The best neighbors you can imagine.
Oh, that’s nice. pic.twitter.com/9bQwSVkEL1
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) August 21, 2024
Researchers capture video of what appears to be a wolf-dog hybrid in northern Minnesota MPR News (Chuck L.)
At first it looks like Audrey:
Night cereus blooms just once a year, at midnight. Before dawn, the flowers wilt. Night cereus was introduced to China from Mexico in 1645, but don’t throw away the wilted flowers. They’re popular throughout Asia for their medicinal properties. pic.twitter.com/BwLO4s1LI6
— Nury Vittachi (@NuryVittachi) August 22, 2024
New virus discovered in US causing ‘stunning illness’ that can be deadly to pet and wild cats Independent (Robin K)
Long-hidden family scandal from Jamestown colony revealed by ancient DNA after 400 years CNN (Kevin W)
The goal is to crash cars Economist. I’ve never been to a demolition derby, but I understand the interest. My favorite toy as a toddler was a crash car.
#COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Disease)
Good news: The US government has announced that it will again offer free at-home COVID-19 testing starting in late September.
You will also receive four free test kits via mail. pic.twitter.com/QuRiMbkk8f
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) August 23, 2024
COVID-19: Hospitalizations reach highest since winter
More than 1,200 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized in Quebec, and more than 30 deaths are being reported each week.https://t.co/CegLix6xHL via Follow— Alan Drummond (@alandrummond2) August 22, 2024
Climate and Environment
Amid climate change, Colorado plans wolverine restoration Andark (Kevin W.)
Survey shows water-related conflicts on the rise around the world Forbes
Cities are trying to reduce the number of cars, and some states are discouraging it. Yale University Climate
China?
Chinese AI developers use cloud services to circumvent U.S. chip sanctions register
Advanced IC Packaging is the Next Frontier in the Chip Wars Asia Times (Kevin W)
🇨🇳 Grenade drone
A Chinese drone company has unveiled a remote-controlled “grenade” that can fly like a drone. pic.twitter.com/i62Q6RiYuv
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) August 22, 2024
Summary of the phone call between President Xi and Mr Starmer Pekinology
South Korea
Why North Korea sees South Korea’s new unification initiative as provocative The Conversation (Kevin W) This is a feature, not a bug. South Korea does not want to reunify because it cannot afford it. The unification of West and East Germany was because East Germans had much lower incomes. It was very costly and was “solved” by severe wage suppression. The gap in per capita income between South and North Korea is a huge chasm compared to that of West and East Germany at the collapse of the Soviet Union. See Reuters, 2024. North Korea’s growth to surge in 2023:
North Korea’s nominal gross national income in 2023 is estimated to be 1.59 million won ($1,147.56) per capita, just 3.4% of South Korea’s 47.25 million won.
Myanmar accelerates ultra-aggressive monetary easing Irrawaddy
Africa
Fuel shortages slow economic activity, small businesses struggle with mounting losses The Sun (Nigeria)
Sudan: 20 tons of life-saving medicines airdropped TeleSUR (Robin K)
European Separation
Germany’s private sector contraction deepens RTT News
Germany’s far-left subversives claim credit for restricting aid to Ukraine. Financial Times
Old Brittany
If Labour gave teenagers the vote, Nigel Farage could be the real winner Politico (Kevin W.)
Royal Society of Medicine endorses ‘tweaks’ and cosmetic surgery The Times (Dr. Kevin)
Gaza
Gaza Live: Dozens killed across Gaza as Israel forces force new displacement Middle East Eye
Israeli opposition leader Lieberman says there will be ‘no more food, supplies’ for Gaza Middle East Eye (guurst)
Cash crisis worsens already dire situation for Palestinians in Gaza as all banks suspend operations Associated Press
* * * Iran will attack Israel, the ball is in US-Israeli hands Indian Punchline (Kevin W)
Iran’s response to Israel is coming. Mohammed Marandi Electronic Intifada, YouTube
* * * Greek oil tanker on fire and adrift in Red Sea after multiple attacks Al Jazeera (Kevin W.)
A new cold war
Ukraine continues to be in turmoil despite Russian missteps Simplicius
Ukraine begins production of 155mm artillery shells using Norwegian military technology Euromaidan (Robin K)
US announces new military aid to Ukraine Al Jazeera. $125 million isn’t even close to sofa lint.
This is why Russia won’t negotiate with Ukraine RT (Robin K)
Putin kneels in front of a memorial in Beslan, the “City of Angels.” Today is not a day of mourning; the memorial will take place on September 1.
