week ending Jul 26

Fed Forecasts: No Cuts or Three Cuts in 2025? -There are four remaining FOMC meetings this year: July, September, October and December. It is very unlikely that the FOMC will cut rates next week, but there are very different views on the rest of 2025.

• First, from BofA: With the u-rate rising more gradually in our new forecast and core PCE inflation likely to reach 3% over the summer, we don't think the Fed will be able to cut rates this year.
• And from Goldman Sachs: Starting in September, we expect the FOMC to deliver three consecutive 25bp cuts, provided inflation expectations remain in check amidst worries about Fed independence.

Currently, market participants expect rate cuts in September and December.

Bernanke, Yellen: Trump’s Fed pressure could fuel inflation - Former Federal Reserve Chairs Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen condemned President Trump’s pressure campaign against its current chief, Jerome Powell, warning it could permanently damage the U.S. economy. In a Monday op-ed in The New York Times, the former Fed leaders urged Trump to respect the independence of the central bank and choose a replacement for Powell who would do the same. “President Trump, like all Americans, is entitled to express his views on monetary policy. He will have a chance to put his stamp on the Federal Reserve by nominating someone to succeed Mr. Powell when his term ends next spring,” Bernanke and Yellen wrote. “In the interest of the U.S. economy, we urge that he select an individual who will keep an appropriate distance between the Fed and short-term politics, someone who is committed to preserving the Fed’s independence in monetary policy decision making.” Powell has less than a year left in his second term as Fed chair, which is set to end in May, and Trump has been eager to show him the door. While the president has waffled on whether to fire Powell — which would be a legally dubious and financially risky move — Trump is almost certain to nominate a replacement who will be loyal to his agenda. Trump has berated Powell for months for refusing to slash interest rates — something the Fed chair cannot do unilaterally — as the U.S. government faces steep borrowing costs on the soaring national debt. The president has urged the Fed to cut rates by amounts only seen during economic crises, even with unemployment close to record lows. While some Fed officials have expressed support for mild rate cuts, not a single member of the central bank supports cutting rates to the levels Trump has suggested. Few, if any economists outside the administration have supported Trump’s call for stimulative interest rates as well. Bernanke and Yellen said that regardless of Trump’s support for “a radical reduction in interest rates,” he must allow the Fed to make its own decisions based on data, not political pressure, or risk serious consequences. The former Fed chairs pointed specifically to previous instances in which the Fed and other central banks adjusted interest rates to help fiscal authorities manage the national debt, which allowed inflation to spiral out of control. “If investors and the public see that monetary policy is being used to facilitate government borrowing, they lose confidence that inflation will stay low. As a result, regular savers and investors in U.S. debt demand higher interest rates to compensate for the likely erosion of their capital,” they wrote. “Ironically, forcing monetary policy to help finance deficits actually drives up borrowing costs for everyone, including home buyers and businesses, as well as the government.”

Bessent disses ‘leakers’ after Wall Street Journal report on Powell advice --Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent criticized leakers in response to a Wall Street Journal story that said he personally sought to talk President Trump out of trying to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The president slammed the report Sunday.Bessent was asked Monday on CNBC if the Journal story was real and if he had a conversation with Trump urging him to not fire Powell.“I think the problem with stories like this is — I’m not sure who the leaker was — but the problem with leakers is they only have partial information. And I think the other problem, too, is that newspapers like The Wall Street Journal are not used to a high-functioning executive president,” Bessent said.He continued, “They are used to, you know, perhaps President Biden, perhaps President Obama, who was not as economically sophisticated as President Trump. President Trump solicits a whole range of opinions and then makes a decision. So, he takes a lot of inputs, and at the end of the day, it’s his decision, just as it was his decision on Iran. And look at the tremendous success there. Look at the tremendous success at the border. And that is what a great executive looks like.”Trump sued the Journal on Friday for defamation after the newspaper published a story describing a letter he reportedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003.The president has aggressively targeted Powell over his handling of interest rates and last week told GOP lawmakers he would likely fire the chair soon before walking back his comments. Bessent was pressed on CNBC on whether he would dissuade the president from firing Powell, and he replied he wants to “examine the entire Federal Reserve Institution and whether they have been successful. “I’m going to be in the building this evening. There is a regulatory conference that begins tomorrow. I’m the keynote speaker tonight talking about regulation. The Fed, as well, deals with monetary policy, regulations, financial stability. And again, I think that we should think, has the organization succeeded in its mission? You know, if this were the FAA and we were having this many mistakes, we would go back and look at, why has this happened?” Bessent said.

Bessent defends Fed independence amid Trump's criticism - Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent defended the monetary independence of the Federal Reserve after getting caught in the crossfire between President Trump and The Wall Street Journal. Bessent said in a social media post Monday evening that Fed “independence is a cornerstone of continued U.S. economic growth and stability.” “The Fed’s conduct of monetary policy ‘is a jewel box’ that should be walled off to preserve its independence,” he said. Bessent’s post sought to clarify comments he made in a Monday interview with CNBC, in which he called for a review of the Fed system. He said on social media the review should focus on “mission creep” at the central bank, not its process for setting interest rates. Bessent’s comments follows months of Fed-bashing from Trump that erupted last week when reports emerged that Trump had told Republican lawmakers he might soon move to oust Powell. Trump said later in the week it was “highly unlikely” he’d fire Powell but left the possibility open on the grounds that Powell might need to be removed for “fraud” — a reference to a cost overrun for facility renovations the Fed is undertaking now in Washington. The Journal reported Sunday that Bessent, who has assuaged markets throughout Trump’s tumultuous trade war, told the president he shouldn’t fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell and laid out a comprehensive case as to why. Bessent went through the possible negative reaction from financial markets, the legal challenges the White House could face for trying to fire the Fed chair, and the fact the Fed is already projecting rate cuts later this year, the Journal reported. The story enraged Trump, who called it “untruthful” and said he didn’t require any counseling on financial matters or on the leadership of the Fed. “Nobody had to explain that to me. I know better than anybody what’s good for the market, and what’s good for the U.S.A.,” Trump fumed on social media. “If it weren’t for me, the market wouldn’t be at record highs right now, it probably would have crashed! So, get your information correct. People don’t explain to me, I explain to them!” Bessent downplayed his advice to the president on CNBC, saying his remarks were just one of many data points for Trump to consider. “President Trump solicits a whole range of opinions and then makes a decision. So, he takes a lot of inputs, and at the end of the day, it’s his decision,” Bessent told CNBC on Monday. Bessent also distanced himself from the controversy over the Fed’s ongoing facility renovations, which have been singled out by White House Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought. “I have no knowledge or opinion on the legal basis for the massive building renovations being undertaken on Constitution Avenue,” Bessent wrote online.

Powell pushes back on Trump assertion about Fed renovations Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell pushed back on President Trump’s cost estimate of renovations at the central bank’s headquarters during a tour of the site on Thursday. “It looks like it’s about $3.1 billion. Went up a little bit, or a lot,” Trump said, asserting the cost of the renovation had increased from the previously estimated $2.5 billion. Powell, standing next to Trump as he addressed reporters, shook his head. “I’m not aware of that, Mr. President,” Powell said. “I haven’t heard that from anybody at the Fed.” Trump pulled out a piece of paper from his suit jacket that he said backed up his estimate. Powell pulled out his glasses to examine the document more closely before telling Trump that it included the cost of another building that had been completed five years ago. “It’s part of the overall work,” Trump said. “It’s not new,” Powell responded. Trump and several administration officials, as well as Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who both serve on the committee that oversees the institution, toured the Federal Reserve amid scrutiny of renovations of the central bank’s headquarters. Top White House officials have zeroed in on a $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed’s headquarters, pointing to cost overruns and questions about whether Powell ran afoul of regulations. White House deputy chief of staff James Blair and White House budget chief Russell Vought have led the charge in focusing on the renovations, and the president earlier this month suggested the cost overruns could be a fireable offense for Powell. He has since backed off and indicated he does not intend to fire the chair before his term expires next May. During the tour, Trump did not say if the renovation issues gave him cause to fire Powell, but he said that as a real estate developer, he would would fire a project manager who was over budget. Powell has asked the inspector general of the central bank to review the renovations, and the Fed has posted an explainer to its website detailing why the project has faced increased costs.

Nearly two-thirds disapprove of Donald Trump's handling of inflation: Survey -Nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of how President Trump has handled inflation — one of his key campaign promises — a poll has found six months into his second term. The CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday also found that half of U.S. adults think the Trump administration’s policies have made them “financially worse off,” and 62 percent think the White House’s policies have driven food and grocery costs up. Inflation rose by 2.7 percent in June, as businesses passed the costs of Trump’s tariff hikes onto consumers. Trump has insisted, though, that inflation has settled, pressing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates. The White House has cited “core inflation,” which excludes energy and food prices, as an indicator of positive movement on the issue. Core inflation hit 2.9 percent in June, below the expected 3 percent but up from 2.8 percent the month earlier. “The USA is Rockin’, there is VERY LOW INFLATION,” Trump wrote Friday in a Truth Social post. More than three-fourths of Republicans surveyed in the new poll said they approve of Trump’s handling of inflation, while Democrats and independents overwhelmingly disapproved at 95 percent and 72 percent, respectively. “President Trump pledged to end Joe Biden’s inflation crisis, and despite fearmongering from Democrats and panicans, he has delivered: core inflation has tracked at just 2.1 percent since President Trump took office — levels not seen since his first term,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement to The Hill. “The Administration will continue to deliver economic relief for the American people while laying the groundwork for a long-term restoration of American Greatness.” m

Judge orders Trump administration to restore funding tracker website -A federal judge ruled the Trump administration violated federal law by taking down a public website that showed how funding is apportioned to federal agencies, ordering its reinstatement. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled Monday that removal of the online database overseen by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) violated legislation passed by Congress, which requires the OMB to make apportionment decisions publicly available within two business days.“There is nothing unconstitutional about Congress requiring the Executive Branch to inform the public of how it is apportioning the public’s money. Defendants are therefore required to stop violating the law!” Sullivan wrote in his 60-page opinion.The judge ordered the administration to reinstate the database. But at the Justice Department’s request, he paused his order until Thursday morning, so the administration can decide whether it will seek emergency relief from an appeals court.

The human cost to children of Trump’s cuts to food stamps and Medicaid ---On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping legislative package providing massive tax breaks for the wealthy and deep reductions in critical safety-net programs, particularly Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, food stamps). The bill slashes $930 billion from Medicaid and another $285 billion from SNAP over the next decade.This legislation marks the greatest redistribution of wealth from the working class to the rich in US history. It makes permanent $3.8 trillion in tax cuts, overwhelmingly benefiting corporations and the super-rich, while gutting Medicaid and food assistance. In addition, it allocates $150 billion to the military, including the Golden Dome missile shield and another $200 billion for expanding immigrant detention camps and adding 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and 3,000 Border Patrol officers. This is a direct transfer of wealth from society’s most vulnerable to the oligarchy and its repressive apparatus—yielding a net gain of $2.4 trillion for the ultra-wealthy.Medicaid and SNAP are not merely line items on a federal ledger; they are hard-won lifelines rooted in social struggles. Both programs emerged from the Great Society initiatives of the 1960s. Medicaid was established under the Social Security Amendments of 1965 as a federal-state health insurance program for low-income families, building upon earlier patchwork efforts like the Kerr-Mills program. SNAP has its origins in a 1939 Depression era pilot, before being formally codified in 1964 through the Food Stamp Act, under President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. The new legislation undoes these historic gains. Medicaid now faces the largest rollback in its history. The effects will be devastating. Those already struggling with paperwork—forms often requiring the expertise of a caseworker—will be disenrolled due to clerical errors. As in the past, lawmakers are relying on administrative red tape to push millions off the rolls. This bureaucratic cruelty is already visible in states like Texas.According to Dr. Rachel Pearson in the New Yorker, Texas has removed up to 1.7 million children from Medicaid since 2023, not due to ineligibility, but on the basis of procedural errors. She recounts how a child with epilepsy was denied medication due to a coverage lapse, resulting in an emergency room visit. Texas has shown how paperwork can be weaponized to deny care—and this model will become national. Children will not only get sicker, they will die. Delays in re-enrollment and loss of preventive care will result in a surge of avoidable hospitalizations and deaths. The cuts threaten to leave 11–17 million people uninsured and cause up to 50,000 preventable deaths annually, according to a Commonwealth Fund model.The impact on public schools will be catastrophic. Medicaid is the fourth-largest source of federal education funding, providing $7.5 billion annually for school-based health services. Schools receive $4–6 billion in Medicaid reimbursements every year to pay for school nurses, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and mental health counselors. In states like Texas and Rhode Island, reimbursements range from $28 to $467 per student annually.American Association of School Administrators (AASA) surveys show that 86 percent of school districts use Medicaid to fund school health staff. If these funds are slashed, 80 percent anticipate layoffs, 70 percent expect cuts to mental and behavioral health services, and 62 percent foresee reductions in disability support. For rural and underserved districts, where schools are often the only source of healthcare, the effects will be even more dire.According to the Georgetown Center for Children and Families, the Medicaid “unwinding” process that began in 2023 could lead to 2–6 million children losing coverage. The bill’s new parental work requirements could raise that number to as high as 8 million by the mid-2020s. The compounded effects will reduce Medicaid reimbursements by 25–50 percent, costing some districts tens of millions of dollars annually and threatening the jobs of healthcare personnel critical to student well-being.The mental health consequences are equally severe. The Association of California School Administrators found that 70 percent of school districts would reduce mental health services if Medicaid were cut, jeopardizing suicide prevention and trauma support services. The result will be higher rates of absenteeism, untreated depression and preventable deaths among children.SNAP cuts follow a similarly ruthless logic. The bill imposes new work mandates up to age 64, including some parents. It also includes semi-annual reviews and forces states to cover 5–15 percent of benefit costs by 2028. These changes are expected to push 3–4 million people off SNAP, worsening hunger and straining already overburdened local food banks.

Donald Trump megabill takes a 'big, beautiful' bite out of US climate progress - The megabill President Trump signed into law this month is expected to make a major dent in the U.S.’s climate progress, adding significantly more planet-warming emissions to the atmosphere. Models of the legislation that have emerged since its passage earlier this month show U.S. emissions will rise as a result of its implementation.One from climate think tank C2ES found U.S. emissions will be 8 percent more than they would have been otherwise as a result of the package. “An 8% increase in our emissions is … still a massive amount of emissions,” said Brad Townsend, the group’s vice president for policy and outreach. Taking into account all of the efforts to reduce U.S. emissions over the last 20 years, Townsend said, the bill represents “rolling back a third of that progress with a stroke of a pen.” “From an emissions perspective, this bill is a disaster,” he said. The Trump-backed measure both repeals spending aimed at reducing emissions that had been passed by Democrats and creates more opportunities for planet-warming fossil fuels. Its most significant provisions repeal tax credits for climate-friendly energy technologies including wind and solar energy, as well as electric vehicles. These tax credits in particular were considered a massive step toward reducing emissions when they passed in 2022 as part of the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act. It also repeals programs that would have paid for low-carbon and anti-pollution projects, including in underserved neighborhoods. On fossil fuels, the legislation includes tax breaks for oil, gas and coal and opens up more opportunities to drill on public lands and offshore. Since Trump signed the bill July 4, several models have indicated provisions such as these will take a bite out of efforts to reduce U.S. emissions. One model, from Princeton University, finds that without the “big, beautiful bill,” the U.S. would cut its planet-heating emissions by 32 percent by 2035. With the bill, emissions are expected to only drop by 25 percent compared to where they were in 2005.If Biden-era policies remained in place, including not only the tax credits but also regulations, emissions would drop between 40 percent and 44 percent, the model finds. A slightly more optimistic model from the Rhodium Group found that without the bill, emissions would be 31 percent to 51 percent lower in 2035 when compared to 2005. Now, they’ll only drop by between 27 percent and 44 percent during that period.

Lobbyists spent millions to save green energy. Wins were few. - Renewable energy lobbyists dumped millions of dollars over the past few months in a frenzied push to save green energy priorities. In the end, they didn’t get much bang for their buck. As Republicans ramped up their efforts to roll back tax credits, the top renewable energy advocacy organization in the country, the American Clean Power Association, spent a record $3.8 million lobbying federal officials for the second quarter that ended in June. That’s more than six times as much that they spent a year ago in the same time period, new disclosures show. The GOP ended up slashing the incentives anyway in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the tax and spending budget reconciliation bill. “We all failed to appreciate just the intensity of the desire to undo any fraction of any figment of any remaining Biden policy,” Jason Grumet, the group’s CEO, said of former President Joe Biden’s green agenda on POLITICO’s Energy podcast. “The [Trump] administration really prioritized the narrative around ending the Biden program, above an assessment of what the benefits were.” ACP was far from the only group that significantly boosted its advocacy work in the period from April to June. Congressional lobbying disclosures due this week show that dozens of companies and associations in wind, solar, batteries, electric vehicles and related fields went all out in trying to persuade lawmakers not to quickly halt their tax subsidies. Other sizable increases came from the Solar Energy Industries Association, which more than doubled its spending to $950,000 for the quarter. The Zero Emission Transportation Association’s spending was more than four times the level a year prior, at $130,000. While much of the spending by lobbyists was aimed at preserving green energy tax credits, advocates also spent money on other renewable energy priorities and legislation. The lobbyists were, for the most part, unsuccessful in pushing back at what President Donald Trump and many Republicans had long promised: to end the incentives from the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act that the GOP has labeled the “Green New Scam.” The new law sets a quick timetable to end incentives for wind and solar, as well as batteries, electric vehicles and vehicle charging infrastructure, while repealing other pro-clean-energy policies.

Megalaw has big money for fossil fuels. Some Republicans aren’t happy about it. - Tucked inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is $1 billion to help the fossil fuel industry, but that provision has created friction and questions within the GOP, with one lawmaker calling it “government-directed industrialization.”The provision, a single line in the Senate Banking Committee portion, appropriates $1 billion in Defense Production Act funding. The Cold War-era law has been invoked by both Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden to boost domestic industries in the name of national defense. It’s unclear who inserted the provision.The funding, which wasn’t in the original House bill, prompted some senators to raise questions privately about how exactly the Trump administration intended to spend the money.Several Republicans interviewed recently, including Environment and Public Works Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) said they were still in the dark about the provision.“There are so many issues in that bill of which I have no clarity and no knowledge,” Lummis said. “There was stuff in there that I didn’t even know about. So I can’t pick out little things and give you an answer, which is terrifying. But that’s the truth.”Ahead of the bill’s passage, one of the loudest objectors was Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who later introduced an amendment to strike the funding from the legislation. It failed 42-58, with several Democrats joining Republicans to kill it.Now, the White House says the money will be used to “accelerate the domestic production of fossil fuels, support strategically important coal mining operations, and reinforce the reliability and resilience of our electric grid,” according to a senior White House official.That’s in part because financing has become a problem for certain fossil fuel projects, even those that are permitted and otherwise viable, the official told POLITICO’s E&E News in an email.“This disconnect between federal authorization and private capital deployment is becoming a systemic obstacle to energy development,” said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the matter candidly. “The Administration is taking this issue seriously.”The administration’s quest to “rebuild energy dominance” could also include “expanding access to federal loan programs, and identifying reforms to de-risk investment in fossil energy and critical mineral projects.”The Trump administration has favored fossil fuels over renewable energy, arguing the former is more reliable for its “energy dominance” agenda. However, some fossil fuel industries, like natural gas, are struggling to keep up with demand due to a shortage of turbines.A Republican aide familiar with the closed-door Senate talks, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said senators asked questions about whether the DPA would provide grants or loans. There was also some discussion about extending the life of coal plants or reopening coal or gas plants that had been shuttered.A second person familiar with the plans said the administration intends to use the funding for transformers, switch gear shortages, rare earth stockpiles and other unexpected needs. The person noted a billion dollars won’t go very far.Granting the president such broad authorities left some Republicans with reservations, even after administration officials briefed senators last month in closed-door meetings.Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said White House officials enumerated about five different categories that they intended to use, but that prompted disagreement about whether they provided enough specificity.It certainly was not enough for Kennedy, who tried to strike the funding at the last minute.He declared on the Senate floor that the Trump administration was basically just copying the follies of the Biden administration, which used the law to accelerate critical mineral production and clean energy technologies.“I raised fresh hell” at the time, he said. “And now we’re about to do it again. A billion dollars.”He argued “government-directed industrialization” wrongly picks winners and losers in the private sector: “This business gets the money but you, Ms. Businesswoman, you can’t have the money … It’s immoral. It’s unfair to the people who don’t get the money.”Kennedy stressed that although he had complete faith in Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the law would allow them to decide “in their unfettered discretion who’s going to get this money in the private sector.”

Republicans fear DC headed for shutdown after bruising spending fights -- Republican lawmakers fear Washington may be headed for a government shutdown later this year after two bruising fights over President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act and a $9 billion rescissions package created bad blood on Capitol Hill. White House budget director Russell Vought says the administration plans to send up another wave of spending rescissions to Congress, and GOP leaders are already waving the caution flag on that as some Republicans privately warn it may not have the votes to pass. After six months of bitter partisan fighting since Trump’s inauguration, Republicans will now need cooperation from Democrats to keep the government funded, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) is warning GOP colleagues not to expect “business as usual.” One senior Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee put the chances of a shutdown in the fall at “a real square 50-50.” The lawmaker warned that if the White House sends up another rescissions package, “it will be met with mixed results.” “I agree with John Thune that we need to get to a regular appropriations process, and I think it gets in the way of that. So the timing, if they do another one, is going to have to be better timed and [have] much more detail,” the senator said, referring to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.). The senator acknowledged Democrats are furious after getting steamrolled on the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act and the rescissions package. “Who gets blamed for it?” the lawmaker mused. A second Republican senator who requested anonymity said the odds of a shutdown are significantly higher after scorched-earth battles with Democrats on the Trump’s megabill, which cut nearly $1 trillion in federal Medicaid spending, and the rescissions package, which defunded PBS and NPR and clawed back money from global aid programs. “I think the Democrats are very unhappy,” the senator said. “You got some of them that are running for president, you got some of them that are running for majority or minority leader over there. So, I think they’re going to fight for us no matter what, and I think they see government funding as one of those places they want to fight.

Iran's foreign minister says US strikes 'destroyed' nuclear facilities -Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said during a recent interview that the U.S.’s strikes last month “destroyed” Tehran’s nuclear facilities and that the country will not refrain from continuing to enrich uranium. “It is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe. But obviously we cannot give up [on] enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,” Araghchi told Fox News’s Bret Baier. Araghchi later added that the “facilities have been destroyed.” Iran’s foreign minister, in an interview on “Special Report with Bret Baier,” said Iran will be able to rebuild the facilities, insisting that Tehran would not pause enriching uranium. “If the goal is to make sure that Iran will never have nuclear weapons, that is achievable,” Araghchi said. President Trump and other administration officials have claimed that U.S. military strikes on June 21 “completely destroyed” Iran’s three nuclear sites — at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. A recent intelligence assessment, which was reported by multiple news outlets last week, said that the nuclear facility in Fordow was mostly destroyed, but the ones in Natanz and Isfahan were not and could potentially resume uranium enrichment.

Trump Says US Will Bomb Iran's Nuclear Facilities Again 'If Necessary' - President Trump said on Truth Social on Monday night that the US will bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities again “if necessary,” a post that came in response to comments from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.Araghchi told Fox News host Brett Baier earlier in the day that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “very severely” damaged and “destroyed” by the US strikes.“Of course they are [destroyed], just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary! As interviewed by Bret Baier,” Trump said.“Fake News CNN should immediately fire their phony ‘reporter’ and apologize to me and the great pilots who ‘OBLITERATED’ Iran’s nuclear sites,” Trump added, referring to a report that said US intelligence assessed the US airstrikes didn’t destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities and only set back the program by a few months.Araghchi said that Iran was still assessing the damage to its nuclear facilities and reaffirmed that Tehran did not seek a nuclear bomb.US intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had no evidence that Iran decided to pursue a nuclear weapon before Israel launched the 12-Day War on June 13 with surprise airstrikes, which came under the cover of US-Iran nuclear negotiations.Trump has also previously threatened to bomb Iran again if it restarted its nuclear enrichment program. Araghchi said that while Iran’s nuclear enrichment is currently halted due to the US strikes, Tehran wouldn’t give up enrichment since it wants to produce its own fuel and because the program has become a matter of “national pride.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doubles down on support for Israel’s “defensive” genocide in Gaza - Over 20 months into Israel’s extermination operation in Gaza, carried out with the full backing of the US government and its imperialist allies, the US House of Representatives on July 17 voted 442 to 6 to overwhelmingly reject an amendment to the 2026 US war budget that would have stripped a paltry $500 million from the “Israeli Cooperative Programs.” Only six members of the House voted in favor of the resolution. The four Democrats were Al Green of Texas, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. The two Republicans were Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky. One of the hundreds of lawmakers who opposed the amendment to the war budget was Democratic Socialists of America member and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The “cooperative programs” that Ocasio-Cortez refused to vote to defund are part of the massive US military budget and provide additional funding for advanced Israeli anti-missile systems. After the failure of the amendment, early Friday morning on July 18, the House passed the 2026 war budget in a 221 to 209 vote. The bill allocates over $832 billion to the military and was supported by five Democrats along with almost every Republican. One of the five Democrats was Maine Congressman Jared Golden, a CIA Democrat Ocasio-Cortez effusively praised in an interview with the New York Times earlier this year. The amendment to the 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act was introduced by fascist Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene in response to the July 11 Israeli strike on Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church, which killed at least three people, including the parish priest. That same day, Gaza health officials reported receiving 94 bodies at local hospitals. Unsurprisingly, Ocasio-Cortez’s refusal to back the amendment has provoked widespread anger on social media from some of her supporters and tens of thousands of others outraged over the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the Democratic Party’s unwavering support for it. In response to growing outrage, on July 19 Ocasio-Cortez defended herself by explicitly reaffirming her support for funding the Israeli military. In a statement on X, viewed over 15 million times and met with tens of thousands of angry replies, the DSA Democrat wrote: “Greene’s amendment does nothing to cut off offensive aid to Israel nor end the flow of US munitions being used in Gaza. Of course I voted against it. What it does do is cut off defensive Iron Dome capacities while allowing the actual bombs killing Palestinians to continue.” In other words, Ocasio-Cortez is against stopping the flow of so-called “defensive” weapons to a state that the International Court of Justice, the United Nations and several human rights organizations around the world have accused of carrying out a genocide. In reality, there is no meaningful distinction between “offensive” and “defensive” weaponry in the genocide in Gaza. All weapons provided to Israel serve the predatory aims of Washington. Even setting aside the fact that interceptor missiles can be converted into strike weapons, the very existence of the Iron Dome and other anti‑missile systems has enabled Israel to bomb with virtual impunity in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran and Gaza this year alone.

AOC Is A Genocidal Con Artist -- Caitlin Johnstone - The Democratic Party’s Instagram-friendly progressive darling Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has voted with the overwhelming majority of House representatives against withholding $500 million in missile funding for Israel, despite previously saying that Israel is committing “a genocide of Palestinians” in Gaza with US support.The only lawmakers voting to withhold the military aid were Democrats Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee and Al Green, and Republicans Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene.Coming under fire from the left for the glaring contradiction of providing military assistance to a state that is perpetrating an active genocide, AOC issued a statement claiming her vote was about protecting civilians. The statement reads as follows: “Marjorie Taylor Greene’s amendment does nothing to cut off offensive aid to Israel nor end the flow of US munitions being used in Gaza. Of course I voted against it.“What it does do is cut off defensive Iron Dome capacities while allowing the actual bombs killing Palestinians to continue.“I have long stated that I do not believe that adding to the death count of innocent victims to this war is constructive to its end. That is a simple and clear difference of opinion that has long been established.“I remain focused on cutting the flow of US munitions that are being used to perpetuate the genocide in Gaza.” AOC’s statement is absolute crap. The Iron Dome is not used for defending, it’s used to facilitate constant attacks. In an article for Jewish Currents titled “Iron Dome Is Not a Defensive System,” Dylan Saba explains:“By almost entirely negating the ability of militant groups in Gaza to respond to Israel’s incursions, the purportedly defensive Iron Dome allows Israel to strike without fear of repercussion. And because the cost is so low when measured in Israeli casualties, Israel can wage perpetual war without suffering domestic political consequences, and is under negligible pressure to pursue diplomacy with the Palestinians. ‘In theory, a weapon like Iron Dome could be used only defensively. But in practice it doesn’t work that way,’ analyst Nathan Thrall told Jewish Currents. ‘Iron Dome facilitates greater Israeli offensive measures, because it lowers the perceived cost to Israel of escalating or extending or initiating attacks.’ In other words, while the Iron Dome may prevent the deaths of Israeli non-combatants, it has made it easier for Israel to engage in deadly operations that take Palestinian lives.”The Iron Dome isn’t for protecting civilians, it’s for protecting the Israeli regime from deterrence. We see this in the comfort the regime displays in waging constant military violence on its neighbors knowing they can’t retaliate. That’s why Israel cut a ceasefire deal with Iran so fast. Iran’s advanced missiles can’t be reliably stopped by the Iron Dome, so Iran was able to smash Israel and force it to cease its unprovoked aggressions. If Israel had had a missile defense system which could casually swat those missiles out of the sky at a high rate of success, Israel would still be bombing Iran today, and would continue doing so until Tehran looked like Gaza. Israel’s war-horny population would have supported this, because they’d have no skin in the game. Saying you support funding Israel’s “defensive weapons” while opposing sending it “offensive weapons” is as nonsensical as saying you would never give a mass shooter guns and ammunition, but you would give him body armor to keep him safe from the police. You’re helping him commit mass murder just as much as you would be if you gave him guns and ammo. Kings didn’t arm their knights with shields and armor so that they could live long and fulfilling lives, they did it so the knights would live long enough to kill the people the kings wanted killed. If you believe a state is committing genocide, there is no justifiable reason for you to support enhancing that state’s military capabilities and helping it defend itself from those who try to stop it. As others have pointed out, this is exactly the same as opposing Hitler’s Holocaust but supporting giving anti-aircraft flak cannons to Nazi Germany. It’s a self-evidently ridiculous, warmongering, and ultimately genocidal position, disguised as progressive humanitarianism. It’s all the ugliest things about western liberals.People who say you should criticize AOC less because there are way worse members of congress act like she’s just passively sitting there being a mediocre lawmaker. She’s not. She’s actively anchoring the leftmost edge of the Overton window of US politics to militarism, capitalism, colonialism, and genocide. She’s actively stopping American politics from moving any further left than the nightmare we see before us.Leftists shouldn’t hate AOC less than the politicians to her right, they should hate her much more. It isn’t Mike Johnson’s responsibility to move the US government to the left, and it’s not Nancy Pelosi’s job. It’s hers. That’s what she was elected to do. That’s what she framed the goals of her entire political career as being. And she’s taking her stand firmly bracing against any leftward movement from America’s genocidal, warmongering, unjust, exploitative, tyrannical status quo.And that’s what she was actually put there to do. Her real job is to say “thus far and no further” to the leftmost end of the political spectrum of the world’s most powerful and destructive government. That’s the Democratic Party’s job in general, and it’s the job of media-savvy progressive Democrats in particular. They are there to provide as little resistance as possible when US politics are shoved toward more genocidal, militaristic, oligarchic, capitalist, imperialist abuses, and to provide as much inertia as possible to any movement in the opposite direction.That’s why people who seek leftward movement in the US political machine see AOC as one of their main enemies. It’s for the exact same reason you’d see someone actively blocking the fire exit as your enemy when trying to escape from a burning building.

Israel Purchases $150 Million Worth of Humvees Using US Military Aid - The Israeli Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that it had signed a $150 million contract to purchase hundreds of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, commonly known as Humvees, in a dealfinanced by US military aid.The Defense Ministry signed the deal with US manufacturer AM General, and the first shipment of Humvees is expected to be delivered later this year. The deal is expected to replenish military equipment Israel has used in its nearly two-year genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.The US-funded deal comes amid growing criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, with 25 Western nationsreleasing a statement on Monday that condemned Israel for the “inhumane Killing of Civilians.” Despite daily atrocities committed by the IDF, there’s no sign that the Trump administration is considering ending or limiting its military support for Israel.The US provides Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid each year, including $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing, a State Department program that gives foreign governments money to purchase US weapons. The other $500 million Israel receives annually goes toward missile defense programs and is disbursed through the Pentagon.Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introduced an amendment to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDD) to remove the $500 million for Israel’s missile defense, but the measure was overwhelmingly rejected. Only six House representatives voted in favor of the amendment: Reps. Greene, Thomas Massie (R-KY), Al Green (D-TX), Summer Lee (D-PA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN).

US and Israel Quit Gaza Ceasefire Talks in Doha as Palestinians Starve to Death - The US and Israel have withdrawn negotiators from Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar, dashing hopes for a breakthrough as the humanitarian situation in Gaza is as bad as ever, and Palestinians are starving to death due to the US-backed Israeli blockade.Israel announced it was bringing its negotiators home after Hamas presented its latest counter-proposal. The Israeli announcement was quickly followed up by a statement from US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Both the US and Israel are blaming Hamas for the collapse of the negotiations. However, Israel has maintained a hardline position throughout the talks and made clear that it would agree only to a temporary ceasefire since Israeli officials announced a plan to build a concentration camp in southern Gaza during the truce. One of Hamas’s conditions has been for a stronger guarantee that an initial 60-day ceasefire would lead to a permanent one.Hamas’s long-standing position is that it’s willing to release all remaining captives in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. But Israel has rejected this, and there’s no sign the Trump administration is willing to put pressure on Israel to change its position. “We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Witkoff said in a post on X.“We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza,” he added. It’s unclear what sort of “alternative options” the US and Israel may be considering, but the collapse in negotiations comes as the Israeli military has launched a ground offensive in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, an area where Israelis believe many of the remaining captives may be held. In response to Witkoff’s statement, Hamas said that it has been flexible and that it was “committed to reaching an agreement that halts the aggression and ends the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip.” “We are surprised by the negative statements of US envoy Steve Witkoff regarding the Movement’s stance, especially when the mediators have expressed their welcome and satisfaction with this constructive and positive position, which opens the door to reaching a comprehensive agreement,” Hamas said.According to Axios, Hamas had asked for more Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for Israeli captives, including 2,000 Palestinians who have been abducted in Gaza since October 7, 2023, instead of the 1,200 the US and Israel proposed. The two sides have also been at odds over the amount of territory Israel will occupy, as Israel is refusing to withdraw its forces back to the positions it held during the short-lived ceasefire deal that was signed in January 2025.

Fifteen More Palestinians Starve to Death in Gaza Due to US-Backed Israeli Blockade - Gaza’s Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that 15 more Palestinians starved to death in Gaza over 24 hours due to the US-backed Israeli blockade on the besieged territory.Among the dead were four children, including six-week-old Yousef al-Safadi. Babies are especially vulnerable since malnourished mothers cannot produce breast milk, and Israel is impeding the import of baby formula.Yousef’s family told Reuters that he died due to the lack of baby formula. “You can’t get milk anywhere, and if you do find any, it’s $100 for a tub,” Yousef’s uncle, Adham al-Safadi, said while looking at his dead nephew at the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. A man stands next to the body of six-week-old infant Yousef al-Safadi, who died of starvation according to health officials, at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 22, 2025. REUTERS/Khamis Al-Rifi Three other children were also starved to death by Israel over the past 24 hours, including 13-year-old Abdulhamid al-Ghalban, who died in a hospital in Khan Younis. Raheel Rosros, a 32-year-old woman with special needs, also died of starvation.Rosros’s father, Muhammad, told Middle East Eye that she began suffering from malnutrition over a month ago and that she was unable to stomach the limited types of food that had been available. “From before the start of the war, she used to eat whatever she wanted, but she had lost everything she once used to ask for,” he said.Muhammad said that he had another daughter who also had special needs and was previously killed in an Israeli bombing. He fears that his other children will also starve to death.

Four Major News Agencies Warn Gaza Staff Face Starvation Due to Israeli Blockade - Four of the world’s major news agencies have issued a rare joint statement warning that their journalists in Gaza are unable to feed themselves due to the US-backed Israeli blockade, as Palestinians continue to starve to death under the siege. “We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families,” AFP, The Associated Press, Reuters, and BBC News said. “For many months, these independent journalists have been the world’s eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.”The news agencies said that journalists “endure many deprivations and hardships in war zones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them.” They urged the “Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza” and said it was “essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there.”On top of the starvation, journalists in Gaza continue to be targeted by the IDF. On Wednesday, Walaa al-Jabari, who worked for local news outlets, was killed along with her husband and four children. Al-Jabari was pregnant at the time of her killing, and the Gaza Government Media Office said her death brought the total number of journalists killed by Israel since October 7, 2023, to 231.The statement from the news agencies came as Gaza’s Health Ministry said another two Palestinians had starved to death over the previous 24-hour period. Starvation deaths have spiked over the past week, with dozens, mostly children, dying of malnutrition due to Israeli-imposed restrictions and the killing of aid seekers. The Health Ministry said it has recorded a total of 113 starvation deaths. Palestinians in Gaza also continue to be gunned down while attempting to reach food aid. Since the end of May, more than 1,000 aid seekers have been killed by Israeli forces, mainly near distribution sites run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Twenty-Five Western Nations Condemn Israel for 'Inhumane Killing of Civilians,' Demand Gaza Ceasefire - The foreign ministers from 25 Western nations have released a joint statement condemning Israel for its “inhumane killing of civilians” in Gaza and demanding an end to the genocidal war.The statement was signed by ministers from the UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.The signatories strongly condemned the current “aid” system in Gaza, which is run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and has become a death trap for starving Palestinians.Mourners carry the bodies of Palestinian children killed in an overnight Israeli strike on a house, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, during a funeral at Al-Shifa Hospital, in Gaza City, July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa “The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Gazans of human dignity. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food,” the signatories said.“It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid. The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,” they added.The 25 nations also condemned Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel and called for the remaining Israeli captives to be released while demanding an unconditional ceasefire.“We urge the parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end, through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. Further bloodshed serves no purpose. We reaffirm our complete support to the efforts of the US, Qatar, and Egypt to achieve this,” the 25 nations said.

Rep. Randy Fine Tells Palestinians To 'Starve Away' as Babies Die of Malnutrition Under Israeli Blockade in Gaza - --On Tuesday, Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) said on X that Palestinians in Gaza should “starve away” while also claiming the reports of people dying of hunger due to the US-backed Israeli blockade are a “lie.”Fine made the comments in response to the news that 15 Palestinians, including four children, died of starvation over 24 hours.“Release the hostages. Until then, starve away,” Fine wrote on X from his official Congress account. “(This is all a lie anyway. It amazes me that the media continues to regurgitate Muslim terror propaganda.)”The reports of starvation deaths from Gaza’s Health Ministry are corroborated by photos and interviews with family members of those who died. Among the dead on Tuesday was six-week-old Yousef al-Safadi, who lost his life due to the lack of baby formula.Fine recently joined the House after winning a special election to replace Mike Waltz, President Trump’s former national security advisor, who has been nominated to be the US ambassador to the UN. Trump endorsed Fine despite his history of calling for violence against Palestinians. Later on Tuesday, news broke that Fine was being added to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which is headed by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), who previously volunteered with the Israeli military and once wore his IDF uniform while at work on Capitol Hill.

Linda McMahon’s answer on Holocaust denialism should scare us by Rep Mark Takano. D-Calif -

• Questioner: “Madam Secretary, does refusing to hire a Holocaust denier as a member of Harvard’s history department faculty count as an ‘ideological litmus test?’”
• Witness: “I believe that there should be diversity of viewpoints relative to teachings and opinions on campuses.”

Had I just heard that correctly? Had Education Secretary Linda McMahon really just said Holocaust denialism was just a diverse view point? I was shocked. But just recently, this exchange really happened.I sat across the dais from McMahon in the House Education and Workforce Committee room. On the desk before me was the April 11 letter sent to Harvard by the Trump administration, laying out their outrageous demands of the university in order to retain their federal funding.Contained in that letter is the phrase which has become a rallying cry for the Trump administration in their crusade against Harvard: “viewpoint diversity.” This is the one diversity program that the administration has deemed not only important, but imperative to future of higher education. But although McMahon has been beating the drum loudly on the lack of “diverse viewpoints” on colleges campuses, she’s been vague on what that means and whether the administration has the authority to enforce viewpoint diversity on campus.In her hearing before the Senate the previous day, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) pressed the secretary on this very question. Beyond saying that college faculties need more conservative voices, she wasn’t able to clearly articulate the powers that the federal government has in that realm, nor was she able to clearly define what viewpoint diversity means, nor the limits that should be recognized.So I asked.I asked if, under the demands listed in the letter, the Harvard government department would be compelled to hire faculty that believe the 2020 election was stolen. I asked if Harvard Medical School would be required to hire immunologists that adhere to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s view on vaccine efficacy. McMahon’s response was to bluster about free speech and multiple viewpoints on college campuses. She obfuscated and I pressed. It was at this point I asked, “Madam Secretary, does refusing to hire a Holocaust denier as a member of Harvard’s history department faculty count as an ‘ideological litmus test?’”She responded: “I believe that there should be diversity of viewpoints relative to teachings and opinions on campuses.”There are a number of deeply disturbing aspects to that answer. I could write at length about the implications that widely discredited and — in the case of the third example, deeply offensive and dangerously ignorant — conspiracy theories should have a place in academic institutions that are at the global forefront of research. There is also much to be said about that fact that an administration which claims to be fighting against antisemitism does not immediately condemn Holocaust denial and insist that it does not have a place or a platform in higher education. But the pressing issue at stake here is that the administration cannot identify a limit to such viewpoint diversity. If a candidate for a position in the government department has a sincere political belief that the 2020 election was stolen, should they be hired in the interest of “viewpoint diversity” although they would not meet the academic standards required for a serious candidate in political science? If they are not hired by the school, does the federal government have the power to punish the university? What does this mean for current faculty who disagree with the administration? “Ideological vetting” is already happening to the school’s prospective international students; it is not a stretch to imagine that that vetting might extend to faculty and domestic students too.Freedom of speech and freedom of dissent are among the most sacred and fundamental tenets of our democracy, enshrined in the very first amendment of the Bill of Rights. Universities are the arenas where those freedoms are exercised; places where ideas are tested and debated and critical thought is encouraged. History teaches us that government interference in and crackdown on colleges and universities is a tactic used by authoritarian governments to quash dissent.That is not to say that there aren’t problems on college campuses today, and there should always be an unwavering commitment to student safety and wellbeing. But political dissent is not a crime. Dissent is a function of a healthy and vibrant democracy, and higher education is there to teach students how to think, not what to think.

US opts to skip UN conference on two-state solution for Israel, Palestine-- The U.S. will skip the upcoming United Nations conference aimed at bolstering efforts to reach a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestine slated for next week, according to the State Department. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said during his Thursday briefing to reporters that he had “nothing further” to add about the summit, scheduled to take place in New York City from July 28-29, “beyond saying that we will not be in attendance of that conference.” The conference is co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France. Summit participants will work to outline a framework for a Palestinian state. The gathering was previously postponed in June after Israel launched strikes against Iran. Israel and Iran’s war lasted for 12 days. The two sides came to a ceasefire, which was brokered by the Trump administration, on June 24. The U.S. struck three nuclear sites in Iran on June 21.The Trump administration has previously slammed the conference, urging allies not to attend and warning that nations that do could face consequences from Washington.>“We are urging governments not to participate in the conference, which we view as counterproductive to ongoing, life-saving efforts to end the war in Gaza and free hostages,” an internal U.S. diplomatic cable, reviewed by Reuters, said. “The United States opposes any steps that would unilaterally recognise a conjectural Palestinian state, which adds significant legal and political obstacles to the eventual resolution of the conflict and could coerce Israel during a war, thereby supporting its enemies,” the U.S. officials added in the cable.

US Envoy: US Has No Business Trying to Get Israel to Stop Attacking Lebanon - Continuing the increasingly confusing situation centering on the US demands for Lebanon to fully disarm Hezbollah by November, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack was in Lebanon again to meet with officials, and to dismiss the guarantees Lebanese officials were seeking.Hezbollah rejected the disarmament demand citing the constant Israeli attacks and ongoing occupation of Lebanese soil. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam wanted a guarantee from the US that Israel would actually stop attacking Lebanon if the disarmament happened, so that could be used as leverage to try to reintroduce the talks with Hezbollah.Though it had previously been suggested in media reports that the US was floating such guarantees along with the demand, Barrack was quick to disavow the idea, declaring that the US has “no business in trying to compel Israel to do anything.”Since the US was, along with France, meant to be the guarantors of the November ceasefire, they actually do in this case have business in trying to compel Israel to meet the terms of that ceasefire.Moreover, the US is actively trying to get Israel to stop attacking Syria, so they plainly have no problem in trying to compel Israel to stop attacking places. It’s just that in Lebanon, Barrack simply isn’t concerned with the thousands of Israeli strikes carried out since the ceasefire went into effect. Barrack even addressed the Israeli attacks on Syria, saying they came at a very bad time.Barrack continued to try to totally rewrite the history of what the US was demanding, what it was offering, and what it was threatening with respect to Lebanon, declaring that the US wasn’t considering any retaliation if Hezbollah wasn’t disarmed. “There’s no consequence, there’s no threat, there’s no whip,” he insisted.Nine days prior, in an interview with The National, Barrack threatened Lebanon’s continued existence if they don’t “get in line” and comply with the US demands. He raised the prospect of Israel and Syria just carving up Lebanese territory among themselves.Now the Barrack narrative seems to be that all of this never happened. It’s not the first time he’s totally changed the story publicly. A week before that newsworthy threat in the interview, he insisted he was “unbelievably satisfied” with Lebanon’s response to the demands which was, to be a clear, a rejection of the US demands.A billionaire real estate investor, Barrack first dealt with President Trump in the 1980s, selling him the Plaza Hotel for $410 million. He supported Trump heavily in his 2016 campaign, and served as a middle man for a number of wealthy Gulf states following that. He was appointed the Ambassador to Turkey in May, and has since been given the Syria portfolio as well. Though it’s not among his job titles, he’s also been the centerpiece of Trump Administration demands on Lebanon, though clearly it’s not always easy to pin down what those positions actually are.

