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Ukraine-Russia. From Gilbert Doctorow: The Kharkov offensive and the replacement of Shoigu as Defense Minister. [Ed: a must read.] AND Travel Notes, St Petersburg, April-May 2024: fourth and final installment. From Politico: Rubles and bullets: Putin puts an economist in charge of the military. AND Ukraine faces decisive battle as Russian forces surge. As the two-year war enters a critical phase, Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv is in Putin’s sights. [Ed: Kharkiv could be the turning point. God, I hope so.]

From the Good News Network: 59-year-old Man Who Had Type 2 Diabetes for 25 Years is Cured by Stem Cells. [Ed: yesterday, I included an item about gene therapy curing a case of deafness.]

From the Organic Prepper: The Reality of Medical Care in a Collapsed Country. In a country where the system has collapsed, good medical care is difficult to come by. This was Jose’s experience after a serious injury in Venezuela.

From Sunny Skyz: Cat's Face Shows Opposite Of Gratitude After Being Rescued

From the New York Post: Protesters, colleges are about to find out that, yes, the law DOES apply to them, too [Ed: and now the litigation begins.] From Consortium News: Caitlin Johnstone: An Empire Fears Its Students

Trump's Legal Woes. From the New York Post: This may be the week Alvin Bragg’s case against Trump falls apart [Ed: by Jonathan Turley, which means must read.] From Red State: WHOA: Judge Indefinitely Postpones Trump's Classified Docs Case Because DOJ Mishandled Evidence. From the Hill: Cannon suspends key Mar-a-Lago deadline amid feud over evidence handling in Trump case. [Ed: same case as the previous item. Just a different treatment.] From Politico: Trump feared campaign 'disaster' if Daniels story got out, Cohen says. The testimony is crucial to prosecutors' theory that the hush money payment to Daniels was a form of election interference. [Ed: I still don't understand how the state has jurisdiction over a federal crime.]

From the Washington Stand: U.K. Rejects WHO Pandemic Treaty as Critics Sound Alarm over 'New World Order'. [Ed: good news. But how awful must the treaty be for the UK to reject it?]

From Consortium News: Whistleblower McBride Sentenced to 5 Yrs., 8 Mos. BREAKING: A vindictive judge in Canberra has thrown the book at a man who revealed war crimes by the Australian military in Afghanistan.

Everyday Finances. From Twitter: BLS Announces Coffee Prices Will No Longer be Factored Into CPI Inflation Data to Help Joe Biden During Presidential Election. From Zero Hedge: Fast Casual Dining Foot Traffic "Plummets" Across New York-New Jersey As Consumer Cracks. Bidenomics at work. From Activist Post: A “Restaurant Apocalypse” Is Starting To Sweep Across America, And That Is Really Bad News For The U.S. Economy

From Lew Rockwell: Beware of the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act. [Ed: passed the House and very likely to pass the Senate. Dangerous bill.]

From Newsweek: Woman Spots Dog 'Treat Stop' During Walk, Not Prepared for What's Inside

Upcoming U.S. Election. From the Epoch Times: Judge Rejects Democrat Lawsuit Challenging Wisconsin Absentee Voting Requirements. From Just the Facts: Study: 10% to 27% of Non-Citizens Are Illegally Registered to Vote.

DNC Convention. From Politico: The DNC Is Preparing for the Worst in Chicago — Without the Help of the City’s Mayor. As Democrats plan their convention, they’ll have to address the elephant in the room: How to mitigate the threat of disruptions and work with a rookie mayor who unabashedly sympathizes with the protesters. [Ed: shades of '68.] From Wirepoints: Mayor Johnson Deepens Concerns About What Side He Will Be On If DNC Protesters Become Lawbreakers And Challenge Cops

From iFunny: Sheep Dog Clears the Traffic Jam. [Ed: amazing video.]

From the Epoch Times: Criminal Trial of Freedom Convoy Organizer Pat King Begins With Not Guilty Plea. [Ed: the man is a hero.]

Big Economic Picture. From USA Watchdog: "There's A Lag In The Real Economy... And It's Hitting Now" - Ed Dowd Warns Of "Huge Credit Crisis Coming". "...it's inevitable."

From BIG: Monopoly Round-Up: Apple Spanked in Antitrust Suit. A few months ago, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ordered Apple to change its app store rules. They didn't. Now she's very angry. Plus, the Antitrust Division is gearing up to go at Big Medicine. [Ed: by Matt Taibbi.]

