Social Media Lab
@socialmedialab.ca
SocialMediaLab.ca - News & analysis by @philipmai.com re: the politics of tech, social media, AI, immigration, democracy, mis/disinfo, & propaganda. Explore our suite of social media tools & dashboards for public interest research: socialmedialab.ca/apps/
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Russia Sanctions Social Media Lab Researchers for Tracking War Misinformation - Social Media Lab
The Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University is deeply concerned by Russia’s announcement of sanctions against 28 Canadian citizens, including our researchers Anatoliy Gruzd and Philip Mai,...
socialmedialab.ca
The Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan Uni. is deeply concerned by Russia’s announcement of sanctions vs 28 Canadian citizens, incl. our rsrchrs Anatoliy Gruzd & Philip Mai, on the baseless claims that their rsrch promotes neo-Nazism & anti-Russian activism. socialmedialab.ca/2026/01/12/r...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
The US is worried, as it should be. Bessent accused the media of having “latched on” to a report from Deutsche Bank on the issue, & of being “hysterical”.
"Bessent urges Europe not to retaliate against Trump’s Greenland tariffs." That ship is about to set sail. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
"Bessent urges Europe not to retaliate against Trump’s Greenland tariffs." That ship is about to set sail. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Bessent urges Europe not to retaliate against Trump’s Greenland tariffs
US treasury secretary says at WEF in Davos that countries and companies should pause and ‘let things play out’
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:55 PM
The US is worried, as it should be. Bessent accused the media of having “latched on” to a report from Deutsche Bank on the issue, & of being “hysterical”.
"Bessent urges Europe not to retaliate against Trump’s Greenland tariffs." That ship is about to set sail. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
"Bessent urges Europe not to retaliate against Trump’s Greenland tariffs." That ship is about to set sail. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Europe owns Greenland; it also owns a lot of treasuries, Deutsche Bank warns.
An EU boycott of US Treasuries would be devastating to the US, as it would drive up US borrowing and reduce the value of Treasury holdings worldwide. An economic poison pill for everyone. ca.investing.com/news/economy...
An EU boycott of US Treasuries would be devastating to the US, as it would drive up US borrowing and reduce the value of Treasury holdings worldwide. An economic poison pill for everyone. ca.investing.com/news/economy...
Europe owns Greenland — and a lot of U.S. Treasuries, Deutsche Bank warns By Investing.com
Europe owns Greenland — and a lot of U.S. Treasuries, Deutsche Bank warns
ca.investing.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Europe owns Greenland; it also owns a lot of treasuries, Deutsche Bank warns.
An EU boycott of US Treasuries would be devastating to the US, as it would drive up US borrowing and reduce the value of Treasury holdings worldwide. An economic poison pill for everyone. ca.investing.com/news/economy...
An EU boycott of US Treasuries would be devastating to the US, as it would drive up US borrowing and reduce the value of Treasury holdings worldwide. An economic poison pill for everyone. ca.investing.com/news/economy...
The US is trying to harden Japan in the event of a potential war over Taiwan, and the Russians are not pleased.
www.newsweek.com/russia-japan...
www.newsweek.com/russia-japan...
Russia alarmed by US Typhon missile system in Japan
The land-based Typhon weapon is capable of firing the Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
www.newsweek.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:14 PM
The US is trying to harden Japan in the event of a potential war over Taiwan, and the Russians are not pleased.
www.newsweek.com/russia-japan...
www.newsweek.com/russia-japan...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
"We are living in 2026, you can trade with people, but you don't trade people, Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said during a visit to London on Monday." www.cbc.ca/news/world/g...
European leaders push back on Trump's tariff threat over Greenland | CBC News
Donald Trump said he was "100 per cent" committed to following through on his threat to tariff eight countries as exasperated Danish and European officials stiffened their resistance while hoping for ...
www.cbc.ca
January 19, 2026 at 10:04 PM
"We are living in 2026, you can trade with people, but you don't trade people, Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said during a visit to London on Monday." www.cbc.ca/news/world/g...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
"The U.S. will have no reliable friends or allies and will have to depend entirely on its own strength to survive and prosper. This will require more military spending, not less, because the open access to overseas resources, markets, and strategic bases ... will no longer come as a benefit...".
