Source: Seattle Times
“A Spanish court acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case, ordering the government to return more than 55 million euros ($64 million) in wrongly imposed fines, a court document seen Monday by The Associated Press said. The decision follows years of tax troubles in Spain for the Colombian superstar. The ruling relates to a dispute over the 2011 tax year in which Spanish tax authorities did not prove that the singer was a resident of Spain, the Madrid-based court said in its decision.” (05/18/26)
https://archive.is/TJksu
Source: EconTalk
“Tom Cruise’s Body of Work (with Aled Maclean-Jones).” (05/18/26)
https://www.econtalk.org/tom-cruises-body-of-work-with-aled-maclean-jones/
Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob
“‘I think the last thing we need right now is a war that’s 9,500 miles away.’ Just place a period after the word ‘war’ in President Trump’s comments to reporters, after last week’s summit with Chinese ruler Xi Jinping and discussion about China’s democratic neighbor, Taiwan, the Republic of China. Which raises the question: How best to avoid war over Taiwan?” [editor’s note: That one’s easy — the US regime minds its own business. “Problem” solved – TLK] (05/18/26)
https://thisiscommonsense.org/2026/05/18/last-thing-needed
Source: Townhall
by Kirt Schlichter
“Winston Churchill once observed that there’s nothing quite like the feeling of being shot at and missed. The Republicans are enjoying that glorious sensation as we speak. Thanks to redistricting decisions in various courts as well as some surprising examples of GOP manhood in their wake, it looks like November is a jump ball. The midterms were supposed to be a rendezvous with disaster, and historically, the tides are still against us. But Democrats have just had the miserable experience of discovering that fate is fickle. Recent events have made it so that Republicans have a fighting chance, and our joy and relief that we’re not necessarily destined for doom is amplified by our delight in hearing Democrats squeal in agony as all their dreams die.” [editor’s note: The midterms are nearly six months away. Six months is forever in politics, so take all predictions with a grain of salt – TLK] (05/18/26)
https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2026/05/18/the-gops-midterm-reversal-of-fortune-n2676169
Source: SFGate
“Italy’s Foreign Ministry said Monday rescuers have located the bodies of four Italian divers believed to be deep inside an underwater cave in a Maldive atoll. The searches had resumed on Monday after being suspended following the death of a local military diver during a perilous mission to try to reach them. … The body of one Italian — a diving instructor — was found earlier outside the cave.” (05/18/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/italy-s-foreign-minister-says-divers-found-bodies-22264171.php
Source: The Dispatch
“Masculinism and Feminism | Interview: Helen Lewis.” (05/18/26)
https://thedispatch.com/podcast/remnant/masculinism-and-feminism-interview-helen-lewis/
Source: Paul Krugman
by Paul Krugman
“China shouldn’t worry — Trump is too weak and unfocused to be a threat.” (05/18/26)
https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-tale-of-thucydides
Source: Big Head Press
by Scott Bieser
Cartoon. (05/18/26)
https://www.quantumvibe.com/strip?page=2589
Source: Reason
by Jeff Luse
“A streamlined process for environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act gives the government broader discretion to approve projects.” (for publication 06/26)
https://reason.com/2026/05/18/less-green-tape-for-more-clean-energy/
Source: CNBC
“South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday called for both labor and management rights to be respected as an 18-day strike at Samsung Electronics looms. … A final round of talks between the union and Samsung’s management was scheduled for Monday. The union’s demands center on Samsung’s performance-based bonus system. It is seeking performance bonuses equivalent to 15% of Samsung’s operating profit, the removal of bonus payout caps, and a formalized bonus structure, among other measures. Samsung’s management has offered to allocate 10% of operating profit to bonuses and provide a one-time special compensation package, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.” (05/18/26)
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/samsung-strike-lee-jae-myung-labor-deal.html