From Business Insider: AI has already figured out how to deceive humans. [Ed: so...I have to be as cautious of AI as I am of most other human beings? No problem. I question most things I hear already.] From Reason: The Night I Asked ChatGPT How To Build a Bomb. Yes, you can trick the bot into giving you information it's supposed to keep to itself. No, that isn't something to worry about. [Ed: recommended.]

From Epoch Bright: Chubby Cat is Always First in Line at Local Donut Shop: ‘He Has Yet to Miss His Morning Greeting’.

From Racket News: Blame Canada? Justin Trudeau Creates Blueprint For Dystopia In Horrific Speech Bill. Life sentences for speech? Pre-crime detention? Ex post facto law? Anonymous accusers? It's all in Justin Trudeau's "Online Harms Bill," a true "threat to democracy". From the Post Millennial: Elon Musk and Jordan Peterson blast Trudeau for proposed 'Orwellian' law targeting free speech of Canadians. "It's the most Orwellian piece of legislation ever promoted in the West," Peterson wrote of Bill C-63.

I cannot tell you how frightening the hate speech bill now in Parliament is. It means everyone...including me...should just shut the f*** up until the dust clears and the horizon can be seen. Very bad things are coming, I'm afraid, and they are coming for the best of us, not the worst. For the ones who care about freedom and truth. I've been actively fighting for freedom (with mixed results) since I was 15 years old. People will say I am a coward for not standing up and howling with outrage, but I want a few years just to myself. I've tried to find a balance between protesting injustice and being at peace with myself despite dangerous times. This is one of the main reasons the newsfeed has been down.

But, the truth is, I miss it...so here I am, giving the newsfeed another try despite the fact that it might land me in legal trouble. No, I am not being paranoid. They *are* out to get people, and I know someone who just landed in jail. Like Lily Tomlin once said, "However cynical I get, it is never enough to keep up." Only swap in the word "paranoid."

Anyway...I'm giving the newsfeed another try.

From Real Clear Wire: Antarctic and Arctic Security Threats Are Converging

U.S. Pro-Palestine Protests. From NBC News: Seinfeld Speaks at Duke Commencement, Leading to Walkout. Comedian has voiced support for Israel. From the New York Post: Pro-Hamas “Queers for Palestine” Agitators Block Exit to Disney World – But One Angry Dad Wasn’t Having It. [Ed: yep, not from the Onion.]

From You Tube: Kind Couple Adopts Blind Dog Who Was The Last Animal Left At Shelter.

Palestine-Israel. From the Associated Press: Israeli Troops Push Farther Into Rafah Despite Outcry. Blinken delivers harsher criticism of Gaza offensive. [Ed: Biden is in a no-win situation that he has created for himself.] From Twitter: Senator Lindsey Graham just suggested nuking Gaza on national TV. From the Jerusalem Post: UN seemingly halves estimate of Gazan women, children killed. [Ed: no. The media is choosing to report the #s of those who were killed AND identified, not the total killed.] From Moon of Alabama: Ukraine SitRep: The 'Sanitary Zone' On The Northern Border With Russia

From the Organic Prepper: The 3 Layers of Financial Preparedness.

Cryptocurrency. From Bomb Thrower: The Davos Class Is Desperate. [Ed: both good and bad news. Good because crypto is having an impact. Bad because there will be terrible push back.] From QTR's Fringe Finance: "Treasuries Backed By Gold & Bitcoin" - RFK Jr. [Ed interesting interview.]

From FOX News: Iranian lawmaker declares Tehran obtained nuclear bombs. Biden faces criticism for failing to impose pressure campaign on Iran as it races toward nuclear weapon

Bankrupt California? From Zero Hedge: Newsom Forced To Slash California Budget, Blames Crippling Deficit On "Rain Bombs" And Tax Shortfalls. Fresh out of unicorn farts? AND Seattle Could Shutter 20 Elementary Schools Due To Budget Constraints. When your city pisses away all of your tax revenue on trying to feed, shelter and coddle activists and homeless people?

From Politico.EU: Von der Leyen opens the door to Europe’s hard right. In POLITICO election debate, Commission president gambles on an offer for Giorgia Meloni’s allies. AND Von der Leyen slammed for ‘huge’ climate mistakes. Teresa Ribera, a front-runner to become the EU’s next Green Deal commissioner, lashed out at her potential future boss in an interview with POLITICO. [Ed: alleged mistakes=working with the right and easing off green agenda.]