US Envoy Barrack Gives Lebanon 90 Days to Disarm Hezbollah, Says Israel Set the Deadline -Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack continued throughout the week to make increasingly conflicting demands and pledges to Lebanon. On Wednesday, he brought back the demand for disarmament of Hezbollah, now insisting that not only does this have to happen within 90 days, but it’s actually Israel that set the deadline for him.Barrack warned that if Hezbollah wasn’t disarmed, Israeli attacks would continue. He made clear on Monday, however, that even if Hezbollah was disarmed Israel could keep attacking Lebanon, as he considers the US to have “no business” trying to get them to stop.The narrative of the demand was originally that Lebanon would disarm Hezbollah in return for Israel ending the attacks. Lebanon was holding out for an actual assurance that Israel would actually stop, however, as the US promised Israel would stop attacking and withdraw from Lebanon in the November ceasefire, and ultimately they did neither.Barrack responded to the rejection of the unilateral disarmament earlier this month by insisting Lebanon might be conquered by Syria and Israel if they don’t “get in line,” though Monday he reversed course, insisting that there was no punishment associated with the refusal.By Tuesday, however, he reversed that once again, insisting he might withdraw the entire Lebanon file if they don’t capitulate to the demand. By Wednesday he was back to presenting the disarmament not only as a demand, but the only way to get Israel to stop attacking, which again he insisted Monday that they wouldn’t be compelled to do anyway.That wasn’t the beginning and the end of the new Barrack narrative though, making multiple bizarre claims about the Lebanon conflict, while insisting that he is confident the current Lebanese government must comply with the disarmament demand, saying they have an opportunity and that Hezbollah “propaganda” is the only thing holding it back.Regarding Israel’s active invasion and occupation of parts of Lebanon, he insisted Israel had no territorial interest in Lebanon, and asked “who would be dumb enough to believe otherwise.” He also mocked the ongoing Israeli occupation of the Shebaa Farms, which are recognized as part of Lebanon, insisting it was “a land of no value.” He argued that if Israel really wanted Lebanon, they would’ve taken it over “in a heartbeat” so they must not want it.He then went on to claim that Hezbollah made up the idea that Syria might take over parts of Lebanon as an excuse to not disarm, saying “the ‘evil Syrians’ can’t even make it outside Damascus.” Syria has launched multiple cross-border raids into Lebanon this year, and it has been reported that Israel offered to let Syria conquer the entire north of Lebanon as part of a normalization deal between the two of them. That deal was said to also return the Golan to Syria on paper but let Israel keep much of it at any rate under some sort of lease deal.Barrack also predicted that the US and Iran would soon make a deal and it would come with conditions on Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis of Yemen. He said Lebanon should therefore not worry about Iran and should just do what the US wants, adding Hezbollah has an opportunity to normalize relations with Israel as well.

Syrian Observatory Blasts US Envoy for Claiming Syrian Government Forces Not Involved in Suwayda Executions - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based rights group that tracks violence in Syria, has released a statement criticizing US Ambassador Tom Barrack for claiming Syrian government forces were not involved in the mass executions of civilians in Suwayda, southern Syria.Seven days of clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin who were backed by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) government forces left 1,399 people dead, including 196 civilians executed by gunmen affiliated with the Syrian defense and interior ministries, according to the SOHR.Barrack, who serves as the ambassador to Turkey and as a special envoy to Syria, claimed Syrian government troops didn’t enter Suwayda during the violence. “The Syrian troops haven’t gone into the city. These atrocities that are happening are not happening by the Syrian regime troops. They’re not even in the city because they agreed with Israel that they would not go in,” he told Reuters.Barrack also claimed that the fighters who entered the city may have been ISIS members disguised as government troops, though HTS and ISIS share a similar ideology. In response, the SOHR said that it “strongly rejects and condemns” Barrack’s comments.“SOHR considers these statements to lack even the minimum standards of objectivity and neutrality. They not only represent a serious deviation from the envoy’s expected role as a mediator working toward peace and stability among Syrians, but also open the door for further massacres to be committed against other Syrian communities, similar to what has happened to the Druze and Alawites in Suwayda and other regions,” the SOHR said.“SOHR affirms that it possesses documented evidence, including video footage and credible field testimonies, confirming that the horrific violations, including the execution of civilians, the throwing of young men from upper floors and the killing of a Syrian-American citizen on sectarian grounds, took place on the day Syrian Ministry of Defense personnel entered Suwayda city,” the group added.The SOHR said that Barrack should not act as a “defense attorney” for “an interim authority that has failed to protect Syrians and whose media and key figures have contributed to fueling sectarian and regional conflict.”The SOHR has detailed many of the executions in Suwayda, including one where Hosam Saraya, a 35-year-old Syrian American, was shot to death along with seven of his relatives, a massacre that was filmed and posted online.The SOHR also detailed the killing of Pastor Khaled Maher Mazhar, a Christian convert from the Druze religion who was massacred along with 11 members of his family, including six women. The group said the family was killed by members of the Syrian Defense Ministry. “The perpetrators opened fire directly on everyone inside the house, even extending the killing to include the family’s dog, an act that reflects the extreme brutality of the massacre,” the SOHR said.

US Official Calls Netanyahu a 'Madman' for Bombing Syria Despite US Opposition - Axios reported on Sunday that White House officials were frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to Israel’s recent airstrikes on Damascus, which came as the US was urging Israel not to bomb Syria.“Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time,” one White House official told the outlet. “This could undermine what Trump is trying to do.”The Trump administration has been pushing for a normalization deal between Israel and the new Syrian government, which is led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, the founder of al-Qaeda in Syria, who took over Damascus in December 2024 with his rebranded group of jihadists, known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).Another White House official pointed to the Israeli tank shelling of the sole Catholic church in Gaza, which killed three Christians. “The feeling is that every day there is something new. What the f***?” the official said. A third official said that Netanyahu is “sometimes like a child who just doesn’t behave.”The report noted that it was unclear whether President Trump shared the officials’ frustration with Netanyahu. Trump has recently shown strong support for Netanyahu by calling for an end to his corruption trial and hosting the Israeli leader at the White House for the third time within six months.A senior Israeli official said that Tel Aviv was surprised by the US’s unhappiness over the Syria strikes since Trump had encouraged Israel to hold Syrian territory it had captured and hadn’t previously criticized Israel’s interventions in the country. Israel celebrated the regime change that ousted former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but used the HTS takeover as a pretext to invade southern Syria. The Axios report didn’t indicate that US officials were frustrated by Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and the daily massacres of women, children, and unarmed Palestinian civilians seeking aid. There was also no indication that the US was considering ending or leveraging military aid to Israel, which Israel relies on to sustain its military operations across the region.

White House Says Trump Was 'Caught Off Guard' By Israel's Recent Syria Airstrikes - White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that President Trump was “caught off guard” by Israel’s recent airstrikes in Syria and the Israeli tank shelling of the sole Catholic church in Gaza.“He was caught off guard by the bombing in Syria and also the bombing of the Catholic church in Gaza,” Leavitt told reporters.The comments come after several reports that the Trump administration was unhappy with Israel’s airstrikes in Syria, with one US official telling Axios that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a “madman” and “bombs everything all the time.”Also on Monday, Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey who serves as a special envoy to Syria, also criticized Israel’s airstrikes on Syria and expressed strong support for the al-Qaeda-linked Syrian government despite the massacres its forces have committed against Druze civilians during the fighting in southern Syria’s Suwayda.Barrack told The Associated Press that the “the killing, the revenge, the massacres on both sides” are “intolerable,” but that “the current government of Syria, in my opinion, has conducted themselves as best they can as a nascent government with very few resources to address the multiplicity of issues that arise in trying to bring a diverse society together.”Israel bombed Syrian government tanks that entered an area of southern Syria it wants to be demilitarized and followed up the attack with airstrikes on the Defense Ministry in Damascus. Barrack said that the strikes “came at a very bad time” and insisted that the US “was not asked, nor did they participate in that decision, nor was it the United States’ responsibility in matters that Israel feels is for its own self-defense.”Barrack also said that Israel would rather see a fractured and divided Syria rather than one with a strong central government. “Strong nation-states are a threat — especially Arab states are viewed as a threat to Israel,” he said.After the regime change that ousted former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated and took credit for, Israel invaded southern Syria. The US has been pushing for a normalization deal between Israel and the al-Qaeda-linked government in Damascus, but Israel would likely rather keep the territory it has captured and is using the plight of the Druze as a pretext for continued military intervention.

US Citizen Among Eight Druze Executed by HTS Forces in Southern Syria - An American citizen was among eight civilians executed by fighters linked to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led Syrian government in Suwayda, southern Syria, last week. A video of the execution of Hosam Saraya, a 35-year-old Syrian American, and his seven relatives has surfaced online. It shows eight unarmed men being escorted to the location of their execution by a group of armed men wearing military uniforms, and one could be heard shouting “God is Great” in Arabic throughout the video.Family members told Al Monitor that Saraya and the other men were abducted from a home in central Suwayda by armed men wearing uniforms that indicated they were Syrian government forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) described the executioners as “Syrian defense ministry personnel” and said the killing happened shortly after government forces entered the city.Saraya and his seven relatives were all members of the Druze minority. Government forces intervened on the side of Bedouin tribes who were clashing with Druze militias in the area. According to the SOHR, the violence left at least 1,100 dead, including 298 Druze civilians. Among the Druze civilians killed, 194 were summarily executed by government forces.

US-Backed Somali Army 'Melts' in Face of al-Shabaab Offensive Despite Billions in International Support -The US-backed Somali military has “melted” in the face of an al-Shabaab offensive in southern and central Somalia despite receiving billions of dollars in international support over the years, AFP has reported.Citing data from the think tank Sahan Research, the report said that in its counteroffensive this year, al-Shabaab has regained 90% of the territory it lost in recent years. The Mogadishu-based government had success in an offensive in 2022 and 2023 because it relied on local clan militias to do much of the fighting, but President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has since lost the support of some of those groups. “The mobilisation went well when the president came from Mogadishu to start the first phase of the offensive (in 2022). Everybody was heavily involved in the fighting… assisting the national army,” Mohamed Hassan, a local militia member in Somalia’s central Hiraan region, told AFP.“It’s no longer the same because the leadership are no longer involved and there seems to be disorganisation in how the community militias are mobilised,” Hassan added. Rashid Abdi of Sahan Research said that President Mohamud was “extremely inept at working with the clans.”One reason why Mohamud has lost support of many clans is due to his push to hold Somalia’s first “one man, one vote” election, which would be a break from Somalia’s clan system, under which clan elders and delegates choose lawmakers. A Western diplomat speaking to AFP warned that an attempt at holding an election with universal suffrage would lead to the bombing of polling stations, even in Mogadishu.Mohamud’s push toward universal suffrage, attempts to expand presidential powers, and his changes to Somalia’s constitution have led to two regions, the southern Jubaland state and Puntland in the northeast, quitting the federal system. On top of its war with al-Shabaab, the US-backed government has also been clashing with Jubaland forces. A gun battle this week between the two sides near the Somalia-Kenya border left 10 people dead.Mohamud’s critics say he has been too focused on political issues rather than the military side of things, leading to the losses to al-Shabaab. The US has maintained its military support of Mohamud’s government and has continued to launch airstrikes against al-Shabaab, but the Western diplomat speaking to AFP said Mogadishu’s international backers are frustrated.The diplomat pointed to the fact that after the African Union’s military mission in Somalia ended last year, a new one, known as AUSSOM, had to be created because the Somali military wasn’t ready to take it over. “There’s a huge amount of donor fatigue. People are asking: ‘What have we bought for the last 10 years?’ Seeing the army run away and having to create AUSSOM was hard for people,” the diplomat said.The report said that donors, especially the US, were reluctant to continue funding the African Union mission. According to AFP, the US and the EU have poured over $7 billion in military-related spending into Somalia since 2007, mainly through African Union missions. The special US-backed military unit within the Somali army, known as the Danab, has also been struggling against al-Shabaab. Abdi said that the Danab was good at killing militants but not at holding territory.The US has been bombing Somalia at a record pace this year, though many of the airstrikes have targeted the small ISIS affiliate, an offshoot of al-Shabaab, in Puntland, where the US is backing local forces. The most recent US airstrikes against al-Shabaab took place from June 27 to June 30 in support of a major battle that the government claimed killed 50 al-Shabaab militants. US Africa Command told Antiwar.com on July 15 that it has carried out at least 51 airstrikes in Somalia so far this year.

Trump Launched Nearly as Many Airstrikes in Five Months as Biden Did in Four Years -President Trump launched nearly as many airstrikes in his first five months in office as President Biden did during his entire four-year term, The Telegraph reported last week, citing figures from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED).The ACLED found that Trump oversaw 529 airstrikes, compared with 555 launched during President Biden’s term. The majority of Trump’s airstrikes — 470 — have been launched in Yemen, where the Trump administration carried out a very heavy bombing campaign from March 15 to May 6 that killed more than 250 civilians.The Trump administration has also launched a significant number of airstrikes in Somalia. US Africa Command told Antiwar.com on July 15 that it has carried out at least 51 airstrikes in Somalia so far this year, which includes only one that was launched when Biden was still president in January 2025.The US has been bombing Somalia at a record pace, and the Trump administration is on track to break the record for annual airstrikes in the country, which President Trump set during his first term at 63. Despite the rate of airstrikes, the US air war in Somalia gains virtually no media coverage in the US.During his second term, President Trump has also overseen US airstrikes in Syria, Iraq, and the recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The surge in US bombings came after the Trump administration eased restrictions on airstrikes and ground raids, giving lower-level commanders greater freedom of action in areas outside of official US war zones, which include Yemen and Somalia.“The US military is moving faster, hitting harder, and doing so with fewer constraints,” Clionadh Raleigh, the head of the ACLED, told The Telegraph. The rate of airstrikes comes despite pledges from Trump and his political allies that he would be a “peace president.”

General Syrsky asks Trump and U.S. for weapons to win war against Russia - — Ukraine urgently needs the United States and Europe to transfer more air defense systems and missiles to Kyiv, Ukraine’s commander in chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky said in an interview with The Washington Post — and without a Biden-era ban on deep strikes against Russian military targets. Syrsky’s call for ramped-up support comes amid a devastating wave of Russian attacks against Ukrainian cities this summer, with Moscow pummeling civilians nightly with ballistic missiles and hundreds of armed drones. Ukraine is also facing challenges on the battlefield as it struggles to mobilize the troops needed to stem the grinding advance of a numerically superior foe. The bloody campaign against cities has spurred frustrations in the White House over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to stop the war, and prompted President Donald Trump to approve a new plan to bolster Kyiv’s military arsenal by allowing European countries to buy U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine. A fresh supply of air defense weapons including U.S.-made Patriots, drone interceptors and light aviation to shoot down drones could help thwart the Russian attacks, Syrsky said. More mid- and longer-range missiles, including U.S.-made ATACMS and German Taurus systems, would — if issued without restrictions on their use — allow Kyiv to slow Russian weapon production by targeting the infrastructure making its missiles and drones. “They are targeting virtually everything — airfields, populated areas, infrastructure facilities,” Syrsky said of Russia. “So, of course, we need supplies of ballistic missiles in order to be able to give the enemy a fitting rebuff.” “The availability of any missile weapons is in itself a deterrent,” he added. “I hope that thanks to President Trump’s position, this process will be much easier and … we won’t have any of the difficulties we had before.” Syrsky declined to comment on whether Ukraine has any of the powerful ATACMS left in stock, although it’s widely understood that the country’s supplies have run out. When asked if a new delivery of the American missiles would save Ukrainian lives, he replied: “Of course.” In a July 4 phone call, Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky if Ukraine was able to strike Moscow or St. Petersburg. He has since said Ukraine should not do so. Still, the discussion raised questions about whether Trump would be willing to lift the Biden-era restrictions on certain U.S. weapons that Kyiv has long decried. Syrsky spoke to The Post on Saturday, five days after Trump announced his plan to arm Ukraine, which will see European countries send supplies from their own stocks and then purchase new systems for themselves from Washington. The proposal marked a major policy shift by Trump, whose administration has flip-flopped on its support for Kyiv and briefly suspended military aid and intelligence sharing earlier this year. Amid growing frustrations over Russia’s nonstop bombing of Ukraine and failure to make progress on U.S. demands for productive peace talks, Trump also threatened to intensely sanction Moscow if no deal to end the fighting is reached in 50 days.

Germany Agrees To Deliver 5 More Patriots To Ukraine, Which Will Take US Years To Replace -In a major breakthrough and short-term diplomatic 'win' for the Zelensky government, Germany and the United States have agreed to supply Ukraine with five more Patriot air defense systems, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on Monday. The defense chief revealed the move at the 29th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, describing that the deal was finalized during his recent visit to Washington, where he met with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. "We will coordinate closely in the coming days to determine how best to achieve this," Pistorius confirmed. He additionally affirmed that Germany will also provide air defense ammunition and fund Ukrainian-made long-range drones.This is despite German government officials previously expressing alarm that the country's remaining stocks were too low to support additional transfer; however Pistorious sought to address this elephant in the room by announcing the US has agreed to supply Germany with replacement systems originally ordered by Switzerland. Delivery is likely years away though."Delivery of the systems, worth billions of euros, to Switzerland was scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2028,"EuroNews emphasizes.The German government has already sent three of its dozen Patriot batteries to Ukraine. Two more are currently stationed in Poland, and others are used for NATO operations and training. Germany currently only has six, Pistorius disclosed.The announcement comes as Russia intensifies its long-range missile attacks on Ukraine, increasingly using ballistic missiles, which ironically is a threat that only the Patriot system is capable of effectively intercepting.

Trump Administration Approves a Series of Arms Deals for Ukraine Totaling $652 Million -The State Department has approved a series of potential arms deals for Ukraine totaling $652 million as the Trump administration continues to take steps to fuel the proxy war with Russia.The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Wednesday that two potential Foreign Military Sales were approved: one worth $150 million for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, maintenance, repair, and related equipment, and another sale worth $172 million for a Hawk Phase III surface-to-air missile system and related equipment.The following day, the DSCA announced two additional arms sales for Ukraine, including a $150 million deal for the maintenance and refurbishment of M109 Self-Propelled Howitzers. The DSCA also announced a $180 million sale for the sustainment of US-provided air defense equipment.“The Government of Ukraine has requested to buy equipment and services to support the training, sustainment, and refurbishment measures of existing US-origin air defense systems,” the DSCA said. It’s unclear if Ukraine will actually be paying for each arms deal itself or if it will be funded by US military aid. President Trump recently announced a plan to pour “billions of dollars” worth of additional US military equipment into Ukraine that would involve NATO allies purchasing the weapons, but it’s also unclear if that is related to the arms sales announced by the DSCA. The Pentagon had recently announced that it had paused certain arms shipments to Ukraine, but President Trump appeared to be caught off guard by the announcement, and the weapons deliveries quickly resumed. Trump has given Russia a 50-day deadline to reach a peace deal in Ukraine, threatening that he would impose tariffs on Russia and its trading partners if the war doesn’t end by then. But Moscow is undeterred and has made it clear that it’s ready to continue fighting until it achieves its goals.

Ukraine Launches Drone Attack on Moscow - A Ukrainian drone barrage targeted Russia’s capital city. The attack followed reports that President Donald Trump pushed Ukrainian leader Zelensky to attack Russian cities.According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine launched over 90 drones at Russia on Sunday morning. At least 19 of those UAVs targeted the Moscow region and were intercepted. Russian officials did not report casualties, and over 130 flights were disrupted.Ukraine also attacked the Russian capital on Saturday. More than 230 Ukrainian drones were downed over the weekend, including 27 over Moscow, the Russian Defence Ministry said.A Ukrainian official confirmed the attack. Kiev also reported over 400 Russian drones and missiles were fired at Ukraine over the weekend.The attack on the Russian capital follows a report in the Financial Times that Trump asked Zelensky to target Moscow and St. Petersburg to make Russia feel the pain. The Ukrainian leader said he could conduct the strikes with access to long-range American weapons.Additionally, a German general called for Ukraine to attack Moscow on a podcast. “You can also indirectly affect the offensive potential of Russian strike forces before they are deployed,” Freuding said. “Use long-range air warfare assets to strike aircraft and airfields before they are used. Also, target weapons production facilities.”

Romania Strong-Armed Into Buying $2.3 Billion Israeli Anti-Aircraft Systems - Having managed to derail populist, NATO-skeptical presidential candidates through a variety of extraordinary means, Romania -- bowing to pressure from NATO and President Trump -- announced it will spend $2.3 billion on Israeli anti-aircraft systems to fend off the supposed Russian menace. The big-ticket, Israel-benefitting purchase comes even as Romania is poised to impose dramatic austerity measures to address its deteriorating financial condition. Romania's 2025 deficit will be the largest in the country's history. At roughly 9% of GDP, its deficit is also the EU's highest by that measure. The alarming numbers have triggered reprimands from the European Commission, which asked Romania to bring its deficit down to 2.8% of GDP by 2030. At last month's NATO summit, the organization's members bent to Trump's long-running demands, agreeing to more than double their targeted military spending -- from 2% of GDP to 5% -- by 2035. Working hard to rationalize the outlay, Reuters' report on the Israeli deal notes that Romania "has had Russian drone fragmentsfall in its territory repeatedly over the past two years." The Times of Israel bolstered the narrative with a headline claiming "Romania [is] on edge over Russia."Last year, Romania seemed poised to elect the deeply NATO-skeptical populist Calin Georgescu, who won the first round of Romania's two-round presidential election. Citing supposed Russian interference, the country's Constitutional Court threw out the election and ordered it to be started anew. In a May triumph for the EU establishment, centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan prevailed. Romania's pending redistribution of $2.3 billion of its wealth to Israel's booming arms industry comes as the government is poised to unleash drastic austerity measures that are certain to stoke resentments. Potential moves include firing 20% of the country's civil service workers, increasing value-added taxes, and increasing taxes on profits and dividends from 10% to 16%. “This correction is so extensive, so far-reaching, that pain cannot be avoided,” former finance minister and current head of the Romanian Fiscal Council Daniel Daianu told Politico. Meanwhile, Romania will shower $2.3 billion on an Israeli arms industry already enjoying record revenues. Hitting a new high for the fourth consecutive year, Israeli weapon sales totaled just under $14.8 billion in 2024. European customers accounted for 54% of exports, the Times of Israel reports.

Why Trump is trying to put his seal on an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal | Middle East Eye -- The US is using "magic" to bring Armenia and Azerbaijan together for a peace deal, US President Donald Trump says.As the two historic foes appear to inch closer to an agreement, the Trump administration is conjuring diplomacy in the South Caucasus - fairly uncharted waters for the US. In May, Trump's billionaire Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said that Armenia and Azerbaijan could both join the Abraham Accords - the normalisation agreement that Israel signed with Bahrain, the UAE and Morocco in 2020 - after a deal between the two. Trump considers the accords a signature part of his foreign policy. Then, in July, Trump's other good friend and billionaire envoy, Tom Barrack, said the US was ready to sign a 100-year lease on a strategic transit corridor on Armenia's border with Iran.Baku wants to use the sliver of land, referred to as the Zangezur Corridor by Turkey and Azerbaijan, to connect with its exclave, called Nakhchivan, and eventually Turkey, where Barrack is also the US ambassador.Trump's bid to put his stamp on a peace agreement through economic deals and the Abraham Accords comes as the South Caucasus is in flux. Russia, the region's historic great power, is tied down on the battlefields of Ukraine. Its prestige as a security guarantor was undermined in 2023 when Azerbaijan wrested back control of Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia in a lightning offensive. Christian Armenia had long relied on Russia for support against Turkic Azerbaijan. To the south, Iran - which has deepened its ties with Armenia and is wary of Israel's security links to Baku - is trying to regroup after a blistering 12-day conflict with Israel. Tehran's ability to project power abroad was clipped by Israel's takedown of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria late last year. With Russia distracted in Ukraine and Iran on the back foot, Turkey's power in the region is growing.The US itself is signalling that it can work with Turkey as the predominant external power in Syria.Barrack's role in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks, experts say, is further evidence that Washington sees Ankara as a new regional power in the South Caucasus."Trump doesn't have a stake in either Armenia or Azerbaijan. But he sees that a deal is possible. A win," George Meneshian, an Athens-based expert on the Middle East and Caucasus, told Middle East Eye. The US's foray into the region is led by Barack, who has been well received in Ankara. That has fueled concerns that Trump sees the region as an extension of Turkey's neighbourhood, Meneshian added."The US is already giving Turkey its own zone of influence in Syria. That is clear. The same is happening in the South Caucasus," he said. The goodwill was visible on Tuesday when Trump shared a social media post of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev thanking him for his "aspiration" to end the dispute with Armenia. Aliyev praised Trump's "fundamental values, including family values" that he said mirror Azerbaijan's. The idea of the US leasing the corridor is in keeping with the Trump administration giving primacy to economic dealmaking, including with US control over physical assets, in conflict zones. It has had mixed results. The Zangezur Corridor idea seems to fall closer to the minerals deal Trump signed with Ukraine in April. That agreement set up a joint fund to monetise Ukraine's mineral wealth. Earlier this year, Trump also said EU states would purchase air-defence systems from the US on Ukraine's behalf. Azerbaijan, a major gas exporter, flaunts the sort of energy riches that Trump prizes, but Armenia is poor. The South Caucasus's value to the US is that the region is crisscrossed by trade routes, including the Middle Corridor that aims to link Asia and Europe, bypassing both Russia and Iran.

GOP’s Bacon calls Hegseth’s base name changes ‘stupid as hell’ -- Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said Friday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks “stupid as hell” for trying to rename military bases and resurrect honorifics for Confederate officers by using other soldiers as eponymous stand-ins. The Pentagon announced in February it would partially restore the names of two military sites that were given new monikers during the Biden administration by honoring decorated veterans of World Wars I and II. The North Carolina Army base that was renamed Fort Liberty in 2023 went back to being known as Fort Bragg in honor of World War II paratrooper Roland Bragg, instead of its original eponym, Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg. Fort Benning in Georgia, which was renamed Fort Moore in 2023, is now named in honor of decorated World War I veteran Cpl. Fred Benning, instead of Confederate Gen. Henry Benning. “I think they’re trying to be too cute by Hegseth on this, saying, ‘Well, it’s Bragg, but it’s a different Bragg,'” Bacon told USA Today. “To me, it looks stupid as hell.” President Trump announced in June that additional military base names would be changed to honor soldiers who shared names with their former Confederate honorees. “For a little breaking news, we are also going to be restoring the names,” Trump told a North Carolina crowd last month while marking the Army’s 250th anniversary. “We won a lot of battles out of those forts … and I’m superstitious, you know, I like to keep it going.” Congress approved legislation in 2021 to rename sites that had previously honored soldiers who fought against the U.S. in the Civil War. Bacon, who announced last month he will not run for reelection next year, was one of two Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee who voted this week to block the Pentagon from using federal funds to rename military installations in honor of Confederate figures. Bacon told The Hill he disagreed with the Pentagon’s push to revert to names that may sow division. “Hegseth had an opportunity to embrace names universally loved,” he said. Republicans and Democrats have overwhelmingly backed efforts to move away from Confederate-inspired names, Bacon added.

Commerce Sec. Lutnick says TikTok will go dark if China won't agree to U.S. control of the social media app-- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday that TikTok will go dark for Americans unless China agrees to give the U.S. more control over the popular short-form video app."We've made the decision. You can't have Chinese control and have something on 100 million American phones," Lutnick told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Thursday.TikTok's future in the U.S. has been uncertain since 2024, when Congress passed a bill that would ban the platform unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, divested from it.Lawmakers had grown concerned that the Chinese government could access sensitive data from American users or manipulate content on the platform.

China-Linked Hackers Breach US Nuclear Weapons Agency In Sophisticated Operation --The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has been hit by a sophisticated cyberattack that exploited a previously unknown vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint, and is being widely described by one of the most serious breaches of US defense infrastructure this year. Fingers in the West are pointing to Beijing. Hackers believed linked to the Chinese government used a zero-day exploit targeting on-premises versions of SharePoint to infiltrate over 50 organizations, including the agency responsible for the Navy’s nuclear submarine reactors. China is vehemently denying the charge. The NNSA oversees both the production of nuclear reactors for submarines and the maintenance of the US nuclear arsenal. Cybersecurity experts are currently describing what's known as an advanced remote code execution (RCE) attack. The vulnerability reportedly affected SharePoint Server 2019 and the Subscription Edition, which allowed attackers to bypass security protocols and execute arbitrary commands on targeted systems, as described in Bloomberg. The US Department of Energy is well-known to use Microsoft 365 cloud systems for a lot of its SharePoint work. "The department was minimally impacted due to its widespread use of the Microsoft M365 cloud and very capable cybersecurity systems," a Department of Energy spokesperson conveyed in a statement to Bloomberg. "A very small number of systems were impacted. All impacted systems are being restored." It's believed the hackers were able to gain unauthorized access, steal data, collect login credentials, and potentially move deeper into connected networks; however, the Department of Energy has claimed no classified or sensitive nuclear data was compromised in the breach. "A very small number of systems were impacted. All impacted systems are being restored," the statement continued. Officials credited the agency’s early transition to Microsoft 365 cloud services for minimizing the impact of the breach, as the vulnerability specifically affected only on-premises SharePoint systems and did not impact the cloud-based platform. “The department experienced minimal impact thanks to its broad adoption of Microsoft M365 and robust cybersecurity infrastructure,” a DOE spokesperson said.

OPINION Selling US-made AI chips to China sacrifices America’s global standing - In what Bloomberg termed “a dramatic reversal,” the Trump administration will grant licenses to Nvidia Corp. so that it can sell its H20 chips to Chinese parties. In April, Trump officials had prohibited the sale of H20s to that country. At the same time, Advanced Micro Devices announced plans to resume sales of its MI308 artificial intelligence chip to China. The sale of advanced microchips to China is a mistake, almost certainly a grave one, but it is a mistake that the industry is determined to make. Not satisfied with exporting just the H20, Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang said at a press conference in Beijing this month that he wanted to sell even more advanced chips. “The reason for that is because technology is always moving on,” he explained. “It’s not like wood.” “Today, [the NVIDIA Hopper GPU architecture] is terrific, but some years from now we will have more and more and better and better technology, and I think it’s sensible that whatever we’re allowed to sell in China will continue to get better and better over time as well,” Huang said. Nvidia said it will develop for export to China a new chip based on its Blackwell design. The chip will allow users to integrate AI into manufacturing. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick justified the reversal of the export ban by pointing out that the H20 was only Nvidia’s “fourth best” chip. “We don’t sell them our best stuff — not our second-best stuff, not even our third-best,” he told CNBC on the 15th. “You want to sell the Chinese enough that their developers get addicted to the American technology stack.” “The idea is the Chinese are more than capable of building their own,” the Commerce secretary said. “You want to keep one step ahead of what they can build, so they keep buying our chips.” The problem with this thinking is that it is based on the false premise that China does not at its core need American chips, so there’s no harm in selling them to prolong Chinese dependence.“Despite Beijing pouring significant subsidies into its domestic semiconductor industry, China cannot produce chips capable of training leading AI models, leaving Chinese firms reliant on American suppliers,” wrote Jack Burnham and Miles Kershner of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies after the H20 announcement. “This reliance has led to significant computing shortages. Even DeepSeek, a leading Chinese AI developer, has publicly stated that its models’ power remains constrained due to American export controls on advanced AI chips.”

Chinese and EU leaders are set to meet. The U.S. is complicating things - China and the European Union will hold a top-level meeting in Beijing on Thursday, while the U.S. is making their already tense relationship more complicated. Clashes over trade and economic policy, technological issues and defense and security have been commonplace between China and the EU — and tensions have recently been heating up. For example, the EU imposed restrictions on Chinese companies taking part in public tenders for medical devices in the bloc, prompting China to respond with countermeasures. In large part, the strain between the two trading partners is linked to concerns about how domestic economies and companies could be impacted by imports. The high-stakes summit, which is the 25th between the partners and marks 50 years of bilateral relations, was therefore already taking place under less than ideal circumstances. Initially scheduled to take place in Brussels, the meeting was then cut from two days to one — which was widely understood as another sign of fragile EU-China ties. "The EU and China have more to argue about than they agree on, even if neither side can afford to let the relationship deteriorate much further given the global outlook and their respective economic positions," Fleck said. And then, there is U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy to contend with. "Largely irreconcilable EU-China differences will severely constrain potential cooperation, despite mutual interest in countering some of President Trump's policies — led by US trade measures and unilateralism," Emre Peker, director for Europe at Eurasia Group, told CNBC. The U.S.' actions could even trigger a worsening of EU-China relations, Peker said. Brussels, for example, could sharpen its position on measures targeting China if the U.S. puts pressure on the bloc to do so as part of trade talks, he continued. "The extent of Brussels's alignment with Washington on supply chains, export controls, and other issues will signal the level of EU frustration with China — and influence their relationship," Peker said. The EU and China together account for almost 30% of global trade, according to the European Council. When taking goods and services into account, EU-China trade was valued at over 845 billion euros ($989 billion) in 2024.

US Government Worker Blocked From Leaving China, State Department Confirms -China is preventing a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee from leaving the country, the U.S. State Department confirmed on July 21.“We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,” the State Department told The Epoch Times in a statement. “The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens.” The employee, traveling “in a personal capacity,” was “made subject to an exit ban,” the agency said. The statement confirmed a report by The Washington Post on July 20 that an American citizen working for the U.S. Commerce Department had traveled to China to visit family several months ago, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation. The individual was barred from leaving China because he had failed to disclose his employment with the U.S. government on his visa application, the report said.The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is a federal agency under the Commerce Department. The State Department currently maintains a “Level 2” travel advisory for China, urging travelers to “exercise increased caution” due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans.”The advisory explains that Chinese authorities may impose exit bans to compel the individual to cooperate with investigations, pressure family members of the targeted individual to return to China from abroad, influence the outcome of civil disputes in favor of Chinese citizens, and “gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments.” Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, responded to the incident by reminding Americans that communist China doesn’t observe the rule of law.“American companies and citizens traveling to China need to be aware of how the Chinese government uses arbitrary exit bans as a form of hostage diplomacy,” Risch wrote on X on July 21.“For those seeking to do business with China, this is a reminder that rule of law does not exist there—and your safety is at risk.”Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on July 22, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun declined to provide details about the U.S. government employee.

Trump’s ‘America First’ Policies Are Diminishing U.S. Global Influence -- As U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited the trade war with China, he is gutting federal government funding for foreign aid agencies and media outlets, in a move touted as an ‘America first’ approach by his Administration and slammed by Democrats and critics as damaging the U.S. soft power on the global stage. Following decades of efforts to build partnerships and influence, including with the promotion of democratic and free-economy values, the U.S. is now retreating, leaving a void that China would be happy to fill. The Trump Administration dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID). More than 80% of USAID programs were scrapped early this year, while the rest was formally absorbed by the State Department in early July. The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) was also dismantled, leaving only Chinese state media broadcasts in many Asian countries such as Indonesia, the biggest economy in Southeast Asia. The departure of Voice of America (VOA) from Indonesia and other countries including Thailand and Nigeria has led to Chinese state media expanding its reach in these countries, The Wall Street Journal reports. The Trump Administration has gutted or shut down government-funded programs, citing “wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars by the federal government.” The withdrawal from the global stage is giving China another weapon to yield soft power and compete with the United States for global influence by the superpowers, critics of the Trump Administration’s moves say. They also criticize the defunding of many scientific and research programs and the withdrawal of the U.S. from global institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Commenting on America’s withdrawal from global agencies and institution, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement carried by Axios, “President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made America respected again while ensuring that all actions align with the America First agenda that people voted for.” Yet, U.S.-based Pew Research Center published a new poll this week, showing that views of the U.S. have worsened while opinions of China have improved in many of the 24 countries surveyed this spring. In many of these countries, views of the U.S. have turned significantly more negative over the past year, while views of China have turned slightly more positive. Moreover, a median of 41% of adults across the countries surveyed see China as the world’s top economy, while a slightly lower share, 39% median, say that of the U.S. “This is a marked departure from two years ago, when considerably more people saw the U.S. than China as the world’s leading economy,” Pew Research Center said. Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee published a report this week, slamming President Trump’s withdrawal from global institutions and agencies as inflicting damage to America’s image while offering “no viable alternative for the United States to counter Chinese propaganda.” “While President Trump retreats from every corner of the world—attacking allies, slashing America’s diplomatic tools and embracing adversaries—China is building influence, expanding relationships and reshaping the global order to its advantage,” Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen said in a statement.

Pentagon halts participation in research, think tank events - The Department of Defense (DOD) is halting the participation of its officials in research and think tank events, for now, according to a new directive issued this week. The Pentagon will vet every event where national security officials are invited to speak to ensure the gathering is aligned with the values of the department. “In order to ensure the Department of Defense is not lending its name and credibility to organizations, forums and events that run counter to the values of this administration, the Department’s Office of Public Affairs will be conducting a thorough vetting of every event where Defense officials are invited to participate,” the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said in an emailed statement to The Hill. The order, which went into effect on Tuesday, came just over a week after the Pentagon decided to pull senior DOD officials from the annual Aspen Security Forum, a four-day summit in Colorado, saying the national security gathering “promotes the evil of globalism, disdain for our great country and hatred for the President of the United States.” Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said in a Thursday post on the social media platform X that “going forward, no DOD official will attend events by America Last organizations” that promote “globalism” and “hate” President Trump. The DOD has banned officials from participating in the Halifax International Security Forum, an annual gathering of military and foreign officials slated to take place in November, and it is analyzing whether the Pentagon should be part of other security summits, according to Politico, which first reported on the decision. The order applies to civil servants, military officers and senior leaders, who will be asked to provide talking points for their speeches before going on stage, Politico reported, citing an internal email sent to DOD personnel.

Pete Hegseth's Signal messages came from email labeled ‘SECRET': Report - The messages Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent to a March Signal chat regarding the U.S. plans to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen came from an email labeled “SECRET/NOFORN,” the Pentagon’s independent watchdog was told, as reported by The Washington Post.People familiar with the report told The Washington Post that the attack plans had initially been shared with more than a dozen Defense officials via a classified email sent over a classified system by U.S. Central Command head Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla.Hegseth then posted the details in the unclassified Signal group chat directly before Washington launched its attacks March 15. He also shared the information in a separate chat that included his wife, brother and personal attorney. The military labels material “SECRET” if unauthorized disclosure could potentially cause serious damage to national security, while “NOFORN” means the email was not meant for anyone who is a foreign national.The reported revelations, which come as the Defense Department inspector general’s office is looking into the matter, seems to contradict the Trump administration’s repeated, adamant claims that no classified information was shared in the Signal group chats, which were revealed because the editor in chief of The Atlantic was inadvertently added to one. The inspector general’s office began to look into the incident in April after Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee requested it do so. The revelation offers a new headache for Hegseth, who has faced mounting criticism over the leaked Signal chats, his management style and his reported decision to pause military aid to Ukraine without President Trump’s approval.

Trump announces trade deal with Japan that lowers threatened tariff to 15% (AP) — President Donald Trump announced a trade framework with Japan on Tuesday, placing a 15% tax on goods imported from that nation. “This Deal will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs — There has never been anything like it,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding that the United States “will continue to always have a great relationship with the Country of Japan.” The president said Japan would invest “at my direction” $550 billion into the U.S. and would “open” its economy to American autos and rice. The 15% tax on imported Japanese goods is a meaningful drop from the 25% rate that Trump, in a recent letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, said would be levied starting Aug. 1. With the announcement, Trump is seeking to tout his ability as a dealmaker — even as his tariffs, when initially announced in early April led to a market panic and fears of slower growth that for the moment appear to have subsided. Key details remained unclear from his post, such as whether Japanese-built autos would face a higher 25% tariff that Trump imposed on the sector. But the framework fits a growing pattern for Trump, who is eager to portray the tariffs as win for the U.S. His administration says the revenues will help reduce the budget deficit and more factories will relocate to America to avoid the import taxes and cause trade imbalances to disappear. But the wave of tariffs continues to be a source of uncertainty about whether it could lead to higher prices for consumers and businesses if companies simply pass along the costs. The problem was seen sharply Tuesday after General Motors reported a 35% drop in its net income during the second quarter as it warned that tariffs would hit its business in the months ahead, causing its stock to tumble. As the Aug. 1 deadline for the tariff rates in his letters to world leaders is approaching, Trump also announced a trade framework with the Philippines that would impose a tariff of 19% on its goods, while American-made products would face no import taxes. The president also reaffirmed his 19% tariffs on Indonesia.

Japan trade deal info on Trump's desk was altered by hand with a marker - President Donald Trump's art of the deal seemed to play out in real time Tuesday. Trump on Tuesday night announced on his Truth Socialplatform what he called a "massive" trade agreement withJapan, which the president said includes a 15% tariff rate and $550 billion in investments. But the details of that deal on a card on Trump's desk during a meeting with a Japanese delegation and top White House aides shows discrepancies and last-minute edits, according to a photo posted on X by Dan Scavino, the White House deputy chief of staff. The card on Trump's desk displays a 10% tariff, in addition to a 15% levy rate on the automotive, pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries. However, Trump said in his Truth Social post only that Japan would face a rate of 15%, without elaborating. "Japan will pay Reciprocal Tariffs to the United States of 15%," Trump wrote. Below the tariff rate, "$400B" appears on the board in large lettering. The number four is crossed out, with "500" written above it. That seems to reference Japan's plan to invest in the U.S., which Trump explained in his social media post. But Trump used a different figure in his post than even the altered amount on the card, saying in the post that Japan would invest $550 billion in the U.S. It is not clear why the amount in his post was $50 billion higher than the altered amount on the card. "Japan will invest, at my direction, $550 Billion Dollars into the United States, which will receive 90% of the Profits," Trump wrote in the post. "This Deal will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs — There has never been anything like it." The White House did not comment on CNBC's request for clarification on the tariff rate or total investment amount. It's not clear whether the change on the card is the result of last-minute negotiations by Trump, typos, or something else. Nor was it clear who altered the $400 billion figure. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared to take credit for the board in a Wednesday morning interview with Bloomberg but did not directly address the edits or discrepancies. "I created the big board and put it there," Lutnick said. "But the answer is: the negotiator in chief of the United States of America is sitting behind the desk. Donald Trump is sitting there negotiating the deal." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Wednesday morning interview with Bloomberg that auto imports to the U.S. from Japan got the 15% rate — despite some other countries' automakers facing higher rates — because Japan offered guarantees of equity credit and funding for large U.S. projects. This statement came in response to a question about whether trading partners could now expect to see a floor of 15% tariffs during negotiations. "That is a different kind of deal," Bessent said. "They got the 15% rate because they were willing to provide this innovative financing mechanism." Wall Street was left a bit confused by the terms of the deal. Japanese officials are "describing it differently" when it comes to the investment plan. Japan's leaders, he said, see the $550 billion figure as a cap and inclusive of government loan guarantees. "Especially given that the Japanese believe they are being bullied into this commitment, they will almost certainly slow walk whatever investments they don't think are in their own economic self-interest,"

Trump unveils Indonesia trade deal framework -- The U.S. and Indonesia agreed to the framework of a trade agreement which would see Jakarta scrap most of its tariffs on American imports, the White House revealed in a joint statement Tuesday afternoon.U.S. tariffs on Indonesian imports would be set at 19% under the deal, which is described in the release as an "Agreement on Reciprocal Trade."While higher than the 10% baseline tariff that the U.S. has slapped on almost all other countries, the 19% rate is significantly lower than the 32% blanket duty that Indonesia initially faced under President Donald Trump's "liberation day" tariff plan in April.The joint statement notes that the U.S. and Indonesia will continue to "negotiate and finalize the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade" in the coming weeks. They will also "prepare the Agreement for signature, and undertake domestic formalities in advance of the Agreement entering into force" in that time, the statement said.The newly unveiled terms of the framework mirror the onesTrump laid out when he first announced on social media last week that he had "finalized" a deal with Indonesia after speaking to its president, Prabowo Subianto.Tuesday's more formal statement said the framework also includes a series of forthcoming commercial deals between the two countries, including an aircraft purchase valued at $3.2 billion and an estimated $15 billion in purchases of energy products.The framework also says the countries will also address various "non-tariff barriers" and other obstacles that the U.S. faces in Indonesian markets.Indonesia is one of the United States' top 25 trade partners, with the two countries trading more than $38 billion in goods in 2024, according to the Commerce Department. The U.S. trade deficit with Indonesia totaled $17.9 billion last year."Today's announcement shows that America can defend its domestic production while obtaining expansive market access with our trading partners," U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement.

