Dear patient readers:<\/p>\n
You have a Links overdose today. Too many things of import happening that are going more under the media radar than they should due to the Iran war. So that this Links could cover these many other fronts, nearly all Middle East news is in our daily Iran war post. <\/p>\n
Words Lost and Stolen<\/a> Peter Gelderloos (Micael T)<\/p>\n Ebola<\/p>\n At least 100 deaths reported in Ebola outbreak in DR Congo as six Americans exposed<\/a> BBC<\/p>\n It looks more and more like MV Hondius ANDV outbreak was a super spreader event<\/p>\n One person infected 8 to 10 others<\/p>\n Very common with airborne pathogens pic.twitter.com\/y30COOnod8<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Barry Hunt (@BarryHunt008) May 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n Hantavirus<\/p>\n The Ebola outbreak in DRC has some serious red flag warnings. See below. And very problematic: the most commonly used test platform in the region cannot pick up this strain. That is a big handicap. https:\/\/t.co\/pfSHZfKny5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marion Koopmans, publications: https:\/\/pure.eur.nl (@MarionKoopmans) May 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n Climate\/Environment<\/p>\n Gas prices are rising. So is public transit ridership.<\/a> Grist<\/p>\n Wood burning is reintroducing lead pollution into the air, US scientists find<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n Gooey blue blobs are washing up on U.S. beaches\u2014here\u2019s why<\/a> National Geographic<\/p>\n El Ni\u00f1o ocean-atmosphere coupling is coming soon.<\/p>\n Rising air is predicted to develop across the tropical Pacific, signaling an atmosphere that\u2019s responding to the fast-warming ocean.<\/p>\n Weather-related impacts from this building El Ni\u00f1o should begin to be felt over the next month. pic.twitter.com\/SahofoH89r<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) May 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The last time an El Ni\u00f1o this strong hit, it killed 50 million people. That was 3 to 4% of the entire world population. Scale that to today and you\u2019re looking at 250 million equivalent.<\/p>\n The 1877 Super El Ni\u00f1o triggered simultaneous droughts across India, China, Brazil, and East\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/Z7vNJVhYnA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Aakash Gupta (@aakashgupta) May 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Declare climate crisis a global public health emergency, experts tell WHO<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n Scientists find climate change is reducing oxygen in rivers worldwide<\/a> Independent<\/p>\n Israeli tech company aiming to cool the Earth with masses of tiny particles <\/a>Times of Israel<\/p>\n Melting of Greenland ice sheet could release methane \u2018fire ice\u2019 <\/a>New Scientist<\/p>\n Hundreds of extra French communes recognised as \u2018natural disaster\u2019 zones<\/a> ConnexionFrance<\/p>\n Landslides are New Zealand\u2019s most expensive natural hazard, and the costs are rising quickly<\/a> eos.org<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n China?<\/p>\n China\u2019s April slowdown highlights dilemma between growth and inflation <\/a>Think.ing<\/p>\n Australia deserves the isolation it is determining for itself with self-harming aggressions against China. Forced divestments in rare earths will deter all Chinese investment in Australia, incur retaliatory measures.<\/p>\n Who sold Australia jet fuel last month? China. https:\/\/t.co\/2cwmWmWx8c<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kathleen Tyson (@Kathleen_Tyson_) May 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Could China limit Japanese airlines\u2019 access to its airspace as ties sour? <\/a>South China Morning Post<\/p>\n Lai says Taiwan won\u2019t be sacrificed as Trump weighs arms deal<\/a> Japan Times. Oh really?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Japan<\/p>\n Exclusive: Japan\u2019s extra budget to include funding from fresh debt, source says<\/a> Reuters<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Koreas<\/p>\n North Korea enshrines automatic nuclear strike if Kim is killed<\/a> MSN<\/p>\n Kim Jong Un Sends Troops to the Border with South Korea<\/a> Nasha Niva<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Africa<\/p>\n Protesters block major Sudan-Egypt highway over power cuts<\/a> Sudan Tribune<\/a><\/p>\n US lifts Ethiopia\u2019s ban on arms dealing as Red Sea tensions reshape regional alliances<\/a> Business Insider<\/p>\n South Africa\u2019s biggest city descends into chaos<\/a> Daily Investor<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n South of the Border<\/p>\n \u2018Feels like an illusion\u2019: inside post-Maduro Venezuela\u2019s bewildering new era<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n Bolivia deploys thousands of troops to break La Paz siege as economic crisis bites Intellinews Cuba accuses US of fabrication after Axios report alleging drone threat<\/a> Reuters<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n European Disunion<\/p>\n Ranked: Where Inflation is Highest in Europe in 2026<\/a> Visual Capitalist. Micael T: \u201cI can tell that for Germany this is pure bollocks. My weekly food expenses go up even though I buy less meat & fish and more beans and pasta.