cherry blossom season in japan
đź“ąDaniel Kordan pic.twitter.com/aIeXCTz946
— Science Girl (@sciencegirl) March 31, 2026
How do social media platforms trap users in networks they want to leave? TECHNOLOGY.ORG
More than 10 million fish were devoured in just a few hours. It is the world’s largest predation event ZME SCIENCE
Astronomers discover third galaxy lacking dark matter, testing theory of violent collisions in today’s universe
What causes chronic pain? Scientists identify the brain as the culprit SciTech Daily
New coronavirus infection/pandemic
New coronavirus variant BA.3.2 detected across the US, but experts urge caution The Guardian
Hidden victims: Stanford study reveals more than 150,000 uncounted deaths from coronavirus at Stanford Medical Center in the US
Climate/Environment
How climate change threatens the flavor and future of India’s precious Darjeeling tea CBC
‘Easter eggflation’: how climate change and budget cuts have driven up the price of chocolate Euronews
south of the border
Limits of Trump’s strategy to seize power from Venezuela to Cuba: Reef War
Russia sends second oil-filled ship to Cuba amid US blockade of Al Jazeera
Colombian left finds new life in mirror of unequal nation Latin American Post
China?
China has started using anti-fatigue laser lights on some highways to keep drivers alert at night.
Its purpose is to prevent drivers from becoming drowsy during long, boring night drives.pic.twitter.com/9s8xmhDfgV
— Volcaholic🌋 (@volcaholic1) March 31, 2026
China’s economy, technology and markets have already had a great month Cryptopolitan
Half of U.S. data center construction plans postponed or canceled as power infrastructure and parts shortages from China limit growth – AI construction flips breaker Tom’s Hardware
China aims to demonstrate global leadership in Iran war diplomacy. Associated Press: US appears to be uninterested
Why China is concerned about Japan’s plans to change arms sales rules SCMP
India
BBC worries that water and beer will cost more in India’s scorching summer
‘India will face food crisis’: Farmers panic over fertilizer shortage during Iran war The Guardian
7th LPG tanker passes through Hormuz, Iran sends special message to India WION
Africa
Africa maintains growth momentum despite global shocks Andre Agency
South Africa’s water system is ‘dysfunctional’
Tunisia unveils ambitious overland trade corridor plan to connect North Africa and Sahel region Business Insider
discord in europe
Prime Minister Orbán says an ‘energy crisis’ is looming over the EU and calls for the lifting of sanctions against Russia Ukraineska Pravda
German foreign minister calls for the abolition of the EU’s unanimity rule
EU Energy Secretary: ‘This will be a long-term crisis’: Europe needs to prepare Cryptopolitan
old blighty
British ‘toy’ aircraft carrier will not be equipped with anti-drone guns this year National Interest
Thousands of Britain’s most prolific shoplifters ‘plan to avoid prison under Labour’s plan’ – as stores brace for further mob disruption and supermarket bosses call for security guards to be armed with pepper spray and batons, Daily Mail
Israel vs. Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iran
Fox News is worried that Iran has launched its first direct missile attack and Israel has been hit extremely hard.
“This is a pretty serious strike.”
“We have been under attack for several hours in central Israel.” pic.twitter.com/COlVp3eqi7
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) April 4, 2026
Israel threatens to destroy more bridges in Lebanon as Al Jazeera crisis rises
Israel is implementing its Gaza strategy in Lebanon: turning the ‘buffer zone’ into a permanent border Mondo Weiss
Stop asking whether Israel has a right to exist Jacobins
Israel’s young voters shift to the right, with Prime Minister Netanyahu leading as likely candidate – Jerusalem Post poll
A new war that’s not so cold war
Russia and Ukraine exchange deadly attacks while President Zelenskiy visits Istanbul for talks with Erdoga Associated Press
Ukraine peace talks on hold until end of Middle East war – Presidential Advisor Ukrinform
Drones and the stalemate: The elusiveness of a breakthrough at the Russia-Ukraine War Monitoring and Research Foundation
big brother is watching you
New Report on Section 702 of FISA by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Committee
TSA’s sharing of passenger data with ICE has drawn opposition. What you need to know. USA Today
imperial collapse watch
President Trump slams Los Angeles homeless agency’s ‘abysmal track record’ with plan to cut nearly $400 million in federal funding NY Post
Retired KC-135 moves from ‘Boneyard’ storage to US Air Force’s main tanker base Flight Global
Trump 2.0
Trump’s budget proposal: Moral obscenity wrapped in patriotism
President Trump’s $1.5 trillion national defense plan more than doubles Space Force budget Space News
Trump realized he could only do what he could. Who can stop him? reason
President Trump demands $152 million to reopen infamous Alcatraz prison BBC
musk is important
Musk hints at a record $1.75 trillion valuation for SpaceX’s initial public offering for rocket company Daily Mail
‘We have until 2029’ – Musk’s Bitcoin emergency warning prompts Coinbase CEO change amid fears of price crash Forbes
Elon Musk says America could be ‘toast’ if AI doesn’t solve America’s $39 trillion nightmare – How to protect your money Moneywise
Democratic Party Death Watch
Doug Schoen: Democrats battle moderates and progressives for the soul of the party FOX News
Chaos in California gubernatorial election raises Democrats’ fears of possible defeat Daily Journal
immigration
Justice Department drops 23,000 lawsuits to give Trump more leeway in immigration crackdown
ICE is moving to a quieter enforcement approach after Minnesota riots NPR
Our press is no longer free
Is Journalism in Crisis? Sarah Lawrence Phoenix
Trump and his allies use familiar tactic to help Iran send war message: attack reporters Reuters
Mr. Market is in a bad mood.
How high can gas prices rise? Records aren’t out of the question Scripps News
The stock market has become a front line in the Iran war. Here’s what Quartz means for investors
FO Exclusive: The Big Problem with the US Private Credit Market Fair Observer
A.I.
America’s largest hospital system ready to start replacing radiologists with AI, CEO talks futurism
Study finds AI users abandon logical thinking due to ‘cognitive surrender’ Ars Technica
Netflix, Meta, IBM speakers: AI can make anyone a 10x better programmer, but 10x more cleanup The Register
AI companions bring comfort to lonely users, but the pain can deepen over time TechXplore
basil
California, ‘ground zero’ for hospice fraud The Washington Times
Inside Nepal’s fake relief effort Kathmandu Post
guillotine watch
A $2 million bunker carved straight into the side of a mountain…and it’s as long as a football field! 🏔️
Drive-in entrance, vault door, gun room, escape tunnel, full kitchen with granite counters, multiple bedrooms, decorated rooms, battery power – luxury apocalypse living. pic.twitter.com/V5IqpG6LV6
— End3of6Days9 (Helen) 🇺🇸 (@end3of6days9) February 12, 2026
🚨 Bill Gates has 11 doomsday bunkers — this is the guy who builds apocalypse shelters for the elite
A high-end bunker builder gave a tour of one of the underground air-raid shelters in front of the camera and named a prominent client who is currently preparing… pic.twitter.com/XXSAV95n9L
— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) March 4, 2026
Antidote (via)
See yesterday’s link and antidote here
