As we brace ourselves for a fierce storm, both my backup connections are struggling. While this post is near completion, please excuse any key stories that may be inadvertently overlooked.
For over a thousand years, historians believed that the Viking “sunstone” was merely a legend until the ocean revealed its secret.
The Norse sagas often mentioned a mysterious object called a “sólarsteinn” or sunstone, a navigational tool so formidable that Viking sailors… pic.twitter.com/etAfI3DAWX— SubRosa )✿( Magick @subrosamagick.bsky.social (@SubRosaMagick) May 7, 2026
What your body stops doing when you’re stressed — Big Think
Hantavirus
Here’s How Freaked Out You Should Be About the Hantavirus Cruise Ship — New York Times. The Gray Lady remains composed but still expresses enough concern to make the article available outside the paywall.
A Spanish woman is hospitalized with suspected hantavirus | New case arising on a remote island — NBC News. If she tests positive, it suggests airborne transmission.
Hantavirus misinformation spreads as the US remains ill-prepared to handle infectious disease health crises — The Guardian (Kevin W). I call out this assertion: “While not a virus with pandemic potential…”. The wide-ranging public concern stems from health officials prioritizing business interests over population safety. This caused a frantic pursuit of the “vax only” solution, clinging to the unfounded hope it would stop transmission rather than relieve hospital overload. Alternative measures such as improved ventilation and masking were sidelined because they may have reminded consumers that Covid was still very much a threat.
Moreover, emerging evidence indicates that the Andes hantavirus may differ from its counterparts, with potential for airborne transmission, which would render the current risk assessments dangerously misleading. For example:
A detailed investigation into a previous hantavirus transmission event reveals evidence of airborne spread of the Andes strain:
Patient 1 –> Patient 4
“had no physical contact, merely exchanged greetings as they passed.”Patient 1 –> Patients… pic.twitter.com/Y0HgL67gNa
— Joseph Allen (@j_g_allen) May 7, 2026
The silver lining is that the high mortality rate of this relatively transmissible hantavirus should lead to swift and rigorous official responses, akin to those seen in Asia during the SARS outbreak.
Bar-Yam was among the first to declare Covid a pandemic in January 2020 and backed his alert with mathematical analysis. So his insights warrant serious consideration:
3/ Approximately 30 passengers have already dispersed internationally. About 140 more are slated to fly from the Canary Islands this Sunday.
Incubation could take weeks, meaning it may not immediately be clear if containment has been successful.
— Yaneer Bar-Yam (@yaneerbaryam) May 8, 2026
A Dutch woman, whose spouse perished aboard the ship, disembarked in Saint Helena showing “gastrointestinal symptoms” on April 24. Her health “deteriorated during a flight to Johannesburg” on April 25, and she succumbed on April 26.
Traveling through Africa’s busiest airport means *MANY* may have been exposed. pic.twitter.com/3WRJJgMnvU
— Nick Mark MD (@nickmmark) May 6, 2026
Let me reiterate this clearly for those who may not grasp the severity:
Covid infection damages the vascular endothelium, the delicate lining inside your blood vessels.
Hantavirus *specifically targets* the vascular endothelium.
— tern (@1goodtern) May 8, 2026
#COVID-19/Pandemics
The results were astonishing.
Patients with prior COVID-19 exhibited a far greater rate of coronary slow flow.
COVID+ group: 18.9%
COVID− group: 5.3%
That’s over a threefold difference.— Zdenek Vrozina (@ZdenekVrozina) May 8, 2026
Climate/Environment
Why the likelihood of a record-setting El Niño keeps increasing — Washington Post
Climate models are struggling to account for human influence on storm patterns — The Guardian
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels just reached a disheartening new peak — Scientific American
Drought worsens in the Central Plains, severely impacting winter wheat forecasts — Brownfield
China?
The Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated today what it said yesterday, and the day before – no confirmation regarding the scheduled visit of President Trump on May 14, contrary to Trump’s assertions. pic.twitter.com/QUQEVvd5k7
— Dances_with_Bears (@bears_with) May 8, 2026
China’s bank lending in April expected to plummet amid weak credit demand — Reuters
90% of Tibetans speak Tibetan, despite 76 years of predictions that China would “eradicate” Tibetan culture.
In contrast, 18% of Wales speaks Welsh, and only 10% of Ireland speaks Irish after similar efforts to preserve their languages over the past decades. https://t.co/JEZHuRsClD
— Domhnall (Cogito) (@CogitoEdu) May 6, 2026
Japan
Why Japan is now embracing lethal weapons exports — DW
Japan conducts missile tests during drills, provoking a response from China — Arab News
Koreas
North Korea admits to ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine for the first time — NK Pro
North Korea plans to deploy new artillery aimed at Seoul and to commission its first destroyer — Independent
Africa
Top Iran War Analyst Discusses the Resurgence of Colonialism in Africa — Chico Unscripted. Robert Pape is worth a listen.
Al-Qaeda-related attacks in central Mali result in over 30 deaths — France24
The new scramble for Congo — Africa’s Country
Conflict-linked delays and funding issues exacerbate Somalia’s hunger crisis — Reuters
Sudan struggles with war and hunger while its farmers face additional conflict — Independent
Why Mozambique’s financial crisis continues to deteriorate? — ZAWYA
European Disunion
EU cyber regulations targeting Chinese suppliers could lead to a $430 billion loss: report — South China Morning Post
Record imports by the EU keep Russia’s primary LNG terminal financially viable — EurActiv
Rheinmetall is set to begin cruise missile production as soon as this year — Financial Times
Greenland’s Prime Minister criticizes an ‘indecent’ effort to gather signatures for a U.S. adhesion petition — South China Morning Post (Kevin W)
A German town prepares for the end of decades-long U.S. military presence — Japan Times
Old Blighty
2026 elections: an analysis of Labour’s diminishing influence across different regions — The Guardian
Labour’s Decline — London Review of Books
Starmer faces mounting pressure after Labour’s significant election defeats — BBC. You think?