\u201d<\/p>\n EU races to find deal compromise as Trump tariff deadline looms<\/a> Financial Times<\/p>\n NATO\u2019s biggest special forces exercise in Europe takes place as US reduces support for allies<\/a> Sky<\/p>\n In closed-door talks, U.S. demands a major role in Greenland <\/a> New York Times<\/p>\n US and EU officials converge on Greenland as Denmark stays away<\/a> Euractiv<\/p>\n Biotech lobby groups are set to trap farmers and breeders in patent minefield<\/a> Corporate Observatory Europe (Micael T)<\/p>\n President Connolly \u2018very proud\u2019 of her sister who was detained by Israel on Gaza-bound flotilla<\/a> The Journal. Go Ireland!<\/p>\n Comments from PlutoniumKun by e-mail:<\/p>\n Yes \u2013 its widely reported here, but very neutrally, I don\u2019t think the media quite knows how to report it.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.rte.ie\/news\/world\/2026\/0518\/1573901-gaza-flotilla\/<\/a><\/p>\n She is a doctor, married to a well known independent leftist politician.<\/p>\n The President was meeting King Charles at the time.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.rte.ie\/news\/ireland\/2026\/0518\/1573827-connolly-visit-uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n Privately, I think the Irish government will be furious \u2013 they don\u2019t like Connolly, they don\u2019t see her as a \u2018safe pair of hands\u2019, but constitutionally they have to keep quiet about it.\u00a0 They will be fully aware Israel will do whatever they want to her, and don\u2019t care too much about how it looks.\u00a0 They already have a history of interfering in Irish presidential elections.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2011\/jul\/31\/david-norris-ireland-mercy-letter<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the latter case, its widely believed that Israel deliberately released the story to stop Norris getting elected.<\/p>\n The Irish government is caught in a very awkward position between being pushed internally and externally to take a strong pro-Palestine stance and the enormous external pressure from Trump, Brussels and London.\u00a0 They are very aware of various forms of US and Israeli pressure (something like 75% of all Twitter posts on Irish politics are from outside Ireland).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n Old Blighty<\/p>\n \u2018Unprecedented\u2019 police operation to control rival London protests<\/a> Sky<\/p>\n THOUSANDS march at HUGE London \u2018Unite The Kingdom\u2019 rally with FURY aimed at \u2018abhorrent\u2019 Starmer <\/a>Daily Express. A compilation of footage, including drone shots which show the crowd was very large.<\/p>\n MEP and far-right influencers barred from UK rally: Who are they and what was the reason? <\/a>Euronews<\/p>\n Starmer sabotages Burnham on Brexit<\/a> Telegraph<\/p>\n Is the bond market making Britain ungovernable?<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n Drones spreading seaweed to keep Britain growing<\/a> BBC<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Israel v. The Resistance<\/p>\n \u0627\u0639\u062a\u0631\u0627\u0636 \u0623\u0633\u0637\u0648\u0644 \u063a\u0632\u0629 2026 \u0645\u0646 \u0642\u0628\u0644 \u0627\u0644\u062c\u064a\u0634 \u0627\u0644\u0625\u0633\u0631\u0627\u0626\u064a\u0644\u064a (\u0627\u0644\u062a\u0642\u0631\u064a\u0631 \u0631\u0642\u0645 1)<\/p>\n \u0628\u0642\u0644\u0645 \u0627\u0644\u0639\u0642\u064a\u062f (\u0645\u062a\u0642\u0627\u0639\u062f) \u0622\u0646 \u0631\u0627\u064a\u062a<\/p>\n \u062a\u0645 \u0627\u0639\u062a\u0631\u0627\u0636 \u0623\u0643\u0628\u0631 \u0623\u0633\u0637\u0648\u0644 \u0645\u062f\u0646\u064a \u0641\u064a \u062a\u0627\u0631\u064a\u062e \u0627\u0644\u062f\u0639\u0645 \u0644\u0644\u0641\u0644\u0633\u0637\u064a\u0646\u064a\u064a\u0646 \u0641\u064a \u063a\u0632\u0629 \u0648\u0627\u0644\u0636\u0641\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u063a\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629 \u0627\u0628\u062a\u062f\u0627\u0621\u064b \u0645\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0627\u0639\u0629 10:30 \u0635\u0628\u0627\u062d\u064b\u0627 \u0628\u062a\u0648\u0642\u064a\u062a \u062a\u0631\u0643\u064a\u0627\u060c \u064a\u0648\u0645 \u0627\u0644\u0625\u062b\u0646\u064a\u0646 18 \u0645\u0627\u064a\u0648 2026\u060c \u0639\u0644\u0649 \u0628\u0639\u062f 250 \u0645\u064a\u0644\u064b\u0627 \u0628\u062d\u0631\u064a\u064b\u0627 \u0645\u0646 \u063a\u0632\u0629.<\/p>\n \u0623\u0637\u0644\u0642\u062a\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/JDuSOiIgN7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ramy Abdu| \u0631\u0627\u0645\u064a \u0639\u0628\u062f\u0647 (@RamAbdu) May 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Israel launches strikes on southern Lebanon despite extending \u2018ceasefire\u2019<\/a> Aljazeers<\/p>\n You can follow the Strait of Hormuz. https:\/\/t.co\/AGHQqnS1RJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Vijay Prashad (@vijayprashad) May 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Israel advances plan to seize Palestinian property near Al-Aqsa Mosque<\/a> Middle East Eye<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Syraqistan<\/p>\n Pakistani forces kill 35 terrorists in Balochistan operation, capture 3 high-profile commanders<\/a> Indian Express<\/p>\n Can new Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions lead to another border clash?