AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
@aabastian.com
Freelance Journalist, Professional Interpreter @ForeignPolicy, Journal of Burma Studies, Honorable Mention “Japanese Carp”-75th Writers Digest Competition, https://aabastian.com
Rep'ed by Amy Collins: The Dispatch: Rogue Americans in 19th C British Asia
Rep'ed by Amy Collins: The Dispatch: Rogue Americans in 19th C British Asia
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
The emails have Summers reporting to Epstein about his attempts to date a Harvard economics student & to hit on her during a seminar she was giving.
November 15, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The emails have Summers reporting to Epstein about his attempts to date a Harvard economics student & to hit on her during a seminar she was giving.
I’m practically eating popcorn waiting for the open the government vote.
The government shutdown has caused hardship.
The government shutdown has caused hardship.
November 13, 2025 at 12:47 AM
I’m practically eating popcorn waiting for the open the government vote.
The government shutdown has caused hardship.
The government shutdown has caused hardship.
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/b...
"In 1976, Song Ying swam for eight hours from Shenzhen, then a small fishing village, to Hong Kong...
Today, at 72, she is a New Yorker who voted for President Trump three times and voted early for Andrew M. Cuomo in Tuesday’s mayoral election."
"In 1976, Song Ying swam for eight hours from Shenzhen, then a small fishing village, to Hong Kong...
Today, at 72, she is a New Yorker who voted for President Trump three times and voted early for Andrew M. Cuomo in Tuesday’s mayoral election."
In Chinese American Families, There’s a Generational Split on Mamdani
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/b...
"In 1976, Song Ying swam for eight hours from Shenzhen, then a small fishing village, to Hong Kong...
Today, at 72, she is a New Yorker who voted for President Trump three times and voted early for Andrew M. Cuomo in Tuesday’s mayoral election."
"In 1976, Song Ying swam for eight hours from Shenzhen, then a small fishing village, to Hong Kong...
Today, at 72, she is a New Yorker who voted for President Trump three times and voted early for Andrew M. Cuomo in Tuesday’s mayoral election."
Who affords plane tickets? Middle and upper income earners, business travelers, and those who afford it for a significant event. Right around the family gathering season.
Many of whom will be Republicans.
Many of whom will be Republicans.
November 7, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Who affords plane tickets? Middle and upper income earners, business travelers, and those who afford it for a significant event. Right around the family gathering season.
Many of whom will be Republicans.
Many of whom will be Republicans.
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
DC Sandwich guy Sean Dunn has been found not guilty in the felony footlong exploding onion and mustard case!
November 6, 2025 at 7:47 PM
DC Sandwich guy Sean Dunn has been found not guilty in the felony footlong exploding onion and mustard case!
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
“This case, ladies and gentleman of the jury, is about a sandwich.”
Closing arguments from the defense in the DC sandwich guy case are now underway.
Closing arguments from the defense in the DC sandwich guy case are now underway.
November 5, 2025 at 6:57 PM
“This case, ladies and gentleman of the jury, is about a sandwich.”
Closing arguments from the defense in the DC sandwich guy case are now underway.
Closing arguments from the defense in the DC sandwich guy case are now underway.
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
It's not in this article but the government asserts that the sandwich was thrown at "point blank range", which implies subway sandwiches have defined effective weapon ranges of varying lethality, and I would like to see the government's chart of these ranges.
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:14 PM
It's not in this article but the government asserts that the sandwich was thrown at "point blank range", which implies subway sandwiches have defined effective weapon ranges of varying lethality, and I would like to see the government's chart of these ranges.
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
Myanmar girls marry to avoid military service
www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/early-to-...
www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/early-to-...
November 4, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Myanmar girls marry to avoid military service
www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/early-to-...
www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/early-to-...
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
November 3, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Entered into Google Search: what word describes people who are understanding of crime
And got among 3 professions, Social Worker
….
And got among 3 professions, Social Worker
….
November 4, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Entered into Google Search: what word describes people who are understanding of crime
And got among 3 professions, Social Worker
….
And got among 3 professions, Social Worker
….
My editor tonight: You can’t use “incognito” because there’s no way elephants can be incognito.
And a metaphor for something.
And a metaphor for something.
November 2, 2025 at 12:39 AM
My editor tonight: You can’t use “incognito” because there’s no way elephants can be incognito.
And a metaphor for something.
And a metaphor for something.
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
I was going to attend the ball of ghosts and witches,
A delegation would appear there in masks and wigs,
And dance, unrecognized, in the chorus of the living.
Czeslaw Milosz, All Hallow's Eve
#everynightapoem
A delegation would appear there in masks and wigs,
And dance, unrecognized, in the chorus of the living.
Czeslaw Milosz, All Hallow's Eve
#everynightapoem
November 1, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I was going to attend the ball of ghosts and witches,
A delegation would appear there in masks and wigs,
And dance, unrecognized, in the chorus of the living.
