Word of the Day: Sonder – Richard Murphy
4,000-Year-Old Tablets Unveiling Magic Spells, Kings, and a Beer Receipt – Science Daily (Kevin W)
A recent study published in Nature Medicine highlights that poor diet significantly contributes to a global burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD).
Key findings (2023 data):
- 4.06 million IHD deaths (95% UI 0.74–6.22M) linked to unhealthy eating habits.
- 96.84 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost.
- Global age-standardized data indicates…
— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) May 3, 2026
In a significant demographic change, for the first time in modern U.S. history, women aged 40 and above are giving birth at a higher rate than teenagers.
This trend began in 2022 and continues to grow, with teen births decreasing by approximately 80% over the last three decades. This shift reflects the normalization of later motherhood due to delayed family planning.
— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) May 5, 2026
Get Them Off the Damn Boat! | M/V Hondius in Cape Verde Amid a Hantavirus Outbreak – Sal Mercogliano, YouTube
BREAKING: Human-to-human transmission suspected
Expect the usual reassurances: “it’s rare,” “it’s mild,” or “why not just ignore it?”
This scenario feels familiar…
— Jess (@MeetJess) May 5, 2026
COVID-19/Pandemics
The degree of organ damage post-SARS-CoV-2 infection varies depending on the source consulted.
While I believe everyone experiences lasting, progressive damage, well-conducted autopsy studies support this claim. Yet, a prudent estimate might suggest only 10%…Covid is synonymous with Long Covid https://t.co/Gac6NDr6dF pic.twitter.com/N31AWHU5yj
— 🎒Joanna Teglund✊😷🍉Human life is sacred (@JoannaTeglund) May 2, 2026
COVID-19 increases osteoclast activity over osteoblasts, leading to accelerated bone turnover.
Be wary of premature osteoporosis.
More information here: https://t.co/JLcODpKKDK https://t.co/ZCQOIsd8sE
— David Joffe MB BS (Hons), PhD, FRACP 🇦🇺 (@DavidJoffe64) May 3, 2026
The recent resurgence of Kaposi’s sarcoma mirrors trends seen during the HIV/AIDS crisis. Although we do not have a corresponding rise in HIV cases.
The airborne SARS-CoV-2 behaves similarly to HIV, and could pose a serious, uncontained threat – affecting billions, including the entire youth population.
— Sass (@sasswashere) May 3, 2026
Climate/Environment
Increased Frequency and Intensity of Heavy Rains – Yale Climate Connections, US-focused insights expand globally.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: A Hidden Plastic Disaster – CNN
Sudden Ocean Temperature Surges Threatening Major Marine Ecosystems – Earth
Is this the strongest El Niño in 150 years? Current projections hint at it being a historic event. The median forecast for December suggests peak intensity surpassing the record set in 1877.
— Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) May 4, 2026
Cities Preparing for Extreme Heat: Will It Be Effective? – Grist
Amsterdam Enforces Ban on Meat and Fossil Fuel Advertisements: An Urgent Climate Response – Independent
Climate Change Heightening Risk of Rodent-Borne Arenaviruses – EurekaAlert
Hazen Fire Near Buckeye: 0% Contained, Nearly 1,000 Acres Burned – Arizona Republic
China?
Trump-Xi Summit: A Step Toward New US-China Coexistence? – Asia Times (Kevin W)
Theft and Agroterror: China’s Ongoing Assault on US Agriculture – AgWeb, a recognized source in US agriculture.
India
India’s Coal Consumption Rises Amidst Extreme Heat and Supply Challenges – CNBC
India and Russia: Exploring Collaboration in Critical Minerals – InfoBRICS
Africa
Mali’s Struggle: The Rise of Jihadists Explained – History Legends
Egypt and Saudi Arabia: Power Struggles in Sudan and Ethiopia – Andrew Korybko
80% of Africa’s Fertilizer: Adapting Food Systems to Economic Shocks – The Conversation
Shifts in US Policy Toward Africa – Daniel Larison
European Disunion
The “Big 3” and Their Role in Europe’s Decline – Finn Andreen (Micael T)
Berlin Confronts Missile Gap Following US Troop Reductions – Politico
The Multipolar Future: Economic Insights from Ireland – Multipolar Press (Micael T)
Old Blighty
Craig Murray: Examining the Climate of Injustice – Consortium News (The Joker)
UK Long-Term Borrowing Costs Reach Their Highest Level Since 1998 – The Guardian (Kevin W)
Food Prices in the UK Projected to Increase by 50% Since Beginning of the Cost-of-Living Crisis – City A.M.
Historic Low for Wild Scottish Salmon Catches – The Telegraph
Massive Fish Kill Following Toxic Spill in River Spey – Daily Record
Israel vs. The Resistance
‘Total Victory’: How Iran Overcame Israel – Kit Klarenberg. A crucial read.
Continued Israeli Settler Violence Amid US Oversight – American Conservative. Implicative of tacit approval.
Israeli Finance Minister’s Son Requests to Leave Some Land in Lebanon for Future Deconstruction – Antiwar.com (Kevin W)
My Encounter With Israeli Forces During the Gaza Flotilla Incident – Zeteo
Christian Zionist Group Lobbying US Congress for Israeli Support Without Disclosing Funding Sources – DropSite
Private Communication from the White House to Iran Prior to the New Hormuz Operation – Axios
Over 22,000 Individuals Trapped on Commercial Ships in the Gulf – Pentagon Reports – Sputnik (Robin K)
Emerging Digital Challenges Echoing the Strait of Hormuz Crisis – Asia Times
Former Spy Jonathan Pollard Enters Politics, Criticizes Netanyahu and Bennett – Times of Israel (Kevin W)
New Not-So-Cold War
How Russia is Positioned to Succeed in Today’s Global Conflicts – Global Geopolitics
Understanding the Current Landscape – Olivier Boyd-Barrett. An insightful analysis.
