The articles highlighted below shed light on various critical global issues ranging from cultural insights to health alerts. Each piece presents unique perspectives and essential information that contribute to our understanding of the rapidly changing world. Let’s explore the latest discussions in literature, science, healthcare, climate, and politics.
Shostakovich’s String Quartets: The Movie of a Life Simon Morrison (Micael T)
The Ancient Logic of “Snuck” Dead Language Society (Micael T)
Hidden Earthquake Faults Beneath Seattle May Be More Dangerous Than Expected Science Daily (Kevin W)
The Global Fertility Crisis Is Worse Than You Probably Think Derek Thompson (Micael T). Let’s not delve too deep into this topic just yet.
Nestlé Killed Millions of Infants Betham’s Bulldogs (Micael T)
Ebola
W.H.O. Chief Expresses Deep Concern Over Rapid Ebola Outbreak New York Times. The original headline was softened later.
American Tests Positive for Ebola; U.S. Implements Traveler Screenings at Airports Washington Post
The #Ebola outbreak is now the third largest on record. The #WHO representative in the DRC reported to the World Health Assembly that suspected cases exceed 500, with about 130 suspected fatalities.
This will be extremely challenging to contain… pic.twitter.com/tnMCUO2j5v— Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 (@HelenBranswell) May 19, 2026
Hantavirus
Hantavirus in Africa: The Concerning Effects of Climate Change, Rodents, and Inadequate Surveillance The Conversation
Douglas County Adult Dies from Hantavirus; Officials Report No Link to Cruise Ship Outbreak CPR
COVID-19/Pandemics
For further insights, please read:
If COVID infections increase vulnerability to nearly all other pathogens, as evidenced by various mechanisms, we would expect a rise in those infections.
And that is precisely what we are witnessing now.Ten completely unsurprising news stories:
— tern (@1goodtern) May 19, 2026
Climate/Environment
Farmers have discovered that the most cost-effective pesticide is a strip of wildflowers.
Planting wildflowers in the middle of crop fields encourages beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. pic.twitter.com/7V0tqMeM4M— Give A Shit About Nature (@giveashitnature) May 19, 2026
Redistributing Life: How Climate Change Is Altering Species Migration Patterns Earth
Here’s a graph illustrating daily temperature anomalies since the 1850-1900 pre-industrial baseline over the past two decades using Copernicus data. The trend clearly indicates that we are approaching a rise of 1.5°C within a year.
Get on board, everyone! pic.twitter.com/2Tl9niExxV— Prof. Eliot Jacobson (@EliotJacobson) May 16, 2026
The ‘Doomsday’ Glacier: A Massive Ice Shelf is Set to Break Away New Scientist
Latin America Faces Extreme Climate Risks as Hydrological Whiplash Intensifies Inside Climate News
Urgent Appeals for Federal Drought Aid as Conditions Worsen on Colorado River Aspen Public Radio
Saudi Arabia Prepares for Severe Heat and Dust Storms During Hajj Gulf News
China?
This is completely inaccurate. pic.twitter.com/cYw96Yxx1S
— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) May 19, 2026
The Empire of Wuxi China Talk
Japan
Why Japanese Companies Diversify Their Operations David Oks (Micael T). Personally, I connect with the Japanese due to our shared nuances.
Mass Allergies Gripping Japan: A 1950s Project is to Blame BBC (Paul R)
Koreas
Samsung Union Confirms Strike Will Proceed Following Failed Mediation Nikkei
Africa
Kenya Faces Deadly Protests and Strikes Amid Fuel Crisis DW (Ann)
South of the Border
The U.S. Puppet Government in Bolivia Crumbles Within Six Months Council Media Estate
This is Bolivia: Day 8 of the General Strike. Barricades block highways, halting commercial activity. Trucks are backed up for miles. The protests will continue until the neoliberal government resigns.
Workers of every country have their own version of the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/bvcYSBjeK8
— Ollie Vargas (@Ollie_Vargas_) May 20, 2026
European Disunion
Controlled Chaos: How Washington is Undermining a Multipolar World While Sacrificing Europe Thomas Fazi
Authorization to Pollute Corporate Europe (Micael T)
Germany Is Producing Heirs Faster Than Champions The Data Room (Micael T)
Myths Regarding Sweden’s Economic Growth: How the Right Distorts the Narrative Katalys via machine translation (Micael T)
Sweden Purchases Warships from France – A Costly Investment Aftonbladet via translation. Micael T notes, “It appears they haven’t gleaned any lessons from the drone and missile conflicts in Ukraine or Iran.”
Old Blighty
UK Eases Oil Sanctions on Russia as Fuel Prices Climb BBC.
Alarming Levels of ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found Off the Southern England Coast The Guardian
Israel vs. The Resistance
🚨 BREAKING:
🇺🇸🇮🇷 The U.S. Senate has passed a War Powers Resolution limiting military actions against Iran after eight attempts, with a vote of 50-47.
Key Votes: Four Republicans joined: Susan Collins, Bill Cassidy, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul… https://t.co/ZkJ4p0UBZJ pic.twitter.com/ZkJ4p0UBZJ
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 19, 2026
Tucker Carlson Discusses with Israeli Media: Neither the U.S. Nor Israel are True Democracies Haaretz
Initial Aim of U.S.-Israeli Conflict on Iran: Installing a Hardline Ex-President Anadolu Agency. This narrative raises questions about its authenticity; Israel is accused of misinterpreting Ahmadinejad’s statement about the existence of Israel.
