4 more cats die of H5N1 bird flu in US BNO 🙁
Americans drink half the coffee they did in the 40s Guardian. Kevin W: “There is literally no similarity between 1940s coffee and modern coffee.” Moi: During my time in Sydney (2002-2004), Starbucks was opening its first stores in Australia because of course everyone wants their coffee. In fact, Australians grew up drinking delicious Italian coffee and mistook Starbucks coffee for bitter coffee-scented water. The American headquarters was surprised to find Australians rejecting its coffee as inferior. I’ve passed through one shop as part of my rounds, and I often see the barista offering samples, not of coffee but of soft drinks with lots of whipped sugar.
Singapore Airlines passengers do MORE, leave cabin covered in ‘pools of blood’ and go BLACK as they are thrown by massive turbulence: Survivors describe horrific ordeal and injuries sustained on deadly plane Daily Mail. Pix is a DM special and these are really bad. But many people did not bind! I understand those who were unlucky enough to wake up injured. But this is a reminder: when sitting, wear a seat belt!
Chess Brat New York Magazine (Anthony L). I don’t understand the underlying story. How can one cheat with the help of computer elite chess, which seems like a very difficult idea?
New Discovery Hints at What General Anesthesia Actually Does Brain ScienceAlert (Chuck L)
Scientists Develop New Technique to Thaw Frozen Brain Tissue Without Harm MedicalXpress
#Covid 19
Cognitive impairment in survivors of COVID-19 after 2 years of recovery: a functional MRI study PubMed. Peer-reviewed, from the Lancet specialist publication.
The Covid infection is not the only thing that has caused the increase in type 2 diabetes, but it is very expensive.
From a large Cedars Sinai study last year: pic.twitter.com/XopzK3bLE3— tern (@1gootern) May 22, 2024
Climate/Environment
California Exceeds 100% of Energy Demand in Record Regeneration in 45 Days Elektrek
Why are the world’s oceans changing colour.BBC
Migratory fish numbers have fallen by more than 80 per cent since 1970, new findings show The Guardian
Large, Untapped Source of Lithium Newly Discovered US ScienceAlert (Chuck L)
Extreme heat in North Africa and the Mediterranean:
47.0 in Jalu in LIBYA (may be hot tomorrow),
45.6 in Zwara right on the coast
47C in Senegal, 46C in Egypt and Mali, 45.4 in Algeria.In GREECE up to 38.6C yesterday.
The heat will move east and possibly rise even more. pic.twitter.com/oFWOWyoqUb– Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps) May 20, 2024
The heat of choice in CHINA
44.6C today in the northern province of Xinjiang.
It has never been so hot in China for this time of year and it is only 0.1C away from the highest spring temperature in Chinese history.– Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps) May 20, 2024
Heatwave grips North India: Delhi’s Najafgarh hits record high of 47.4°C [117.3F]schools announce holidays Live Mint
Gulf countries will need to invest billions of dollars in flood protection infrastructure as the region faces a “new normal” of extreme weather, a report said.
Heavy storm leaves Polish city covered in hail Guardian
China?
“Under the Compact of Free Association, the US has exclusive defense rights in Palau, where the military may use the country’s land, water and air. The Department of Defense is building fortified bases and smart radar pads that travel over the horizon. . “We are one.
– chinahand (@chinahand) May 20, 2024
The world’s largest chip maker may be investigating a kill switch and remotely disabling its machines in the event of an attack PC Gamer (Kevin W)
Janet Yellen urges EU to join US in curbing cheap Chinese purchases Guardian (Kevin W). Note that we linked yesterday to the story of Ursuala von der Leyen opposing this US move. When you lost von der Leyen…..
China takes action against 12 firms linked to US military Reuters
BMW and Jaguar use banned Chinese parts – US BBC investigation
Macron heads to riot-hit New Caledonia as Australia, NZ pull out tourists Sydney Morning Herald (Kevin W)
The breakup of Europe
Germany: The far-right AfD bans the EU’s top official from campaigning for DW
Gaza
Israel calls on ‘civilized nations’ to boycott ICC warrants to arrest its leaders The Guardian (Kevin W). For Israel to position itself as a civilization is an insult to intelligence.
Netanyahu’s response to ICC calls for another biblical reference to genocide Mondoweiss (guurst)
Biden administration indicates it will support push to punish ICC Financial Times
France backs ICC after prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Netanyahu Reuters
Erm, I don’t see how Sinwar can surrender to ICC arrest. You can guarantee that the Mossad or the CIA will kill him there.