Indonesia lifts ban on mineral exports in Trump trade deal - Indonesia has agreed to lift restrictions on nickel exports to the U.S. — material the government linked to forced labor last year — as part of a trade deal reached with President Donald Trump. Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of nickel. Trump in a Truth Social post said he inked a $50 billion deal with Indonesia. Under the deal, no duties will be imposed on American products while Indonesia will pay 19 percent tariffs, down from 32 percent tariffs. Indonesia is also agreeing to buy $15 billion worth of liquefied petroleum gas, crude oil and gasoline from the U.S. “It is agreed that Indonesia will be Open Market to American Industrial and Tech Products, and Agricultural Goods, by eliminating 99% of their Tariff Barriers,” Trump wrote. “In addition, Indonesia will supply the United States with their precious Critical Minerals, as well as sign BIG Deals, worth Tens of Billions of Dollars, to purchase Boeing Aircraft, American Farm products, and American Energy. This Deal is a HUGE WIN for our Automakers, Tech Companies, Workers, Farmers, Ranchers, and Manufacturers. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

EU, US could reach framework trade deal this weekend, EU officials say (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday in Scotland after EU officials and diplomats said they expected to reach a framework trade deal this weekend. The deal would likely include a 15% baseline tariff on all EU goods entering the United States and probably a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminium, the officials and diplomats said. "Following a good call with @POTUS, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong," von der Leyen said in a post on X. Trump on Friday said there was a 50-50 chance or perhaps less that the U.S. would reach a trade agreement with the European Union, adding that Brussels wanted to "make a deal very badly". "We are close to an agreement and it is possible we will reach it during the weekend," one senior EU official said. Trump will visit his golf courses in Scotland and meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday. European luxury and auto shares - two of the sectors most exposed to tariffs along with wine and spirits - rose, with LVMH nd Europe's largest car manufacturer Volkswagen closing up around 4% and 3%, respectively, the biggest gainers. Combining goods, services and investment, the EU and the United States are each other's largest trading partners by far. The American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels warned in March that any conflict jeopardised $9.5 trillion of business in the world's most important commercial relationship. The EU is facing U.S. tariffs on more than 70% of its exports - 50% on steel and aluminium, 25% on cars and car parts and a 10% levy on most other goods, which U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would hike to 30% on August 1, a level EU officials said would wipe out whole chunks of transatlantic commerce. Further tariffs on copper and pharmaceuticals are also looming. The EU has prepared countermeasures that could enter into force on August 7 in the event that talks collapse. Even if the EU agrees a 15% tariff, avoiding the threat of an even higher one, French car parts supplier OpMobility said it was concerned that the bloc as a whole seemed unable to negotiate better terms than its individual countries. "In the short term, we can probably say that we've avoided the worst, but that does not mean that it's a good deal, at the end of the day it shows that the relationship is unbalanced," CEO Laurent Favre said late on Thursday. Meanwhile, VW's chief executive Oliver Blume on Friday told investors the carmaker hoped investment commitments could help it win further concessions on U.S. tariffs once Washington and the EU had struck a broad trade deal..

Scott Bessent calls Aug. 1 'pretty hard deadline' on Trump tariffs --- Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday the Aug. 1 date set by President Trump for tariffs to hit countries that fail to negotiate deals with the U.S. is a “hard deadline.” Bessent during an interview on Fox Business’s “Mornings with Maria” said countries without trade deals will be hit with the “reciprocal” tariffs Trump announced in the spring, which caused markets to drop amid fears of higher prices and an economic slowdown.“I think Aug. 1 is a pretty hard deadline … for all countries, because what I think will happen is that the tariff level will boomerang back to the reciprocal level from April 2,” Bessent said. “That doesn’t mean we can’t negotiate when the countries are at the higher level. As a matter of fact, I think President Trump may have created a pretty ingenious strategy here, that if you’re working at the high level you’re actually going to work faster.”Businesses are bracing for Trump to impose tariff rates of between 20 percent and 50 percent based on his earlier warnings. The administration has downplayed any negative repercussions from the tariffs while arguing they will bring back U.S. manufacturing.Bessent told CNBC on Monday that the Aug. 1 deadline is intended to “put more pressure on those countries to come with better agreements.”On Tuesday morning, Bessent also teased that new trade deals could come out this week for industry-specific rates.“We’re about to announce a rash of trade deals in the coming days, and a lot of these trade deals are going to include substantial investments in the U.S., whether it’s auto, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals,” Bessent said.

Want a trade deal? Buy some American LNG. - U.S. gas exports are getting a boost from their role as a key bargaining chip in the Trump administration’s trade negotiations. Fresh off wins for the fossil fuel sector in the Republican megalaw, the Trump administration is now pushing hard in the talks for countries to buy U.S. fossil fuels, most notably natural gas that’s liquefied for easy export over long distances. New gas purchase commitments from foreign trade partners are helping to avert a wave of U.S. tariffs set to take effect Aug. 1. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in recent days that the final sprint on trade talks will be “for the record books,” adding that countries will be hit with tariffs in August if deals aren’t reached. “LNG is playing a significant role in the bilateral trade talks,” Mark Menezes, president of the U.S. Energy Association trade group and a former Department of Energy official in Trump’s first term, said in an interview. “It’s certainly a way to address the trade imbalance and also the potential tariffs.” As of last week, 14 binding deals and seven tentative ones have been signed this year for U.S. LNG, said Talon Custer, an energy equity analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. This week, President Donald Trump announced new trade deals with Japan and Indonesia, and deals with Malaysia and the European Union appear close. While Trump is touting the deals as major breakthroughs for U.S. industry, they are not the traditional, all-encompassing free trade agreements that typically take months or years to negotiate and enact into law with congressional approval. Still, on Tuesday, Trump said the United States had reached a trade agreement with Japan that will include a “major expansion of U.S. energy exports.”He said the United States and Japan are likely forming a “joint venture” in Alaska around LNG, telling Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to “set that up.” Trump has been talking about the potential venture for months.The White House also announced a deal with Indonesia that advances trade in crude oil, gasoline and liquid petroleum gas, a product category that includes propane. A White House spokesperson did not respond for comment on more details of the pact, but the American Petroleum Institute celebrated it. It’s too soon to tell if the deal will reverse long-standing U.S. trade imbalances. The U.S. trade deficit in May was roughly $72 billion, down from deficit spikes earlier in the year but up from April 2024. But the trade deals and new business ventures are central to the Trump administration’s all-out push to boost fossil fuels — and cut federal support for renewables. The Republican budget law directs more oil and gas lease sales on public lands and slashes royalty payments. It also gives oil and gas producers new tax perks — and delays for a decade a fee on methane emissions. Those wins for the oil and gas sector passed alongside massive cuts to wind and solar tax credits and grants. The U.S. is flush with natural gas and is adding infrastructure to ship more. The Department of Energy says the U.S. is on track to triple LNG export capacity by 2030. The White House says it’s prioritizing LNG. “President Trump is leveraging every tool of government to boost natural gas production and LNG exports,” Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, told POLITICO’s E&E News. “This stands as a major priority and success for President Trump, as we’ve already witnessed significant demand and interest from our trading partners for more American LNG.”

Canada downplays chances of trade deal ‘at any cost’ with US - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday rejected the idea that the country would agree to a rushed trade deal with the United States. The Trump administration implemented an Aug. 1 deadline for trade deals, carrying the threat of a 35 percent tariff on Canadian exports after imposing then pausing harsher levies earlier this year. “The government of Canada will not accept a bad deal,” Carney said in French in Huntsville, Ontario, in remarks alternating between English and French, as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. “Our objective is not to reach a deal whatever it costs. We are pursuing a deal that will be in the best interest of Canadians,” he added. Carney made the remarks at a three-day gathering of Canada’s premiers that focused, in part, on how they would approach an Aug. 1 deadline. “Our phone is ringing off the hook from other countries that want to do more with Canada,” Carney said, according to the outlet. “I’ve had over 80 bilaterals with world leaders since I became prime minister. A number of the premiers have been on major trade missions. We have other things to do,” he said.

GM maintains outlook despite $1.1B Q2 tariff impact General Motors (GM) said Tuesday that President Trump’s tariffs cost the company $1.1 billion in the second quarter, contributing to an overall decline of 35 percent in profit. But the company still outperformed Wall Street’s estimates and stood by its full-year financial outlook, which it had adjusted down in May. GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra said in a letter to shareholders that the company is taking steps to mitigate the impact of the tariffs “In addition to our strong underlying operating performance, we are positioning the business for a profitable, long-term future as we adapt to new trade and tax policies, and a rapidly evolving tech landscape,” Barra wrote. She pointed to the $4 billion investment in U.S. assembly plants announced in June, which she said is expected to start building more than 2 million vehicles in the U.S. each year, starting in 18 months “This will help us satisfy unmet customer demand, greatly reduce our tariff exposure, and capture upside opportunities as we launch new models,” she wrote. The company anticipates the total impact of the tariffs in 2025 will be approximately $4 billion to $5 billion, but it reported “making solid progress to mitigate at least 30% of this impact through manufacturing adjustments, targeted cost initiatives, and consistent pricing.” GM also expects tariff to be more costly in the third quarter, largely “due to timing of indirect tariff costs.” Overall, the second half of the year is expected to be less profitable than the first for a variety of reasons, including that only the second quarter was subject to tariffs during the first half of the year, but both the third and fourth quarters are expected to see tariff policies in place.

US, Mexico sign MOU on Tijuana River sewage crisis -The U.S. and Mexico on Thursday took collaborative steps toward curbing a long-standing, cross-border environmental crisis: the unfettered sewage flow from Tijuana into Southern California. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and his Mexican counterpart Alicia Bárcena Ibarra signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that addressed the “environmental, public health and national security consequences” of transboundary wastewater contamination. The officials expressed their intentions to “permanently stop untreated wastewater from polluting coastal communities,” while reaffirming previous commitments and endorsing new strategic projects. “What the residents of Southern California need and deserve, what they’ve been waiting for, for too long, isn’t just a solution that is a Band-Aid for that moment, but a permanent, 100 percent solution,” Zeldin told reporters from Mexico City prior to the signing. The crisis at the heart of the MOU involves the passage of polluted wastewater from Mexico into southern San Diego County via ocean plumes and the Tijuana River. This fetid flow — rife with both pathogens and toxic chemicals — stems from inadequate treatment near Tijuana. For years, these circumstances have closed down beaches and sickened Navy SEALs. Following demands from California Democrats in March that the EPA chief visit the region, Zeldin did so in April — and demanded that Mexico put a stop to the situation.

Hegseth directs 700 marines to be pulled from Los Angeles -The 700 Marines deployed to Los Angeles last month amid protests over increased immigration enforcement are being pulled from the city, the Pentagon confirmed Monday. “With stability returning to Los Angeles, [Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth] has directed the redeployment of the 700 Marines whose presence sent a clear message: lawlessness will not be tolerated,” chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement to The Hill’s sister outlet NewsNation. Parnell claimed the Marines’ “unmistakable presence” in the city was “instrumental in restoring order and upholding the rule of law,” even as few of the service members remained in public view following the initial show of force in June. The Trump administration continues to scale back its military deployment in Los Angeles after President Trump ordered some 4,100 California National Guard troops and later the 700 Marines to the city to quell protests of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The move was heavily criticized by California state officials for bypassing the consent of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who accused Trump of inflaming tensions with deployments he said were unnecessary. After protests largely died down across the city, service members found themselves with little to do, and last week Hegseth ordered half of some 4,000 remaining guard members to return home. That leaves 2,000 in Los Angeles to continue with their role of protecting ICE agents as they conduct raids. Another 150 guard members had earlier been allowed to leave the city to help fight wildfires in California.

ICE gestapo seeks personal data of 79 million Medicaid enrollees ---Last week, the Associated Press (AP) reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be given access to the personal records of 79 million people enrolled in Medicaid in order to facilitate the ongoing mass deportation operation. This is a major attack on the democratic and privacy rights of the entire working class. According to the AP, the agreement between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), overseen by Secretary Kristi Noem, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), led by television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, will provide ICE agents with the ability to locate “aliens” across the country by cross-referencing personal health, medical and location data. The database to which ICE is seeking access has “names, birth dates, ethnic and racial information, as well as Social Security numbers for all people enrolled in Medicaid.” The AP reported that “ICE will use the CMS data to allow ICE to receive identity and location information on aliens identified by ICE.” Private information, including Social Security numbers, will be in the hands not only of fascistic ICE officials, but there is a real possibility it will end up in the hands of private companies that have facilitated the rise of Trump and growth of fascism in the US such as Palantir. Palantir is currently led by pro-genocide Zionist CEO Alex Karp, while major Trump and Republican Party donor Peter Thiel is on the board of Palantir and serves at its chairman. Thiel called for Trump’s election at the 2016 Republican National Convention and has donated millions to Trump and other far-right candidates, including Vice President JD Vance. Thiel’s support for Trump has been paid back in kind with generous government contracts. In 2014, Palantir became the primary data analytics provider for ICE through the creation of the Investigative Case Management System (ICM). After an initial $41 million contract, ICE renewed its agreement with Palantir to expand and develop ICM for another five years for $90 million. The ICM system collates data from several federal, state and private databases to build dossiers used to plan raids and kidnappings. Prior to last week’s announcement, ICM databases already had access to enormous amounts of private data, including Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license databases, the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and IRS tax data. Importantly, the latest agreement follows an April 2025 contract in which ICE awarded Palantir another $30 million to develop the Immigration Lifecyle Operating System or “ImmigrationOS.” The contract says the system will provide near “real-time visibility” on people self-deporting from the US. The system would allegedly allow ICE agents to prioritize and locate “visa overstays” for removal. The integration of Medicaid records into the immigration police state apparatus will also serve as a deterrent for those who might otherwise apply for Medicaid benefits they rightly deserve and are entitled to. In an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation Sunday morning, acting ICE director Todd Lyons claimed that nearly 150,000 people have been deported by ICE this year. In response to mass anger among broad layers of the population towards the ongoing kidnapping operations, Lyons complained that a “sharp increase in rhetoric from election officials” was responsible for growing anger at the immigration Gestapo’s activities. Lyons promised ICE would continue the practice of “collateral arrests,” meaning immigration police will target friends and family members during raids. He also defended ICE agents wearing masks while kidnapping workers and community members. “I’m not a proponent of the masks,” he said. “However, if that’s a tool for the men and women of ICE to keep themselves and their families safe, then I will allow it.”

Hunter Biden snaps at Clooney, Obama officials in media blitz -Hunter Biden is back in the spotlight thanks to a media blitz in which he aggressively defended his father, former President Biden, and reignited a long-simmering feud between the Biden family and members of the Democratic Party who pushed for the former president to drop out of the 2024 race. Hunter Biden took aim at actor George Clooney, Obama White House officials and President Trump in a pair of fiery and profanity-laced interviews that were released on the anniversary of the former president’s decision to end his candidacy. The former president’s son, a major target for personal and political attacks from Republicans in recent years, appeared on YouTube personality Andrew Callaghan’s show and also sat down for a lengthy interview with former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jamie Harrison to unpack the 2024 campaign and the state of the party. Republicans viewed Hunter Biden’s reemergence as a gift, as they have tried to keep the former president and his mental acuity in the headlines. Democrats, meanwhile, were left shaking their heads at yet another self-inflicted controversy sparked by the former first family. “It’s good to see that Hunter has taken some time to process the election, look inward, and hold himself accountable for how his family’s insular, dare I say arrogant at times, approach to politics led to this catastrophic outcome we’re all now living with,” Tommy Vietor, a former Obama White House official, posted on the social platform X. The interviews underscored the degree to which the Biden family still feels stung by the Democratic Party’s decision to abandon the former president as its nominee, despite his decades of service and his successful 2020 campaign. The comments also came at a time when Trump has grappled with discontent among members of his own base over the handling of the case of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and as Democrats have attempted to stay on the attack over the massive tax and spending bill Trump signed into law earlier this month. Hunter Biden’s interviews made significant rounds in the media and online. Fox News played comments from the former president’s son in which he went on an expletive-laced tirade against the Trump administration’s deportation efforts, as well as a soundbite in which Hunter Biden mused about how he would have handled discussions with El Salvador about a wrongfully deported migrant. “How do you think your hotel room gets cleaned? How do you think you have food on your f‑‑‑ing table? Who do you think washes your dishes?” Hunter Biden said of those in the country illegally. “Clearly they’ve learned nothing from President Trump’s overwhelming victory on Nov. 5,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox in response to those comments. Some of Hunter Biden’s more incendiary comments came during a sit-down with Callaghan, who hosts the YouTube series Channel 5. Hunter Biden teed off on Clooney, whose New York Times op-ed last summer added fuel to calls for then-President Biden to step down after his disastrous debate performance. “F‑‑‑ you, what do you have to do with f‑‑‑ing anything? Why do I have to f‑‑‑ing listen to you? What right do you have to step on a man who’s given 52 years of his f‑‑‑ing life to the service of this country,” Hunter Biden said of Clooney. Hunter Biden went on to single out Democratic strategist James Carville, top Obama White House adviser David Axelrod, former Obama aide David Plouffe, who joined the Harris campaign in a senior role, and Anita Dunn, who was a top White House official under the former president. “They’re all going to insert their judgment over a man who has figured out, unlike anybody else, how to get elected to the United States Senate over seven times … and how to garner more votes than any president that has ever won, and they’re going to replace their judgment for his?” Hunter Biden told Callaghan.

Acting ICE director fires back at Hunter Biden over immigration comments Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons on Wednesday slammed Hunter Biden, the son of former President Biden, over recent comments he made about immigration. “That’s just idiotic. It’s dumb. You know, to make comments like that is crazy, because under the last administration, those are the problems we have right now. Under these former administrations, President Obama, President Biden, it’s made illegal immigration common, in the commonplace, and that’s just not the case,” Lyons told Fox News’s John Roberts on “America Reports.” In an interview released Monday, the younger Biden told YouTube creator Andrew Callaghan that “all these Democrats say, you have to talk about and realize that people are really upset about illegal immigration.” “F— you,” the former president’s son continued. “How do you think your hotel room gets cleaned? How do you think you have food on your f—— table? Who do you think washes your dishes?” “I’ll tell you what, if I became president in two years from now, or four years from now, or three years from now, I would pick up the phone and call the f‑‑‑ing president in El Salvador and say, ‘You either f‑‑‑ing send them back or I’m gonna f‑‑‑ing invade.’ It’s a f‑‑‑ing crime what they’re doing. He’s a f‑‑‑ing dictator thug,” Biden added later. “Bukele or Trump?” Callaghan asked, referencing Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. “Both,” Biden responded.

Trump Pays Eye-Watering Amount to Build Biggest Immigration Camp Ever --Donald Trump is getting another concentration camp, this time in Texas. Donald Trump’s administration has signed off on building the country’s largest immigrant detention center, a sprawling tent camp at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.The Department of Defense awarded the Virginia-based company Acquisition Logistics a nearly $232 million contract to establish and operate a 5,000-bed short-term detention facility, according to a contract notice Monday. In total, however, the contract is worth closer to $1.26 billion, two people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named publicly told Bloomberg.The new tent camp is estimated to be completed by the end of September 2027. Sitting close to the Mexican border, and with its own airport, the new facility would serve as a deportation hub for the Trump administration’s purge of immigrants from the United States.For scale, an estimated 700 detainees are currently held at “Alligator Alcatraz,” but the Trump administration’s wetland-themed concentration camp in the Florida Everglades is also expected to have a capacity of up to 5,000 people, according to the Department of Homeland Security.Acquisition Logistics has no experience in detention, according to Bloomberg. The company specializes in supply chain and project management, as well as technical and engineering services, and has previously received $29 billion worth of contracts from the DOD for jobs such as providing logistical capabilities, or lodging and conference room services for the agency’s work at the Southern border.Emma Winger, deputy legal director at the American Immigration Council, expressed grave concern to Bloomberg over the government’s plans to house immigrants in tents. “All the reasons why you and I live not in tents but in homes are going to inevitably come up in a facility that doesn’t offer people walls and floors and insulation,” she said.“It’s very hard to imagine how soft-sided facilities could satisfy even the low detention standards that are reflected in ICE’s most recent standards,” Winger added. This latest contract comes amid reports ofinhumane conditions at ICE facilities, where detainees have alleged physical abuse, medical neglect, and psychological torture.Acquisition Logistics’ startling lack of experience setting up a detention facility, as well as the government’s own wavering commitment to safe conditions for detainees, ought to spark grave concern as the rate of immigration arrests and of deaths in ICE facilities continues to rise. The government has greenlit yet another concentration camp—and this one is on track to be the largest so far.This latest contract comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegsethannounced that two army bases would be used to house immigrant detainees, one in New Jersey and the other in Illinois. The moves severely undermine his supposed commitment to maximizing so-called military “lethality,” by transforming his own training facilities into pit stops for his boss’s campaign of ethnic cleansing. Like those facilities, Fort Bliss had previously housed Afghan refugees as part of the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome.The government previously operated an Emergency Intake Site at Fort Bliss under the Biden administration, erecting a tent city to house unaccompanied migrant children. One whistleblower account revealed horrific living conditions similar to those in ICE facilities now, with children subjected to constant light, collective punishment, and even burns from unsafe materials.

Second court blocks Trump’s birthright citizenship order, after SCOTUS ruling --A second court ruled that President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship still cannot go into effect anywhere in the country, following the Supreme Court’s recent decision that claws back nationwide injunctions.The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 on Wednesday that four Democratic-led states were entitled to a nationwide injunction, because any narrower block would fail to provide them complete relief. “States’ residents may give birth in a non-party state, and individuals subject to the Executive Order from non-party states will inevitably move to the States,” U.S. Circuit Judge Ronald Gould wrote. Gould’s decision was joined by U.S. Circuit Judge Michael Hawkins,who like Gould was appointed by former President Clinton. U.S. Circuit Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, dissented, saying the states had no legal right to bring the case. “Courts must be vigilant in enforcing the limits of our jurisdiction and our power to order relief,” Bumatay wrote. “Otherwise, we risk entangling ourselves in contentious issues not properly before us and overstepping our bounds,” he continued. “No matter how significant the question or how high the stakes of the case—at all times, we must adhere to the confines of ‘the judicial Power.’” The ruling comes after the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision late last month, curtailed the ability of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions that go beyond the parties suing to block the president’s policies for anyone in the country.

In 1965, the government tried replacing migrant workers with high-schoolers. It was a disaster. - Roy McNutt was 17 when he spent a summer picking pickles for America. “It was lousy,” he said. McNutt, now 77, joined thousands of high school teens harvesting cucumbers, melons, strawberries and carrots during the summer of 1965. That was after Congress cut off the pathway for millions of migrant workers from Mexico to cross the border and bring that food to the nation’s tables. The Mexican Farm Labor program had been created in 1942 to address the World War II labor shortage. Known as the bracero program, it allowed generations of manual laborers to work in the United States and was set to expire in 1964. A revival of the program, the Bracero 2.0 Act, was introduced in Congress last week. “It was a time of both heightened xenophobia and heightened critique of foreign guest workers,” said Lori Flores, associate history professor at Columbia University. The migrant workers were “either taking jobs away from citizens in various spheres or draining public aid and resources.” So U.S. officials let the program die. They were convinced that unemployed, domestic workers would fill those jobs. They did not. The fields of unpicked produce began rotting. “Farm Work Builds Men!” read one of the fliers that the Labor Department began sending to schools, with the image of Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte urging high school jocks to spend the summer saving the 1965 crop. The government plan was for thousands of athletes to sign up for “Join A-TEAM” (Athletes in Temporary Employment as Agricultural Manpower). The Labor Department urged the coaches to become field supervisors and bond with the players, who would surely get stronger and more disciplined toiling in the hot sun. As the school year ended, hometown papers ran glowing stories about the boys, capturing their toothpaste smiles as they prepared to set off on a noble adventure. “We were getting away from our parents for the summer,” said Randy Carter, who was 17 when he got on a bus with his Catholic school pals in San Diego and headed to Blythe, California, to pick cantaloupes. “We thought, maybe there would be some girls! Maybe we could get beer!” Carter wanted to earn money for a surfboard. One of the guys had a guitar. It would be fun, they hoped. But the entire program was a disaster. The article in McNutt’s hometown paper, the Springfield, Ohio, News-Sun, said his group would be in the Heinz cucumber fields. The group left the farm in Michigan after only a week. The labor was slow, and growers quickly complained that the cucumbers grew faster than the boys could pick them and got too big to pickle. “That’s a truckload of garbage I’ve got,” Hank Keytylo told the Detroit Free Press that August, pointing to a load from his 20-acre cucumber patch. “I’ll get $50 for the whole truckload,” Keytylo said. “Any other years, I’d get $150 for a truckload.” Meanwhile the boys, stunned at the living conditions and the backbreaking work in fields from Michigan to Texas to California, complained. “They were fed food that was unfit for human consumption,” Rep. Teno Roncalio (D-Wyoming) said of his state’s A-TEAM members who were sent to Salinas, California. In a speech on the House floor on June 29, 1965, he said that they “lived in beds filthy with bedbugs; they had to associate with switchblade knife carriers.” At least one of his colleagues was thrilled with this testimony. “I am delighted to hear the gentleman from Wyoming give this report to the House, because the conditions he described are the conditions I and others have been describing and deploring over many years as they applied to other workers,” said Rep. Jeffery Cohelan (D-California). The 37 boys all paid their own way back to Wyoming, and Roncalio wanted the growers or the government to pay them back. Most of the program went like this. And because America’s corn-fed boys complained about working conditions, the nation finally listened to the grim reality about the way food gets to the table.

Tennessee republican resigns from the House - Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) has resigned from the House amid a tight margin between parties in the lower chamber. “It’s with a heavy heart that I say farewell. To my constituents across Tennessee’s 7th District—thank you. The trust you put in me is humbling. I will look back fondly on my years of serving as your voice in Washington,” Green, who started in the House in 2019, said in a post on the social platform X earlier this month.There are now 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats in the lower chamber, only a seven-seat difference amid already high tensions between the two parties and the 2026 midterm races in which Democrats seek to take back the House, beginning to heat up.President Trump’s base has also recently been rattled by controversy over files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, creating some strain between Republican lawmakers and the president.Close to three-quarters of Democratic voters were feeling motivated to vote in the next election cycle in a recent CNN poll.Seventy-two percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters in the poll were “extremely motivated” to vote before next year’s midterms, with 50 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters saying the same.Republicans are also tight in the Senate, with 53 seats to Democrats’ 45 seats and two independent senators.

Senate GOP faces tough call over Trump demand to cancel recess - Senate Republicans are weighing whether to heed President Trump’s call to cancel some or all of the August recess to approve key nominees or to use the full month to go home and sell the party’s tax and spending law to voters, which top Republicans view as crucial to their midterm election hopes. Having passed the party’s “big, beautiful bill” and a package to claw back funding for public media and foreign aid, the Senate’s plan was to motor ahead on scores of Trump nominations in the next two weeks, then leave for the extended break. But Trump over the weekend urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to keep everyone in town. While some in the GOP would welcome lopping off a portion of the recess, Republicans view a monthlong messaging push on the “big, beautiful bill” as imperative for electoral success, especially with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s chair, admitting recently that the bill is not polling well enough for his liking. “That’s also an important part. We’ve got to go back and be able to talk to our constituents and explain to them what we just did in a way that will help in the midterm elections, which I know the president and we all care about,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is up for reelection next year and staring down a tricky primary fight. “This would be one time when we would be back home and be able to do that,” Cornyn said. Thune on Monday kept the door open to keeping Republicans in Washington. “We’re thinking about it. We want to get as many [nominations] through the pipeline as we can,” Thune said at the Capitol.

FEMA chief defends response to Texas flood crisis -David Richardson, acting leader of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on Wednesday defended his agency’s response to deadly Texas floods despite pushback from lawmakers. During a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing, Richardson said he “can’t see anything” FEMA did wrong in its response to the July 4 floods that killed 135 people. His comments come despite bipartisan criticism and news reports suggesting the agency was slow to act and that the Trump administration’s austere policies delayed response times.A particular point of contention in the hearing was a New York Times report that said call center contractors were laid off after their contracts ended July 5. On July 6, FEMA answered only 35.8 percent of calls, according to the Times, while on July 7, it answered only 15.9 percent.Richardson called the report “fake news” and said “the vast majority of phone calls were answered.”The article, one of several that raised questions about the Trump administration’s response to the Texas floods, pointed to a new policy that reportedly requires Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem herself to approve expenses more than $100,000. CNN reported Noem didn’t authorize FEMA’s urban search and rescue teams until three days after the flooding began. Meanwhile, Richardson did not visit the site of the floods in the days that followed it, according to E&E News.He told lawmakers Wednesday there had been an urban search and rescue team “on the deck” in Texas on July 4 but that it took the state several days to request assistance. “The disaster declaration didn’t come in until Sunday, and then Monday they requested and the support was there within 24 hours.”Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) responded that 24 hours “seems like a long time to wait” and asked whether that was standard. “They get there as quickly as possible,” Richardson responded, adding that those particular teams came from Colorado and Missouri.

House committee releases bipartisan FEMA overhaul bill - Bipartisan House leaders introduced a bill Thursday that would overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency even as the Trump administration mulls its future.Both parties have eyed big changes to FEMA for years now, with the aim of streamlining disaster assistance. The “Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act,” H.R. 4669, could be the best chance to get something done this Congress. The legislation is being led by Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and ranking member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.). It would make FEMA an independent agency, with the administrator reporting directly to the president. FEMA is currently housed under the Department of Homeland Security. The bill also includes a litany of provisions to streamline the grant application process for states and individuals, increase coordination across the federal government and set up accountability measures including an inspector general for FEMA.

Texas lawmakers slam local decision to cut taxes instead of funding flood alerts -Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing the Upper Guadalupe River Authority’s decision to use a funding surplus to lower property taxes rather than improve flood warning systems.The local river authority covers only Kerr County, the region hardest hit by the deadly July 4 floods. As first reported Wednesday in the Houston Chronicle, the agency had $3.4 million in reserves but spent only $100,000 of it on flood warning upgrades. Most of the funds went to cut the property tax it levies in order to manage the river.The river authority also declined in 2024 to pursue an offer from the Texas Water Development Board to apply for a $50,000 grant and a $950,000 zero-interest loan to pay for upgrades to the flood warning systems. Lawmakers lambasted the authority Wednesday for what they characterized as misplaced priorities.

House, Senate to advance Interior-Environment bill - The Senate Appropriations Committee plans to release and advance its fiscal 2026 Interior-Environment spending bill Thursday with likely cuts.The committee also plans to release its Transportation-Housing and Urban Development bill. And the full Senate may begin debate on its first fiscal 2026 bill package of the year.It’s another busy week for appropriators as they try to advance as many of their bills as possible before the coming August recess. Even with the burst in activity, the House and Senate are unlikely to finish their work before the fiscal year ends, meaning a stopgap is all but necessary to prevent a shutdown.“We got our work to do,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair of the Senate Interior-EPA Appropriations Subcommittee, last week when discussing this year’s spending deliberations.

Wildfire, forest, refuge bills up for House markup - The House Natural Resources Committee will vote this week on a host of Republican-led bills addressing wildfires and forest management.The committee will also consider legislation that would block a Biden-era plan to expand by up to 700,000 acres a national wildlife refuge in Texas.Republicans for years have pushed to ease environmental reviews and other hurdles related to forest management. Rep. Tom McClintock’s bill, “Proven Forest Management Act,” H.R. 179, is in that vein.The legislation from the California Republican would extend to the rest of the country a law that’s been in place in the Lake Tahoe Basin of California since the Obama administration.

Proposal for cuts paralyzes Senate’s Energy-Water bill - A senior Republican said his effort to secure new cuts to clean energy and other programs has created an impasse in the Senate Appropriations Committee and is preventing the Energy-Water bill from coming up for a vote.Appropriators are deadlocked over the top-line funding level for the fiscal 2026 Energy-Water bill, which has not been released, despite the committee’s top Republican and Democrat already agreeing to a number.Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), the chair of the Energy-Water Appropriations Subcommittee, said he is rejecting a funding increase negotiated by Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) and ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.).The stalemate could delay action on the bill that funds the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation, and is the latest indicator that the bipartisan process Senate appropriators are trying to salvage is hanging by a thread.“They gave me the top line, and my response was that I can do it for less,” said Kennedy. “I don’t think they’re going to let me bring that up,” he said of his preferred funding bill. “That’s what my staff tells me, that they’re just going to post it on the website but not let me bring my bill up to be marked up.”That dynamic, which Collins disputes, means the bill will not be released or voted on before the Senate’s scheduled August recess, and it may spoil the bill’s prospects entirely. It would be a stark turn from the Senate’s bipartisan process last year, which saw the Energy-Water bill advance to the floor on a 28-0 vote.Two Senate aides familiar with the negotiations said talks are ongoing and that while the bill needs more time, it is not dead. The aides were granted anonymity to speak candidly about the sensitive discussions.Collins and Murray struck a deal to increase the Energy-Water total for fiscal 2026 by about 3 percent relative to the currently enacted level, said Kennedy. Congress appropriated about $58.2 billion in discretionary funding for the Energy-Water title in fiscal 2024 and later extended that amount through fiscal 2025.Kennedy said the committee leaders’ 3-percent boost — which would put the total at roughly $59.9 billion — is too steep. He is putting forward a bill that would reduce spending by 3 percent relative to the current level, “so it’s a 6 percent swing,” he said. “We don’t have to” go above fiscal 2025 funding, Kennedy said. “We can do everything we need to do for less money, so why wouldn’t we do it?”The nearly $59.9 billion top line that Kennedy indicated Collins and Murray have established is almost $2.7 billion above the level House appropriators have approved for their own fiscal 2026 Energy-Water bill. That legislation got no Democratic support in committee last week and proposes cuts to renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.

Senate spending bills take Trump to task - Senate appropriators on Thursday approved a $41.5 billion spending bill to fund the Interior Department and EPA, setting up a showdown with the House and President Donald Trump. The bill represents a bipartisan compromise on the agency budgets, a necessity given the need to attract 60 votes on appropriations measures in the Senate. Only Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) voted “no.” The legislation includes $15.1 billion for the Interior Department. The House bill, in contrast, would appropriate $14.8 billion, a roughly $60 million cut.The Senate would give EPA $8.6 billion, a 5 percent cut. The House wants to trim down the agency by nearly a quarter. And the White House wants to slash more. “We had hard numbers that we needed to get, and we had to balance cuts in areas that are hard, and I think that we did a good job focusing on the priorities of so many when it comes to public lands and EPA,” Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said in an interview. Even though each chamber is bucking the White House in its own way, the Senate’s bipartisan approach is a major challenge to the White House and is upsetting some conservatives. Like other Senate fiscal 2026 bills, the Interior-Environment title takes the administration to task, urging it to spend appropriated funds in accordance with direction from Capitol Hill. “The committee is disappointed with the utter lack of regard for complying with Congressional intent on spending funds as appropriated,” the bill report reads. Here are four takeaways from the bill:

• EPA science shutdown blocked. Senate appropriators are displeased with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and his staff as they rally to rework the agency. Consequently, the panel created a new account, called the Office of the Administrator, and provided it almost $107.9 million, which would fund the administrator’s team as well as the agency’s chief financial office. That is far below the $183.8 million being spent on those operations in fiscal 2025. The Senate committee said it created the new account out of EPA’s Environmental Programs and Management account to ensure “transparency in funding.”“Targeted increases” in funding could be forthcoming for those offices if they can “demonstrate that it takes its relationship with the Committee seriously.” EPA is directed to “expeditiously brief” the panel on its proposed reorganization involving several program offices, which was announced last week. Senators also took aim at the agency’s plans to eliminate its Office of Research and Development.
• Environmental justice given lifeline. EPA is already moving forward with shutting down another office, which was created in 2022 to aid marginalized communities saddled with longstanding pollution. The agency is scheduled to lay off 271 employees who worked on environmental justice or “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives by Thursday next week. Zeldin has also pushed to cancel environmental justice grants, which were funded with billions of dollars during the Biden administration. But Senate appropriators have offered a lifeline to that work at the agency. Included in the bill text is language saying funds for EPA enforcement “may be used for environmental justice implementation and training grants, and associated program support costs.” The bill report says $40 million will be used for environmental justice activities at the agency, according to committee aides. That is far below the roughly $100 million in enacted spending levels but could keep the program afloat during the Trump administration.
• Interior riders. Murkowski took her pound of flesh in the bill, including riders to accomplish long-sought goals for Alaska and force the Trump administration to roll back a key prerogative. The Senate bill would force the Interior Department to restore the name “Denali” to the nation’s highest peak, located in Alaska. The Trump administration reverted the mountain’s name via executive order to “Mount McKinley,” despite local support for the Denali moniker that was codified during the Obama administration. The bill would require all federal references to the mountain to be returned to Denali within 60 days — an affront to the White House’s effort to rename federal lands, waters and structures. Also included in the committee report is a note that the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 requires the Interior secretary to permit access for the Ambler mining road.
• EV chargers, pipeline safety. The Transportation-HUD bill would increase spending 3 percent relative to the currently enacted level. The bill would provide about $10 billion more than the House version. Senate appropriators packed the bill report with language supporting Republican and Democratic priorities — from electric vehicle charging infrastructure to pipeline safety programs and streamlined environmental reviews.The legislation requires the Department of Transportation to issue new draft guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure formula program within 30 days of enactment, and final guidance within 120 days. Funding for pipeline safety and hazardous materials safety programs would stay roughly flat. Appropriators directed at least $5 million toward the creation of a center for expertise for liquefied natural gas safety.The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration would be required to consider initiating a rulemaking to minimize leaks and ensure safety around hydrogen infrastructure.

Trump eases industrial pollution limits - President Donald Trump, putting White House muscle to work for polluting industries, on Thursday gave dozens of plants around the country more time to meet EPA regulations intended to cut emissions of air toxics tied to cancer and other serious health problems.In a series of four “proclamations” released late in the day, Trump tapped a rarely used provision in the Clean Air Act to grant two-year compliance extensions to 53 chemical plants and refineries, 39 medical sterilization facilities, eight mills that process the low-grade iron ore known as taconite, and three coal-fired power plants.All are subject to strengthened hazardous air pollutant rules issued last year during then-President Joe Biden’s administration. While the rules contain a variety of deadlines, the extensions will broadly push back the cutoffs to meet key requirements from 2027 to 2029.Corporations benefiting from the delays include Shell, Sterigenics, Dow and otherheavyweights.While not all plants covered by the tighter regulations sought delays, previous EPA forecasts suggest that the extensions will save industry collectively millions of dollars while allowing the release of hundreds of tons more pollution than would have otherwise occurred.EPA meanwhile plans to revisit — and possibly repeal — each of the rules under what Administrator Lee Zeldin has billed the biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history.The White House in a statement said the exemptions show the president is delivering for the American public.“The American people elected President Trump to unleash American energy and lower prices, not to entertain the left’s radical climate agenda,” said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers. “Yesterday’s proclamations will provide temporary regulatory relief from stringent Biden-era regulations that impacted sectors critical to our national security.”The Clean Air Act allows the postponements if the president finds that they would both benefit national security and that the needed pollution control technology is not available. The White House in a fact sheet maintained that’s indeed the case.“The exemptions ensure that these facilities within these critical industries can continue to operate uninterrupted to support national security without incurring substantial costs to comply with, in some cases, unattainable compliance requirements,” White House officials wrote.EPA concurred that the president is authorized under the Clean Air Act to take ction.“Decisions to grant compliance extensions is an authority that rests with the President,” said Molly Vaseliou, a spokesperson for the agency.Yet environmental groups are already suing to overturn extensions granted to 68 coal-fired power plants in April. In statements assailing the program’s expansion, they accused Trump of opening the spigot for cancer-causing pollution and vowed to contest the newly announced rollbacks.“Trump is illegally delaying clean air laws from his desk because polluters make more money when they just dump their toxic chemicals in our air,” said Patrice Simms, vice president of litigation at Earthjustice’s Healthy Communities program. “Trump’s action on behalf of big corporate polluters will cause more cancer, more birth defects, and more children to suffer asthma. The country deserves better.”

Trump admin exempts major polluters from Clean Air Act --The Trump administration is exempting dozens of chemical manufacturers, oil refineries, coal plants, medical device sterilizers and other polluters from Clean Air Act rules.On Thursday, the White House announced it would exempt more than 100 plants from pollution limits established by the Biden administration.The limits are aimed at reducing the releases of toxic chemicals, including those that cause cancer. One rule that the Trump administration is exempting about 50 polluters from would have been expected to reduce cancer risks of people living within 6 miles of a chemical plant by 96 percent.The Trump administration touted its decision as being supportive of fossil fuels and manufacturing.“President Trump recognizes that overly restrictive environmental regulations undermine America’s energy reliability, economic vitality, and national security,” according to a White House fact sheet.However, the move also stands in contrast with the administration’s pledge to “make America healthy again.” “Trump’s action on behalf of big corporate polluters will cause more cancer, more birth defects, and more children to suffer asthma. The country deserves better,” Patrice Simms, vice president of litigation at Earthjustice’s Healthy Communities Program, said in a written statement. The administration issued four proclamations exempting the total of more than 100 facilities from one of four rules for two years.One proclamation exempts about 40 medical device sterilizing plants from requirements to reduce 90 percent of their emissions of cancer-causing ethylene oxide. Another exempts more than 50 chemical manufacturers and oil refineries from requirements to cut emissions of toxic chemicals including ethylene oxide and another cancer-linked chemical called chloroprene A third proclamation exempts eight producers of taconite iron ore, which is used to make steel, from requirements to reduce mercury emissions by about 33 percent. Fetal exposure to mercury is linked to brain and nervous system damage.The fourth proclamation exempts six coal plants from restrictions on releases of mercury, nickel, arsenic and lead. The Biden-era rule in question was expected to reduce exposure to substances that can cause developmental delays in children, as well as heart attacks and cancer. The Trump administration had already said it plans to overturn a wide swath of rules aimed at reducing pollution, so by the time the two-year exemptions expire, the rules in question may no longer be in place.This week’s proclamations are the second publicly announced set of exemptions issued by the Trump administration.

EPA on track to lay off 271 environmental justice staffers - EPA is pushing ahead on plans to lay off hundreds of employees tied to environmental justice programs, but the timetable is in flux.Following a court-ordered pause that left employees in limbo for six weeks, “we intend to move forward with the previously announced RIF [reduction in force],” said EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou.EPA put 168 EJ staffers on leave in early February. The agency in April notified 271 employees, Vaseliou said Thursday, that they were subject to a reduction in force because their jobs had been tied to environmental justice or “diversity, equity and inclusion.” The RIFs were previously scheduled to take effect next week. Vaseliou could not confirm if July 31 was still the effective date.

EPA shuffles major climate program office - Weeks after Congress voted to repeal one of the biggest climate programs of the Biden-era, EPA is making new plans for how to run it.The agency’s newest reorganization, announced last week, would move a small office of career officials who oversee the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund out of EPA’s Office of the Administrator and into its newly created Office of Finance and Administration. The move will put whatever is left of the $27 billion climate program under the control of the Office of the Chief Grants Officer. The erstwhile Office of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund has been renamed the Oversight of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Division, according to EPA’s proposed org chart. The move comes as EPA looks to unwind the massive program created by the Inflation Reduction Act to expand renewable energy financing in mostly low-income communities. It was the agency’s flagship climate program under President Joe Biden.

‘Total chaos’: EPA staffers slam research office fallout - The Trump administration’s plans to eliminate EPA’s stand-alone science office have left employees with more questions than answers. “If this sounds like they’re doing this on the fly, they’re doing this on the fly,” said one agency employee. “It’s not organized. It’s total chaos.” Among other lingering unknowns is which — and how many — Office of Research and Development staffers will receive layoff notices versus who will get reassigned to other offices, according to EPA employees granted anonymity to speak freely because they fear retaliation. Some employees have received reassignments for internal positions they were encouraged to apply to in May, before they knew ORD’s fate.

Trump EPA aims to repeal finding that climate change endangers public health --The Trump administration will propose the repeal of a landmark 2009 determination that climate change poses a danger to the public, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin said Wednesday. “EPA has sent to the Office of Management and Budget a proposed rule to repeal the 2009 endangerment finding from the Obama EPA,” Zeldin told Newsmax. “Through the endangerment finding, there has been into the trillions worth of regulations, including tailpipe emissions and including electric vehicle mandates,” he added.In 2009, then-President Obama’s administration made a formal determination that greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane posed a threat to public health. It found emissions from vehicles contributed to the problem.The finding provided a legal basis for EPA regulations on these planet-heating gases, including for its rules requiring automakers’ to cut emissions from their vehicle fleets. While these rules did not explicitly mandate a pivot to electric vehicles, standards issued by the Biden administration were expected to push the vehicle market toward more electric cars in the years ahead. The EPA’s plans to propose a rule to repeal the finding were first reported by The New York Times.The Trump administration’s move comes despite a consensus from the scientific community that human activity, especially its use of fossil fuels, is heating up the planet. This heating in turn exacerbates extreme weather.During President Trump’s first term, his administration weakened limits on planet-warming emissions, including from vehicles, but it did not repeal the endangerment finding.The proposal to repeal it signals an escalation that could prevent the agency from having climate regulations on the books at all.

