Exploring Current Events and Insights
In this roundup of articles and insights, we dive into a variety of pressing topics ranging from personal reflections on silent retreats to crucial environmental issues and geopolitical developments. The landscape of our world is ever-changing, and keeping abreast of these narratives is essential for understanding the intricate web of connections shaping our lives.
I Went to a Silent Retreat for Five Days. It Nearly Broke My Brain – Wall Street Journal (resilc)
[Essay] A Guide to Staying Human (Part 3): The Default Mode Network and the Metacrisis – Nate Hagens
Would You Run? – Classical Wisdom. A humorous take on human behavior that critiques the overly vigilant individuals among us. If you frequent this site, you may identify with that tendency!
New Recommendation: Allowed to be Buried with Pet’s Ashes – Nyherterna via machine translation. Micael T. observes: “Hmmm, what’s missing from this discussion are the fees associated with adding animals. This should be viewed as a profit-driven idea until proven otherwise.”
The Tea in Your Kombucha Changes More Than Just the Taste – Science Daily (Kevin W)
A Philosopher’s 5 Tips on How to Become the Most Likable Person in the Room – Big Think
Climate and Environment News
World Bee Experts Gather in Washington After Largest Die-Off in History – The Chronicle
Three Everyday Oils Driving a Global Biodiversity Crisis – Earth
Super El Niño Poses Critical Threat to 500 million of the World’s Farmers, Researchers Warn – Independent
Arctic Shipping Alters Cloud Formation, Study Finds – PhysOrg
Warning: Arctic Permafrost Could Become a Major Carbon Source Earlier Than Expected – High North News
As a historic heatwave bakes Europe on land, a strong marine heatwave is emerging in the Mediterranean Sea.
Water temperatures have reached up to 5.5°C above normal off the coast of Italy, with peak water temperatures exceeding 28°C (82°F).
This will further enhance heatwaves… pic.twitter.com/YRolwh5seW
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) June 22, 2026
Europe’s Heatwave Set to Hit Alpine Glaciers Hard – Planet Ski
Firefighters Warn They’re Ill-Prepared for a Bad Wildfire Season – Insurance Journal
While world media will talk about the scorching heat in Europe, extraordinary heatwaves will sweep several parts of the world.
CENTRAL ASIA will see deadly heat up to 47/48C in the former USSR, with NIGHTS at 35C.
ARCTICS will experience up to 35C and tropical nights near 70 lat! https://t.co/EIq7XP36Db
— Extreme Temperatures Around The World (@extremetemps) June 22, 2026
Monsoon Moving, but Damage is Done: Rain Deficit at 46%, Driest June in Over a Century – India Today
International Affairs
China Plans Postwar Aid for Iran, with Eye on Energy Supply – Nikkei
The Paradigm’s Changing: China’s Suggestion – Karl Sanchez
Southeast Asia
Why Middle East Crisis and El Niño Could Spell Disaster in Southeast Asia – Guardian
“Heading to Bankrupt Indonesia”: A Protest Under Economic Pressure – Think BRICS
Africa
Improving the Effectiveness of Sahelian (and African) Militaries – Ken Opalo
Canada
Canada Plans ‘Nuclear Renaissance’ with Up to 10 Reactors Built by 2040 – CBC
European Affairs
Germany Set to Scrap Plans for Its Largest Warship Since WWII – Financial Times
Zelensky’s Misstatements During Budanov’s Trip to Poland – Andrew Korybko
The UK
Burnham and Starmer Hold ‘Frosty’ Meeting on Transition of Power – Guardian (Kevin W)
Britain Mustn’t Be Left to Decide Its Own Future – Simon Nixon, Euractiv
Inside the Surreal UK Parliament Debate on Pro-Israel Influence – Middle East Eye (Kevin W)
Israel and the Resistance
Gaza’s Surfers Seek Solace from War in the Mediterranean Sea – Aljazeera (resilc)
Itamar Ben Gvir: The Man Supporting Netanyahu – Middle East Eye (resilc)
BREAKING: Retired U.S. generals, admirals, intelligence officials, diplomats, and former government officials advising policymakers met with Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. pic.twitter.com/G3qHsebDBn
— The General (@GeneralMCNews) June 23, 2026
UN Maritime Body Starts Evacuating Sailors in the Gulf – Alarabiye (Kevin W)
Tucker Carlson and Alex Jones discuss the potential use of nuclear weapons by Israel.
“The United States is clearly going to begin the process of distancing itself from Israel.” pic.twitter.com/LEmNwNqDJJ
— Charging… (@RedPillSayian) June 23, 2026
War Isn’t Won on ‘Points’ – Daniel Larison
The Polite Kind of Racism – Tim Foley (Micael T)
New Not-So-Cold War
“Time Is Not on Moscow’s Side”: US Urges Russia to Secure Immediate Ceasefire – United24 (Ann). This comes after the Kremlin asserted they are no longer willing to negotiate, following Trump’s incompletion of undisclosed promises made in Alaska. Thus, they seem determined to continue the war until victory.