January 19, 2026 at 8:41 PM
"The U.S. will have no reliable friends or allies and will have to depend entirely on its own strength to survive and prosper. This will require more military spending, not less, because the open access to overseas resources, markets, and strategic bases ... will no longer come as a benefit...".
Reposted by Social Media Lab
"Americans are entering the most dangerous world they have known since World War II, one that will make the Cold War look like child’s play and the post–Cold War world like paradise. In fact, this new world will look a lot like the world prior to 1945, with multiple great powers..."
January 19, 2026 at 8:39 PM
"Americans are entering the most dangerous world they have known since World War II, one that will make the Cold War look like child’s play and the post–Cold War world like paradise. In fact, this new world will look a lot like the world prior to 1945, with multiple great powers..."
Reposted by Social Media Lab
“How long Germany would be willing to remain an abnormal nation—denying itself geopolitical ambitions & nationalist pride—was a question even before the present liberal world order began to unravel. Now, thanks to the American strategic shift, GER has no choice but to become normal again quickly”
America vs. the World
President Trump wants to return to the 19th century’s international order. He will leave America less prosperous—and the whole world less secure.
www.theatlantic.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:37 PM
“How long Germany would be willing to remain an abnormal nation—denying itself geopolitical ambitions & nationalist pride—was a question even before the present liberal world order began to unravel. Now, thanks to the American strategic shift, GER has no choice but to become normal again quickly”
A dysfunctional relationship is one in which only one party has a duty to be reasonable and to do all the emotional labour. Eventually, the reasonable party is going to walk off with half of everything or burn it all down. Those are the rules.
January 20, 2026 at 1:01 PM
A dysfunctional relationship is one in which only one party has a duty to be reasonable and to do all the emotional labour. Eventually, the reasonable party is going to walk off with half of everything or burn it all down. Those are the rules.
Europe owns Greenland; it also owns a lot of treasuries, Deutsche Bank warns.
An EU boycott of US Treasuries would be devastating to the US, as it would drive up US borrowing and reduce the value of Treasury holdings worldwide. An economic poison pill for everyone. ca.investing.com/news/economy...
An EU boycott of US Treasuries would be devastating to the US, as it would drive up US borrowing and reduce the value of Treasury holdings worldwide. An economic poison pill for everyone. ca.investing.com/news/economy...
Europe owns Greenland — and a lot of U.S. Treasuries, Deutsche Bank warns By Investing.com
Europe owns Greenland — and a lot of U.S. Treasuries, Deutsche Bank warns
ca.investing.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Europe owns Greenland; it also owns a lot of treasuries, Deutsche Bank warns.
An EU boycott of US Treasuries would be devastating to the US, as it would drive up US borrowing and reduce the value of Treasury holdings worldwide. An economic poison pill for everyone. ca.investing.com/news/economy...
An EU boycott of US Treasuries would be devastating to the US, as it would drive up US borrowing and reduce the value of Treasury holdings worldwide. An economic poison pill for everyone. ca.investing.com/news/economy...
It's never a good thing when countries start speaking in terms of redlines. "Trump ‘crossing red lines’ says Belgian PM after US president warns ‘there can be no going back’ on Greenland." www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Trump ‘crossing red lines’ says Belgian PM after US president warns ‘there can be no going back’ on Greenland – Europe live
Belgium’s PM says Europe is ‘at a crossroads’ and 80 years of Atlantacism could be drawing to a close
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:30 PM
It's never a good thing when countries start speaking in terms of redlines. "Trump ‘crossing red lines’ says Belgian PM after US president warns ‘there can be no going back’ on Greenland." www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
"We reaffirm our commitment to documenting misinformation and fact-checking in conflict zones, regardless of political pressure or retaliation. Academic freedom and the pursuit of truth must be protected, especially in times of war."