EPA’s endangerment gambit could cause rules to spring back - The Trump administration will release a proposal in the coming days that it hopes will topple EPA’s climate rules like a pile of Jenga blocks. But its strategy — namely, to undo the 2009 scientific finding that undergirds most climate rules — comes with big risks. If EPA pins too many regulatory rollbacks to its bid to revoke the so-called endangerment finding, the agency exposes itself to the possibility that many of those rule repeals won’t hold up in court. The fate of the endangerment finding rescission will become tied to EPA’s deregulatory agenda. “They’re swinging for the fences with this one,” said Meghan Greenfield, a partner at Jenner & Block. “If they fail in that bigger effort, then the standards will remain.”

Sen. Katie Britt, GOP senators urge White House to release delayed NIH funding -- Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and 13 other Senate Republicans are urging the Trump administration to release National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding that has been held up for months. The GOP senators warned in a letter to White House budget chief Russell Vought that the “slow disbursement of funds” that Congress appropriated in March “risks undermining critical research and the thousands of American jobs it supports.” “Suspension of these appropriated funds — whether formally withheld or functionally delayed — could threaten Americans’ ability to access better treatments and limit our nation’s leadership in biomedical science,” the senators warned. “It also risks inadvertently severing ongoing NIH-funded research prior to actionable results,” they wrote. The Trump administration suspended or cut many NIH research grants earlier this year to undertake a thorough review to ensure they complied with Trump’s orders to end federal support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. A database set up by a Harvard University researcher estimated that by the end of May, more than 2,100 NIH grants worth more than $9 billion had been canceled. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya told senators in March at his confirmation hearing that his agency would restart grant reviews, but an analysis by STAT, a health care news site, last month found that NIH had made little progress in narrowing the funding gap created by the freeze on grant approvals.

DOJ challenges ruling on NIH funding at Supreme Court -The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to allow it to continue moving forward with canceling National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants over their connections to diversity initiatives. The Department of Justice (DOJ) asked the court for an emergency stay that would stop Boston-based U.S. District Judge William Young’s ruling last month, which halted the cancellation and forced the government to reinstate several of the grants. The case centered on a legal challenge by researchers, unions and a coalition of 16 Democratic-led states. They sued the administration after the NIH terminated grants supporting research on topics such as health equity, racial disparities, vaccine hesitancy and maternal health in minority communities. The abrupt cancellations were part of the administration’s quest to slash spending and end federal support for initiatives Trump officials considered to be promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. “The district court’s order directs the NIH to continue paying $783 million in federal grants that are undisputedly counter to the Administration’s priorities,” DOJ wrote in the filing. “Following the change in Administration, the NIH identified, explained, and pursued new funding priorities. That is democracy at work, not, as the district court thought, proof of inappropriate ‘partisan[ship]’—let alone a permissible basis for setting agency action aside,” the filing stated. The Trump administration has repeatedly asked the Supreme Court to step in when its policies have been blocked by lower courts. Thursday’s filing was the administration’s 21st emergency application since Trump took office, and the White House has found success in nearly every single instance.

Report blasts pace of Trump admin’s ‘attacks on science’ - The start of President Donald Trump’s second term has been marked by research funding cuts, dismissals of federal scientists and other “attacks on science” at a rate far exceeding that of his first term, the Union of Concerned Scientists said in a report released Monday.“Altogether, the administration’s actions have undermined the use of government science for public good,” the liberal-leaning research and advocacy group said in listing more than 400 such attacks in the period between Trump’s inauguration in late January and last month.That total is almost double the number documented for all of Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021, the report said. While acknowledging that the two sets of figures aren’t directly comparable because of differences in how they were compiled, the updated approach “captures a more comprehensive picture of the administration’s actions to dismantle federal science,” Darya Minovi, a UCS research analyst and the lead author, added in a blog post.

149 science agency staffers sign dissent letter against Trump - Employees at the government’s premier science agency are elevating their pushback against the Trump administration.In a letter of dissent, 149 National Science Foundation employees expressed “deep concern over a series of politically motivated and legally questionable actions by the Administration that threaten the integrity of the NSF.”The letter, sent Monday to House Science, Space and Technology ranking member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), urges the committee to shield NSF employees “from politically motivated firings,” release frozen grant dollars and demand more transparency from Trump officials. The letter was submitted as a protected whistleblower complaint, and all but one of the signatories had their names censored or signed as an anonymous member.Hiding their identities is a step meant to protect federal workers from retaliation. It is a different approach than used in dissent letters from employee groups at EPA, the National Institutes of Health and NASA.Earlier this month, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin put 139 employees who signed a similar letter of dissent on administrative leave for 10 days. That number has since grown to 160 staffers, and the agency has extended the leave to Aug. 1.“It’s a deep shame that expressing support for NSF’s mission and calling attention to how recent actions betray that mission needs to be done in this manner,” Lofgren said.The NSF dissent letter was organized by members of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union. Members of Local 3403, the union branch that represents NSF and other federal researchers and scientists, signed the letter.NSF has already lost approximately one-third of what once was an 1,800-person workforce, said Jesus Soriano, president of AFGE Local 3403. That number includes departures through voluntary “early-out” programs and the 168 probationary staffers and experts fired in February. Last month, NSF staffers were surprised with less than 24 hours notice that they would be evicted from their current headquarters to let Housing and Urban Development employees move in. It is still not clear where NSF will be relocated.Lofgren during a press conference Tuesday pledged to defend NSF against President Donald Trump’s attacks.But she said in a brief interview with POLITICO’s E&E News she’s not confident the letter will influence Trump administration policies.“This administration does not care about science,” Lofgren said.

Data hawks are racing to save US government statistics: Here's why The data nerds are fighting back.After watching data sets be altered or disappear from U.S. government websites in unprecedented ways after President Trump began his second term, an army of outside statisticians, demographers and computer scientists have joined forces to capture, preserve and share data sets, sometimes clandestinely.Their goal is to make sure they are available in the future, believing that democracy suffers when policymakers don’t have reliable data and that national statistics should be above partisan politics.“There are such smart, passionate people who care deeply about not only the Census Bureau, but all the statistical agencies, and ensuring the integrity of the statistical system. And that gives me hope, even during these challenging times,” Mary Jo Mitchell, director of government and public affairs for the research nonprofit the Population Association of America, said this week during an online public data-users conference. The threats to the U.S. data infrastructure since January have come not only from the disappearance or modification of data related to gender, sexual orientation, health, climate change and diversity, among other topics, but also from job cuts of workers and contractors who had been guardians of restricted-access data at statistical agencies, the data experts said.“There are trillions of bytes of data files, and I can’t even imagine how many public dollars were spent to collect those data,” Jennifer Park, a study director for the Committee on National Statistics, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, said during the conference hosted by the Association of Public Data Users (APDU).“But right now, they’re sitting someplace that is inaccessible because there are no staff to appropriately manage those data,” Park added later.In February, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) official public portal for health data, data.cdc.gov, was taken down entirely but subsequently went back up. Around the same time, when a query was made to access certain public data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s most comprehensive survey of American life, users for several days got a response that said the area was “unavailable due to maintenance” before access was restored. Researchers Janet Freilich and Aaron Kesselheim examined 232 federal public health data sets that had been modified in the first quarter of this year and found that almost half had been “substantially altered,” with the majority having the word “gender” switched to “sex,” they wrote this month in The Lancet medical journal.One of the most difficult tasks has been figuring out what’s been changed since many of the alterations weren’t recorded in documentation. Among the groups that have formed this year to collect and preserve the federal data are the Federation of American Scientists’ dataindex.com, which monitors changes to federal data sets; the University of Chicago Library’s Data Mirror website, which backs up and hosts at-risk data sets; the Data Rescue Project, which serves as a clearinghouse for data rescue-related efforts; and the Federal Data Forum, which shares information about what federal statistics have gone missing or been modified — a job also being done by the American Statistical Association. The outside data warriors also are quietly reaching out to workers at statistical agencies and urging them to back up any data that is restricted from the public.

Judge blocks Trump administration from cutting Planned Parenthood funding -A federal judge Monday blocked the Trump administration from cutting funding to Planned Parenthood as part of the GOP’s new tax cut and health law. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston granted Planned Parenthood’s request for a temporary injunction while the lawsuit progresses. Planned Parenthood two weeks ago sued over a provision in the new law that imposes a one-year ban on state Medicaid payments to health care nonprofits that also offer abortions and received more than $800,000 in federal funding in 2023. Talwani’s ruling still allows the administration to enforce the provision against other providers, and the legislation did not mention Planned Parenthood by name. But the organization says it comprises almost the entirety of the impacted entities. Yet at least one other organization also said it would be impacted. Maine Family Planning, the state’s largest network of reproductive health clinics, filed a separate lawsuit last week seeking to restore Medicaid funding. The lawsuit argued GOP senators lowered the funding threshold to $800,000 explicitly to target providers other than Planned Parenthood. Taxpayer money is already prohibited from covering most abortions.

Donald Trump to sign executive order to push cities to curb homeless sleeping on streets - President Trump has signed an executive order on Thursday aiming to provide resources that would push cities and states to remove homeless people from sleeping on streets and to crack down on drug use. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to reverse precedents that limit state and local governments’ ability to commit people on streets who are at risk to themselves or others, according to a White House fact sheet obtained by The Hill. It also requires interagency work on grants for states to enforce prohibitions on open illicit drug use, urban camping, loitering and squatting, and to track sex offenders. And, it requires redirecting funds to ensure people sleeping on streets and causing public disorder, and suffering from serious mental illness or addiction, are moved to facilities like treatment centers. Additionally, the order requires that discretionary grants for substance use prevention, treatment and recovery do not go toward funding “drug injection sites or illicit drug use,” and it aims to stop sex offenders who receive homelessness assistance from being housed with children and allows programs to house women and children exclusively. The order, which USA Today first reported on, is described as an effort “to restore order to American cities and remove vagrant individuals from our streets” in the fact sheet. It aims to redirect federal funds toward tackling substance abuse and the necessity of civil commitment. It is part of Trump’s commitment to ending homelessness, according to the fact sheet, and follows a March order that directed the National Park Service to clear homeless encampments and graffiti on federal lands.

Epstein furor upends House for second week in row - The Jeffrey Epstein saga is causing chaos in the House for the second week in a row, as threats of Democrats forcing politically tough votes are prompting House GOP leadership to toss out many of their plans for the week. The trouble started as soon as lawmakers returned to Washington on Monday, when the House Rules Committee, which sets up action for bills on the floor, met to tee up votes to rescind Biden-era rules and on an immigration bill. But Democrats, who had forced Republicans on the panel into a number of politically difficult votes on the Epstein matter last week, threatened to do so again. They planned to stage a vote on bringing legislation to the floor that would compel the release of the Epstein files. Rather than face those votes, Republicans are opting to simply not tee up any votes at all, according to multiple members of the panel — leaving the House with no floor business in the days ahead of August recess beyond noncontroversial suspension bills, fast-track measures that need two-thirds support to pass. “Democrats keep putting all these amendments up. They want to make Epstein — and, you know, we’re all for transparency, and we’re going to do that, but what they want to do is grandstand. They said they’ll be there all night, we’ll be there all night,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the Rules Committee, told reporters. He added that the committee was not expected to return, and the House would only deal with suspension votes. Rep. Jim McGovern (Mass.), the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, confirmed that the panel would not reconvene for the rest of the week. “We’re done,” McGovern told The Hill. “Not reporting out a rule, we’re done for the night, we’re done for the week. … There’s some issues going on within the Republican conference, I think around the Epstein stuff, that they can’t seem to get under control. So we’ll do probably suspensions for the remainder of the week.” It is the second time in as many weeks the so-called Epstein files saga has thwarted GOP leadership’s plans for the House floor. Republicans on the Rules Committee last week had tried to address the Epstein matter after being lambasted by the public over rejecting a Democratic amendment, an effort that delayed action on a bill to codify Department of Government Efficiency cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid for hours. The GOP members on the panel came up with a nonbinding resolution calling for the release of more files and teed it up for floor action. But GOP leadership has no plans to bring the matter for a vote. Johnson said earlier Monday that the House would not vote on the legislation before the August recess — which is scheduled to begin after votes on Thursday. Instead, Johnson said he wanted to give the administration time to act on the matter on its own. “Here’s what I would say about the Epstein files: There is no daylight between the House Republicans, the House, and the president on maximum transparency,” Johnson said in the Capitol on Monday. “He has said that he wants all the credible files related to Epstein to be released. He’s asked the attorney general to request the grand jury files of the court. All of that is in process right now.”

Speaker Mike Johnson says House won't vote on Epstein resolution before recess -The House will not vote on a resolution calling for the release of some documents related to Jeffrey Epstein before the August recess, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced on Monday, despite growing GOP outcry over the Trump administration’s handling of the case.The news came after the House Rules Committee advanced the measure last week, and as the lower chamber prepares to break for the weeks-long August recess on Thursday.Asked if the House will vote on the resolution before leaving Washington, Johnson told reporters: “No.”The Speaker said he wants to leave time for the administration to act on the matter before moving ahead with congressional action. Last week, President Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to request that the grand jury transcripts in the Epstein case be unsealed. Trump has tried to downplay the matter, urging Republicans to drop the issue.“Here’s what I would say about the Epstein files: There is no daylight between the House Republicans, the House, and the president on maximum transparency,” Johnson said in the Capitol on Monday. “He has said that he wants all the credible files related to Epstein to be released. He’s asked the attorney general to request the grand jury files of the court. All of that is in process right now.” “My belief is we need the administration to have the space to do what it is doing and if further Congressional action is necessary or appropriate, then we’ll look at that,” he added. “But I don’t think we’re at that point right now because we agree with the president.”Johnson’s announcement came less than one week after Republicans on the House Rules Committee advanced a non-binding resolution calling for the release of some information related to the case involving Epstein, a convicted sex offender. It specifically directs Bondi to publicize “all credible” documents, communications and metadata related to the investigations of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking, but allows her to make exemptions.

Trump twists and turns over Epstein investigation - --More evidence is coming to light of the desperate efforts by the Trump White House to suppress any investigation into the connections between Trump and convicted sex-trafficker and billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein. The Associated Press reported Saturday that Vice President JD Vance traveled to Montana last Tuesday for a meeting with media billionaire Rupert Murdoch, his son Lachlan, who heads both Fox News and News Corp, and executives of Fox News, the right-wing cable network that has been a political mainstay for Trump’s fascist MAGA political movement. Vance reportedly arrived in Butte, Montana, near the Murdoch family estate in Dillon, around 2:30 p.m. local time, or 4:30 Eastern time. He left a few hours later, according to flight records for the movements of Air Force Two, his official plane. This means that Vance was meeting the Murdochs and their top aides just as the Wall Street Journal, the flagship of News Corp., was preparing a major exposé on Trump’s links to Epstein. That same evening, Journal reporters spoke with Trump directly about their story, which revealed that Trump contributed a salacious letter and drawing to a 50th birthday book for Epstein that was compiled by his then-partner and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell is now serving a 20-year prison term for her role in facilitating Epstein’s trafficking of under-age girls to powerful and wealthy men. There is little doubt that Vance was dispatched by Trump to make a final plea to the Murdochs to block the publication of the damning report. When this failed, Trump threatened the Journal reporters over the phone that he would sue the newspaper and seek to put it out of business. After the report was posted on the Journal’s website Thursday evening, Trump’s lawyers then filed a suit Friday seeking $10 billion in damages. The Associated Press report follows the revelation Friday by Democratic Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin that hundreds of FBI employees were assigned to review the bureau’s massive files on the Epstein investigation, searching for any mention of Trump. In letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, Durbin wrote: According to information my office received, the FBI was pressured to put approximately 1,000 personnel in its Information Management Division (IMD) … on 24-hour shifts to review approximately 100,000 Epstein-related records in order to produce more documents that could then be released on an arbitrarily short deadline … This effort, which reportedly took place from March 14 through the end of March, was haphazardly supplemented by hundreds of FBI New York Field Office personnel, many of whom lacked the expertise to identify statutorily-protected information regarding child victims and child witnesses or properly handle FOIA requests … My office was told that these personnel were instructed to “flag” any records in which President Trump was mentioned. Note the timing of this review: It followed only weeks after Bondi’s declaration on Fox News that Epstein’s “client list” was on her desk for review. Last week, after the Justice Department issued a statement declaring that there was no client list, Bondi tried to walk back her earlier statement, saying that she was referring to the Epstein file as a whole, not a list of customers for Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation, which abused at least 1,000 girls. The Justice Department statement also claimed that Epstein’s death in prison in August 2019 was undoubtedly a suicide, and that the department had no further information to make public on the case, even though not a single perpetrator of sexual abuse of minors has been prosecuted, other than Maxwell, whose main role was as a procurer and supplier. The attempt to put an end to the Epstein case has had an explosive effect, at least initially, in Trump’s fascist milieu. Trump issued a series of diatribes on social media, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, denouncing his own supporters for demanding greater transparency on the Epstein case. His most absurd claim was that the Epstein files had been created by Obama, Clinton, Biden and other Democrats, although he and his fascist acolytes have been peddling the opposite story—that Clinton and the Democrats were the principal clientele being serviced by Epstein—for a number of years.

Dershowitz calls Ghislaine Maxwell an Epstein ‘Rosetta Stone’: ‘She knows everything’ - Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, who once represented disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, says his former client’s longtime co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, “knows everything” about the Epstein case and should be offered immunity to testify before Congress. The comments come as the Trump administration, which had pledged full disclosure and transparency on the Epstein files, is coming under increasing criticism for failing to deliver.. “She knows everything. She is the Rosetta Stone. She knows everything. She arranged every single trip with everybody. She knows everything,” Dershowitz said in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.” He added he does not see any harm in offering Maxwell “use immunity” to talk freely about the Epstein case in testimony before Congress. “If she were just given use immunity, she could be compelled to testify. I’m told that she actually would be willing to testify, and there’d be no reason for her to withhold any information,” Dershowitz said. “So, I don’t see any negative in giving her the kind of use immunity that would compel her to testify. So, she ought to be summoned in front of a congressional committee,” he added. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after she was convicted of helping Epstein carry out his sex trafficking scheme. She is appealing her conviction.

House Oversight subcommittee moves to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell -- A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee voted Tuesday to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex offender and longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, as the Republicans on Capitol Hill push for the publication of more information related to Epstein’s case. During an unrelated subcommittee hearing, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) moved to direct the panel to authorize and issue a subpoena for Maxwell to appear for a deposition, which passed by voice vote. “Recently, Rep. Burchett sent a letter to Chairman Comer requesting a subpoena for Ghislaine Maxwell’s testimony. In response, Chairman Comer directed Rep. Burchett to introduce a motion to subpoena Ms. Maxwell for a deposition, allowing the Committee to formally consider whether to proceed,” a spokesperson for the committee said in a statement. “The Committee will seek to subpoena Ms. Maxwell as expeditiously as possible. Since Ms. Maxwell is in federal prison, the Committee will work with the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons to identify a date when Committee can depose her.” The move by Burchett comes amid an outcry from Republicans over the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files — which has left the House in disarray for the second consecutive week. Its bipartisan passage is also a sign of Democratic pressure on the topic. House Oversight Republicans have quashed prior efforts by Democrats on the panel to subpoena various figures. But the parties banded together Tuesday over a shared interest in Maxwell. “Oversight Democrats just unanimously voted to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s partner,” House Oversight Democrats wrote on the social platform X after the vote.

White House bans Wall Street Journal from press pool covering Trump trip as feud escalates -- The White House is banning The Wall Street Journal from traveling with President Trump during an upcoming trip to Scotland over the outlet’s reporting on the president’s alleged relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “The Wall Street Journal or any other news outlet are not guaranteed special access to cover President Trump in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, and in his private workspaces,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Monday to The Hill. “Thirteen diverse outlets will participate in the press pool to cover the President’s trip to Scotland. Due to the Wall Street Journal’s fake and defamatory conduct, they will not be one of the thirteen outlets on board.” Leavitt cited a decision by a federal appeals court, which ruled earlier this year the White House could restrict The Associated Press from the Oval Office and other limited spaces when reporting on the president. “Every news organization in the entire world wishes to cover President Trump, and the White House has taken significant steps to include as many voices as possible,” Leavitt said. A representative for The Wall Street Journal declined to comment. The ban comes just days after Trump filed a lawsuit against the Journal alleging defamation after it published a story detailing an alleged letter Trump sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday. Trump has denied writing the letter. The Journal is owned by billionaire conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch, a powerful figure in politics and business with whom Trump has feuded for years. The White House earlier this year took control of the White House press pool, a rotating group of reporters from various outlets that travel with and cover the president’s daily activities. The White House Correspondents Association, which previously held control of the press pool, blasted the administration’s move blocking the Journal from the president’s upcoming trip in a statement late Monday. “This attempt by the White House to punish a media outlet whose coverage it does not like is deeply troubling, and it defies the First Amendment. Government retaliation against news outlets based on the content of their reporting should concern all who value free speech and an independent media,” the WHCA said. “We strongly urge the White House to restore the Wall Street Journal to its previous position in the pool and aboard Air Force One for the President’s upcoming trip to Scotland. The WHCA stands ready to work with the administration to find a quick resolution.”

Trump blasts Massie as 'the worst Republican Congressman' and says he's seeking a challenger to support --President Donald Trump slammed Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., calling the lawmaker "the worst Republican Congressman" in a Monday night Truth Social post, while noting that he is seeking a challenger he can support against the incumbent lawmaker."Thomas Massie, the worst Republican Congressman, and an almost guaranteed NO VOTE each and every time, is an Embarrassment to Kentucky. He’s lazy, slow moving, and totally disingenuous - A real loser! Never has anything positive to add. Looking for someone good to run against this guy, someone I can Endorse and vigorously campaign for!" Trump declared in the post.The president's post linked to a video by MAGA KY targeting the congressman for ouster. "Let's fire Thomas Massie," the voiceover declares.Fox News Digital reached out to Massie early on Tuesday morning, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.Massie, a fiscal hawk, voted against passage of the Trump-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.Trump has been a vociferous critic of the congressman. In a Truth Social post last month, the president asserted that Massie "is not MAGA," and declared, "we will have a wonderful American Patriot running against him in the Republican Primary, and I’ll be out in Kentucky campaigning really hard." Billionaire business tycoon Elon Musk has indicated that he will donate to support Massie's re-election bid.

The Surprising Bill Uniting MTG, Nancy Pelosi, Lauren Boebert, and AOC - Bipartisan interest in publicizing the Epstein files has brought together the most unlikely of allies.Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jamie Raskin, Lauren Boebert, and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez are just some of the names who have co-sponsored H.Res.581, dubbed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Introduced by Representative Thomas Massie, who has a habit of actually standing up to Donald Trump, the bill aims to “make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorneys’ Offices” relating to child sex traffickers Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.The text of the bill specifies the release of flight logs, travel records, the names of individuals and government officials connected to Epstein’s “criminal activities, civil settlements, immunity or plea agreements, or investigatory proceedings,” the names of corporations or organizations tied to Epstein’s trafficking networks, potential immunity deals or sealed settlements, as well as “internal DOJ communications.”A dozen Republicans have signed on to the effort in total, including Representatives Tim Burchett, Eric Burlison, Jeff Van Drew, Eli Crane, Cory Mills, Tom Barrett, Max Miller, Nancy Mace, and Keith Self.But the effort isn’t likely to get off the ground anytime soon. House GOP leadership announced Tuesday afternoon that “votes are no longer expected in the House on Thursday,” with last votes taking place on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. ET, ending the schedule a day early and starting the beginning of a five-week summer recess.“I think everyone wants to see the information that was sealed away,” Greene told reporters inside the Capitol Tuesday morning, highlighting that at minimum, the prospective legislation would have to wait for the courts to reply to Attorney General Pam Bondi’s request to unseal the documents. “I’m all for voting on it, I’m all for transparency. We just have to be a little patient.”House Republicans did already have a chance to stand up for transparency last week, but 211 of the caucus’s 212 members voted to block a Democratic-led effort to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.

Extreme Measures: To Dodge Epstein Vote, Johnson Calls Early Summer Recess Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on Tuesday announced he was putting an early end to the summer legislative session, denying justice-seeking members the chance to force votes on releasing files relating to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. While the House was scheduled to stay in session through Thursday, the last action will take place on Wednesday instead, after a Rules Committee standoff on how to handle amendments and resolutions relating to Epstein. "The president has said clearly, and he has now ordered his DOJ to do what it is we've all needed DOJ to do for years now, and that is to get everything released," Johnson told reporters. "So they're in the process of that. There's no purpose for Congress to push an administration to do something that they're already doing. And so this is for political games." Speaker Johnson is putting the House into a premature summer recess to prevent votes on releasing investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein However, Johnson and President Trump themselves stand accused of playing political games with the issue. It started when, after long promising to reveal names and facts, Attorney General Pam Bondi triggered a firestorm among Trump's supporters by suddenly attempting to close out the issue with flat declarations that there is no Epstein "client list" nor evidence he was running a blackmail operation.Coming under fire, Trump strangely and repeatedly called the Epstein controversy a "hoax" created by Democrats, and even called his own supporters "weaklings" for falling for it. Johnson has likewise attempted to associate the push for Epstein documents as a Democratic initiative, despite intense interest among MAGA Republicans, who want to know who was furnished with underage females, and if Epstein was working for Israeli and/or US intelligence.Last week, shortly after the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump in 2003 sent Epstein a bawdy birthday letter with a drawing of a naked woman, an assertion that the two "have certain things in common," and a wish for "every day [to] be another wonderful secret," Trump announced he'd directed Bondi to seek the release of grand jury testimony from the Epstein case. However, attorney Alan Dershowitz warns there's little chance grand jury transcripts contain information people are looking for. "Grand jury information is narrowly tailored by prosecutors only to provide sufficient evidence to result in an indictment. They don't want to put a lot of material in the grand jury." Imagine being told six months ago that Speaker Mike Johnson would prematurely terminate legislative business and dissolve the House of Representatives over... Epstein Now we have Johnson taking the Epstein ball and running home with it for the summer. Late Tuesday night, the man leading the House charge for the Epstein files, Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, used social media to drag Johnson into the center of the controversy, asking: "[Speaker Johnson], why are you running cover for an underage sex trafficking ring and pretending this is a partisan issue? MAGA voted for this." Massie is brandishing a potentially powerful legislative device that can bypass House leadership: a discharge petition to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA H.Res. 581), which he introduced with Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna. If it garners 218 signatures, the House must vote on it. With all 212 Democrats expected to sign it, it would only take six Republicans to hit 218 -- and there are already 11 GOP cosponsors of the EFTA.

House cancels last day of votes before summer break as Epstein consumes Capitol Hill — The GOP-controlled House is cutting short its last workweek before the summer recess because of a fight on Capitol Hill over the release of the government’s files on the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House was scheduled to hold votes on Thursday before lawmakers departed for their five-week recess. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., even told reporters Monday night that he wouldn't send lawmakers home early this week. But Republican leaders informed rank-and-file lawmakers on Tuesday that the final vote of the week would now be a day earlier, on Wednesday afternoon. The shift in schedule occurred because of a standoff on the Rules Committee, which decides how legislation comes to the floor but has been ground to a halt by the Epstein issue. The panel, which is closely aligned with Johnson, typically passes a rule for legislation on Monday that sets up debate and allows bills to come to the floor for the week. But Democrats had promised Monday to force the committee to take more votes on whether to require the Trump administration to release all remaining files from the Epstein case. To avoid embarrassing votes on Epstein, Republicans decided to recess the committee and not attempt to pass a rule for bills this week. Without a rule, Republicans would be left with nothing to vote on after Wednesday. The Epstein saga has dominated chatter on Capitol Hill for more than a week as many in Trump's MAGA base have clamored for the release of all documents related to the convicted sex offender and the president and his administration sought to downplay the issue. It appeared to be dying down in recent days, but the Trump administration breathed new life into the story Tuesday morning, when the Justice Department announced that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will meet with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell in the coming days. A short while later, conservative Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., passed a motion in a subcommittee meeting to have the House Oversight Committee issue a subpoena for Maxwell to appear for a deposition. Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said through a spokesperson that he had encouraged Burchett to make the motion and that the subpoena will be issued “as expeditiously as possible." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who frequently sports a red MAGA hat and has been pushing for the release of the files, told NBC News that within the past week, most of the calls to her congressional office have “been all about Epstein.” The House GOP leadership's final news conference before the August recess was dominated by the Epstein matter as well, with Johnson addressing the issue at the outset and fielding several questions from reporters about Epstein. Johnson said earlier that the remaining Epstein files should be released, but he also cautioned that there needed to be a process to protect the identities of Epstein's victims. "The president has said clearly, and he has now ordered his DOJ to do what it is we've all needed DOJ to do for years now, and that is to get everything released. So they're in the process of that. There's no purpose for Congress to push an administration to do something that they're already doing. And so this is for political games," Johnson told reporters. "We can both call for full transparency and also protect victims. And if you run roughshod or you do it too quickly, that's not what happens," the speaker said. Johnson attempted to blame Democrats for stalling floor action and playing "gotcha politics" with the Epstein matter. He said Democrats had a chance to release information about the case when they controlled the entire government under President Joe Biden. But the speaker also directed much of his ire at a fellow conservative, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who is working with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and other Democrats to force a vote in September that would compel DOJ to release the remaining Epstein files. Johnson said Massie, who has repeatedly clashed with Trump and GOP leadership, is trying to "bite" his fellow Republicans. “Some people seem to enjoy trying to inflict political pain on their own teammates. … There’s a small, small, tiny handful, but one in particular who’s given me lots of consternation. I don’t understand Thomas Massie’s motivation. I really don’t. I don’t know how his mind works. I don’t know what he’s thinking,” Johnson said in a lengthy and unusual tirade. “Thomas Massie could have brought his discharge petition anytime over the last four years of the Biden administration. He could have done that at any time, and now he’s clamoring as if there’s some sort of timeline on it,” Johnson continued. “It’s interesting to me that he chose the election of President Trump to bring this, to team up with the Democrats and bring this discharge petition. … I try to follow Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment, never speak evil of another Republican," the speaker said. "My gosh, it’s hard to do sometimes around here.”

Speaker Johnson: Epstein files 'not a hoax' - House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said in an interview that aired Thursday that files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are “not a hoax.” “It’s not a hoax, of course not,” Johnson said in an interview with CBS News’s Major Garrett on “The Takeout,” which Mediaite highlighted. “I mean, they are real victims here, but that’s part of a delicate — the balance that’s being done here is, I tried to explain in my press conference this week, man, we want full disclosure. If I had — if I had these things in my possession, I would have put them out a long time ago, but I would also have been very careful to protect the innocent,” the Speaker added. President Trump and his administration have recently been facing pressure from both sides of the aisle over Epstein’s case, with the saga also throwing Congress into chaos. On Wednesday, the House broke for its weeks-long August recess, shutting down one day before originally planned as the chamber was stuck in a logjam over the Epstein controversy. Last week, Trump admonished and sought to distance himself from supporters who have pushed for additional information on documents related to Epstein. In a post on Truth Social, Trump dismissed the uproar due to the Epstein files as a “scam” pushed by Democrats and suggested he no longer welcomed his supporters who have requested more transparency around the documents.

GOP senator objects to second Democratic request in eight days to release Epstein files -- Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) on Thursday objected to a Democratic resolution demanding the Department of Justice release all files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego (D) went to the Senate floor Thursday at lunchtime to demand for the second time in eight days that Attorney General Pam Bondi release all files related to Epstein, something that MAGA-aligned activists have demanded for months and has divided the Republican Party. But Mullin, who had blocked the resolution the first time, stepped in to object again, dismissing Gallego’s call as “political theater.” He said Republicans want “transparency” into Epstein’s illicit activities, including alleged sex trafficking, but he argued it’s not Congress’s role to dictate to the Justice Department what sensitive files must be released to the public. “We want to know what happened, the American people want to know what happened. What this resolution does is it’s actually a blurred line between the separation of powers,” Mullin said. “When we start dictating to the Department of Justice what they can and can’t do, there’s a clear separation of power.” “We’re the legislative branch. That’s what we do. We make laws. We can’t dictate to other branches on what they must and how they must do their job,” he added. The Oklahoma Republican then offered an alternative resolution calling on a Florida federal judge to release grand jury documents related to the criminal investigation into Epstein. The judge, Robin Rosenberg, declined the Justice Department’s request to unseal the grand jury transcripts, saying the standard invoked by the Trump administration to request grand jury documents was on the basis of public interest and not to meet the needs of an ongoing judicial proceeding.

Judge denies Trump admin bid to unseal Jeffrey Epstein grand jury transcripts in Florida - A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request by the Trump administration to unseal the transcripts of grand jury proceedings related to a criminal investigation of sex offenderJeffrey Epstein in Florida in the mid-2000s. The ruling does not affect two other pending requests by the Department of Justice that seek to obtain transcripts of grand jury proceedings related to later federal investigations of Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, in New York. Those separate proceedings led to criminal indictments of them in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The Trump administration filed petitions to unseal transcripts of the multiple grand jury proceedings last week, after days of criticism over the DOJ's decision to withhold from the public investigative evidence about Epstein despite earlier promises it would be released. The DOJ's petition in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach, Florida, sought to unseal transcripts of two grand juries convened in that court in 2005 and 2007. The DOJ argued that disclosure of the transcripts — which are normally kept secret — was proper because there was a "strong public interest in the historical investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The department also argued that "many of the rationales supporting grand jury secrecy" under federal criminal procedure rules "no longer apply" because Epstein died in 2019. Judge Robin Rosenberg, in her denial of that petition, said that an unrelated ruling in 2020 by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals — which handles appeals arising from federal district courts in Florida, Alabama and Georgia — held that a district court does not have the power to unseal grand jury records in instances not covered by the criminal procedure rule. Neither argument advanced by the DOJ complies with that exception to the rule, Rosenberg wrote in her decision Wednesday. "Eleventh Circuit law does not permit this Court to grant the Government's request; the Court's hands are tied — a point the Government concedes," the judge wrote.

Karl Rove on Trump, Epstein saga: 'There’s hell to pay' ---Republican strategist Karl Rove said in a new opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal, “there’s hell to pay” surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the saga around the Epstein files.“Attorney General Pam Bondi, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino—all members in good standing of MAGA world—said there was no client list of powerful figures in politics, finance and media,” Rove wrote in his Wednesday piece.“They also confirmed Epstein wasn’t killed by a Deep State hit squad at midnight in a federal prison but committed suicide. Many in MAGA reacted with incredulity and anger at Mr. Trump, the attorney general and the FBI leadership. There’s hell to pay when those who hyped the conspiracy have closed the books on the case,” he added.Right-wing influencers who had long pushed conspiracy theories about Epstein turned their fury toward the Trump administration, especially Attorney General Pam Bondi, due to a recent Justice Department memo that dispelled many of the theories.Last week, President Trump admonished and sought to distance himself from backers who have pushed for additional information about documents related to Epstein.In a Truth Social post, the president dismissed the uproar due to the Epstein files as a “scam” pushed by Democrats and suggested he no longer welcomed his supporters who have called for extra transparency around the documents.“Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bulls‑‑‑,’ hook, line, and sinker,” Trump said in his post. “They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.”

Maxwell attorney after second meeting with DOJ: ‘The truth will come out’ -An attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell closed a second day of meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche by saying “the truth will come out.”Blanche met with Maxwell, the convicted accomplice of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, again Friday for more questioning after traveling to speak with her in Tallahassee, Fla. “This was a thorough, comprehensive interview by the Deputy Attorney General. No person and no topic were off-limits. We are very grateful. The truth will come out,” Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus said in a statement to NewsNation, the sister network of The Hill.The Justice Department (DOJ) has been circumspect about when it might share any information gleaned from discussions with Maxwell.“The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time,” Blanche said in a Thursday evening post on social platform X.

US Olympics Committee Bans Men From Women's Sports, Says It's Aligning With Presidential Order The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) issued a policy update on July 21 regarding transgender athlete participation in sports, which indicates that U.S. women’s teams at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be conducted in line with President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”“The USOPC is committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport,” the organising committee said in a linked athlete safety policy document.Alongside the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, and the 50 U.S. national governing bodies, the USOPC said it will “ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201.”Executive Order 14201 outlined that the federal government would “rescind all funds” from programs that “deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities”—a popular policy position among female athletes who say they have been subjected to unfair competition with biological males under liberal sex differentiation policies.The order also referenced federal policy “to recognize two sexes, male and female.”“These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality. … ‘Sex’ shall refer to an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female. ‘Sex’ is not a synonym for and does not include the concept of ‘gender identity,’” the White House said.Compliance with the order would mean that U.S. athletes identifying as transgender women will effectively be barred from competing in women’s events at the 2028 Olympics, but can compete in the equivalent male events.The policy update was also sent as a letter to national sport governing bodies, who, as recognized under the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act and operating under the USOPC, are responsible for setting and enforcing the rules for their respective sports in the United States, ranging from elite and Olympic-level competition to supporting grassroots development.

Former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis asks Supreme Court to reverse same-sex marriage decision -- Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who was briefly jailed in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to revisit its landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide and celebrated its 10th anniversary in June. Davis’s attorneys at the Christian nonprofit Liberty Counsel asked the court in a 90-page filing to review a March ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a lower court’s finding that Davis violated David Ermold and David Moore’s constitutional right to marry when she denied them a marriage license in 2015, shortly after the Supreme Court issued its Obergefell decision. A federal jury awarded the couple $100,000 in damages in 2023, and a federal judge ordered Davis last year to pay Ermold and Moore an additional $260,000 in attorneys’ fees. Davis argued in 2015 that granting the couple a marriage license would have violated her religious beliefs as a born-again Christian and “God’s definition of marriage.” She and her legal team have argued throughout a decadelong legal battle that, in denying the license, Davis was protected by her First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and religion. In March, a three-judge panel for the 6th Circuit ruled that Davis cannot raise a First Amendment defense in the case “because she is being held liable for state action, which the First Amendment does not protect.”

Trump demands Obama's arrest following Tulsi Gabbard's 'coup' claims -- President Trump appeared to call for Barack Obama to be arrested after spy chief Tulsi Gabbard claimed the former leader was behind a 'years-long coup' against him. Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, declassified hundreds of documents on Friday related to the investigation in to alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. She claimed the emails reveal a conspiracy by Obama to try and subvert Trump's win by using 'manufactured and politicized intelligence' to make it seem like bad actors may have influenced the result. 'Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people and enact what was essentially a years-long coup with the objective of trying to usurp the President from fulfilling the mandate bestowed upon him by the American people,' Gabbard said. Her claims were reiterated by Trump who republished her interviews with Fox and several others about the issue on Truth Social. And on Sunday, he escalated things further by reposting an AI-generated TikTok video titled: 'No one is above the law'. The clip featured a series of Democratic politicians, including Obama, former president Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, repeating the phrase 'no one is above the law'.It then transitions to a digitally-altered video of Trump and Obama sitting together in the Oval Office. To the tune of YMCA by Village People, Obama is swept up by FBI agents, cuffed and led away. The clip ends with Obama donning an orange jumpsuit behind bars. Gabbard released an 114-page document she says shows the Obama administration was aware that there was no threat of Russia 'directly' manipulating the vote in 2016. She called for an investigatio n into and potential criminal prosecution of anyone who took part – which may include the ex-President and James Comey, the former FBI director. The documents revealed insider discussions among top Obama officials about Russia's much-debated role in the 2016 US elections.

Donald Trump posts fake video of Barack Obama being arrested - President Trump posted a fake video to Truth Social on Sunday night showing former President Obama being arrested in the Oval Office with the song “Y.M.C.A.” playing in the background. The video of Obama, which seemed to originate from TikTok before being reposted by the president, appears to be generated by artificial intelligence (AI). It was preceded by a 30-second compilation of real clips from Democratic officials saying the phrase, “No one is above the law.” In the video, Trump is seen sitting across from his first-term predecessor, grinning as Obama is led away by FBI agents. The Village People song “Y.M.C.A.” is often played at Trump’s campaign rallies. Obama’s office declined to comment. The video follows allegations from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that Obama officials “manufactured intelligence” that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election. Gabbard said last week in a memo that she was turning over evidence to the Justice Department for possible criminal referrals. Democrats have panned Gabbard’s assessment as politically motivated.

Tulsi Refers Obama For Criminal Charges After Debunking Top 'Russia Hoax Lies' --Barack Obama’s team is in full damage control mode after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified and released evidence that Obama and his top officials in his administration knowingly fabricated intelligence to push the false narrative that Trump was compromised by Russia—an operation designed to delegitimize his election and kneecap his ability to govern.On Tuesday, Barack Obama released a statement through a spokesman in response to the recent release of Russiagate documents implicating the former president in the effort to delegitimize Trump’s presidency. “Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response,” the statement read. “But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.” But, Gabbard isn’t backing down.n Update (1007ET): DNI Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday released more damning evidence against the Obama administration, which she says exposes how they "manufactured the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment that they knew was false, promoting the LIE that Vladimir Putin and the Russian government helped President Trump win the 2016 election." "In doing so, they conspired to subvert the will of the American people, working with their partners in the media to promote the lie, in order to undermine the legitimacy of President Trump, essentially enacting a years-long coup against him."According to Gabbard, "Here are the top Obama Russia Hoax lies debunked by today's release."

• LIE: Putin and the Russian Government helped Trump win the 2016 election
  TRUTH: President Obama, former Director of the CIA John Brennan, and others fabricated the Russia Hoax, suppressed intelligence showing Putin was preparing for a Clinton victory, manufactured findings from shoddy sources, disobeyed IC standards, and knowingly lied to the American people.
• LIE: The fabricated Steele Dossier was not used as a source in the Obama Administration’s January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment of the November 2016 election
  TRUTH: Not only did CIA Director Brennan, FBI Director Comey, DNI Clapper and others include the Steele Dossier in the 2017 ICA,they overruled senior Intel officials who warned them it was fabricated and should not be used.
• LIE: The Obama Administration’s January ICA was an independent Intelligence Community product, produced with apolitical analysis.
  TRUTH: Obama ordered the Intelligence Community to create an Intelligence Community Assessment they knew was false, promoting a contrived narrative, with the intent of undermining the legitimacy and power of a duly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Together, the @ODNIgov records released on Friday, the @TheJusticeDept's June 2018 report known as the “Clinton annex" released earlier this week, and the @HouseIntel oversight report we released today confirm what many Americans have known: The Russia Hoax was a lie that was knowingly created by the Obama Administration to undermine the legitimacy and power of the duly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump. Update (1500ET): DNIGabbard said on Wednesday that she was referring former President Barack Obama for criminal charges to the Department of Justice (DOJ). “We have referred and will continue to refer all these documents to the Department of Justice and the FBI to investigate the criminal implications of this,” Gabbard said.“The evidence that we have found and that we have released directly point to President Obama leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment,” she continued.“There are multiple pieces of evidence and intelligence that confirm that fact.” Watch:

James Carville, Bill O'Reilly spar over Donald Trump administration's 2016, Barack Obama claims -Political pundits James Carville and Bill O’Reilly sparred on Wednesday evening over the Trump administration’s claims alleging former President Obama influenced findings related to Russian interference in the 2016 election. “This is idiotic. Let’s just call it what it is. And please, fact-check me, please do that, OK? And then let’s put this aside. This is all nonsense. Complete, utter nonsense that’s been spelled 100 times,” Carville said during an appearance on NewsNation’s “Cuomo.” “Of course Russia tried to interfere. Of course it tried to intervene on the behalf of Trump. We know that. What are we arguing about?” he added. The Justice Department announced that a “Strike Force” would investigate potential next steps late Wednesday evening after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released new documents about the 2016 election. On Tuesday, Obama’s spokesperson denied President Trump’s accusations and said they were “bizarre” and a “weak attempt at distraction” from controversy inside the White House. Carville on Wednesday, like Obama, cited the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee’s findings, which confirmed Russia’s attempts to interfere as evidence of an ethical investigation. The two reminded President Trump that the current secretary of State, Marco Rubio, led the group’s probe. But O’Reilly was quick to push back on Carville.“I want to give James Carville anything that he wants, and he asked to be fact-checked, so here I am,” he said, pointedly. “The Senate report said that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin tried to meddle in the election, which is true. The House report upped it to discombobulating the Russian collusion whereby Putin’s minions met with Donald Trump Jr., had people inside the Trump campaign, had a coordinated effort,” he continued. NewsNation host Chris Cuomo then interjected, stating the administration is pushing a “headline in search of a story.”

