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UBS Warns El Nino May Intensify Food Inflation Across Asia

By now, readers have a clear understanding that the Gulf-driven energy shock is on course to collide with a potential super El Niño weather event, creating what could be a dangerous second-order shock to food supply chains around the world.

The concern is that extreme heat and disrupted rainfall patterns could hit top agricultural growing belts, dent harvest output, and amplify existing supply stress. Even before those weather-driven impacts fully materialize, global food prices are already rising, suggesting that fertilizer and elevated diesel prices are beginning to be transmitted through the broader food supply chain.

Our Tuesday note on Thailand white rice, a regional Asian benchmark, surging 20% in May, the largest monthly increase in data going back to 2008, is another warning signal that the price action in the grain feeding half the world has entered a new upward impulse.

The troubling move in rice prices, including a 15% surge in Chicago rice futures last month, indicates that food-inflation pressures are already materializing. The concern is that these pressures could materially worsen once El Niño-driven weather disruptions begin affecting key growing regions.

UBS analysts led by Leigha Miyata published a note titled "Food Inflation & El Niño Evidence Check," confirming what we have been tracking for months: the Middle East-driven fertilizer shock is now moving through the global food supply chain just as El Niño risks rise, creating the potential for an inflation surge across Asia later this year into 2027.

Miyata noted that El Niño odds currently stand around 82% for May to June and 96% for December into early 2027, raising the risk of hotter, drier conditions across South and Southeast Asia that could pressure harvests.

Via Miyata ...

El Niño likelihood raised to 82%; expect Asia to be hotter and have less rain:

The El Niño is likely to emerge soon (82% chance in May-July 2026) and continue through Northern Hemisphere winter 2026-27 (96% chance in Dec 2026-Feb 2027, NOAA). Historical patterns show higher temperatures in Indonesia and northern Australia (Figure 1). Temperatures are normally lower in South Korea and Japan, though a "super El Niño" could reverse this, bringing intense heat and rainfall. Precipitation is lower in South and Southeast Asia, posing risks to harvests (Figure 2). Other El Niño impacts include higher power demand, lower supply, and increased disease risk (see p3).

Fertilizer Prices - Urea prices correcting, now +23% since the Iran conflict started:

Though nitrogen supply remains tight, we have seen diverging trends in the last few weeks on the product level. Ammonia pricing has been stable to higher, UAN pricing has been stable, while urea pricing has seen downward corrections, $190/MT (~23%) lower than its peak level in April. Overall the UBS chemicals team see this pointing to the market having moved past peak seasonal tightness, with 2Q likely marking the high point. We believe structurally tight supply from restricted trade flows and constrained production will continue to support the pricing outlook for 2H26/2027 above the cost curve however, and note that physical market flows have yet to improve (full report).

Gov't measures have been helpful, but inflation is rising across Asia:

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 130.7 points in April 2026, up 1.6% from March, marking a third consecutive rise but at a slower pace. Gains in vegetable oils, meat, and cereals were partly offset by declines in sugar and dairy. The index was 2.0% higher year-on-year but remained 18.4% below its March 2022 peak. Inflation across all major Asian economies is increasing with the exception of Indonesia and Japan, and corn futures for 2026/2027 are up ~4%/5% since the Iran conflict started. UBS economists explain that inflation was likely lower in many Asian economies due to quick policy-action post Iran conflict, but that inflation will likely rise going forward (full report). In the Philippines, the level of inflation has shot up from 2.3%/3.9% in Feb/Mar to 7.1% in Apr. In Thailand, deflation in Feb/Mar has shifted to 2.9% inflation in April (Figure 5). For Japan, there are no clear signs yet of strong inflationary pressure from Middle East tensions. However, we expect national CPI for May to pick up slightly to 1.5% from 1.4% in April, suggesting April was likely the trough. Food inflation in Japan decelerated from 4.6% YoY in April to 4.1% YoY in May, though on a MoM basis, food inflation rose 0.3% (full report).

Packaging and freight costs are up; El Niño in 2026-27, fertilizer impact in 2027:

Plastic packaging prices in Japan are reported to be up 20 to 30%. This together with transport costs are expected to raise food prices, but this is not yet visible in the data for Japan. If El Niño materializes, we may see drought impact the harvests in Sep 2026- and Apr 2027- in South and Southeast Asia. Higher fertilizer costs may also affect harvests from April 2027 onwards.

UBS views on El Niño impacts

1. Agri-business: Tightening global balances and large speculative shorts mean an El Niño-driven disruption to India's monsoon could reduce sugar production by ~3–8mn tons YoY and trigger price spikes.

2. Agriculture & Inflation (India): El Niño-driven weak monsoon risks (forecast ~92% of normal rainfall) could lift food inflation, though only ~21% of CPI is directly impacted, limiting first-round effects but raising second-round risks if shocks persist.

3. Health Care (Brazil): El Niño-driven changes in mosquito patterns could increase dengue cases, with prior events (2023/24) coinciding with record infections (~6.6mn cases).

4. Thermal coal / Power demand: A potential "super El Niño" could drive extreme heat across Asia, boosting electricity demand (especially for cooling) and increasing coal demand and imports, tightening seaborne markets.

5. Hydropower / Power supply: El Niño-related rainfall shifts could reduce hydro generation in LatAm and Africa, further supporting demand for thermal coal.

6. Insurance / Reinsurance: El Niño conditions are associated with below-average hurricane activity, which could improve insurers' near-term book value but pressure pricing due to increased capital supply. In Australia, El Niño years tend to have lower catastrophe losses, though drought and bushfire risks rise.

Figure 6: Real GDP growth %y/y: pre- and post-Iran conflict

Figure 7: Asia's inflation likely to pick up on base effects

Figure 12: Energy/fertilizer shock impact chain

Figure 13: Thailand and India are likely to be negatively impacted in APAC. All importers, including Japan will face higher prices

Related:

• We Are 6 Months From Global Food Shortages Because Farmers Are Facing A Quadruple Whammy Crisis

• Everyone Talks About The Cost Of Gasoline... Soon Everyone Will Be Talking About The Cost Of Food

Last month, ZeroHedge Debates held a roundtable to ask, "How bad will the food inflation mess get?"

Professional subscribers can read the full "Food Inflation & El Niño Evidence Check" here at our new Marketdesk.ai port.

Tyler Durden Thu, 06/04/2026 - 05:45

BBC Sinks To A New Low...

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity,

The BBC has once again demonstrated its role as a partisan propaganda machine rather than a neutral public broadcaster.

On its flagship evening news show Newsnight, presenter Matt Chorley repeatedly claimed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for a "white cold rage" in response to the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak.

Yet Farage said no such thing. He called for "pure cold rage" - a measured, determined pushback against institutional failures and anti-white bias in policing and justice.

The BBC had just sunk to a new low.

On Newsnight last night, presenter Matt Chorley claimed Nigel Farage said people should respond to the murder of Henry Nowak with "white cold rage".

Nigel DID NOT SAY THIS.

The insertion of the word "white" by the BBC is obviously... pic.twitter.com/OwFxXNUy5N

- Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) June 3, 2026

Chorley repeated the fabricated racial angle three times. The insertion was no accident. It transformed a call for equal justice and accountability into something that could be painted as divisive racial incitement.

When caught, Chorley issued a tepid apology on X, claiming a "misremembering" while insisting it "didn't change the content of the interview."

I owe Nigel Farage an apology.

During last night's Newsnight we covered the murder of Henry Nowak and the political reaction to the case, including discussing Nigel Farage's comments about "pure, cold rage".

However I referred to "white cold rage". This was a mistake on my part, a misremembering of the quote. It didn't change the content of the interview but I should have got the quote right. I apologise to Nigel Farage for this.

- Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) June 3, 2026

Critics across the board rejected that claim outright.

Of course it changed the content of the interview, it added racially inflammatory comments where there were none. You'd never have made a similar revealing slip THREE times using black instead of white.

Reflects your innate bias and that of the BBC.

And I don't trust Farage...

- Mark Kingsley-Williams (@Mark_A_K_W) June 3, 2026

Pure cold rage became "white cold rage" because the institutional mindset equates any pushback against two-tier standards with whiteness.

Completely unacceptable. Nigel Farage said "pure cold rage" and the BBC decided to report it as "white cold rage".

This is why fewer and fewer people trust the BBC. They created BBC Verify to counter misinformation, but they are the biggest culprits of misinformation. https://t.co/DRFJiCc209

- Chris Rose (@ArchRose90) June 3, 2026

Fuck off. You knew EXACTLY what you were doing.

Stop taking us for fools. We're sick of it, Matt.

- Professor Dr King Mike ? (@MikeSouthWestUK) June 3, 2026

If GB News did this to a left wing politician Ofcom would have raided the building by now.

Will the BBC be taken off air?

During a crucial byelection too. https://t.co/jFVGmDa9sh

- Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) June 3, 2026

A full on-air correction and explanation of what Farage actually said is the minimum standard for any credible outlet. The pattern of one-directional "mistakes" - always inflating racial angles against critics of mass immigration, DEI, or institutional bias - tells its own story.

The Henry Nowak case has exploded back into the headlines following the release of the horrible Bodycam footage of the incident and the trial of his murderer. Nowak lay on the ground bleeding heavily, repeatedly telling officers "I've been stabbed" and "I can't breathe." Instead of providing urgent medical aid, officers dragged him across gravel, handcuffed him, and initially treated him as a suspect based on Digwa's false racism allegations and minor complaints about a swollen eye.

Digwa was not handcuffed at the scene. His family stood over the dying victim pushing the race narrative. Hampshire Police's initial statement claiming quick life-saving measures was later deleted once the footage emerged. Protests followed the footage release. Some turned violent in Southampton last night, with clashes injuring officers.

This latest incident fits the established pattern of BBC editorial choices that downplay or twist stories challenging progressive narratives on policing, identity politics, and institutional bias. Previous coverage on the same programme saw presenter Victoria Derbyshire act surprised when an ex-cop refused to excuse the initial response to Nowak. The discomfort was palpable as facts about prioritising a false racism claim over a dying victim's pleas were laid out.

An ex-police officer appearing on BBC Newsnight described the response as "unfathomable." Basic procedure demands prioritising medical assessment for anyone reporting stab wounds and bleeding out, not handcuffing or accepting unverified claims from the attacker. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating. Nowak's father demanded transparency, stating his son "did not die with dignity" and that being read his rights was among the last things he heard while dying.

The BBC consistently frames cases involving white victims and minority perpetrators through a lens that protects DEI-influenced institutions while pathologising any demand for colour-blind standards.

The "white cold rage" fabrication is the latest example of this reflexive racialisation - turning legitimate fury over two-tier policing into a smear. It mirrors broader BBC output that has portrayed Islamist issues sympathetically, pushed contested social agendas, and faced lawsuits over distorted editing, including the ongoing Trump case. The organisation's charter obligations on impartiality appear secondary to its institutional worldview.

Farage's actual words on the Nowak case called for cold, principled determination to restore equal treatment before the law - not hot-headed violence or racial payback. The BBC's version injected race where Farage spoke of universal standards trashed by fear of labels. That single word change reveals more about the presenter's and the organisation's priors than about Farage.

We also knew this would be the leftist establishment playbook in the Nowak case when it finally received the attention it warranted.

Public trust in the BBC continues to erode precisely because of episodes like this. Licence fee payers subsidise an outlet that treats one side of the political spectrum as requiring constant racial vetting while giving institutional failures a pass.

Reform voices and ordinary citizens demanding accountability for the Nowak case and similar incidents are not the problem. The problem is an entrenched media class that cannot report straight when the facts challenge their worldview.

