We Came from Outer Space Nautilus (Micael T)
In Pictures: The protectors of a 7,000-year-old faith BBC (furzy)
Man filmed carving into Colosseum says he ‘didn’t know it was old’ Daily Mail (Anthony L)
‘Everything you’ve been told is a lie!’ Inside the wellness-to-fascism pipeline Guardian. Curious the only conspiracy theories that are dangerous are related to things like Covid, not things like Russiagate.
‘Open Secret’ of CPR: It’s Usually Futile Newser (Dr. Kevin)
More young Americans are dying – and it’s not COVID. Why aren’t we searching for answers? USA Today (Paul R). Considers Covid deaths only as a direct effect of Covid, and not Covid as health debilitator like smoking.
Font size can ‘nudge’ customers toward healthier food choices ScienceBlog (Dr. Kevin)
Man of the People: The history and context of Aleksandr Afanasev’s obscene Russian folktales. Lapham’s Quarterly (Anthony L)
#COVID-19
A few days stale but still….
US is nearing 500k estimated infections per day (Aug. 9) from New wastewater numbers
????484,000 new infections/day⬆️????1 in every 680 people were infected today????1 in every 68 people currently infected pic.twitter.com/DLMV5GwrOi
— JWeiland (@JPWeiland) August 12, 2023
US is nearing 500k estimated infections per day (Aug. 9) from New wastewater numbers
????484,000 new infections/day⬆️????1 in every 680 people were infected today????1 in every 68 people currently infected pic.twitter.com/DLMV5GwrOi
— JWeiland (@JPWeiland) August 12, 2023
Climate/Environment
‘This Is Huge’: Judge Sides With Montana Youths in Historic Climate Ruling Common Dreams (David L, martha r)
Montana Climate Lawsuit: Youths Win Landmark Case Rolling Stone (furzy)
Prospectors hit the gas in the hunt for ‘white hydrogen’ Guardian (Dr. Kevin)
For Decades, Our Carbon Emissions Sped the Growth of Plants — Not Anymore Yale E360 (Dr. Kevin)
Burning mangrove trees for a living: ‘I’d quit tomorrow if I could’ BBC (Kevin W)
China?
China will be deploying talking points from this document for years:
Next time you hear the US blabbering about the “rules based order” you might want to refer to this report just issued by China’s Ministry of Commerce.
For the first time they’ve compiled the myriads of ways in which the US violated international trade law, whether it was by… pic.twitter.com/8nCRMMbQR3
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) August 13, 2023
China Downside Surprises Menzie Chinn
Very much agree that China could need to step up its defense of 7.3. That is a level that the PBOC has supported in the past, so if it doesn’t step in, it sends a big signal.
But think China can manage its fx liquidity w-o that much trouble. https://t.co/VnEAJSimEE
— Brad Setser (@Brad_Setser) August 14, 2023
China has fallen into a psycho-political funk Financial Times. Kevin W: “Lots of articles along these lines in Google news today.”
Regulatory squeeze to kill a third of China’s hedge funds Asia Times (Kevin W)
India. Today is India Independence Day!
Debate and attacks surround Sabyasachi Das’ working paper on democratic backsliding and then Sabyasachi Das Reportedly Resigns Amidst Backlash on Democratic Backsliding Paper The Edict
The Economic Losers in the New World Order Wall Street Journal. Includes UK and Singapore. And recall some Brexiteers were championing the “Singapore model”. Oops.
Niger
Ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum to face prosecution for high treason ABC Australia. Kevin W: “That letter of his published in the Washington Post is all the proof that they need.”
Tackling NATO’s Afrika Korps in Niger, Uganda, Algeria and Mali Strategic Culture Watch (Micael T). Unduly strident but that does not make it wrong. Readers?
The latest act in the Washington-orchestrated drama of regime change in Venezuela: a new heroic leader fighting for “democracy and freedom” emerges. Eastern Angle (Micael T)
European Disunion
As Germany debates banning its second largest party (AfD), der Spiegel writes:– “Once the invasion was launched, the AfD called for peace with Vladimir Putin – showing no regard whatsoever for the survival of Ukrainians”.https://t.co/s6gXJFtKUr
— Glenn Diesen (@Glenn_Diesen) August 14, 2023
Germany considers ban on far-Right AfD Telegraph
Old Blighty
EU blocks deal which would allow Channel migrants to be sent back to France Express.co.uk (furzy)
New Not-So-Cold War
Sun Tzu Judges Zelenskyy Canadian Patriot (Micael T)
Can Washington pivot from its maximalist aims in Ukraine? Responsible Statecraft
Blame Biden’s Hesitancy for Stalling Ukraine’s Offensive John Bolton, Wall Street Journal
Russia’s asymmetric response Gilbert Doctorow (guurst)
Russia Reaches Kupiansk Suburb, Denies Ukr Urozhaynoye; Bolton Escalation, Rus Unfazed Ruble Fall Alexander Mercouris, YouTube. Listen to his discussion of the ruble starting at 102:30.