From Mish Talk: Shocking Headline Of The Day: Germany To Re-Introduce Slavery. Young Germans will have to choose between the Bundeswehr (military service) and unpaid social service work. Libertarians to a person, will call this slavery, because that is what it is...[Ed: way to manage welfare programs, like old age care, that are bankrupt.]

From Daily Paws: NYC Rescue Saves Endangered Dogs from South Korea, Gets Awkwafina's Help. Since being founded in 2017, Korean K9 Rescue has rescued more than 1,200 dogs each year.

From People: Tuxedo-Clad Golden Retriever Named Pancakes Nails His Job as Couple's Wedding Ring Bearer — See the Video! The canine ran down the aisle with the couple's rings attached to a ribbon tied around his neck

From Yahoo finance: Reddit to Release New Products Aimed at Site’s ‘User Economy’ [Ed: the slashdot heading for this item is "Reddit Grows, Seeks More AI Deals, Plans 'Award' Shops, and Gets Sued."]

From Yahoo News: Greta Thunberg among 1,000s protesting against Israel competing in Eurovision. [Ed: dropping climate change to support Hamas?]

Ukraine. From Zero Hedge: Ukraine Warns Against Questioning Zelensky's Legitimacy Due To Wartime Suspension Of Elections. Zelensky meanwhile tells nation not to 'panic' as Russia's major Kharkiv offensive gains ground... [Ed: and no one notices that he's declared himself dictator.] From Politico.EU: Putin replaces Russian defense and security chiefs. Sergei Shoigu and Nikolai Patrushev have been among the most prominent figures in the Kremlin’s war machine.

From Politico.EU: Catalan election results: Spain’s Socialist Party comes first after fall in separatist vote, Pro-independence parties fall short of the 68 seats required to form a regional government in Catalonia for the first time in over a decade.

Covid. From Spiked: The truth about Covid’s origins is finally coming out. Under questioning from Congress, two key figures have unwittingly strengthened the lab-leak theory.

From the Guardian: UK Toddler Has Hearing Restored In World First Gene Therapy Trial.

From Reason: Here Is Why a Federal Judge Rejected Hunter Biden's Second Amendment Challenge to His Gun Charges. Likening drug users to people who are "mentally ill and dangerous," the ruling says barring them from owning firearms is not unconstitutional on its face.

From the Dogington Post: ‘MAY We See Your Dog?’: East Hampton Public Library Is Forgiving Fees In Exchange For Dog Photos For The Month Of May

Congrats, Joe! I cannot think of anyone better to write this book. Southern Story and Song: Country Music in the 20th Century

From Uncover DC: Election 2024: How to Win Elections With Open Borders. [Ed: mail-in voting should be eliminated except for illness or infirmity.]

From Public Substack: Desperation Behind European Politicians’ Latest Russiagate Hoax. The success of right-wing German political party AfD led European politicians to abuse their powers, perhaps illegally. [Ed: now they say "no evidence".]

Biden's Uncle Eaten by Cannibals. From Zero Hedge: Watch: Biden Falsely Claims That WWII Uncle Eaten By Cannibals, Twice, [Ed: this man is President of the U.S. I'm going to bed now.] From Jonathan Turley: No, The President’s Uncle Was Not Eaten by Cannibals . . . Seriously.

Everyday Finances. From the Federalist: How Bidenomics Shattered The American Dream Of Homeownership.

From Asia Times: Behold China’s consumer paradise. Economists may not see it yet in the numbers but for foodies, shoppers and travelers China is consumption heaven on earth

Israel-Iran. From Zero Hedge: Iran Says It Could Pursue Nuclear Weapons If Israel Threatens Atomic Sites. Would "reconsider" its nuclear policy... [Ed: and another step toward.]

Assange. From Craig Murray: The Farce of Diplomatic Assurances. From Sky News: Last month, the High Court in London said Assange would be able to bring a new appeal against extradition unless US lawyers provided certain guarantees. [Ed: the U.S. provided the assurances on Tuesday: no death penalty and protection of 1st Amendment rights. Yeah, sure...maybe the 1st one.]

From Politico: Senate leaders haggle over Mayorkas impeachment deal as trial begins. Senators are weighing an agreement that would grant a few hours of debate before a vote to shut down the trial, according to Sen. Thom Tillis. [Ed: passed in the House...let's see about the Senate. A much tougher climb.]