The weak apology changes nothing substantive. Full transparency, on-air correction, and serious consequences for editorial failures would be the start of rebuilding credibility. Until then, the BBC remains what its actions show it to be: a publicly funded vehicle for advancing selective narratives rather than pursuing truth.

Those who value free speech, equal justice, and genuine accountability know the only long-term answer involves stripping away its compulsory funding and letting it compete in the open market like every other outlet.

Tyler Durden Thu, 06/04/2026 - 05:00

Germany, France, UK See Opportunity To Revive Putin Talks Without Washington

Europe's most influential powers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are trying to again jump-start Ukraine war peace talks, collectively operating as the E3 group.

They seek to implement a new framework aimed at engaging Russian President Vladimir Putin in direct negotiations to end the war. Reuters on Wednesday reports that "A window for dialogue is slowly opening between Russia and Europe on Ukraine, ​although it is likely to be months before talks can ‌begin, a German government official said at a briefing on Wednesday."

It seems this window of opportunity is based to some degree on perceptions that the war tide and momentum is finally shifting in Ukraine's favor, given the increasing effectiveness of Ukraine's devastating cross-border drone attacks of late.

European leaders apparently view the current battlefield and political dynamics as having strengthened Kiev's bargaining position, creating what they believe is the optimal moment to press Moscow for talks.

Zelensky himself is suddenly talking about directly engaging Putin this week, saying that he's 'ready' to go to the table:

🇺🇦🇷🇺Zelensky just went nuclear on the wait-and-see game:

“I’m ready for direct negotiations with Putin RIGHT NOW! Not sitting in line while the world finishes every other war first.”pic.twitter.com/yLEkLAc9zD

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 3, 2026

The groundwork was reportedly laid in late May, when Zelenskyy sat down for a high-stakes meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The leaders have sought to revamp the entire Western negotiation strategy, presenting a fiercely united European front, at a moment the Trump administration is seen as on the sidelines, or even perhaps ambivalent and apathetic to the question of Ukraine peace.

The EU has been pushing back against external influence on selecting negotiators for peace talks, and apparently trying to wrest any potential peace framework from Washington influence. It was the US leading the way on this, but nothing has happened especially since the Iran war took prominence in the US administration's thinking.

Europe's traditional power brokers are desperate to prove they still hold the leverage to dictate the terms of their own backyard security. Whether Putin feels any compelling reason to play ball with the E3 framework remains an entirely different question of course.

But according to more from Reuters, "The German official said recent fighting indicates it is likely to take months, rather than weeks, to reach a point where ​talks could begin, and ​that it was ⁠key to ensure they were conducted in full agreement with Ukraine."

//--> Russia x Ukraine ceasefire agreement by October 31, 2026?
Yes 30% · No 71%
View full market & trade on Polymarket

So for now it seems the battlefield will continue to determine who has the leverage or not, as each continues inflicting more and more pain on the other. Russia's aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities have only grown more deadly and expansive. The same cam be said for Ukraine's cross-border drone attacks on Russian territory, which on Wednesday wreaked havoc on St. Petersburg.

Tyler Durden Thu, 06/04/2026 - 04:15

After Murder Of Henry Nowak, Amnesty International Condemns Right Wing 'Political Commentary'

Via Remix News,

Amnesty International’s reaction to the murder of Henry Nowak has prompted outrage, with the organization having nothing to say about the atrocious and inhumane actions of the police during the incident, but sharply condemning the “political commentary” in the wake of Nowak’s death.

“At a time when hate crimes are rising, and violence and fear are becoming a daily reality for people of colour and migrants, calls for ‘cold, hard rage’ are completely reckless. Henry Nowak’s murder is an awful tragedy and his family have said “we do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension”. The very least politicians can do is respect that,” wrote Amnesty International.

Not everyone is happy about Amnesty International’s remarks on the case, which has up until now, said nothing about the manner in which the police handcuffed a dying Nowak as he bled out from eight stab wounds.

Swedish MEP Charlie Weimers wrote on X, “Amnesty has been morally bankrupt for a long time. A pure left-wing organization."

Amnesty är moraliskt bankrutt sedan länge. En ren vänsterorganisation. https://t.co/6W2UaEgNdW

— Charlie Weimers MEP 🇸🇪 (@weimers) June 3, 2026

He was responding to a comment from Lauren Chen, who wrote:

“Incredible statement from Amnesty International UK on Henry Nowak: Not a single word of conveying outrage or horror over the brutal murder, or of how police left him to die without dignity. Instead, their statement is about policing the political commentary around the case. I kid you not. What a grotesque betrayal of any moral purpose.These NGOs aren’t just useless – they actively despise you. They are hostile to everything you value and everything you hold dear.”

Amnesty International, however, is known for its pro-migration and left-wing stances and has a long history of funding from the Open Society Foundation of George Soros. Nevertheless, the organization is often critical of police conduct, which makes it all the more remarkable that the organization has nothing to say about the police’s actions in this case.

🇬🇧 The distressing bodycam footage of Henry Nowak's final minutes has been released by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Henry was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, with an 8-inch blade he said he carried as part of his Sikh faith, while walking home alone in December last year in… pic.twitter.com/mIM1BgGdkj

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) June 1, 2026

The Southampton officers in the case disregarded Nowak’s pleas for help while immediately taking the claims of Vickrum Digwa, who said Nowak made racist comments to him, at face value. Notably, Nowak told the police multiple times that he had been stabbed and warned them: “I can’t breathe.” When he told the officer he had been stabbed, the officer replied, “I don’t think you have, mate.”

At the same time, the murder weapon was given to his mother, and police later found it at the family home along with more than 20 other weapons. His mother is due to be sentenced for removing the murder weapon from the crime scene.

The Nowak case has many parallels with the George Floyd case, where Police Officer Derek Chauvin was controversially convicted for murdering Floyd after placing him in handcuffs and kneeling on his back while Floyd said, “I can’t breathe.” Although the left weaponized the case, sparking mass riots the resulted in billions of damage across the United States, Amnesty International never condemned the left’s political rhetoric in the Floyd case. The Soros-funded organization also never condemned the mass riots, which left stores and homes burned out across major American cities.

If anything, Amnesty International’s “political commentary” around the case only served to inflame tensions and put vulnerable communities under further threat.

This double standard has not been lost on English protesters, who gathered in the streets and chanted “I can’t breathe,” at police officers in Southhampton yesterday, before unrest broke out. Notably, no shops were burned and no businesses harmed during the small-scale unrest — a far cry from the mass riots following Floyd’s death.

JUST IN: 🇬🇧

Thousands of English protesters chant, "i can't breathe," in front of the Southampton police station.

They are protesting the treatment of Henry Nowak by British police, who handcuffed the youth as he lay dying from multiple stab wounds.pic.twitter.com/kXg35Rnw1R

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) June 2, 2026

The murder of Nowak had sparked anger across Britain, but parties on the right, in particular, have been the most critical. Amnesty International appears unhappy that political commentators are pointing out the racial double-standard at work, including the police immediately taking the side of the murderer because he cried, “racist.”

Meanwhile, the leader of Restore Britain, Rupert Lowe, is making headlines for his call to return the death penalty for killers like Digwa.

A Restore Britain Government would give the British people a referendum on removing men like Digwa from society for good.

The ultimate deterrent.

The death penalty. pic.twitter.com/yaXWeOnKXa

— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) June 2, 2026

His proposal has now received backing from Elon Musk.

It is this or death https://t.co/zCDJXO9gW1

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 2, 2026

All of this explains Amnesty’s position and why that organization will never try to hold the police accountable for their actions in the Nowak murder case.

Read more here...

Tyler Durden Thu, 06/04/2026 - 03:30

EU Could Lose 1.3 Million Jobs Due To Energy Price Surge From Iran War

Up to 1.3 million jobs across the EU are at risk because of the ongoing war in the Middle East, European Commissioner for jobs Roxana Mînzatu said on Wednesday.

"Due to the war in the Middle East, up to 1.3 million jobs are at risk, particularly in energy-intensive industries," Mînzatu said at a press conference.

"Let me also underline that increased energy costs will have a particular negative impact on lower-income households in Europe, which is why we recommend that all member states take targeted measures so that they can support vulnerable groups," the Commissioner added.

According to the report, the EU automotive sector could face ​the biggest layoffs of up to 600,000. Construction, metals, chemicals, transport could lose 56,000 jobs. Some 85,000 jobs in battery projects could be at risk ​and 58,852 ​jobs ⁠in solar manufacturing. Another 4,500 jobs could go in the ​steel sector because of low-carbon ​measures.

In a stagflationary double whammy, Low-income ⁠households could spend an additional 1.4% of income on transport fuel.

As Euronews reports, the warning came during the presentation of the 2026 Spring Semester Package, a bi-annual publication by the EU executive that provides guidance to the 27 member states on the bloc's economic priorities.

The conflict has already had tangible effects on the European economy, with energy prices surging as a result. According to the latest European economic forecasts published in May, the war has slowed European growth while pushing inflation higher. Yesterday we learned that Euro Area inflation topped 3% for the first time since 2023, cementing an ECB rate hike next week.

Economic data on growth and inflation vary sharply across the EU, a disparity the Commission considers a threat to competitiveness.
Key priorities

The package dedicates significant space to employment, focusing on the promotion of quality jobs and how EU countries can tackle persistent shortages of skilled workers in strategically important sectors.

"Improving educational outcomes and better aligning people's skills with labor market needs remain key priorities, also to address labour and skills shortages which are particularly acute in strategic sectors such as cybersecurity, quantum, artificial intelligence and semiconductors," the Semester Package states.

At the press conference, Mînzatu said that 77% of European companies report that skill shortages remain a significant barrier to investment. She identified poor working conditions as the main driver of those shortages.

"We cannot attract talent, we cannot reduce shortages, we cannot improve people's earnings without making sure we have good working conditions," the Commissioner said.

Since the beginning of this mandate, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made competitiveness one of the Commission's highest priorities as geopolitical uncertainties mount.

The latest Semester Package reflects this, focusing on how Europe can strengthen its position on the global stage.

In particular, the bloc wants to reduce economic barriers in the single market, create a more business-friendly environment for companies and capital, and minimise strategic dependencies – especially on China and the US.

To that end, the Commission is pushing member states towards a more robust industrial policy, greater investment in capital markets, and a simplification agenda that would, among other things, reduce administrative burdens both in the private and public sector.

In parallel, the Commission is working to accelerate economic reforms at the EU level, though progress relies heavily on the willingness of member states to act – a longstanding coordination challenge.

Tyler Durden Thu, 06/04/2026 - 02:45

Iran To Deepen Ties With 'Principal Strategic Partner' China: Ghalibaf

Via The Cradle

Iranian Parliament Speaker and special representative for China affairs, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, held the first joint meeting with key economic officials on Wednesday to align Tehran's economic strategy toward Beijing.

The session in Tehran included the ministers of economy, oil, and industry, alongside the central bank governor and the head of the Plan and Budget Organization.

The assembly focused on establishing a unified government approach to elevate bilateral relations and coordinate the administration's economic priorities. During the proceedings, officials evaluated China’s economic conduct amid the US-Israeli war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to the US and Israel.

Participants agreed to submit formal proposals to Ghalibaf to resolve outstanding challenges and deepen cooperation. 

This coordination effort supports a developing strategy to position China as Iran’s “principal strategic partner” while expanding collaboration on regional and international issues.

Roughly 30 China-linked vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz in a single day in mid-May under the supervision of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. 