I believe that in the midst of the current crisis, this place holds special meaning for him and Russia. Putin… pic.twitter.com/9vOx6JRtMC
— Attitude Russian (@RWApodcast) August 20, 2024
Shiraksta
Iraq and Türkiye: Strategic Realignment in a Changing Region Cradle
Big Brother is Watching You
Microsoft plans Windows security overhaul after CrowdStrike outage Financial Times (Kevin W.) This announcement is long overdue.
Empire Collapse Watch
The American Empire is suffering losses in Europe. Will it abandon Europe? Glenn Dietzsen (Michael T.)
Navy may ground 17 support ships due to manpower shortages USNI (Kevin W)
Airpower on a Budget: US Revives Light Fighter Concept Asia Times (Kevin W)
Trump
X and Meta Employees Meet with MAGA Hub Sludge (TF)
This doesn’t seem like a winning pitch to anyone other than the typical California health nut who has the time and money to eat only very pure foods (by their standards) and try alternative therapies (which, in my opinion, are very helpful, but finding good methods and practitioners is often a struggle). That crowd isn’t big enough to sustain a campaign, and I’m not sure they’re even wealthy enough to give it a big boost. But maybe this whole health thing is a cover for a plan to get RFK Jr. as CIA director, and if anyone finds out, they’ll kill him or Trump.
Please listen 🔥
Robert Kennedy Jr. gives surprising speech at President Trump’s rally
“Don’t you want a president who will make America whole again?” pic.twitter.com/itoEnVfJs6
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 24, 2024
but:
My old Democratic allies have bombarded me with frantic calls, texts, and emails. Unlike Roe, I wouldn’t dream of making those private conversations public, but the message is clear: they are terrified by the idea of our movement aligning with Donald Trump. When I point out…
— Nicole Shanahan (@NicoleShanahan) August 22, 2024
Kamala
Harris’ Empty Words on Gaza Daniel Larrison
The reason I am so critical of the Democratic Party can be explained by the saying, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” The Democratic Party exists to make sure that good people do nothing.
Gaza is a perfect example.
— Caitlin Johnston (@caitoz) August 23, 2024
Undecided voter in Pennsylvania: “She hasn’t been clear enough on the policies… I don’t think she’s ready yet. She should wait. I personally don’t want to vote for a backup person.” pic.twitter.com/KLcBDBiRow
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 23, 2024
“She’s completely incompetent!” | Norman Finkelstein not impressed with Kamala Harris Smart cookies, YouTube (Blitzkrieg). It’s two weeks old, but unashamedly refreshing.
GOP Clown Car
Republican-led states challenge aid for undocumented spouses The New York Times
The press is no longer free
Have the online leftists given up? Jacobin (UserFriendly). I had no idea there was such a thing as an “online left,” but it played a big role in the Democrats’ success in neutralizing Sanders.
Without freedom of speech there is no freedom Scott Ritter (Chuck L.)
Antitrust
Department of Justice sues RealPage, alleging it facilitated rent fixing CBS
The market gets what it wants
Fed Chairman Powell shifts policy, says “it’s time to cut rates” Reuter (Kevin W.)
The last great engine of the global economy is fading Telegraph
Investment strategist says interest rate cuts won’t prevent recession and economy is deteriorating “quite quickly” Business Insider
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda warns global markets ‘unstable’ Financial Times
Guillotine Watch
Elon Musk was forced to reveal the real owners of X. Here is the list Yahoo! Finance (Kevin W)
Class struggle
Canada forces arbitration in freight train dispute to avoid economic crisis; unions say it’s unfair And then Canadian unions threaten strike against freight rail, hours after trains resume Associated Press (Kevin W.)
Railroad closures threaten agriculture, and Bill Gates is CN Railroad’s largest shareholder!! Odyssey (DO)
‘Greeks can holiday in villages, not islands,’ minister says Defend Democracy (Michael T.)
Re-examining the number of bankruptcy filers Credit slip
Today’s antidote. Tracie H: “This is a warbler butterfly I found on a little walk in the seaside town of Corona del Mar (California). The butterfly was kind enough to let me interrupt it while visiting a flower.”
Bonus (Chuck L):
When my wife asks why I need winter goggles, I send her this: pic.twitter.com/bExxJIiwTC
— GigaBasedDad (@GigaBasedDad) August 22, 2024
And second bonus: In America we throw around the word “heroic” way too casually. This man took such a risk that in my opinion the word really fits.
This man goes to a frozen lake to save a dog
— Science Girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) August 21, 2024
And another bonus:
100% Daddy’s Girl 🐈⬛ pic.twitter.com/lw1ilBWDOv
— Why You Should Have a Cat (@ShouldHaveCat) August 23, 2024
See yesterday’s link and the Antidote du Jour here.
