Alex Martin

(WSJ) -- China's state-sponsored hackers used artificial intelligence technology from Anthropic to automate break-ins of major corporations and foreign governments during a September hacking campaign, the company said Thursday.

@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/chin...

YouTube video by The Wall Street Journal Why Costco Went All in on Kirkland — and How It Paid Off | WSJ Case Study

i find every story about costco's brand strategy and overall approach completely fascinating.

Six Words Every Killer Should Know: ‘I Feared for My Life, Officer’ The number of legally sanctioned homicides has grown substantially in states with expanded self-defense rights under stand-your-ground laws.

Interesting WSJ analysis of NIBRS data finds justifiable homicides rising more rapidly than total homicides in Stand-Your-Ground states, and faster than it is rising in non-SYG states. The intended effect of SYG!, but they note some real problems with application of these laws.

Exclusive: The White House is preparing to step up pressure against big banks over perceived discrimination against conservatives and crypto companies with an executive order.

The fear-industrial complex is undefeated ...

Exclusive | Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files Attorney General Pam Bondi told the president that the department also decided to not release more Jeffrey Epstein documents because of the presence of child pornography and the need to protect victim...

Justice Department told Trump in May that his name is among many in the Epstein files. www.wsj.com/politics/jus... via @WSJ

The Other Nasty Breakup Inside MAGA Brandon Straka and Scott Presler were best of friends and celebrities in Trump’s movement. Now, one is accusing the other of grift and betrayal.

Actual quote in this story: "Whoever smelt it dealt it."

www.wsj.com/politics/ele... via @WSJ

"What I suggest instead is that SGA and every one of the league's referees be sent to a prison in Antarctica for the remainder of their natural lives."

Perhaps a tad harsh, but foul merchants ruin basketball.

They should invent a paper digest of all the day’s news that’s delivered to your house every morning so you can find out what’s going on and then just go live your life without looking at news until the next morning. This is a billion dollar idea.

The Stark Math on the GOP Tax Plan: It Doesn’t Cut the Deficit House Republicans advanced the bill late Sunday, but budget analysts across the political spectrum warn that the proposal worsens the U.S. fiscal picture.

House Republicans’ wrestling over details of Trump’s tax-and-spending bill has them colliding with a reality: The plan won’t reduce federal budget deficits www.wsj.com/politics/pol... via @WSJ

YouTube video by KHOU 11 Trump says he knows "nothing" about defense officials texting war plans to journalist

Shorter Trump:
new phone who dis
youtu.be/tXSaEEpkwYQ?...

Exclusive | Trump Family Has Held Deal Talks With Binance Following Crypto Exchange’s Guilty Plea The discussions for a stake in Binance’s U.S. arm come as founder Changpeng Zhao has pushed for the administration to pardon him for his own 2023 guilty plea.

Representatives of President Trump’s family have held talks to take a financial stake in the U.S. arm of crypto exchange Binance, according to people familiar with the matter.

This is going on while the founder is seeking a presidential pardon.

www.wsj.com/finance/curr...

Some perspective on DOGE and DOGE-adjacent pronouncements from a fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute who was GOP budget hawk Sen. Rob Portman chief economist.

Exclusive | How the Trumps Turned an Election Victory Into a Cash Bonanza The first lady’s documentary deal with Amazon, the president’s legal settlements and other transactions near $80 million so far, with the Trump library a major beneficiary.

A story to pass the time this Presidents' Day weekend. www.wsj.com/politics/ele...

Gigs, I love your consistency.

Trump megadonor Steve Wynn has filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to overturn the landmark 1964 decision in New York Times v. Sullivan, which protects the media's ability to aggressively cover public officials. www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24...

Exclusive | NBA Star Terry Rozier Under Investigation in Illegal Betting Probe The gambling ring accused of conspiring with Jontay Porter to manipulate his performance in NBA games also bet heavily against Rozier in a 2023 game for the Hornets.

Exclusive: NBA player Terry Rozier has been investigated by federal prosecutors over whether he manipulated his performance as part of an illegal sports betting scheme.
www.wsj.com/sports/baske...

As a Rising Political Star, Gabbard Paid to Mask Her Sect’s Ties to Alleged Scheme Years before Tulsi Gabbard became Trump’s pick to coordinate U.S. spy agencies, she tried to evade unwanted scrutiny.

Super fascinating, disturbing piece by WSJ. Must read. Free link here. Gabbard paid suppress coverage of an alleged pyramid scheme connected to her Hindu sect, what some describe as a cult that demands total loyalty to its founder

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Trump Fires Numerous Inspectors General in Friday Night Purge Lawmakers in both parties expressed concern that the White House might have circumvented federal rules

The law provides for a 30-day notice to Congress before removing an IG. Trump had been president for less than five days when he fired them.

hhttps://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-fires-a-number-of-inspectors-general-in-friday-night-purge-fc71fa37?st=VSLuLV&reflink=article_copyURL_share

Exclusive | Inside Elon Musk’s Assault on Germany’s Political Establishment The world’s richest man set out on a quest to boost the European powerhouse’s far-right opposition.

The richest man in the world's public support for the far-right German party came after a meeting a Mar-a-Lago where Trump said he found Olaf Scholz boring. Musk's backing was the culmination of a long discourse with on X with far-right influencers.

www.wsj.com/world/europe...

U.S. Homes Sales in 2024 Fell to Lowest Level in Nearly 30 Years Higher mortgages rates and record home prices kept sales subdued for the second straight year.

And things aren't looking much better for the year to come.
www.wsj.com/economy/hous...

Sam Ezersky obviously didn’t watch the Yankees run the bases this year. @pinstripealley.bsky.social @riveraveblues.bsky.social

YouTube video by Diane West Battle of New Orleans, In 1814

I hold the record for most Battle of New Orleans anniversary stories written. So, I'd like to celebrate the 210th anniversary of the victory of a ragtag American force over the British. Without it, everyone in Louisiana would be speaking English today. Cue the music. www.youtube.com/watch?v=50_i...

Gotta hand it to 'em.

I interviewed Charlie Mac for the Reveille the night he was fired. He was in the hospital recovering from knee surgery. The operator amazingly put me through to his room. He was cordial. When I asked about Pepsodent Paul, he demurred, saying he didn’t trust himself because he was on pain relievers.

I was at that game. We flew to Memphis from N.O. to see the in-laws and go to the game. The in-law visit was enjoyable.

Dec. 23, the perfect day for the airing of grievances ...
ethics.house.gov/press-releas...

Drones are the sharks of winter.

Essay | The Closely Guarded Secrets Of Manhattan Doormen From adulterous naughtiness to 6-foot-long iguanas, the cheerful sentries see it all while watching over the snootiest buildings in the world.

I was expecting dishy when I read this essay, but not an ENTIRE PINT of New York Super Fudge Chunk.

Ie: A doorman asked to go upstairs and disappear "cocaine dust and razors on a glass table...[and] two bags full of money—easily $100k each. Birkin bags, but duffel size.” www.wsj.com/lifestyle/th...

“This is the guy who imprisoned me and his shadowy secret organization” is a pretty badass piece of reportage