These transits follow a “management protocol” established after Iran restricted the waterway to US and Israeli-linked vessels in February. 

While the strait remains largely closed, passage is permitted for commercial ships that comply with Iranian naval procedures and utilize designated corridors 

In parallel, since the 'illegal' US blockade on Iranian ports was implemented in April, Iran has tripled its rail exports of oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to China in an effort to bypass the economic stranglehold. 

Iran's special representative for China affairs @mb_ghalibaf held a joint meeting with the ministers of economy and oil, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), the head of the Plan and Budget Organization, and the Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade. pic.twitter.com/0qHZlb2zIm

— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 3, 2026

Freight trains on the 10,400-kilometer corridor now depart every three to four days, a significant increase from the previous weekly schedule, and halve traditional sea transit times to roughly 15 days.

Despite this, rail capacity remains a modest alternative to maritime shipping; one train carries 60,000 to 70,000 barrels of oil, while large tankers can transport upwards of 2 million barrels.

Tyler Durden Thu, 06/04/2026 - 02:00

US Formally Rejects Somaliland Sovereignty In Blow To Israel

Via Middle East Eye

The US has reaffirmed “the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Somalia, in a move seen as a blow to Somaliland, the breakaway region recently recognized by Israel and close to the United Arab Emirates. In a report to Congress on “Potential Areas for Improved United States Engagement with Somaliland”, the US State Department stated that Somaliland was included in the Federal Republic of Somalia.

“Within that framework, the United States maintains a positive, constructive relationship with Somaliland and continues to explore additional opportunities for engagement with Somaliland authorities,” the report says. Israel became the first country in the world to formally recognize Somaliland on December 26 last year.

Reuters/MEE: Somaliland military armed vehicles take part in a parade during the self-declared Independence Day, with celebrations commemorating their 1991 breakaway from Somalia, on 18 May 2026

The month before, Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdullahi Mohamed secretly visited Israel, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other “top officials”, according to multiple sources in Somalia and Somaliland. 

Those other officials included Mossad chief David Barnea and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who visited Somaliland immediately after Israel formally recognised the former British colony’s sovereignty. 

'Recognition is bigger than anything else. Do you have an alternative for us?'

- Rooble Mohamed, Somaliland government adviser

Somaliland has since recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, establishing an embassy there as meetings between Somaliland and Israeli ministers have continued and pro-Israel figures in the media have taken up the cause of independence for the breakaway Somali region. 

Jake Wallis Simons, former editor of the Jewish Chronicle, and Andrew Fox, an associate fellow at the right-wing Henry Jackson Society, were flown out to Somaliland for the May 18th self-declared independence day celebrations in Hargeisa, the region’s capital. Both men are ardent supporters of Israel. The UK’s former defence minister, Conservative MP Gavin Williamson, another keen supporter of Somaliland, was also part of the trip. 

Somaliland is hoping that Israel’s recognition will be followed by the UAE, with Ethiopia, India, Cyprus and Georgia also in its sights. 

Trump not expected to recognize Somaliland

A congressional source told Middle East Eye they did not expect US President Donald Trump’s administration to recognise Somaliland. Though lobbyists, including former Trump officials Tibor Nagy and Peter Pham, had raised the hopes of Somalilanders over US recognition, “there was never a sign that the president would go through with it,” the source said.

Trump has persistently singled out Somalia and Somali Americans for abuse during his second term in office. He has referred to Somalis as “low IQ people” and said that all Somalis are “crooked as hell”. He has said that Somali American congresswoman Ilhan Omar “is garbage”, and that “her friends are garbage”. 

A Somali analyst and policy adviser, who could not be named as he works with officials in both Somalia and Somaliland, told MEE he thought the report to Congress was “a consequential announcement that may effectively close the door on any lingering hopes of US recognition for Somaliland”.

The #UnitedStates affirms its recognition of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of #Somalia, which encompasses the region of Somaliland.

Furthermore, this report emphasizes the challenges associated with investing in #Somaliland due to its… pic.twitter.com/j7uPDiN0up

— SMS Somali TV (@SMSSomaliTV1) June 1, 2026

“From a strategic perspective, why settle for part of the cake when the whole cake remains within reach,” he said, referring to US ambitions across the whole of Somalia.

Asked if he agreed with this analysis, Rooble Mohamed, who is a consultant for the Somaliland communications ministry, told MEE: “The United States does not currently recognize Somaliland, so unless there is a formal recognition, such a statement is the reality for now. “The US does not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state but has its own arrangements with it as a separate entity from China. This proposal seems to be the same.”

Somaliland's strategic importance for Israel, UAE and US

Somaliland and its location on the Red Sea have become more strategically important to the US, Israel and its allies with the rise of the Houthis in Yemen, the war on Iran and threats to shipping in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes. After it entered the war in Yemen, the UAE began building a ring of bases to control the Gulf of Aden. 

This was done with the help of Israeli military and intelligence officers, even before relations between the two countries were normalised as part of the Abraham Accords in 2020. Berbera, Somaliland’s main port, was part of this circle of bases, which is no longer fully intact following the rift between the UAE and its coalition partner in Yemen, Saudi Arabia.

The State Department’s report to Congress is clear on this matter. “Somaliland’s strategic location near Yemen and the Bab al-Mandab Strait positions it as a potential partner on shared security interests, including freedom of commercial and military navigation from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean,” it says.

via BBC

Israeli and Somaliland officials are in talks about the establishment of an Israeli base at Berbera. The UAE’s DP World also runs its own port there, which is co-owned by the British government through its foreign investment arm. 

“Somaliland authorities have encouraged US investment in minerals and outlined priorities in infrastructure, trade, and economic growth,” the report to Congress says. Somaliland officials have said their soil is rich in lithium, coltan and other sought-after resources, and they have suggested that US access to these riches could come alongside recognition. 

The State Department report also mentions the “ongoing development” of Berbera’s airport and seaports “into a trade and transportation hub for Somaliland and landlocked Ethiopia”, saying this could “create increased opportunities” for the US. However, the report concludes, “regional security concerns and the dispute over Somaliland’s status, including its refusal to cooperate with national authorities, present challenges for investment, banking, and trade.” 

Asked if he thought Israel’s recognition was doing Somaliland more harm than good, given the genocide in Gaza and Israel’s plummeting popularity worldwide and particularly in the Muslim world, Rooble Mohamed said the government in Hargeisa had “no alternatives”.

“Recognition is bigger than anything else. Do you have an alternative for us? We are one of the Muslim countries of the world, I don’t think we are different. I think it’s normal to have a relationship with Israel,” Mohamed said. “It does not mean the Palestinians are our enemies.”

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 23:25

'Putin's Davos' Forum Opens Under Heavy Ukrainian Drone Attack, With Candace Owens & Trump Official In Attendance

Ukraine's President Zelensky has freshly stated that he's ready for direct talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in order to end the war, but he also warned that the alternative is for Ukraine to increase its retaliatory strikes on Russia, 

The head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, stated this week: "Zelensky has instructed officials to try to end this war as quickly as possible, preferably before winter." But the ground war reality as well the escalating tit-for-tat air campaigns, tell a different story of a brutal and largely stalemated conflict which is likely to just grind on for the foreseeable future.

via Ukrinform

The last 24 hour period has seen a significant drone wave rain down on Russia's second largest city of St. Petersburg.

The attack seemed to be met with little in the way of anti-air defenses, with circulating local footage showing security forces trying to shoot down inbound drones only with small arms. Local authorities later said there were several injuries across the region, but no one was killed.

The new attack seemed intentionally timed for the city's major economic forum designed to attract foreign investment into the country. Putin is scheduled to oversee the three-day St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and will give a keynote address.

Amused residents film Russian servicemembers trying and failing to shoot down Ukrainian one-way drones with automatic rifles during this morning’s large-scale attack against the Northwestern Russian city of St. Petersburg. pic.twitter.com/ecHcM54jfK

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 3, 2026

The forum has been dubbed as 'Putin's Davos' - and according to CNN:

Ukrainian drones rained down on St. Petersburg late Tuesday, striking infrastructure and wounding several people, just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signature economic forum opened in the city.

Hundreds of drones hit several other Russian cities overnight, with Kyiv claiming to have struck a naval warship and other key assets in a major attack reaching as far as Moscow.

Three districts of St. Petersburg were targeted in the overnight Ukrainian drone assault, according to its governor Aleksandr Beglov. The city is this week hosting the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, often dubbed Putin’s version of Davos.

In the below, the WSJ's foreign chief correspondent has moved from journalist to advocate:

Ukrainian aircraft arrive to deliver a keynote address at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that opens this morning. Special entertainment for Candace Owens, Andrew Tate and all the other distinguished guests. pic.twitter.com/S8GFB9cTAs

— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) June 3, 2026

Broke black plumes of smoke rose over St. Petersburg just as thousands of guests from 130 countries were due to attend. Importantly, this has included 'low level' Trump administration delegation.

BBC writes, "Mobile internet was disrupted and St Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport was temporarily closed, while some regions of nearby Latvia and Estonia also issued air raid alerts." Dozens of regional flights were also delayed.

President Zelensky boastfully owned up to it, after Kiev has already come under heavy Russian bombardment this week. Zelensky commented Wednesday: "Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer."

He tweeted footage of the aftermath of Ukrainian drones hitting the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal. Nearby Kronstadt, home to the headquarters base of the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet, also reportedly suffered attack.

Ukrainian attack drones opened this year's Russian Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, successfully striking the city's fuel and oil maritime terminal this morning. pic.twitter.com/LHSZkCG7qe

— распад и неуважение (@VictorKvert2008) June 3, 2026

Among the dignitaries attending this year's SPEIF conference is Rodney Mims Cook Jr., who is overseeing President Trump’s controversial planned White House ballroom.

"The attendance of Cook, the chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, has been portrayed by Russian officials as representing the first official U.S. delegation to SPIEF after years of boycotts," The Washington Post writes. "Cook has said his participation was approved by the State Department; however, he did not appear to be part of an official delegation appointed by President Donald Trump."

Also interesting is that Candace Owns is in attendance, and expected to speak at a session on "balancing parenthood in a large family with a successful career."

The Christian expression and heritage here is unmatched.
Unsurprisingly, they are lying to us about Russia. ✝️ pic.twitter.com/pNbwPmiq3m

— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) June 1, 2026

One aspect to the forum is Russia asserting itself as a more traditionalist, family-oriented society, compared to the progressiveness and 'wokeness' of the West.

Online 'influencer' brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have also filmed themselves arriving in Russia, though did not initially confirm whether they planned to attend the forum in St. Petersburg.

Andrew Tate has arrived in Russia

The controversial influencer was welcomed with honors at the airport.

Tate is known for his outspoken views on women and his massive online following.

He and his brother Tristan remain under investigation in Romania and the United Kingdom.… pic.twitter.com/WvmrlpIGK3

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 2, 2026

Some of the attacks landed in the daylight hours, startling onlookers among St. Petersburg streets...

The Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum of 2026 (SPIEF 2026) in Russia has started with a very fiery keynote speech by the Ukrainian surprise guests. pic.twitter.com/VVIuGcQCO7

— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) June 3, 2026

From the forum venue itself: large black plumes can be seen enveloping the skyline...

A burning oil terminal in Saint Petersburg, in the background of the SPIEF, while Russia tries to sell its economic resilience.

President Putin and top military brass had last month said strikes would be initiated against "decision-making centers" in response to the dorm attack in the Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic on May 22, which killed 21 people - mostly teenage girls - and injured 70 others.

