Spotting “concrete boats”: Why solicitation sins doom contracts to struggle

Source: Niskanen Center
by Neil Miller

“Long-term planning can be admirable. Some contracts — say, for construction — will genuinely take five or more years to finish up. Or when vendors need to make huge upfront investments, a long payoff timeline can entice qualified competition. Locking in five-year tech contracts, however, just allows the solicitation sins of the father to be visited upon their children a decade later: Between now and 2031 (or 2033), needs will change, technology will advance, and the project budgets will rise and fall.” (06/08/26)

https://www.niskanencenter.org/spotting-concrete-boats-why-solicitation-sins-doom-contracts-to-struggle-2/

Thomas L. Knapp

Italy: Ben-Gvir under investigation over Gaza flotilla abuses

Source: The New Arab [UK]

“Italian prosecutors put Israel’s fanatical National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir under investigation over the treatment of activists who were part of a Gaza flotilla last month, a judicial source said on Monday. The source, who asked not to be named, confirmed earlier reports by Italian news agencies and said Ben-Gvir was being investigated on suspicion of torture and kidnapping of Italian citizens who were among the activists. If the probe determines charges are warranted, prosecutors could lodge a formal request for trial. … Israel and Ben-Gvir have faced mounting international criticism after the minister, in late May, released a video showing abducted Gaza activists kneeling with their hands bound after Israel kidnapped members of the aid flotilla in international waters.” (06/09/26)

https://www.newarab.com/news/ben-gvir-under-investigation-italy-over-gaza-flotilla-abuses

Thomas L. Knapp

Trump Started a War He Can’t Control

Source: Foreign Policy
by John Haltiwanger

“U.S. President Donald Trump has become a passenger in the Iran war, despite insisting that he remains behind the wheel after months of failed efforts to reach a peace deal. And by attempting to portray himself as in control and denying complex realities on the ground, he has only made it more difficult to reach an agreement.” (06/08/26)

https://archive.is/kVCX6

Thomas L. Knapp

300 migrants bound for UK kidnapped and threatened with kidney removal

Source: BBC News [UK State Media]

“More than 300 migrants heading to the UK last summer were kidnapped, tortured and threatened with forced organ removal, the BBC has learned. The young men, all from Iraqi Kurdistan, were captured in Libya by a militia who demanded a ransom of $5,000 (£3,700) from each of their families, and threatened to harvest the captives’ kidneys if payment was not made promptly. We have spoken to some hostages who have since been released, and seen photo evidence suggesting that forced operations did take place. The former captives showed us evidence of torture, and said they had been kept in cramped conditions, with nearly 180 people sharing a cell. At least one hostage is known to have died, and it is unclear how many remain captive.” (06/09/26)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xwxdgvx8lo

Steve Trinward

Why That Next Hamburger Is Going to Cost You

Source: The American Prospect
by David Dayen

“TLast week, the flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm was found in a calf in Texas; a second case was identified about five miles away shortly thereafter. (A third case was found in a dog.) Screwworm flies lay their eggs in the live tissue of warm-blooded animals, from livestock to pets to humans. These larvae ‘screw’ into the animal’s flesh, and while they are not very harmful to humans, in that the horrifying effects of maggots chewing into your skin are relatively easy to notice and address, they can kill a livestock host if not treated. In a widespread infestation, one of the last resorts would be mass culling, which would obviously have huge impacts on a diminished U.S. cattle herd.” (06/09/26)

https://prospect.org/2026/06/09/why-that-next-hamburger-is-going-to-cost-you-new-world-screwworm/

Steve Trinward