Dear readers,
In place of the anticipated coverage on the Iran war, we present some additional links focusing on this pressing issue. In summary, Trump has yet to initiate the expected military action against Iran, citing ongoing negotiations. Conversely, Iran has not confirmed this and might deny any talks just ahead of the market opening on Monday. Despite a temporary pause in U.S. actions, Iran continues its offensive maneuvers. Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington next week for Lindsey Graham’s memorial, suggesting that Trump’s recent decision to delay military action might be a strategy to finalize plans in collaboration with Israel.
It seems highly unlikely that a minimal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) could be achieved between Iran and the U.S. In light of the failure to reach an MOU, Iran is poised to raise its demands, particularly concerning control over the Strait of Hormuz and issues relating to frozen assets held by the U.S. Professor Mohamed Marandi has indicated that any new agreement would likely involve a cessation of hostilities in Yemen and Gaza. It is probable that Iran will insist on compensation for its frozen funds as a prerequisite for any cooperation.
Moreover, Iran remains resolute about maintaining its authority over the Strait of Hormuz.
Ancient ape fossil in Egypt challenges the current narrative of human origins Science Daily (Kevin W)
Contagious Cancer Discovered in North American Catfish Wired (resilc)
Researchers Unearth the Lost ‘Golden Age’ of Languages That Ended 1,000 Years Ago 404 Media
Five Notable Quotes From America’s Largest Raw-Milk Dairy Owner ProPublica (Robin K)
#COVID-19/Pandemics
U.S. Measles Case Count Sets a New Record Associated Press
Ebola is resurging in another region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with rising violence hindering efforts to locate and treat patients https://t.co/63QflRieD1
— Bloomberg (@business) July 25, 2026
Climate/Environment
Even camels are struggling: Rising temperatures hit Africa’s ships of the desert BBC
Global sea surface temperatures have just hit their 50th consecutive day of record highs and are expected to keep rising for another month.
This situation is so extreme that the Climate 8-ball has decided to start drinking early today. pic.twitter.com/UACDjQAhy5
— Prof. Eliot Jacobson (@EliotJacobson) July 22, 2026
Gob·smack·ing /GAHB-smack-ing/ (adjective)
Definition: When the subsurface El Niño anomaly map’s legend needs to be increased to +9°C (+16°F) above normal to indicate the measures of the Godzilla El Niño event. #elnino #insaneinthemembrane https://t.co/oqkdzgtQZX pic.twitter.com/JiYG12V3ur— Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) July 23, 2026
Stranded houseboats and grounded cruise ships: Europe faces shrinking rivers amid heat and drought CNN
Extreme drought in Europe driven by climate crisis ‘sucking soils dry’ Guardian
NOAA categorizes the current marine heatwave in the Mediterranean as a Category 4, extreme marine heatwave.
Sea surface temperatures in several regions of the Mediterranean are currently exceeding 5°C (9°F) above normal, reaching temperatures as high as 31°C (88°F). This… pic.twitter.com/4A2EKus9oE
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) July 21, 2026
Japan records its first ‘cruelly hot day’ as temperatures soar above 40°C Independent
Global Warming Unmakes Winter in the American West Inside Climate News
China?
China Invokes Live Fire Drills in the Taiwan Strait Reuters
Chinese Chip Stocks Plummet Despite Beijing’s Efforts to Stabilize Asia Times (Kevin W)
China’s Coast Guard Engages in Third Clash with the Philippines Within a Week Bloomberg
Japan
U.S. Warns Against Extreme Yen Volatility, Urges Bank of Japan to Raise Rates Reuters
Tokyo Responds to China’s Assertion That a Remote Japanese Island in the Pacific Is Merely a Rock Japan Today
U.S. and Japan Clash Over Nuclear Liability in 40 Billion Dollar Power Deal Financial Times
India
In India, Fear Has Shifted Sides Aljazeera
India Dismisses Pakistan’s Claims at ASEAN, Insisting the Indus Waters Treaty Will Remain Suspended FirstPost
India’s Discreet Strategy to Challenge China in the Strait of Malacca Brandon Weichert
Southeast Asia
Thailand Advances Construction of its Border Fence with Cambodia Bangkok Post
Africa
Trump Considers Military Action in Mali Express
Sudan: Concerns of Atrocities as RSF Encircles a Key City DW
O Canada
Canada Is Prepared to Take All Necessary Measures in Trade Dispute with the U.S., Says Carney AlArabiya
Trump Attempts to Sabotage Canada Bridge Deal Following Opening Ceremony Drama New Republic
South of the Border
What a U.S. Conflict with Cuba Would Truly Entail Responsible Statecraft (resilc)
