World’s rarest sea turtle hearing test EurekaAlert!
Climate/Environment
Fitch warns that worsening climate change will increase sovereign credit risks Intellinews
Home values are rising fastest in the most resilient locations. Cause/effect or coincidence? Climate change and your home
toilet
One of the most pressing problems facing U.S. agriculture is the rapid and continued depletion of groundwater in our most important food-producing regions.
But even more concerning is the declining ability of agricultural land to capture, store and circulate rainwater.
— Sam Knowlton (@samdknowlton) February 3, 2026
Inside Cleveland’s Toll Plumbing Cooperative, which considers clean water a human right Signal Cleveland (Carla)
pandemic
Measles cases are on the rise in Southern California. One infected person flies into LAX, spends hours at Disney park Los Angeles Times
DHS seals off detention center affected by meal outbreak The Hill
Immigrants across the country are avoiding medical treatment for fear of ICE enforcement, sometimes with dire consequences STAT
China?
Xi and Trump, Xi and Putin’s statements call for Beijing science
President Trump and Xi’s call: One call, two statements, many signals George Chen
China warns Panama as Hong Kong company challenges canal port ruling Al Jazeera
Year of the Sad Horse: Defective toys go viral in China, further boosting national mood NBC News. What is the flawed toy that makes America feel good?
Lai says Taiwan should explore trade ties with democratic countries Taiwan News
India
India to diversify energy supply after reaching agreement with US on imports of Russian crude oil Reuters India will diversify its energy supplies, not stop imports from Russia as the US claims.
Is President Trump fooled by India no longer buying Russian oil? consortium news
syrakistan
21 Palestinians killed in wave of Israeli attacks on Gaza amid new West Bank attacks New Arab
Palestinian Red Crescent Anadolu Agency announces Israel suspends coordination of evacuation of patients from Gaza
***
What happens next in Iran? seymour hersh
Iran firmly rejects US attempts to control future negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program Larry Johnson
‼ ️ U.S. large-scale airlift to the Middle East
The number of heavy goods shipments to the Middle East reached 108 in the latest update, a significant increase over the past few days.
The region currently has air defense and attack ordinances, and I think there are enough to keep this region… https://t.co/5uw1MZUQXH
— Will Shriver (@imetatronink) February 4, 2026
***
Where do the Kurds and the recent ISIS jailbreak fit into the West Asia picture? Vanessa Beeley
Sistani Hedge: Trump’s Irrational Agreement in Baghdad Mohamed Karaki
***
About the death of Libya’s Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Sawahir
Africa
Gunmen kill 162 people in attack in western Nigeria, Red Cross official tells Guardian
US sends specialized military team to Nigeria as jihad conflict escalates The Africa Report
UN receives $2 billion lifeline from US to support President Trump’s Sudan plan The Africa Report
old blighty
The Mandelson Affair: Inside the Scandal of the Century The New Statesman (IH)
The visit led to a £240m strategic partnership between Palantir and MOD. Intel needs a commission to investigate not only Mr. Mandelson’s potential conflicts of interest, but also the national security implications revealed here.@thenerve_news.
2/https://t.co/Yfx2XZAQF3
— Carole Cadwalla (@carolecadwalla) February 4, 2026
Labor MPs say Starmer’s time as prime minister is numbered due to anger at Mandelson The Guardian
Inside the Reform Plan for a Fascist Takeover “The Haunts” by Elia Ayoub
‘Filton 6’ acquitted of electronic intifada, victory for Palestinian action
discord in europe
From weapons to orbit: Rheinmetall’s expansion worries rival FT
Germany continues to sink Intellinews
A new war that’s not so cold war
Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Kushner repeated their dressed-down insults toward the Russian delegation in a new round of Abu Dhabi talks. U.S. military officers Alexus Grynkewicz (second from right) and Timothy Brown (far left) show increased vigilance and respect. pic.twitter.com/vzWkkIJ4aq pic.twitter.com/TJapiYJwNb
— Dances_with_Bears (@bears_with) February 4, 2026
What are the chances that Russia will agree to a three-step ceasefire implementation plan in Ukraine?Andrew Korybko
Estonia seizes Russia-bound ship on suspicion of smuggling Reuters
Imports surge towards 2027, EU purchases 93% of Yamal LNG; Russian captain banned
Russian spy satellite intercepts EU communications satellite Ars Technica
Experts say: New START expiry brings both risks and opportunities The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists
Body of Russian businessman found at British base in Cyprus RT
south of the border
Despite US pressure, Russia continues to ship oil to Cuba Al-Mayadeen
U.S. refiners struggle to absorb soaring Venezuelan oil prices after Trump-Maduro deal Reuters
Lafaire Epstein
Epstein Geopolitics and the Age of Undiplomatic Primitive Accumulation
Putin’s special envoy rejects claims by Polish prime minister that Epstein scandal was a Russian operation Polsky Radio
(LOL) They pulled the “annoying Trump dossier” guy out of Russiagate retirement for one last job https://t.co/aLzwzuV55Y
— Mark Ames (@MarkAmesExiled) February 4, 2026
Newly released Epstein files reveal further ties to Israel Mondweiss
Trump 2.0
Read larger transcript: President Donald Trump interviews ‘NBC Nightly News’ anchor Tom Lamas NBC News
republican funhouse
Sen. Mitch McConnell hospitalized with ‘flu-like symptoms’ NBC News
Democrats are the worst
Democrats emphasize ‘law and order’ in fight against ICE shutdown Axios
police state surveillance
The real story behind the late-night immigrant raid on a Chicago apartment building ProPublica. Explanation:
This raid was one of the first to use military equipment (Black Hawk helicopters) and personnel. The order comes after President Trump said Marines should “train” in American cities. They find a willing training ground with the help of a slumlord.
— Hollygolytlee (@hollygolytlee) February 4, 2026
Calls for eviction moratorium grow in Minnesota as ICE attacks force people indoors
The Department of Homeland Security is targeting Americans with this secret legal weapon, WaPo.
700 federal employees are scheduled to leave Minnesota. School district sues federal government to keep ICE out of schools MPR
Bringing back the genocide: SAPD asks council about drones used carelessly in Gaza
A.I.
The day Sam Altman and Nvidia’s meteoric rise ended Gary Marcus
Alphabet resets standards for AI infrastructure investments CNBC
Requiem for a filmmaker: Darren Aronofsky’s AI Revolutionary War series is horror The Guardian
imperial collapse watch
US seeks to form ‘preferential trade zone’ for important minerals to compete with China Anadolu Agency
America’s lost weapons are blocking mineral extraction in Pakistan
Will Coal Mining Pollution Become America’s Next Significant Mineral Source? Governance
Beyond appearances. Aurelian
“Maha”
Asset Bloomberg, senior FDA official under OIG investigation over divorce. He was accused of orchestrating a fake divorce to avoid conflict of interest regulations.
health care?
Senate talks to restore ACA tax credits appear to be stalling The Hill
The 2008 home crash was a warning. Health insurance may be next. Unraveling healthcare
our famous free news agency
‘It’s an absolute disaster’: Washington Post lays off hundreds of workers Guardian
class war
Labor Party leaders keen to hold national general strike on May 1st payday report
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