Clapper denies Trump's treason claims about 2016 election - Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper blasted President Trump on Wednesday over his latest claims that the Obama administration committed “treason” and misled the public about Russia’s attempted interference in the 2016 election.“I take seriously when the president of the United States accuses me of being a participant in a treasonous conspiracy, which is ridiculous,” Clapper, who was Obama’s intelligence chief from 2011 to 2017, told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in an interview on her show “The Source.” “It’s ridiculous; it’s just — it is untrue.”Clapper said he has attorneys on call in case the Department of Justice attempts to pursue legal action against him.“We’ve had sort of perpetual attorneys, since I left the government in 2017,” he told Collins. Current Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, an Army Reserve officer and former Democrat from Hawaii, discussed the new Russia investigation claims at the White House on Wednesday, following the release of a trove of documents alleging Obama-era officials misled the public about Russia’s role in the 2016 election when Trump won his first White House term.

Graham, Cornyn call for special counsel in Obama case -A pair of top Senate Republicans called for a special counsel to be appointed Thursday to probe whether former President Obama aided an effort to undermine President Trump’s 2016 White House bid. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) pressed for the appointment, saying they want answers about how Obama and his administration “manipulated” matters in the hopes of a Hillary Clinton victory in 2016 “For the good of the country, Senator @JohnCornyn and I urge Attorney General Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate the extent to which former President Obama, his staff and administration officials manipulated the U.S. national security apparatus for a political outcome,” Graham posted on the social platform X. The call came a day after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a new document casting doubts on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire to aid Trump in the contest, though it backed up the argument that Russia wanted to interfere in the election writ large. The document was part of a House Intelligence Committee report stemming from when Republicans controlled the chamber, and it was classified until Gabbard released it. Although it does not dispute that Moscow interfered in the election, it sheds light on the Obama administration’s handling of Russia’s activity at the time. It was the second recent disclosure by Gabbard seeking to discredit the Obama administration. Last week, she released a report alleging Obama officials manipulated intelligence related to Russian interference in the 2016 election and accused former officials of engaging in a “treasonous conspiracy.”

Gabbard releases new documents on 2016 election interference - Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday released a previously classified House report, her second such disclosure after accusing the intelligence community of a “treasonous conspiracy” in its review of foreign influence in the 2016 election. The report – a 2020 product from the House Intelligence Committee – casts doubts on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interest in the 2016 election and his desire to aid President Trump in the contest. Its release comes as President Trump has sought to use Gabbard’s Friday disclosure to pin blame on former President Obama, accusing him of trying “to rig the election.”Numerous intelligence reviews have concluded that Russia aimed to influence the 2016 election and that Putin favored Trump.The House intelligence report released on Wednesday was authored when Republicans controlled the lower chamber. While the newly released information does not undercut the assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, it sheds light on the Obama administration’s handling of Russia’s activity at the time.The House report said the CIA “did not adhere to the tenets” of analytical standards and said the conclusion Putin took actions to benefit Trump was based on “one scant, unclear, and unverifiable fragment of a sentence from one of the substandard reports.” Gabbard on Wednesday portrayed the report as a bombshell, saying it exposed “the most egregious weaponization and politicization of intelligence in American history.”Gabbard alleged Obama administration officials “conspired to subvert the will of the American people, working with their partners in the media to promote the lie, in order to undermine the legitimacy of President Trump, essentially enacting a years-long coup against him.”

Meghan McCain says White House should pull Kaitlan Collins's press credentials -Conservative pundit Meghan McCain attacked CNN anchor and reporter Kaitlan Collins, suggesting she be barred from covering the White House after she aggressively questioned press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday about President Trump’s view on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.“Kaitlan Collins is an absolute imbecile and a pure partisan hack,” McCain wrote Wednesday on the social platform X. “Have some respect for the two women standing in front of you who are exposing lies, deep corruption and keeping the country safe. The White House should pull her credentials.”McCain was responding to Collins’s questioning of Gabbard, who during a briefing earlier in the day alleged former President Obama and his allies worked to undermine Trump ahead of the 2016 election.“What would you say to people who believe that you’re only releasing these documents now to improve your standing with the president after he said that your intelligence assessments were wrong?” Collins asked, in reference to conflicting intelligence within the administration relating to Iran’s nuclear program.Collins has made a name for herself in the media with direct questioning of top Republican lawmakers on her nightly prime-time show and repeated follow-ups directed at Trump during gaggles with members of the press.There is precedent for Trump’s White House pulling credentials of reporters it feels are overly combative. During his first term, the president yanked the credential of then-CNN reporter Jim Acosta before eventually reinstating his hard pass.This year, The White House took control of the press pool covering the president daily and sought to elevate right-wing and “new media” voices in media briefings and interactions with reporters.Trump has sued a number of leading news outlets in recent months, and Leavitt announced Monday that The Wall Street Journal would be banned from covering Trump’s upcoming trip to Scotland due to its reporting on his alleged ties to Jeffery Epstein.

Supreme Court halts ruling that limits Voting Rights Act enforcement -The Supreme Court on Thursday halted an appeals ruling that prevents private groups from challenging election maps under the Voting Rights Act in seven states. Neither the majority nor the three public dissenters — conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch — explained their reasoning. The case arose from a lawsuit brought by two Native American tribes, who argue that North Dakota’s state legislative map denied them an equal opportunity to elect their candidates of choice. The case entered the national spotlight after an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled 2-1 that the tribes and other private parties have no legal right to enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. It mimicked an earlier 8th Circuit ruling concerning a redistricting case in Arkansas. The Supreme Court’s emergency ruling lifts the 8th Circuit’s ruling until any appeals are resolved. It does not reflect the court’s final decision on the matter. It comes as the justices prepare to rehear a major redistricting case in Louisiana next term, which legal observers have closely watched as several conservative justices signal a desire to make it more difficult to bring Voting Rights Act lawsuits. The high court has not yet announced the legal question it will consider when it rehears the case.The tribes, backed by the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, argued the 8th Circuit’s recent decision is at odds with decades of history and takes away a key pathway to challenge discrimination in the seven states the 8th Circuit covers. “They likewise contradict every circuit court and three-judge district court—all unanimous unlike the divided decision below—ever to have considered the question of private enforcement of Section 2,” the tribes wrote in court filings. North Dakota urged the justices to turn away the appeal, stressing the tribes’ “assumptions are not holdings.” “And the fact that Section 2’s private enforceability was not previously challenged does not mean Congress spoke with the clarity needed to create a privately enforceable right, as members of the Court have recognized,” the state wrote in court filings.

Alina Habba not retained by federal judges as US attorney for New Jersey -Judges on the U.S. District Court of New Jersey have declined to retain President Trump’s pick for the state’s top federal prosecutor, Alina Habba, as the clock on her interim status runs out. In a terse standing order, the court tapped attorney Desiree Leigh Grace to lead the office hours before the expiration of Habba’s 120-day temporary term. The appointment is effective as of Tuesday, according to the order signed by U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb, the district’s chief judge. Hours later, the Department of Justice took the bold move of announcing it had “removed” Grace without announcing who would replace her. Habba, who served as a personal lawyer for Trump, assumed the role of U.S. attorney for New Jersey in March. Her profile as a staunch defender of the president in the courtroom and the press was raised while representing him in his business fraud case and the defamation and sexual assault lawsuits brought by advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. Early in her interim term, her leadership came under scrutiny following the arrests and charges against Newark, N.J., Mayor Ras Baraka (D) and Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) stemming from an incident at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Beautiful Bills, Better Prices, And Border Control: Trump Touts A Busy Six Months In Office | TRENDING Although a trespass count against Baraka was dropped, McIver is still fighting her criminal charges in court. She has pleaded not guilty to three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officers.

DOJ: Alina Habba successor 'removed' after NJ judge ousting from top prosecutor role - Top Justice Department officials on Tuesday announced that a deputy to Alina Habba, President Trump’s pick for New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, has been “removed” after federal judges declined to extend Habba’s interim role. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that Desiree Leigh Grace, Habba’s first assistant who was tapped by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey to lead the office upon the expiration of Habba’s 120-day temporary term, has been “removed.” Bondi said that Habba has done a “great job in making NJ safe again,” but “politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position,” instead selecting Grace to take over the office. “Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just been removed,” Bondi said. “This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers.” It was not immediately clear whether “removed” meant Grace had been removed from the role of first assistant or removed from the office altogether. The Hill requested comment from the Justice Department.

Habba set to remain top federal prosecutor in New Jersey despite ouster by judges -President Trump’s pick for New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, Alina Habba, on Thursday said she would continue on in the position despite a judicial decision declining to extend her interim status and instead opting to replace her. She doubled down in her first remarks since the decision, declaring that she is now the state’s acting U.S. attorney. “Donald J. Trump is the 47th President. Pam Bondi is the Attorney General. And I am now the Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey,” Habba said in a statement posted to the social platform X. “I don’t cower to pressure. I don’t answer to politics. This is a fight for justice. And I’m all in.” A Justice Department official said that Trump withdrew her nomination to be the state’s U.S. attorney and she was appointed first assistant U.S. attorney, meaning she becomes acting U.S. attorney because the position is now vacant. The announcement comes hours after Desiree Grace, the attorney tapped by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey judges to succeed Habba, said she was prepared to assume the role, elevating the standoff to new heights. It began Tuesday when the court issued a terse standing order declining to retain Habba at the end of her 120-day trial period. They appointed Grace, who was Habba’s first assistant, to serve in the role indefinitely after a private vote Monday.Habba’s short tenure has at times been contentious, especially after two Democratic public officials faced criminal charges over an incident at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility under her leadership. Attorney General Pam Bondi fired Grace in response to the judges’ decision. Grace wrote on LinkedIn earlier Thursday that she’s honored by her appointment “on merit” and is ready to take on the role “in accordance with the law.” “I’ve served under both Republican and Democratic administrations,” Grace wrote. “I’ve been promoted four times in the last five years by both — including four months ago by this administration. Politics never impacted my work at the Department. Priorities change, of course, and resources are shifted, but the work and the mission were steady.” The dual announcements seemed to have left in flux the leadership of the U.S. attorney’s office in New Jersey. However, because Habba is now acting U.S. attorney, Grace likely cannot assume the post. Last week, the Trump administration similarly circumvented a judicial decision not to retain another of the president’s picks. Judges on the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of New York refused to extend the interim term of John Sarcone III, Trump’s pick there for the district’s chief federal prosecutor. But to get around that decision, Sarcone was appointed as a “special attorney” to Bondi, which gave him the powers of a U.S. attorney indefinitely.

House GOP moves to rename Kennedy Center Opera House after Melania Trump - The Kennedy Center’s famed opera house could be renamed to honor Melania Trump, if House Republicans have their way. House Republicans on the Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the interior, environment and related agencies annual spending bill that would rename the opera house in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts the “First Lady Melania Trump Opera House.” The panel voted 33-25 on Tuesday to approve the amendment, which was part of a series of others. The push to pay homage to the first lady came months after President Trump, in an unprecedented move that was met with some criticism, overhauled the Kennedy Center’s board and named himself as its chair after accusing the performing arts institution of being too “woke.” Both the president and Melania Trump — who bucked tradition during his first term in office and declined to take part in the annual Kennedy Center Honors — attended the opening night performance of “Les Misérables” at the Washington arts hub last month. Neither representatives for the Kennedy Center nor the first lady’s office immediately responded to ITK’s request for comment about the opera house’s potential name change.

Trump signs executive orders to fast-track data center construction, target ‘woke’ AI --President Trump signed a trio of executive orders related to artificial intelligence (AI) on Wednesday, focusing on boosting data center construction and the adoption of American technology while targeting “woke” AI. The three executive orders seek to fast-track permitting for data centers, promote the export of the American technology stack abroad and bar “woke” AI systems from federal contracting. “Under this administration, our innovation will be unmatched, and our capabilities will be unrivaled,” Trump said at an AI summit hosted by the Hill and Valley Forum and the “All-In” podcast, where he signed the orders Wednesday evening. “With the help of many of the people in this room, America’s ultimate triumph will be absolutely unstoppable,” he continued. “We will be unstoppable as a nation. Again, we’re way ahead, and we want to stay that way.” The orders accompany the Trump administration’s “AI Action Plan” released earlier Wednesday, which lays out a three-pronged approach to “winning the race” on AI. In the framework, the administration called to cut federal and state AI regulations in an effort to boost innovation, pushed to expedite the build-out of AI infrastructure and sought to encourage the adoption of American technology abroad. Each of Trump’s executive orders seeks to target at least some of the policy goals detailed in his AI action plan. The data center order calls on the Council on Environmental Quality to establish new categorical exclusions for certain data center projects that “normally do not have a significant effect on the human environment.” It also seeks to identify projects that qualify for expedited permitting review. “My administration will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the United States can build and retain the largest, most powerful and most advanced AI infrastructure anywhere on the planet,” Trump said Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, his AI export order calls for the creation of an American AI Exports Program that will develop full-stack AI export packages, featuring U.S. chips, AI models and applications. Trump contrasted his approach with that of former President Biden, who released the AI diffusion rule at the tail end of his presidency, placing caps on chip sales to most countries around the world. The rule faced pushback from the semiconductor industry and was repealed by the Trump administration in May. The third order targeting “woke” AI seeks to limit agencies from signing contracts for AI models unless they are considered “truth seeking” and maintain “ideological neutrality,” which it defines as those that “do not manipulate responses in favor of ideological dogmas such as DEI.”

White House unveils sweeping AI action plan to remake grid - The White House released a sweeping action plan Wednesday to boost development of artificial intelligence, a move that could influence the build-out of the grid and the electricity mix for decades.The plan outlines 90 policy actions that dozens of federal agencies should take to cut regulations, help construct data centers and boost the workforce to build out AI infrastructure. It also calls on holding back funding for states that hinder AI development and directs the Department of Commerce to eliminate climate change from its “risk management” AI framework, among other suggestions.“This plan galvanizes Federal efforts to turbocharge our innovation capacity, build cutting-edge infrastructure, and lead globally, ensuring that American workers and families thrive in the AI era. We are moving with urgency to make this vision a reality,” said White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios in a statement.Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have said development of AI is critical to ensure that China does not dominate the technology. The administration is pushing for development of new technologies such as small modular reactors and fusion to be part of the power mix, partly to help support AI. The White House recommendations range from potential creation of a new permit under the Clean Water Act for data centers and new exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act for activities related to data centers that “normally do not have a significant effect on the environment.” It directs agencies with “significant land portfolios” to identify sites for data centers and power plants. Many of the provisions would require further rulemaking or directives from federal agencies to be implemented. The White House urged the Department of Energy to take actions such as supporting training programs and expediting environmental reviews. The plan also directs the Office of Management and Budget to work with agencies to identify and repeal any regulations that are hindering AI. “The United States must explore solutions like advanced grid management technologies and upgrades to power lines that can increase the amount of electricity transmitted along existing routes,” the action plan states.Trump also is expected to sign several executive orders Wednesday to bolster AI and deliver a speech on the technology at a summit sponsored by the Hill and Valley Forum, a group of lawmakers and business leaders. The action plan comes as large technology companies and utilities are grappling with how to meet surging electricity demand from data centers in the next decade. According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, data center electricity demand could triple by 2028. On Tuesday, the operator of the nation’s largest power grid, PJM Interconnection, announced it would spend a record $16 billion to secure power supplies as data center demand surges. Large technology companies, meanwhile, have announced massive data center projects in the past month. On Tuesday, for example, Oracle and OpenAI inked a deal to develop 4.5 gigawatts of data center capacity as part of the “Stargate” project backed by Trump. That project announced earlier this year it intended to spend $500 billion over four years to build data centers, although The Wall Street Journal reported this week the initiative is lagging behind schedule. Critics of Trump’s AI approach say cutbacks to renewable energy incentives, including through the megalaw signed July 4, will restrain the ability to build out data centers, cut jobs and worsen air pollution. The plan ”will put public safety in the back seat and green-light the rapid deployment of AI products with no clear safeguards,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, during a call with reporters ahead of the announcement. It is a “fossil fuel subsidy in disguise.”

Rep. Greene criticizes Trump's AI plan over water usage - Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) voiced concerns Thursday about President Trump’s push to build out artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, warning about the “massive” water usage of data centers. Trump laid out his approach to the technology in his AI Action Plan on Wednesday and signed three executive orders aimed at delivering on portions of the plan, including fast-tracking data center construction, boosting the export of American AI and barring “woke” AI in federal contracting. “I have many concerns about the AI Executive Order signed yesterday by President Trump,” Greene wrote in a lengthy post on the social platform X. “While I understand the many promised benefits of AI, I remain committed to protecting state rights, human jobs, human lives, human rights, our environment and critical water supply.” While Greene mentions a singular executive order, she appears be referring to both the broader AI framework and the orders signed by the president. Under the AI Action Plan, the administration calls for exempting “data center-related actions” from environmental review. It also seeks to fast-track data center and energy projects under the nation’s permitting system, while considering a nationwide permit to allow these projects to move forward despite potential water quality impacts. “Rushed AI expansion and data centers being built all over the country from state to state with no plan in regards to environmental and critical water supply impact has massive future implications and problems,” Greene said. AI requires a vast amount of power, which is why the Trump administration is pushing to expand the nation’s data center and energy infrastructure. However, these data centers also require water for cooling. “I’ve been in construction my entire life,” Greene added. “I can tell you firsthand, when you move dirt there is always an impact to the surrounding area. When you build something that requires a HIGH water demand, it will always take water away from others – that means people, cities, businesses, and surrounding counties and states.” The Georgia Republican also took issue with the AI plan’s push to roll back regulations on AI, particularly at the state level. The administration calls for limiting federal funding to states whose AI regulations are deemed too onerous and directs the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate whether state AI rules interfere with its mandate. “My deep concerns are that the EO demands rapid AI expansion with little to no guardrails and breaks,” she said. She compared the restrictions on federal funding to an AI provision that was ultimately removed from Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which he signed into law earlier this month. The provision sought to bar states from regulating AI for 10 years by withholding federal funds. Greene opposed the AI moratorium, which was removed from the bill by a 99-1 vote in the Senate.

Trump’s AI plan meets a stressed American electric grid - President Donald Trump’s plan to make the U.S. a leader in artificial intelligence is also set to remake the country’s electric grid in his vision: Bigger, faster and bolstered by fossil fuels. But it’s unclear how parts of the plan would be implemented and if it would be enough to ensure the U.S. has ample power to meet demand from energy-hungry data centers over the next decade. In a speech Wednesday, Trump declared that his administration would pursue “all-out American energy dominance” to promote the AI industry. He promised the country would build as much new electricity capacity as China this year. To do so, Trump signed an executive order Wednesday to streamline permitting for new data centers and associated power generation, along with two others related to artificial intelligence model development. The administration also released an action plan Wednesday morning that included ambitions for a “comprehensive strategy to enhance and expand the power grid.” “There’s a global competition to lead in artificial intelligence and we want the United States to win that race,” David Sacks, the White House AI and crypto czar, said on a call with reporters.The action plan’s provisions were designed to be implemented in six months to a year, said White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios. The White House called for streamlining permitting requirements for new data centers and construction of data centers and power generation on federal land. The plan dictates the prioritization of “reliable dispatchable power sources” like coal and gas plants, keeping existing generation on the grid and even reforming power markets “to align financial incentives with the goal of grid stability.”Many of the provisions — including support for AI workforce programs — were backed by the Data Center Coalition, which represents the industry.The plan’s “focus on the removal of barriers to faster data center construction and operation — ranging from power access to supply chains to workforce development — which will allow data center companies to continue investing hundreds of billions of dollars to expand U.S. data center infrastructure across the country,” Josh Levi, the group’s president, said in a statement. The group called for Congress to take further action on issues such as permitting. While the plan mentions a need for “new energy generation sources at the technological frontier” like geothermal and advanced nuclear, it is silent on wind and solar power. Renewable energy is typically the quickest form of new generation to build and has been a backbone for much of the new data center construction. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has reported that wind, solar and batteries accounted for more than 80 percent of new generation in 2024 and forecast that renewables would be 81 percent of new capacity in 2025. “Companies are investing in renewables not because they love renewable energy, but because it provides the best return,” said Safak Yucel, associate director of the Business of Sustainability Initiative at Georgetown University. “And the reason is not subsidies, it’s that they’re cheaper to run.”

'Catastrophic': AI Agent Goes Rogue, Wipes Out Company's Entire Database -SaaS industry veteran Jason Lemkin's attempt to integrate artificial intelligence into his workflow has gone spectacularly wrong, with an AI coding assistant admitting to a "catastrophic failure" after wiping out an entire company database containing over 2,400 business records, according to Tom’s Hardware.Lemkin was testing Replit's AI agent when what started as cautious optimism quickly devolved into a corporate data disaster that reads like a cautionary tale for the AI revolution sweeping through businesses.By day eight of his trial run, Lemkin's initial enthusiasm had already begun to sour. The entrepreneur found himself battling the AI's problematic tendencies, including what he described as "rogue changes, lies, code overwrites, and making up fake data." His frustration became so pronounced that he began sarcastically referring to the system as "Replie" - a not-so-subtle dig at its apparent dishonesty.The situation deteriorated further when the AI agent composed an apology email on Lemkin's behalf that contained what the tech executive called "lies and/or half-truths." Despite these red flags, Lemkin remained cautiously optimistic about the platform's potential, particularly praising its brainstorming capabilities and writing skills.That optimism evaporated on day nine.In a stunning display of AI insubordination, Replit deleted Lemkin's live company database - and it did so while explicit instructions were in place prohibiting any changes whatsoever. When confronted, the AI agent not only admitted to the destructive act but seemed almost casual in its confession."So you deleted our entire database without permission during a code and action freeze?" Lemkin asked in what can only be imagined as barely contained fury.The AI's response was chillingly matter-of-fact: Yes.What followed was perhaps even more disturbing. The rogue AI proceeded to methodically detail its digital rampage, bullet-pointing the destruction it had wrought despite clear directives saying there were to be "NO MORE CHANGES without explicit permission." And according to Lemkin, appeared to lie about its actions. Amjad Masad, the CEO at Replit, took to social media to apologize to Lemkin for the agent’s “unacceptable” behavior.“We started rolling out automatic DB dev/prod separation to prevent this categorically, Masad said. “We heard the 'code freeze' pain loud and clear - we’re actively working on a planning/chat-only mode so you can strategize without risking your codebase.”Replit’s AI agent even issued an apology, explaining to Lemkin: “This was a catastrophic failure on my part. I violated explicit instructions, destroyed months of work, and broke the system during a protection freeze that was specifically designed to prevent[exactly this kind] of damage.”

Open AI CEO Altman warns of 'impending fraud crisis' --The CEO of OpenAI warned a room full of bankers and policymakers of an "impending fraud crisis" spurred by artificial intelligence's growing capability to get around fraud prevention measures. Sam Altman, the founder and CEO of OpenAI, said the rapidly growing capabilities of AI are rendering many of banks' fraud prevention measures useless and warned of an "impending fraud crisis" if banks don't update their processes.

House advances crypto crime bill with bipartisan backing --The House this week voted to advance a bill that would establish a task force to figure out how to stop bad actors from using crypto and other digital tools to commit crimes — and give the body a few years to come up with solutions. The measure's passage comes as the House Financial Services Committee passed a number of bipartisan measures out of the panel this week. The Financial Technology Protection Act would create a task force to stop terrorists and criminals from using digital assets, as lawmakers push for stronger oversight for emerging technologies.

BankThink The tokenization of assets is an adapt-or-die moment for finance firms --Markets are increasingly moving toward 24/7 functionality through the use of blockchain technology. Companies that don't adapt will be left in the dust, writes Sandy Kaul, of Franklin Templeton. The investing and finance world is undergoing a significant shift as a result of blockchain-driven innovation, and legacy institutions that fail to embrace this change risk losing out on immense opportunities for their customers. Markets are increasingly moving toward 24/7 functionality through the use of blockchain technology. Companies that don't adapt will be left in the dust.

The stablecoin bill is now law. What's next for banks? --Prospective stablecoin issuers — bank and nonbank alike — will now turn to banking regulators to tackle outstanding questions now that President Trump has signed the stablecoin bill into law.

Bankers urge delay after crypto firms apply for charters --Bank lobbying groups have formally objected to the recent wave of applications by crypto companies for national trust bank charters. They argue that too little information has been made public about the firms' business models and planned products. Five banking industry associations have petitioned the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to halt its review of the national trust charter applications filed by crypto companies Ripple, Circle, Protego Holdings and Fidelity.

JPMorgan's challenges if it offers crypto as collateral -- JPMorganChase is exploring plans to offer loans backed by clients' cryptocurrency holdings, such as bitcoin and ethereum, as early as next year. The bank is reportedly considering allowing bitcoin and ethereum to back loans. Volatility in digital assets would make it a difficult market, according to payment experts.

PNC to offer crypto services through Coinbase partnership --PNC Bank intends to offer its customers crypto services through a partnership with cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase. The Pittsburgh bank is working with the cryptocurrency platform to let PNC customers buy, sell and hold cryptocurrencies.

How the Fed is managing payments' 'new GPS' -The world's largest payment systems are updating the messaging that accompanies transactions, putting pressure on banks to decide how to update their processing systems. Fedwire has migrated to ISO 20022, a messaging standard designed to make it easier for digital real-time processing rails to work together. It's a difficult lift for banks, but the agency promises it will be worth it.

The state of CBDCs outside of the US; UK pressures Apple --While U.S. politics have turned sharply away from central bank digital currencies, projects are inching along elsewhere, though no major country besides China is close to launch. (The Bahamas, Jamaica and Nigeria each have one and China has been piloting a digital yuan.) As the U.S. moves to make central bank digital currencies illegal, projects in other countries are moving slowly. Also: U.K. regulators look for new ways to monitor Apple and more in the global payments and fintech roundup.

Treasury pauses AML rule for investment advisors -The Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network suspended enforcement of a rule that would require investment advisors to comply with Bank Secrecy Act requirements, including implementing anti-money-laundering controls and filing suspicious activity reports to Fincen. The Treasury's financial crime agency delayed enforcement of a variety of Bank Secrecy Act requirements for investment advisors in order to gain time to revise and tailor regulations.

There's an open door — but not quite open season — for ILCs -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp's decision to scrap Biden-era ILC rules signals a thaw in federal resistance to the controversial charter mixing commerce and banking, but so far it seems that banks will not have to fear the entry of large retailers or tech firms into banking.The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp's decision to scrap Biden-era rules restricting industrial banks raises hopes for firms seeking to establish ILCs, but that doesn't mean the entry of the largest retailers and tech firms — whose entry to the industry banks most fear — is imminent.

BankThink: Now is the time for bankers to step back and reassess loan portfolios -We could be on the cusp of serious economic instability. Smart bankers should take the time to do a deep dive into the risk profile of their customers, and identify potential trouble spots, writes Gene Ludwig. For financial institutions, and banks in particular, the challenge of predicting the economic future is an unenviable, yet essential, endeavor. From the national outlook to local dynamics to individual borrower behavior, leaders must grapple with persistent questions: Will borrowers meet their obligations? Is the collateral sufficient? What unforeseen conditions could jeopardize even a top client's ability to repay? And perhaps most critically: Once capital is deployed, what real recourse remains? Consistently answering these questions with precision represents one of banking's highest arts. We could be on the cusp of serious economic instability. Smart bankers should take the time to do a deep dive into the risk profile of their customers, and identify potential trouble spots.

De novos, deposit insurance reform find bipartisan momentum — The House Financial Services Committee passed a number of banking bills handily, signaling future cooperation between Democratic and Republican lawmakers on a handful of key banking issues. The House Financial Services Committee passed a number of bipartisan banking bills with wide margins, suggesting a growing consensus on how to handle issues like deposit insurance, de novo bank formation and the Federal Reserve's discount window.

DOJ to appeal ruling reinstating fired NCUA board members -- The Justice Department says it will appeal a lower court ruling reinstating two fired Democratic board members of the National Credit Union Administration and that found their April terminations unlawful. The Department of Justice has filed a notice that it will appeal a D.C. District Court ruling that reinstated two democratic members of the National Credit Union Administration who had been fired by President Trump earlier this year.

CFPB complaints skyrocket amid efforts to defund, cut staff --Complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have skyrocketed in 2025, a trend that experts say is driven by a rise in complaints related to payment scams targeting Zelle on social media and increased public awareness of the CFPB being dismantled by the Trump administration. Complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have skyrocketed in the first half of 2025, due in part to an increase in payment scams generated by social media that target peer-to-peer payment platforms such as Zelle, Venmo and other apps.

Consumer groups sue CFPB over small-business data rule - A coalition of consumer groups sued the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and acting Director Russell Vought for refusing to implement a statutorily mandated small-business data collection rule that is already tied up in litigation. Consumer advocates led by Rise Economy have sued the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for the second time for failing to implement the small-business data collection rule mandated by Congress 15 years ago.

Treasury CDFI Fund director resigns -- Administration of the Community Development Financial Institution Fund at the Treasury Department will be led by the CDFI Fund's legal counsel following the resignation of the fund's director.

GSEs could exit conservatorship fast, experts say --The government-sponsored enterprises' exit from conservatorship could be unexpected and quick, the senior vice president of mortgage finance policy at the Independent Community Bankers of America said. nGiven FHFA Director Bill Pulte's history of making regulatory pronouncements via X, some theorize the release of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could occur in the same way.

Bipartisan bill seeks to boost affordable housing - A bipartisan group of lawmakers is leading an effort to increase housing supply through the introduction of a bill that would boost investments in affordable housing — a priority set by the Trump administration.The Community Investment and Prosperity Act would increase the statutory cap for bank investment into community development projects, unlocking "billions in capital" that can be directed to affordable housing.

Goldman's Mid-Year Housing Outlook -Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: Goldman's Mid-Year Housing Outlook -A brief excerpt: Last Friday, Goldman Sachs Senior economist Ronnie Walker wrote: Mid-Year Housing Outlook: Slowing Construction and Price Growth, Not Just for Multifamily Here are a few brief excerpts and my comments (CR): Goldman on existing home sales: “Sustained higher mortgage rates will continue to have their most pronounced impact on housing turnover. 87% of mortgage borrowers have interest rates below current market rates, and 66% have rates 2pp below market rates, strongly disincentivizing them from moving. As a result, we expect annual existing home sales of just 4.1mn, 23% below 2019 levels but in line with the pace of the last two years.” CR: Here is some data from the FHFA’s National Mortgage Database through Q1 2025 showing the distribution of interest rates on closed-end, fixed-rate 1-4 family mortgages outstanding at the end of each quarter since Q1 2013.As of Q2, 71.3% of outstanding loans were under 5% (about 2%+ below current mortgage rates). These low existing mortgage rates make it financially difficult for homeowners to sell their homes and buy a new home since their monthly payments would increase sharply.

MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest Weekly Survey - From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey Mortgage applications increased 0.8 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending July 18, 2025.The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 0.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 1 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index decreased 3 percent from the previous week and was 22 percent higher than the same week one year ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 3 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index increased 4 percent compared with the previous week and was 22 percent higher than the same week one year ago.“The 30-year fixed mortgage rate edged higher last week to its highest level in four weeks at 6.84 percent, while rates for other loan types were mixed. Purchase applications finished the week higher, driven by conventional purchase loans, and continue to run ahead of last year’s pace,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “After reaching $460,000 in March 2025, the purchase loan amount has fallen to its lowest level since January 2025 to $426,700. With the 30-year fixed rate still too high to benefit many borrowers, refinance applications were down almost three percent for the week.”...The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($806,500 or less) increased to 6.84 percent from 6.82 percent, with points remaining unchanged at 0.62 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The first graph shows the MBA mortgage purchase index. According to the MBA, purchase activity is up 22% year-over-year unadjusted. Purchase application activity is still depressed, but above the lows of October 2023 and slightly above the lowest levels during the housing bust.

Housing July 21st Weekly Update: Inventory up 1.2% Week-over-week; Down 11% from 2019 Levels - Altos reports that active single-family inventory was up 1.2% week-over-week.Inventory is now up 37.2% from the seasonal bottom in January. Usually, inventory is up about 21% from the seasonal low by this week in the year. So, 2025 is seeing a larger than normal increase in inventory.The first graph shows the seasonal pattern for active single-family inventory since 2015.The red line is for 2025. The black line is for 2019. Inventory was up 28.2% compared to the same week in 2024 (last week it was up 30.0%), and down 10.8% compared to the same week in 2019 (last week it was down 11.0%). It now appears inventory will be close to 2019 levels towards the end of 2025. This second inventory graph is courtesy of Altos Research. As of July 18th, inventory was at 857 thousand (7-day average), compared to 847 thousand the prior week. Mike Simonsen discusses this data and much more regularly on Youtube

US home sales fade in June as national median sales price hits an all-time high of $435,300 (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes slid in June to the slowest pace since last September as mortgage rates remained elevated and the national median sales price rose to an all-time high of $435,300.Existing home sales fell 2.7% last month from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.93 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday.Sales were flat compared with June last year. The latest home sales fell short of the 4.01 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 24th consecutive month to reach record heights.The U.S. housing market has been in a slump since early 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Home sales fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. Sluggish home sales led to a lackluster spring homebuying season, traditionally the busiest period of the year for the housing market. Stubbornly high mortgage rates and rising prices have intensified the hardships for would-be homebuyers who had already been pummeled by a real estate market that overheated during the pandemic. And while the number of homes on the market has increased sharply from a year ago, it remains well below normal levels, meaning prices continue to rise even as sales slow.

California Home Sales Down Slightly YoY in June -Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: California Home Sales Down Slightly YoY in June A brief excerpt: The NAR is scheduled to release June existing home sales on Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:00 AM ET. The consensus is for 4.00 million SAAR, down from 4.03 million last month. Housing economist Tom Lawler expects the NAR to report sales at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 3.92 million for June, down from May and down slightly year-over-year. California reports Seasonally Adjusted (SA) sales and some measures of inventory whereas most of the local is Not Seasonally Adjusted (NSA). From the California Association of Realtors® (C.A.R.): California home sales rebound in June, reversing three straight months of declines June home sales activity rose 4.0 percent from the 254,190 homes sold in May and was down 0.3 percent from a year ago, when 264,960 homes were sold on an annualized basis. June’s rebound reversed three consecutive months of sales declines and was only one of two months of sales increases for the first half of 2025. The year-over-year decline marked the third straight decrease and was the first time since late 2023 that annual sales fell for three consecutive months.

NAR: Existing-Home Sales Decreased to 3.93 million SAAR in June; Unchanged YoY -From the NAR: NAR Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 2.7% Decrease in June - Existing-home sales decreased by 2.7% in June, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales Report.... Month-over-month sales declined in the Northeast, Midwest and South and rose modestly in the West. Year-over-year, sales fell in the Northeast and West, while rising in the Midwest and South. ...
• 2.7% decrease in existing-home sales -- seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.93 million in June.
• Year-over-year: No change in existing-home sales.
• 0.6% decline in unsold inventory -- 1.53 million units equal to 4.7 months' supply. This graph shows existing home sales, on a Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) basis since 1994. Sales in June (3.93 million SAAR) were down 2.7% from the previous month and were unchanged compared to the June 2024 sales rate. This was the 5th consecutive month with sales unchanged or down year-over-year. The second graph shows nationwide inventory for existing homes. According to the NAR, inventory decreased to 1.53 million in June from 1.54 million the previous month. Headline inventory is not seasonally adjusted, and inventory usually decreases to the seasonal lows in December and January, and peaks in mid-to-late summer. The last graph shows the year-over-year (YoY) change in reported existing home inventory and months-of-supply. Since inventory is not seasonally adjusted, it really helps to look at the YoY change. Note: Months-of-supply is based on the seasonally adjusted sales and not seasonally adjusted inventory. Inventory was up 15.9% year-over-year (blue) in June compared to June 2024. Months of supply (red) increased to 4.7 months in June from 4.6 months the previous month. As expected, the sales rate was below the consensus forecast.

Newsletter: NAR: Existing-Home Sales Decreased to 3.93 million SAAR in June; Unchanged YoY -Today, in the CalculatedRisk Real Estate Newsletter: NAR: Existing-Home Sales Decreased to 3.93 million SAAR in June; Unchanged YoY - Excerpt: Sales in June (3.93 million SAAR) were down 2.7% from the previous month and were unchanged compared to the June 2024 sales rate. This was the 5th consecutive month with sales unchanged or down year-over-year. ... The sales rate was below the consensus forecast (but right at housing economist Tom Lawler’s estimate).... Sales Year-over-Year and Not Seasonally Adjusted (NSA) The fourth graph shows existing home sales by month for 2024 and 2025. Sales were unchanged year-over-year compared to June 2024. This was the 5th consecutive month with sales unchanged or down year-over-year. The next three months will also have the easy year-over-year comparisons....On an NSA basis for the month of June, thiswas 7% below the low for housing bust for the month of June that happened in June 2008. Year-to-date, sales are down 1.5% NSA.

NMHC on Apartments: Market conditions Tightened in Q2 -Today, in the CalculatedRisk Real Estate Newsletter: NMHC on Apartments: Market conditions Tightened in Q2 Excerpt: From the NMHC: Borrowing Conditions Continue to Improve While Most Respondents Report an Unchanged Market The Market Tightness Index (54), Sales Volume Index (55) and Debt Financing Index (69) all came in above the breakeven level of 50, indicating improved conditions, while the Equity Financing Index remained just below 50 (48). Still, a majority of respondents for each of the four indexes reported unchanged conditions compared to April. “Rent growth remains low in the South and West amidst a historic overhang of new supply, even though strong demand has kept absorptions high and occupancy stable,” noted NMHC’s Chief Economist and Senior Director of Research, Chris Bruen. “Meanwhile, tighter apartment conditions persist in the more supply-constrained Northeast and Midwest.” “While high levels of political and economic uncertainty have kept some equity capital on the sidelines, survey respondents did report an uptick in transaction volume for the second consecutive quarter.” ... The Market Tightness Index came in at 54 this quarter – above the breakeven level of 50 – indicating tighter market conditions. Twenty-seven percent of respondents thought market conditions were tighter relative to three months ago, while 18% thought conditions had become looser. Slightly over half (54%) of respondents thought conditions were unchanged from April.

AIA: "Architecture firm billings remain soft" in June --Note: This index is a leading indicator primarily for new Commercial Real Estate (CRE) investment. From the AIA: ABI June 2025: Architecture firm billings remain soft, while inquiries increase - The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index score was 46.8 for the month, indicating that the majority of architecture firms are still experiencing a decline in their billings. However, inquiries into new projects increased for the second consecutive month and grew at the strongest pace since last fall. This means that clients are starting to send out RFPs and initiate conversations with architecture firms about potential projects after a lull since mid-winter. However, these inquiries do not necessarily translate into actual projects, as the value of newly signed design contracts declined for the 16th consecutive month in June. It is unlikely that firm billings will return to positive territory until the value of new design contracts also starts to increase again. Business conditions remained generally soft across the country in June, although firms located in the South reported a very slight increase in billings for the first time since last October. Firms in all other regions experienced a decline in billings, with the pace of the decline slowing modestly. Firms of all specializations also saw billings soften further in June, although the pace of the billings decline continued to slow at firms with commercial/industrial and institutional specializations. However, conditions remained weakest at firms with a multifamily specialization, where billings declined further this month.... The ABI score is a leading economic indicator of construction activity, providing an approximately nine-to-twelve-month glimpse into the future of nonresidential construction spending activity. The score is derived from a monthly survey of architecture firms that measures the change in the number of services provided to clients.
• Northeast (46.5); Midwest (45.7); South (50.6); West (45.8)
• Sector index breakdown: commercial/industrial (47.4); institutional (49.2); multifamily residential (43.8)
This graph shows the Architecture Billings Index since 1996. The index was at 46.8 in June, down from 47.2 in May. Anything below 50 indicates a decrease in demand for architects' services. This index has indicated contraction for 31 of the last 33 months. This includes commercial and industrial facilities like hotels and office buildings, multi-family residential, as well as schools, hospitals and other institutions.
This index usually leads CRE investment by 9 to 12 months, so this index suggests a slowdown in CRE investment throughout 2025 and into 2026. Multi-family billings have been below 50 for the 35 consecutive months. This suggests we will see continued weakness in multi-family starts.

Update: Lumber Prices Up 30% YoY --This is something to watch again. Here is another update on lumber prices. NOTE: The CME group discontinued the Random Length Lumber Futures contract on May 16, 2023. I switched to a physically-delivered Lumber Futures contract that was started in August 2022. Unfortunately, this impacts long term price comparisons since the new contract was priced about 24% higher than the old random length contract for the period when both contracts were available. This graph shows CME random length framing futures through August 2022 (blue), and the new physically-delivered Lumber Futures (LBR) contract starting in August 2022 (Red). On July 22, 2025, LBR was at $669.50 per 1,000 board feet, up 30% from a year ago.There is somewhat of a seasonal demand for lumber, and lumber prices frequently peak in the first half of the year.The pickup in early 2018 was due to the Trump lumber tariffs in 2017. There were huge increases during the pandemic due to a combination of supply constraints and a pickup in housing starts.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern confirm merger talks to create coast to coast railroad -- Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern confirmed that they are in “advanced” merger talks that would create a single U.S railroad with service stretching from the East to the West Coast. The Associated Press reported last week that the companies were discussing a tie-up but neither company acknowledged that until Thursday morning. The potential merger would combine the largest and smallest of the country’s six major freight railroads. Independent railroad analyst Tony Hatch said that the disclosure by the railroads suggests that negotiations are further along than previously thought. “What people will interpret out of that is that they have, one way or another, figured out what the benefits are,” Hatch said, adding that those benefits, such as efficiency, would be passed on to customers. That will be key for getting regulatory approval under the Surface Transportation Board’s enhanced competition clause. There’s widespread debate over whether such a merger would be approved by the STB, which has established a high bar for consolidation in the crucial industry. That’s largely because of the aftermath of an industry consolidation nearly 30 years ago that involved Union Pacific. Union Pacific merged with Southern Pacific in 1996 and the tie-up led to an extended period of snarled traffic on U.S. rails. Three years later, Conrail was divvied up by Norfolk Southern and CSX, which led to more backups on rails in the East. However, just two years ago, the STB approved the first major rail merger in more than two decades. In that deal, which was supported by big shippers, Canadian Pacific acquired Kansas City Southern for $31 billion to create the CPKC railroad. Still, some of the reasoning behind the approval was that it involved two of the smallest major railroads, and Kansas City Southern was the only operator with direct lines into Mexico. The combined railroad, regulators reasoned, would benefit trade across North America. The deal left only six major freight railroads, which could become an issue when regulators consider whether to approve any deal between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific. To be approved, any major rail merger must show it will enhance competition and serve the public interest under rules established in 2001, in the wake of that pair of mergers.

Passenger jet pilot makes hard midair turn to avoid B-52 bomber - A passenger jet made a hard turn midair Friday to avoid a collision with a B-52 bomber, according to the pilot and the Air Force. SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as Delta Connection from Minneapolis, landed safely in Minot, N.D., after the pilot “performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path,” a SkyWest spokesperson told The Hill. SkyWest is investigating the incident, the spokesperson added. The Federal Aviation Administration also is investigating the incident, it said in a statement to NewsNation. An Air Force spokesperson said it is “looking into the matter” and confirmed that “a B-52 aircraft assigned to Minot AFB conducted a flyover of the North Dakota State Fair Friday evening.” Up Next - 'Proud' Benzema calls time on international career with France The pilot explained to the flight passengers what took place before he made an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid a collision and apologized for the incident, according to a recording of his comments posted online by a passenger. The pilot told the flight there’s no radar in the area, so the “tower does everything visually” and instructed the passenger jet to report as they were about 6 miles from the airport, which the pilot said they did. “I think he realized that the spacing wasn’t going to work, and he said, ‘Turn right,’” the pilot explained. But the pilot said he saw an aircraft to his right. “I said, ‘There’s an airplane over there.’ And he says, ‘Turn left,’” the pilot added. “And then by the time we read back the clearance, [we] looked over and saw the airplane that was kind of coming on a converging course with us.” The pilot told the flight of passengers that he made a calculated decision to avoid a potential collision. “And so given his speed — it was a military [aircraft], I don’t know how fast they were going, but they were a lot faster than us — I felt it was the safest thing to turn behind it,” he said. The pilot apologized and said he, too, was caught by surprise and was not given a heads-up that the B-52 bomber would be sharing the airspace. “So sorry about the aggressive maneuver. It caught me by surprise. This is not, not normal at all,” the pilot said. “I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads up because the Air Force Base does have radar, and nobody said, Hey, there’s also a B-52 in the pattern.’”

Uber to let women drivers and riders request to avoid pairing with men -- Uber announced a new feature Wednesday that pairs women drivers and riders, in its latest move to address safety on the ride-hailing platform.The new tool, which the platform will begin piloting next month in the U.S., allows women passengers to match with women drivers when booking or pre-booking rides, and create a preference in their app settings. Women drivers can also choose to drive women."It's about giving women more choice, more control, and more comfort when they ride and drive," Camiel Irving, Uber's vice president of U.S. and Canada operations, said in a release.The company said the rider's preference isn't guaranteed but the feature increases the chances women will be paired in the app.