<\/a> Aljazeera<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n New Not-So-Cold War<\/p>\n \ud83d\udee2\ufe0f U.S. Treasury Issues Third Extension of Russian Oil Waiver \u2014 as Tasnim Reports Washington Has Agreed to Suspend Iranian Oil Sanctions During Negotiations<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd39Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Monday a new 30-day general license allowing \u201cvulnerable nations\u201d to access\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/YNsx7MpE50<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) May 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Nuclear weapons \u2018cornerstone\u2019 of Russia\u2019s national security: Kremlin<\/a> Turkiye Today<\/p>\n Why\u2019s The Russian Foreign Ministry Downplaying The Likelihood Of TRIPP\u2019s Implementation? <\/a>Andrew Korybko<\/p>\n Please click through to read the entire tweet. One of its important points: \u201cStarlink is no longer a commercial venture; it is the enemy\u2019s orbital backbone, a de facto NATO asset branded with Musk\u2019s name.\u201d<\/p>\n Russian Military Strategic Assessment: Operational Readiness for Neutralization of Starlink Constellation and Allied NATO Orbital Assets<\/p>\n In the ongoing Special Military Operation, the Russian Federation\u2019s Aerospace Forces have achieved a level of space-domain superiority that\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/ShGVuLm8Zj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 \ud835\udc03\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc2f\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc1d \ud835\udc19 \ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea (@SMO_VZ) May 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Why we do not allow links to ZH (plus they other sites\u2019 copyrighted work, including ours):<\/p>\n Incorrect. There are actually plenty of able, cargo-empty tankers within the US Navy blockade perimeter but Iran has already lowered its oil production to match consumption and some storage buildup on land. The storage situation does not appear to be dire for the time being. https:\/\/t.co\/mmlpHIr9ZI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) May 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n Big Brother is Watching You (and Maybe Blowing You Up) Watch<\/p>\n Do not buy Apple. pic.twitter.com\/igDzbo6UgE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) May 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Imperial Collapse Watch<\/p>\n Should India Mediate The Iran-US War? Retd. Maj. Gen. GD Bakshi Explains<\/a> Republic World. The headline does this fine talk a disservice. Maj. Gen. Bakshi takes a broad view of the role of America, BRICS, and India.<\/p>\n Please click through to read entire tweet:<\/p>\n The five-second epistemology of the novel technology just discovered by America\u2019s Silicon Valley and defense-tech genius fluids, called concrete \u2014 Donald J. Gorbachev (@donaldgorbachev) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n THE SEVEN THUCYDIDES LINES WHICH PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AND PRESIDENT XI JINPING SHOULD DISCUSS THIS WEEK BUT CAN\u2019T BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO SUPREMACIST, TOO SUSPECTING<\/a> John Helmer<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Trump 2.0<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s approval rating slides to lowest since 2023, CBS News poll shows<\/a> CBS<\/p>\n This is a THEFT far worse than Watergate. There is no other word for it. They are stealing $1.78 BILLION dollars to pay Trump\u2018s allies, despite knowing that these people are not legally entitled to any money and be laughed out of court if they filed a lawsuit for money damages. https:\/\/t.co\/9tKgsdxKMn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) May 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Billionaire Trump\u2019s Secret Trading Spree Alarms Wall Street<\/a> Daily Beast<\/p>\n Pentagon says Hegseth campaigning against Massie in \u2018personal capacity\u2019<\/a> The Hill. Trump allies could not hire someone more credible as part of the first team?!?! This is the best gift Trump could have given to Massie.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Our No Longer Free Press<\/p>\n X Agrees to Review Illegal \u201cHate\u201d Within 48 Hours Under UK Online Safety Act<\/a> Reclaim the Net<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Economy<\/p>\n Our fragile world is being hammered by one crisis after another. It\u2019s about to get worse.