So let’s see: a man selected as prime minister by a small unelected group of Party members will ask a hereditary monarch to suspend a popularly elected Parliament so he can do whatever he likes. And this is democracy?

The news business apocalypse is real!: Young people may download news apps, but they spend very little time with them nie.mn/2ZNNlDc via Nieman Lab

When you see a flag, do you think of the country as it is today? Or do you reflect on its history? How do you balance a country’s ideals versus its reality? Reuters former Editor-in-Chief David Schlesinger writes on how #HongKong #protestors use #symbols. news-decoder.com/2019/09/30/pro…

Christmas Truce - Monocle Radio discusses US China trade deal with Kevin Rudd and me tripodadvisors.com/christmas-truc…

Some thoughts on China and the world in 2020 chinafile.com/conversation/c…

“‘Backlash’ is the word for China in 2020,” says David Schlesinger In this week's ChinaFile Conversation, contributors share their expectations for China in the year ahead! bit.ly/303v32s

This is hilarious. A Norwegian TV programme pitted some professional stock-pickers against an astrologist, some beauty bloggers and - i kid you not - cows shitting in a field. (short thread).

Soft power: Stirring symbols amid COVID-19 ravaging -- some thoughts I had for News Decoder news-decoder.com/2020/04/07/sof…

Has the #coronavirus changed your opinion about #China? News Decoder correspondent David Schlesinger looks at how China has responded to the #COVID19Pandemic at home and abroad -- and what this means for China's position in the global arena. bit.ly/2wlTe1V

What does the worldwide pandemic mean for country risk? We believe it could result in significant rating downgrades. Participate in a brief survey and receive a free whitepaper on the impact of COVID-19 on sovereign ratings. ow.ly/J0TO50zMQbD

Take a look at this fascinating analysis, published by a client I’m proud to work with #coronavirus #Covid_19

Remembering Mickey Spiegel, @HRW's long-time researcher on China and then Malaysia & Singapore. A passionate defender of the persecuted, she was deeply involved in the lives of those she helped, with a warmth & empathy that she extended to her colleagues too. We miss her deeply.

The whitepaper is very interesting and well worth reading

New: David C. Martin obtained this memo from General Mark Milley to the armed forces, which includes a hand written note that reads: “We all committed our lives to the idea that is America—We will stay true to that oath and the American people.”

thetimes.co.uk/article/we-nee… A strong statement by Index's new CEO

Of the 58 important jazz artists who gathered in Harlem for this historic photo on August 12, 1958, only two remain with us: Benny Golson and Sonny Rollins—who celebrates his 90th birthday today. Let’s celebrate with him. #NewksTime

Amazon has closed my account, cutting off years of Kindle, somehow thinking a former Editor-in-Chief of Reuters would commit a 400 pound fraud over a dodgy return. Amazon Help this can't be serious, can it?