Would Earth still be habitable without us? Space today
Were Epstein’s friends in high places his currency? G zero
What does a mummy smell like? Scientists uncover 2,000-year-old secret SciTech Daily
AI tools can design genomes. Will they upend the evolution of life? nature
New coronavirus infection/pandemic
There are big differences in the long-term effects of the new coronavirus and influenza.
New NWEA study finds uneven academic recovery: only 1 in 3 schools has rebounded in math or reading NWEA
Climate/Environment
Climate change is rapidly shifting growing zones, and the Midwest could look like Texas by 2050, says new USDA forecast on VegOut
Roberts: Whatever the EPA is protecting, it’s not the environment or us. HeraldNet
North America’s accelerating hotspot for bird declines linked to agriculture Nature
south of the border
Mexico is losing the battle against cartels after years of strategic flaws
Cuba releases new details of U.S. boat shooting, says second boat on mission failed, AP
US moves to claim tanker and 2 million barrels of seized Venezuelan oil PBS News
China?
China celebrates New Year with 10,000 drones! pic.twitter.com/ZmfhqXYG4L
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) February 27, 2026
China calls for ‘immediate’ end to US, Israel attacks on Iran, emphasizes dialogue
Beijing’s red line: Can China defend Iran without going to war with the US? modern diplomacy
Could China steal America’s AI brains, which cost trillions of dollars to develop? market watch
Why China’s humanoid robot industry is winning in its nascent market TechCrunch
India
US-Iran war hits India double-whammy: From oil costs to diplomatic tightrope walking, trade disruption to stock market failure, everything explained dnaindia.com
India joins the most exclusive club in space: achieves first inter-satellite docking in orbit and already dreams of having its own space station by 2035
PM Modi’s visit to Jerusalem will trouble the Indian front as Iran is under attack
Africa
soldiers on the street. What’s behind South Africa’s plan to deploy troops to crime-ridden areas New Haven Register
African solar surge led by South Africa and Egypt Solarbytes
Boeing raises African aircraft demand forecast to 1,700 aircraft over 20 years
discord in europe
EU calls for respect for international law and maximum restraint in response to attacks on Iran by Israel and the US Andor Agency
‘Something has to give’: EU considers options to lift Hungary’s veto on Ukraine loan Euronews
EU to ‘provisionally implement’ controversial Mercosur agreement DW
old blighty
UK plans to fly over Middle East as part of defense operation, PM says on BBC
Former British Prime Minister declares ‘Islamism is the biggest problem’, says other issues are reversible FOX News
Israel vs. Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iran
🛑🛑🛑 Very little remains of Khameini’s compound. pic.twitter.com/0lRJQbwbHD
— jck✨ (@Alea_) February 28, 2026
Another shot of the Shahed 136 attacking a target in Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/oc0y5siddo
— Thomas Keith (@iwasnevrhere_) February 28, 2026
They evacuated the base and took shelter in a nearby hotel, and we know exactly which floor of which hotel they are on. pic.twitter.com/KLBju3iBbz
— Iran Military Monitor (@IRIran_Military) February 28, 2026
The moment two consecutive Iranian missiles hit Tel Aviv pic.twitter.com/FLGEUiUCtn
— Thomas Keith (@iwasnevrhere_) February 28, 2026
Here, America’s largest and most powerful media mogul, Larry Ellison, uses the terms “we” and “our nation” to talk about Israel, not the United States.
He has acquired some of the biggest news organizations, entertainment companies, and social media platforms.pic.twitter.com/jcKg5m5SO3
—Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 26, 2026
Iran vows ‘no mercy’ in retaliatory attacks on Israel and US airbases The Guardian
A duo of volunteers: Iran’s initial attack leaves few U.S. and Israeli allies Politico
A new war that’s not so cold war
What European strategic autonomy means for Ukraine peace talks National Interest
Bloomberg: Russia plans to withdraw from negotiations unless Ukraine agrees to transfer Donbass-Ukrainska Pravda
Russia drops record number of guided airstrikes on Ukraine Defense Blog
big brother is watching you
Despite privacy concerns, police are finding suspects based on online searches, as well as in court The Associated Press
AI glasses raise protection and privacy concerns
imperial collapse watch
‘Precarious Living’: The daily struggle of Fresno’s homeless population | Opinion Fresno Bee
Tony Barthel on Beyond the Headlines: How Homeless RVers Shape Public Perceptions of RVing and RV Travel Due to THOR’s Reorganization
Trump 2.0
President Trump supports Republican Congress over Iran’s Semafor attack
President Trump orders attack on Iran without Congressional approval, intensifying military debate AP
Marjorie Taylor Greene slams President Trump’s attack on Iran The Hill
President Trump oversees US attack on Iran from Mar-a-Lago, meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu: WH Fox News
Iran, Epstein, Human Sacrifice Kucinich Report Substack
Kaine: President Trump is ‘too mentally incompetent’ to understand that he set the stage for Iran’s nuclear program
musk is important
Government officials are concerned that Mr. Musk’s erratic sycophant Mr. Grok is being deployed for highly sensitive purposes.
Elon Musk takes aim at Los Angeles’ exorbitant subway fares, says he can dig tunnels for cheap, NY Post
Democratic Party Death Watch
Specter of Iraq haunts Democrats as Democrats push for war powers vote to attack Iran Turkye Today
Who is Jasmine Crockett? Democrats running in Texas can’t hope to win.
immigration
Judge orders release of dozens of immigrants illegally detained by ICE in Chicago NPR Illinois
Contractors meet with Washington, Austin officials to discuss immigrant construction crisis Spectrum News 1
Our press is no longer free
Unsealed warrant calls into question federal compliance with journalist protections Davis Vanguard
Record number of violations in first two months of year US Press Freedom Tracker
Mr. Market is in a bad mood.
Insurers consider price increases for Gulf of Hormuz and Strait vessels: FT Seeking Alpha
‘Bigger impact than Venezuela’: Market braces for fallout after US attack on Iran CNBC
Crude oil during the war: spikes, then reprices the Financial Express
A.I.
Startup uses AI to generate thoughtful letters to friends, handwritten using a robotic pen
President Trump orders BBC to stop using Anthropic in AI dispute
Reddit is on the rise: What is AI search? Why is AI search so popular? Euronews
Your new BMW is made by a robot: German car giant uses AI humanoids at its Leipzig factory Daily Mail
Perplexity launches “Computer,” an AI agent that assigns tasks to other AI agents Ars Technica
basil
Protect yourself from AI tax fraud on the rise as criminals use voice clones and deepfakes KTAR News
New York woman lost nearly $1 million to romance scam – here’s the red flags she missed and how to protect yourself financially
guillotine watch
This is ST DuPont’s “Casino” pocket lighter. It is one of the most complex and expensive lighters in the world, costing around US$60,000.
— Science Girl (@sciencegirl) December 25, 2025
Tristan Tate bought $55,000 worth of lighters just to light his cigars 😂
— Tate News (@TateNews_) August 27, 2023
Antidote (via)
See yesterday’s link and antidote here