🇺🇦🇷🇺🛢️ Un terminal pétrolier en feu à Saint-Pétersbourg, en arrière-plan du SPIEF, pendant que la Russie tente de vendre sa “résilience économique”.

Franchement, difficile de faire plus symbolique. pic.twitter.com/l4X81RoNGK

— Alex 🇫🇷 (@Alexandree1507) June 3, 2026

Kremlin officials now say that Russian forces have "a right to dismantle any infrastructure that supports terrorism." This new bus attack strongly suggests there's no off-ramp or de-escalation on the horizon, but that tit-for-tat strikes will only grow and become more violent. And the fresh attack on St. Petersburg is certainly not going to help matters.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 23:00

Iran Issues 4-Stage Proposal For Deal With US, After Most Intense Overnight Clashes Since April Summary

• State media issues four-stage proposal for deal with US, says indirect talks are 'ongoing'.
• GCC blasts 'cowardly attacks' after Kuwait International Airport rocked by Iranian missiles: one dead, 63 injured.
• Overnight saw US-Iran exchange fire in Strait of Hormuz - as US attacked Qeshm Island - and Iran unleashed more projectiles on Gulf states. Most intense fighting since April.
• IRGC via state media: Tehran has frozen all back-channel communication with Washington over Israeli operations in Lebanon, calls Trump narrative a fantasy.
• Trump says Iran has agreed not to pursue a nuclear weapon, while saying talks are still ongoing. Tells NYP he believes the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz will "resolve itself fairly quickly."

//--> //--> //--> US x Iran permanent peace deal by June 30, 2026?
Yes 24% · No 77%
View full market & trade on Polymarket

*  *  *

Trump Claims Iran 'Close' To Signing Paper 'In Theory'

The two sides don't actually appear to be any closer to a deal or so much as a MOU to get back to the table, but President Trump is still signaling optimism:

Trump on Iran:

In theory, they are pretty close to signing the paper.

On what you saw for the last few nights: it takes two to tango. pic.twitter.com/j6z0PjP8ve

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 3, 2026 Fars: Outline of Iran's 4-Stage Proposal For Deal With US

Fars Politics on Telegram has issued the following outline on Wednesday (machine translated). Also, somewhat contradicting reports from other state media outlets, Fars has stated that indirect talks with Washington are still ongoing, but that no final decision on a MOU has yet been made.

Phase 1: Ending war and halting military actions.

Phase 2: Tangible measures, including: The issue of the strait and the mechanisms related to it,
Lifting the blockade, Removing restrictions and oil sanctions, Releasing part of Iran's frozen assets and blocked financial resources.

Phase 3: Dedicated to discussions on sanctions and the nuclear file.

Phase 4: Involves establishing a supervisory committee to oversee implementation of the understanding and monitor the commitments of all parties.

Saeed Ajorlou, a member of the media team of the negotiating delegation provided the following commentary via Fars:

Phase One is ending the war and achieving a complete halt to military actions. This must encompass all parties and all fronts—whether Iran and the United States or the so-called Resistance Axis.

After Phase One is stabilized, the focus shifts to practical and tangible measures. In this phase, four key issues must be addressed:

• The issue of the strait and the mechanisms related to it
• Lifting the blockade,
• Removing restrictions and oil sanctions,
• Releasing part of Iran's frozen assets and blocked financial resources.

Phase Three is dedicated to discussions on sanctions and the nuclear file. At this stage, after concrete and verifiable measures have been implemented, negotiations will begin on broader sanctions relief as well as issues related to the nuclear program.

Phase Four involves establishing a supervisory committee to oversee implementation of the understanding and monitor the commitments of all parties. The members of this committee have not yet been finalized, but Iran is seeking to include friendly and aligned countries in the mechanism so that the implementation process has sufficient backing and support.

By the looks of the above proposal, the warring sides seem very much still at square one.

State Media Still Insists Talks Are Frozen, Amid Most Intense Fighting Since April

State media statement on Wednesday:

IRGC-linked Tasnim claims Tehran has frozen all back-channel communication with Washington over Israeli operations in Lebanon, directly contradicting Trump's assertion that messages are arriving daily from Iran. Tasnim: "Trump's claim that Iran is confirming the issue is completely different from reality."

Iran's Foreign Minister is meanwhile articulating that Iran will lay down some new red lines via military strikes, which he has dubbed 'self-defense' in nature...

Our Armed Forces are conducting self-defense strikes on sites the U.S. is permitted to use to attack civilian shipping and violate the ceasefire.

Any hostile act will be met with an immediate, decisive response. What sanctions and war failed to achieve won't be won with more war pic.twitter.com/CwjULJ6PeI

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 3, 2026

President Donald Trump is still trying to present some bright spots, telling NY Post he believes the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will "resolve itself fairly quickly" and went so far to say he expects to meet with Iran's supreme leader "at some point."

Major Attack on Kuwait International Airport: One Dead, 63 Injured

Kuwait International Airport has come under Iranian missile and drone attack on Wednesday, in a significant strike that killed one person and left 63 people injured - according to the country's health ministry, with several of the victims being seriously wounded.

A passenger terminal was directly struck, damaging facilities including diplomatic missions at the airport, Kuwaiti authorities have said. Area hospitals conducted seven major emergency surgeries following the incident, underscoring that it was a mass casualty event.

via The Telegraph

Kuwaiti defense ministry spokesperson Brig Gen Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan described the attack as "criminal Iranian aggression which resulted in significant material damage to the building and injuries." It confirmed engaging 13 missiles and 17 drones total which were fired from Iran. 

Civil aviation authorities immediately suspended traffic and transferred arriving flights to separate unaffected airports after "terminal one came under Iranian attacks causing casualties and damage." The cross-border airport attack came after violent exchanges of fire between the US and Iran, which at first looked like limited one-off incidents, but then became an extended tit-for-tat.

The Overnight Catalyst: US-Iran Exchange Fire in Hormuz

Overnight, the US military deployed a Hellfire missile to disable a tanker attempting to bypass the American blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Following the intercept, American forces engaged in a wider kinetic exchange, stating they repelled subsequent Iranian reprisal strikes across the region and launched retaliatory attacks against military sites on Iran’s Qeshm Island.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched a missile and drone barrage targeting the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain - an assertion that Central Command (CENTCOM) has explicitly denied. The IRGC had also sent several missiles on two US bases in Kuwait, which were said to have been intercepted.

Serous damage and chaos at Kuwait International Airport:

⚡️#UPDATE Iran bombs Kuwait International Airport pic.twitter.com/beTFw6Lyuv

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) June 3, 2026 GCC Blasts 'Cowardly Attacks'

The Gulf Cooperation Council has in response slammed Iran for their "ongoing aggression" against member states Bahrain and Kuwait, denouncing the "cowardly attacks on civilian objects" which mark a "dangerous and unprecedented escalation."

But Tehran is not backing down and is instead issuing further hardline warnings and threats, per Al Jazeera citing state media:

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says retaliatory strikes "should serve as a lesson" for the United States after it fired a barrage of missiles and drones at Kuwait and Bahrain.

While Iran's foreign ministry is warning that the overnight US assault on Qeshm Island continues a severe breach of the ceasefire, President Trump is saying that "conversations between us have been going on continuously" - in reference to the Iranians.

Kuwait's civil aviation authority confirmed Iranian drones and missiles hit the T1 terminal at Kuwait International Airport. Several people were injured and the building sustained severe damage. Commercial flights have been halted. https://t.co/fbFhjSofIY pic.twitter.com/zOz83Ba6cy

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 3, 2026 Overnight Headlines

More latest developments via Newsquawk...

• Explosions were heard near Qeshm Island in Iran on Wednesday morning.
• Kuwait's Army announced its air defences were intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks, while reports noted that two US bases were targeted in Kuwait, with explosions in the Ali al-Salem and Arifjan bases where US soldiers are stationed. Furthermore, air raid sirens sounded in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with explosions also reported in Saudi Arabia, while explosions were heard in Qamishli, Syria, and earlier reports noted multiple explosions in the centre of Iraqi Kurdistan with the headquarters of anti-Iranian separatist groups targeted.
• IRGC said the US attacked Qeshm Island, and in response, Iran carried out precise and intensive missile strikes on US bases in Kuwait, while it warned further US aggression will be met with a seismic, crushing and decisive response.
• IRGC said the headquarters of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain was attacked by missiles and drones from the IRGC Aerospace Force, while it targeted a US-affiliated vessel named Panaya with missiles and clarified the recent attack was in retaliation for the US targeting an IRGC communications tower in the south of Qeshm Island.
• US CENTCOM said Iran launched several ballistic missiles towards neighbours and that forces successfully defeated multiple Iranian missiles, while US forces had conducted strikes on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by Iran. CENTCOM stated that forces shot down three one-way attack drones launched by Iran toward civilian mariners that were rightfully transiting regional waters, and US forces also conducted self-defence strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island. Furthermore, it denied IRGC claims that Iran struck the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain and a US airbase in the region, and stated that all Iranian attacks on US forces failed.
• US CENTCOM says forces disabled a Botswana-flagged unladen oil tanker that was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on the Arabian Gulf on June 2nd. Says: US aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room, preventing the tanker from reaching Iran.
• US President Trump is pushing Iran to make firmer nuclear commitments and wants nuclear concessions in writing from Iran, according to ABC News.
• US Secretary of State Rubio said that Iran has mined large segments of the Hormuz Strait. Rubio stated that nuclear negotiations with Iran were highly complicated and technical, which would therefore take time, while he added that the war with Iran had made interactions with Tehran more complicated, but also commented that the "war in Iran is over".
• Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the US attacks on Iranian tanker and Qeshm island. The Foreign Ministry "notes the direct and clear responsibility of the rulers of Kuwait and Bahrain for last night’s aggressive acts."
• Hardline Iranian lawmaker called for stronger military response to US strikes, Al Jazeera reported.
• Kuwait’s General Civil Aviation Authority said an emergency plan at Kuwait International Airport was activated after Terminal 1 was targeted by Iranian drones and missiles.
• Hezbollah attacked an Israeli command post in southern Lebanon with a drone strike, which wounded eight Israeli soldiers, according to SNN.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 22:45

US Govt. Lab Launches Advanced Battery Lab To Help Power Grid

Authored by Georgina Jedikovska via Interesting Engineering,

The US has recently launched a new battery production line, which is expected to help researchers develop safer and cheaper energy storage technologies for the electric grid.

PNNL's new prismatic cell line will allow researchers and industry partners to create, test and demonstrate real-world prismatic cells at an industrially relevant scale. (Andrea Starr/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) 

The new line is housed at the Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL), a 93,000-square-foot research facility. It is run by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington State.

According to PNNL, the newly commissioned production line features a total of 16 pieces of equipment inside a 1,400-square-foot laboratory. It is reportedly the first prismatic battery cell production line at a US national laboratory.

Researchers at PNNL pointed out that it will allow them to manufacture, test, and validate advanced battery designs at an industrially relevant scale. "This helps our researchers bridge the gap between science and industry," Adam Jivelekas, GSL operations manager, said.

A New Grid Storage Hub

The line will produce prismatic battery cells. These are rectangular and larger than cylindrical cells, and shaped like a nine-volt battery (9V). As a result, they contain more energy per cell. Developed with a heavier metal casing, they are less prone to overheating, which makes them increasingly popular for storing energy on the electric grid.

Mark Weller, PhD, a PNNL materials scientist and the principal investigator of the project, explained that metal transfers heat more efficiently than most materials. This allows these batteries to cool more easily. "If you have better heat transport, if the cells are more mechanically uniform, if they're packed more efficiently, all those things can translate to not just higher safety, but lower cost," he added.

