Introduction: In our complex and ever-changing world, significant developments across various sectors demand our attention. From environmental crises to technological advancements, here’s a detailed look into some of the most pressing issues currently shaping our global landscape.
THE WORLD IN AN HOURGLASS: THE SINGING PHYSICS OF SAND Atmos
Why Humans Are Obsessed With Numbers Too Big to Understand Gizmodo
The End Of Elsewhere Fugitive Margins
Climate/Environment
New May spark plumes show El Niño rapidly intensifying, with 8 of 10 models predicting a super event and four estimating the strongest on record.
Among all 693 ensemble members, the average temperature reaches +2.8˚C, which aligns with the strongest El Niño recorded. pic.twitter.com/9pDxNxAkXz
— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) May 10, 2026
Coal shipments surge as nations seek alternatives to interrupted gas supplies FT
Exxon Climate Uncensored
Hantavirus
The WHO gets it right?
…and ALL high-risk contacts will now have to ISOLATE in a designated facility or at home (depending on each country’s capabilities) for 42 days from their last known exposure…
…and for the MV Hondius passengers & crew, the last exposure date is when they disembarked. pic.twitter.com/in6TNzCq5M
— Cat in the Hat 🐈⬛ 🎩 🇬🇧 (@_CatintheHat) May 10, 2026
The CDC, conversely…
No mandatory quarantine for U.S. passengers: CDC official ABC News
Earlier today I spoke with the ship’s doctor and received confirmation. CDC messaging continues to refer to “prolonged, close contact” but that contradicts: 1) the existing literature, and 2) the situation on this ship.
–> the doctor informed me a few infected/died DID… https://t.co/noQOKi76lL
— Joseph Allen (@j_g_allen) May 9, 2026
Dr. Gustavo Palacios led the 2018 Andes HV outbreak study in Argentina
He indicates that transmission primarily occurred 2 days before and 2 days after symptom onset
He was interviewed by CBC this week – see ~9 min markhttps://t.co/mMtUD6QjGT
— Barry Hunt (@BarryHunt008) May 10, 2026
French evacuee from hantavirus-infected ship showing ‘symptoms’: French PM AFP
Pandemics
Historically, the left has at least claimed to prioritize collective welfare, worker protection, and the safeguarding of vulnerable populations.
However, in the face of a mass-disabling pathogen, large segments abandoned even the basic principles of infection ethics the instant they became socially inconvenient.
— James Throt MBBS, MD, PhD, FRCPath (@JamesThrot) May 10, 2026
Water
This summer, the American water crisis becomes tangible Grist
US-Israel Joint Venture Reveals $1B Desalination Plant Project in South Texas Engineering News-Record
China?
China confirms Xi-Trump summit postponed due to the Iran conflict Business Times
ChatGPT as a security concern: The US-China dilemma in the generative AI race The British Journal of Politics and International Relations
Bernie Sanders invites two Chinese AI researchers to discuss safety cooperation. Here’s what they said. Pekingnology
How Silicon Valley sold Washington on an AI race Transformer
Insights from the Lessons of the Long Confucian Peace Foreign Affairs
Southeast Asia
Iran war devastates Asia’s farmers, endangering global food supplies WaPo
India
PM Modi advocates work-from-home revival, reduced foreign travel, and less gold purchases as West Asia conflict amplifies concerns Economic Times
Syraqistan
Medics among 51 casualties from Israeli assaults on Lebanon Al Jazeera
Inside Israel’s AI targeting system: How a phone’s data becomes a death sentence Los Angeles Times
Agricultural sabotage: The Israeli assault on food security in Lebanon Al Mayadeen
Israel Established and Protected a Covert Iran War Base in Iraq WSJ
Big Tech shifts data out of the Gulf via Iraqi oil pipelines Rest of World
Old Blighty
Starmer grapples with a fight for survival as Streeting and Rayner prepare leadership challenges The Guardian
European Disunion
“Are we genuinely this foolish already?”
Slovak PM Fico commenting on the EU’s decision to halt direct Russian energy imports by 2027, only to purchase the same energy from America, at an additional cost.
