“Russia has threatened to launch a fresh wave of ‘systematic strikes’ against Kyiv, days after carrying out one of its largest attacks on the Ukrainian capital since the start of the war. The new strikes will target ‘decision-making centres and command posts,’ alongside drone manufacturing facilities in the city, Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement. Moscow has called for foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv ‘as soon as possible’ and warned citizens to stay away from administrative and military buildings. Large-scale Russian strikes on Saturday night killed four and injured about 100 people in Kyiv and other areas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Moscow said that barrage and threatened further strikes were in response to what it claims was a deliberate Ukrainian attack on a student dormitory in the town of Starobilsk on Friday, in which Russian officials said 21 people were killed.” (05/25/26)
“Economically and morally, there is nothing wrong, on the contrary, with insider trading as such. But there is everything wrong when it is done by corrupt rulers or their cronies.” (05/24/26)
“The risk of a ‘massive explosion’ at a damaged chemical tank in Southern California has been ‘eliminated,’ local fire officials said on May 25, resolving what authorities described as a possible ‘worst-case catastrophic event.’ … Roughly 40,000 people were ordered to evacuate from Garden Grove, a city south of Los Angeles, after a tank storing a toxic industrial chemical overheated on May 21. Initial efforts to secure the tank failed, leading authorities to expand the evacuation zone as they warned the container could potentially ‘blow up.’ On May 24, authorities discovered a crack in the tank holding 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate. … Methyl methacrylate is a volatile, flammable liquid often used in the manufacture of resins and plastics, according to the EPA. California health officials said no exposure to the product is expected as long as evacuation orders are followed.” (05/25/26)
“President Donald Trump appears to be nearing an escape ramp from the Iran war, but it’s one that represents a risky bet that Tehran’s divided leadership will opt for postwar modernization rather than continuing conflict with the United States and Israel. Like most peace deals, the framework described by U.S. officials Sunday would be a series of compromises, well short of the capitulation that Trump sought when he joined Israel in launching the war on Feb. 28. The Iranian regime can claim victory simply by having survived the assault. If these hardline leaders continue to destabilize the region, however, the deal will probably collapse in another round of strife.” (05/25/26)
“A former prosecutor at the international criminal court has called for an EU-wide statute blocking what she describes as ‘thuggish’ and ‘bullying’ US sanctions imposed on members of the court that are designed to send the court into oblivion. In February 2025, the US imposed sanctions on 11 ICC officials, including nine judges and the chief prosecutor as well three Palestinian organisations, in response to the ICC decision in 2024 to issue arrest warrants for members of the Israeli cabinet, including the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The US sanctions – which include travel bans and asset freezes – have locked judges out of the European financial system, making it impossible for them or their families to live normal lives.” (05/24/26)
“By all accounts, climate change alarmists are on the defensive—politically, scientifically, I would even say morally (see Bill Gates’s comment below). We could leave it at that. But there may be hope for a truce in this conflict — and if so, capitalism can take the credit.” (05/22/26)
“As its sports car rivals tap the brakes on a shift to EVs, Ferrari will take a leap into an uncertain era on Monday with the launch of its first fully-electric car, betting it can connect with drivers even without a throaty engine roar. With a top speed of 310 kph (193 mph), Ferrari’s four-door Luce — meaning ‘light’ in Italian — will carry a price tag of more than €500,000 ($586,000). … Monday’s unveiling in Rome of the hotly awaited Luce caps years of preparation, from early hybrid Formula One systems more than a decade ago and road models since 2019. First deliveries to clients will start in October, the company said last year.” (05/25/26)