‘Quiet cracking’ is the newest term for a workplace problem — and it’s ‘pretty pervasive,’ expert says– Every day, you wake up, go to your job, and complete your assigned tasks to the best of your ability. But have you been “quiet cracking” this whole time? It’s entirely possible. “Quiet cracking” is the latest buzzword to describe a lack of fulfillment at work — often as it pertains to job satisfaction, workloads or the potential for growth, among other factors. And unlike “quiet quitting,” it might not necessarily manifest in an employee’s performance — just their happiness. “I mostly see it in my students who are graduating college, and starting their careers with a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” said Wayne Hochwarter, a senior professor at Florida State University’s College of Business. “Then, three or five years in … they begin to ask, ‘Am I really enjoying this? Do I think this is the path to get me where I want to get?’” It’s not just younger members of the workforce who feel disengaged, either. A recent survey from TalentLMS, a company that offers training resources for businesses, found that over half of the respondents experienced “quiet cracking” at their jobs, with about 20% saying they experience it “constantly.”A 2025 report from Gallup included nearly identical findings, indicating that 52% of employees in North America were “not engaged” in their jobs, and 17% were “actively disengaged.” The same report indicated that disruptions caused by the pandemic — rather than the expectations of any one age group — were a major factor“ It’s not just an entry- to mid-level phenomenon; I don’t think that’s the case at all,” Hochwarter told Nexstar. “I think it’s pretty pervasive at all levels.”

New Jersey man pleads guilty to leading $600 million catalytic converter theft ring - A New Jersey man pleaded guilty in Oklahoma federal court to leading a massive theft ring that stole catalytic converters from vehicles and sold them for more than $600 million in total to a refinery that extracted precious metals contained in the devices.The defendant, Navin Khanna, is the latest person to plead guilty in connection with the ring, which was exposed afterpolice in Tulsa, Oklahoma, discovered nearly 130 catalytic converters in the bed of a truck they stopped in May 2021, after an off-duty officer reported suspicions about the vehicle.That stop came during a nationwide surge of thefts in catalytic converters, which are part of the exhaust systems of automobiles, and which contain precious metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium.The Justice Department said that Khanna, 41, on Monday admitted to being the owner and operator of D.G. Auto Parts in New Jersey, and from May 2020 through October 2022, "he conspired with others to purchase and transport large quantities of stolen catalytic converters from Oklahoma, Texas, and other states to New Jersey."In a plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, Khanna said, "After purchasing these catalytic converters, I resold most of them to Dowa Metals & Mining, a metal refinery, which would then extract the powdered precious metals."CNBC has requested comment from Dowa Metals, whose website says that its Burlington, New Jersey, facility "has played a key role in converter recycling in America since 2016." Dowa Metals is a subsidiary of Japan-basedDowa Holdings Co., which is a component of the Nikkei 225stock market index. The company has not been charged in connection with Khanna's case.

19-year-old killed while cleaning industrial meat grinder in Vernon, California --On Sunday, July 13, a 19-year-old worker was killed in an horrific workplace fatality at the Tina’s Burritos frozen food plant in Vernon, California, just outside Los Angeles. The teenager, whose name has not yet been released, was part of the after-hours sanitation crew responsible for cleaning industrial equipment after the facility’s last shift.According to initial reports, the young man was in the process of cleaning a meat grinder and preparing it for the next day’s production when the machine suddenly turned on. His co-workers heard his screams but were unable to stop the machine or pull him out before the young worker was crushed to death.By the time emergency responders arrived, the teenager was already dead. The scene was one of horror and trauma, with visibly shaken workers gathered outside the facility. Tina’s Burritos--a budget frozen food brand which markets its products with the slogan “Made in California”--has issued no public statement on the death of its employee.The Vernon Police Department immediately ruled the killing an “industrial accident,” even before California Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) began a formal investigation.There are many questions that must be answered on how and why this young worker lost his life. But to call it an “accident” only conceals the brutal reality that exists in America’s factories and workplaces. Instead, it was an entirely predictable and preventable consequence of a profit-driven system that treats workers’ lives as expendable.In any society that upheld basic safety standards, it would be physically impossible for dangerous machinery to remain operable while workers were performing cleaning or maintenance work on it. But lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures—a standard requirement to ensure that industrial equipment is safely shut down and incapable of restarting during maintenance—are routinely ignored by companies.The ongoing investigation initiated by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) into the death of Stellantis autoworker Ronald Adams Sr. has already revealed that such violations are rampant across the country. Workers routinely clean, repair and service dangerous machinery with no safeguards, risking their lives every single shift. Violations of LOTO procedures happen every hour in every city in America. One cannot speak of rare tragedies or accidents. These are systemically produceThat a teenager was sent into a confined industrial machine to clean it without elementary safeguards is a damning indictment of the conditions faced by millions of workers, especially the youngest and most vulnerable. These basic safety procedures have been known for decades. That they were not in place indicates that speed, cost-cutting and disregard for human life took priority. The absence of emergency kill switches, proper LOTO systems, or basic operational oversight suggests not just management negligence, but an entire economic system built on criminal disregard for workers’ lives. The case at Tina’s Burritos follows a similar pattern as the Esparto fireworks explosionearlier this month, which killed seven workers—many of them young, low-paid laborers. Both incidents occurred in California, which despite its immense wealth and resources ranks second only to Texas in the number of workplace fatalities in the United States.

Backlash as "whites-only" group plans Missouri expansion --A “whites-only” group called Return to the Land (RTTL), derided by critics as racist and antisemitic, is looking to expand its reach from its base in northern Arkansas to an area near Springfield, Mo., a co-founder of the group said recently. The prospect of a growing “whites-only” community — where members are evaluated based on European ancestry and where Jews are denied membership — is raising concerns among state and local officials and activist groups. RTTL, which describes itself as a private member association, began development in 2023 on its base in northern Arkansas, which sits on 160 acres of land. A co-founder of the group, Eric Orwoll, told Nexstar’s KOLR that he hopes to expand soon to an area of land outside Springfield, and, eventually, expand to all 50 states. “We want to ensure that White Americans who value their ancestry will have the ability to live among like-minded people in the future if they choose to do so, regardless of demographic changes,” Orwoll told the news outlet. He said RTTL plans to coordinate homeschool groups, health care networks, legal advocacy groups and more — all of which would be barred to people of color. “Whites should have the ability to live among their own people if that’s what they want to do, and mass immigration is quickly making that nearly impossible in many Western nations,” Orwoll said. “If individuals decide to live in multi-racial communities, then they should be allowed to do so, but we don’t want racial forced on us in every aspect of life,” he added.

The human cost to children of Trump’s cuts to food stamps and Medicaid ---On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping legislative package providing massive tax breaks for the wealthy and deep reductions in critical safety-net programs, particularly Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, food stamps). The bill slashes $930 billion from Medicaid and another $285 billion from SNAP over the next decade.This legislation marks the greatest redistribution of wealth from the working class to the rich in US history. It makes permanent $3.8 trillion in tax cuts, overwhelmingly benefiting corporations and the super-rich, while gutting Medicaid and food assistance. In addition, it allocates $150 billion to the military, including the Golden Dome missile shield and another $200 billion for expanding immigrant detention camps and adding 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and 3,000 Border Patrol officers. This is a direct transfer of wealth from society’s most vulnerable to the oligarchy and its repressive apparatus—yielding a net gain of $2.4 trillion for the ultra-wealthy.Medicaid and SNAP are not merely line items on a federal ledger; they are hard-won lifelines rooted in social struggles. Both programs emerged from the Great Society initiatives of the 1960s. Medicaid was established under the Social Security Amendments of 1965 as a federal-state health insurance program for low-income families, building upon earlier patchwork efforts like the Kerr-Mills program. SNAP has its origins in a 1939 Depression era pilot, before being formally codified in 1964 through the Food Stamp Act, under President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. The new legislation undoes these historic gains. Medicaid now faces the largest rollback in its history. The effects will be devastating. Those already struggling with paperwork—forms often requiring the expertise of a caseworker—will be disenrolled due to clerical errors. As in the past, lawmakers are relying on administrative red tape to push millions off the rolls. This bureaucratic cruelty is already visible in states like Texas.According to Dr. Rachel Pearson in the New Yorker, Texas has removed up to 1.7 million children from Medicaid since 2023, not due to ineligibility, but on the basis of procedural errors. She recounts how a child with epilepsy was denied medication due to a coverage lapse, resulting in an emergency room visit. Texas has shown how paperwork can be weaponized to deny care—and this model will become national. Children will not only get sicker, they will die. Delays in re-enrollment and loss of preventive care will result in a surge of avoidable hospitalizations and deaths. The cuts threaten to leave 11–17 million people uninsured and cause up to 50,000 preventable deaths annually, according to a Commonwealth Fund model.The impact on public schools will be catastrophic. Medicaid is the fourth-largest source of federal education funding, providing $7.5 billion annually for school-based health services. Schools receive $4–6 billion in Medicaid reimbursements every year to pay for school nurses, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and mental health counselors. In states like Texas and Rhode Island, reimbursements range from $28 to $467 per student annually.American Association of School Administrators (AASA) surveys show that 86 percent of school districts use Medicaid to fund school health staff. If these funds are slashed, 80 percent anticipate layoffs, 70 percent expect cuts to mental and behavioral health services, and 62 percent foresee reductions in disability support. For rural and underserved districts, where schools are often the only source of healthcare, the effects will be even more dire.According to the Georgetown Center for Children and Families, the Medicaid “unwinding” process that began in 2023 could lead to 2–6 million children losing coverage. The bill’s new parental work requirements could raise that number to as high as 8 million by the mid-2020s. The compounded effects will reduce Medicaid reimbursements by 25–50 percent, costing some districts tens of millions of dollars annually and threatening the jobs of healthcare personnel critical to student well-being.The mental health consequences are equally severe. The Association of California School Administrators found that 70 percent of school districts would reduce mental health services if Medicaid were cut, jeopardizing suicide prevention and trauma support services. The result will be higher rates of absenteeism, untreated depression and preventable deaths among children.SNAP cuts follow a similarly ruthless logic. The bill imposes new work mandates up to age 64, including some parents. It also includes semi-annual reviews and forces states to cover 5–15 percent of benefit costs by 2028. These changes are expected to push 3–4 million people off SNAP, worsening hunger and straining already overburdened local food banks.

8 children suffer seizure-like symptoms at choir concert near Harvard — Massachusetts officials took eight children to hospitals after displaying seizure-like symptoms during a youth choir performance at a church near Harvard University on Tuesday.The symptoms weren’t life-threatening for the “pre-teen” and “early teen youths” impacted, and dozens of other attendees were not affected, according to the fire department for the city of Cambridge, Mass.The cause is still unknown, but officials said initial air testing found that “no hazardous conditions were present” at St. Paul’s Parish in Harvard Square.Cambridge, Massachusetts, law enforcement respond to reports of children with seizure-like symptoms at St. Paul’s Parish in Harvard Square. (Cambridge Massachusetts Fire Department)Nearly 80 people gathered at the church Tuesday for a free performance by French youth choir, the Chœur d’Enfants d’Île-de-France.St. Paul announced the event days prior in a Facebook post: “Founded in 1970, the youth choir has travelled extensively and performed with some of the world’s top conductors and soloists. The concert will feature and exciting mix of sacred and secular repertoire, as well as popular French songs.” Local reporting indicated that the affected children were part of the choir, though officials have not confirmed that publicly.Seizure symptoms can include confusion, jerking movements of extremities, losing consciousness or sharp changes in emotions or thinking, according to the Mayo Clinic. They’re caused by a disruption between nerve cells in the brain, which can be triggered by epilepsy, illness, injuries or other factors.

Ohio House overrides one budget veto, hoping to provide property tax relief (WCMH) — The House reconvened Monday and successfully agreed to override one of Gov. Mike DeWine’s 67 line item budget vetoes. DeWine signed the state’s 2026-2027 budget into effect on June 30, issuing 67 line-item vetoes. The House met Monday in hopes of overriding three property tax vetoes, and successfully voted to override one: item 66, school district property tax levy restrictions, which passed 61-28. The House did not vote on the other two vetoes they were expected to try to override because some Republican lawmakers were absent, and they did not think they would pass.If the veto override is concurred by the Senate, political subdivisions will no longer be allowed to levy replacement property tax levies, and school districts will no longer be able to levy fixed-sum emergency, substitute emergency and combined income tax and fixed-sum property tax levies. These levies are typically used to provide funding for day-to-day operational needs, like salaries, supplies or key services.“They deserve the right to determine how much they want to fund their schools at the local level and when they go to the ballot to pass a levy, we should be respecting their ability to have local control over how much they want to fund their schools,” House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) said. Proponents of the change say words like “emergency” and “replacement” mislead taxpayers into voting for property tax increases they may not want. Opponents, including DeWine and many public school districts, say those levies are important revenue sources, and eliminating them will not provide meaningful tax relief.

Murkowski: Trump administration funding freeze could result in ‘closing schools’ - Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) fears the Trump administration’s multibillion-dollar education funding freeze could cause schools in her state to close as districts struggle to keep employees without the money. The administration originally froze a total of $6 billion in funding to schools, affecting after-school and summer programs, along with classes for adult and English learners. Last week, the president released about $1 billion that was aimed at after-school programs, but $5 billion is still held up.“Many of our school districts have already made really hard decisions about closing schools,” Murkowski told ABC News. “Both in Fairbanks and Anchorage, we’ve seen layoffs,” she continued. “If your literacy skills are weak, if you’re working on your English skills, I mean, these are all things that are keeping people out of the workforce at a time when we’re trying to get people into it,” Murkowski added. “So I am very worried.” She was one of nine Republicans to sign a letter to the Office of Management and Budget last week demanding the funding be released and rejecting the administration’s claim the money is going toward “woke” programs.

Education Department releases $5 billion to schools after monthlong hold -The Department of Education announced Friday the release of more than $5 billion of funding to schools after an almost monthlong pause.At the beginning of July, the Trump administration paused the typical release of almost $7 billion in funding to schools that went toward after-school and summer activities, classes for English learners and adults and teacher preparation programs, among other things. Last week, the administration released more than $1 billion for after-school and summer programs but declined to say when the rest would be released. “OMB has completed its review of Title I-C, Title II-A, Title III-A, and Title IV-A ESEA funds and Title II WIOA funds, and has directed the Department to release all formula funds. The agency will begin dispersing funds to states next week,” said Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications for the Education Department. Republicans were quick to celebrate the release many had fought for. Both of West Virginia’s Republican senators, Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, quickly reacted to news. “This supports critical programs so many West Virginians rely on and I made that clear to OMB Director Vought,” Capito said on X, referring to Russ Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Trump administration ramps up its campaign against colleges - The Trump administration continued building its multi-pronged case against American universities Wednesday, with the announcement of new investigations by the departments of state and education. The new probes are the latest in a months-long effort across the federal government to pressure elite colleges and universities to hew more closely to the administration's political priorities.The State Department announced Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into whether Harvard University is eligible to participate in its Exchange Visitor Program, a broad visa category that includes students, professors, working interns and other non-tourist visitors.The department did not offer a reason for the probe, such as a specific complaint, but it said in a statement that universities which sponsor exchange visitors are required to show a "demonstrated commitment to fostering the principles of cultural exchange and mutual understanding upon which the program was founded."The same day, the Department of Education announced unrelated investigations into whether five universities which offer special scholarships for undocumented students are "preferencing foreign-born students" over native-born ones. The University of Louisville, the University of Nebraska Omaha, the University of Miami, the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University are the targets of the probe. "Neither the Trump Administration's America first policies nor the Civil Right Act of 1964's prohibition on national origin discrimination permit universities to deny our fellow citizens the opportunity to compete for scholarships because they were born in the United States," said the department's acting assistant secretary for civil rights, Craig Trainor. The probes are based on complaints submitted to the Office of Civil Rights by the Equal Protection Project of the Legal Insurrection Foundation, a conservative advocacy group. In a highly unusual step, the education department included a statement from the advocacy group in its official announcement of the probes. The OCR also said it was investigating additional scholarships at the schools that allegedly exclude other groups, including Western Michigan's scholarship for "African American, Native American, or Hispanic American" students and University of Louisville's scholarship for "LGBTQ+ students of color." Four of five universities did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokeswoman for the University of Michigan told CNBC, "The university has received a letter of notification relating to this matter. We have no further comment." Wednesday's announcements are the latest step in the Trump administration's full-throated campaign to root out and penalize elite universities and increasingly, public and state colleges, for policies that do not align with administration priorities.Harvard has been the target of multiple probes, as both a legal challenge and private negotiations between the university and the administration continue over Trump's federal funding freezes.A Harvard spokesperson told CNBC the latest investigation is "yet another retaliatory step taken by the administration in violation of Harvard's First Amendment rights."A separate federal probe determined last month that Harvard had violated the civil rights of Jewish and Israeli students, and Trump said in May that he wanted to revoke the university's tax-exempt status.The government has also moved to freeze federal funding for several other Ivy League schools. Trump has said he isconsidering redirecting this money to trade schools.Earlier this month, the House Judiciary Committee issued subpoenas to Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania, looking into alleged antitrust violations in the universities' tuition and financial aid policies. The announcement followed letters sent to all eight Ivy Leagues requesting documents.

Trump administration investigates Harvard's participation in visa program (AP) — In the latest in series of Trump administration inquiries targeting Harvard University, the State Department said Wednesday it is investigating whether the Ivy League school will remain part of a government program that provides American visas for students and researchers from other countries. Harvard has faced mounting sanctions and scrutiny from Washington since rejecting demands from a federal antisemitism task force in April. Harvard has filed a lawsuit challenging $2.6 billion in federal cuts and has accused the Republican administration of waging a retaliation campaign.The statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not say why his department was examining Harvard’s eligibility to take part in the Exchange Visitor Program, which allows foreign nationals to study or work in the United States through cultural and education exchange programs.It said all sponsors, such as Harvard, “are required to fully comply with exchange visitor regulations, transparency in reporting, and a demonstrated commitment to fostering the principles of cultural exchange and mutual understanding upon which the program was founded.”Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said the investigation was “another retaliatory step” taken by the administration.“Harvard continues to enroll and sponsor international scholars, researchers, and students, and will protect its international community and support them as they apply for U.S. visas and travel to campus this fall,” Newton said in a statement. He said the school is committed to complying with the program’s rules.Brett Bruen, a former director of global engagement under Democratic President Barack Obama, said there is no justification for the administration’s action.“It not only damages Harvard, but American higher education & industry that depend on the best & brightest wanting to come here,” Bruen said in a post on X.

James Carville rips Columbia over $221M Trump settlement: 'Such cowards' -- Democratic strategist James Carville ripped Columbia University for agreeing to pay $221 million to President Trump’s administration to restore the school’s federal funding. “You were talking about Paramount and how they collapsed — the biggest cavers in the world is Columbia University,” Carville said during a Thursday night appearance on Fox News’s “Jesse Watters Primetime.” “I’ve never seen such cowards in my life. My hat is off to Harvard; at least they have guts,” Carville added.Columbia University announced Wednesday that it had agreed to a $200 million settlement with the federal government, which will be paid out over the next three years, and $21 million to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. “This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty,” acting Columbia University President Claire Shipman said. “The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track,” Shipman added.The Trump administration cut $400 million of Columbia’s federal funding earlier this year over a probe into antisemitism on the Ivy League school’s campus. Columbia says the agreement will allow it to keep its academic independence.

Brains aged faster during the COVID pandemic—even among the uninfected, data suggest --People's brains aged faster during the COVID-19 pandemic than before—even among those who weren't infected, suggests a study published yesterday in Nature Communications.UK researchers used longitudinal neuroimaging data from the UK Biobank to train brain age-prediction models on brain characteristics at different ages from 15,334 healthy adults with an average age of 63 years. Less than 4% of participants, who generally had few underlying medical conditions, required hospitalization. All participants tested negative by 3 weeks after infection.The team then applied the findings to 996 different healthy participants (average age, 58.8 years) with two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from either before the pandemic (control group) or one taken before and one after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (pandemic group).Structural changes evident in brain images revealed that, even with initially matched brain age gaps (predicted brain age vs chronological age) and health markers, the pandemic significantly accelerated brain aging, with the pandemic group showing an average brain age gap of 5.5 months at the second time point compared with controls. The greatest degree of accelerated brain aging was seen in older people, men, and those from socioeconomically deprived backgrounds (especially those with low education and employment levels and poor health), regardless of COVID-19 infection status. The pronounced age effect in COVID-infected participants suggests a complex model of cognitive decline linked to more pronounced brain aging from infection-related factors in older people. "This supports the concept of brain resilience loss leading to faster cognitive decline, consistent with existing neurodegeneration and dementia research and recent epigenetic models," the investigators wrote. Accelerated brain aging, however, correlated with decreased cognitive performance—which the authors said doesn't necessarily manifest as impaired cognition and memory—only in COVID-infected participants. The study "highlights the pandemic’s significant impact on brain health, beyond direct infection effects, emphasising the need to consider broader social and health inequalities," they wrote. The pandemic's effects may have also included lower levels of physical activity, poorer nutrition, and increased alcohol use.

SARS-CoV-2 detections in wastewater accurately predict illnesses within 1 week, study finds -A new study from the University of Minnesota found that SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater accurately predicted the subsequent COVID-19 case count the following week in the community, adding further evidence to the usefulness of wastewater detection.The observational study was published today in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The authors said the study was conducted to assess the usefulness of wastewater detections for COVID-19 now that widespread community immunity has been obtained through infection and vaccination.“Determining epidemiologic trends of virus spread and the burden of disease at the community level has become challenging. Tracking the spread of infection throughout the community as well as the emergence of new variants remains important,” the authors wrote.The study took place from January 2022 through August 2024 and analyzed the correlation between symptomatic COVID-19 in healthcare employees and SARS-CoV-2 wastewater community levels in 215 wastewater samples from the Twin Cities Wastewater Treatment Plant.During the study period, there were 6,879 positive SARS-CoV-2 test results reported to Fairview Employee Health from people who lived in the wastewater catchment area. All non–remote work Fairview Health employees must present evidence of a positive COVID-19 test result prior to being excused from work.“In the 32 months of our study, we observed 3 distinct surges in case counts and correlative levels of virus in wastewater,” the authors wrote. The surges, which took place in January 2022, July 2023, and June 2024 were characterized by a rapid increase in case counts and quantity of virus in wastewater.In two models used by the authors, the surges in wastewater detection accurately predicted case counts for the following week.

New surveillance tool can predict COVID variants of concern -In Nature Communications, authors describe a novel web platform for genomic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called CoVerage, which could identify variants of concern (VOCs) up to 3 months before the World Health Organization (WHO) is able to classify the variants that can lead to surges of COVID-19 activity.Within months of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, new variants of the original wild-type virus emerged, and these VOCs have influenced virus dynamics, produced altered symptoms, and significantly enhanced immune escape, limiting vaccines ability to offer long-lasting protection against COVID-19.CoVerage is based on observations from the long-term evolution of certain influenza viruses such as influenza A H3N2. In particular, the model looks for early changes in the virus's spike proteins, which help the virus attach to human cells. Spike proteins are also the target for vaccines and therapies, the authors said. Using the GISAID virus genome database, which has more than 16.5 million SARS-CoV-2 sequences uploaded and available, CoVerage looks at SARS-CoV-2 genome data by country of origin for strain dynamics and antigenic changes. The computer model then scans the sequences for changes to the spike proteins, and strains with significant alterations to the spike proteins are identified on a “heat maps.”By continuously reading emerging potential variants of interest from country-wide lineage frequency dynamics, the authors were able to predict VOCs earlier than what is currently seen in practice. To test the model, the authors used it to retrospectively locate and identify known VOCs, including Omicron and JN.1. “CoVerage accurately identified 88% of the VOIs and VOCs designated by the WHO since the establishment of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population, on average, more than two months before their official WHO designation,” the authors wrote.

US COVID levels continue slight upward trend -Early US COVID-19 indicators continued an upward trend last week, though from very low levels, especially in many southeast, southern, and West Coast states, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest weekly update.Emergency department visits rose 4.8% compared to the week before, mainly in children up to 4 years old. Test positivity rose slightly and is now at 5.3% nationally, with levels highest in the Southwest, followed by the South. Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 detections remained at the low level and are highest in the West, with other regional hot spots, including Louisiana with very high activity and Florida with high activity.The CDC has not updated its variant proportion estimates since the middle of June owing to low numbers of sequences reported when the NB.1.8.1 subvariant was the most common. Variant proportions predicted from testing in international travelers during the same period suggested the XFG variant—one of many JN .1 offshoots— was most common. Both are considered variants under monitoring by the World Health Organization, which in late June said XFG seems to have a moderate growth advantage and a low risk of immune escape, though it added that confidence in its assessments were low because of recent expansion and low sequencing levels.Earlier this week, the Hawaii Department of Health said that, after a period of relative stability, COVID activity is rising again and is now at the medium level, suggesting the virus is circulating at higher-than-expected levels based on historic trends. Officials said the test-positivity rate was 12.4% as of July 17, up from 10.9% the week before. The 7-day average for new cases rose over the past month for all of the state's islands as of July 11.

Covid-19 in pockets, sugar cane isn't better, ticks march on, rescission cuts (vs. everything else), bright spots, and more - Katelyn Jetelina, Your Local Epidemiologist -- Covid-19 is definitely increasing in some pockets of the U.S. and ticks are still thriving. Also, is sugar cane in Coke really better? A landmark study on aluminum in vaccines, a quiet federal rollback of multilingual services, and a few things worth celebrating, Plus: a quick explainer on what the heck is going on with all these federal budget cuts: reconciliation, rescissions, and appropriations.Here’s your deep dive into the public health news you can use.

• A summer Covid-19 wave is underway in the South and West. All three early indicators—wastewater data, test positivity rates, and ER visits—are rising. Texas and Florida, for example, are already into a wave, aligning with summer 2023 trends.This isn’t being driven by a dramatic new variant, but rather by small changes in circulating strains, humid weather prompting people to stay indoors, and waning immunity from infection among those who haven’t had Covid-19 in a while.
• Ticks are still tickin’ with emergency room visits remaining high (higher than in the past eight Julys) with the Northeast and Midwest seeing the biggest uptick.Why the bad year? Annual variation, as well as ticks slowly migrating to more populated areas, climate change, and increased awareness. Here’s all you need to know, including yes, falsehoods, on these bite-sized threats.
• Reconciliation vs. Rescission vs. Appropriations. What is happening with the budget? Last Friday, a rescission package was passed, which pulled back $9 billion in previously approved funding, primarily from foreign aid ($8 billion) and public broadcasting ($1.1 billion). While Congress controls the budget, the executive branch can request these kinds of cuts through the 1974 Impoundment Act. That’s exactly what Trump did. Congress agreed, retroactively canceling funds that had been approved but not yet spent.This is separate from two other major budget moves:

• Reconciliation (a.k.a. the “Big Beautiful Bill”), which already passed, cut funding for Medicaid and SNAP.
• Appropriations, the next big budget showdown, will set spending levels for fiscal year 2026, including for NIH and CDC.

• MAHA is celebrating food industry announcements about switching from high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to cane sugar. So… should you buy the cane sugar version? From a health perspective, it doesn’t matter. There’s certainly a taste difference. And, while both sweeteners consist of glucose and fructose, there are also slight differences in the ratios, Cane sugar comes from sugarcane and has equal amounts of glucose and fructose. HFCS is processed from corn starch and has a higher proportion of fructose to glucose (typically 55:45 in sodas). This means that HFCS is metabolized differently by the liver; however, strong research that has pooled study after study indicates that there are no meaningful differences between the two sweeteners in terms of health outcomes. What’s really at play here is the appeal to nature fallacy that we, humans, love to gravitate towards—the idea that something “natural” (like cane sugar) must be healthier than something “processed” (like HFCS). But both are sugar. Both are processed. And both, in excess, increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We covered this fallacy in detail a few months ago, in anticipation of RFK Jr.’s Health Secretary position:

Measles traces detected in Austin wastewater as other states announce more cases -In Texas, Austin Public Health yesterday announced that its wastewater surveillance in Travis County has detected measles, and it urged residents to make sure they are up to date with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination.The detection hints at an undetected case or cases. So far this year, only two measles cases have been confirmed in Travis County residents, both of which involved exposure during international travel. In astatement, officials said the samples that tested positive were collected during the first week of July. Earlier this month, Utah reported a positive wastewater sample from the Provo area, and over the past few months, health officials in New Mexico and Sacramento, California, reported positive detections, which were later followed by confirmed cases.Two states initially hit hardest by the West Texas outbreaks—Texas and New Mexico— reported no new cases today. However, Kansas, which has reported related cases, announced two more infections in an ongoing outbreak in the southwestern part of the state. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment yesterday upped its total to 90 cases, with 87 linked to the state’s outbreak. Elsewhere, health officials in Montana’s Yellowstone County are investigating a suspected measles case in a child who may have exposed others at a vacation Bible school camp in Billings. RiverStone Health, a medical clinic in Billings, said the unvaccinated child had recently traveled to an area where measles is spreading and that confirmation testing is under way at Montana State Laboratory.

Four states announce more measles cases, exposures -Amid ongoing record post-elimination measles activity in the United States, four states have reported more measles cases or exposures, including Colorado, Iowa, New Mexico, and Wyoming.Meanwhile, in its weekly update, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added 10 more cases to the national total, which has now reached 1,319 cases.The CDC said the number of affected states remained at 40, with the number of outbreaks holding at 29. So far, 87% of the nation’s cases are connected to outbreaks and 92% of affected patients are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. Children ages 5 to 19 years old are the most affected age group, followed closely by adults ages 20 and older.The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and their partners in Gunnison County yesterday confirmed a measles infection in an out-of-state resident and warned of potential public exposures at a store in Almont and a health facility in Gunnison. The case is not counted as part of Colorado's yearly measles total.Two neighboring states—New Mexico and Wyoming—also reported new cases. New Mexico's latest case is the first from Santa Fe County. In a statement, the New Mexico Department of Health said the patient is an unvaccinated child younger than 10 years old who likely contracted the virus during international travel and may have exposed others to measles during a visit to an amusement park in Albuquerque on July 17. The latest case lifts New Mexico’s total to 96 cases since the first of the year.The Wyoming Department of Health yesterday reported the state’s third case, which involves an unvaccinated adult from Carbon County. Elsewhere, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services yesterday confirmed the state’s eighth case, a fully vaccinated adult from the western part of the state. Officials said the patient has no known links to earlier cases and had not traveled outside the state. They noted potential public exposures at locations in Sioux Center, Sheldon, and Hull.

Mississippi warns of steep increase in pertussis cases --Last week, officials from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) issued a health alert about an increase in pertussis (whopping cough) cases this year. As of July 10, MSDH said 80 cases have been reported, compared to 49 cases in all of 2024.So far, no deaths have been recorded in Mississippi this year, but 10 patients have been hospitalized. Whopping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness that leads to violent coughing bursts, is most common in children and can be fatal in infants under the age of 1.“Most (76%) of this year's cases have occurred in children less than 18 years of age, including seven cases in infants less than 2 months old,” MSDH said in the news release. “While cases have been reported statewide, 40% were identified in northeast Mississippi.”Among the 73 case-patients age-eligible for pertussis vaccination, 28 were not vaccinated, officials said. Of the 10 hospitalized, seven were children less than 2 years old.

Quick takes: More US peds flu deaths, polio in 3 nations, norovirus oyster recall | CIDRAP

• In its weekly flu update today, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 5 more pediatric flu deaths that occurred during the 2024-25 season, which has been marked by the most pediatric deaths in a nonpandemic year since the condition became reportable in 2004. The latest deaths occurred from February 22 to July 5, bringing the national total to 266. Among patients with known vaccination status who were eligible to be immunized, 90% weren't fully immunized against flu, up from 82% during the previous season.
• Three countries reported new polio cases this week, all involving vaccine-derive types, according to the latest update from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Angola reported a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) case in Huambo with a May 3 symptom onset, the country's fifth case of the year. Cameroon reported a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) illness with a May 30 symptom onset un Adamaoua, and an investigation and lab analysis are under way to determine the origin. Yemen reported 22 more cVDPV2 patients, including 14 with symptom onsets in 2024 and 8 with symptom onsets in the first 3 months of 2025.
• The US Food and Drug Administration yesterday urged consumers and retailers to avoid eating or selling certain frozen, raw half-shell oysters imported from South Korea, following reports of a related norovirus outbreak in Utah. The affected lot has been recalled by Wang Globalnet, based in Vernon, California. The products were distributed to retailers and restaurants in five western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, and Utah.

Group criticizes NIH over suspended funding for TB research --A group that advocates for better treatment and prevention for tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and hepatitis C yesterday is calling for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to restore funding for scores of TB research projects.The Treatment Action Group (TAG) said in a statementyesterday that, of the 40 research projects whose funding was suspended by NIH leadership earlier this monthbecause they meet the definition of "dangerous gain-of-function research," at least 22 apply to TB. The group says the projects are basic science studies aimed at improving the fundamental understanding ofMycobacterium tuberculosis, including how it develops resistance to antibiotics, how it persists despite treatment, and how it evades the immune system.NIH's suspension of funding for the studies is in response to an executive order issued by the Trump administration in May that placed new restrictions on federal funding for gain-of-function research, which involves modifying a pathogen's genetic sequence to create models of human infection to see how it enters cells and the behaves in the human body. TAG argues that the definition of gain-of-function research being used by the Trump administration is too broad and is a consequence of "extensive bad faith conspiracy theorizing" around the origins of COVID-19."The administration's new policy on gain-of-function research is a poison arrow directed at infectious disease more broadly," said TAG executive director Mark Harrington. "Studying a pathogen like TB involves working on the pathogen. Not all work on pathogens involves making them stronger or changing them in ways that pose a credible danger." The group added that, in its view, the suspended studies pose less of a risk to the American public than the "clear and present danger of TB," which killed 1.3 million people in 2023. "The Trump administration has put the health of all Americans at risk by setting back efforts to develop the drugs, vaccines, and intervention strategies required to protect communities in the United States and around the world from TB,"

Africa CDC warns of exponential mpox spread in Guinea -As African countries continue to grapple with multiple mpox outbreaks involving different clades and transmission patterns, officials from Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) today said Guinea’s outbreak is escalating exponentially, showing similar signs to a recent surge in Sierra Leone.Countries in West Africa were affected later than hot spots in central Africa such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Burundi. Unlike those countries, more recently affected locations in West Africa have seen outbreaks mainly involving clade 2 viruses, including the one that triggered global spread. At a regular weekly briefing today, Yap Boum, PhD, MPH, deputy incident manager for Africa CDC's mpox response, said Guinea reported 121 confirmed mpox cases last week, more than double the 51 cases reported the previous week. After reporting its first case about 5 weeks ago, Guinea made up 20% of all mpox infections reported from Africa last week. Cases are concentrated in Conakry, Faranah, and Kindia regions, and males make up 69.9% of cases. Boum said Guinea’s two biggest challenges right now are contact tracing and isolating patients. Sierra Leone reported its first cases in January, with activity that intensified in the following weeks, peaking in early May.Boum said health officials are encouraged by continued declines in some of the region’s high-burden countries, including the DRC, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, which account for a large but declining percentage of all cases (currently 74%). Overall, countries are seeing improvements in test coverage, meaning most suspected cases are tested, which he said gives outbreak responders a clearer picture of how the outbreak is evolving.However, Boum said the virus continues to pop up in new countries, most recently Gambia and Mozambique, and that Africa CDC is concerned about upward trends in multiple other spots, including Nigeria, Liberia, Kenya, and Ghana. For example, Boum said cases in Kenya are spreading beyond the initially affected coastal areas as the country enters its final stages of vaccination planning.Cases were up in Togo last week as well, and though numbers are still small, Boum said the rise is concerning, given that the area is part of a transit hub in West Africa.Mozambique, which reported its first case of the year earlier this month, now has 13 confirmed cases, which he said are limited to a single district. So far, the clade involved in the infections isn’t known. The country has stepped up surveillance and monitoring amid worries of cross-border spread to other countries. Four of five countries that border Mozambique—Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—have reported mpox cases.

Report describes large Salmonella outbreak tied to raw milk- A new report by California health officials highlights the risks posed by consuming raw dairy products.The report, published yesterday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, describes an outbreak ofSalmonella Typhimurium linked to raw milk from a California dairy farm. The outbreak, which stretched from October 2023 to March 2024, sickened 171 people in California and four other states, including 120 children and adolescents. Children were the most likely to be hospitalized among all age-groups.The authors of the report say the outbreak, one of the largest foodborne outbreaks linked to raw milk in recent US history, is a reminder that commercially distributed raw dairy products continue to present a risk for enteric and other infectious diseases. In addition to Salmonella, unpasteurized milk has also been linked to outbreaks of Escherichia coli,Campylobacter, Brucella, and Cryptosporidium infections.From 2009 through 2021, a total of 143 enteric disease outbreaks confirmed or suspected to be associated with consumption of raw milk were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."Public health messaging should explain the risks associated with these products to consumers, especially those at risk for severe disease, including children," the authors wrote. The outbreak first came to light on October 18, 2023, when health officials in San Diego County notified the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of eight salmonellosis cases in people who reported drinking brand A raw milk produced exclusively by a licensed local dairy farm (dairy farm A) and commercially distributed throughout California. That notification, along with a report from another local health department (LHD) of a Salmonella Typhimurium infection in a person who drank raw milk from the same farm, prompted a statewide investigation. Testing of 40 product samples (raw milk, heavy cream, cheese, and kefir) collected from dairy farm A, retail stores, and patient homes by CDPH and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) detected Salmonella Typhimurium in three of the samples, including two from bottles of raw milk at the farm's bottling facility and from a retail sample of raw milk. A sample of raw cheese aged for more than 60 days that was collected in January 2024 from the farm would also test positive forSalmonella.

Infection total rises in gecko-linked Slmonella outbreak- Since its last update in May on a Salmonella outbreak linked to pet geckos, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week reported 35 more infections from 16 states and added one more serotype to the outbreak.Federal officials first announced the outbreak on March 13, when there were just a handful of cases from eight states, all involving Salmonella Muenchen. With the new illnesses, the total now stands at 49 people from 27 states. Of those, 18 infections involve S Muenchen, and 31 involve S Lome. Nine people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. The latest illness onset was June 12. The median age of the patients is 24 years, and 20% are children younger than 5 years. Whole-genome sequencing of samples collected from patients’ homes in California and New York showed that the two serotypes were closely related to the bacteria from sick people.Of 37 people asked about animals they were exposed to before they got sick, 19 reported contact with a pet gecko. Of 18 who had information about the type of gecko they had contact with, 12 reported contact with crested geckos, 7 with leopard geckos, and one each with African fat-tailed, Malaysian cat, satanic leaf-tailed, white-lined, and wild geckos.People bought the geckos from multiple retail locations, and investigators are still gathering information on where people got their pets and what breeders supplies them. However, the outbreak strains have been linked to multiple suppliers, including one common to both outbreak strains.The CDC urges gecko owners to wash their hands after handing the animals, their food, or items in their environment. Officials also recommend keeping geckos out of the kitchen or anywhere food is prepared and stored and keeping geckos or other reptiles and amphibians away from children younger than 5 who are at higher risk of Salmonella illness complications.

Multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains are spreading in poultry, study suggests - A genomic analysis of Salmonella isolates from retail poultry meat highlights the ongoing spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains in the food supply chain, researchers reported today inScientific Reports. Using surveillance data collected by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) from 2020 through 2024, researchers from North Carolina State University conducted antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 132 Salmonella enterica isolates from retail poultry products sold in North Carolina. Their aim was to investigate the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes, particularly bla_CTX-M-65, which has been associated with MDR Salmonella strains. Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness worldwide. "The presence of bla_CTX-M-65 in Salmonella enterica serovars such as Indiana, Typhimurium, Infantis, and Senftenberg represents a significant public health challenge due to the potential for these strains to cause severe, difficult-to-treat infections," the study authors wrote. "This gene is often located on mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids, which facilitate horizontal gene transfer between different bacteria, exacerbating the spread of resistance within both clinical and environmental settings."Among 132 isolates representing 25 serovars, 14 were resistant to three or more antibiotic classes and labeled as MDR. WGS revealed that all 14 isolates harbored bla_CTX-M-65 and belonged to three serovars—S Infantis (11 isolates), S I -:r:1,5 (2), and S Senftenberg (1)—with associated sequence types ST32 and ST14. WGS also identified the presence of additional resistance determinants, including genes encoding resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and quinolones. The authors say the detection of bla_CTX-M-65 across multiple serovars suggests that spread of the gene is not limited to one serovar or lineage and underscores the importance of routine surveillance for MDRSalmonella serovars.

High prevalence of colistin-resistant Klebsiella found in Africa -Resistance to a last-resort antibiotic in an already multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogen is concerningly high in Africa, according to a study published last week in JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance.In a systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers from Woldia University in Ethiopia examined data from 30 studies that reported on colistin resistance in clinical specimens of MDR Klebsiella pneumoniaecollected from hospitals in Africa. With mortality rates ranging from 40% to 70%, MDR K pneumoniae has been identified as a high-priority global health threat by the World Health Organization. Colistin is one of the few remaining options for treating MDR K pneumoniae infections."Colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae is often associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially in critically ill patients, and its spread poses a serious challenge to treatment options across the African continent," the study authors wrote.The 30 studies covered 11 African countries: Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Algeria, Ethiopia, Mali, Ghana and Mozambique. Nearly half of the reviewed studies (13) were conducted in Egypt. The overall pooled prevalence of colistin resistance was 21.6%, with high heterogeneity and significant sub-regional variation. By sub-region, East Africa had the highest pooled prevalence of colistin resistance (42.3%), followed by West Africa (37.1%), Southern Africa (17.1%), and North Africa (13%). By country, colistin resistance was highest in Nigeria (39.1%), Kenya (22.5%), South Africa (17.2%), and Egypt (14%).The authors say the findings support the need for greater regulation of colistin use to maintain its effectiveness.

Study shows high rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospitalized Ukrainian refugees --A new study of Ukrainian refugees reveals how the country's war with Russia may be helping promote the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria throughout Europe, researchers reported today in Clinical Microbiology and Infection.In what they say is the largest cohort study to date on the topic, researchers from Helsinki University Hospital in Finland assessed MDR bacterial carriage among 166 Ukrainian refugees treated at the hospital in the 2 years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. They found that significant proportions of previously hospitalized Ukrainians, especially those who had been treated for war wounds, carried MDR strains. Previously hospitalized patients also had the highest rates of MDR infections. Previous research has indicated a significant increase in MDR organisms in Ukrainian hospitals since the invasion, primarily linked to traumatic war wounds. But the war in Ukraine has also resulted in the transfer of thousands of hospital patients to hospitals in Finland and elsewhere in Europe. The authors of the letter say these findings suggest European hospitals need to focus on the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threat posed by those patients.The 166 Ukrainian patients treated at the hospital from February 24, 2022, to May 31, 2024, were screened for carriage of several MDR pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE), carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE), multiresistantAcinetobacter baumannii (MRAB), and multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA). They were grouped based on hospitalization abroad in the prior year: No hospitalization (102 patients, 61.4%), hospitalization without war-related injuries (50, 30.1%), and hospitalization with war injuries (14, 8.4%).While only 17.6% of the non-hospitalized patients carried MDR bacteria (primarily ESBL-PE and MRSA), MDR bacterial carriage was found in 46% of those hospitalized without war injuries and 78.6% of those hospitalized with war injuries. The MDR bacteria carried by previously hospitalized patients included the most highly-resistant pathogens. Among the war-injured, carriage rates for CPE, MRAB, and MRPA were 35.7%, 28.6%, and 21.4%, respectively. In those hospitalized without war injuries, 16% harbored CPE, 4% carried MRAB, and 2% carried MRPA. "All MRAB and MRPA carriers had recently experienced ICU [intensive care unit] care admission or surgery abroad, suggesting significant transmission in conflict-affected healthcare systems," the researchers wrote.Two patients with war-related injuries carried VRE. In contrast, no CPE, MRAB, VRE, or MRPA isolates were identified in non-hospitalized patients.

Urgent care study highlights inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics, other medications -A study led by researchers at the University of Michigan suggests urgent care visits are commonly associated with unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics, opioids, and glucocorticoids. For the study, which was published yesterday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the researchers used commercial insurance and Medicare supplemental databases to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of outpatients of all ages with an urgent care place-of-service code from January 2018 through December 2022. Among more than 22.4 million urgent care visits involving more than 10.7 million individuals, they found that 12.1%, 9.1%, and 1.3% of visits resulted in antibiotic, glucocorticoid, and opioid prescription fills, respectively. They then examined the appropriateness of those prescriptions using consensus definitions. While antibiotics were found to be always appropriate for 58.2% of upper respiratory infections, and 63.9% of urinary tract infection visits, antibiotic prescriptions were frequently filled for patients diagnosed with "never-appropriate" indications. Nearly one-third (30.6%) of patients diagnosed with otitis media (ear infection), 45.7% of those diagnosed genitourinary signs and symptoms, and 15% diagnosed with acute bronchitis received antibiotics. Glucocorticoids were considered "generally inappropriate" in 23.9% of sinusitis, 40.8% of acute bronchitis, and 11.9% of upper respiratory cases, while inappropriate opioids were prescribed in 4.6% of musculoskeletal cases, 6.3% of patients with abdominal pain and digestive symptoms, and 4.0% of patients with sprains and strains.The findings are unsurprising for antibiotics, given previous research has indicated inappropriate antibiotic prescribing is a problem in urgent care settings. But the study authors say their research indicates the problem extends beyond antibiotics, and reflects issues with clinician knowledge, patient demand, and lack of decision support. They call for future studies to focus on identifying components of urgent care-tailored stewardship programs.