Trump 2.0 Endorses Bolivia’s Militarized Approach to Suppressing Dissent Inkstick
European Disunion
Europe Loses the LNG Bidding War to Asia WION
Europe Faces Winter with Its Weakest Gas Reserves in 15 Years OilPrice
Trump Pledges to Investigate EU for Fining U.S. Tech Companies BBC (Kevin W)
Chaotic Sanctions Negotiations Uncover Divisions in EU’s Stand Against Russia Euronews. BWAHAHA
The Resurgence of German Megalomania Overton (translated via machine translation) (resilc)
Fears of Food Price Increases After Europe’s Heatwave Ruins Estimated €2 Billion Worth of Crops AOL
Spain Prepares for 47°C Heatwave as Holiday Spots Brace for Extreme Temperatures Independent
Ireland Urged to Press Germany Over Trial of Pro-Palestinian Activist Guardian (Colonel Smithers)
Old Blighty
Omnibus Wankers and Britain’s Sole Pensioner Mic Wright (Colonel Smithers)
Israel vs. The Resistance
Israelis Continue to Showcase Disturbing Behaviors Kim Iversen, YouTube
Israeli Banks Threaten to Disrupt Palestinian Economy, Worsening the Crisis New York Times
Israeli Ministers Conduct Mass Raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque Middle East Eye
“I SEE ISRAEL DISAPPEARING AS A JEWISH STATE” – Col. Larry Wilkerson YouTube (resilc)
Israel Strikes Across South Lebanon Despite Existing ‘Ceasefire’ Agreement Aljazeera
* * * America Understands Nuclear Weapons But Cannot Build Them Anymore; Share That With the Saudis Sonar 21
Iran War
Iran Reports No New U.S. Attacks as Tensions Remain High in the Gulf Aljazeera (live feed)
Trump Fumes as Iran War Escalates Without an End in Sight Bloomberg
#Iran Foreign Minister Araghchi states that Iran will not accept a ceasefire until its demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz are met. He clarified that the challenge lies not in the lack of mediators, such as Pakistan and Qatar, but in the U.S. approach, which he asserts “must be rectified.” pic.twitter.com/Ygj74DJDoK
— Iran Nuances (@IranNuances) July 24, 2026
BREAKING: China has categorically denied Trump’s latest statement on Truth Social that Xi informed him China would not sell weapons to Iran under any circumstances, asserting, “As a comprehensive strategic partner, China strongly supports Iran in protecting its sovereignty, security, and interests…
— The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) July 24, 2026
Iran’s Kurdish Forces in Iraq: A Potential Front on Tehran’s Border NoonPost
The Revolutionary Guard Warns: Stay at Least 500 Meters Away from Locations Where U.S. Forces Are Secretly Stationed Rezistance (Ruben N)
This is particularly humorous given the UK’s limited navy:
A White House official has confirmed that the U.S. and the U.K. plan to convene a conference concerning the Strait of Hormuz next week https://t.co/hGxa83A2h1
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) July 24, 2026
Arrests, Denials, and Missing Images: Gulf States’ Reactions to Iranian Strikes France24 (Ruben N)
NASA’s FIRMS satellite imagery indicates a significant thermal anomaly at the Saudi Aramco Jazan refinery, consistent with a major fire in the area following reported Yemeni missile strikes.
Smoke continues to pour over Jizan, Saudi Arabia, after the reported attacks… pic.twitter.com/tFp7uTESQP
— The Hormuz Report (@HormuzReport) July 25, 2026
Fierce Strikes from Iran Hit U.S. Bases; Trump Hesitates on ‘Mass Attack’ Threat | Janta Ka Reporter YouTube
Lloyd’s is invalidating marine insurance for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz if Iran is compensated for transit.
This could lead to global shipping insurance moving away from Lloyd’s towards Asian underwriters due to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. https://t.co/srtwZME88f
— Kathleen Tyson (@Kathleen_Tyson_) July 24, 2026
Syraqistan
Pakistan’s Army Chief Commits to Continued Operations Against Militancy in Balochistan Arab News
‘Collapsed’: Roadblocks and Internet Outages Leave Pakistani Kashmir in a State of Uncertainty Aljazeera
New Not-So-Cold War
Shipping Activities on Ukraine’s Black Sea Corridor Suspended Due to Rising Attacks Maritime Executive
Russia is implementing a blockade of Ukrainian ports by targeting port infrastructure and vessels along Ukraine’s entire Black Sea coastline—effectively making Ukraine landlocked. pic.twitter.com/gXV2qsMWKU
— Glenn Diesen (@Glenn_Diesen) July 25, 2026
Ukrainian Drone Attacks Ignite Wildberries Warehouses Throughout Russia Novinite
The Sixth Red Scare: It’s Not the Second Undiplomatic (Micael T)
Dro-ligarch Conflicts Events in Ukraine
Imperial Collapse Watch
🚨 ICC Member States Vote 82 to 43 to Displace Karim Khan as Prosecutor
Regardless of perspectives, this vote does not diminish the legitimacy of the charges against Netanyahu, which were thoroughly reviewed and endorsed by ICC judges.
