They chose their own path.pic.twitter.com/fk4OBXK81r
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) February 20, 2026
Cannabis-infused drinks may help cut alcohol intake in half ZME Science
Optical engineering needed to photograph today’s Earth-twin universe
Groundbreaking discovery targets a virus that infects 95% of the world’s population SciTech Daily
Nancy Guthrie kidnapped eyeglass fair warden
New coronavirus infection/pandemic
25 things that haven’t changed, for better or worse, since the pandemic BuzzFeed
Indiana University study reveals widespread health effects of pandemic lockdowns
Climate/Environment
Climate change won’t bend to President Trump’s will to power Noema
Health and climate impacts of EPA withdrawal of endangered status status ‘cannot be overstated’, says Inside Climate News
The big Olympic lie: The untold story of the Winter Olympics’ huge environmental impact Guardian
south of the border
Ship believed to be carrying Russian fuel reportedly headed for Cuba, challenging US blockade Latin Times
Cuba’s exclusive security forces withdraw from Venezuela amid growing US pressure Reuters
Mexico, El Salvador, large-scale cocaine seizures at sea, deadly attacks on U.S. ships continue Associated Press
China?
China overtakes US to become Germany’s largest trading partner DW
While Europe de-industrializes and focuses on Wokeism;
Chinese company BYD is building a giant factory bigger than San Francisco (not AI)
With such scale, such low costs, such vast human resources, and a market of its own, it will be impossible for Europe to compete. pic.twitter.com/SnRjvO0Wp9
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) February 3, 2026
Floating wind turbine 6,000 feet in the air ZME Science
How realistic is a Chinese invasion of Taiwan? Defense priorities
China seeks to use sophisticated quantum sensors to destealize U.S. Navy nuclear submarines 1945
China hints at increased support for Iran as US prepares for possible attack Algemeiner.com
India
India joins US-led Pax Silica supply chain initiative to develop semiconductor talent and reduce dependence on China – deal extends from rare earths to chip-making tools Tom’s Hardware
Cerebras plans giant AI supercomputer in India with UAE support The Register
India accounts for 20% of global heart attack deaths, says latest report NDTV
Africa
Report finds Africa has $29.5 trillion in mineral resources
Five forces that could reshape the African continent at the 2026 Atlantic Council
Clean audits: the dangerous illusion behind the collapse of South African companies Independent Online
discord in europe
Polish Prime Minister criticizes Hungary for blocking $106 billion in EU loans to Ukraine’s Andr Authority
EU condemns study finds beef and lamb are 580 times more subsidized than legumes, causing climate change Euronews
ECB’s Lagarde says EU doesn’t need all 27 countries to reform Politico
old blighty
Andrew’s arrest will have a ‘huge impact’ and the monarchy is ‘certainly coming to an end’, says anti-monarchy campaigner Andrew Agency
Don’t be fooled by recent good news, the UK economy remains in a precarious state The Guardian
Israel vs. Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iran
A Palestinian family begins Ramadan at the ruins of a mosque in Gaza. An image of absolute resilience. pic.twitter.com/ELoZuxgPJh
— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) February 18, 2026
Beyond the Golan: Israel’s lawsuit over recapture of Bashan in southern Syria – Jerusalem Post opinion
US ambassador says it’s ‘no problem’ for Israel to occupy much of the Middle East CNN
Hawks bring us back to Middle East war Reason.com
With Trump war just hours away, Iran prepares brutal counterattack | Greg Stoker and Elina Xenofontos, Danny Haiphong, YouTube. Very detailed analysis and details from both guests
Donald Trump’s Middle East (aka West Asia) problems abound Larry Johnson
Why Arab countries fear a war between the US and Iran: Responsible State Strategy
Israeli airstrike kills at least 10 people in Lebanon, officials say BBC
A new war that’s not so cold war
Ukraine’s Endurance War Diplomacy. “Ukraine performed well in 2025…”
Allegation after allegation: Why was Zelenskiy forced to replace five or six of the “managers” of the Ukrainska Pravda team?
