Welcome, dear readers,
In this edition, we present an extensive collection of Links, along with a special segment focusing on the ongoing conflict involving Iran in lieu of a dedicated post.
Fish Bad, Sugar Good… And Other Medieval Ideas About Food – Literary Hub (Micael T)
The View From Beyond Time – Bentham’s Bulldog (Micael T)
The Looting of Science Fiction – Aeon (Micael T)
Giant Waves are Sweeping Mars’ Atmosphere into Space – Science Daily (Kevin W)
Climate/Environment
Why Are So Many Dead Bumblebees Appearing on Sidewalks? – Science Daily
Invasive Species Are Forcing People from Their Homes, Scientists Warn – Earth
Climate Change is Moving Mountains – Atlantic
What’s Driving the Heat Wave Scorching Much of the World? – Wired
Insurers Evaluating New Catastrophe Risks as Europe Endures Extreme Heat – Bloomberg
ECB Warns Climate Crisis Poses Growing Threat to Financial Stability – Guardian
This heat wave in Eastern China, Korea, and Japan is rewriting global climatic history, with thousands of records being set repeatedly for weeks.
Today, 35.9°C at Changsin Island (near Dalian) sets an all-time record, along with 9 daily maximum records and 27 high minimum records, including 13 all-time highs.👇 https://t.co/sQ8pr4uA7s
— Extreme Temperatures Around The World (@extremetemps) August 3, 2026
Blazes Burning with the Intensity of ‘Atomic Bombs’: Europe Enters a New Era of Mega Fires – CNN
Death Toll from Floods in Assam, India, Rises to 82 – Anadolu Agency
China?
China’s Car Market Stalls Even as Global Demand Increases – OilPrice
Signs of a Slowdown in China’s Factory Output Amid Weak Demand – Nikkei
China Conducts Military Exercises Near Disputed Reef with the Philippines – Brussels Times
Philippines Looks to Ukraine for Drone Technology in the South China Sea – South China Morning Post
Southeast Asia
Israeli Presence in Forest City Highlights Malaysia’s Zionist Connections – Middle East Eye
Thai Justice System Criticized After Freed Criminal Admits to Killing Five – South China Morning Post. This case has garnered significant attention in Thailand; it’s now gaining coverage internationally. The Prime Minister quickly visited the crime scene and spoke with local police. Initial reports suggest that the first murders involved impersonation of law enforcement, causing widespread outrage concerning the lack of progress in finding the perpetrator.
Africa
Sudanese Army Drone Strike in Darfur Claims 35 Lives, Claims Rights Group – Aljazeera
Boko Haram Ambush Results in 10 Soldiers Killed in Southeastern Niger – Arab News
The Antipodes
Housing Market Slump Deepens in Australia and New Zealand – Bloomberg
O Canada
Trump’s Tariff War Continues to Affect Canadian Border Communities – ProPublica
South of the Border
Cuba Experiences Nationwide Blackout as State Energy Firm Reports New Power Crisis – France24
European Disunion
Europe Anticipates Gas Crunch This Winter Due to Iran Conflict – Irish Times
Europe’s Future in a World That No Longer Waits for It – Overton (translated)
Ceuta Migration Crisis Highlights the Despair Among Youth in Morocco – New York Times. Resilc comments: “All borders are grappling with these questions, particularly in light of climate change.”