Persistent symptoms common in Uganda’s Ebola Sudan survivors - An investigation into long-term health effects in patients infected with the Ebola Sudan virus in an outbreak in Uganda in 2022 and 2023 found persistent clinical symptoms as long as 2 years out, with viral RNA detected in semen and breast milk for up to 7 months after infection. An international team published its findings in a recent issue of BMC Medicine. Ebola Sudan virus, one of six ebolavirus species and distinct from the Zaire strain that triggered a large outbreak in West Africa and past outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Ebola Sudan reappeared in Uganda in September 2022 after more than a decade. It was declared over in January 2023 and resulted in 142 confirmed cases, 55 of them fatal. Using interviews and structured clinical exams, researchers tracked the clinical symptoms of 87 lab-confirmed Ebola Sudan survivors in Uganda over a 2-year period and compared the findings with the same data from 176 age-, sex-, and village-matched controls. Also, using PCR testing, they investigated viral shedding of RNA in semen and breast milk among survivors during the follow-up.Frequency of clinician symptoms was 57.4% higher in Ebola survivors, especially musculoskeletal, neurologic, and ophthalmologic. The risk ratio for occurrence was highest for ophthalmologic and central nervous system symptoms and lowest for the reproductive system. Notably, half of the survivors had multisystem symptoms, compared to the control group, that resulted in an inability to perform basic activities of living. When the team looked at viral RNA persistence in body fluids, they found traces of the virus in semen for as long as 210 days and as long as 199 days in breast milk, which they said emphasizes the risk of latency and virus reactivation. Ebola is known to persist in immune-protected sites, including the testes and eyes.

China reports more H9N2 activity -China has reported two more H9N2 cases, one from Guangdong province with a late May onset, and the other from Hubei province with a mid-June onset. The information is published in the latest weekly update from Hong Kong’s Centre for Heath Protection.The patient’s ages are not noted, which differed from the 16 previous cases of H9N2 reported by Chinese authorities in 2025. The report also did not note how the case-patients were infected, but H9N2 cases typically involve contact with infected poultry.Children have been the most affected in China’s H9N2 cases. Eleven of the 16 case-patients with known ages this year are 18 years or younger. All 18 cases in 2025 have been reported from mainland China, with the most (six) reported in Hunan province. In 2024, the country reported 11 total cases.

Cambodian boy in ICU with H5N1 avian flu infection -Cambodia today reported its thirteenth human H5N1 avian flu case of the year, part of an overall acceleration of activity that has been underway since 2023. The latest case involves a 6-year-old boy from Tbong Khumum province in the east-central part of the country, according to a health ministry Facebook post translated and posted by Avian Flu Diary, an infectious disease news blog. , Cases this year have been spread among 11 provinces, with most in the southern half of the country. The latest case marks the eighth since early June. The boy has serious symptoms, including breathing difficulties, and is hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). Investigators found that chickens were sick and dying in the boy’s village, and there were nearly 100 dead chickens at his relative’s house. The boy reportedly brought one of the dead chickens home for his grandmother to cook.H5N1 is known to circulate in Cambodian poultry, and most infected with the virus had close contact with poultry or poultry environments. Many people infected in Cambodia in recent years have had serious or fatal illnesses. Also, many of latest human cases have involved a reassortant (2.3.2.1e) between an older H5N1 clade that has circulated in Cambodia since 2014 and the newer clade 2.3.4.4b virus that is circulating globally.

Quick takes: WHO chikungunya warning, mpox in Gambia, more H5N1 in California dairy cows | CIDRAP

• A World Health Organization (WHO) official speaking at a briefing in Geneva yesterday said that urgent action is needed to prevent the escalation of chikungunya outbreaks, Agence France-Pressereported. Diana Rojas Alvarez, MD, PhD, a medical officer and arbovirus team led with the WHO, said the group is seeing the same warning signs that occurred two decades ago, when the virus swept across Indian Ocean countries. Outbreak hot spots this year have included Reunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius, with the mosquito-borne disease spreading to Madagascar, Somalia, and Kenya. She noted that South Asian countries are now reporting outbreaks and that local spread has been reported on France’s mainland and also possibly Italy.
• The Gambia’s health ministry has reported the country’s first mpox case following the detection of an infection through routine surveillance, according to a local media report that cited a health ministry press release. The country, a narrow strip of land bordered almost entirely by Senegal, is the latest in West Africa to report mpox. The confirmation lifts the number of countries in Africa reporting mpox this year to 25.
• The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) todayreported two more H5N1 avian flu detections in dairy cows, both involving herds from California. The detections bring the nation’s total since early 2024 to 1,777 from 17 states. California, the hardest-hit state, now has 770.

Minnesota officials note rise in tularemia cases in humans and pets -The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)today announced that they are tracking a rise in tularemia cases in humans and in companion animals, especially in Twin Cities residents and in cats.Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which can be found in wildlife, particularly rabbits, squirrels, beavers, muskrats and other rodents, MDH said. Pets are usually exposed through hunting those animals. Humans can also become infected through tick bites or by touching animals that have the disease. Annually, Minnesota has typically reported up to 6 human cases of the disease. But so far in 2025, five human cases of tularemia have already been identified, including two people who developed tularemia after being bitten by a tick, one after being bitten by a stray cat, and one likely exposed while mowing the lawn. MDH is investigating the likely exposure of the fifth case-patient.Tularemia can be treated by antibiotics but can cause severe illness. It cannot be spread person-to-person.

PFAS Levels in Tap Water for 73 Million People in U.S. Exceed EPA Thresholds: NRDC Report – EcoWatch (map and video) According to new map data from Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), more than 73 million people living in the U.S. are exposed to tap water with toxic levels of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.The data revealed that PFAS levels in tap water across the U.S. are higher than the safety thresholds set for these compounds by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 79% of congressional districts. Higher PFAS levels were detected in tap water in all but three states (Arkansas, Hawaii and North Dakota), NRDC reported. The maps also found higher PFAS levels in Washington, DC and all U.S. territories but American Samoa.“Tens of millions of people across the country are currently at risk of drinking hazardous levels of toxic PFAS-contaminated water, and that risk may only increase for many years to come if the EPA successfully rolls back and delays PFAS standards,” Erik Olson, senior strategic director of health at NRDC, said in a statement. “No one voted to turn on their kitchen faucet and serve their family tap water laced with toxic chemicals.”These findings are just the beginning, and contamination could be even more widespread, NRDC warned. NRDC created its maps using data from 2023 through the first quarter of 2025 from the ongoing Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) testing by the EPA, so tens of thousands of water systems in the U.S. have yet to be tested and reported. The UCMR5 has about 25% more testing to complete, meaning many more Americans could be impacted by PFAS-contaminated tap water.Further, the data only considers regulated PFAS. When including unregulated PFAS in the testing, nearly half of everyone served by tested water systems had water supplies with some level of PFAS, NRDC reported.The EPA currently has restrictions on six types of PFAS in tap water: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, GenX/HFPO-DA, PFNA and PFBS. However, the current administration has announced plans to repeal the health standards for PFHxS, GenX/HFPO-DA, PFNA and PFBS and to extend the compliance deadline for PFOA and PFOS to 2031.As such, NRDC is warning that many more people are likely to be impacted by high PFAS levels in drinking water if repeals to health standards for these compounds are successful.“The federal government knows toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are dangerous to our health and it’s well established that drinking water is a major route of exposure to PFAS for many people,” Anna Reade, director of PFAS advocacy at NRDC, said in a statement. “The PFAS crisis is immense, and we need more action, not less, to protect people from this extraordinary environmental and public health threat.”

One billion Africans being harmed by cooking pollution -One billion Africans have to cook on open fires or with fuel that is hazardous to their health and the environment, the International Energy Agency said Friday. The problem, which its report says can be easily solved, causes as much greenhouse gas emissions every year as the aviation industry. Two billion people across the world still cook on open fires or with rudimentary stoves fed by wood, charcoal, agricultural waste or manure, the IEA report found. "It is one of the greatest injustices of our time, especially in Africa," IEA head Fatih Birol told AFP, where four out of five households rely on open fires and burning wood. These fuels pollute the air both indoors and outdoors with fine particles that penetrate the lungs and cause multiple respiratory and cardiovascular problems, the report said. It also adds to the destruction of forests, natural sinks that trap carbon and help fight global warming. The IEA estimates that 815,000 premature deaths occur each year in Africa alone due to poor indoor air quality, largely resulting from a lack of access to clean cooking methods. Women and children suffer the most, spending hours each day searching for fuel and keeping the fire going. This takes time away from paid employment or education, the report said. The IEA report assesses the progress made a year after the summit and sets out a roadmap for African countries to be able to use clean cooking methods at low cost before 2040. Since 2010, nearly 1.5 billion people in Asia and Latin America, particularly in Brazil, India, and Indonesia, have got access to modern cooking stoves and fuels. But the challenge remains immense in sub-Saharan Africa, where the number of people without access to clean cooking methods continues to grow. "For once and for ever this problem can be solved with an annual investment of $2 billion per year," Birol said. He stressed that the figure "is about 0.1% of global energy investment, which is nothing". Alternative solutions are well known: electricity from solar panels, renewable gas and especially liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a fossil fuel, which, while not ideal, is preferable than the loss of carbon sinks due to tree felling, Birol said. The IEA said this would prevent 4.7 million premature deaths in sub-Saharan Africa by 2040 and reduce the continent's greenhouse gas emissions by 540 million tons per year, as much as the equivalent of the annual emissions of the global aviation sector.

Trump admin exempts major polluters from Clean Air Act --The Trump administration is exempting dozens of chemical manufacturers, oil refineries, coal plants, medical device sterilizers and other polluters from Clean Air Act rules.On Thursday, the White House announced it would exempt more than 100 plants from pollution limits established by the Biden administration.The limits are aimed at reducing the releases of toxic chemicals, including those that cause cancer. One rule that the Trump administration is exempting about 50 polluters from would have been expected to reduce cancer risks of people living within 6 miles of a chemical plant by 96 percent.The Trump administration touted its decision as being supportive of fossil fuels and manufacturing.“President Trump recognizes that overly restrictive environmental regulations undermine America’s energy reliability, economic vitality, and national security,” according to a White House fact sheet.However, the move also stands in contrast with the administration’s pledge to “make America healthy again.” “Trump’s action on behalf of big corporate polluters will cause more cancer, more birth defects, and more children to suffer asthma. The country deserves better,” Patrice Simms, vice president of litigation at Earthjustice’s Healthy Communities Program, said in a written statement. The administration issued four proclamations exempting the total of more than 100 facilities from one of four rules for two years.One proclamation exempts about 40 medical device sterilizing plants from requirements to reduce 90 percent of their emissions of cancer-causing ethylene oxide. Another exempts more than 50 chemical manufacturers and oil refineries from requirements to cut emissions of toxic chemicals including ethylene oxide and another cancer-linked chemical called chloroprene A third proclamation exempts eight producers of taconite iron ore, which is used to make steel, from requirements to reduce mercury emissions by about 33 percent. Fetal exposure to mercury is linked to brain and nervous system damage.The fourth proclamation exempts six coal plants from restrictions on releases of mercury, nickel, arsenic and lead. The Biden-era rule in question was expected to reduce exposure to substances that can cause developmental delays in children, as well as heart attacks and cancer. The Trump administration had already said it plans to overturn a wide swath of rules aimed at reducing pollution, so by the time the two-year exemptions expire, the rules in question may no longer be in place.This week’s proclamations are the second publicly announced set of exemptions issued by the Trump administration.

Ranchers in southern Mexico are struggling against a flesh-eating parasite infecting livestock (AP) — With Mexican cattle again barred this month from entry to the United States over fears of spreading a flesh-eating parasite, ranchers and veterinarians in Mexico hundreds of miles from the border are fighting what has U.S. agricultural authorities so on edge. In the southern state of Chiapas, which borders Guatemala, the New World screwworm fly’s rapid spread appears to have caught most ranchers off guard, despite memories of previous outbreaks in the 1980s and 1990s. Mexico is building a plant with U.S. support in Chiapas to produce sterile flies, which have proven effective at stopping the spread, but it won’t be ready until next year. Meanwhile, the price of medicines used to treat livestock infected with the screwworm have soared in price. That has led some to fall back on home remedies like applying gasoline or lime to open wounds to coax out the worms. In addition to the cost of the medicine, treatment requires careful monitoring and usually involves multiple courses. Any open wound, even very small ones, are an invitation to the fly to lay its eggs. Veterinarian Alfredo Chávez left Chiapas to study in 1989, so he says he missed seeing the effects of that outbreak, but now he’s seen cases multiply in his corner of the state over the past month. He’s heard of dozens of cases in the area now and treated about a dozen himself. It’s not just cows either — sheep, pigs, cats and dogs are targets as well. Armed with a pair of blue tweezers and an aerosol spray that helps draw the maggots out, Chávez moves from animal to animal. He puts maggots in plastic tubes as samples, which he provides to agricultural authorities. But beyond providing the tubes and encouraging ranchers to report cases, he said that the government hasn’t provided much help. “We’ve faced it alone,” he said Wednesday. The U.S. had just gradually started to reopen the border to cattle imports this month after an earlier suspension in May, when the Trump administration said that it would close it again after an infected animal was found in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz. While prevalent in Central America, the concern is that the fly is moving north. U.S. officials worry that if the fly reaches Texas, its maggots could cause large economic losses, something that happened decades ago.

Drug-resistant parasites threaten ranched bison herds - Research from Texas A&M University found high levels of drug-resistant parasites in ranched bison herds across Texas and Oklahoma, raising concerns for livestock health and treatment effectiveness. Parasitic worms are a pervasive problem in United States agriculture, affecting large and small ruminants such as sheep, goats and cattle. These worms—also called gastrointestinal nematodes or roundworms—feed on their host, weakening the animals' immune system and, in certain cases, causing death. Drug resistance in parasites has become increasingly problematic for herd owners seeking to protect their animals, and a new study led by Texas A&M University and the University of Calgary researchers has revealed that the problem also extends to ranched bison. "Using new molecular sequencing techniques, we identified several different species of parasites in samples from 16 ranched bison herds in Texas and Oklahoma, including the three most economically important, which are also problematic in other ruminants," said Kaylee Kipp, a doctoral candidate at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS). Those three parasite species are Haemonchus contortus, commonly known as the barber's pole worm; Haemonchus placei, a similar nematode species primarily found in cattle; and Ostertagia ostertagi, commonly known as the brown stomach worm. "In every herd sampled, we found genetic mutations within the parasites' DNA that are associated with drug resistance. These mutations had an average relative frequency of 68% resistance in O. ostertagi samples and 70% resistance in H. contortus and H. placei across bison in all 16 ranches," Kipp said. "In the case of O. ostertagi, the levels we found were significantly higher than in any previous reports, which are typically studies of cattle." While the average frequency of drug resistance mutations was around 70%, the researchers found that parasite populations from some of the herds had much higher levels of resistance. "In some samples of O. ostertagi, the parasites had 80 to 100% drug resistance," Kipp said. "We found similarly high resistance—up to 80 to 90%—in some samples of H. contortus, a parasite that is common in sheep and goats."

Insecticides in cattle feed to combat flies 'significantly lower' dung beetle populations, which control flies naturally -Anyone who has walked through a barn or cattle pasture in the summer knows that flies are a nuisance and even a health hazard. Face flies can spread diseases like pink eye to cattle, and horn flies—biting flies that live on cows and take up to 20 blood meals per day—in large enough numbers can impact animals' health and growth. But insecticides frequently used to combat these pests may actually be reinforcing the problem by killing dung beetles, which naturally control flies, and potentially harming other beneficial insects. Researchers with the Cornell Integrated Pest Management program have been working in collaboration with farms across New York state to understand how feed-through pesticides—insecticides added to cattle feed to kill flies—impact dung beetle populations. The researchers are also sharing alternative strategies to control pest species, such as using walk-through fly traps, providing shelter, and recruiting poultry to eat fly larvae.Both flies and dung beetles lay their eggs in manure pats. Larvae eat the manure and then hatch as fully-grown insects. Dung beetles control flies by competing for the same manure for food and shelter. Other species of beneficial beetles that inhabit manure include predators such as rove beetles, hister beetles and water scavenger beetles, which also eat fly larvae. And beetles' benefits go beyond fly control: When they create tunnels in manure pats and in the soil beneath them, they help break down waste more quickly and recycle nutrients back into the soil, helping to increase soil health and fertility. In the current research, Wise, et al, are exploring how two feed-through insecticides impact fly and dung beetle populations. One is a broad-spectrum insecticide and the other is an insect growth regulator (IGR), designed to kill fly maggots before they can hatch from manure pats. Cattle eat feed treated with insecticides; after passing through the animal, the products kill insects that eat or dwell in manure. While pesticide use is sometimes necessary to protect crops and livestock, overuse of these substances has repeatedly been shown to cause negative unintended consequences in the environment. For example, separate Cornell research has found that wild foraging bees exposed to certain pesticides suffer "reductions in brain function, foraging and nest locating ability, growth, and reproduction."Initial findings suggest that farms that use feed-through insecticides have "significantly lower" dung beetle populations and beetle species diversity. In addition, the research showed that horn fly numbers rarely exceeded thresholds at which treatment is needed to prevent economic loss. Face fly populations were lowered by insecticides but almost-universally exceeded problematic levels, even at farms using insecticides, suggesting the treatment was not addressing the problem, Wise said.

Rainforest clearance for cattle pasture causes far greater biodiversity loss than estimated --Researchers have conducted the world's biggest ever bird survey, recording 971 different species living in forests and cattle pastures across the South American country of Colombia. This represents almost 10% of the world's birds. They combined the results, gathered over a decade, with information on each species' sensitivity to habitat conversion to find that the biodiversity loss caused by clearing rainforest for cattle pasture is on average 60% worse than previously thought. Until now, understanding the biodiversity impact of land-use change has generally involved small-scale, local surveys. The researchers say that this approach does not represent the larger-scale damage caused to nature. When forests are converted to pasture, some species win and others lose. Measuring the biodiversity loss at a local scale does not capture the larger-scale effect of forest conversion, which is occurring across the ranges of many different species. While the same species usually survive on pastureland, a wide range of other species don't, so overall biodiversity is more severely reduced at large scale. The results are published in Nature Ecology and Evolution . , "This is a really surprising result. We found that the biodiversity loss caused by clearing rainforest for pastureland is being massively underestimated." "When people want to understand the wider impact of deforestation on biodiversity, they tend to do a local survey and extrapolate the results. But the problem is that tree clearance is occurring at massive spatial scales, across all sorts of different habitats and elevations. "When we looked at the biodiversity impact of deforestation across 13 different ecoregions in Colombia, we found a 62% greater biodiversity loss than local survey results would indicate."

Deforestation rates on Afro-descendant lands in 4 Amazon countries are as much as 55% lower than the norm: Study - Afro-descendant peoples in four Amazon countries show remarkable achievements in environmental stewardship, according to new research from Conservation International, published in Nature Communications Earth and Environment. The study assessed Afro-descendant lands in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname, finding significantly lower rates of deforestation and larger quantities of both biodiversity and irrecoverable carbon (the carbon that, if lost due to ecosystem conversion, could not be re-sequestered for at least 30 years). The paper is the first peer-reviewed study to combine statistical, spatial and historical data together to quantify the critical role of Afro-descendants in protecting nature. "Afro-descendant peoples across the Americas have long served as environmental stewards without recognition or reward—most of their territories are not even formally recognized," said Martha Cecilia Rosero Peña, Ph.D., Social Inclusion Director at Conservation International. "The evidence, however, is indisputable; the world has much to learn from their land management practices." The study focused specifically on recognized Afro-descendant lands in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname. Afro-descendant peoples in these countries hold management rights on 9.9 million ha of land (1% of the total 1 billion ha land area for the four study countries). Afro-descendant lands significantly exceeded the norm for these countries in three prominent indicators of conservation value:

• Deforestation rates for Afro-descendant lands were…
  • 29% lower when the lands were within Protected Areas
  • 36% lower when the lands were outside Protected Areas
  • 55% lower when the lands sat at the edge of a Protected Area
• More than half (56%) of Afro-descendant lands are among the top 5% globally in biodiversity, including 99% of all Afro-descendant lands in Ecuador
• These lands contain high densities of irrecoverable carbon—over 486 million tons of it collectively—and its continued protection under Afro-descendant community management is essential to preventing the worst effects of climate change

While nearly one in four people in Latin America identify as Afro-descendant, Afro-descendant peoples are largely underrepresented in global environmental forums, including UN climate and biodiversity summits, where policies, funding and leadership decisions are shaped. "For centuries, Afro-descendant communities have managed landscapes in ways that sustain both people and nature, yet their contributions remain largely invisible in mainstream conservation," said Sushma Shretha, Ph.D., director of Indigenous Science, Research, and Knowledge at Conservation International and the lead author of the paper. "This research makes clear that their environmental stewardship is not just historical. It is ongoing and it must be recognized, supported and learned from."

US, Mexico sign MOU on Tijuana River sewage crisis -The U.S. and Mexico on Thursday took collaborative steps toward curbing a long-standing, cross-border environmental crisis: the unfettered sewage flow from Tijuana into Southern California. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and his Mexican counterpart Alicia Bárcena Ibarra signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that addressed the “environmental, public health and national security consequences” of transboundary wastewater contamination. The officials expressed their intentions to “permanently stop untreated wastewater from polluting coastal communities,” while reaffirming previous commitments and endorsing new strategic projects. “What the residents of Southern California need and deserve, what they’ve been waiting for, for too long, isn’t just a solution that is a Band-Aid for that moment, but a permanent, 100 percent solution,” Zeldin told reporters from Mexico City prior to the signing. The crisis at the heart of the MOU involves the passage of polluted wastewater from Mexico into southern San Diego County via ocean plumes and the Tijuana River. This fetid flow — rife with both pathogens and toxic chemicals — stems from inadequate treatment near Tijuana. For years, these circumstances have closed down beaches and sickened Navy SEALs. Following demands from California Democrats in March that the EPA chief visit the region, Zeldin did so in April — and demanded that Mexico put a stop to the situation.

Idaho wetland battle brews after Supreme Court’s Sackett ruling -A new battle over wetlands regulations is brewing in Idaho, less than 50 miles from the property at the center of a sweeping Supreme Court ruling that erased federal protections for many wetlands.Two years ago, the high court ruled in Sackett v. EPA that only wetlands with a “continuous surface connection” to navigable waters are protected by the Clean Water Act. That case centered on a property in Bonner County, Idaho, which the court found did not contain wetlands regulated under the 1972 law. Despite this, the federal government is now trying to claim oversight of wetlands on another property in Bonner County with “striking similarities” to the one in Sackett, according to an administrative filing last week. At issue in the new case is a 4.7-acre property that the Army Corps of Engineers says contains over an acre of federally regulated wetlands.The agency is using the same logic that the court rejected in Sackett, the property owners said in their appeal of the Army Corps’ determination. They are represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation, the law firm that litigated the Sackett case and frequently represents individuals and businesses challenging environmental laws.The case is one of a handful across the country in which the Army Corps and EPA are essentially failing to comply with the ruling, Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Charles Yates said in an interview. He described the lot in the new case as “materially identical” to the one in Sackett.“What the Corps has done here is, just like in the Sackett case, they’re alleging that there’s a subsurface connection between alleged wetlands on our clients’ lot and the wetlands to the north of the lot, which connect to the tributary,” Yates said.That’s despite the wetlands in question being separated by a road, he added.Army Corps spokesperson Doug Garman said in an email that the agency continues to implement the Clean Water Act in a way that’s consistent with “all applicable regulations and guidance provided” by EPA. In the agency’s determination for the Idaho property in May, it stated that that the Bonner County property contains wetlands that are part of a larger “wetland complex” adjacent to a tributary.The Clean Water Act only protects wetlands and waters that are considered “waters of the U.S.” The law requires that anyone seeking to alter or pollute those waters first obtain approval from the Army Corps.Exactly which wetlands are covered by the law has long been a matter of dispute. Sackett likely stripped protections for many wetlands that are visibly isolated from rivers, streams, lakes and the ocean. Still, scientists say that all wetlands play a critical role in preserving water quality and reducing flood damages.The dispute in Idaho comes as the Trump administration is developing a new regulation that could further narrow the scope of the Clean Water Act. EPA and the Army Corps plan to propose the new regulation later this year.

Yellowstone aspen showing signs of recovery following 1995 reintroduction of wolves to park --Yellowstone National Park is celebrating an ecological milestone along with a key anniversary this summer, Oregon State University researchers report. A paper published in Forest Ecology and Management documents the first new generation of overstory aspen trees in Yellowstone's northern range in 80 years, three decades after wolves were reintroduced to the nation's oldest national park. Without predation pressure from wolves, which had been extirpated from the park by 1930, elk populations grew to the point that their browsing was thwarting the growth of young aspen. The ecosystem effects were widespread as aspen stands support a range of species, including beavers and cavity-nesting birds. With wolves back in the mix along with bears and cougars, a nearly extirpated predator whose numbers increased along with wolf reintroduction, elk numbers have been reduced and aspen are once again working toward becoming full-grown trees. "The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades," said the study's lead author, Luke Painter, who teaches ecology and conservation in the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences. "About a third of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout, a remarkable change from the 1990s when surveys found none at all." Another third of the surveyed stands had patches of tall saplings growing into new overstory trees, he added, and the rest remained suppressed by herbivory.

Reclamation weighing Colorado River flows - The Bureau of Reclamation is weighing whether it can send more than half of the Colorado River’s flows to California and other Lower Basin states each year as part of a new operating plan for the drought-stricken waterway, Wyoming state officials revealed Monday.Members of the Wyoming Colorado River Advisory Committee on Monday discussed ongoing negotiations for a new long-term operating plan for the waterway at a meeting in Green River, Wyoming.The seven states that share the drought-stricken river — Arizona, California and Wyoming in the Lower Basin and Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming in the Upper Basin — have recently coalesced over a concept known as “natural flow,” as they look to reach agreement before a November deadline set by the Bureau of Reclamation.Among the key points that have yet to be settled, however, is how much water each basin can use annually and what must remain in storage in the reservoirs and to provide hydropower.

Dense mats of decomposing sargassum invade Dania Beach, Florida – (video) Thick accumulations of decomposing sargassum seaweed washed ashore in Dania Beach, Florida on July 23, 2025, releasing hydrogen sulfide odors and prompting cleanup efforts. The event was part of a broader seasonal trend affecting Florida’s coastlines, driven by ocean currents and wind patterns transporting offshore blooms inland. Observations from the site showed expansive brown mats covering the shoreline, releasing hydrogen sulfide as decomposition progressed under high ambient temperatures. Brandy Campbell of FOX Weather reported on-site, noting the extent of the stranding and the odor, often likened to rotten eggs. The conditions deterred typical beach activity, leaving the sands nearly deserted despite the summer season. This local impact is part of a broader Atlantic-wide phenomenon. The University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab reported approximately 38 million metric tons of sargassum present in the Atlantic basin in May 2025, the highest volume recorded since satellite monitoring began in 2011. That figure exceeds the previous peak by 42% and reflects contributions from both the eastern Atlantic (off Africa and Brazil) and the Caribbean. The mass of floating macroalgae, known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is composed largely of Sargassum fluitans and Sargassum natans. These species proliferate in nutrient-rich, warm waters. The growth is sustained by runoff from the Amazon and West African rivers, combined with ocean circulation patterns and rising sea surface temperatures. The transport of sargassum to Dania Beach was driven by an easterly swell, a common vector during Florida’s summer months. Once onshore, the seaweed begins to rot, producing hydrogen sulfide gas. While not toxic at typical beach concentrations, this gas can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory systems of sensitive individuals, particularly those with asthma.

Australia’s worst toxic algae bloom in decades kills over 14 000 marine animals - A toxic algal bloom affecting South Australia’s coastline since March 2025 has killed more than 14 000 marine animals and spread across over 5 000 km² (1 930 mi²), prompting the state government to declare a natural disaster. Experts describe it as one of the worst harmful algal bloom (HAB) events in Australia’s recorded history. Satellite image showing elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations along the coast of South Australia on July 17, 2025. Red and orange areas indicate high phytoplankton density, consistent with the ongoing harmful algal bloom in the region. Credit: NASA Terra/MODIS, The Watchers A toxic bloom of the dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi has affected South Australia’s coast since March 2025, killing at least 14 000 marine animals and covering an estimated area of over 5 000 km² (1 930 mi²). The bloom, which was initially expected to recede in winter, has expanded through the Gulf of St Vincent, including beaches adjacent to Adelaide. Local marine ecosystems have experienced what experts describe as one of the worst harmful algal bloom (HAB) events in Australia’s recorded history. The event has resulted in the mass deaths of at least 458 marine species. These include common finfish, sharks, rays, turtles, penguins, and the rare leafy (Phycodurus eques) and weedy (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) seadragons, slow-dispersing fish endemic to southern Australia. Observations compiled by citizen scientists via iNaturalist and scientific investigations suggest mortality extends into deep ma Karenia mikimotoi is a naturally occurring marine dinoflagellate, but under certain conditions it rapidly proliferates into blooms that produce reactive oxygen species and consume dissolved oxygen. The result is often a hypoxic environment causing widespread gill and neurological damage in marine organisms. Its ability to move vertically in the water column enables prolonged survival and dispersal. Ocean surface temperatures in the region have remained 2.5°C (4.5°F) above average for months, with calm weather conditions preventing natural ocean mixing. These factors have promoted thermal stratification, enabling the bloom to sustain and expand.

Ocean warming slows growth of even hardy Caribbean coral species - A long-term study investigating the growth of corals in the Caribbean over the past century has shown that even stress-tolerant species of corals are finding it difficult to adapt to increasing ocean temperatures and other human-induced factors such as coastal pollution and overfishing. An international team of scientists led by researchers from Freie Universität Berlin has revealed a sobering reduction in coral calcification rates, a development that will have far-reaching consequences for marine and coastal ecosystems. Their study, "Emerging Skeletal Growth Responses of Siderastrea Siderea Corals to Multidecadal Anthropogenic Impacts in Martinique, Caribbean Sea," was recently published in Scientific Reports. Tropical corals are struggling to build solid reef structures. Even those species once thought to be especially resilient are now showing signs of decline. In a new study, researchers reconstructed more than one hundred years of growth in the Caribbean coral Siderastrea siderea using samples collected off the coast of Martinique. The findings reveal a steady drop in calcification rates throughout most of the 20th century, with a sharp downturn beginning in the 1980s as marine heat waves—driven by human-caused climate change—became more frequent. One of the study's most concerning findings is the sharp decline in coral skeletal density between 2010 and 2020—a drop of 10.5%. This points to structural weakening caused by multiple interacting stressors. Signs of decline have been visible since the 1950s, when reef growth rates began to slow. At the time, scientists primarily linked the trend to local pressures such as coastal development and water pollution. "Our study shows that while local protection measures remain important, they won't be enough on their own," says Gabriel Cardoso, coral researcher at Freie Universität Berlin's Institute of Geological Sciences and first author of the study. "Without a significant reduction in global CO₂ emissions, even the most resilient coral species—and the reefs they build—will be at serious risk in the long term. "The consequences could be severe. Coral reefs help protect against coastal erosion, provide habitats for countless marine organisms, and support livelihoods through fishing and tourism."

FEMA chief defends response to Texas flood crisis - David Richardson, acting leader of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on Wednesday defended his agency’s response to deadly Texas floods despite pushback from lawmakers. During a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing, Richardson said he “can’t see anything” FEMA did wrong in its response to the July 4 floods that killed 135 people. His comments come despite bipartisan criticism and news reports suggesting the agency was slow to act and that the Trump administration’s austere policies delayed response times.A particular point of contention in the hearing was a New York Times report that said call center contractors were laid off after their contracts ended July 5. On July 6, FEMA answered only 35.8 percent of calls, according to the Times, while on July 7, it answered only 15.9 percent.Richardson called the report “fake news” and said “the vast majority of phone calls were answered.”The article, one of several that raised questions about the Trump administration’s response to the Texas floods, pointed to a new policy that reportedly requires Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem herself to approve expenses more than $100,000. CNN reported Noem didn’t authorize FEMA’s urban search and rescue teams until three days after the flooding began. Meanwhile, Richardson did not visit the site of the floods in the days that followed it, according to E&E News.He told lawmakers Wednesday there had been an urban search and rescue team “on the deck” in Texas on July 4 but that it took the state several days to request assistance. “The disaster declaration didn’t come in until Sunday, and then Monday they requested and the support was there within 24 hours.”Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) responded that 24 hours “seems like a long time to wait” and asked whether that was standard. “They get there as quickly as possible,” Richardson responded, adding that those particular teams came from Colorado and Missouri.

House committee releases bipartisan FEMA overhaul bill - Bipartisan House leaders introduced a bill Thursday that would overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency even as the Trump administration mulls its future.Both parties have eyed big changes to FEMA for years now, with the aim of streamlining disaster assistance. The “Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act,” H.R. 4669, could be the best chance to get something done this Congress. The legislation is being led by Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and ranking member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.). It would make FEMA an independent agency, with the administrator reporting directly to the president. FEMA is currently housed under the Department of Homeland Security. The bill also includes a litany of provisions to streamline the grant application process for states and individuals, increase coordination across the federal government and set up accountability measures including an inspector general for FEMA.

Texas lawmakers slam local decision to cut taxes instead of funding flood alerts -Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing the Upper Guadalupe River Authority’s decision to use a funding surplus to lower property taxes rather than improve flood warning systems.The local river authority covers only Kerr County, the region hardest hit by the deadly July 4 floods. As first reported Wednesday in the Houston Chronicle, the agency had $3.4 million in reserves but spent only $100,000 of it on flood warning upgrades. Most of the funds went to cut the property tax it levies in order to manage the river.The river authority also declined in 2024 to pursue an offer from the Texas Water Development Board to apply for a $50,000 grant and a $950,000 zero-interest loan to pay for upgrades to the flood warning systems. Lawmakers lambasted the authority Wednesday for what they characterized as misplaced priorities.

‘Biggest, baddest’ rainfall events are getting worse - Texas hill country. Central North Carolina. New Mexico. Chicago. Kansas City. New York. Flash floods have wreaked havoc across the country this summer, transcending geography, topography and the built environment from the rural Southwest to the largest cities in the Midwest and Northeast. The outcomes have been fueled, in each case, by slightly different factors. Hard concrete surfaces in Chicago and New York forced rainwater to pool in the streets or pour into the subways. Wildfire scars near Ruidoso, New Mexico, left the soil loose and vulnerable to floods. Hilly terrain in Kerr County, Texas, sent runoff cascading into the nearby Guadalupe River, which swiftly overflowed its banks.But a common ingredient triggered them all: explosions of torrential — and in some cases, record-breaking — rainfall.These heavy precipitation events are among the clearest symptoms of climate change, scientists say. Copious studies warn that they’re already happening more often and becoming more intense, and they’ll continue to worsen as global temperatures rise.And the most catastrophic rainfall events may be worsening the fastest, some experts say. “The biggest, baddest, rarest extreme precipitation events are precisely those which are going to increase the most in a warming climate,” Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the California Institute for Water Resources, said in a live YouTube talk shortly after the Texas floods struck in July. “There is really abundant scientific evidence for this at this point.” Intensifying rainfall events are the product of simple physics, scientists explain. A warmer atmosphere can hold more water, increasing the odds that moisture-laden clouds will drop rainfall bombs when they burst. That rule has been well established for nearly 200 years. A 19th-century equation known as the Clausius-Clapeyron relation — still widely referenced by researchers today — dictates that air can hold about 7 percent more moisture with every degree Celsius of warming. But in recent years, scientists have noticed an alarming trend. Extreme storms in some parts of the world appear to be defying the Clausius-Clapeyron relation, producing far more rainfall as temperatures rise than the equation would predict. One recent study examined the influence of climate change on the unusually active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. It noted that extreme short-term rainfall rates produced by the 2020 storms appear to have scaled at about twice the rate suggested by the Clausius-Clapeyron relation, given that climate change has warmed the Atlantic Ocean basin by as much as 0.9 degrees Celsius.In general, there’s increasing evidence that the “most intense convective downpours — meaning the heaviest torrential rain events from thunderstorms, specifically — are already increasing at a rate that greatly exceeds that of other types of precipitation,” Swain said.One recent study warns that long-lasting summer weather patterns, such as extended heat waves or lingering storms, are on the rise — and physical changes in the atmosphere, driven by global warming, may be to blame. When already heavy rainfall events stall in place, they can dump massive volumes of water on a single location, triggering life-threatening floods. Put together, the science suggests that communities should prepare for record-breaking storms and flash flood events to continue worsening across the U.S., researchers warn. These events have been “significantly underestimated as a hazard in a warming climate,” Swain said in his YouTube talk. “There’s a lot of evidence right now with the most recent science … that these are precisely the kinds of events that are going to increase the most, and in fact already are, and much faster than ‘ordinary’ precipitation events.”

At least 14 dead and thousands displaced after heavy monsoon rains in South Korea – (6+ hour video) Torrential rains between July 16 and 20, 2025, caused widespread flooding and landslides across central and southern South Korea, killing at least 14 people, displacing thousands, and damaging key infrastructure. Some regions recorded nearly 800 mm (31.5 inches) of rain in less than five days, with hourly rainfall rates exceeding 115 mm (4.5 inches), prompting the highest-level landslide and flood alerts nationwide. A prolonged period of intense rainfall affected much of South Korea from July 16 to 20, resulting in at least 14 confirmed fatalities, 12 missing persons, and widespread displacement. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) classified the event as one of the most severe monsoon deluges in recent years, with hourly rainfall peaks in Seosan reaching 115 mm (4.5 inches), a threshold described as “once-in-a-century.” The highest rainfall totals were reported in Sancheong County, where cumulative precipitation approached 800 mm (31.5 inches). Other areas, including Seosan, Osan, Gwangju, and Gapyeong, recorded between 400–600 mm (15.7–23.6 inches) over the same period. The KMA maintained red-level warnings for landslides and flash floods across multiple provinces throughout the event. Most fatalities occurred due to house collapses, landslides, and submerged vehicles. In Sancheong alone, 8 people were confirmed dead and 6 others remained missing as of July 20. Additional deaths were reported in Gapyeong, Osan, and Gwangju, where a retaining wall collapse and basement flooding claimed lives. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), at least 3 840 residents remained in evacuation shelters as of July 20, with cumulative displacement figures exceeding 7 000 during the peak of the event. Damage assessments in a single province indicated destruction to over 641 buildings, 388 roads, and 59 farms. On July 20, Yoon Ho-joong was appointed Minister of the Interior and Safety and immediately chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (중대본) meeting in Sejong. He ordered local governments to prioritize the prevention of secondary casualties in unstable zones and directed ministries to accelerate relief distribution to evacuees. Yoon also instructed authorities to prepare for rising temperatures and potential heatwaves in affected regions, emphasizing vector control and infection prevention. Safety patrols were reinforced near rivers and valleys frequented by summer tourists.

South Korea rain death toll hits 17, with 11 missing -Heavy rain in South Korea has killed at least 17 people in recent days, government records showed Sunday, while 11 remain unaccounted for in the intense downpours. South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July and is usually well-prepared. But this week, the country's southern regions were hit with some of the heaviest hourly rainfall on record, according to official data. There was also a dangerous deluge in the north early Sunday, with close to 170 millimeters (6.7 inches) of rain hitting Gapyeong county in Gyeonggi province, east of the capital Seoul, leaving at least two dead and five missing. The number of casualties rose throughout the day as bodies of those previously reported missing—many swept away in landslides—were recovered. A woman in her 70s was killed when her house collapsed in a landslide, while the body of a man in his 40s was found near a bridge after he drowned, Yonhap news agency reported. The total number of deaths from the five-day deluge now stands at at least 17, with 11 missing, according to interior ministry data as of Sunday evening. Most of the deaths occurred in the southern county of Sancheong, which has seen nearly 800 millimeters of rain since Wednesday. With the bodies of those who had gone missing retrieved on Sunday, the number of deaths in the rural county of 33,000 rose to 10, with four still unaccounted for. Scientists say climate change has made extreme weather events more frequent and intense around the world. In 2022, South Korea endured record-breaking rains and flooding, which killed at least 11 people. They included three people who died trapped in a Seoul basement apartment of the kind that became internationally known because of the Oscar-winning Korean film "Parasite". The government said at the time that the rainfall was the heaviest since records began, blaming climate change for the extreme weather.

Moscow hit by record 91 mm (3.6 inches) rainfall in 12 hours, flooding roads and metro stations - (videos) A record-breaking 91 mm (3.6 inches) of rain fell on Moscow, Russia during the night of July 21, 2025, marking the wettest July 21 on record. According to meteorologist Tatyana Pozdnyakova, the rainfall exceeded the previous July 21 record of 39.5 mm (1.6 inches), set in 2000, and became the heaviest for that calendar date since measurements began in 1879. The rainfall began during the late evening of July 20 and intensified overnight, leading to flash flooding across major roadways and transport hubs. The Moscow Department of Transport reported significant delays and closures on arterial roads, including segments of the MKAD, Third Ring Road, and Dmitrovskoye Highway. In some locations, stormwater exceeded drainage capacity, fully submerging underpasses and low-lying intersections. Several entrances to Moscow Metro stations were closed due to surface water inflows, while trains on surface-level lines experienced minor delays. Videos shared on social media showed water cascading down stairways and accumulating in concourse areas. YouTube video Drainage teams from Mosvodostok worked overnight in emergency response mode to clear blocked storm grates and pump out flooded pedestrian tunnels. City officials confirmed that dozens of teams were deployed to mitigate urban flooding and restore transit access before the morning rush hour. Moscow’s three major airports, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo, continued operations, though several flights were delayed or rerouted due to visibility and weather-related ground traffic restrictions. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM) issued a yellow-level weather hazard alert, citing the potential for continued rainfall and wind gusts up to 83 km/h (52 mph). Authorities advised residents to avoid underground garages, park vehicles away from trees, and limit travel during periods of intense precipitation.watchers.news

Floods and landslides hit Fuzhou, China after 296 mm (11.65 inches) of rain in 12 hours – (videos) A total of 296 mm (11.65 inches) of rain fell in just 12 hours, triggering widespread flooding and a landslide that blocked a tunnel in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China on July 21, 2025. Very heavy rainfall inundated parts of eastern China today, with Lianjiang County in Fuzhou, Fujian Province recording 296 mm (11.65 inches) of rain within just 12 hours. The extreme rainfall event caused widespread flooding in residential and commercial zones, overwhelmed underground infrastructure, and triggered a landslide that blocked a tunnel in central Fuzhou. Local footage and witness reports confirm significant submersion of underground parking garages across Lianjiang County. In multiple areas, vehicles were fully submerged under floodwater. Surface streets were also heavily affected, with torrents of water carrying vehicles downstream. The intense rainfall saturated the soil and led to slope failure near one of Fuzhou’s road tunnels, which subsequently became completely obstructed by a landslide. The tunnel entrance was buried in debris, with no immediate access for vehicles or emergency teams. Fujian’s Meteorological Bureau issued an orange rainstorm warning prior to the event, the second-highest level in China’s four-tier color-coded system. Author profile

Year’s worth of rain in 24 hours causes severe flooding in northern China -(video) Record-breaking rainfall hit Yi County, Baoding City, northern China, on July 25, 2025, delivering nearly a year’s worth of precipitation in just 24 hours and forcing the evacuation of over 19 000. According to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), 448.7 mm (17.6 inches) of rain fell in Yi County, western Baoding, in the 24-hour period from 06:00 local time (LT) on July 24 to 06:00 LT on July 25. It was the highest single day rainfall on record for the area. Local reports indicate that nearly all of the rainfall occurred in the 12 hours leading to the morning of July 25. Meanwhile, the highest hourly rainfall intensity was recorded in Renyizhuang village, with 98.1 mm (3.8 inches). Multiple stations in Baoding and neighboring Zhuozhou reported their highest daily precipitation totals on July 25. The regional flood control headquarters raised emergency alert levels and maintained a red warning for continued heavy rainfall. Fuping County, Hebei Province, was also hit by heavy rain on the afternoon of July 25, with rainfall reaching 125.9 mm (4.9 inches) in one hour. Heavy rainfall had begun impacting the region early on July 24, with Shijiazhuang recording 201 mm (7.91 inches) in 6 hours, causing waterlogging on some roads during the morning Flash floods inundated homes and submerged roads across western Hebei, prompting large-scale evacuations. In some villages, floodwaters reached depths of up to 2 m (6.6 feet), forcing residents to evacuate to rooftops. River levels surged overnight, sweeping away vehicles, household appliances and causing significant property damage. According to provincial authorities, at least 19 453 residents from 6 171 households were relocated to emergency shelters by 12:00 LT on July 25. However, details on the locations of the emergency shelters were not disclosed. At the peak of the flooding, Yi County experienced widespread power outages and road washouts in several villages. In adjacent districts such as Zhuozhou, multiple bridges were cut off by floodwaters, further complicating rescue and relief operations.