Slovakia’s Fico threatens to cut off power supplies to Ukraine unless Russian oil flows resume Euronews
As the Ukraine war enters its fifth year, will the “Putin consensus” among the Russian people be maintained? conversation
Ukraine: ICRC Director-General – Millions of people in Ukraine face intolerable suffering and growing needs as the conflict continues ICRC
big brother is watching you
Doorbell video of Guthrie incident raises questions about surveillance and privacy Azfamily.com
UN resolution aims to protect privacy rights AP
imperial collapse watch
Berkeley orders homeless camps closed over leptospirosis concerns Vanguard News Group
Dane County faces federal housing cuts, Madison homeless shelter reaches record numbers WMTV
President Trump approves federal emergency declaration over Potomac River sewage spill The Guardian
Trump 2.0
Emmanuel Macron and Gavin Newsom brutally troll the Daily Mail President Trump is mercilessly mocked over global tariff meltdown
President Trump has a ‘backup plan’ after Supreme Court overturns tariffs — here’s how far he can go Forbes
America is on the brink of another major war, but President Trump won’t even explain Glenn Greenwald’s Substack
MAHA activated by White House after President Trump endorsed Pesticide Politico
musk is important
Elon Musk says he has less than 0.1% of his net worth in cash. That’s still close to $850 million! livemint.com
Courts are having trouble finding jurors for Elon Musk because people hate him so much
Elon Musk’s Tesla wins FCC exemption to enable wireless charging of CyberCab Yahoo Finance
Democratic Party Death Watch
Unthinkable in California: 2026: Two Republican races? Don’t bet on your kidneys | Opinion Sacramento Bee
Democrats need an inspiring mid-term vision – starting with new Senate leadership LA Progressive
immigration
New Harvard/Harris University poll shows why immigration enforcement is tough Center for Immigration Studies
How a Disney World vacation turned into four months in immigration detention Louisiana Illuminator
Our press is no longer free
Journalists imprisoned by ICE reveal the horrors of imprisonment
US judge questions government’s role in Washington Post’s FirstPost attack
Mr. Market is in a bad mood.
US Dollar Robin J. Brooks Substack Structure Change
Gold prices near $5,070 after President Trump’s tariff shock — what traders will be watching next week TechStock 2
Prediction markets warn of stock market corrections. History suggests that the S&P 500 could fall further in 2026. The Motley Fool
A.I.
Elon Musk, the man who let AI rent a human body, says he is his hero
AI dating cafes have become a reality Fox News
AI reveals unexpected new physics in fourth state of matter SciTech Daily
Anthropic launches AI tool to search for software vulnerabilities technobezz
How AI is helping retail traders make easy money by exploiting prediction market ‘glitches’ CoinDesk
basil
Florida executive convicted of $233 million Obamacare fraud targeting homeless, hurricane victims FOX News
Juror finds former NFL player guilty of $328 million Medicare fraud scheme: Justice Department WJAR
guillotine watch
🚨 Breaking News: New Record for Trading Cards $$$ 🚨
The most expensive trading card ever!
Final selling price @LoganPaul Pikachu Illustrator PSA GEM MT 10: $16,492,000
Email Sell@Goldin.com to list your collectibles for future auctions! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9h4pCfB1Je
— Goldin (@GoldinCo) February 16, 2026
The most expensive sale on Magic cards just happened. CGC Pristine 10 Alpha Black Lotus for $3 million.
Adam Kai, one of if not the biggest magic collector on the planet (and an all-around good guy), sold it in a private sale.
Insane. pic.twitter.com/g17rdzCHso
— Bashmcalister (@bashmcalister) April 29, 2024
Antidote (via)
https://www.pickpik.com/cats-kittens-animals-mammals-baby-small-81089
See yesterday’s link and antidote here