In addition, their rectangular shape means they can be stacked neatly together. This reduces wasted space compared to cylindrical alternatives. Efficient packing helps boost energy density at the pack level.

As per Jivelekas, the facility will help speed up the transition from battery research to production. "We can help external researchers or industry partners test and validate their prismatic cell designs," he pointed out.

Start Of Operations

PNNL noted that the facility is located inside a specialized dry laboratory, where humidity levels are kept lower than those found in some of the driest places on the planet. Maintaining these conditions is critical, as trace levels of moisture can degrade the sensitive battery components.

The facility wrapped up testing earlier this year. The scientists are now preparing validation projects intended to demonstrate its capabilities. Weller emphasized that the real test is proving it can be used to consistently manufacture high-quality prismatic cells.

"Making a coin cell takes a few milligrams of material; making a prismatic cell takes at least a kilogram," he elaborated in a press release. "When you scale up like that, you can't assume that a chemistry that worked well in a coin cell will work just as well in a prismatic cell."

To demonstrate the approach, the research team will produce and evaluate two promising battery chemistries to use in prismatic cells. These include sodium-ion and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP).

Following production, the researchers will submit these two prismatic cell types to a number of tests to evaluate their performance and safety. "With this capability, we can do the research and development and pilot-scale testing that is difficult for companies to justify and help facilitate a smoother handoff to get advanced battery concepts to market," Weller concluded.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 22:35

Samsung Joins Blue-State Exodus, Moves U.S. HQ From New Jersey To Texas

We're still trying to settle on a name for the new "Rust Belt" for blue states, where high taxes, de-growth climate policies, permitting paralysis, and an obsession with woke governance have sparked a historic outflow of people, businesses, and capital to red states.

The old Rust Belt was hollowed out by decades of deindustrialization. This new version in blue states is being hollowed out by self-inflicted progressive policy failures after policy failures after policy failures.

The latest, and one of the most abrupt examples, is South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics shifting its U.S. headquarters from lefty-controlled New Jersey to red-state Texas, which is governed by common sense.

Samsung is moving its U.S. headquarters to its existing campus in Plano, Texas.

Samsung Electronics America is abandoning its brand-new, 270,000 SF North Jersey headquarters after just eight months to consolidate operations in Plano, Texas.

The abrupt exit of 1,000 corporate… pic.twitter.com/uz9joDU3Dh

— The Tenant Advisor (@CoyDavidsonCRE) June 2, 2026

"Samsung Electronics America Inc. is undergoing a business transformation designed to better position our organization for long-term growth and future success. As part of this effort, we are relocating our U.S. headquarters from New Jersey to our existing campus in Plano, Texas, building on our 30-year presence in the state," the company said in a statement. "The transition, which will be completed by the end of the year, is intended to strengthen alignment across teams and offices, and sharpen our focus on the areas that will drive the greatest impact for our customers, partners, and business."

The statement by the memory chip giant did not explain why they're relocating their US headquarters. But we can only guess what it came down to: an unfavorable business environment.

New Jersey has one of the highest corporate tax burdens in the US, coming in at 9% for companies with more than $100,000 in total net income. Smaller companies pay lower rates of 7.5% or 6.5%, depending on income.

For mega corporations, the rate can be even higher. New Jersey added a 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee on businesses with more than $10 million in taxable net income allocated to the state, bringing the effective top rate to 11.5% for those companies.

Samsung's decision was most likely rooted in Texas' long-standing policy of no corporate income tax.

"Imagine turning on the morning news in Texas and watching them celebrate jobs leaving New Jersey," NJ Assembly GOP wrote on X earlier today, adding, "The numbers are damning: New Jersey has the highest corporate tax rate in the nation. Texas has no corporate income tax. We've introduced the fixes. Democrats blocked everyone. Texas gets the jobs. New Jersey gets to keep old ribbon-cutting photos."

Imagine turning on the morning news in Texas and watching them celebrate jobs leaving New Jersey.

That's exactly what @GoodDayFox4 and @FOX4 are doing after Samsung announced it's moving its U.S. headquarters from New Jersey to Texas.

The numbers are damning: New Jersey has the… pic.twitter.com/nY9F33fZpZ

— NJ Assembly GOP (@NJAssemblyGOP) June 3, 2026

Another X user noted, "Whether it's Samsung, Mercedes-Benz, Hertz, ExxonMobil, or other major employers, the message is becoming impossible to ignore: businesses are voting with their feet. And, the Democrats in the State House are not making it any easier for businesses - the legislation or administrative rules as of late has been so anti-business."

Woah! I guess the Samsung folks ran into the executives from Mercedes-Benz, Hertz, ExxonMobil, and Budweiser while they were finding the exit door from New Jersey.

Whether it’s Samsung, Mercedes-Benz, Hertz, ExxonMobil, or other major employers, the message is becoming… https://t.co/LBq3yJvLhN

— Victoria Flynn (@AswVickyFlynn) June 1, 2026

What is significant here is that Samsung opened its headquarters in New Jersey only eight months ago, suggesting that the state's political and economic environment has deteriorated since.

Samsung didn't want to say if New Jersey's economics caused them to move to Texas

WE ALL KNOW IT WAS, Texas has 0% Corporate Tax vs Jersey's worst in the nation 11.5% https://t.co/TChqAk4p62 pic.twitter.com/4GUKLOcnQX

— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) June 3, 2026

Last month, The Economist published an article titled "Texas Is Becoming America Inc.'s Center of Gravity," pointing out that corporations are voting with their feet and fleeing blue states.

Related:

• Johns Hopkins Finds Blue State Exodus To Persist For Years
• Blue States Are Still Facing A Mass Taxpayer Exodus Long After COVID

Democrats have zero self-awareness that their state-killing policies are only pushing people, companies, and money to red states.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 22:10

US Special Ops Fields Caliber-Swapping MK24 Rifle For 7.62 Combat And 6.5 Range

Authored by Aamir Khollam via Interesting Engineering,

A new rifle heading to U.S. special operations forces can switch between 7.62mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor ammunition in roughly a minute, giving operators a way to adapt to changing mission requirements without carrying separate weapon systems.

MK24 modular rifle (LMT Defense on Facebook)

The weapon, known as the MK24 Medium Range Gas Gun Assault (MRGG-A), will begin reaching units before the end of the fiscal year. U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) selected the platform to replace the MK17 SCAR and awarded manufacturer LMT Defense a 10-year, $92 million contract last year. The rifle also supports SOCOM's broader effort to improve performance at longer ranges while maintaining flexibility in the field.

Built For Flexibility

The MK24's defining feature is its quick-change barrel system. Operators can swap between 7.62mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor configurations in about a minute, allowing the weapon to adapt to different operational needs.

The requirement emerged from real-world deployment challenges. U.S. forces frequently operate alongside partner militaries that rely on different ammunition stocks. By allowing rapid caliber changes, the MK24 can continue using widely available 7.62mm rounds while giving operators access to 6.5mm Creedmoor when missions demand greater accuracy at distance.

LMT Defense designed the rifle around a 14.5-inch barrel, creating a package closer in size to an M4 carbine. Despite its compact footprint, the weapon aims to deliver the performance expected from larger precision-focused systems.

Why 6.5 Creedmoor

The adoption of 6.5mm Creedmoor reflects years of testing by SOCOM as it evaluated alternatives to legacy military cartridges. The command examined nearly two dozen ammunition types and reportedly found that 6.5mm Creedmoor delivered some of the strongest overall performance at ranges approaching 1,000 meters.

That advantage has attracted growing interest across the military. While 7.62mm NATO remains a mainstay of U.S. forces, newer cartridges have demonstrated improved long-range accuracy and energy retention. The Army has already started introducing its Next Generation Squad Weapons chambered in 6.8x51mm as part of a similar modernization effort.

For SOCOM, the shift is not simply about replacing ammunition. The command has spent several years searching for weapon systems that can engage targets farther away while reducing logistical burdens on deployed units.

Expanding Long-Range Capabilities

The MK24 is one piece of a wider small-arms modernization program. In recent years, SOCOM has explored new rifles and machine guns capable of extending engagement distances beyond those of existing platforms.

Those efforts resulted in contracts for a new 6.5mm sniper rifle from Geissele Automatics and a lightweight machine gun chambered in .338 Norma Magnum from Sig Sauer. Although fielding of the machine gun has been paused, the programs reflect SOCOM's interest in cartridges that offer greater effectiveness at extended ranges while reducing system weight.

Officials involved with the program have highlighted the MK24's accuracy and adaptability as major advantages. Beyond replacing the MK17 SCAR, the rifle introduces a modular approach that allows a single platform to fill multiple roles. As fielding begins, the weapon will give special operations units the ability to move between 7.62mm combat loads and 6.5mm long-range configurations with minimal disruption in the field.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 21:45

Lefty Tech Rag Panics As Manhattan Institute Pivots From Killing DEI To Crushing NGO-Funded Riots

Left-leaning Condé Nast, through Wired, appears to be running narrative cover for the protest-industrial complex, gaslighting readers over efforts to impose real penalties on chaos and disorder stemming from protests and riots.

Wired reporter Ali Winston's target is the Manhattan Institute. She appears to be upset that the Manhattan Institute is pushing for new state laws that make vandalism, blocking roadways, and trespassing during riots and protests felony offenses.

❗️ TOTAL anarchy in Los Angeles

Rioters are smashing windows, setting cars on FIRE https://t.co/ie6krxi0wk pic.twitter.com/a55XgmAwIm

— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) June 9, 2025

"The Manhattan Institute, cofounded in 1978 by former Central Intelligence Agency director William Casey, is in the midst of a yearlong campaign to pass state-level legislation reclassifying minor crimes like vandalism, blocking a roadway, or trespassing during a protest as felonies that would carry 18-month prison sentences as punishment," Winston wrote in the article.

Denver, Colo. (March 28) — Far-left extremists riot at the “No Kings” anti-Trump rally. pic.twitter.com/ny1EESzIq2

— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) March 28, 2026

That proposal comes as highly organized protest networks have repeatedly used street blockades, property destruction, vehicle burnings, and storefront attacks as pressure tactics, often under the banner of revolutionary Marxist activism and with funding channels routed through opaque NGO networks.

It boggles my mind how at ANY single moment, for ANY reason, HUNDREDS of Leftists can show up instantly with supplies and riot for WEEKS.

Normal people have to rearrange their entire day to show up anywhere…

Are these people just always on call?!!!!pic.twitter.com/OrRDGHojQ7

— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) May 31, 2026

Can someone please explain to me HOW ON EARTH it's possible for someone in Newark NJ to riot, scream, and protest for 5 STRAIGHT DAYS????

How does one ENDLESSLY RIOT...

...and still hold down a job to feed their family?!!!!!pic.twitter.com/3Z0pgiFZLA

— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) May 28, 2026

Jesse Arm, vice president of external affairs at the Manhattan Institute, responded to Wired's X post promoting Winston's hit piece on the institution, writing:

In America, free speech rights do not entitle you to block roads, destroy property, illegally trespass, or harass the public—all while hiding behind a mask and using resources from anti-Western funders to wage a campaign of crime designed to coerce the majority into following the whims of a radical minority.

You should be punished for such conduct. And we'll continue making that case.

If you enjoyed watching the @ManhattanInst take an absolute sledgehammer to DEI, you're going to love seeing us eviscerate civil terrorism.

