The 10,000-mile march through fire that made dinosaurs possible ScienceDaily (Kevin W)
Episode 25 of Kilauea’s ongoing eruption 😍
With sound!
📹 USGSpic.twitter.com/cIxgio5YDl
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) June 12, 2025
Black box found at Air India crash site as families wait for answers BBC (Kevin W)
Is flying getting more dangerous? Scientists reveal why so many planes are crashing – as Air India disaster kills 241 on board Daily Mail
#COVID/Pandemics
Weekly Flu vs. COVID update
May 2025:239 Influenza deaths850 COVID deaths (4x flu)
In May of 2025 fewer people died of COVID than in any prior month of the pandemic (GOOD)
While COVID is on-track to kill more people than flu in 2025, the gap is nowhere what it was in past… pic.twitter.com/0BOPNWLTOZ
— Gregory Travis. @gregorytravis.com on Bsky (@greg_travis) June 13, 2025
The confirmed* #measles count in the US so far in 2025 (*undoubtedly an underestimate) stands at 1197 as of 6/12, per #CDC. Another 78 cases would surpass the 2019 count, which is currently the highest yearly total since measles elimination in the US in 2000 — & we’re not yet 6… pic.twitter.com/Y3fzCLd4Hg
— Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 (@HelenBranswell) June 13, 2025
Nursing turnover (actually a shortage now) shows how fragile the health care systems are. Imagine what will happen when H5N1 goes human-to-human 😳 https://t.co/JmjdUNIzh7 pic.twitter.com/Xfu0WUsXWo
— jellyrollblues #CovidIsNotOver #LongCovidAwareness (@jlerollblues) June 13, 2025
Climate/Environment
Ticking time bomb’ of ocean acidification has already crossed planetary boundary, threatening marine ecosystems: Study MR Online (Anthony L). Today’s must read. We first wrote about ocean acidification and how serious its implications were in 2007.
Rivers are exhaling ancient carbon — and climate math just changed ScienceDaily (Kevin W)
Warning over ‘dirty secret’ of toxic chemicals on farmers’ fields BBC (Kevin W)
China?
Meanwhile, China just recruited the entire African continent Arnaud Bertrand
This is an absolutely astonishing interview by “the Boss”, Taiwans most notorious YouTuber. He recently went to China to stream his impressions.
“I used to be a professional soldier. Let me tell you…if China invades it’s all over. Bye. The US is planning to use the Ukraine… https://t.co/U0KhkjfoA9
— Angelica 🌐⚛️🇹🇼🇨🇳🇺🇸 (@AngelicaOung) June 12, 2025
China strikes cautious tone after Trump claims trade deal is ‘done’ Sky
Car Wars: The battle between Tesla and China’s BYD is already over Kevin Walmsley
Africa
UN says 1.5M in urgent need of clean water as Chad faces breaking point Anadolu Agency
Sudan’s war spreads to the borders of Libya and Egypt 3ayin
Tigray can’t afford another war, and the world can’t afford to do nothing Lowy Institute
European Disunion
Forging a European third pole in the Indo-Pacific Asia Times (Kevin W)
No government, no plan: Brussels braces for credit downgrade. Brussels Times
Carl Bildt wants to establish a “Swedish CIA” Aftonbladet via machine translation (Micael T)
Old Blighty
UK economy contracts – with record fall in exports to the US after Trump tariff hikes Sky
Israel v. the Resistance
Israeli Strikes in Iran Ongoing; Netanyahu: Counterattack May ‘Come in Very Heavy Waves’ Haaretz
86 killed, 341 injured in Israeli strikes on Iran Anadolu Agency
🇮🇱🇮🇷 NEW: Israeli Air Force hit more Iranian ballistic missiles and launchers today, IDF says, releasing strike footage.
1/ pic.twitter.com/rdPYzMKGsA
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) June 13, 2025
Air defenses have been activated in central and northeastern Tehran.