Keir Starmer asserts he will persist after Labour’s historic losses — The Times
Plaid Cymru emerges victorious in Welsh Senedd elections, ending Labour’s century-long dominance — The Guardian (Kevin W)
In the Outer Hebrides, the UK’s energy crisis has already materialized — Telegraph
Israel vs. The Resistance
Stay silent ‘to avoid jail’: Israelis facing bribery charges after suspicious bets placed on potential Iran strikes — The Guardian
Rats, disease, and waste: a health crisis escalates across Gaza and the West Bank — Palestine Chronicle
Recent testimonials from released Palestinian detainees strengthen severe allegations concerning the treatment of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, with claims of consistent and grave abuse since his detention. 🧵#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya pic.twitter.com/GLjikMjTQp
— Euro-Med Monitor (@EuroMedHR) May 8, 2026
Levin warns he will allow the Supreme Court to ‘disappear’ if his judicial appointments are not confirmed — Times of Israel (Kevin W)
Gulf banks intensify digital surveillance to limit Iranian financial activities — Arab News
The companies profiting billions from the Iran conflict — BBC (Robin K)
The New Not-So-Cold War
RUSSIA AND UKRAINE CONTINUE FIGHTING DESPITE PROPOSED WW2 CEASEFIRE — DubaiEye
Greece is investigating a Ukrainian sea drone – Reuters — RT (Kevin W)
Zelensky’s Israeli Kin — Events in Ukraine
Big Brother Is Watching You Watch
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on users’ devices — That Privacy Guy (Micael T)
Imperial Collapse Watch
US Imperialism is Entering a New Phase: Leftists Must Pay Close Attention — Venezuelanalysis
Trump 2.0
RFK Jr. launches campaign to advocate for ‘deprescribing’ antidepressants — The Hill. This earlier report remains relevant.
A New Form of Piracy!
The Trump administration seizes $120,000,000 held by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board as part of an offshore wind project, demanding that the funds be redirected to fossil fuel endeavors instead. https://t.co/JLrc27h5RG pic.twitter.com/bJWGe7Lc9R
— Edward Row 𓃡 (@edwardrow) May 7, 2026
Democrats Suck
Maine Democrats will deliberate on condemning DCCC interference in a House primary election — Intercept
Our Eroding Free Press
The Next Phase of Trump’s Assault on Free Speech — New York Times (Dr. Kevin)
🇷🇺🌐 Russian journalists have been permanently expelled from the International Federation of Journalists.
Reason for expulsion:
– Establishing a media branch in “occupied” territories
– “Russia kills journalists and wields information as a weapon”Notably, Israel was not expelled.… pic.twitter.com/a2dxE5ZOnH
— Spetsnaℤ 007 🇷🇺 (@Alex_Oloyede2) May 8, 2026
L’affaire Epstein
Odd: Epstein’s Suicide Note Printed on Hillary Clinton’s Personal Stationery — Babylon Bee
Economy
Time is fast running out to prevent a power crunch in America: ‘The current situation is untenable’ — MarketWatch
Asia faces ‘plastic shock’ as the Iran oil crisis restricts supplies — Financial Times
Whirlpool indicates a ‘recession-level’ plunge as the Iranian war and tariff decisions take a toll on sales — The Guardian
Mr. Market is Stuffed
China and the US have driven global debt to an astonishing $353 trillion, worsened by the ongoing Iran war — South China Morning Post
Global bond demand is plummeting, compelling governments to seek loans from banks — IDN Financials
AI
Clear evidence illustrating why AI should be used sparingly, if at all, for anything beyond traditional machine learning:
We are in significant, deep trouble.
A reader mentioned this week that they had stopped reading my story on Trump’s corruption because ChatGPT “fact-checked the piece” and claimed much of it was incorrect.
Among other things, ChatGPT informed them that there is no Iran war, Jared… pic.twitter.com/7tTjhZDK6b
— Isaac Saul (@Ike_Saul) May 8, 2026
Agents and ROI — Gary Marcus
IMF warns new AI models could lead to ‘systemic’ financial shocks — Financial Times
The Bezzle
The DOJ investigates $2.6 billion worth of oil bets made just before Trump’s announcements regarding the Iran war — Independent
Global financial regulators caution that private credit markets are fueling the AI surge — The Guardian
Guillotine Watch
Musk’s Sweetheart Deal — Oligarch Watch
A Central NY landlord, charged yet again, is accused of sexually exploiting tenants over decades — Syracuse.com. bob: Best landlord ever.
Class Warfare
Labor Leader Walter Reuther Was Among 1960s Liberal Leaders Suspected of Being Assassinated by “the Deep State” — Covert Action (Chuck L)
Antidote du jour (Tracie H):
A bonus:
They placed a German Shepherd in charge of babysitting a litter of Doberman puppies…
and the bewildered canine had no idea why they were so hyper. 😂 pic.twitter.com/CeiSsDww7W— The Figen (@TheFigen_) May 3, 2026
A second bonus:
The farmer approached the hen to collect her eggs… only to find three children eagerly awaiting him. 😂 pic.twitter.com/8Eux3CA1Ni
— The Figen (@TheFigen_) May 3, 2026
And a third (Chuck L):
Two Australian paddleboarders rescued an exhausted wallaby that had been swept out to sea. 😍 pic.twitter.com/aMJmu8KPtS
— Interesting things (@awkwardgoogle) May 8, 2026
For more insights, see yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