In America, free speech rights do not entitle you to block roads, destroy property, illegally trespass, or harass the public—all while… https://t.co/kOFKO7I0CY pic.twitter.com/5ndQjwx6Op

— Jesse Arm (@Jesse_Leg) June 2, 2026

Someone has to remind the Democratic Party and their NGO and activist network that the First Amendment protects peaceful speech, assembly, protest, signs, chants, marches, and petitioning the government. It does not give someone a free pass to commit ordinary crimes, which has been an ongoing issue for years with the creep of revolutionary Marxism across the nonprofit world...

Did any BLM protesters get 22 years in prison for burning down our country for months on end or is that only for Trump supporters? pic.twitter.com/wsWkn25ONJ

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 6, 2023

Wired's X post was ratio'd, with commentators saying....

"...minor crimes like vandalism, blocking a roadway, or trespassing during a protest as felonies that would carry 18-month prison sentences as punishment."

So, actual crimes that have nothing to do with free speech, got it. Good for them.

— DaveCoffee ☕ (@DaveCothran) June 2, 2026

Somehow engaging in protected speech becomes a protection from being arrested for committing crimes?

That sounds like leftist nonsense.

— Angus (@dd_Angus) June 2, 2026

you’re basically writing @ManhattanInst’s donor impact report for them

— Neeraja Deshpande (@neerajadeshp) June 2, 2026

Rioting, violent assault, and vandalism are not “protected speech”.

— Anton Marcel (@Anton__Marcel) June 2, 2026

Winston noted that the Manhattan Institute's push to criminalize forms of nonviolent disobedience as "civil terrorism" comes amid a broader Trump administration effort to crack down on far-left NGOs, as well as foreign influence operations operating through the nonprofit world to sow chaos deep within the nation.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled last week that the crackdown on revolutionary NGOs is ongoing. We made substantial progress, and I think in the weeks and months ahead, we are going to have a lot to report."

🚨 WOW! Scott Bessent just revealed the IRS has moved to make NGOs LIABLE for violent activity committed by their grant recipients like Antifa

George Soros has been put on NOTICE.

"The IRS is now giving guidance on the Form 990, which nonprofits they have to file. We are going… pic.twitter.com/15ToheHbwa

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 28, 2026

Democrats might need to reread the First Amendment. It protects only peaceful assembly, as the Supreme Court has ruled. Blocking critical infrastructure, attacking police officers, burning cars and buildings, and using violence of any kind is not protected "speech" in the US.

Even the globalists at The Atlantic have had to admit the uncomfortable truth for Democrats...

Punish crime. End of story.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 21:20

Colonoscopy: The Most Used Screening Test For Colon Cancer, Here Are The Benefits And Risks

Authored by Mercura Wang via The Epoch Times,

Medically reviewed by Jimmy Almond, M.D.

Colonoscopy is the most widely used screening test for colon cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.

It is considered the gold standard and is more accurate than two other common screening methods - stool tests and sigmoidoscopy - because it allows doctors to see the entire colon and remove any potentially problematic polyps during the same procedure.

However, there is ongoing debate about who should undergo a colonoscopy and when. Not everyone will get colon cancer, and the procedure could lead to overdiagnosis as well as rare but serious side effects.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock What Does A Colonoscopy Do?

The colon is the main part of the large intestine and is about 5 feet long in adults. The rectum stores stool until it passes through the anus. Together, they make up most of the large intestine, absorbing nutrients and converting liquid waste into solid stool.

During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist inserts a thin, flexible tube with a lighted camera (colonoscope) through the anus to examine the lining of the rectum and colon. The tube introduces air to gently inflate the colon so the doctor can see more clearly. If polyps or other abnormalities are found, they can often be removed immediately using tools such as forceps, snares, or electrocautery devices passed through the scope.

The procedure takes about 20 to 45 minutes.

Most colonoscopies in the United States are performed under sedation or anesthesia, so patients may sleep through the entire procedure. Those who choose lighter sedation - or none at all - may feel some discomfort.

The primary purpose of colonoscopy is to prevent or detect colon cancer.

Beyond cancer screening, colonoscopy can be used to both detect and treat a range of problems in the colon and rectum, including polyps, ulcerations, and diverticula (small pouches that can form in the colon wall).

It can also help determine the underlying causes of symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and changes in bowel habits. During the procedure, doctors can identify inflamed tissue, sources of bleeding, and other abnormalities in the colon.

Who Should Have A Colonoscopy, And When?

According to the current guidelines, colonoscopy is recommended for most adults starting at age 45, and repeated every 10 years if results are normal. More frequent screenings may be recommended depending on any abnormal findings.

People at higher risk are suggested to begin screening earlier - at age 40 or 10 years younger than the age at which a first-degree relative was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, whichever comes first.

In older adults, colonoscopy carries a greater risk of complications. After age 75, the decision to continue screening should be made in consultation with a doctor based on potential benefits, risks, and patient preferences.

Beyond the main guidelines, screening recommendations continue to evolve. For instance, some guidelines recommend initiating screening at age 50. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that follow-up intervals after a normal colonoscopy may be safely extended in some people. A 2024 study found that people without a family history of colorectal cancer and with an initial normal colonoscopy may be able to wait up to 15 years before repeat screening.

Some experts suggest weighing the benefits and risks. For a person with a family history of colon cancer, it may be beneficial to keep a close watch, while for someone at low risk, it may be a different story.

These differences highlight continuing uncertainty and the need for individualized clinical judgment as evidence continues to evolve.

In addition, colonoscopy may be avoided or require careful consideration in people who:

• Have inadequate bowel preparation
• Have a bowel perforation, severe inflammation, or infection
• Have unstable health or significant medical conditions (advanced heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease)
• Have a life expectancy of less than 10 years, or risks that outweigh the potential benefits
• Have blood-clotting disorders

How Effective Is Colonoscopy?

"Colonoscopy has a sensitivity of 88 percent to 98 percent for identifying advanced, precancerous polyps," Dr. Steven Lee-Kong, chief of colorectal surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center, told The Epoch Times.

The miss rate may be influenced by factors such as inadequate bowel preparation, the type of polyps being examined, and the skill of the endoscopist, noted Dr. Rucha Shah, a gastroenterologist. Small or flat polyps are harder to detect, and in some cases, the entire colon may not be fully visualized.

Colonoscopy allows doctors to remove precancerous polyps during the same procedure - something other screening tests cannot do. Removing these polyps has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of death from colorectal cancer, with one study reporting a 53 percent reduction in mortality associated with polyp removal.

However, recent studies have offered additional perspectives.

For example, colonoscopy is used much more frequently for screening in the United States than in Canada, where only about 15 percent of procedures are performed for screening, and most are diagnostic, yet colorectal cancer survival rates remain similar in both countries.

A major 2022 Nordic-European Initiative on Colorectal Cancer study found a modest reduction in colorectal cancer mortality with colonoscopy screening, no significant difference in overall death rates, and a low rate of serious complications.

What Are The Risks And Complications Of Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is generally safe, but like all medical procedures, it carries some potential risks and complications. Most are minor and resolve quickly.

• Gas, Bloating, Cramping, or Stomach Discomfort: These symptoms are mainly caused by air introduced during the exam and temporary changes in gut bacteria from the bowel preparation. These typically resolve within a day or two, although some people may notice symptoms lasting a few weeks.
• Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, or Dehydration: These symptoms may occur as a result of the osmotic laxative used for bowel preparation.
• Mild Redness or Tenderness at the IV Insertion Site: This may occur in the arm where the intravenous line was placed.
• Medication Side Effects: Sedation or anesthesia may cause temporary changes in blood pressure, rash, or breathing difficulties.
• Electrolyte Imbalances or Kidney Problems: In some cases, the bowel preparation may lead to low levels of potassium, sodium, or magnesium, or affect kidney function.

Less Common And More Serious Side Effects

Certain complications are directly related to the colonoscopy procedure itself.

• Bleeding: Bleeding may occur after a biopsy or polyp removal, usually during or shortly after the procedure, although it can occasionally be delayed for up to one week. It is typically minor, with significant bleeding being rare and occurring in less than 1 percent of cases. The risk increases based on the size of the removed polyp.
• Perforation: Perforation during colonoscopy is very rare (less than one in 1,000 procedures) and involves a tear in the intestinal wall that can allow bowel contents to leak into the abdomen, potentially causing infection. It may occur due to mechanical injury from the scope or instruments, overinflation of the bowel, or thermal damage during polyp removal. Symptoms typically include pain during or shortly after the procedure, although small perforations may appear later. Untreated cases can lead to fever and abdominal infection.
• Postpolypectomy Syndrome: This occurs when heat from electrocoagulation (the removal of tissue with an electrical current) injures the colon wall during polyp removal. It is rare, occurring in about three to four per 10,000 colonoscopies. Symptoms may include fever, localized abdominal pain, and an increased white blood cell count.
• Splenic Injury: This rare but potentially life-threatening complication can occur when the spleen is directly injured or torn by traction during the procedure. It typically causes pain in the upper left abdomen that may radiate to the left shoulder and can progress to low blood pressure and shock.
• Infections: In rare cases, an infection may develop after a colonoscopy and require antibiotic treatment.

Cardiopulmonary events are related to the anesthesia or sedation used during colonoscopy. They can range from temporary issues such as low blood pressure, low oxygen levels, and fainting to more serious complications, including respiratory distress, irregular heartbeat, and acute coronary events.

Contact your doctor if you:

• Have abdominal pain that does not improve after passing gas
• Develop new or worsening abdominal pain
• Feel nauseated or cannot keep fluids down
• Notice blood in your stool
• Develop a fever (100.4 F or higher)
• Are unable to pass stool or gas

How Do I Prepare For A Colonoscopy?

"A successful colonoscopy hinges on a thoroughly cleansed colon, which is achieved through a standard preparation protocol involving dietary changes and a bowel-cleansing agent," Lee-Kong said.

• Special Diet: This bowel-cleaning process usually starts on the day before a colonoscopy. Lee-Kong recommends a low-fiber or clear liquid diet, while avoiding solid foods and red-colored liquids. Avoid fruit punch, cranberry juice, red wine, and red sports drinks. Medical professionals often advise avoiding red, orange, or purple foods and drinks, as the coloring can resemble blood or inflammation in the colon. Clear liquids commonly recommended the day before the procedure include black coffee, plain tea, fat-free broth, gelatin, clear sports drinks without added color, strained fruit juices, and water.
• Bowel Preparation: This typically involves laxative solutions or tablets designed to fully cleanse the colon before the procedure. Patients are prescribed a laxative solution, often a polyethylene glycol (PEG) or sodium phosphate formula, to induce frequent bowel movements and clear the colon. The 'split-dose' method, where the solution is taken in two parts - the evening before and the morning of the procedure - is commonly recommended for a more effective cleanse, according to Lee-Kong. Other common options include sulfate-based solutions and magnesium citrate products. Some regimens combine laxatives like bisacodyl with PEG solutions or use over-the-counter mixes such as MiraLAX with clear sports drinks.
• Temporary Discontinuation of Medications: Before a colonoscopy, you may be asked to temporarily stop certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other blood thinners, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. You will also usually need to stop taking iron supplements a few days before the test because they can darken stool and make it harder to see inside the colon.
• General Preparations: On the day of the colonoscopy, you may be allowed to wear dentures, but you may be asked to remove them before the procedure because they can shift during sedation and potentially obstruct the airway. Avoid bringing jewelry or valuables to prevent theft, and don't wear nail polish as it may interfere with oxygen sensor readings.
• Transportation Plan: Since sedation is used during a colonoscopy, you will need someone to drive you home afterward, as you may feel drowsy or dizzy.