Iranian air defenses opened fire minutes ago in central and northeastern Tehran. pic.twitter.com/TlcwE3BF7c
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) June 13, 2025
Mohammed Marandi & Larry C. Johnson: Israel Strikes Iran — Iran to HIT BACK HARD! Dialogue Works. Marandi and Johnson debunk Israeli claims of the extent of damage.
Iran’s extraordinary retaliation amidst reports of Netanyahu fleeing to Athens Janta Ka Reporter, YouTube
Big if true:
“Pakistan announces its readiness to support Iran: Pakistani warplanes are ready to assist Iran and destroy Israeli missiles and drones.
Pakistani fighter jets have entered Iranian airspace to support Iran.” pic.twitter.com/6RjfXligTE
— SilencedSirs◼️ (@SilentlySirs) June 13, 2025
JUST IN: UK HELPED ISRAEL WITH ATTACK ON IRAN
Russia informs the UN Security Council that there was “likely coordination between Israel and British special services” in the attacks on Iran
“Immediately after the Israeli strikes, they sheltered the Israeli aviation which… pic.twitter.com/gfscYIcaZ4
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) June 14, 2025
COL. Lawrence Wilkerson : Foreign Policy in Chaos. Judge Napolitano, YouTube. Brutal. Listen at least to Wilkerson’s opening remarks.
Trump Embraces Israel’s Aggression Daniel Larison
Trump Confirms He’s Just The Front Man Mark Wauck
Israel’s Netanyahu banks on TACO Trump as he Launches War on Iran to disrupt Negotiations Juan Cole. Calling them negotiations is charitable. No overlap in bargaining positons.
This Is Not Our War American Conservative (resilc)
Israel-Iran latest: Netanyahu says US was told of coming attacks ‘through many meetings’ Financial Times
* * *
Conflict between Israel and Iran would ‘most certainly’ close the Strait of Hormuz Lloyds List
Iran Could Use Oil To Urge The U.S. To Sue For Peace Moon of Alabama. Unfortunately, the US is the scorpion in the scorpion and the frog tale. I don’t see it as able to deviate from its nature even when overwhelmingly in its interest.
Mapping US troops and military bases in the Middle East Aljazeera (resilc)
Netanyahu family will hide in bunker should Iran attack Israel Jerusalem Post (resilc)
* * *
How Israel is engineering Gaza’s social collapse +972
* * *
Telephone conversations with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu President of Russia
New Not-So-Cold War
“Why won’t Russia agree to a ceasefire?” https://t.co/bZPyxjGBSH pic.twitter.com/Yc1pUxiSGx
— Russians With Attitude (@RWApodcast) June 13, 2025
Secret British plans to ‘defeat entire Russian Black Fleet’ revealed in leaks The Grayzone (Kevin W)
Why a terrible war is better than EU membership for Ukraine Ian Proud
Putin forced to send wounded back to fight and offer huge military salaries as Russia suffers a million casualties The Conversation (Kevin W). The messaging, it burns.
Imperial Collapse Watch
The collapse of the modern air defense system TopWar (Micael T)
YOU CAN TELL WHEN WAR IS BREAKING OUT BECAUSE THE PENTAGON’S PIZZA ORDERS SPIKE DRASTICALLY Futurism
Trump 2.0
THE FDA IS ALREADY OUTSOURCING DRUG AND FOOD ANALYSIS TO ERROR-PLAGUED AI CHATBOT Futurism (Micael T)
Trump’s tax-cut bill could hold back US critical minerals projects Reuters
The EPA Wants to Roll Back Emissions Controls on Power Plants Wired
* *
It might rain on President Trump’s parade Axios
🔺 EXCLUSIVE: Trump’s birthday parade may be cancelled over thunderstorms
Army spokesman tells The Times of safety fears as president hopes to mark 250 years of the US military with event in Washington on Saturday https://t.co/BdoeohufNv
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) June 12, 2025
Tariffs
We shot ourselves in the foot in ways that no one even imagined with these tariffs.