Full statement
10 May 2026
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico:… pic.twitter.com/ulamZnjdMY— the Lemniscat (@theLemniscat) May 10, 2026
Europe’s rearmament initiative is unraveling at a critical moment for Ukraine Intellinews
New Not-So-Cold War
Zelensky Again Rescues Himself from the Ledge as the Russian V-Day Parade Unfolds as Expected Simplicius
From Trump’s aggressive maneuvers against Russian oil to the Balts establishing aerial routes for Ukrainian drones to Starlink’s increasing military involvement, the conflict has expanded significantly over the past year. https://t.co/8AuwODBthX
— Russians With Attitude (@RWApodcast) May 10, 2026
Ukraine’s 1st Azov Corps is executing AI-assisted drone strikes deep within Mariupol, extending up to 160 km behind enemy lines. This signifies what they call Azov’s symbolic “return” to the city from the air.
The strikes utilize Hornet fixed-wing loitering munitions developed by a U.S. firm… pic.twitter.com/HAbMn9qr6t
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) May 10, 2026
Latvia’s defense minister resigns following strikes by Ukrainian drones on oil reserves
Latvia’s defense minister resigns after Ukrainian drones hit oil tanks TVP World
Masha and the ‘Old Man’ Events in Ukraine
Ukraine and ‘White Supremacy 3.0’ Azov Lobby Blog
Remarkable events in Berlin as a German government spokesperson hesitated to explicitly credit those who liberated Germany from Nazism in 1945.
After Chancellor Friedrich Merz commemorated the anniversary of Germany’s liberation without mentioning the Red Army or the Soviet Union, a… pic.twitter.com/7mzMM8UQTa
— Brian McDonald (@BrianMcDonaldIE) May 9, 2026
South of the Border
U.S. intelligence-gathering flights surge off Cuba CNN. Similar to events preceding the Maduro kidnapping operation.
Trump 2.0
Trump administration initiates Moms.gov on Mother’s Day The Hill
Trump’s federal layoffs disproportionately affect women and people of color Fast Company
Democrats Suck
Democrats no longer need to campaign on climate change New York Times
Buttigieg, Slotkin team up with Canada’s Carney at liberal strategy session Semafor
Nostalgic Summons New Left Review
Imperial Collapse Watch
China rises in democratic perception rankings while the U.S. and Israel decline: Poll The Cradle
“Which country do you perceive as posing the greatest threat to global stability?”
According to the latest Democracy Perceptions Index, the U.S. is identified as the top threat by people in 65 out of 84 surveyed nations. Notably, the U.S. is also considered the leading threat even within its own borders. pic.twitter.com/wBXZfaBLKv
— Jason Hickel (@jasonhickel) May 9, 2026
Finally, the most striking insight from the report is the dramatic decline in global public perception of the U.S.
The report classifies the U.S. among the top five worst-perceived countries worldwide, alongside Israel (the worst), North… pic.twitter.com/B0VvjXhKTo
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) May 10, 2026
Police State Watch
White House 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy Turns Millions of Americans Into Potential Targets Free Thought Project
Big Brother Is Watching You Watch
A neighborhood in Phoenix just experienced a dust storm caused by Amazon’s drone. Keep in mind: Amazon drones aren’t only delivering packages; they’re also mapping your neighborhood and synchronizing data with the AWS cloud, which contracts with the NSA & CIA. pic.twitter.com/jsPXdbIVPc
— Jason Bassler (@JasonBassler1) May 10, 2026
Sports Desk
Lessons from New Jersey’s Conflict Over the World Cup Boondoggle
AI
Misguided fear surrounding AI advancements Gary Marcus
The crisis instigated by AI manifestations is represented in four charts Blood in the Machine
Was AI summoned by Cthulhu? UnHerd
Economy
Chartbook 447: The U.S. Economy in May 2026 – How Much Cognitive Dissonance Can You Handle? Adam Tooze
Trump Might Access Oil Below U.S. Military Bases to Replenish Strategic Reserves OilPrice
JPMorgan recently released one of the most alarming oil charts I’ve ever encountered.
World inventories are plummeting.
When this line hits 6.8, the global energy system doesn’t just slow — it collapses. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/w4ha2t3URe— Qasem Al-Ali (@AlaliQasem) May 9, 2026
The Bezzle
The AI Mythos: If We Can Destroy the World, Imagine What We Can Do for Your Hedge Fund FAIR
Antidote of the Day (via):
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
