDF, Syrian government troops have entered Kurdish strongholds, with the stated goal of facilitating Kurds' integration. But the situation is volatile www.dw.com/en/kurds-in-...
Kurds in northeastern Syria fear end of autonomy
Under a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led SDF, Syrian government troops have entered Kurdish strongholds, with the stated goal of facilitating Kurds' integration. But the situation is volatile,...
www.dw.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Under a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led SDF, Syrian government troops have entered Kurdish strongholds, with the stated goal of facilitating Kurds' integration. But the situation is volatile www.dw.com/en/kurds-in-...
A new WHO study suggests more than 7 million cases of cancer in 2022 were preventable. Nearly 40% of all the cases that year were caused by modifiable risk factors — behavioral and environmental factors we can change. www.dw.com/en/world-can...
'Prevent cancer before it starts': new WHO study maps risks
A new WHO study suggests more than 7 million cases of cancer in 2022 were preventable. Nearly 40% of all the cases that year were caused by modifiable risk factors — behavioral and environmental facto...
www.dw.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:54 PM
A new WHO study suggests more than 7 million cases of cancer in 2022 were preventable. Nearly 40% of all the cases that year were caused by modifiable risk factors — behavioral and environmental factors we can change. www.dw.com/en/world-can...
How a heckled Canadian became Germany's Olympic hockey coach www.dw.com/en/2026-wint...
How a heckled Canadian became Germany's Olympic hockey coach
Harold Kreis is set to head to his first Olympic Games as coach of the German men's ice hockey team. Now a legend of the game in his adopted homeland, he wasn't welcomed by all when he first arrived f...
www.dw.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:45 PM
How a heckled Canadian became Germany's Olympic hockey coach www.dw.com/en/2026-wint...
The United States has introduced a new food pyramid with significantly more meat, dairy and fat. Health and sustainability experts are alarmed. www.dw.com/en/let-them-...
Let them eat steak? Experts roast inverted US food pyramid
The United States has introduced a new food pyramid with significantly more meat, dairy and fat. Health and sustainability experts are alarmed.
www.dw.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:25 PM
The United States has introduced a new food pyramid with significantly more meat, dairy and fat. Health and sustainability experts are alarmed. www.dw.com/en/let-them-...
Perhaps the best book on his long list, “Black Cherry Blues” by James Lee Burke is on sale today as an ebook for $1.99. If you haven’t yet discovered him, this is your chance. I started with this one, and 44 books later …..
February 1, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Perhaps the best book on his long list, “Black Cherry Blues” by James Lee Burke is on sale today as an ebook for $1.99. If you haven’t yet discovered him, this is your chance. I started with this one, and 44 books later …..
While it’s unlikely people will boycott Starbucks over these changes, it might be the nudge some customers need to explore local Canadian coffee shops instead www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
Starbucks’ revamped loyalty program will leave customers with a bitter aftertaste
Anyone paying attention to their Stars balance can see the new math won’t work in their favour
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:38 PM
While it’s unlikely people will boycott Starbucks over these changes, it might be the nudge some customers need to explore local Canadian coffee shops instead www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
This farewell from David Brooks (gift article) is profound: Time to Say Goodbye : www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/o...
Opinion | Time to Say Goodbye
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:53 PM
This farewell from David Brooks (gift article) is profound: Time to Say Goodbye : www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/o...
4 Parkinson’s disease symptoms that can show up decades before a diagnosis (gift article) wapo.st/49O7uk0
4 Parkinson’s disease symptoms that can show up decades before a diagnosis
A loss of the sense of smell or acting out one’s dreams can occur years in advance.
wapo.st
January 28, 2026 at 11:58 PM
4 Parkinson’s disease symptoms that can show up decades before a diagnosis (gift article) wapo.st/49O7uk0
What to know to save a life: The key to cardiac arrest survival (gift article) wapo.st/4rl5oxL
What to know to save a life: The key to cardiac arrest survival
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital setting in the United States annually, according to the American Heart Association.
wapo.st
January 28, 2026 at 11:32 AM
What to know to save a life: The key to cardiac arrest survival (gift article) wapo.st/4rl5oxL
Carney’s Davos speech: “The Most Important Foreign Policy Speech in Years”. (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/o...
Opinion | The Most Important Foreign Policy Speech in Years
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Carney’s Davos speech: “The Most Important Foreign Policy Speech in Years”. (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/o...
As with Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, politics are dominating the buildup to North America's 2026 World Cup. Could discontent with Donald Trump in Europe see football heavyweights unite to boycott the tournament? www.dw.com/en/calls-gro...
Calls grow for European teams to boycott World Cup 2026
As with Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, politics are dominating the buildup to North America's 2026 World Cup. Could discontent with Donald Trump in Europe see football heavyweights unite to boycott...
www.dw.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:33 PM
As with Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, politics are dominating the buildup to North America's 2026 World Cup. Could discontent with Donald Trump in Europe see football heavyweights unite to boycott the tournament? www.dw.com/en/calls-gro...
David French (gift article): The longer our nation slogs through this terrible political moment, the more I’m convinced that the real national conflict isn’t between left and right — it’s between liberal and illiberal, decent and indecent. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/o...
Opinion | How College Can Tear Us Apart
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:52 PM
David French (gift article): The longer our nation slogs through this terrible political moment, the more I’m convinced that the real national conflict isn’t between left and right — it’s between liberal and illiberal, decent and indecent. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/o...
Ezra Klein (gift article) on Carney Speech: It was a bracing speech, but more than that, it was a brave act. It was the kind of act that Trumpism suggests does not exist, the kind of act that rebuts Trumpism by simply existing. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/o...
Opinion | Trump Just Proved Carney’s Point
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Ezra Klein (gift article) on Carney Speech: It was a bracing speech, but more than that, it was a brave act. It was the kind of act that Trumpism suggests does not exist, the kind of act that rebuts Trumpism by simply existing. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/o...
“He was really someone that helped. It’s just impossible to imagine a negative interaction with him. And the fact that he was killed on city streets — as an employee of the U.S. government, by the U.S. government — it’s blowing my mind.” gift article wapo.st/3Z0RNzB
ICU nurse fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis cared for veterans
Alex Pretti, 37, identified by Minnesota’s attorney general as the man killed Saturday, was dedicated to caring for veterans, friends and colleagues said.
wapo.st
January 25, 2026 at 2:52 AM
“He was really someone that helped. It’s just impossible to imagine a negative interaction with him. And the fact that he was killed on city streets — as an employee of the U.S. government, by the U.S. government — it’s blowing my mind.” gift article wapo.st/3Z0RNzB
The Kurdish people are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world without their own country. Many are native to the region where four countries — Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey — meet and share languages and culture. www.dw.com/en/kurds-in-...
Kurds in the Middle East: Struggle for a homeland
The Kurdish people are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world without their own country. Many are native to the region where four countries — Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey — meet and share langu...
www.dw.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The Kurdish people are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world without their own country. Many are native to the region where four countries — Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey — meet and share languages and culture. www.dw.com/en/kurds-in-...