Sea levels much higher than previously thought due to “methodological blind spot,” study finds

Source: CBS News

“Rising sea levels caused by climate change may be significantly higher than previously thought, according to a new study, which says a “methodological blind spot” led researchers to underestimate existing coastal water levels. The revelation suggests that higher seas threaten tens of millions more people than scientists and government officials believed, with elevated risks for already vulnerable communities. The new research, published in the journal Nature, reviewed hundreds of scientific studies and hazard assessments, calculating that about 90% of them underestimated baseline coastal water heights by an average of 1 foot. The study found it’s a far more frequent problem in the Global South, the Pacific and Southeast Asia, and less so in Europe and along Atlantic coasts.” (03/05/26)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sea-levels-higher-methodological-blind-spot-study/

Thomas L. Knapp

The Labour Party’s Political Geometry

Source: Law & Liberty
by Daniel Pitt

“Since the present Labour government won a landslide victory on July 4, 2024, numerous English liberties of constitutional significance have eroded. Labour is influenced, I argue, by a type of rationalist blueprint theory of politics and by what Edmund Burke called ‘political geometry.’ This approach to politics has led them to undermine established English liberties in the name of efficiency, saving money, and improving local governmental systems. Furthermore, it has led them to postpone local elections in the name of these goals. Despite its promises, Labour has not achieved any of these goals due to its own incompetence and attachment to rationalist plans for local government modification, and the greatest victim in this mess is the British constitution.” (03/05/26)

https://lawliberty.org/the-labour-partys-political-geometry/

Thomas L. Knapp

On Iran, Spain’s Sanchez rises above the bowed heads of Europe

Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Eldar Mamedov

“While most European leaders have responded to the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran with condemnations of the Iranian regime and tepid calls for “de-escalation” designed not to offend Washington, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has unequivocally condemned the war on Iran as a breach of international law. Contrast that with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who chose to insist at the war’s outset that ‘this is not the time to lecture our partners and allies’ about potential violations of international law. Meanwhile the the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer went to considerable lengths trying to have it both ways …” (03/05/26)

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/spain-trump-iran/

Thomas L. Knapp

US Media Only Care About Iranian Deaths When They Serve the Imperial Narrative

Source: Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting
by Belen Fernandez

“The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, propelling the entire region into a predictable cataclysm of unprecedented proportions. This puts paid to the alleged ‘peacemaking’ project of US President Donald Trump, who was supposed to be keeping the country out of international wars rather than actively seeking to expedite the end of the world. The attacks put an abrupt end to the negotiations underway between the US and Iran—to the delight of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has always viewed as anathema anything remotely resembling diplomacy or the pursuit of peace. Three days before the joint strikes, a Politico exclusive (2/25/26) reported that ‘senior advisers’ to Trump ‘would prefer Israel strike Iran before the United States launches an assault on the country’.”

https://fair.org/home/us-media-mostly-care-for-iranians-when-they-can-be-used-to-justify-bombing/

Steve Trinward

US jobless claims filings unchanged from previous week at 213,000 as layoffs remain low

Source: Seattle Times

“The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week was unchanged from the week before, a sign that layoffs remain at historically low levels. U.S. filings for jobless aid for the week ending Feb. 28 matched the previous week’s 213,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet forecast 215,000 new benefit applications. Filings for unemployment benefits are viewed as a proxy for U.S. layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market.” (03/05/26)

https://archive.is/LZ15F

Thomas L. Knapp