The United States, as the biggest importer in the region, used to be a major logistics hub for raw materials, components, and finished goods transiting from China to Canada and Central America.… pic.twitter.com/l4AJYlYWSG
— molson 🧠⚙️ (@Molson_Hart) June 11, 2025
Tuna, beans, Spam: Trump’s tariffs threaten the canned foods millions rely on to survive Guardian
Immigration
ICE agents mistakenly detain U.S. marshal in Arizona NBC (resilc)
TACO Trump Backs Down on Farm and Hotel Worker Deportations Michael Shedlock
Police State Watch
America Is Losing Sight of Its Political Culture Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal (resilc)
If that’s what they do to a United States Senator with a question, imagine what they do to farm workers, day laborers, cooks, and the other nonviolent immigrants they are targeting in California and across the country. Or any American that dares to speak up.
I will not stop… pic.twitter.com/TUgT060yx2
— Alex Padilla (@AlexPadilla4CA) June 12, 2025
Trump’s “Shock Troops” Forcibly Remove CA Senator From Noem Presser Deadline
The Secret Police Are Here The Bulwark (resilc). From earlier in the month, still germane
Democrat Death Wish
Newsom becomes a fighter, and Democrats beyond California are cheering The Hill. Wake me when this gets beyond the “fighting for you” level of action.
Big Insurance Bet on the Wrong Horse Wendell Potter (Chuck L)
Our No Longer Free Press
Bari Weiss: Toady Queen of Substack Yasha Levine
Bluesky is backfiring. Mark Cuban says the ‘lack of diversity of thought’ is actually pushing users back to X Fortune (Kevin W)
A note from the editor: The future of Gothamist Gothamist
Mr. Market is Moody
Recession Watch: My Favorite Recession Indicator, Mid-June Update Wolf Richter
Central banks are beginning to fret about dollar swap lines Gillian Tett, Financial Times. Important.
Dollar back on the ropes as Trump goes tariff wild Asia Times (Kevin W)
Vance joins Trump in bashing Powell, says Fed committing ‘monetary malpractice’ by not cutting rates CNBC (Kevin W)
Antitrust
Monopoly Round-Up: The Best and the Brightest Under Pressure Matt Stoller. Chuck L: “A must read”
AI
Disney, Universal File First Major Studio Lawsuit Against AI Company, Sue Midjourney for Copyright Infringement: ‘This Is Theft’ Variety. Micael T: “I believe that OpenAI will escape lawsuits because it is connected to CIA and NSA and is a part of the cybernetic warfare. How else could they get away with the massive theft of training material? Competitors will be crushed though to ensure monopoly.”
In Texas, AI Gold Rush Helps Spur Demand for Over 100 New Gas Plants DeSmog
The Bezzle
TESLA DRIVERS SUE ELON MUSK FOR TURNING THEIR CARS INTO “EXTREME” RIGHT-WING SYMBOLS Futurism. This may look silly, but the point is to get to discovery on communications between Musk and the Administration.
Guillotine Watch
POLO TRAGEDY Prince William’s polo pal dies ‘after swallowing bee’ during match as tributes flood in The Sun. Micael T: “One billionaire down. How many are left?”
Class Warfare
Aging in America Is About to Get Worse The Atlantic (resilc)
‘Buy now, pay later:’ a replacement for the millennial lifestyle subsidy? NPR (Kevin W)
Antidote du jour (via):
A bonus:
The face of zero regrets.. 😂 pic.twitter.com/AzxDAgpka3
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) June 12, 2025
A second bonus. Do not try at home:
Face to face with a bear, the man politely kicks him out. pic.twitter.com/4Q2knG6Zeh
— Learn Something (@cooltechtipz) June 13, 2025
A third bonus:
A girl had just adopted that stray kitten and when she brought him home she met her pet bird, this was the reaction. pic.twitter.com/PWBVhyvFkJ
— wholesome moments (@creaturefind) June 12, 2025
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