According to Lee-Kong and Shah, some groups may need additional preparation.

• Pregnant Women: Colonoscopy is generally avoided during pregnancy. If it has to be done, oral laxatives are generally avoided, and tap water enemas may be used instead. Sodium phosphate preparations are particularly avoided due to potential risks for both mother and fetus.
• Older Adults (Especially Older Than 75): PEG-based preparations are preferred to reduce the risk of electrolyte imbalances.
• People With Kidney or Heart Disease: Sodium phosphate solutions are generally avoided.
• People With Chronic Constipation: A more intensive, multiday preparation may be needed.
• People With Diabetes: Medication adjustments are required to prevent low blood sugar during preparation.

What Can I Expect After A Colonoscopy?

Recovery is usually quick, with most people returning to normal within about one day. After the procedure, you will spend 30 to 50 minutes recovering at the clinic while the sedative wears off.

Once home, you should rest for the remainder of the day and avoid driving, operating machinery, and drinking alcohol.

You can typically return to your regular diet, but bland, low-fiber foods may be better tolerated during the first 24 hours, since you may experience mild bloating or cramping from the air used during the procedure.

If polyps were removed, you might be advised to follow a more specific diet and avoid certain medications such as blood thinners.

What Are The Alternatives To Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy isn't the only option - and it may not be your preference. According to a 2025 study, around 75 percent of adults eligible for screening prefer a noncolonoscopy option - such as stool-based or blood-based tests - as their first choice.

Several alternatives to colonoscopy are available, and they are often preferred due to lower invasiveness, patient preference, or medical contraindications, Lee-Kong said. Noninvasive stool-based tests are a primary alternative and include the following:

• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): This home-based annual test detects human blood in stool samples and does not require dietary restrictions. If blood is detected, a repeat test or follow-up colonoscopy may be needed. It has a reported 97 percent accuracy for detecting colon cancer.
• Multitargeted Stool DNA Test Plus FIT: This test combines FIT with stool DNA analysis using a single sample to check for both blood and abnormal DNA every three years, although it requires collecting an entire bowel movement. It can detect up to 93 percent of cancerous lesions.
• High-Sensitivity Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Testing (gFOBT): This noninvasive screening test uses a chemical reaction to detect hidden blood in stool, which may indicate colorectal cancer or polyps. Compared with older gFOBTs, it detects cancers more effectively but often requires dietary restrictions and avoiding vitamin C supplements for three days before testing to reduce false-positive results.

"While convenient, a positive result on any of these tests necessitates a follow-up colonoscopy," Lee-Kong said. A follow-up colonoscopy is generally recommended within nine months.

Other visual and imaging tests, which also require bowel preparation, include the following:

• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Uses a scope to examine only the lower third of the colon. It can be performed while the patient is awake and can detect about 70 percent of polyps or tumors, although it does not assess the upper colon.
• Virtual Colonoscopy (CT Colonography): This noninvasive imaging test uses a CT scan after air is introduced into the rectum. It can detect most larger tumors but may miss smaller polyps, which could still require a follow-up colonoscopy for removal.

Lee-Kong noted that these alternatives may be particularly appropriate for average-risk people who decline colonoscopy and for frail older people or others for whom the risks outweigh the benefits.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 20:55

Is John Cornyn Trying To Sabotage Ken Paxton?

Texas Republicans handed Sen. John Cornyn one of the most humiliating defeats in the state's modern political history in this year's primary runoff. A week after being clobbered by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, he is amplifying a Libertarian candidate, in an apparent attempt to siphon conservative votes from Ken Paxton in the general election in November.

In a post on X, Cornyn shared a Houston Public Media interview profiling Libertarian nominee Ted Brown, whose 2026 Senate campaign is built around courting conservatives dissatisfied with the Republican primary results.

The article itself makes it very clear that Brown has the potential to be a spoiler for Paxton. "Most polling shows Texas' U.S. Senate race between state Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate, and Austin state Rep. James Talarico, his Democratic opponent, as extremely close," it opens. "That potentially creates an opening for a third-party candidate, Libertarian Ted Brown, to shape the outcome."

Rut roh

Libertarian Ted Brown courts disaffected conservative voters in Texas' U.S. Senate race - Houston Public Media https://t.co/wZ9ipRviE1

- Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 2, 2026

Brown pulled more than 267,000 votes in the 2024 Texas Senate race, a record performance for a Libertarian candidate in the state, and Cornyn just handed him a megaphone.

Cornyn had initially signaled he would fall in line behind the GOP nominee.

"I've spent most of my time in the Senate building the Republican party in Texas and in the U.S. Senate, and I've always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again in this general election," he said when he addressed his supporters last week after the election results. "I've said throughout this race that I trust the voters of Texas, and they've made their decision, and I must respect it."

Since then, however, he has been walking back that pledge.

"I stand by everything I said during the whole campaign," Cornyn told reporters on Monday, and implied that Paxton can't win the race.

"I'd prefer a Republican to somebody like James Talarico," Cornyn said. "But I'm going to concentrate most of my efforts on trying to keep the Senate by helping some of what I consider to be the more winnable races around the country."

Brown understands exactly what he is doing. He told Houston Public Media he is appealing to voters who "aren't satisfied with the primary results." When asked about playing spoiler, he pushed back with characteristic flair: "Frankly, you can't spoil something that's rotten and putrid to begin with," Brown told Houston Public Media. He is clearly hunting for precisely the kind of voter a bitter, defeated incumbent might quietly nudge his direction.

Whether Cornyn intended that outcome or simply failed to think through the signal his post sent is almost beside the point. The effect is the same. A senator who lost to Paxton's MAGA-aligned coalition is now boosting a third-party candidate whose entire pitch rests on making conservatives feel justified in abandoning the Republican nominee.

Paxton enters the general election with real structural advantages. He has won statewide elections in Texas three times already, while his Democratic opponent, James Talarico, is introducing himself to Texans statewide, giving Republicans the advantage of defining Talarico based on his controversial statements and positions on gender and other issues out of step with mainstream Texas voters.

While polls suggest a tight race, the prediction markets see what's coming. Polymarket and Kalshi both give Paxton roughly a 60% chance of winning, compared to Talarico's roughly 40%. Talarico has never led in the prediction markets. Texas remains a fundamentally red state, and the fundamentals favor Paxton.

Promoting a Libertarian candidate who openly fishes for unhappy Republicans while simultaneously calling the Republican nominee a crook sends a message to Texas conservatives that it's okay not to back the Republican candidate, effectively validating the MAGA base's concerns about Cornyn.

While Paxton is still favored, Cornyn just made this race harder without delivering any discernible benefit to the party he claims to support. Talarico isn't the only person to gain from Cornyn amplifying the Libertarian targeting conservative voters. Cornyn himself may see a Paxton defeat as validation of his primary campaign message that he was the best candidate to lead the GOP to victory.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 20:30

Amazon Plans Data Center In Wheatfield, Indiana; Will Pay $1.25BN To Reduce Energy Cost Impact On Local Payers

By Georgia Butler of DataCenterDynamics

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seeking to develop a data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana. Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the cloud giant has purchased more land in India.

Located in Jasper County and southwest of Michigan City, Wheatfield is a small town and has a population of around 900 as per the 2020 census. AWS presented its plans for the data center during a recent open house at Kankakee Valley High School, as per a report from the Kankakee Valley Post News, in which it said it was looking to build a campus with up to nine buildings on a 304-acre plot of land.

The land in question is currently owned by the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), with the Schahfer Generating Station located just a half mile away.

NIPSCO and AWS are in conversations regarding the project. The land is currently leased for agricultural use from the utility.

According to AWS, by locating the data center near the power plant, it would reduce costs related to infrastructure and transmission. Details about the project remain sparse, with discussions on going, but AWS is estimating an investment of around $7 billion. In addition, the project would increase tax revenue for Jasper County from around $1.2 million to more than $420m over the next 15 years.

Amazon will also pay $1.25bn to reduce the energy use cost impact on local ratepayers. The data center will use natural air cooling for around 98% of the year, so as to minimize water usage.

Speaking at the meeting, AWS president of economic development Roger Wehner said: "We want to go to places where people come in with eyes wide open and we can build a great partnership."

Should the project receive approval, construction is expected to begin quickly, with Wehner telling the audience: "We want to start growing with this community as soon as possible. As you can see, we’re already here. We’re already doing things. If it doesn’t work out, that’s okay, we’ll still love it. We won’t feel bad about a single thing we’ve done.”

AWS already has data centers in Northern Indiana, in New Carlisle, and is developing another in Hobart. The projects are part of a $15bn investment commitment to the area made by AWS in November 2025, in which the company said it aimed to add 2.4GW of capacity to the Hoosier State.

Meta, US Signals, DataBank, Netrality, and Digital Crossroads all have a presence in Indiana, with a host of developers looking to develop new campuses across the state. Microsoft and Google have both announced data center builds in Indiana, in Mishawaka and Fort Wayne, respectively.

Meanwhile, in India, Amazon has purchased a 10.61-acre land parcel in Ambernath in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for Rs 125.13 crore (~$13m), for data center development.

As reported by the Hindustan Times, the land was acquired from Lodha Developers, and the transaction was registered on May 26, 2026.

Amazon already owns an adjacent 49-acre plot, which it acquired in November 2024 from Macrotech Developers for Rs 450 crore ($48.35m). The company also acquired 38.18 acres of land from Lodha in Palava near Navi Mumbai in December 2024.

Plans for a data center campus at the site were revealed in April 2026. Up to six buildings could be developed, four of which will have seven stories and serve as data centers. The remaining two buildings will have two stories and be used to support the electrical and water needs of the data centers. The data centers will have a capacity of 473MW.

In December 2025, Amazon committed to investing $35bn in India, including in data centers and AI infrastructure. Earlier that year, AWS revealed plans to spend $8.3bn in developing cloud infrastructure for just one of its cloud regions - AWS Asia-Pacific (Mumbai).

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 20:05

Andrew Left's Conviction Could Change The Rules For Every Market Commentator...But How?

Andrew Left's fraud conviction is sending shockwaves through the activist short-selling community, not simply because of the verdict itself, but because it has exposed deep uncertainty about what market commentators are legally allowed to do, according to the Financial Times.

For years, activist short sellers operated in an area where investors would build positions, publish research or opinions about a stock, and trade around the market reaction. These practices were often viewed as part of the normal functioning of financial markets. After all, being short carries with it significant risk (far more than being long, as losses are potentially unlimited) and no market reaction to a new opinion is ever guaranteed. 

But Left's conviction changes that perception. Prosecutors argued that the founder of Citron Research misled investors by publicly expressing conviction in stocks while privately trading differently, exiting positions quicker than his public statements implied. The case suggests regulators are less focused on whether a short seller's research is accurate and more focused on whether public messaging matches private trading activity. 

The verdict has left many activist investors asking a basic question: what exactly are the rules? To many, it doesn't appear as though Left had a duty to anyone to disclose his trading - and there are no rules around how long someone must hold a position after expressing an opinion on it. After all, financial media, social media and sell side research are all littered - on a second by second basis, daily - with people and institutions who have positions in stocks offering up their opinion on them. 

And so, industry participants argue that regulations remain vague on key issues. How long must an investor hold a position after publicly discussing it? When does expressing an opinion become market manipulation if the opinion is genuinely held and the information is truthful? What level of disclosure is required when trading around published research?