January 20, 2026 at 4:36 AM
"We reaffirm our commitment to documenting misinformation and fact-checking in conflict zones, regardless of political pressure or retaliation. Academic freedom and the pursuit of truth must be protected, especially in times of war."
Reposted by Social Media Lab
"The Social Media Lab condemns the Russian government’s targeting of academic researchers and independent scholars engaged in fact-based, transparent research." socialmedialab.ca/2026/01/12/r...
Russia Sanctions Social Media Lab Researchers for Tracking War Misinformation - Social Media Lab
The Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University is deeply concerned by Russia’s announcement of sanctions against 28 Canadian citizens, including our researchers Anatoliy Gruzd and Philip Mai,...
socialmedialab.ca
January 20, 2026 at 4:36 AM
"The Social Media Lab condemns the Russian government’s targeting of academic researchers and independent scholars engaged in fact-based, transparent research." socialmedialab.ca/2026/01/12/r...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Q: "What does Donald Trump actually want from Canada?"
A: He doesn't need anything from Canada except our oil, our minerals, our water, our electricity, our access to the Arctic... www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...
A: He doesn't need anything from Canada except our oil, our minerals, our water, our electricity, our access to the Arctic... www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...
What does Donald Trump actually want from Canada? Here’s what experts say
U.S. President Donald Trump says his country doesn’t need Canadian products, but he has also repeatedly expressed a desire to turn Canada into a ‘cherished’ state.
www.ctvnews.ca
January 20, 2026 at 5:08 AM
Q: "What does Donald Trump actually want from Canada?"
A: He doesn't need anything from Canada except our oil, our minerals, our water, our electricity, our access to the Arctic... www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...
A: He doesn't need anything from Canada except our oil, our minerals, our water, our electricity, our access to the Arctic... www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Q: Microsoft’s AI deal promises Canada digital sovereignty, but is that a pledge it can keep?
A: No
theconversation.com/microsofts-a...
A: No
theconversation.com/microsofts-a...
Microsoft’s AI deal promises Canada digital sovereignty, but is that a pledge it can keep?
As the U.S. government becomes increasingly authoritarian and issues threats to other countries, can Canadians trust U.S. tech companies with their data?
theconversation.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Q: Microsoft’s AI deal promises Canada digital sovereignty, but is that a pledge it can keep?
A: No
theconversation.com/microsofts-a...
A: No
theconversation.com/microsofts-a...
Trump cites the UK’s ‘stupidity’ over the Chagos Islands as a reason to take over Greenland. The UK has agreed to turn the island over to Mauritius in exchange for a long-term lease for a military base on the island in the Indian Ocean. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Trump cites UK’s ‘stupidity’ over Chagos Islands as reason to take over Greenland
US president says on social media that Britain’s decision to cede islands to Mauritius is ‘act of total weakness’
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Trump cites the UK’s ‘stupidity’ over the Chagos Islands as a reason to take over Greenland. The UK has agreed to turn the island over to Mauritius in exchange for a long-term lease for a military base on the island in the Indian Ocean. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
"France replaces US as main intelligence provider to Kyiv, Macron says" kyivindependent.com/france-repla...
France replaces US as main intelligence provider to Kyiv, Macron says
The change works to solve Kyiv's heavy dependence on the U.S. for military intelligence, which has been wielded as leverage against Ukraine by the Trump administration on several occasions.
kyivindependent.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:17 AM
"France replaces US as main intelligence provider to Kyiv, Macron says" kyivindependent.com/france-repla...
Q: "What does Donald Trump actually want from Canada?"
A: He doesn't need anything from Canada except our oil, our minerals, our water, our electricity, our access to the Arctic... www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...
A: He doesn't need anything from Canada except our oil, our minerals, our water, our electricity, our access to the Arctic... www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...
What does Donald Trump actually want from Canada? Here’s what experts say
U.S. President Donald Trump says his country doesn’t need Canadian products, but he has also repeatedly expressed a desire to turn Canada into a ‘cherished’ state.
www.ctvnews.ca
January 20, 2026 at 5:08 AM
Q: "What does Donald Trump actually want from Canada?"
