Australian scientists discover ancient ‘echidna’ BBC
Scientists reveal surprising role of brain in controlling immune system PsyPost. Paul R.: “I wonder if this has to do with COVID-19 immune dysregulation?”
‘Disaster’: Greenpeace blocks cultivation of ‘life-saving’ Golden Rice The Guardian (Kevin W.). Sustainable agriculture experts like Timothy Wise disagree, pointing out that there is no evidence of health benefits of Golden Rice and it’s a disadvantage for farmers. Vitamin A is cheap. Why not just distribute the tablets directly? That’s being done across Africa with Ivermectin.
U.S., European countries consider vaccinating workers infected with bird flu Reuters
#COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Disease)
“No cases of SARS-CoV-2 transmission have been reported on long-haul flights where mask wearing was mandatory, suggesting that mask wearing may significantly reduce COVID-19 transmission on aircraft.”
Of course, all passengers must follow these rules.
Please wear a mask when you board the plane! 😷https://t.co/l26sR1R7xq
— Long Covid SOS (@LongCovidSOS) May 28, 2024
Wow. These mechanistic discoveries about how COVID-19 impacts immune signaling are potentially huge!
Let’s begin…
(And I’m honestly ecstatic right now, because this paper seems to confirm my hypothesis about how I personally got around LC).
— Nick #AirborneCovidExhaustsTCells😷 Anderegg (@NickAnderegg) May 27, 2024
Climate and Environment
At least 15 people killed in severe weather across southern states Associated Press
The Trinity: Understanding Energy, Materials, and Civilization Rachel Donald (Michael T.)
China?
China’s ‘simulated lockdown’ exposes $5 trillion global risk Bloomberg. This humble blogger has been arguing for years that China is unlikely to invade Taiwan because it doesn’t need to. All it would take is a blockade. Taiwan is especially dependent on food and energy imports.
US-China tensions escalate over undersea cables as Beijing accuses ‘major adversaries’ of undersea espionage in Indo-Pacific Eurasia Times
Biden doesn’t want to buy EVs from China, and here’s why. The New York Times (Kevin W.)
Tariffs on China won’t make America great again Asia Times (Kevin W)
Africa
Who is behind the coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Anti-Spiegel (Michael T.)
👀👀👀👀
Will the ANC’s vote share fall to 39%?
Big news from South African research Afrobarometer …
Ah🧵… pic.twitter.com/cJo9RxYgzi
— Nick Cheeseman (@Fromagehomme) May 27, 2024
European Separation
A German minister admitted that the disastrous home heating ordinance was merely a “test” to determine “how prepared society is in terms of climate protection.” Eugipius (Michael T.)
Harbeck and Shock Therapy: “I’m sorry…” Back seat. Michael T:
Is the EU leadership doing anything, not out of spite, but to avoid making life worse for its people? The depths of the malice, if not pure malice, of the Western economic and political elites are as deep as the Mariana Trench.
Borel considers the issue of World War III “philosophical” Anti-Spiegel. Please excuse the glitches in the machine translation. Michael T.: “Philosophy is not about saying stupid things.”
Overtourism in Spain: residents reach their limit, protests erupt in Mallorca, Ibiza and the Canary Islands South China Morning Post
Gaza
Israel faces wave of condemnation over attack on Rafah refugee camp Financial Times. Top story. Signs that lobby groups are losing control over the media.
UN Security Council to meet over deadly Rafah attack Arab News
Rafah massacre: How Israeli bombing forced Gaza residents to flee in tents Mondoweiss
Deadly Rafah attack a tragic accident, says Netanyahu BBC (Kevin W)
Israel sends one more combat brigade to Rafah despite ICJ order Anadolu Agency
Far-right Israeli settlers step up attacks on Gaza-bound aid trucks The Washington Post (Kevin W.)
Israeli airstrikes kill 35 in Rafah after Hamas fires rockets at Tel Aviv The Guardian (Kevin W.)
Israel distorts anti-Semitic claims to blame its crimes on Palestinians 972 (Dr. Kevin)
what is this @JoeBiden and @TheDemocrats What they have done and what they are still doing, nothing they say or do now can absolve them of this genocide. https://t.co/o2zEHsrOUG
— Ali Abunimah (@AliAbunimah) May 26, 2024
Maritime shipping rates soar as businesses anticipate more attacks in Red Sea Financial Times
‘We are divided’: Israeli unity falters as war in Gaza approaches ninth month Guardian
Did you know Netanyahu’s real name is Mileikowski?
Every Israeli prime minister has changed their name to something more Jewish or Middle Eastern sounding.
