Private equity investors criticize the escalating legal fees from prominent law firms FT
A Glasgow driver crashes their car into a mural that resembles a tunnel entrance NDTV
Poppy Watch Parenting In A Climate Crisis
Climate/Environment
Central Asia experiences record glacier mass loss in 2025 IOP Science
Forecasts for a super El Niño are worsening, raising concerns over its impact on global weather patterns.
This phenomenon could disrupt climates worldwide and result in significant turmoil.
Are governments making plans to address this? Sadly, the answer appears to be no. pic.twitter.com/PHndmYBBxF
— Bill McGuire (@ProfBillMcGuire) May 14, 2026
Hantavirus
The CDC has not mandated that hantavirus-affected cruise passengers isolate at home The Hill
The race to develop a test for the rare Andes hantavirus is intensifying Wired
A second woman traveled globally after leaving a hantavirus-infected cruise ship without anyone noticing Disaster Girl
The hantavirus outbreak should prompt the WHO to reevaluate its approach to airborne risks The BMJ
Pandemics
Tissue-specific autoantibody signatures indicate immune alterations not detected by regular serological tests in long COVID.
🚨83% of long COVID patients have autoantibodies attacking their heart, lungs, and blood vessels, and standard blood tests fail to identify them. VERY concerning… pic.twitter.com/EVyJIOkbcN
— Harry Spoelstra (@HarrySpoelstra) May 13, 2026
Japan
Bessent offers reassurance, but Tokyo keeps a close eye on Beijing Observing Japan
Japan’s newly established spy agency receives support from the FBI, focusing on China and Russia South China Morning Post
China?
Xi Jinping suggests that China and the US should collaborate as partners instead of rivals at the summit Channel News Asia
At the US-China summit, Trump observes improved relations, while Xi issues warnings regarding Taiwan Business Times
China issues a strong message to Trump—was he able to grasp it? Larry Johnson
The potential for Sino-US relations appears bright, according to a Global Times editorial Global Times
This narrative on China isn’t particularly uplifting Pekingnology
Syraqistan
⭕️ Following NYT’s Kristof’s documentation of systematic Israeli abuse of detained Palestinians, CNN, AP, BBC, and NYT provided predominantly uncritical coverage of an unverifiable Israeli statement
The day after New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof published a thoroughly sourced report… pic.twitter.com/yJk1mWcTjq
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) May 13, 2026
America in English: Accusations of our misconduct are unfounded
America in Hebrew: We must utilize drastic measures against Palestinians and formalize this as state policyTranslation has become a vulnerability for their public narrative, and it is clear how impactful it can be! pic.twitter.com/TMZlmb4S4x
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) May 13, 2026
***
A classified CIA analysis suggests Trump cannot rely on Gulf allies for a broader conflict with Iran Capital & Empire
Saudi warplanes allegedly targeted militias in Iraq during the conflict, according to sources Reuters
A special operations “mothership” has made an appearance at Diego Garcia The After-Action Report
European Disunion
Europe finds itself caught in a dilemma over rare earths as it observes the US-China power struggle South China Morning Post
Hungary is facing a potential diesel shortage as many fuel stations close due to depleted reserves Daily News Hungary
The Commission dismisses allegations of “Russiagate” despite it being central to Tisza’s election disinformation efforts Hungary Today.
There is a rising consensus that Russia has gained access to confidential EU information through Orban: “It would be naïve to think otherwise” El Mundo. March 24.
Old Blighty
A barrister involved in Palestine Action wins their appeal in a contempt case Declassified UK. Though on procedural grounds, the judge can still refer the contempt issues to the Attorney General or another High Court judge in the Crown Court.
Currently, King Charles states: “My ministers will begin implementing a digital ID system.” pic.twitter.com/hH328WC9g3
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) May 13, 2026
New Not-So-Cold War
RUSSIA’S LARGEST SINGLE-DAY DRONE STRIKE IN THE WAR
Russia has launched what many sources describe as one of the largest drone assaults since the full-scale invasion began, targeting Ukraine across 14 regions on May 13. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed that at least… pic.twitter.com/5HYLw2zjqo— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) May 14, 2026
The shift in perception: Europe no longer fears Russian deterrence. Kautilya the Contemplator
Yermak sought guidance from a fortune-teller regarding key government appointments in Ukraine Intellinews
The Duma has authorized the use of military forces to protect Russians detained abroad TASS
Imperial Collapse Watch
The late-stage capitalism at war Dmitry Pozhidaev, Savage Minds
The Empire is undergoing liquidation rather than salvation. William Murphy
Asia is swiftly purchasing significant assets in America Asia Times
South of the Border
Bolivian miners participate in protests against Rodrigo Paz amid fuel shortages TeleSur
The Caucasus
Turkey has initiated bilateral trade with Armenia after decades of economic isolation OC Media
Spook Country
Trump 2.0
Trump’s ICE selection is a veteran of the private prison industry Huff Post. Venturella is known for contacting ICE in Florida about Amanda Ungaro, a Brazilian model brought to the U.S. by Epstein as a minor
Trump administration officials and billionaires are quietly transforming America’s public lands Floodlight
Democrats Suck
After a year of advocating for ICE accountability, 144 House Democrats joined 203 Republicans to support CORCA, which grants DHS and ICE broad powers to collect personal information from American citizens under the guise of fighting retail theft.
— Max Burns (@themaxburns) May 13, 2026
The Senate’s resolution on Iran War Powers failed by a single vote—thanks to John Fetterman Common Dreams
Suggestions on how Democrats should approach the subject of climate change The New Republic
Police State Watch
ICE is planning to deploy 1,570 more iris scanners across the nation under a no-bid contract Project Salt Box
Examining violence through the lens of performance or infrastructure? Roman Khimich
Big Brother Is Watching You Watch
Wall Street collaborates with the Army to construct data centers Truthout
ICE agents reportedly have a list of 20 million individuals on their phones, attributed to Palantir 404 Media
The Accelerationists
Andreessen Horowitz is spending on political influence like no other organization New York Times
AI
ChatGPT is allegedly sharing users’ inquiries, IDs, and email addresses with Google and Meta, according to a class-action lawsuit filed today. pic.twitter.com/w5txL6HBCk
— Rob Freund (@RobertFreundLaw) May 14, 2026
Our Famously Free Press
Finance journalists face scrutiny regarding their identities Press Gazette
BREAKING: The NYT has issued an email to freelancers prohibiting submissions with content generated, modified, or enhanced by AI.
This reminder follows several recent incidents involving AI at the newspaper: https://t.co/eQPpUhJrkS
— Maggie Harrison Dupré (@mags_h11) May 12, 2026
Economy
California has only six weeks of gas supplies left. After that, prices are expected to rise sharply Cal Matters
🌾 The United States is set to produce its lowest wheat harvest since 1972 due to poor crop health and record-low areas under cultivation.
Winter wheat output (which accounts for 67% of total production) is projected to reach the lowest levels since:
All winter: 1965
Hard red winter: 1957
Soft red winter: 2020 pic.twitter.com/OcIP3DA0VS— Karen Braun (@kannbwx) May 12, 2026
Guillotine Watch
New York prosecutors inform Wall Street that self-reporting fraud may lead to no penalties FT
Mr. Market
Traders have increased bets on rising food prices since the onset of the conflict in Iran Follow the Money. Naturally.
Class Warfare
Will Hersheypark open this summer? A strike could delay the opening PhillyBurbs
A critique on the view that Marxism is simplistic Kaimataara
Antidote du jour (via):
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