Sunday, February 8, 2026

US Corn Industry Faces Tough Times In Its Two Largest Export Markets, China and Mexico

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China has sought new suppliers, including fellow BRICS members Brazil and South Africa, to reduce its dependence on US producers, while Mexico is determined to push through with its partial ban on GM corn. 

As More Hospitals Create Police Forces, Critics Warn of Pitfalls

More American exceptionalism: cops maintaining order in hosptials.

‘Death Outlives War’: Analysis Estimates Post-9/11 ​US Conflicts Killed Over 4.5 Million

A new study tallies the cost of US war-fomenting in the Middle East. The numbers get big fast.

2:00PM Water Cooler 5/15/2023

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

The Extraordinary Generosity of Central Banks Towards Banks: Some Reflexions on Its Origin

Central banks provide even more gimmies to banks than you likely realized.

Links 5/15/2023

Turkiye Has Its Own Russiagate as Election Heads to Runoff

In run-up to the vote the opposition candidate claimed (without evidence) that Moscow was interfering in the election.

Eurobanks and London Firms Insist Very Bad Things Will Happened if Euro Derivatives Clearing Moves to Continent

anks and loser clearinghouses are complaining about a (long) planned derivatives relocation to Europe. But is this mainly special pleading?

United Pilots Picket for Better Contract After American, Southwest Counterparts Authorize Strikes

Will “the most pro-labor president in history” get to smash another looming strike?

Links 5/14/2023

AI May Be on Its Way to Your Doctor’s Office, But It’s Not Ready to See Patients

The technology misses life-threatening conditions, lacks privacy protections, and tends to “hallucinate,” but adopting the it could make the healthcare industry billions.

The EU Looks Doomed to Repeat its Russia “De-Risking” Strategy with China

Plans are lacking, but that hasn’t stopped Brussels before. 

Links 5/13/2023

Understanding Your Cat’s Wild Side

In “The Cat’s Meow,” evolutionary biologist Jonathan B. Losos explores the ancestral roots of the modern housecat.

The Taliban and the Islamic State Continue to Fight for Afghanistan’s Future

True to form for US nation-breaking exercises, Afghanistan is afficted by continuing facional power strugges.