Have you seen — or herd — about the goats roaming the UC Santa Cruz campus? Lookout (David L)
Chimpanzees have their own language — and scientists just learned how they put “words” together Salon (David L)
Man who designed X-wing and other iconic ‘Star Wars’ ships has died NPR (David L)
Neuroscientists Have Discovered a Phenomenon That They Can’t Explain The Atlantic (David L)
#COVID-19
Science/Medicine
How Rapid Reinfection Has Changed the Covid Fight New Republic
One of the first targets of SARS Cov 2 is nerves
Here, it infects peripheral nerves and “establishes productive infection”
Yes, it is neurotropic. https://t.co/6vbbGEtGGs
— Anthony J Leonardi, PhD, MS (@fitterhappierAJ) May 22, 2022
Monkeypox
U.S. health officials releasing some Jynneos vaccine doses for monkeypox -CDC Reuters (resilc)
Climate/Environment
Warmer Climates Lead to Loss of Pollinator Diversity, Research Finds EcoWatch (furzy)
Cooler weather helps firefighters battling New Mexico wildfire Los Angeles Times (David L)
China?
Drone swarms may be key to defending Taiwan Asia Times (resilc). Lordie. Assumes an invasion, as opposed to a simple blockade. How long will Taiwan last without imported energy and food?
SIPRI: From climate to war, world entering a critical era DW (resilc). Gee, ya think?
AUKUS fallout: double-dealing and deception came at a diplomatic cost Sydney Morning Herald
India
Yes, Indian Foreign Service has changed, it is called defending national interest: S Jaishankar’s retort to Rahul Gandhi Economic Times of India (J-LS)
New Not-So-Cold War
EU will not find replacement for Russian oil in event of embargo – former Lukoil head Interfax (guurst)
NATO member will send Ukraine anti-ship missiles RT (Kevin W). As we indicated yesterday, it is Ukraine that is blockading its ports (see last footnote for the confirming link and quote from the International Maritime Organization). Sending more arms in is going to make the ports more of a war zone, making it even more difficult for commercial carriers to get insurance.
Ukraine endgames 2.0: Can either side ‘win’ this war? Grid News (resilc)
German cars can’t run without Russian gas – BMW production chief RT
UK backs Lithuania’s plan to lift Russian blockade of Ukraine grain Guardian. Vikas S: “A coalition of magical thinking.”
Starbucks Exits Russia, Shuts Down 130 Coffee Shops Gizmodo (Kevin W)
The impact of Western sanctions on Russian musical life Gilbert Doctorow
Ukraine Will Grant Poles A Special Legal Status SouthFront. Kevin W: “I know that you do not like this site but it is giving a detailed story of this development. In short, Poland wants Galicia back again and this is the first step. Looks looks Gonzalo Lira was right.”
Swedes Ask if NATO Membership and Pacifism Can Coexist Wall Street Journal (David L). A little late to be asking.
30 Years With No Strategy Brought Us the War in Ukraine Libertarian Institute (resilc)
Per gli italiani il primo obiettivo è la tregua La7 Attualità. DLG, Reality Czar:
Imperial Collapse Watch
Republicans plot foreign intervention pullback Axios (Kevin W)
Biden
NYT’s Friedman: Biden worried he can’t ‘reunite America’ The Hill (resilc)
New York City mayor declares state of emergency over nationwide infant formula shortage CNN
Progressive Jessica Cisneros is trying to oust Henry Cuellar, the last anti-abortion House Democrat Vox (furzy)
Police State Watch
Do Algorithms Help to Reduce Crime? Project Syndicate (David L)
Our No Longer Free Press
They’re Worried About The Spread Of Information, Not Disinformation Caitlin Johnstone (Kevin W)
Pressure Mounts on Patel Over Assange Decision ConsortiumNews (guurst)
New York City removes the last payphone from service CNBC (Kevin W)
Class Warfare
$28 for a beer? New York airports crack down on ‘exorbitant’ food and drink Guardian. Resilc: “$250 for baby formula.”