The key concern is whether Israel,… pic.twitter.com/rXZZsDIMqf
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) July 24, 2026
New Surveillance Technologies Signal the End of Military Concealment Asia Times (Kevin W)
Cyclospora Outbreak Expands to Nine U.S. States, Health Officials Warn BBC (Kevin W)
Trump 2.0
The DOGE and Trump administration has eliminated 7,800 positions from Social Security.
Now, it faces challenges in rehiring them as seniors experience longer waits for fewer available appointments.
What have Trump and DOGE achieved, other than complicating access for those who earned these benefits?
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 24, 2026
Trump Orders Warnings to be Placed at the ‘Inaccurate’ Smithsonian History Museum New York Times (Kevin W)
Tariffs
Trump Implements New Double-Digit Tariffs on Numerous Nations Aljazeera
Asia Challenges Forced Labor Allegations Used to Rationalize Recent U.S. Tariffs Straits News
Tariffs Re appear Barry Ritholtz (resilc)
Immigration
Rural States Demand More Immigration Green Gazette (Robin K)
Report: Numerous ICE and CBP Agents Have Engaged in Abusing Women and Children Mother Jones
Democrats in Disarray
Democrats Dismiss Concerns Within Party Over the Threat Posed by Democratic Socialists The Hill
Our Media Landscape
The Resistance: Liberal Lawyers Aiding Trump in Media Takeover Matt Stoller
Economy
Running on Borrowed Time: The World’s Oil Reserves Are Depleting Amid Inflation Pressure CNBC
Why Is the Energy Crisis Delayed? Will Oil Become This Century’s Black Swan Event? An Examination of the Mechanisms Ismaele (Ruben N)
OIL PRICE MANIPULATION IS UNRAVELING – Discussion with Philip Pilkington YouTube
Yemen Intensifies: A New Threat to Global Oil Supplies Larry Johnson
U.S. Refinery Utilization Reaches 96.2% as Global Fuel Markets Contract OilPrice
Middle Eastern Conflict Sends Shockwaves Through Global Gas Markets AzerNews
Increase in Shipping Insurance Costs as Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb Close Aljazeera
Investor Alert: Rare Earth Mining Is Not Delivering Returns Kevin Walmsley (Kevin W)
Concerns Over El Niño Impact Prompt Carrier Surcharges and New Draft Restrictions at the Panama Canal WWD. I previously removed Panama from my list of potential expat destinations due to its poor food security and ongoing water shortages.
Mr. Market’s Concerns Should Heighten
Global Reliance on U.S. Equities Raises Red Flags, Along with Concerns Around Chinese Corporate Debt Bloomberg
AI Debt Competing with Treasuries Contributes to Elevated U.S. Yields Bloomberg
AI Concerns
Meet All the Middle-Aged Women Who Do Not Exist Charlotte’s Book (resilc)
Barclays Analysts Report AI Is Not Enhancing Productivity Telegraph
AXA Cautions AI Cannot Replace Care as UK Faces Mental Health Emergency Insurance Business Magazine
Google Announces a $6 Billion Cash Burn Last Quarter as It Increases AI Investment Financial Times
AI Companies are Concealing More Debt Than You Realize | Ed Zitron YouTube
The Hidden Debt of U.S. Tech Giants Rises to $1.65 Trillion MSN
Guillotine Watch
Elon’s Terribly Awful Day Caleb Ecarna
SpaceX Merging with Tesla Amidst Stock Decline – Bet Against Elon Musk YouTube (resilc)
Tesla Shares Experience Double-Digit Drop on the Company’s Worst Day in Years Guardian
Class Warfare
New Fed Research Suggests Significantly Fewer Americans Own Homes than Previously Thought CBS (Kevin W)
Antidote du Jour (via):
A Bonus
A young goat, having lost its mother in a wolf attack in Sivas, has taken to sleeping with the shepherd dogs every night to avoid loneliness pic.twitter.com/qdVaiI2jFK
— Nature Unedited (@NatureUnedited) July 23, 2026
A Second Bonus:
After significant snowfall in the U.S., zoo staff opened the gates for the penguins to explore as if in their natural habitat. pic.twitter.com/7VB8YwDgBP
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) July 22, 2026
And A Third:
A man went out to investigate what his dog was doing and discovered it joyfully playing with a capybara. pic.twitter.com/caqd6aaIgF
— The Figen (@TheFigen_) July 22, 2026
For yesterday’s links and Antidote du Jour, you can find them here.
