THE CURRENT STATE OF THINGS

I'll begin with me:

• Back from a 50-day odyssey involving two cruises and a testy train journey.
• I didn't like the continuous stress level.  Plus I mildly suffered from pollen pollution.  Maybe worst of all, I gained 10 pounds.

• 
  Mind you, the overall enjoyment level was high, and whole effort worthwhile.
• Back home in my cocoon called 15 Craigside, I appreciate the security and comfort.

• 
  I haven't started my low calorie diet yet, for the meal offerings since my return have been difficult to avoid:
• My first lunch came from Marukai:  hamburger curry, Korean chicken, macaroni salad, sashimi with beer.  
• I'm easing into my diet.

• 
  By the way, I returned home to watch the University Hawaii men's volleyball team beat California-Irvine for the NCAA national championship.
• Yesterday, for example, 15 Craigside featured Chili Hot Dog for lunch, then Corned Beef and Cabbage for dinner.
• Today, Fish and Chips, followed by Beef Curry, with the soup of the day being New England Clam Chowder.
• Next two days of Chinese Chicken Salad, Meatloaf, Clams Liguini and Grilled Fresh Catch.
• 
  Saturday, Misoyaki Chicken and Pork Ton Katsu.
• I've decided to increase my desired weight by 2 pounds to 157, and my BMI will still be 24 or so, normal.  I'm getting to the age where a little weight can be tolerated to counter a possible serious illness.

• 
  Toto washlet with warm seats.
• View of sunshine, stars and rainbows.
• Back to seeing friends here.

I haven't much addressed world events, so I'll begin with those two wars.

• Ukraine-Russia War.
• Three-day cease fire did not do much and the prisoner swap...did it happen?
• Can you believe it has been 4 years, 2 months, 2 weeks and 5 days since this war began?
• No clear indication of any peace settlement.

• 
  USA/Israel vs Iran War.
• There was a 2-week ceasefire announced to start on April 7, but it is already May 13, plus it certainly looks like this war is not yet ending, and has now gone on now for 76 days.
• The U.S. and Iran appear to have strayed further from what U.S. officials had reportedly hoped would be an imminent deal. Earlier this week, Trump said the cease-fire with Iran is on “massive life support.”

• 
  Gasoline price surged from $2.95/gallon to $4.53/gallon.  California now pays $6/gallon.  
• If this continues for the country, the average American will pay $857 more  at the pump in 2026.
• Trump indicated that he might suspend the 18.4 cent-per-gallon federal gas tax.  But this would first require congressional approval.

• 
  The Strait of Hormuz is still closed, and there is no sure opening date.  
• Google AI indicates a return to normal maybe in the late summer, but significant disruptions could last into 2027.
• Want numbers?  50% chance for normalization in mid-summer.  58% by September.
• For one, Pentagon officials indicated in late April that clearing Iranian mines could take at least 6 months.
• Also, Iran still has operational access to 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait.
• 
  It's been a relative wipeout.
• 3,636 Iranian deaths, including numerous top Iranian leaders.  30 for Israel and up to 15 Americans.  No one of relevance.
• 1701 civilians killed in Iran, but maybe up to 2500 in Lebanon.  Over 413 children and women killed in this war throughout the Middle East.
• No American civilian death.  Perhaps 25 Israeli civilian and military deaths.

• 
  Maybe a huge surprise, but there has not been any retaliation by Iran on the USA homeland.  You would think there would at least be a suicide bomber or two. Why?  Watch this video.

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  This war has cost taxpayers $29 billion, and the Defense Department is running short of munitions.  They have requested $1.45 trillion, a 40% increase in the coming year's budget.

President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing today.  

• Talks with General Secretary/Chairman/President Xi Jinping begins tomorrow (Thursday).
• Trump brought along Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Jensen Huang, Kelly Ortberg, Larry Fink and at least half a dozen other CEOs.
• Google AI says:

Based on reports from the May 2026 U.S.-China summit, President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping are focusing on several key areas, with artificial intelligence (AI), trade, and the Iran conflict taking center stage. Trump, accompanied by a delegation of U.S. tech CEOs, is aiming to shape global AI regulations while addressing trade imbalances. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Trump stated he will discuss U.S. arms sales to Taiwan directly with Xi, raising concerns from supporters that he might jeopardize a pending $14 billion deal.  Xi is likely to push for a shift in Washington’s stance, aiming to move from a position of "not supporting" Taiwan’s independence to "opposing" it.  Observers fear Trump might "go off-script" on Taiwan's status in exchange for concessions on trade or other issues, despite a bipartisan push to reinforce security for the self-ruling island. [1, 2, 3]

Trump in China, by AI.  Or could this happen.  Here are Trump and Xi, with other world leaders in their AI rendition of We are the World.

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