In the rapidly evolving landscape of current events, the intersection of environmental issues, geopolitical tensions, and socio-economic challenges has become increasingly evident. This article presents a snapshot of significant developments and discussions across various regions, shedding light on how these elements interplay in today’s world.
We killed off California’s grizzly bears over a century ago. Can we resurrect them? Los Angeles Times
California Woman Lost $300,000 To A Fake Kenny Chesney – Then Decided To Sue The Real Country Star Whiskey Riff
Do you really want a “slow life?” Rayon
If you’re afraid of heights, look away now. Skydiver Sergei Boytsov has set a world record by jumping from a hot-air balloon at an altitude of 11,551 metres over Russia’s Altai region, per Izvestia.
Boytsov surpassed the previous record of approximately 10,060 metres, set by… pic.twitter.com/WIL09CDMn9
— Brian McDonald (@BrianMcDonaldIE) August 22, 2026
Climate and Environment
Thousands of people have been evacuated in Reno, Nevada, as a fast-moving wildfire closed in on the city on Sunday. The so-called Hawk Fire has grown to 13,000 acres and threatened hundreds of homes. At least 200 new fires also erupted nationwide this weekend. CBS News’… pic.twitter.com/pIF2ZuvKic
— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) August 24, 2026
Bigger, Hotter Fires Are Slowly Erasing America’s Great Forests New York Times
Bomb Fishing Is Reducing Coral Reefs to ‘Rubble’ Inside Climate News
And we have a new all-time record warm *absolute* temperature for the oceans, according to ERA5 (which goes back to 1940):
August 21st likely marked the warmest Sea Surface Temperatures have been for the entire Holocene period, and possibly even as far back as the last… pic.twitter.com/QGZKIlcp86— Prof. Ryan Katz-Rosene (@ryankatzrosene) August 23, 2026
Cement’s Stubborn Emissions Phenomenal World
Laugh in the Face of Doom and Gloom The Revelator
International Updates
Japan
Japanese lawmakers travel to Beijing, seeking to mend ties after fallout AP
Takaichi explains why she spends long hours in seclusion Asahi Shimbun
China
China’s ‘policy addiction’ warning signals Beijing’s preference for targeted stimulus South China Morning Post
When “Flexibility” Sounds Like an Insult Pekingnology
Southeast Asia
Arson and bomb attacks hit more than 70 locations in Thailand’s deep south, authorities say The Straits Times
Asia’s acquiescence in ‘reciprocal trade agreements’ fortifies Trump’s tariff wall East Asia Forum
India
The Persistence of Caste, and the Campaign That Ignores It The Wire
The AK-203 rifle is now completely ‘made in India’: Why is this significant? Firstpost
Syraqistan
Gaza Strip: Only 3 percent of Gaza’s cropland remains accessible and undamaged, new assessment finds Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
MAKING SOUTHERN LEBANON UNLIVABLE Lighthouse Reports
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Saudi shelling hits residential villages in northern Yemen Al Mayadeen
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Iran ‘reviewing invitation’ to join Mecca Joint Defense Agreement: Report The Cradle.
Not an Islamic NATO: The Mecca Agreement Is Building the Post-American Security Architecture — and Iran Is About to Walk In Larry Johnson. That’s the pitch, apparently. Or are the Mecca Agreement countries trying to play good cop to US-Israel bad cop. Their ideas for post-American security architecture sound awfully familiar, exemplified by comments earlier this year from Turkish Foreign Minister (and head of Turkish intelligence for 13 years) Hakan Fidan:
“A new leadership structure may reshape Iran’s decision-making and create an opportunity to stop the war,” [Fidan] told a live broadcast on TRT Haber news channel. “The new leadership in Iran may show greater flexibility at this stage…This could be a window of opportunity, if used wisely.”