From iHeartdogs: Dog Vs. Tater Tot…AKA The Funniest Battle You’ve Ever Seen. [Ed: I suspect a set up. But this is fun.]

From CNN: Supreme Court hears arguments over obstruction law used against January 6 rioters.

Upcoming U.S. Election. From Zero Hedge: RFK Jr Won't Pursue Libertarian Nomination, Says Team Trump Asked Him To Be VP. [Ed: main reason politicians consider this is to take advantage of the LP's qualification in 50 states.]

From Mish Talk: Trump Media Group (DJT) Are the Shares Headed to Zero? [Ed: the goal of the Dems and the trials is to destroy Trump and eliminate a political opponent. 3rd world stuff.]

Cloud Seeding? From Arabian Business: UAE heavy rains, thunder, and more: Inside the NCM’s cloud seeding missions. From the Associated Press: Dubai Gets Year and a Half's Worth of Rain in 1 Day. United Arab Emirates is being lashed with 'unusual' weather. From NDTV: Explained: How UAE Creates Artificial Rain, Linked To Dubai Weather Chaos. From National News: Enough rumours, cloud seeding had nothing to do with UAE's three-day rain storm. [Ed: and for the contrary view.]

From the BBC: Russia to grow faster than all advanced economies says IMF. [Ed: doesn't this make Russia an advanced economy?]

Ukraine. From Naked Capitalism: Lenin Revised— Russian Military Power Means De-Electrification And Unconditional Surrender Of The Kiev Regime. [Ed: by John Helmer of the Dances with Bears site.]

From Newser: Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Gets Maximum Sentence. 'You alone turned a safe weapon into a lethal weapon,' judge tells 'Rust' armorer.

From Good News Network: Man Who Built Adorable Mouse Village to Cope With Depression Adds a Pub, Book Shop, and Hobbit Homes–LOOK.

From Business Insider: AI Job Cuts: Banks Reportedly Eye Cutting Analyst Classes by Two-Thirds Business Insider. [Ed: they said computers would put most of the population out of work. I think AI, when it shakes out, will create more jobs than it eliminates.]

From Epoch Bright: Newfoundland Dog Falls in Love With 94-Year-Old Grandma, Waits at Porch Everyday to Meet Her

From Real Clear Politics: A Generation Lost To Climate Anxiety. "...it has rendered reasonable debate on climate policy impossible..."

Iran-U.S. From Politico: Has Biden Considered Having an Iran Strategy? We can quibble on what counts as a strategy, but keeping a challenge off the president’s desk is not one. [Ed: this criticism from a left publication.] AND House passes host of bills targeting Iran after attack on Israel. There is no indication yet that the Senate will act on any of the measures. [Ed: great. Another slew of legislation passed in the heat of conflict.] From the Babylon Bee: Biden Retaliates Against Iran By Attaching Note To Pallet Of Cash That Says 'Please Do Not Use For Terrorism'

From Lovely Animal World: 50+ Of The Happiest Dog Memes That Will Keep You Laughing For Hours. [Ed: I usually don't like meme lists but these made me laugh.]

From NPR: To make sure grandmas like his don't get conned, he scams the scammers.

Iran-Israel. From Iranian Students' News Agency: Iran ready to respond with more decisive manner: Parliamentary official. [Ed: always useful to read the "other side".] From Anadolu Agency: Iran says if Israel attacks again, response will be ‘within seconds’. [Ed: unlike the last time when Iran signaled for several days in advance and the attack itself took about 5 hours to arrive in Israel. How will the iron dome and allied support hold up without such warning?]

Covid. From Nature: US COVID-origins hearing puts scientific journals in the hot seat. From Zero Hedge: "We Have 15,000 Samples In Wuhan ... Could Do Full Genomes Of 700 CoVs": Rand Paul Drops COVID Bombshell. "Daszak lies even when the facts are in full view and the lies are obvious..." [Ed: as far as I can see, Fauci is either a mass murderer or complicit in mass murder.]


Israel. From Haaretz: Saying What Can't Be Said: Israel Has Been Defeated – a Total Defeat. The war's aims won't be achieved, the hostages won't be returned through military pressure, security won't be restored and Israel's international ostracism won't end. [Ed: sounds right.]

From Twitter/X: Still the BEST sports commentary of all-time. [Ed: dogs, of course.]