What’s Behind Lukashenko’s Surprise Proposal For A Belarusian-Polish Rapprochement? Andrew Korybko (Micael T)
Ukraine’s western region hit by large-scale Russian air attack Anadolu Agency
“Every Russian missile and drone was intercepted last night, now here’s some footage of the damage along with a desperate plea for more air defense systems.” https://t.co/lLOcpdtinx
— Big Serge ☦️???????????????? (@witte_sergei) August 14, 2023
Poland signs deals to purchase hundreds of armored vehicles Anadolu Agency
30 dead, 100 injured as gas station explodes in Russia Anadolu Agency. No indication yet this was terrorism.
Syraqistan
How Palestinians started smuggling their sperm out of Israeli prisons Mondoweiss (guurst)
Abzug aus Afghanistan: Warum das die Welt noch gefährlicher machte T-online (furzy). Machine translation: That was a serious mistake by the US
Imperial Collapse Watch
Unmasking the Destructive Career of Neocon-Monster Victoria Nuland—Now Second-in-Command of Biden’s State Department Glenn Greenwald
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin blasts GOP senator’s blockade of military promotions as ‘unnecessary’ and ‘unsafe’ NBC (furzy). Douglas Macgregor regularly points out that the number of generals compared to during WWII is grotesquely inflated. So this hold could actually be salutary, even though his reason for the hold (opposition to abortions) is appalling. I would rather see Austin object to the policy Turberville is trying to advance than the promotions.
Trump
Read the full text of the Trump Georgia indictment document Washington Post. The Hill supposedly also has it but I’ve tried 5x and the page will not load properly.
Who Is Ken Chesebro? Trump Ally in Trouble for Coup Plot Rolling Stone (furzy)
Trump Has ‘Blatantly Unlawful’ Tantrum About Georgia Grand Jury Witness Daily Beast (furzy)
Trump’s 4 criminal cases, ranked in order of how screwed he is Business Insider
???? Breaking! Trump Judge, Tanya Chutkan’s, past law firm, where she was a partner, represented Huma Abedin in the Hillary Clinton private email server case!
“Partner Karen Dunn said her client Huma Abedin is willing to work with intelligence agencies regarding the investigation… pic.twitter.com/22R17FMB5r
— Bad Kitty Unleashed ???????????? (@pepesgrandma) August 10, 2023
RFK, Jr.
The Other Populist in the Race American Conservative
Police State Watch
The Pentagon plans to shake up DC’s National Guard, criticized for its response to protests, Jan. 6 Kansas City Star (furzy). ZOMG a lot more than “shake up”.
Our No Longer Free Press
Biden Administration Defends Social Media Censorship Operation Antiwar.com (Kevin W)
New York Times Helps Marco Rubio Push Persecution Of Antiwar Leftists Caitlin Johnstone (Kevin W)
Inflation
Sriracha Sauce Is Going for $70. What’s Behind the High Prices for Chile Peppers. Barrons (furzy)
Just left the car repair shop. I literally feel violated.
4 new tires and brakes plus other tuneups and it was over 6k.
From what I’m reading with inflation this is par for the course.
Auto repairs up an average of 23% yoy
Thanks JPOW. https://t.co/M26jcUruNE
— QE Infinity (@StealthQE4) August 11, 2023
Wage-price spiral just isn’t going away in the UK. Britain is almost certain to be one of the hardest hit economies in the upcoming recession due to its severe structural weaknesses. pic.twitter.com/pOJC3xSS1S
— Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) August 15, 2023
UBS to pay $1.4bn to settle fraud claims from 2008 crisis BBC (furzy)
Fired COVID Whistleblower Will Take His Case to Trial With New Lawyers MedPage Today
The Bezzle
Hospitals are dialing back on venture capital investing STAT
Smelling Blood in the Wreckage of the SPACs Craze The Messenger (furzy)
Class Warfare
Against the Eugenicons Michael Lind, Compact (Antony L). Today’s must read. So now class is due to DNA and the poors are irredeemable. This is even better than karma justifying inequality.
‘Never again’: is Britain finally ready to return to the office? Guardian (Kevin W)
Rich Countries Face Rising Period Poverty in Cost of Living Crisis Bloomberg (furzy)
Antidote du jour. Ann M: “A young bunny in Roger Williams Park. He wouldn’t stay still until he reached the camouflage area.”
And a bonus
This man was reunited with his beloved dog after it had been missing for three years, and you can actually see the moment this sweet pup recognizes him ????????
Nothing beats a loving pet reunion ❤️
???? pic.twitter.com/Ro3IYMW8kH
— Jessi ???? (@its_jessi_grace) August 7, 2023
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