Iran’s president wants to revive MoU to end stalled US war New Arab
The Zionist expansion in Latin America and Russia’s influence contraction in West Asia Vanessa Beeley and Fiorella Isabel
SHAMEFUL anti-IR Iran letter co-signed by a shocking list including Mumia Abu-Jamal, Robin DG Kelley, Angela Davis, Rashid Khalidi, Judith Butler, and Alberto Toscano to name a few. https://t.co/LVJSSfIFAj
— Christopher Helali (@ChrisHelali) August 21, 2026
Iran Unleashed Robert Kagan, The Atlantic. “The dominant power in the Middle East from now on will not be the U.S. or Israel but Iran.” A lot of congratulating from unlikely sources going on.
European Disunion
Helps explain a lot, if true:
🚨 EX-INSIDER BOMBSHELL: WE CREATED THIS EUROPE ON PURPOSE – CIA BOUGHT STOLTENBERG, RUTTE AND ENTIRE GOVERNMENTS
I have never heard the truth stated so directly. Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, retired U.S. Army officer and former Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State, just… pic.twitter.com/3yif2levDv
— Mark (@Mark4XX) August 23, 2026
Link to full interview.
Eastern Populisms Tribune
Germany must ditch doubts over private capital, says investment tsar FT
O Canada
As Carney Stands Tall Against Trump, the Timing Is Ideal The Tyee
Poilievre Wants Canada To Fuel U.S. Wars In Exchange For Tariff Relief The Maple
Old Blighty
The UK is not as sheltered as we assume New Climate Reality
New Not-So-Cold War
Ukraine widens its targets — and its tolerance for causing civilian casualties Politico
‘We are stepping up’: EU approves €6.1 billion for Ukraine’s defences Euronews
Ukraine launches drone strikes on Russian e-commerce giant Ozon Euronews
Ukraine’s fight against Putin shows what women are really capable of The Telegraph. I.e., start conscripting the women, Big Z.
Turkish cook killed after drone strikes rescue ship that had saved him from earlier attack in Black Sea Turkiye Today
Turkish F-16 jets based in Estonia join missions to down Russian drones Intellinews
South of the Border
Venezuelan Parliament Approves Law to ‘Protect’ Real Estate Developers Venezuelanalysis
Trump 2.0
How One Billionaire’s Crusade against Homelessness Became Trump’s Playbook WaPo
Democrats Suck
2028 Dems dodge on Bernie’s push to pause AI Axios
Reformers Blast ‘Audacious Power Grab’ by Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair The City Reporter
The Uniparty
Jeffries and Kushner Meet Privately as Midterm Attacks Fly New York Times
Sullivan endorses Sullivan against Sullivan in Alaska The Hill
Mr. Market
Hedge Funds Ramp Up Dollar Shorts Ahead of Bessent’s Fiscal Plan Bloomberg
Economy
Yes, temporarily. As of early Monday morning, August 24, 2026 (around 12:13 AM EDT / ~04:13 UTC), Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF/KBUF) has no jet fuel available for refueling aircraft.
This is confirmed by official NOTAM BUF 08/188: “BUF AD AP FUEL NOT AVBL”…— Don Paul (@donpaulbitsosun) August 24, 2026
Agriculture
Cattle Industry Clashes with Trump Beef Price Plan Morning Ag Clips
USDA wants to revive the cotton industry. Experts aren’t sure that’s possible. Investigate Midwest
Imperial Collapse Watch
Servicemember aboard USS Lincoln decries father’s ICE detention The Hill
AI
Zeldin warns against banning data centers in US, citing China The Hill
Meta glasses are a workplace menace The Verge
Can parents trust OpenAI’s new ChatGPT for Teens to keep their child safe? CTV News
The death of folk graphic design in favor of AI slop across our country’s delis is leading to some incredibly Lovecraftian food horrors pic.twitter.com/snDyC675Ei
— Sam Biddle (@samfbiddle) August 23, 2026
Class Warfare
Monopoly Round-Up: Living in an Age of Cheating Means Having Your Time Stolen Constantly Matt Stoller
Never Apologize For Being a Class Traitor Hamilton Nolan
The ‘Do or Die’ Days Hickman’s Hinterlands
Antidote du jour (via):
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
