[NEWS] Some Monday links

[rfmcdonald]

• From Google Plus, Brian Koberlein notes that an examination of IRAS infrared astronomical data suggests that our solar system has no very large companions.


• The Globe and Mail notes that Russian may close down inter-country adoptions with Canada because of our recognition of same-sex marriages and adoption.


• Business Week observes that China is going to introduce an economic census to try to come up with reliable statistics.


• The Star is one paper carrying the report that Gary Shteyngart said subsidy-using Canadian writers aren't risk-taking.


• In a sad coda, David Pickton--brother of serial killer Robert Pickton--denies knowledge of the crimes, which occurred on the family property both brothers lived on.
  
• These pictures of cat armour are amazing.


• Der Spiegel's English-language edition notes the continuing recovery of Iceland from its economic crash.


• Gothamist reports that New York City's MTA will be killing its Metrocard in favour of better technologies. Oh, TTC!


• Open Democracy reports on how residents of the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, surrounded by European Union member-states Poland and Lithuania, are starting to Europeanize.