*A group of whistleblowers has provided evidence that the Environmental Protection Agency has not adequately assessed the health risks posed by several new chemicals on the grounds that they are corrosive. Managers in the New Chemicals Division have repeatedly and incorrectly used the idea that a chemical may cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract as an excuse to avoid assessing the risk of other harms it may cause.*

The US is suing to block the merger of two of the five giant US publishing companies.

This demonstrates the weakness of our antitrust laws. For two such large companies to merge should be a crime, so that blocking the merger requires no lawsuit. We should not have let them get down to less than 20.

Are economic sanctions against Russia worth while, if they don't help make Putin drop the attempt to conquer Ukraine?

I support showing solidarity with Ukraine, but I contend that the best ways to do that are the ways that re effective help. Giving Ukraine arms to defeat and repel the Putin forces is effective, while economic warfare through sanctions seems to be backfiring. Thus, I suggest we do more of the former and less of the latter.

*‘Soon it will be unrecognisable’: total climate meltdown cannot be stopped, says expert.*

Hothouse Earth, by Professor Bill McGuire, says we must stop trying to give people hope by underplaying the extent of the disaster that we have already made unavoidable.

A ship carrying Ukrainian grain has left Odessa, bound for Lebanon.

If Putin allows grain shipments to continue, that will be a great help to many countries where people are suffering from hunger.

I previously suggested the idea that Ukraine could choke off Russia's oil exports from Novorossiysk. Back then, it would have been retaliation in kind for what Putin was doing — but maybe he is no longer doing that.

If Putin henceforth refrains from cutting off Ukraine's exports, Ukraine should and must refrain from cutting off Russia's exports.