Veteran short seller Jim Chanos summarized the emerging concern to FT. He said the danger arises when investors appear to be doing one thing publicly while doing something else privately. Yet many market participants believe the line between permissible trading and illegal conduct remains poorly defined. In and around Left's indictment and trial, many times Left's trades were described as doing the "opposite" of what he claimed, when instead he was simply closing a position...not going long stocks he said he was short or going short names he was long.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said in a press release this week: “Andrew Left used his expertise to profit at the expense of retail investors, ordinary people who owned the stocks he targeted. He callously boasted that it was like ‘taking candy from a baby'.” 

“Frauds such as the one perpetrated by Left can erode investor confidence which impacts our capital markets,” said Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.

F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli, who helped prosecute the case, took to X to possibly try and define the lines: "Short selling is not a crime. Mr. Left was convicted of fraudulently manipulating the market, not for ordinary short selling. He used his reputation and public platform to artificially manipulate the market through misleading statements published in the public domain."

He continued: "Ordinary and lawful short selling involves truthful and good faith research on a stock, but this is not what Mr. Left did. He made misleading statements to move the stock so that he could quickly trade on it for his gain. In essence, he cheated. There was overwhelming evidence that this was not ordinary trading, but a strategy designed to take quick profits through social media posts motivated by his desire to make a quick buck. That is fraud."

Short selling is not a crime. Mr. Left was convicted of fraudulently manipulating the market, not for ordinary short selling. He used his reputation and public platform to artificially manipulate the market through misleading statements published in the public domain. Retail… https://t.co/LJHpOEGhbk

— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) June 3, 2026

One "lawyer supporting short activists and whistleblowers" took to X to make a detailed thread pointing out his opinion of the weaknesses and strengths of the government's case:

Fisking the triumphalist DoJ press release in the Left trial. It spotlights the weaknesses of the case, and the few strong points.

Let's start with this bullshit.

Left isn't a financial adviser and has none of the fiduciary duties. DoJ knows this. Horseshit No. 1. pic.twitter.com/eeDPI17Fji

— Codfish Johnny (@CodfishJohnny) June 2, 2026

He concluded: "My general take, not legal advice to you the person who is not my client, after the Left verdict. Rely on your research not your reputation. Disclose that you use balance sheet. Include your disclaimer in the report not just via link. Be explicit about risk management."

Veteran biotech writer Adam Feuerstein wrote on X: "Andrew Left found guilty for doing what a lot of accounts on this site do far more egregiously. He’ll win his appeal."

Andrew Left found guilty for doing what a lot of accounts on this site do far more egregiously. He’ll win his appeal.

— Adam Feuerstein ✡️ (@adamfeuerstein) June 2, 2026

Said another account on X: "Andrew Left going to jail for trading equities and not disclosing it while short is proof no one really cares what youre doing unless youre selling."

"Ordinary and lawful short selling involves truthful and good faith research on a stock"

The ministry of truth has arrived to ban short selling. https://t.co/EHQCg7XCPA

— Jerry Capital (@JerryCap) June 3, 2026

Charles Gasparino openly admits that CNBC guests might be GUILTY of Securities Fraud if Andrew Left is found Guilty. 🚨

He states: “If Andrew Left is guilty, then just about everybody at CNBC is guilty."

They don’t want this to go viral, REPOST ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/izzyReemc1

— X Market News🚨 (@xMarketNews) August 1, 2024

The Times wrote in a piece out after the conviction: "Andrew Left’s crimes demonstrate the need for greater scrutiny, but such traders have a legitimate role to play in the market."

But the uncertainty extends beyond short sellers. Several of the charges against Left involved long positions, including stocks such as Tesla and Nvidia, suggesting regulators may be applying the same standards to bullish activists as well.

The FT writes that as a result, the case is creating a chilling effect across an already shrinking activist short-selling industry. Some investors worry that increased legal scrutiny could discourage public research and market criticism. Others argue the verdict establishes necessary guardrails against undisclosed trading practices and hidden relationships with hedge funds.

Regardless of where one stands, the biggest takeaway from the Left case is not that activist short selling is under attack. It is that many investors no longer have confidence that they understand the boundaries. The industry's central question has shifted from "Can we publish this research?" to "What conduct will regulators consider deceptive after the fact?" Until clearer standards emerge, activist short sellers are likely to operate more cautiously, anonymously, and defensively than ever before.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 19:40

Scientists Boost Battery, Fuel Cell Performance By Over 300%

Authored by Neetika Walter via Interesting Engineering,

Researchers in South Korea have developed a new catalyst design strategy that boosts the efficiency of reactions used in batteries and hydrogen fuel cells without changing the catalyst itself.

New catalyst approach could improve fuel cells and batteries  (Representational image)Shutterstock

The team, led by Professor Seung Jun Hwang of POSTECH and Professor Jaeyune Ryu of Seoul National University, found that adjusting the electrical environment around a catalyst can significantly improve its performance. The approach could help reduce energy losses in next-generation energy systems while improving efficiency and stability.

Catalysts are materials that speed up chemical reactions. They are essential components in technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and metal-air batteries, where they help drive the reactions that generate electricity.

Traditionally, researchers improve catalysts by changing the central metal, such as iron, cobalt, or nickel, or by redesigning the surrounding molecular structure known as a ligand. The new study takes a different route by leaving the catalyst largely unchanged and instead modifying the electric field around it.

Electric Fields Drive Gains

The researchers demonstrated that placing positively charged ions, known as cations, near the catalyst creates a localized electric field that influences how reactions proceed.

The team focused on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a key electrochemical process that generates electricity in fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Improving this reaction has long been a goal because it directly affects device efficiency and energy consumption.

Experiments showed that the share of the desired reaction pathway increased from roughly 12 percent to as much as 52 percent when the electric field was introduced. This allowed the reaction to occur more efficiently while requiring less energy.

According to the researchers, the results suggest that catalyst performance can be tuned through environmental control rather than by redesigning catalyst materials from scratch. Such an approach could simplify future catalyst development and lower costs associated with creating new materials.

Beyond Batteries And Fuel

The implications may extend beyond energy storage and hydrogen technologies. The researchers believe the same principle could be applied to catalysts used for carbon dioxide conversion and environmentally friendly hydrogen production.

Many clean-energy technologies rely on catalysts to control complex chemical reactions. Being able to improve those reactions by adjusting local electrical conditions could provide a new tool for designing more efficient systems.

"This study demonstrates that reaction properties can be precisely controlled solely through the surrounding electrical environment, without changing the structure of the catalyst itself," said Hwang.

The researchers say the findings open a new direction for catalyst engineering by shifting attention from the catalyst's structure to its operating environment.

The oxygen reduction reaction examined in the study is a core process in hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, as well as metal-air batteries that use oxygen from the atmosphere as part of the energy storage process.

"We expect it to present a new direction for developing next-generation batteries, fuel cells, and eco-friendly energy catalyst technologies," Hwang added.

If the approach can be scaled and applied across different catalyst systems, it could help improve the performance of a wide range of clean-energy technologies without requiring entirely new catalyst materials.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 19:15

Central Bank Gold Buying Rebounds In April From Dramatic March Selloff

First the good news: according to the latest World Gold Council update, central banks, a key pillar of the bullish case for gold, have returned to adding holdings in April after notable selling in March sent the price of the precious metal tumbling. The 17 ton purchase represents a turnaround from steep sales in March, which at nearly 30 tons were the largest monthly gold sales in years, driven almost entirely by Turkey. Poland remained the top buyer in the month, while China accelerated its pace of purchases. 

According to WGC, Poland remained be the top buyer in the month (14t), while China intensified its pace of purchases: its 8t net purchase was the highest since December 2024 and extends its current buying run to 18 consecutive months. The Czech Republic shows similar consistency in purchases, having bought 3t in April, its 38th consecutive monthly purchase. Meanwhile, Russia continues its sales streak this month (6t), with y-t-d sales of 22t.

Reported activity in April and y-t-d was concentrated in: 

• National Bank of Poland drove much of April’s buying activity, having bought 14t. This brings Poland’s y-t-d gold purchases to 45t with its gold reserves at595t or about 30% of its total reserves.
• People’s Bank of China added 8t to its gold reserves during the month, highest since December 2024. Official gold reserves now stand at 9% of total reserves or around 2,322t. China has been consistently purchasing gold over the past 18 consecutive months.
• Czech National Bank’s modest but consistent 2t net purchases in April brings its gold reserves to 79t or 6% of its total reserves.
• Meanwhile, Central Bank of Uzbekistan sold 1t this month, though on a y-t-d basis, it remains a net purchaser (24t) and is second only to Poland. Uzbekistan’s reserves make up 88% of its total reserves or around 414t.
• Central Bank of Russia continued it recent streak of net sales for the fourth month with reported April net sales of 6t.
• March’s top seller, Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey reported virtually flat gold reserves in April, with weekly data showing that short-term gold/USD swaps matured in April, leaving only longer-term (1-3 month) gold/USD swaps outstanding. More on Turkey’s recent reserve management operations can be found in our recently published Gold Demand Trends Q1 2026.
• Eastern European and Asian central banks continue to dominate gold purchases with consistent purchases. Over the past 36 months, both regions have purchased 12t and 11t per month on average collectively. Global central banks activity shows average net purchases of 29t over the same period (Chart 2).

Now the bad news: according to Goldman, even as the rebound signals a return to sturdy central bank demand, it’s trending at a fraction of last year’s average pace. Meanwhile, the driver of last year's tremendous move higher which pushed gold above $5000, has yet to return: the furious ETF buying that characterized the meltup phase in gold, is not there; in fact, ETFs continue to sell as all momentum-chasing liquidity has landed in such areas as chip and memory stocks.

That underscores that the market is currently more focused on the near-term headwinds for the bullion rather than its structural tailwinds.

Meanwhile, with Treasury yields and the dollar grinding higher as the US economy proves surprisingly resilient in the face of elevated oil prices, and with positioning on the back foot, the path ahead for gold remains challenged.

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 18:50

House Passes Dem Resolution to Block U.S. Military Action Against Iran In Narrow Vote

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution on June 3 directing the withdrawal of U.S. troops from armed hostilities with Iran, in a closely divided 215–208 vote.

Four Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the measure, which invokes the 1973 War Powers Resolution to require President Donald Trump to either end the operations or seek explicit congressional approval to continue them.

The resolution comes amid ongoing tensions in the region.

Although Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire on April 7, U.S. forces have enforced an armed blockade of Iranian ports, leading to several exchanges of fire.

On June 2, U.S. forces struck an oil tanker, prompting Iranian missile and drone attacks on U.S. positions in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Mixed Reactions and Political Context

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) argued that the timing of the resolution was problematic, as it could interfere with President Trump’s ongoing efforts to negotiate a lasting peace agreement with Iran.

“The president is now in the process of concluding a peace agreement, and we have to allow him the latitude to do that,” Johnson said. “I think a war powers resolution right now is very untimely.”

In contrast, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said Congress should have acted sooner to pull back U.S. forces. She expressed hope that more Republicans would support the measure, stating, “I’m hoping that they will see the light.”

This marks the second attempt in recent weeks. A similar resolution failed on May 14 in a 212–212 tie. Republican leadership had previously postponed a scheduled May 21 vote.

The measure now moves to the Senate, where passage is uncertain, and it would likely face a veto from President Trump if approved.

The vote reflects deepening divisions in Congress over the scope and authorization of U.S. military involvement in the Iran conflict, which began escalating in late February.

Supporters of the resolution argue it upholds congressional authority under the War Powers Resolution, which generally requires presidents to withdraw forces from unauthorized hostilities within 60 days (with a possible 30-day extension for safe withdrawal).

Tyler Durden Wed, 06/03/2026 - 18:25