<\/a> The Age<\/p>\n The Chip Shortage Is A Gulf Energy Crisis Wearing A Different Costume<\/a> Forbes. This was not a hard call, but comparatively few (including yours truly) made it early<\/p>\n China quietly turns off sulphuric acid supply amid disruption from Iran war<\/a> ABC Australia<\/p>\n Shipping industry faces bunker fuel shortages amid Iran conflict<\/a> Associated Press. We discussed this issue at least a week ago<\/p>\n Food Inflation in America by Product: It Boils down to a Sharp Acceleration on Top of Already Very High Prices<\/a> Wolf Richter<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Mr. Market Needs a Therapist<\/p>\n Global bond rout deepens as inflation fears trigger rate-hike bets<\/a> Reuters<\/p>\n G7 finance chiefs seek to look through bond volatility<\/a> Reuters. Shades of \u201csubprime is containted.\u201d<\/p>\n Oil Breaks Above $111 as US-Iran Conflict Enters Dangerous New Phase<\/a> Action Forex<\/p>\n Mortgage costs rise sharply on Middle East conflict<\/a> Financial Times<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n AI<\/p>\n From Andrew Ross Sorkin\u2019s e-mailed Dealbook newsletter, subject line Booing A.I.:<\/a><\/p>\n Cue the boo birds<\/strong>: In a commencement address at the University of Central Florida this month, Gloria Caulfield, a real estate executive, called A.I. the \u201cnext industrial revolution\u201d and was met with<\/a> a loud chorus of boos. Stunned, she asked, \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Yesterday, Eric Schmidt, the former C.E.O. of Google, was booed repeatedly<\/a>when he began talking about A.I. during his commencement speech at the University of Arizona. \u201cI know what many of you are feeling about that,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cI can hear you.\u201d<\/p>\n Schmidt told the grads that he understood there was \u201ca fear\u201d that the machines were coming and jobs were disappearing.<\/p>\n Scary numbers<\/strong>: According to new research<\/a> from the employment site ZipRecruiter, some 47 percent of recent graduates say that A.I. has already affected hiring in their field, and nearly 51 percent of soon-to-be grads believe that A.I. will reduce the number of entry-level jobs.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n American Jobs with AI Exposure Really Are Starting to Disappear, Data Show<\/a> Gizmodo (Ann)<\/p>\n A 45,000-person labor strike at Samsung\u2019s memory chip plants could throw a wrench into the AI boom<\/a> Fortune (Ann). BWAHAHA.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Bezzle<\/p>\n BlackRock Private Credit Fund\u2019s Valuations Are Probed by DOJ<\/a> Bloomberg. From over the weekend. Important. The SEC oversees private fund managers. See for instance this ACA report from March Private Credit Under SEC Scrutiny as Liquidity Pressures Rise. This means the SEC found enough that it did not like that it not only made a DoJ referral but the DoJ took it up. The SEC has plenty of power to impose fines but only the DoJ can pursue a criminal case. Mind you this is just an investigation but is looks mighty serious. But again remember this action is only against one fund so in theory the implications for BlackRock, which is ginormous, look limited. But this is a big deal in that it suggests that investor worries about valuations are bona fide.<\/p>\n Lawmakers zero in on sports gambling regulation as scandals boom<\/a> The Hill<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Guillotine Watch<\/p>\n The AI trial of the century ends with a whimper<\/a> Gary Marcus<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Class Warfare<\/p>\n The Affordability Case for Public Factories<\/a> Washington Monthly<\/p>\n LIRR Strike Brings Five-Hour Commutes, Bleary Travelers<\/a> THE CITY<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Antidote du jour (Retaj):<\/p>\n And a bonus. My last cat, Gabriel, was loved by the vets because he acted like a dog and would accept all sorts of handling. They also seemed to have PTSD related to his breed, Abyssinians, because they were typically hostile. For instance, after my first cat, Winston, had a catheter put in him to clear some urinary blockage, the vets had to wear full-arm welding gloves to deal with him.<\/p>\n He chose peace over violence.. \ud83d\ude05 pic.twitter.com\/FNnSxBmpzn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) May 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n A second antidote. Cats heart science experiments!<\/p>\n The cat\u2019s reaction is adorable. pic.twitter.com\/5TPb9SQ6jr<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Best (@Thebestfigen) May 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n And a different sort for the third:<\/p>\n The mascot had no idea that approaching the security guard would become one of the most legendary moments ever. pic.twitter.com\/5T1y97NZWy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Best (@Thebestfigen) May 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n See yesterday\u2019s Links and Antidote du Jour here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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https:\/\/www.intellinews.com\/bolivia-deploys-thousands-of-troops-to-break-la-paz-siege-as-economic-crisis-bites-443234\/<\/p>\n\n
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Day 48. Ask a Stanford alum to name the top defense technologies. Hypersonics. AI. Quantum. Sixth-gen. Ask him about UHPC. Carburetor\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/vxsQWSBIFN<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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