Four more cats die from H5N1 bird flu in the US BNO 🙁
Americans drink half as much coffee as they did in the 1940s Guardian. Kevin W: “There is literally no resemblance between 1940s coffee and modern coffee.” Moy: When I was in Sydney (2002-2004), Starbucks was opening its first Australian store. I did. Because of course everyone wanted Starbucks coffee. In fact, Australians grew up drinking good Italian coffee and correctly perceived Starbucks coffee as bitter, coffee-flavored dishwater. The US headquarters was stunned to see Australians rejecting the company’s coffee as inferior. I happened to pass by the store as part of my patrol, and I often saw baristas offering samples, not coffee, but sweet iced drinks with lots of whipped cream.
Singapore Airlines passenger somersaults, leaves plane covered in ‘pool of blood’ after being tossed around by extreme turbulence, blackout: Survivors describe horrific ordeal and injuries sustained in fatal crash Daily Mail. Pix is a DM specialty and these are really bad. However, there were so many people who did not participate! I can understand the feelings of those who were unlucky enough to stand up and almost get hurt. However, this is a caution. Please fasten your seat belt once seated.
Chess Brat New York Magazine (Anthony L). I don’t understand the basic story. Given that the physical setup is such a tense idea, how can you cheat in elite chess without computer assistance?
New findings suggest how general anesthesia actually affects the brain Science Alert (Chuck L)
Scientists develop new technique to harmlessly thaw frozen brain tissue Medical Express
#COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection)
Brain abnormalities in COVID-19 survivors after 2 years of recovery: a functional MRI study Pubmed. Peer reviewed, from Lancet Specialty Pub.
COVID-19 is not the only cause of the increase in type 2 diabetes, but it is certainly contributing to the rise.
From an extensive survey of Cedars-Sinai conducted last year: https://t.co/rFJxbuy6nV pic.twitter.com/XopzK3bLE3— Turn (@1goodtern) May 22, 2024
Climate/Environment
Elektrek California meets 100% of its energy needs with renewable energy in record 45 days
Why the colors of the world’s oceans are changing.BBC
Migratory fish populations have plummeted by more than 80% since 1970, new research reveals guardian
Vast untapped lithium source discovered in US Science Alert (Chuck L)
Extreme heat in North Africa and the Mediterranean:
47.0 degrees in Jalu, Libya (could be even hotter tomorrow);
In coastal Zuwara, it was 45.6.
In Senegal it is 47 degrees Celsius, in Egypt and Mali it is 46 degrees Celsius and in Algeria it is 45.4 degrees Celsius.The temperature in Greece rose to 38.6°C yesterday.
The heat is likely to move east and increase further. pic.twitter.com/oFWOWyoqUb— Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps) May 20, 2024
Extreme heat in China
The temperature in northern Xinjiang today is 44.6 degrees.
China has never been this hot this time of year, and is only 0.1 degrees Celsius colder than the hottest spring temperature in China’s history. https://t.co/xXtq232XJp— Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps) May 20, 2024
China?
“Under the Agreement of Free Association, the United States has exclusive defense rights in Palau, and the military can use the country’s land, water, and air. We are building a strengthened foundation and pad for “We are one.” https://t.co/aKHChTriUe
— China Hand (@chinahand) May 20, 2024
The world’s largest chipmaker could flip a kill switch and remotely disable its machines in the event of a breach. PC Gamer (Kevin W)
Janet Yellen urges EU to join US in curbing cheap exports from China Guardian (Kevin W). Please note that yesterday I linked to an article about Ursula von der Leyen resisting this US effort. If we lose von der Leyen…
China takes countermeasures against 12 US military-related companies Reuters
BMW and Jaguar use banned Chinese parts: US investigation BBC
Macron heads to riot-hit New Caledonia as Australia and New Zealand evacuate tourists Sydney Morning Herald (Kevin W)
discord in europe
Germany: Far-right AfD bans leading EU candidates from campaigning D.W.
Gaza
Israel calls on ‘civilized nations’ to boycott ICC arrest warrants against leaders The Guardian (Kevin W.) For Israel to position itself as civilized is an insult to its intelligence agencies.
Netanyahu’s response to ICC reinvokes Biblical genocide references Mondo Weiss (Gust)
Biden administration signals support for promoting ICC sanctions financial times
France prosecutors seek arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu, backing ICC Reuters
Well, as for the tweet below, I don’t see how Sinwar can succumb to ICC detention, which is a logical element of accepting the role of UN legal authorities. I can guarantee that Mossad or the CIA will kill him there. The “legal” part is therefore questionable, as the practical cost of Hamas asserting its right against the occupier is very high.
