Extra, Extra
Everything is Being Taken Care Of: “Trump said he would ‘take care of’ the Houthi rebels if the Iran-backed militant group follows through on its threatened blockade of Saudi ports. ‘If something like that happens, we take care of it.'” (Phew.) Here’s the latest from The Guardian.
Canadian Fakin’: “Although the president has recently threatened tariffs against America’s neighbor in retaliation for wildfire smoke that poured into the northern part of the United States, administration officials said that the latest tariffs are unrelated. The levies take effect in 30 days, covering about $20 billion of Canadian goods.” (Just give some thought to how crazy the first part of that quote is…) Trump’s new 50% tariffs on Canada risk igniting a fresh trade war. (I doubt these new tariffs will go into effect, but the threat should help make our closest ally hate us even more.)
+ Ebola Acceleration: “The Ebola outbreak that was declared in eastern Congo on May 15 is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. The Bundibugyo virus responsible for the outbreak is less common than others that cause Ebola disease, and there is no approved vaccine or treatment.” At least 930 people have died in Congo’s Ebola outbreak.
+ Tate Accompli: “According to federal court complaints unsealed on Monday, British officials have accused both brothers of choking women, sometimes until they passed out, and then raping them.” Tate Brothers to Stay in Jail as New Details About Charges Emerge. How did these guys, who were already being held in Romania, end up free in America in the first place? You can probably guess. NYT (Gift Article from December): How a Manosphere Star Accused of Rape and Trafficking Was Freed. “Barred from leaving Romania, Andrew Tate courted powerful figures on the American right, from Tucker Carlson to Barron Trump. Then an extraordinary order let him go.” (So the immigration policy bars elder care providers but welcomes rapists.)
+ Cut! “Paramount’s owners were planning to have secured firm control of Hollywood rival Warner Bros. Discovery by the end of this week in a blockbuster deal that has the blessing of President Trump’s Justice Department. A federal judge has instead ground the process to a halt, at least for now.” Court ruling freezes Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
+ What Supp? “The New York Times found hundreds of A.I.-generated doctors, healers and wellness influencers on social media touting the health benefits of supplements to American consumers. Many of these hyperrealistic looking ads promise medical miracles, and appear to be targeting older women, while making misleading health claims for a profit.” NYT (Gift Video): The Fake Influencers Selling Wellness on Your Feed. (In fairness, the AI-generated influencers were no less honest than the human ones pushing the same supplements…)
+ Mon Armor: “Surging interest in armored cars offers a window into American anxiety. The people who shop at Miami Armored, Daskal said, are concerned about carjackings, smash-and-grab thefts and road rage, which has become more prevalent in recent years, according to the Pew Research Center. But there is no doubt that, for some, an armored car is a status symbol — the ultimate luxury accessory for one-percenters who already own panic rooms, guard dogs and perhaps a desert bunker or two.” Now on the American Road: Bulletproof Cars.