Czeslaw Milosz, All Hallow's Eve
#everynightapoem
A delegation would appear there in masks and wigs,
And dance, unrecognized, in the chorus of the living.
Czeslaw Milosz, All Hallow's Eve
#everynightapoem
We had a couple of 6-8yr-old k-pop demon hunters at our door tonight. They didn’t say anything at first so I just put candy in their bags and said Happy Halloween.
Then they turned to each other, speaking native Korean, bowed to us, and left.
I felt transported.
Then they turned to each other, speaking native Korean, bowed to us, and left.
I felt transported.
November 1, 2025 at 1:51 AM
We had a couple of 6-8yr-old k-pop demon hunters at our door tonight. They didn’t say anything at first so I just put candy in their bags and said Happy Halloween.
Then they turned to each other, speaking native Korean, bowed to us, and left.
I felt transported.
Then they turned to each other, speaking native Korean, bowed to us, and left.
I felt transported.
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
The 584th is one of two tank units that would be poised to counterattack against any Chinese amphibious landing in the north of Taiwan, threatening the capital of Taipei.
Photos of Taiwan’s 584th Armored “Dengbu” Brigade’s M1A2T Abrams commissioning ceremony.
The 584th is the first unit in Taiwan to activate its Abrams tanks, where it replaces the CM-11 Brave Tiger.
The 584th is the first unit in Taiwan to activate its Abrams tanks, where it replaces the CM-11 Brave Tiger.
October 31, 2025 at 4:15 AM
The 584th is one of two tank units that would be poised to counterattack against any Chinese amphibious landing in the north of Taiwan, threatening the capital of Taipei.
An edit for my book could really use a visit to the elephants at the Smithsonian Zoo.
But, the government is shut down. So no elephant research.
But, the government is shut down. So no elephant research.
October 31, 2025 at 2:02 AM
An edit for my book could really use a visit to the elephants at the Smithsonian Zoo.
But, the government is shut down. So no elephant research.
But, the government is shut down. So no elephant research.
How the 19th-Century Opium War Shapes Xi’s Trade Clash With Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/w...
How the 19th-Century Opium War Shapes Xi’s Trade Clash With Trump
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:10 AM
How the 19th-Century Opium War Shapes Xi’s Trade Clash With Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/w...
3rd serious accident in the DC area in 2 days. The suffering and instability being heaved at this town is sad.
October 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
3rd serious accident in the DC area in 2 days. The suffering and instability being heaved at this town is sad.
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
October 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
Congratulations to Maria Corina Machado, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize - her incredible optimism has already changed her country. I spoke to her, and wrote about her, at the beginning of this year:
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
The ‘Anthropological Change’ Happening in Venezuela
Maduro is still in place, but a pro-democracy movement is transforming the beleaguered country.
www.theatlantic.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Congratulations to Maria Corina Machado, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize - her incredible optimism has already changed her country. I spoke to her, and wrote about her, at the beginning of this year:
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Almost as if the Nobel Peace Prize was a negative vote for Trump.
October 10, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Almost as if the Nobel Peace Prize was a negative vote for Trump.
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
Here’s the real reason Endurance sank. It wasn't just the rudder. The ship just wasn't designed to withstand the powerful ice compression forces, which slowly crushed and "annihilated" the ship—and Shackleton knew about the structural weaknesses before setting sail. arstechnica.com/science/2025...
Here’s the real reason Endurance sank
The ship wasn’t designed to withstand the powerful ice compression forces—and Shackleton knew it…
arstechnica.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Here’s the real reason Endurance sank. It wasn't just the rudder. The ship just wasn't designed to withstand the powerful ice compression forces, which slowly crushed and "annihilated" the ship—and Shackleton knew about the structural weaknesses before setting sail. arstechnica.com/science/2025...
Reposted by AA Bastian 卞曉菁 | باستيان
The best way for a photo to catch my attention is if it looks like data:
Fig. 2. Scatterplot displaying height (y axis) and translation (x axis) of suspended suitcases.
Fig. 2. Scatterplot displaying height (y axis) and translation (x axis) of suspended suitcases.
October 4, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The best way for a photo to catch my attention is if it looks like data:
Fig. 2. Scatterplot displaying height (y axis) and translation (x axis) of suspended suitcases.
Fig. 2. Scatterplot displaying height (y axis) and translation (x axis) of suspended suitcases.
Over $1 Million Worth of Treasure Is Recovered From 1715 Spanish Shipwreck www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
Over $1 Million Worth of Treasure Is Recovered From 1715 Spanish Shipwreck
www.nytimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Over $1 Million Worth of Treasure Is Recovered From 1715 Spanish Shipwreck www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
October 4, 2025 at 9:01 PM