Extremely important fact. I’m surprised people don’t know this. Hamas’ whole diplomatic strategy is to be the party of justice, both legally and morally. They have always tried to abide by international law and international norms. People are turning the W into an L – so why are the US and Israel in such a panic? https://t.co/yFmOGLT7Nm
— R. Ashlar 🇵🇸🔻 (@AshlarRob) May 20, 2024
“Four Blind Mice”: Biden, Blinken, McGuirk, Sullivan responsible national strategy
Norway recognizes Palestinian state, Spain and Ireland expected to follow suit BBC
An educated guess is that neither Ireland nor Norway will miss the Israeli ambassador too much. Therefore, you can store them. https://t.co/jQhxG3yINU
— Politburo 🇦🇹, Central Secretariat #Favoriten 📯 (@StephanEwald) May 22, 2024
Gaza protests
Homeland Security doesn’t want to know who new university intelligence adviser is ken clipperstein
The Not-So-Cold War
Congress’s arrogance toward nuclear escalation is astonishing. A bipartisan coalition is calling on Biden to allow Ukraine to use U.S. intelligence and weapons to attack Russia. Think about how psychotic this would have sounded two years ago. (Biden eventually complied with all these requests) pic.twitter.com/Il0bBxPGdl
— Michael Tracy (@mtracey) May 22, 2024
Siege of Kharkov dreamed up by “sources” Alabama Moon (Kevin W)
This is no time to sit idle.
In fact, the Russian military launched three attacks on military warehouses in the city of Shostka in the Sumy region. There was also an attack on an energy facility in Konotop, one of Ukraine’s largest railway junctions. pic.twitter.com/cv1ceLc3e5
— Benjamin Rubinstein (@BenFRubinstein) May 22, 2024
Blackwater founder Tucker Carlson: U.S. military aid to Ukraine ‘frustrating’ RT
President Zelenskyy: “I’m yelling at the generals” – The Economist RT. Alexander Mercouris also discussed Mr. Lavrov (!) explains Mr. Zelensky’s outburst. Oh, and he praised Connor’s post about the demonization of the media/government in the Fico shooting and our post about declining real wages.
This means that Russia cannot be stopped, at least until Lvov or effectively loses. Ukraine in NATO was the main reason for this war. I hope Ukrainians agree with this. https://t.co/ep5JIe5Yl7
— Nick Stankovic (@nikstankovic_) May 22, 2024
US funds Ukrainian organizations, censors critics and slanders voices promoting peace Lee Fan (Kevin W)
big brother is watching over you
Many Americans were misled by federal officials into believing they were being tested for COVID-19, a new study finds. https://t.co/ESMVvSnkgL
— Popular Science (@PopSci) May 22, 2024
JP Morgan, Mastercard to adopt biometric payment options CNBC
Microsoft’s new AI-enabled laptop stores ‘photo memory’ of virtual activities Fortune (Bill B)
assange
Assange’s victory delayed, but ‘punishment by process’ continues american conservative
imperial collapse watch
Lockheed Martin rejected by Pentagon due to lack of storage space for F-35 military watch
Judge throws out felony convictions of five U.S. Navy veterans in Navy bribery case Associated Press
playing cards
Law professor Jonathan Turley has no problem giving an absolutely brutal assessment of Judge Juan Machan’s handling of the Trump case.
“I believe there are multiple layers of reversible errors in this case.” pic.twitter.com/ThjC02buoB
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 21, 2024
For more on the above observations, see “Are You Looking Down on Me?”: Judge Marchan Becomes the Odd Man in His Courtroom Jonathan Turley
Additional secret records found in President Trump’s bedroom after Mar-a-Lago search the hill
Biden
U.S. Department of Energy to release 1 million barrels of gasoline from reserves OilPrice (Kevin W). It’s clearly a ploy to get re-elected, so I’m posting it here. Biden is already trying to use reserves to lower gas prices, but this is not the right way to use them. Reserves are low, and the Department of Energy should replenish reserves rather than deplete them.
2024
Mr. Biden and the Democrats raised $51 million in April, far less than the $76 million raised by Mr. Trump and the Republicans. Associated Press
The Supremes
Shadow war against the administrative state politiko
Supreme Court rejects challenge to Mountain Valley Pipeline E&E News
Fed officials appear to have “no idea” what’s going on with U.S. inflation, strategist says CNBC
Basil
Show HN: Fix It – Hire a Big Tech Employee to Dispute Account Suspension Hacker News. Paul R: “Yeah. Baksheesh as a service.”
guillotine watch
Is hydrogen the green future for superyachts? financial times
class war
Imagine if the government provided dental care. New federal rules could make that a reality. USA Today (Ma)
Companies are buying local veterinary hospitals, raising questions about prices, options, and quality of care. CBC. Paul R: “There’s no mention of pirate fairness, but a similar phenomenon is occurring in the United States.”
The immediate antidote (via:
See yesterday’s link and antidote. here.