A: He doesn't need anything from Canada except our oil, our minerals, our water, our electricity, our access to the Arctic... www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...
A: He doesn't need anything from Canada except our oil, our minerals, our water, our electricity, our access to the Arctic... www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...
Q: Microsoft’s AI deal promises Canada digital sovereignty, but is that a pledge it can keep?
A: No
theconversation.com/microsofts-a...
A: No
theconversation.com/microsofts-a...
Microsoft’s AI deal promises Canada digital sovereignty, but is that a pledge it can keep?
As the U.S. government becomes increasingly authoritarian and issues threats to other countries, can Canadians trust U.S. tech companies with their data?
theconversation.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Q: Microsoft’s AI deal promises Canada digital sovereignty, but is that a pledge it can keep?
A: No
theconversation.com/microsofts-a...
A: No
theconversation.com/microsofts-a...
"The Social Media Lab condemns the Russian government’s targeting of academic researchers and independent scholars engaged in fact-based, transparent research." socialmedialab.ca/2026/01/12/r...
Russia Sanctions Social Media Lab Researchers for Tracking War Misinformation - Social Media Lab
The Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University is deeply concerned by Russia’s announcement of sanctions against 28 Canadian citizens, including our researchers Anatoliy Gruzd and Philip Mai,...
socialmedialab.ca
January 20, 2026 at 4:36 AM
"The Social Media Lab condemns the Russian government’s targeting of academic researchers and independent scholars engaged in fact-based, transparent research." socialmedialab.ca/2026/01/12/r...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Kyiv tonight: no electricity, no water, freezing cold.
"Darkness all around – but not within us. We will endure." said the author of this photo, Yan Dobronosov.
"Darkness all around – but not within us. We will endure." said the author of this photo, Yan Dobronosov.
January 20, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Kyiv tonight: no electricity, no water, freezing cold.
"Darkness all around – but not within us. We will endure." said the author of this photo, Yan Dobronosov.
"Darkness all around – but not within us. We will endure." said the author of this photo, Yan Dobronosov.
"Thousands to lose access to HIV drugs with new cuts" www.fox13news.com/news/thousan...
Thousands to lose access to HIV drugs with new cuts
An estimated 10,000 people are about to lose access to their HIV medication as the Florida Department of Health makes cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
www.fox13news.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:15 AM
"Thousands to lose access to HIV drugs with new cuts" www.fox13news.com/news/thousan...
"Behind the disturbing image of ICE snatching a half-naked, elderly Hmong American from his home" www.thehandbasket.co/p/ice-st-pau...
Behind the disturbing image of ICE snatching a half-naked, elderly Hmong American from his home
DHS has claimed without evidence that they were looking for someone else when they took ChongLy Scott Thao.
www.thehandbasket.co
January 20, 2026 at 4:12 AM
"Behind the disturbing image of ICE snatching a half-naked, elderly Hmong American from his home" www.thehandbasket.co/p/ice-st-pau...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
The Civil Rights Division is going to charge a Black Man under the Ku Klux Klan Act on MLK day.
Do I have that right?
Do I have that right?
January 20, 2026 at 1:21 AM
The Civil Rights Division is going to charge a Black Man under the Ku Klux Klan Act on MLK day.
Do I have that right?
Do I have that right?
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Greenland cancels US envoy visit to annual dog sledge race www.trtworld.com/article/4cf4...
TRT World - Greenland cancels US envoy visit to annual dog sledge race
The federation said the invitation was made by a private tourism company and withdrawn unilaterally, easing concerns over political symbolism.
www.trtworld.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Greenland cancels US envoy visit to annual dog sledge race www.trtworld.com/article/4cf4...
"Threads edges out X in daily mobile users, new data shows" techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/t...
Threads edges out X in daily mobile users, new data shows | TechCrunch
Threads’ daily mobile usage has quietly surpassed X as Meta leans on cross-promotion, creator tools and fast feature rollouts — even as X faces fresh controversies
techcrunch.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:46 AM
"Threads edges out X in daily mobile users, new data shows" techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/t...