Scandal and Reshuffling: Germany’s Merz Faces Calls for Resignation – The Duran
Potential Ban on Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. Due to Legislative Actions – Car and Driver (resilc)
Emergency EU Meeting Called to Address Migrant Surge in Ceuta – ABC
Old Blighty
Nearly £200,000 Worth of Fuel Stolen from UK Forecourts Daily Since Iran War Began – BBC
Farmers Warn of Potential Food Shortages Amid Ongoing Drought – Guardian
Israel vs. The Resistance
Reuters is attempting to frame the Israeli bombardment of one of the last Palestinian medicine warehouses as legally ambiguous. The Israeli military argues that in Gaza, healthcare acts as a shield for military operations. pic.twitter.com/Yhinn7pGWU
— Nicola Perugini (@PeruginiNic) August 2, 2026
This post propagates inaccuracies regarding Hamas’s agreements and fits a longstanding pattern: after Palestinian negotiators reach an accord, Israel demands new terms, and the U.S. and its allies pretend these new stipulations were part of the deal, subsequently blaming Hamas. https://t.co/OjerGx6nu9
— Jeremy Scahill (@jeremyscahill) August 3, 2026
Assault on Christian Monastery in Jerusalem by Religious Jews (VIDEO) – RT (Kevin W)
Israeli Airstrikes Result in 18 Deaths in Gaza as Ceasefire Negotiations Stall – CGTN
Iran War
⚡️⭕️ Trump states that the U.S. will not tolerate Iran imposing shipping fees through the Strait of Hormuz and emphasizes the need for freedom of navigation to be restored. Trump also indicated an intention to strike Iran but is currently in talks with Tehran. (Statements from Trump as reported by multiple sources)
— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) August 3, 2026
Traffic in Bab al-Mandeb and Hormuz Remains Minimal – Aljazeera (live feed entry)
> Trump: Iran is begging for a deal
> Bessent’s aides dramatically push down crude oil prices by $5
> Iran: we are having no conversations with the U.S.
> Silence
> Iran targets another vessel in the Strait of Hormuz
> Silence https://t.co/yjduYU8cEF— JustDario (@DarioCpx) August 4, 2026
Significance of Arbaeen: The Shiite Pilgrimage of Mourning – The Conversation (resilc). For further context, check out Millions Observe Arba’een to Express Loyalty to Imam Hussein – PressTV. The observance is set for Tuesday. Alastair Crooke suggested that Iraq may delay any retaliation until after this date. Could Iran escalate its actions? Their current strategy seems designed to keep the U.S. on edge.
Assembly of Experts Confirms Support for Supreme Leader’s Position on Negotiations – Iran Wire. A close reading indicates that the Assembly swiftly corrected President Pezehskian’s stance, not necessarily indicating a split, but suggesting priority for domestic policy over foreign obligations. His views remain unpopular, as evidenced by his being the sole official heckled at the Supreme Leader’s funeral.
Meanwhile, claims have emerged of a $9 billion insider trading operation linked to high-level Trump administration officials, including Jared Kushner.
BREAKING: A source close to Iranian officials alleges Tehran has documented patterns of oil market manipulation connected to Axios reporting as well as insiders from the Trump administration. pic.twitter.com/d8nyNOaTe1
— The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) August 3, 2026
Impressive statistic: During recent operations over the Gulf and Levant, French Rafales fired around 100 MICA AAMs against Iranian drones, nearly half of the French Air & Space Force’s current inventory of approximately 200.
— Air Power (@RealAirPower1) July 31, 2026
Iraq’s Oil Lifeline at Risk as Hormuz Crisis Looms – Middle East Online
Syraqistan
Indian Envoy Claims Pakistan Has Undermined Faith in Indus Waters Treaty – WION
Inside the City Gripped by Deadly Protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir – BBC
New Not-So-Cold War
Russian Reports Indicate Seven Dead and 40 Injured from Ukrainian Drone Strike on Popular Beach – BBC
NEW: Russian forces are now within 5 km of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, the last “Fortress Cities” in the Donbas region.
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) August 2, 2026
Disastrous End to Zelensky’s 40-Day Operation Exposes Ukraine’s Challenges – Simplicius
Protests Supporting the Dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister Are Not Organic – Andrew Korybko. Quelle surprise!