I wasn’t a supporter of Ahmadinejad during his first term, and my feelings only intensified during his second. However, why would The New York Times publish a statement branding him a traitor to his own country? What prompted the Trump administration to expose supposed assets in the… pic.twitter.com/JMEMcnUdph
— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) May 20, 2026
Inside an Iranian Operation Targeting a Cargo Ship in the Strait of Hormuz Washington Post
Pakistan’s Military Deployment in Saudi Arabia Reflects a New Security Paradigm in the Gulf Asia Times (Kevin W)
New Not-So-Cold War
Russian SVR Suggests Possible Strikes on NATO Following Recent Drone Incidents Simplicius
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry is currently engaged in extensive damage control as tensions escalate regarding drone activity over the Baltics. pic.twitter.com/KiLhSVGxIT
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) May 19, 2026
Assessing the Likelihood of Russia’s Next Operation Targeting Latvia Andrew Korkybko
May Mobilization Report Events in Ukraine
Imperial Collapse Watch
Impact Analysis: The Average American K-12 Student is Performing Well Compared to International Standards Freddie deBoer
Why the U.S. Continues to Repeat Its Historical Mistakes in Warfare Daniel Larison
Trump 2.0
Top Treasury Official Resigns Following Trump’s IRS Settlement Announcement The Hill. This individual was the chief legal advisor, and had it not been for Trump’s alliances and Congress’s inefficiency, this could have been akin to a historical event.
Trump’s Own Legal Counselor Departs Treasury in Disbelief Over $1.8B Misappropriation Daily Beast (Ann). A sharper take on the same narrative.
Justice Department Broadens Trump Settlement to Encompass His Tax Audits Politico
BLANCHE: “The United States is hereby FOREVER BARRED from prosecuting or pursuing examinations or any reviews regarding Trump or associated individuals, including family and related trusts.” https://t.co/mbgSdQ1YmE pic.twitter.com/we2LJjvDwV
— Tyler McBrien (@TylerMcBrien) May 19, 2026
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie Loses Kentucky GOP Primary to Ed Gallrein in Another Trump Victory Associated Press. This result made even the Bloomberg Middle East edition headlines.
Thomas Massie After Losing Kentucky Republican Primary:
“I would have conceded sooner, but I had difficulty locating Ed Gallrein in Tel Aviv.” pic.twitter.com/yV4aW7vrqP
— Remarks (@remarks) May 20, 2026
The defeat of Thomas Massie is among the gravest setbacks for Jews in America. It raises questions of dual loyalty for every single Jew. I’m stating the facts as they are.
AIPAC, Israel, and Miriam Adelson have incited animosity towards Israel and suspicions of its many supporters.— Kim Iversen 🇺🇸 (@KimIversenShow) May 20, 2026
I’m proud to have served in the House alongside Thomas Massie, a titan amongst feeble men.
Although releasing the Epstein files was detrimental to our position, it was worthwhile because now everyone is aware of the truth.— Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@FmrRepMTG) May 20, 2026
One can hope:
If Massie loses tonight, he should run for President.
If Massie wins tonight, he should still run for President.— Dave Smith (@ComicDaveSmith) May 19, 2026
Trump Officials Plan to Revoke Restrictions on ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water The Guardian
Trump Treats Legal Immigration as Unacceptable W. H. Lawrence
Trumpworld’s New Curious Addiction, Acknowledged by Health Chief RFK Jr. as Daily Habit Daily Mail
GOP Clown Car
Bill Cassidy voted his conscience on impeachment but then spent five years courting Donald Trump. He was instrumental in promoting the most unqualified HHS Secretary I’ve seen in my lifetime, someone who is ruining the public health system, all for Trump’s favor.
Message to My Fellow Republicans: pic.twitter.com/Ud8QLDxHgA
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) May 19, 2026
With Cassidy and Cornyn, the President’s agenda is going to be lifeless in the Senate now. Considering the likes of Tillis, McConnell, etc., why should they undertake significant efforts for Trump?
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) May 19, 2026
Democrats Suck
Understanding the Working Class’s Disillusionment with the Democrats Les Leopold
Economy
Impacts on Australian Farmers Due to Iranian Conflict and Drought, Resulting in Reduced Wheat Production Reuters (Ann)
AI
8 Disturbing Facts About Data Centers Babylon Bee
The High Cost of AI Technology Ed Zitron
Lawyer Suing Women Who Brand Him ‘Psycho’ Accused of Using AI 404 Media
The Great Zombification Owen Yingling (Anthony L)
Identifying AI-Generated “Sacred Art” Hilary White. Micael T: “FFS! Not here too. AI is sacrilegious.”
Philosopher’s Early Warnings About AI: A Perspective Inspired by the Unabomber and Neil Postman Christopher Hoffman (Micael T)
Guillotine Watch
Elon Musk’s Descent into Racism and Absurdity Oligarch Watch
Class Warfare
BREAKING: Costco contemplates legal action over claims it must refund tariff reimbursements to customers, arguing shoppers received what they paid for.
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) May 19, 2026
Morale Among Tech Workers Plummets as Layoffs Increase New York Times (Kevin W)
Antidote Du Jour (via):
And here’s a bonus:
Thank you.. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/9Myqb4MoAB
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) May 20, 2026
Another:
Witness a skilled fisherman hard at work pic.twitter.com/v2DTjp0thz
— cats with powerful impression 🐾 (@catshealdeprsn) May 16, 2026
A third:
An adorable communication mismatch:
・A cat’s headbutt signifies affection
・A goat’s headbutt is an invitation to play pic.twitter.com/WJd8Gb1w1Y— cats with powerful impression 🐾 (@catshealdeprsn) May 17, 2026
And a final, different type of bonus (Chuck L):
Stunning how these creatures stand and walk. pic.twitter.com/kI4998MLn6
— The Figen (@TheFigen_) May 19, 2026
For more insights, see yesterday’s Links and Antidote Du Jour here.