Ukrainian Sources Claim Latest Surge in Attacks on Russia Was “Encouraged” by Trump – Simplicius
Putin Warns the West: Russia is Ready – Larry Johnson
Surveillance and Control
Madison Square Garden Creates Dossier on Activists Opposing Facial Recognition – 404 Media
Imperial Concerns
The Hidden Cost of the U.S. Military: The Real Budget is Far Larger Than Reported – CounterPunch (resilc)
Trump: US Carmakers Could Produce Missiles – RT (Kevin W). A whimsical assertion considering the practicality involved.
Half of America’s Cities Are Depopulating. Are We Heading for a Ghost Town Era? – Popular Mechanics (resilc)
The U.S. is Escalating Economic Warfare. Its Enemies Are Not Backing Down – Wall Street Journal (resilc)
The Permission Layer – Shanaka Anslem Perera on Treasuries
Trump Era 2.0
Senate GOP Set for Showdown with Trump Over SAVE America Act and Iran Deal – The Hill
Senate Approves War Powers Resolution, Rebuffing Trump Over Iran Conflict – Associated Press
US Judge Blocks Trump Administration Restrictions on SNAP for Soda and Candy – Reuters
An Interesting Development
STAT News reports that Eli Lilly & the FDA granted a powerful new weight-loss drug access under the FDA’s “compassionate use” program, typically reserved for life-threatening conditions. That one individual is believed to be Trump. pic.twitter.com/qZ0N8c9H9D
— Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D (@RVAwonk) June 23, 2026
Troubled Reflecting Pool Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Vandalism Claims and Duck Deaths – Associated Press (Kevin W)
Political Landscape
New York Primary Election Results: Mamdani’s Anti-Israel Democrats Sweep Primaries – Telegraph (resilc)
Republican Dynamics
Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene Say They Are Done Supporting the Republican Party – Time Magazine
Media Landscape
UK Contemplates Mandating Social Media Firms to Prioritize Trusted News – Reuters
Economic Updates
Global Business Leaders Support Faster Electrification Shift – Reuters
Food Bills Impacted by Soil and Climate Crises – The Ecologist
Market Watch
Stock Futures Mixed Ahead of Micron Earnings as Traders Assess the Tech Sell-Off – CNBC
The Stratospheric Rally Has Rendered Tech Stocks Vulnerable to Sharp Reversals – Wall Street Journal
Surging Dollar Hurting Asia’s Most Fragile Currencies – Asia Times (Kevin W)
AI and Technology
Cargo Culture – Ed Zitron. An insightful piece.
Click through to read in full:
Google suffered a 6% decline as it lost two star researchers. Headlines blamed these exits, but they overlooked that Amazon fell 4% on the same day, and Meta and Microsoft dropped as well. The market has shifted beyond that. pic.twitter.com/VsLPRXxKj2
— Shanaka Anslem Perera ⚡ (@shanaka86) June 23, 2026
How Many Barrels of Oil Do AI Data Centers Consume Daily? – OilPrice.com (resilc)
Blaming Ordinary People for the Ecocidal Consequences of AI, and Other Notes – Caitlin Johnstone
Data Center Suing for 260 Million Gallons Annually from Colorado River, Contrary to Previous Vows – The Cool Down
Oracle Cuts 21,000 Jobs as It Embraces AI – BBC
Nobody Here Wants the Data Center: An Oral History – New Republic (resilc)
The AI Data Center Boom and Its Impact on the Residential Labor Pool – Realtor (Paul R)
Some Electricians View Building Data Centers as Selling Out – Wired (resilc)
The Bezzle
Morgan Stanley Caps Withdrawals at Private Credit Fund Following Rising Pullout Requests – Reuters
US Announces $17.5 Billion in Conditional Loans for Nuclear Power Supply Chain – Reuters (Kevin W)
Elite Malfeasance
Executive Sentenced for Embezzling Millions from CFA Institute – Chief Investment Officer
Class Struggles
Liberal Elites Promote ‘Abundance,’ But Democratic Voters Seek Socialism – American Conservative (resilc)
GM Installs Robots at Flagship EV Factory Following Layoffs of 1,300 Workers – Ars Technica
Antidote du Jour
Tracie H: “This is Willow, deep in thought.”
And here’s a bonus:
🤣I am not a plant. Stay awayyyyy 🥹pic.twitter.com/w9U8AukmZp
— Amazing Nature (@AmazingNature00) June 24, 2026
Here’s another bonus (Robin K):
Insanely amazing pic.twitter.com/aGNiqrTGdy
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) June 22, 2026
For further reading, check yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Conclusion
The articles included provide a diverse look into contemporary issues, showcasing how interconnected our world is—from silent reflections on personal experiences to major geopolitical shifts and environmental challenges. Staying informed is vital as we navigate these complex landscapes, and it’s through understanding these narratives that we can respond thoughtfully to the world around us.