Zelensky’s Bold Statements; Putin’s Strategic Moves in Central Kiev – Alexander Mercouris, YouTube. Key discussions regarding Russian matters commence around 34:00.
Frontline Report: Key Developments as of May 5th, 2026 – Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov
Challenges Facing Ukraine’s 25,000 Combat Robots: Connectivity Issues – Euromaidan (Robin K)
Colombian Mercenaries Reported to Be Perishing in Ukraine for Futile Causes, States President – RT (Robin K)
The notion that Ukraine can target Russian vessels off the coast of Senegal or in the Arctic is absurd. This intelligence and operational prowess stem from US involvement.
The second phase of the campaign, dubbed Operation Arctic Sentry, is also underway.
— Richard Medhurst (@richimedhurst) May 5, 2026
Lavrov and Rubio Discussing US-Russia Relations and Global Affairs – TASS
Imperial Collapse Watch
Modeling Counter-Base Warfare in the Western Pacific: Implications for US Strategy – Policy Tensor (Vikas S). This examination outlines the challenges to US deterrent strategies in Asia.
Confronting Temporary Alliances: A Strategic Discussion – Aurelien
US Army Investigating Alternative Proteins for Field Use – Task & Purpose
Trump 2.0
Trump’s Potential Impact: Key Takeaways from Recent Elections in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan – Associated Press
More Americans Express Concerns Over Prices and Secret Service Performance than Voting Rights – YouGov
Democrats in Dilemma
Graham Platner Makes Democrats Wonder: Is an Outsider Required for 2024? – The Hill. Seeking success amidst significant obstacles.
Democrats Urge Trump to Address Israeli Nuclear Capabilities – RT (Robin K)
Our Eroding Free Press
X has now removed the verified badge from the account of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, despite full Premium+ payments.
This selective action aligns with a broader trend of digital censorship and exploitation.— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) May 5, 2026
Economy
Fertilizer: The Most Pressing Shortage Amidst Ongoing Conflicts – The Times
Is a Famine Imminent in 2027? – Ian Welsh. This discussion also touches on key lubricants essential for the distribution of food.
The Impending Crisis of Water Scarcity as an Energy Limitation – Forbes
UK Airlines Approved to Cancel Flights Due to Jet Fuel Shortage – The Guardian
US gasoline inventories have plummeted to their lowest seasonal levels in over a decade – FT pic.twitter.com/L5lHVnirPu
— Energy Headline News (@OilHeadlineNews) May 5, 2026
Manufacturing Employment Takes a Hit: Five Quarters of Decline – Michael Shedlock
The US Economy is Teetering on an Unstable Edge – Bill Mitchell
Mr. Market Shows Optimism
Assessing the Bond Bubble: What Lies Ahead? – FX Street
AI Developments
The U.S. and China Share a Common Adversary: A Surprising Analysis – Thomas Friedman, New York Times (Dr. Kevin). Offers unexpected insights.
Breaking: Challenges Posed by Autonomous Agents – Gary Marcus
Pennsylvania Sues AI Firm for Misrepresentation of Licensed Doctors – Associated Press (Kevin W)
Zuckerberg Allegedly Facilitated Massive Copyright Violations for AI Training – Variety (Kevin W)
The Bezzle
Examining Microsoft’s Lost Trillion: Insights into AI’s Impact – Axel Rietschin. Highlights the dangers of excessive reliance on AI technology.
Warnings of Psychological Contagion Linked to Private Credit – Bloomberg
A farmer in Alberta is selling tractors with no computerized systems, ensuring they are fully repairable with simple tools.
400 American farmers sought to purchase one after just a single interview.
Sometimes, the advantage lies not in added features, but in simplicity.
— Russell Brunson (@russellbrunson) May 1, 2026
Guillotine Watch
Could Monitoring Private Jets Indicate an Imminent Crisis? – Gizmodo (Dr. Kevin)
A Call for Perspective on Excess: The Yacht Debate – Paul Krugman
Class Warfare
Emerging Trends in Leftist Politics: Examining New Figures – Political Economist (Micael T)
The Techlord Era: A Shift from Neoliberalism – Yanis Varoufakis
Antidote of the Day: Tracie H shares her sighting of a Costa’s hummingbird—her first encounter! She continues to see the same bird by her tree, having transitioned from Orange County (CA) to a new desert home.
And for additional joy:
Creating a small bridge in the aquarium so the fish never feel bored. pic.twitter.com/PEhuqRVLgl
— The Figen (@TheFigen_) May 3, 2026
Here’s another delightful moment:
Meet Mendo, the rescued Vizsla hobbit who steals hearts on Instagram with his remarkable balancing skills. We love him for it! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8rFR5PQmYq
— Puppies 🐶 (@Puppieslover) May 2, 2026
Lastly, enjoy this charming exchange:
Daughter always insisted on loving dogs. They adopted a cat, and this is what transpired! pic.twitter.com/ZdTznsaFHd
— Wolf of X (@WolfofX) May 3, 2026
For yesterday’s links and the Antidote of the Day, click here.