Italian Navy Intercepts Tanker from Russian Shadow Fleet – Euronews
‘Winter is Coming’: Ukraine Braces for Its Toughest Challenge Since the Russian Assault – CNBC
Russia Imports 30,000 Metric Tonnes of Gasoline from Morocco Amid Ukrainian Strikes – Business Insider
Kyiv Hits Wildberries Again Amid Fatal Exchange of Strikes with Russia – Guardian
Sergey Lavrov: “Our Unique National Identity Popularizes Action Based on Historical Precedent” – International Affairs (Micael T)
“Europe Represents the Greatest Risk” – Russia in Global Affairs (Micael T)
“Healthy Anger is Entirely Justifiable” – Top War
Imperial Collapse Watch
The West’s Achilles Heel – John Robb
The Galling Gallium Chokehold: U.S. Capacity to Produce Precision Missiles and Functional F-35s is Compromised – Larry Johnson
China and Russia: The Sole Nuclear Superpowers – YouTube. Resilc observes: “The sluggishness in developing data centers suggests a broader civil engineering incapacity within the U.S.”
Party Elites Remain Oblivious to Growing Anti-War Sentiment Among Their Base – Responsible Statecraft
Trump 2.0
U.S. Poll: Democrats Gain Trust over Republicans on Economic Issues for the First Time in Ten Years – Ratopati. The underlying Reuters story is behind a paywall.
Capital One Shuts Down Trump Organization Accounts Over Money-Laundering Concerns – NPR (resilc)
Park Service Delivers Harsh Verdict on Trump’s “Triumphal Arch” – New Republic
Trump Remains Committed to His Trade War – Faces Challenges Ahead – Guardian
Hegseth Struggles to Garner Senate Support for Iran War Funding – The Hill
Police State Watch
ICE Collected Nearly One Million DNA Samples Last Year, Including from Young Children – Wired (resilc)
Economy
Global Oil Buffer is Not Quite at Crisis Level – Bloomberg
Saudi Oil Rerouting is Reaching Its Capacity Limits – OilPrice
Mr. Market Should Be More Worried
Market Turmoil Illuminates Underlying Issues in the AI Economy – Guardian
AI
Astounding Number of Ordinary Individuals Arrested for Protesting Data Centers – Futurism (resilc)
Federal Lands Now Open to AI Data Centers – Beginning Near Lake Mead – Outside Online
Monopoly Round-Up: Are Major AI Corporations Engaging in Malpractice? – Matt Stoller
OpenAI Reduces Pricing for New AI Models – Is OpenAI’s Dominance in Jeopardy? – YouTube (resilc)
Comparing the 1990s Web with Today’s AI Landscape – Arnold Kling (Micael T)
OpenAI’s Latest Model is Impressive but Perhaps Overhyped – Gary Marcus
The Bezzle
Ohio State and Notre Dame Introduce Jersey Sponsorship — Expect Your Favorite School to Follow Suit – The Athletic (resilc)
Larry Ellison’s All-in Bet on the AI Boom: Is He the Face of the Next Bubble? – New York Times
Walter Insurers Pay Millions to Egan-Jones for Credit Ratings – Financial Times
Class Warfare
25-Year-Old Carpenter Ivan Must Work Until Age 70: “My Older Colleagues Are Already in Pain” – Arbetet (translated)
Youth as the Vanguard of a Pacifist Cultural Revolution – Overton (translated)
Vietnam is LITERALLY Communist. pic.twitter.com/2cnjiIJ6Eu
— Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) August 3, 2026
Antidote du Jour (via):
A Bonus:
A hiker unexpectedly encounters one of the UK’s rarest animals pic.twitter.com/kdUveAQ1Kk
— Antidepressant Content (@depressionlesss) July 25, 2026
A Second:
While recording the depth of a hole in Arctic ice, a seal unexpectedly surfaces right in front of the camera pic.twitter.com/GwZuTyumvj
— Nature Unedited (@NatureUnedited) July 25, 2026
A Third:
Animals Never Forget Those Who Are Kind and Loving to Them. pic.twitter.com/MRkuiu2ru9
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) August 2, 2026
And a Different Kind of Bonus:
Someone Clearly Raised Their Son Right 🙂 pic.twitter.com/jGohiGTEH0
— Brian4new (@GustBrian) July 31, 2026
You can find yesterday’s links and Antidote du Jour here.