Here is a list of their real names, if you don’t share it you will be considered anti-Semitic. pic.twitter.com/RfbH8PIl6K
— Richard Medhurst (@richimedhurst) May 27, 2024
A new cold war
About EW… Andrey Martyanov (Grust)
SITREP 5/26/24: Russia prepares for next wave as NATO’s Chihuahuas bark Simplicius the Thinker
NATO to ‘institutionalize’ arms support to Kiev at US summit – Secretary General TASS
Six NATO nations plan to build “drone wall” to defend border with Russia Financial Times
“Eastern Shield”: Poland to build new eastern wall at 2.3 billion euros WSWS. Michael T.: “To stop desperate EU citizens fleeing to a prosperous Russia?”
Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos once said, “Having a Plan B means you don’t believe in anything and you’re accepting defeat.”
This woman has the exact same plan A, B, and C. https://t.co/WRfEy1FGnq
— Rational Investor (@Orangeman1992) May 27, 2024
Hungary refuses to send additional arms to Ukraine, sparking uproar at foreign ministers’ meeting
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said the “mad” plans of hardline countries would only intensify the war. #Hungary #Ukraine #army #EPF #support #UkraineRussiaWar https://t.co/uRfLWovN8A
— European Conservatives (@EuroConOfficial) May 28, 2024
Vladimir Putin on Irakli Kobakhidze’s threatening remarks: “There are many EU commissioners, but they often say irresponsible nonsense, which causes grief” Interpress News. Mikhail T.: “‘Sorrow’ – LOL. Russia sees EU politicians as ill-mannered brats who keep farting in church.”
Western companies reverse plans to withdraw from Russia Financial Times. Top story.
Caucus
The presidency in Georgia is largely ceremonial, not administrative. This French woman playing the president of Georgia (yes, look it up) is calling for regime change. This is treason. https://t.co/AZexw15Zyg
— Moon of Alabama (@MoonofA) May 27, 2024
Georgia’s PM accuses president of treason for opposing ‘foreign agents’ law Telegraph
Shiraksta
After Ukraine and Gaza, the forgotten crisis: Syrian refugees User Observer
Single-source statements should be viewed with suspicion.
🇮🇷🇮🇱 Assassination of Raisi and his associates “approved by Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli military cabinet”
Journalist Richard Silverstein reports this, citing “sources familiar with Israeli intelligence.”
📝 “Israeli security sources say Israel is… pic.twitter.com/5hMyZNdDT3
— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) May 27, 2024
Iran Incident, Persian Coup – Evidence that President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian were killed John Helmer. Helmer speculates in a different direction.
Empire Collapse Watch
U.S. opposes European plan to condemn Iran over nuclear program The Wall Street Journal. Phil U: “Did hell freeze over while I wasn’t looking?”
The specter of nuclear war looms again… Hindu
On the Brink of Collapse: Western Neurosis as the Levees Break Alastair Crook
Trump
7 states where Trump could expand the map in November The Hill
Bragg and the Jackson Pollock School of Prosecution: Why the Trump Trial Could End in a Disagreement Jonathan Turley
Wow, that’s amazing:
“I won’t give a penny to schools that mandate vaccinations,” President Trump said, vowing to ban all childhood vaccination mandates, leaving countless children sick and injured with preventable diseases.
(At the Libertarian National Convention). pic.twitter.com/szyugXU2aj
— Eric Feigl Ding (@DrEricDing) May 27, 2024
Biden
Pete Buttigieg mocked over Joe Biden’s $7.5 billion ‘fiasco’ Newsweek (Kevin W.)
artificial intelligence
Google’s AI gives people answers from The Onion AV Club
The dangers of superhuman AI aren’t what you think Nomea (Michael T.)
AI and 3D printing are changing size standards in the fashion industry The Globe and Mail (Dr. Kevin)
YouTube has started allowing users with ad blockers to skip videos entirely. Android Police (Kevin W.)
Basil
HBO’s MoviePass documentary is a snapshot of how executives can ruin companies The Verge (Michael T)
Class struggle
“Abnormal numbers” reveal long-standing suffering of renters Sydney Morning Herald
The shocking rise in US home prices explained – you’re not going to like it Forbes (Kevin W.)
Retiring abroad can mean more bureaucracy than bruschetta, but it’s growing in popularity CNN (Kevin W.) Note that a large group is seniors who have some money but are overwhelmed or afraid of being overwhelmed by medical costs.
Today’s Antidote. Upstater: “Five very hungry bluebirds. Sorry, everyone. We don’t have any bugs or worms to regurgitate!”
And bonus:
Cats give food to their sick owners 🤒❤️ pic.twitter.com/QfQ0ynwk0e
— Why You Should Have a Cat (@ShouldHaveCat) May 28, 2024
See yesterday’s link and Antidote du Jour here.
