Extra, Extra
Cane Unable: “Subtropical oceans across the planet, including regions of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, have surged to record levels of warmth, and that may be having the counterintuitive effect of contributing to fewer tropical storms.” This helps explain why people in San Francisco have been sweating through some very unusual (and unwelcome) humidity. More importantly, it seems to be impacting hurricane season. WaPo (Gift Article): It’s the typical peak of Atlantic hurricane season. Where are all the storms?
+ Give and Rake: “The problem with evaluating this administration’s economic agenda is that Trumponomics is about Trump far more than it is about economics. There is no clear theory of growth steering the U.S. economy, just one man’s desire to colonize every square inch of American attention and experience, which happens to include international markets. Trumponomics, then, is best understood as Trump’s formula for controlling everything around him, rather than an ideology with a telos. That formula has three main components. The first is declaring an emergency to justify intervention. The second is making threats to force private actors to do his bidding. The third is demanding tribute.” The Atlantic (Gift Article): The Era of Step-on-a-Rake Capitalism.
+ Train Wreck: NYT “These events were the latest display of how Mr. Trump is using the negotiations over trade to pursue his agenda, despite the diplomatic, political and economic consequences for America’s closest allies.” (Gift Article): In South Korea and Japan, Fury at U.S. Fuels Backlash Over Trade Deals. Meanwhile, after the administration made a big show of arresting South Korean workers at a Georgia plant, they asked them if they wanted to stay in the country and train American workers. WaPo (Gift Article): Trump offered to let S. Korean detainees stay, train U.S. workers, Seoul says.
+ Consequences? “The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.” Peter Mandelson was fired as UK ambassador to the US because of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Bloomberg (Gift Article) with the backstory. UK Ambassador Told Epstein ‘I Think the World of You,’ Emails Reveal.
+ Negotiate a Complis: “A former Mossad officer captured the sentiment among Israeli security experts, and no doubt many exhausted Israeli citizens, who are desperate for an end to the war but unsure how to find any lasting peace with Hamas: ‘The targets are evil. The world is a better place without them. The timing is political and stupid.'” When You Try to Kill the Negotiators, Negotiations End. (It’s worth considering that Netanyahu wanted just that outcome.)
+ Single Handed: A single exercise session may slow cancer cell growth, new study shows. (I’m beginning to think exercise is pretty good for you.)
+ Can You Hear Me Now? “It’s been a long time coming but Spotify is finally getting lossless audio. Rumors have been circulating about a high-fidelity offering since as early as 2017. In 2021, Spotify claimed it was ‘coming later this year.’ And by May of 2024 it was ‘almost ready.'” I’ll believe it when I hear it. Although, they waited so long, my ears might be too old to notice the difference.
+ Achieving Flo State: Polly Holliday has died at the age of 88. You might not recognize the name. But those of a certain age will definitely remember her most famous tagline. Kiss my grits.