A very important fact. I’m surprised ppl don’t know this. Hamas’s entire communication strategy is to be the legally + morally correct party. They have been trying to adhere to international law and norms. Ppl change W to L – so why are USA and Israel so scared?
– R. Ashlar 🇵🇸🔻 (@AshlarRob) May 20, 2024
‘Four Blind Mice’: Biden, Blinken, McGurk and Sullivan Responsible Statecraft
Norway to recognize a Palestinian state, Spain and Ireland are expected to follow the BBC
An educated guess: Neither Ireland nor Norway will miss Israel’s ambassadors much. So you can keep them.
— Politbüro 🇦🇹, Generalsekretariat #Favoriten 📯 (@StephanEwald) May 22, 2024
Gaza protests
Homeland Security Doesn’t Want to Know Who Its New University Intelligence Advisors Are Ken Klipperstein
The New Cold War
The hubris in Congress about nuclear escalation is jaw-dropping. Bipartisan coalition wants Biden to authorize Ukraine to strike inside Russia with US intel/weapons. Imagine how this would have felt psychologically two years ago. (Biden eventually agreed to all these demands) pic.twitter.com/Il0bBxPGdl
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) May 22, 2024
Kharkiv Encirclement As Pushed ‘Sources’ Alabama Moon (Kevin W)
This is not the time to stand idly by.
In fact, Russian forces launched three attacks on a military warehouse in the town of Shostka, Sumy region. There were also attacks on power stations in Konotop, one of the largest railway stations in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/cv1ceLc3e5
– Benjamin Rubinstein (@BenFRubinstein) May 22, 2024
US military aid to Ukraine is ‘grift’ – Blackwater founder Tucker Carlson RT
Zelensky ‘scolds generals’ – The Economist RT. Alexander Mercouris also discussed Lavrov (!) explaining Zelensky’s outburst. Oh, and he gave Conor’s post on the media/official demonization of the Fico firing and ours about falling real wages a shout out.
This means that Russia cannot stop at least until Lvov or it is effectively lost. Ukraine in NATO was the main reason for this war. I hope the people of Ukraine agreed to this.
— Nik Stankovic (@nikstankovic_) May 22, 2024
US Funds Ukraine’s Criticism Groups, Smearing Pro-Peace Voices Lee Fang (Kevin W)
Big Brother Watching Watching
Many people are being tricked by federal agents into believing they are taking COVID-19 tests, a new study finds.
— Popular Science (@PopSci) May 22, 2024
JPMorgan, MasterCard Embrace Biometric Payment Options CNBC
Microsoft’s new AI-powered laptops will have a ‘photographic memory’ of your virtual fortune (Bill B)
Assange
Assange Wins Delay, but ‘Procedural Punishment’ Continues American Conservative
Imperial Collapse Watch
Lockheed Martin Runs Out of Storage Space for F-35s Rejected by Pentagon Watch
Judge overturns conviction of five retired officers in US Navy bribery case.
Trump
Law professor Jonathan Turley doesn’t hold back in his scathing assessment of Judge Juan Merchan’s handling of the Trump case:
“I believe there are layers of error that could be reversed in this case.” pic.twitter.com/ThjC02buoB
– Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 21, 2024
More details on the above comment: “Are You Looking Down on Me?”: Judge Salesman Becomes a Fortress in His Court Jonathan Turley
More classified records were found in Trump’s bedroom after a search of Mar-a-Lago on The Hill
Biden
US Department of Energy to Release 1 Million Barrels of Oil from Reserves OilPrice (Kevin W). I am putting this here because it is obvious that this is a re-election idea. Biden has already tapped into reserves to try to lower gas prices, which is not their proper use. Reserves are low and the DoE must fill them, not drain them.
2024
Biden and the Democrats raised $51 million in April, far less than Trump and the GOP’s Associated Press.
The upper ones
The shadow war on the administrative state Politico
Supreme Court rejects Mountain Valley E&E News pipeline challenge
Fed officials appear to have ‘no idea’ about US inflation, CNBC strategist says
Bezzle
Show HN: Pls Fix – Hire senior tech staff to complain about Hacker News account suspension. Paul R: “OMG. Baksheesh as a service.”
Guillotine Watch
Is hydrogen the eco future of superyachting? Financial Times
Class War
Imagine if the government provided dental care. A new federal law could make that possible. USA Today
Companies are buying up local veterinary clinics – raising questions about the value, choice and quality of CBC care. Paul R: “Maritime equality is not mentioned, but the same is happening in the US.”
Antidote du jour (via:
See yesterday’s links and the Antidote du Jour here.