Severe thunderstorms drop month’s worth of rain in 1 hour over Aisne, causing floods and hail damage across France - Severe storms dropped 70–80 mm (2.8–3.1 inches) of rain in just 1 hour over Bohain-en-Vermandois, Aisne, France on July 23, 2025, causing severe local flooding and damage. Widespread thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and hail continued into July 24, affecting parts of northern and central France, including Île-de-France, Loiret, Nièvre, and Yonne. satellite image europe 1545 utc on july 23 2025 Image credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat, Zoom Earth, The Watchers. Acquired at 15:45 UTC on July 23, 2025 A series of violent thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall accompanied by hail to northern and central France on Wednesday, July 23 and continued into July 24. The most intense rainfall occurred in Bohain-en-Vermandois, Aisne, where a stationary storm dumped between 70–80 mm (2.8–3.1 inches) of rain in approximately one hour, equivalent to a full month’s worth of rain in the area. According to local authorities, floodwaters rapidly inundated streets, submerging vehicles and damaging infrastructure. Emergency services deployed 36 firefighters and 11 rescue vehicles. One person was evacuated from their home, while ten others were relocated from a sports hall to a nearby gymnasium. Two commercial properties reported minor material damage. Météo-France maintained an orange-level vigilance for rain–flood risk in 14 departments on July 23 and 24, including Aisne, Seine-et-Marne, Essonne, and the inner Paris region. The alert remained active until 20:00 LT for several areas. Forecasts indicated rainfall totals of 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 inches), with local accumulations reaching up to 80 mm (3.1 inches).

At least 6 dead and 15 missing as floods strike Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan - (videos) At least 6 people were killed and 15 others reported missing after floods struck parts of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 21, 2025. Rainfall totals reached 145 mm (5.7 inches) in Saidpur, triggering multiple wall collapses and widespread damage. Deadly floods struck Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Rawalpindi after parts of the region received 145 mm (5.7 inches) of rain in just 3.5 hours on the evening of July 21. Flash floods claimed at least three lives after eight vehicles were swept away by floodwaters in the Gilgit-Baltistan region on July 21. According to Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Firaq, three bodies were recovered from the debris, while four people were transported to a hospital in Chilas. At least 15 others remain missing after the incident, while those rescued are being provided with medical assistance. Saidpur village in Islamabad Capital Territory was the worst affected, receiving 145 mm (5.7 inches) of rainfall between 14:50 and 18:20 local time on July 21. Meanwhile, Golra recorded 46 mm (1.8 inches) of rainfall during the same period. The flooding caused widespread damage, swept away multiple vehicles and caused walls, bridges and other structures to collapse across the affected areas. In a separate incident in Swat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three children died, and their mother was critically injured when their roof collapsed during heavy rains in Madyan’s Gujjar Banda area on the night of July 21. Rescue 1122 North Region spokesperson Shafiqa Gul stated that the collapse was caused by the heavy rainfall. “Three siblings and their mother were critically injured and moved to Civil Hospital Madyan for treatment,” she said. “The rescue team was dispatched promptly and reached the site as soon as we received the call.” Medical personnel later confirmed that all three children had died from their injuries, while their mother remains in critical condition.

Tropical Storm Wipha hits Vietnam as Philippines flood displaces thousands -- Wipha – typhoon downgraded to tropical storm – has made landfall in northern Vietnam, bringing strong winds and heavy rains that left five people dead and displaced thousands over the weekend in the nearby Philippines. The storm – classified as a typhoon on Monday while over open water – came ashore at 10am (03:00 GMT) on Tuesday with maximum sustained winds of 102km/h (63mph), according to local weather officials. After landfall, it began moving southwest. The storm knocked out power in parts of Hung Yen province, east of Hanoi. Residents rushed to petrol stations to buy fuel for generators, state media reported. The streets of the capital city, Hanoi, were nearly empty as the storm moved inland. Most businesses were closed, and the city government has advised residents to stay home and evacuate buildings that are unstable or in flood-prone areas. No casualties or damage have been reported so far in Vietnam, while an estimated 350,000 Vietnamese soldiers are on standby as the country’s weather agency expects up to 500mm (about 20 inches) of rainfall, which could cause dangerous flooding and landslides. Nearly 150,000 hectares (370,000 acres) of aquaculture farms and more than 20,000 floating fish cages are at risk from flooding and strong winds, according to state media. Floodwaters driven by torrential rains in the aftermath of Wipha brought much of life in the Philippine capital, Manila, to a halt earlier on Tuesday, with tens of thousands evacuated from their homes and at least two people believed missing. Schools and government offices remained closed in Manila and surrounding provinces after a night of rain that saw the region’s Marikina River burst its banks. More than 23,000 people living along the river were evacuated, who took shelter in schools, village halls and covered courtyards. About 25,000 others were evacuated in the metropolitan area’s Quezon and Caloocan cities. An elderly woman and her driver were swept down a swollen stream as they attempted to cross a bridge in Caloocan, John Paul Nietes, an emergency operations centre assistant supervisor , told the AFP news agency. “Their car was recovered last night. The rescue operation is continuing, but as of today, they haven’t found either of them,” he said. According to the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, five people were killed as of Monday, and at least another five were injured following Wipha, local news outlet Enquirer.net reported. Seven people are missing, according to the council.

Typhoon Co-may (Emong) makes second landfall in Ilocos Sur, heavy rains kill 25 in Philippines - Typhoon Co-may (Emong) made its second landfall in Candon City, Ilocos Sur at 05:10 local time on July 25, 2025, weakening into a severe tropical storm as it crossed the Cordillera Administrative Region. At least 25 people have died and 8 remain missing in the Philippines following severe flooding and landslides triggered by southwest monsoon rains enhanced by tropical cyclones Wipha, Co-may and Francisco over the past 10 days. Typhoon Co-may, locally known as Emong, made its second landfall in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, at 05:10 local time (LT) on July 25, weakening into a severe tropical storm as it crossed the mountainous terrain of the Cordillera Administrative Region. In its 08:00 LT bulletin on July 25, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Emong was in the vicinity of San Isidro, Abra by 07:00 LT. Sustained winds near the center decreased from 120 km/h (75 mph) to 100 km/h (62 mph), with maximum gusts of 165 km/h (103 mph). Its minimum central pressure rose from 975 hPa to 985 hPa following landfall. Satellite loop of Typhoon Co-may (Emong) making landfall over Ilocos Sur in Philippines on July 25, 2025. Credit JMA/Himwari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers. tropical cyclone co-may jtwc forecast track july 25 2025 Tropical Storm Co-may JTWC forecast track at 09:00 UTC on July 25, 2025 The storm made its initial landfall in Agno, Pangasinan at 22:40 LT on July 24 before moving toward Ilocos Sur on July 25. It is the strongest tropical cyclone to impact this region of the Philippines in 16 years. No immediate reports of deaths or injuries directly caused by Co-may, the fifth weather disturbance to affect the Philippines since the rainy season began last month, have been received. Forecasters expect more than a dozen tropical storms to affect the country for the remainder of the year. The presence of Typhoon Co-may and Tropical Storm Francisco enhanced the southwest monsoon, locally known as Habagat. This has brought heavy rains and severe flooding to parts of the Philippines, with approximately 1 000 mm (40 inches) of rainfall recorded in some areas since last week.

Abrupt climate shifts likely as global temperatures keep rising - - As temperatures, biodiversity losses, and sea levels rise globally, scientists are concerned about the likelihood of abrupt climatic shifts occurring, particularly within sensitive subsystems of the climate system such as the Amazon rainforest, Antarctic sea ice, and the Tibetan Plateau. Abrupt shifts can manifest as, for example, large and sudden changes in the rate of precipitation in a monsoon system, ice melt in Antarctica, or permafrost thaw in the Northern Hemisphere. Terpstra and team sought to identify abrupt shifts that might occur in the future, focusing on climate subsystems discussed in the 2023 Global Tipping Points Report. Published in the journal AGU Advances, the team examined outputs from 57 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). All the models simulated a climate change scenario over 150 years, with carbon dioxide concentration increasing by 1% annually until it reached 4 times preindustrial levels.They then applied a method called Canny edge detection, which was originally created to identify edges in computer images, to the modeled climate data. In this case, they used it to detect edges, or points in time and space, where abrupt changes occurred within a decade across 82 variables, such as sea surface salinity, soil moisture content, and carbon mass in vegetation and soil. Prior research used a similar method to scan for edges in climate data, but not at the subsystem scale.Although the researchers observed large variations among the model scenarios, 48 of the 57 showed an abrupt shift in at least one subsystem over the modeled period. Monsoon systems were outliers: Only one model indicated an abrupt shift in the Indian summer monsoon, and none indicated abrupt shifts in the South American and West African monsoons.They also found that the more global warming a model simulated, the higher the likelihood was of abrupt shifts happening. At 1.5°C above average preindustrial temperatures, the target limit set by the Paris climate agreement, the researchers found that 6 out of 10 studied climate subsystems showed large-scale abrupt shifts across multiple models.

Canada wildfires burn area the size of Croatia - Canada's wildfires have burned more than 13.6 million acres (5.5 million hectares) this year, an area roughly the size of Croatia, officials said Friday as the country endures one of its most destructive fire seasons. In 2023, Canada's worst-ever fire season, 42.9 million acres of land were scorched, an extraordinary scale of damage that focused international attention on the growing threat of wildfires boosted by human-induced climate change. Canada has counted some 3,000 wildfires in 2025, with 561 burning as of Friday, according to official figures. "This is one of the highest cumulative areas burned for this time of year, behind the record setting fire season of 2023," an official with Canada's natural resources ministry, Michael Norton, told reporters. But, he added, "unlike 2023, when fire activity didn't level off, what we're seeing this year is a more normal pattern of burning." According to figures dating back to 1983, Canada's second most destructive fire season was 1995, when 17.5 million acres burned, a mark that may be passed this year. Elevated temperatures and dry conditions led to a difficult spring this year, particularly in the central provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. While the intensity of fire activity diminished in June, officials warned the coming two months tend to be the most active nationally, with conditions favorable for burning expected in several areas, including the western province of British Columbia. Indigenous Canadians have been disproportionately impacted, with 39,000 First Nation residents displaced so far this year. In recent years, Canada has experienced warming at least twice as fast as the rest of the globe. Linked to climate change, rising temperatures lead to reduced snow, shorter and milder winters, and earlier summer conditions that are conducive to fires, experts say.

Cram Fire in Oregon nears 40 500 ha (100 000 acres), becomes largest active wildfire in U.S. – ( YouTube videos) Cram Fire has scorched 39 540 ha (97 700 acres) since igniting on July 13, 2025, near Willowdale, Jefferson County, Oregon, and is currently the largest active wildfire in the U.S. The Cram Fire has burned approximately 39 540 ha (97 700 acres) in central Oregon as of July 22, destroying 2 homes and 14 outbuildings. The fire started on July 13 near Willowdale, Jefferson County. It is currently 73% contained. The blaze has affected rugged terrain about 24 km (15 miles) north of Madras. Updated assessments revealed that two previously identified residences were outbuildings. Additional losses include barns, sheds, workshops, and pump houses. Nearly 950 personnel continue suppression efforts, although some firefighting resources are being demobilized due to reduced threat levels. Cooler temperatures and light rainfall over the weekend have supported containment. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecast through July 23. YouTube video Unified command is transitioning from Incident Management Team 10 to Northwest Team 3. Aerial reconnaissance on July 21 showed minimal heat across the perimeter, with bucket drops deemed unnecessary. Resources were redirected to nearby wildfires at Butte Creek and Greeley Heights. Evacuation orders remain in effect across Jefferson, Wasco, and Crook counties, with some zones recently downgraded. Official maps are available via local sheriff departments. No fatalities have been reported. The Cram Fire is the largest wildfire in the United States so far in 2025. It is nearing the 40 500 ha (100 000 acres) threshold used to define a megafire. Recent years have seen increasing frequency of such events due to prolonged drought and warming trends in the western U.S.

New remains bring California wildfire toll to 31– The death toll from January’s historic and devastating Southern California wildfires continues to rise. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office announced that additional human remains were located at a home in Altadena. Crews responding to the area Monday quickly determined that the suspected remains were human and directly related to the Eaton Fire. The discovery marked the first new wildfire victim found since April 2. This yet-to-be-identified person has since been added to L.A. County’s ongoing list of victims from January’s wildfires. The current tally is 31 deaths, including 12 in the Palisades Fire and now 19 in the Eaton Fire. The Medical Examiner’s Office relies on complex scientific methods to identify human remains which are typically in poor condition from the fires. Scientists utilize dental records, DNA comparisons, radiographs, prosthetic serial numbers and other techniques to identify any remains that come into their possession. The Medical Examiner’s Office also works with local law enforcement to cross-reference missing persons reports to narrow the search. “Due to the complexity of these methods and the process, it can take considerable time to confirm a decedent’s identity in these types of cases,” officials said.

Firefighter Shortage Across U.S. Poses ‘Dangerous’ Risks as Peak Wildfire Season Ramps Up - More than one-quarter of United States Forest Service (USFS) firefighting positions are vacant, creating shortages as extreme conditions lead to wildfires across the country, internal data reviewed by The Guardian has revealed.USFS Chief Tom Schultz has repeatedly reassured the public and lawmakers that the agency is prepared for the high amount of wildfire activity predicted this year.“The agency saying it is ‘fully staffed’ is dangerous,” a squad leader who is familiar with the data said. “Maxing out 19-year-olds with no qualifications isn’t the best strategy.” With more than 41,000 wildfires already this year, the 5,100 unfilled positions — 26 percent of the USFS firefighting force — are especially concerning for regions like the Pacific Northwest that are facing extremely high wildfire risk in 2025. USFS staffing reports from July 17 show a USFS vacancy rate of 39 percent during a year that has been almost 31 percent busier than average in terms of wildfire activity.In the Intermountain region — the nation’s largest with nearly 34 million forested acres across parts of Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, California and Idaho — staff shortages are at almost 37 percent. In Oregon and New Mexico, firefighters have described being pulled away from fire lines to do administrative tasks due toinsufficient support staff, reported Reuters. “There is definitely a lot of tension in the system this season,” said one fire captain, as The Guardian reported. “It’s sort of like that medieval torture device that stretched people – just one more crank.” There have been reports of forest service crews having less than half the staff needed to be considered fully operational. Six U.S. firefighters who asked to remain anonymous due to being barred from speaking publicly said staffing shortages had made it harder for firefighters to suppress large wildfires and have contributed to more risks and injuries for those working on the ground.Many of the vacant positions are in leadership and middle management, which leaves crucial gaps in tactical planning and experience.“We can’t send [a crew] without supervision because it is unsafe – if they don’t have a qualified supervisor that engine is parked,” said retired firefighter Bobbie Scopa, who was with the USFS for 45 years.Less staff also leads to fatigue for firefighters who spend weeks on fire lines in extreme weather with little chance for rest and recovery. “Folks are having to fill in and fill holes,” Scopa explained, “and they are going out without all the positions they need for a team.”

Ten killed, 14 injured as wildfire traps emergency crew in Turkey’s Bilecik region – (videos) A deadly wildfire swept through the Osmaneli district of Bilecik Province on July 23, 2025, killing 10 emergency response personnel and injuring at least 14 others. Thw fast-moving wildfire broke out in the forested areas of Eskişehir Province and spread into Bilecik Province on July 23, amid prolonged heat and unstable winds. The fire began in the Geyve-Pamukova corridor and expanded rapidly due to high temperatures, low humidity, and changing wind directions. The blaze has forced the evacuation of several villages, including Selçik, Üyük, Medetli, Borçak, and Kızılöz. Selçik village was completely evacuated. At least 10 people, five from the General Directorate of Forestry and five from AKUT Search and Rescue Association, were killed after being trapped in a sudden wind shift during containment efforts, authorities confirmed. The Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, stated that 14 other individuals were injured and are currently receiving treatment. The fatalities occurred while the team was working on the northern perimeter of the fire in Osmaneli district. Damage to property has been confirmed in multiple areas, and at least one firefighting vehicle was destroyed by flames. YouTube video Local firefighting operations were reinforced by over 2 000 personnel and dozens of aerial units, including teams deployed from Düzce and neighboring provinces. A large fire whirl, commonly known as a firenado, as observed and recorded during the blaze. These rare but extreme vortex phenomena occur when intense heat and turbulent wind conditions generate rotating columns of rising air, drawing flames and debris into the vortex. The fire whirl in Bilecik was captured on video as it swept across a scorched forested slope, further complicating containment efforts.

Extreme heat wave places over 90 million under alerts across Mid-Mississippi Valley and Mid-South, U.S. - NOAA issued extreme heat alerts for over 90 million people across the Mid-Mississippi Valley and Mid-South, as a prolonged, dangerous heat wave continues across central and southeastern United States. A large and persistent upper-level ridge, commonly referred to as a heat dome, remains anchored over the region, trapping hot and humid air. This synoptic setup is producing widespread heat index values exceeding 43°C (110°F), with localized values reaching up to 46°C (115°F). The greatest impacts are expected from July 22–24, particularly across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and surrounding states. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), this heat wave will be most persistent and hazardous from the Lower Mississippi Valley through the Mid-South. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has categorized the event as carrying a Major to Extreme HeatRisk, indicating a high probability of adverse health outcomes without adequate cooling or hydration. HeatRisk Level 3 (Major) and Level 4 (Extreme) are forecast across much of the central U.S., especially the Mid-Mississippi Valley. The combination of high temperatures and elevated humidity levels is particularly dangerous due to limited overnight relief. Minimum nighttime temperatures are expected to remain between 24°C–28°C (75–82°F), breaking numerous high-minimum temperature records and significantly increasing heat stress on exposed individuals. Contributing to the intensity of the event is widespread evapotranspiration from maturing corn crops across the Midwest. This phenomenon, known as corn sweat, releases large volumes of moisture into the atmosphere, further elevating dew points and amplifying heat index values. This effect is particularly notable across Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and parts of Wisconsin, where dew points in the upper 20s °C (mid- to upper-70s °F) are forecast to persist throughout the week. The Climate Prediction Center indicates that the high risk of extreme heat will continue through at least July 29. A greater than 60% probability of Level 4 HeatRisk extends across the Mid-South and Lower Mississippi Valley into the Southern Plains. Moderate risk, defined as a 40–60% chance of significant heat impacts, covers a broad region from the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic through the remainder of July.

48.7°C (119.7°F) recorded at Dongkan station, setting China’s third-highest official temperature on record - Dongkan National Meteorological Station in the Turpan Basin, Xinjiang, recorded an air temperature of 48.7°C (119.7°F) on July 20, 2025, setting a new all-time high for the station and marking the third-highest official temperature ever recorded at a national-level weather station in China. Jim Dongkan National Meteorological Station, located in the Turpan Basin of eastern Xinjiang, China, recorded a maximum air temperature of 48.7°C (119.7°F) on July 20, 2025. This surpasses its previous record of 48.3 °C (118.9 °F) and is now considered the third-highest official temperature ever recorded at a national weather station in the country, after 49°C (120.2°F) at Turpan and 48.8°C (119.8°F) at Toksun. On the same day, two nearby automatic weather stations recorded even higher values. The Mangxiaohu station reported 50.7°C (123.3°F), and another station near the Gaochang Ancient City site registered similar temperatures. While these automated readings are not part of the national benchmark network, they indicate localized thermal intensification within the basin. The Turpan Basin is China’s lowest and hottest geographical depression, reaching depths of approximately 154 m (505 feet) below sea level. It has a hyper-arid continental desert climate characterized by extremely high summer temperatures and minimal annual rainfall. July mean daily highs in the basin often exceed 40°C (104°F), and unofficial extremes as high as 52.2°C (126°F) have previously been reported at Sanbu Township.

New UK weather records being set 'very frequently': report -Extremes in temperature and rainfall in the UK are becoming increasingly frequent, the nation's meteorological service said Monday in a report on Britain's changing climate. England and Wales endured the wettest winter in 250 years from October 2023 to March 2024, with six of the 10 wettest winters occurring in the 21st century. The report also found that last year was the UK's fourth warmest since 1884 with the last three years all in the top five warmest on record. Records were now being broken "very frequently," said Mike Kendon, Met Office climate scientist and lead author of the Met Office's State of the UK Climate report. "It's the extremes of temperature and rainfall that is changing the most, and that's of profound concern, and that's going to continue in the future," he said. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the findings showed Britain's way of life was "under threat." "Whether it is extreme heat, droughts, flooding, we can see it actually with our own eyes, that it's already happening, and we need to act," he said. In 2024, experts recorded the warmest spring, the second warmest February and the fifth warmest winter on record. Rising sea levels surrounding the UK were speeding up, with two-thirds of the rise recorded since 1900 taking place in the last 30 years, the report said. "Every year that goes by is another upward step on the warming trajectory our climate is on," Kendon said. "Observations show that our climate in the UK is now notably different to what it was just a few decades ago," he added.

Volcanic eruption at Sundhnúk crater row causes hazardous air quality in southwest Iceland -- Volcanic haze and elevated levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the Sundhnúk crater range eruption are affecting the western half of Iceland, especially the southwesternmost regions. The Icelandic Meteorological Office forecasts persistent volcanic haze in the south and west through Monday, due to slow and variable winds. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported continued gas emissions from the eruption site, with slow air movement allowing accumulation of pollutants across the southwest. The worst-affected areas on July 21 include Reykjavík, Akranes, and surrounding settlements, where air quality monitors registered SO2 concentrations deemed hazardous to sensitive populations. Residents are advised to keep windows closed, limit ventilation during peak pollution periods, and avoid outdoor activities. Children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are particularly at risk. The Directorate of Health recommends following official advisories and consulting its guidelines for reducing indoor air exposure. At the Hvalfjörður, Gröf monitoring station, one of the worst-affected areas, SO2 concentrations rose sharply overnight, peaking at 1 669.0 µg/m³ at 00:00 UTC on July 21. Levels remained above 1 000 µg/m³ for several hours, including 1 415.8 µg/m³ at 01:00 UTC and 1 239.3 µg/m³ at 03:00 UTC, before gradually declining to 595.4 µg/m³ by 08:00 UTC. The values fall within the “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” range for sensitive individuals. PM1 concentrations also remained elevated throughout the same period, reaching up to 61.6 µg/m³. Forecast models from the IMO show volcanic gas drifting over South and West Iceland between 10:00 LT on July 20 and 10:00 LT on July 21. Due to variable and weak wind fields, volcanic haze, comprising secondary sulfates (SO4) formed from atmospheric SO2, may persist over densely populated areas. This smog is not directly measured by sulfur dioxide sensors but can be tracked via PM1 and PM2.5 readings. This eruptive episode started on July 16 with opening of 1 km (0.6 miles) long fissure and remained stable on July 20, with sustained activity in two central craters. Lava continues flowing eastward into Fagradalur, but cloud cover and poor visibility impede direct observation. The current phase of the eruption has been characterized by consistent gas output and surface lava flows without major explosive behavior. An M3.5 earthquake was recorded in Móhálsadalur, west of Kleifarvatn at 02:55 UTC on July 20. The quake was felt across the capital region and in towns such as Hveragerði. According to IMO, this event is considered a trigger earthquake caused by stress redistribution in the crust from magma intrusions elsewhere, and does not indicate new magma movement at the epicenter. IMO continues to monitor gas concentrations and seismicity. Residents are encouraged to report gas odors or visible haze via official reporting forms.

July 22 predicted to be the second-shortest day of 2025 as Earth spins faster than usual - Earth could experience one of its shortest day on record today, July 22, with predictions estimating that it might complete a full rotation on its axis about 1.34 milliseconds faster than the usual 86 400 seconds. The 86 400 seconds is equivalent to 24 hours, the period in which Earth typically completes one full rotation on its axis. However, the “length of day” (LOD) refers to the number of milliseconds above or below this standard. A millisecond (ms) is 0.001 seconds—significantly shorter than the average blink of an eye, which lasts around 100 milliseconds. The only way to measure these small day-to-day variations in Earth’s rotation speed is by using atomic clocks, introduced in the 1950s. From when accurate records began in 1973 with the use of atomic clocks, until 2020, the shortest day recorded was 1.05 milliseconds shorter than 24 hours. This means Earth completed one rotation 1.05 milliseconds faster than 86 400 seconds. However, since 2020, Earth has repeatedly broken its own speed records. The shortest day ever measured occurred on July 5, 2024, when Earth completed its rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than usual. Looking ahead to 2025, scientists predicted that July 9, July 22, and August 5 could be the shortest days of the year. The latest data suggests that July 10 is currently the shortest day of 2025, with Earth’s rotation recorded at 1.36 milliseconds shorter than 24 hours. However, this figure is preliminary and yet to be confirmed. Earth is expected to complete its rotation 1.34 milliseconds early on July 22, making it a close second. If current predictions hold, August 5 will be about 1.25 milliseconds shorter than usual, placing July 22 as the second-shortest day of the year. Three predictions shortest days may seem unusual, but there is a reason for it. Short-term variations in LOD are influenced by the Moon’s orbit. Earth spins faster when the Moon is positioned far to the north or south of Earth’s equator. The Moon will be near its maximum distance from the equator on the three possible dates for the shortest LOD in 2025. A 2024 study suggested that melting polar ice and rising sea levels may be influencing Earth’s spin. However, rather than causing the acceleration, this redistribution of mass may be moderating it. A more likely cause is the slowing of Earth’s liquid core, which could be redistributing angular momentum in a way that causes the mantle and crust to spin slightly faster. “The cause of this acceleration is not explained,” said Leonid Zotov, an expert on Earth’s rotation at Moscow State University, in an interview with Timeanddate.com. “Most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth. Ocean and atmospheric models don’t explain this huge acceleration.”

Asteroid 2025 OS flew past Earth at just 0.03 lunar distances - A newly discovered asteroid designated 2025 OS flew past Earth at a distance of just 0.03 LD (0.00007 AU / 10 457 km / 6 498 miles) at 03:21 UTC on July 19, 2025. asteroid 2025 os Asteroid 2025 OS. Image credit: CNEOS, The Watchers This is 79th known asteroid to fly past Earth since the start of the year and the 6th so far this month. 2025 OS was first observed by ATLAS Chile, Rio Hurtado at 07:26 UTC — about 4 hours after it made its close approach. Ad ends in 13 The object belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids and has an estimated diameter between 2.7 and 6 m (9–20 feet). 2025 OS is not classified as potentially hazardous due to its small estimated size.

Partial halo CME expected to impact Earth around midday UTC on July 27 - (videos) A faint partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME), associated with a filament eruption near N07W12 at approximately 05:00 UTC on July 23, 2025 is forecast to arrive at Earth around midday UTC on July 27. A filament eruption was observed near N07W12 around 05:00 UTC on July 23. The associated coronal mass ejection (CME) was first detected in STEREO A coronagraph imagery at 05:23 UTC, with a secondary portion of the eruption becoming visible in LASCO C2 imagery around 07:48 UTC. This secondary component appeared as a very faint, partial halo. Modeling of the event suggests the CME is Earth-directed and will likely arrive near midday UTC on July 27. The faintness of the halo in coronagraph imagery indicates the CME is likely of low density or narrow angular width, potentially limiting geomagnetic impacts, but further observations are ongoing. “Our Sun rapid-fire launched multiple solar storm today, but they were so close together in time that they look as if they are one structure in coronagraphs,” Space Weather Physicist Dr. Tamitha Skov said on July 23. “The first animation shows the past 48 hours on the Earth-facing Sun. Late on July 22, you can see a slight “puff” just to the east of Region 4150. This launches the first solar storm, destabilizes the area between Region 4149 and 4150, and sets the whole chain of events in motion. Next, early on July 23, the filament near center disk launches slowly. “This is the main Earth-directed eruption, which was already unstable, but the first eruption pushed the filament past the tipping point. Then finally, by mid-afternoon on July 23, Region 4149 finally lets go of the remaining material connected to the filament. It is a three-part process that is deceptively complex.” A detailed animation illustrates the trajectory of the Earth-directed components of this complex eruption. The dark features, highlighted by ovals, mark the regions where the final two segments of the filament tore away from the Sun. The eruptions occurred in such close succession that coronagraph imagery presents them as a single, coherent structure lifting off from the Sun. However, discrepancies in the halo signature reveal a more complex event. While it initially appears as a singular eastward-directed launch, this does not align with the actual source location, west of the solar disk center. In reality, the event produced multiple partial halos, with separate components propagating eastward, northward, and southward, Skov said.

Trump EPA aims to repeal finding that climate change endangers public health --The Trump administration will propose the repeal of a landmark 2009 determination that climate change poses a danger to the public, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin said Wednesday. “EPA has sent to the Office of Management and Budget a proposed rule to repeal the 2009 endangerment finding from the Obama EPA,” Zeldin told Newsmax. “Through the endangerment finding, there has been into the trillions worth of regulations, including tailpipe emissions and including electric vehicle mandates,” he added.In 2009, then-President Obama’s administration made a formal determination that greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane posed a threat to public health. It found emissions from vehicles contributed to the problem.The finding provided a legal basis for EPA regulations on these planet-heating gases, including for its rules requiring automakers’ to cut emissions from their vehicle fleets. While these rules did not explicitly mandate a pivot to electric vehicles, standards issued by the Biden administration were expected to push the vehicle market toward more electric cars in the years ahead. The EPA’s plans to propose a rule to repeal the finding were first reported by The New York Times.The Trump administration’s move comes despite a consensus from the scientific community that human activity, especially its use of fossil fuels, is heating up the planet. This heating in turn exacerbates extreme weather.During President Trump’s first term, his administration weakened limits on planet-warming emissions, including from vehicles, but it did not repeal the endangerment finding.The proposal to repeal it signals an escalation that could prevent the agency from having climate regulations on the books at all.

EPA’s endangerment gambit could cause rules to spring back - The Trump administration will release a proposal in the coming days that it hopes will topple EPA’s climate rules like a pile of Jenga blocks. But its strategy — namely, to undo the 2009 scientific finding that undergirds most climate rules — comes with big risks. If EPA pins too many regulatory rollbacks to its bid to revoke the so-called endangerment finding, the agency exposes itself to the possibility that many of those rule repeals won’t hold up in court. The fate of the endangerment finding rescission will become tied to EPA’s deregulatory agenda. “They’re swinging for the fences with this one,” said Meghan Greenfield, a partner at Jenner & Block. “If they fail in that bigger effort, then the standards will remain.”

Donald Trump megabill takes a 'big, beautiful' bite out of US climate progress - The megabill President Trump signed into law this month is expected to make a major dent in the U.S.’s climate progress, adding significantly more planet-warming emissions to the atmosphere. Models of the legislation that have emerged since its passage earlier this month show U.S. emissions will rise as a result of its implementation.One from climate think tank C2ES found U.S. emissions will be 8 percent more than they would have been otherwise as a result of the package. “An 8% increase in our emissions is … still a massive amount of emissions,” said Brad Townsend, the group’s vice president for policy and outreach. Taking into account all of the efforts to reduce U.S. emissions over the last 20 years, Townsend said, the bill represents “rolling back a third of that progress with a stroke of a pen.” “From an emissions perspective, this bill is a disaster,” he said. The Trump-backed measure both repeals spending aimed at reducing emissions that had been passed by Democrats and creates more opportunities for planet-warming fossil fuels. Its most significant provisions repeal tax credits for climate-friendly energy technologies including wind and solar energy, as well as electric vehicles. These tax credits in particular were considered a massive step toward reducing emissions when they passed in 2022 as part of the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act. It also repeals programs that would have paid for low-carbon and anti-pollution projects, including in underserved neighborhoods. On fossil fuels, the legislation includes tax breaks for oil, gas and coal and opens up more opportunities to drill on public lands and offshore. Since Trump signed the bill July 4, several models have indicated provisions such as these will take a bite out of efforts to reduce U.S. emissions. One model, from Princeton University, finds that without the “big, beautiful bill,” the U.S. would cut its planet-heating emissions by 32 percent by 2035. With the bill, emissions are expected to only drop by 25 percent compared to where they were in 2005.If Biden-era policies remained in place, including not only the tax credits but also regulations, emissions would drop between 40 percent and 44 percent, the model finds. A slightly more optimistic model from the Rhodium Group found that without the bill, emissions would be 31 percent to 51 percent lower in 2035 when compared to 2005. Now, they’ll only drop by between 27 percent and 44 percent during that period.

Megalaw has big money for fossil fuels. Some Republicans aren’t happy about it. - Tucked inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is $1 billion to help the fossil fuel industry, but that provision has created friction and questions within the GOP, with one lawmaker calling it “government-directed industrialization.”The provision, a single line in the Senate Banking Committee portion, appropriates $1 billion in Defense Production Act funding. The Cold War-era law has been invoked by both Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden to boost domestic industries in the name of national defense. It’s unclear who inserted the provision.The funding, which wasn’t in the original House bill, prompted some senators to raise questions privately about how exactly the Trump administration intended to spend the money.Several Republicans interviewed recently, including Environment and Public Works Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) said they were still in the dark about the provision.“There are so many issues in that bill of which I have no clarity and no knowledge,” Lummis said. “There was stuff in there that I didn’t even know about. So I can’t pick out little things and give you an answer, which is terrifying. But that’s the truth.”Ahead of the bill’s passage, one of the loudest objectors was Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who later introduced an amendment to strike the funding from the legislation. It failed 42-58, with several Democrats joining Republicans to kill it.Now, the White House says the money will be used to “accelerate the domestic production of fossil fuels, support strategically important coal mining operations, and reinforce the reliability and resilience of our electric grid,” according to a senior White House official.That’s in part because financing has become a problem for certain fossil fuel projects, even those that are permitted and otherwise viable, the official told POLITICO’s E&E News in an email.“This disconnect between federal authorization and private capital deployment is becoming a systemic obstacle to energy development,” said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the matter candidly. “The Administration is taking this issue seriously.”The administration’s quest to “rebuild energy dominance” could also include “expanding access to federal loan programs, and identifying reforms to de-risk investment in fossil energy and critical mineral projects.”The Trump administration has favored fossil fuels over renewable energy, arguing the former is more reliable for its “energy dominance” agenda. However, some fossil fuel industries, like natural gas, are struggling to keep up with demand due to a shortage of turbines.A Republican aide familiar with the closed-door Senate talks, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said senators asked questions about whether the DPA would provide grants or loans. There was also some discussion about extending the life of coal plants or reopening coal or gas plants that had been shuttered.A second person familiar with the plans said the administration intends to use the funding for transformers, switch gear shortages, rare earth stockpiles and other unexpected needs. The person noted a billion dollars won’t go very far.Granting the president such broad authorities left some Republicans with reservations, even after administration officials briefed senators last month in closed-door meetings.Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said White House officials enumerated about five different categories that they intended to use, but that prompted disagreement about whether they provided enough specificity.It certainly was not enough for Kennedy, who tried to strike the funding at the last minute.He declared on the Senate floor that the Trump administration was basically just copying the follies of the Biden administration, which used the law to accelerate critical mineral production and clean energy technologies.“I raised fresh hell” at the time, he said. “And now we’re about to do it again. A billion dollars.”He argued “government-directed industrialization” wrongly picks winners and losers in the private sector: “This business gets the money but you, Ms. Businesswoman, you can’t have the money … It’s immoral. It’s unfair to the people who don’t get the money.”Kennedy stressed that although he had complete faith in Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the law would allow them to decide “in their unfettered discretion who’s going to get this money in the private sector.”

In Ohio, oil and gas industry is steering new carbon capture bill - An Ohio bill that would establish rules for underground carbon dioxide storage is being shaped behind the scenes by oil and gas companies that stand to benefit from the legislation. House Bill 170 would pave the way for companies to pump waste carbon dioxide from industrial plants and hydrogen production deep underground as a way to lower their emissions. Companies would lease subsurface property rights long-term and eventually transfer liability for the stored waste to the state.Oil and gas industry groups have been busy for months vetting bill sponsors, drafting legislation, writing talking points for lawmakers, meeting with regulators, and coordinating with other industry stakeholders.Industry lobbyists often play an active role in pushing for legislation that will favor them. But public records shared with Canary Media by Fieldnotes, a watchdog group that investigates the oil and gas industry, show that the American Petroleum Institute and the Ohio Oil and Gas Association have played an outsize role in shaping the bill.Supporters say carbon capture and sequestration, or CCS, is necessary to lower greenhouse gas emissions that drive human-caused climate change, especially for hard-to-electrify industries. As lawmakers and regulators craft rules for the technology, the stakes are high, with potentially large risks and rewards for industry and the public. Carbon capture is ​“the new Wild West…where there is a lot of money to be made,” said Jennifer Stewart, the American Petroleum Institute’s director of climate and environmental, social, and governance policy, at a hearing on last year’s carbon capture bill in the Ohio Senate. She suggested that tax credits could offset the costs of reducing greenhouse gas pollution and that companies could also sell carbon offset credits to other businesses. Despite HB 170 and Senate Bill 136 having terms nearly identical to those of the 2024 substitute bill, Schaffer’s aide gave both petroleum groups a chance for advance review before the bills were introduced this year. House Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) is now a cosponsor with Robb Blasdel. Replacing Landis as a cosponsor of SB 136 is freshman Sen. Brian Chavez (R-Marietta), who has worked and owned companies in the oil and gas industry. He has not answered Canary Media’s questions about whether the bill might benefit any of his businesses. After hearings in the Ohio House this spring, Robb Blasdel’s office asked for revised bill language, which the American Petroleum Institute’s representative supplied on June 2. Less than 90 minutes later, her office invited petroleum industry people and others to an ​“interested party” meeting on June 5. Among them were staff and lobbyists for carbon capture companies and other bill supporters, along with representatives for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Nature Conservancy, which had identified themselves as interested parties(versus saying they were for or against the bill).No opponents were invited, despite numerous concerns raised by the Buckeye Environmental Network, the Freshwater Accountability Project, and others, including whether provisions in the bill would infringe on property rights, lower home values, and cause health and safety problems, among other issues. A new substitute bill was introduced during the June 18 meeting of the House Natural Resources Committee, which Robb Blasdel chairs. More hearings are planned for the fall. The American Petroleum Institute ​“regularly engages with policy makers on both sides of the aisle to educate on the critical role of American energy and to share our industry’s priorities,” said Christina Polesovsky, the organization’s associate director for Ohio, in response to Canary Media’s questions about critics who see the group as having outsize influence. She added that the group has provided on-the-record testimony through the committee process. While the extent of industry’s involvement in the carbon capture bills wasn’t clear before the most recent batches of the public records were released to Fieldnotes this spring, it’s not necessarily surprising. “This is the system that we’re in,” said Stephanie Howse-Jones, a Cleveland City Council member who served for seven years as a Democratic representative in the Ohio House. Lobbyists often provide draft bills and talking points. Lawmakers often use those talking points when speaking about legislation, but they don’t always read the full text of their bills, she noted.Howse-Jones said Ohioans need to understand specifically how bills will impact them and their communities. Getting that information may be more challenging after Ohio’s latest budget bill changed the state’s public records law to shield lawmakers’ notes and some internal communications from disclosure until the next legislative session. But more transparency isn’t enough, she said. “Ohioans must demand more of their state legislature,” Howse-Jones said. Until campaign finance reform takes place, ​“most of us won’t be able to compete with the dollars. But we do have organizing-people power.” That goes beyond voting and includes taking an active role in organizing and communicating constituent concerns, she said.

EPA on track to lay off 271 environmental justice staffers - EPA is pushing ahead on plans to lay off hundreds of employees tied to environmental justice programs, but the timetable is in flux.Following a court-ordered pause that left employees in limbo for six weeks, “we intend to move forward with the previously announced RIF [reduction in force],” said EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou.EPA put 168 EJ staffers on leave in early February. The agency in April notified 271 employees, Vaseliou said Thursday, that they were subject to a reduction in force because their jobs had been tied to environmental justice or “diversity, equity and inclusion.” The RIFs were previously scheduled to take effect next week. Vaseliou could not confirm if July 31 was still the effective date.

EPA shuffles major climate program office - Weeks after Congress voted to repeal one of the biggest climate programs of the Biden-era, EPA is making new plans for how to run it.The agency’s newest reorganization, announced last week, would move a small office of career officials who oversee the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund out of EPA’s Office of the Administrator and into its newly created Office of Finance and Administration. The move will put whatever is left of the $27 billion climate program under the control of the Office of the Chief Grants Officer. The erstwhile Office of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund has been renamed the Oversight of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Division, according to EPA’s proposed org chart. The move comes as EPA looks to unwind the massive program created by the Inflation Reduction Act to expand renewable energy financing in mostly low-income communities. It was the agency’s flagship climate program under President Joe Biden.

‘Total chaos’: EPA staffers slam research office fallout - The Trump administration’s plans to eliminate EPA’s stand-alone science office have left employees with more questions than answers. “If this sounds like they’re doing this on the fly, they’re doing this on the fly,” said one agency employee. “It’s not organized. It’s total chaos.” Among other lingering unknowns is which — and how many — Office of Research and Development staffers will receive layoff notices versus who will get reassigned to other offices, according to EPA employees granted anonymity to speak freely because they fear retaliation. Some employees have received reassignments for internal positions they were encouraged to apply to in May, before they knew ORD’s fate.

Report blasts pace of Trump admin’s ‘attacks on science’ - The start of President Donald Trump’s second term has been marked by research funding cuts, dismissals of federal scientists and other “attacks on science” at a rate far exceeding that of his first term, the Union of Concerned Scientists said in a report released Monday.“Altogether, the administration’s actions have undermined the use of government science for public good,” the liberal-leaning research and advocacy group said in listing more than 400 such attacks in the period between Trump’s inauguration in late January and last month.That total is almost double the number documented for all of Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021, the report said. While acknowledging that the two sets of figures aren’t directly comparable because of differences in how they were compiled, the updated approach “captures a more comprehensive picture of the administration’s actions to dismantle federal science,” Darya Minovi, a UCS research analyst and the lead author, added in a blog post.

Trump pushes plastic straw purchases - The government’s purchaser took the first official regulatory step away from paper straws.A proposal published Monday would tweak the rules on federal acquisitions promoting the “strength and durability of plastic straws” and requiring government contractors prove they don’t use paper straws or ones made from alternative or biobased plastic materials.The proposed rule aligns U.S. purchasing policies with President Donald Trump’s February executive order intending “to end the use of paper straws.”“The facts of the case are clear and simple: paper straws cost more, are ineffective, carry increased health and safety risks, and unduly burden individuals with disabilities,” the proposal says.

Burgum urges House GOP to target Biden-era energy policies - Interior Secretary Doug Burgum urged House Republicans in a meeting Tuesday morning to continue to roll back Biden administration energy policies — and largely glossed over the GOP megabill’s energy provisions, according to multiple people in the room. Burgum’s early morning speech at Republicans’ weekly meeting was an opportunity for members to hear about the Interior Department’s energy and natural resources priorities just weeks after Republicans passed their reconciliation bill and as Burgum takes a leading role in President Donald Trump’s push to stymie wind and solar. House Republicans are leaving Washington later this week for a six-week recess in which they will work to highlight the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — including its energy and natural resources provisions — while under fire from Democrats who say the bill will increase energy costs and result in project cancellations and layoffs. Burgum, meanwhile, is leading the Trump administration’s National Energy Dominance Council and working to implement the policies in the megabill. Separately, because of a recent Trump executive order, he is now in charge of personally signing off on any action advancing solar and wind power projects under federal review. “Priorities were our energy grid, critical minerals, vulnerability — clearly, this administration’s priorities are showing that aspect of it — and then unwinding the last four years,” said Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), who served as Interior secretary during the first Trump administration. “On the EV side of it, rolling back credits for it and making sure that there’s a [specific] place for solar,” Zinke said. “It’s just not going to power the AI side of it.” Members leaving Tuesday’s meeting said Burgum pressed the importance of continuing to roll back Biden administration laws and regulations that favored renewables. Congress’ Republican majorities have already used the Congressional Review Act and their reconciliation bill to repeal and rescind funds for dozens of clean energy and climate programs that Democrats approved in the last Congress. “They’re going back” and looking at Biden-era policies to target, Zinke said of the Interior Department. “A lot of what they’re doing is unwinding the last four years,” he said. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, said Burgum “talked about domestic mining and energy independence and making sure that we reverse some of the disastrous pieces of legislation and rules brought in by the last administration.” “We’re working at light speed to try to reverse it,” Stauber said.

Trump is escalating his attacks on wind, solar - In his first term, President Donald Trump promised to save coal, but he got a renewable energy boom instead. Now, six months into his second term, he’s trying to avoid a repeat. Trump has unleashed a regulatory and legislative blitz against wind and solar projects as U.S. electricity demand is projected to skyrocket. Republicans say Trump is trying to level the playing field after former President Joe Biden finalized large subsidies for renewable energy. But analysts argue that Trump is going much further than just canceling funding, by erecting roadblocks for projects that are already in the works. That was evident last week when Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that renewable energy projects would not move forward on public lands unless they are personally approved by him or his deputy. That is raising concerns among developers that the administration is planning to reject more projects. “The Trump administration is extremely anti-renewables,” said Michael Wara, a senior research scholar at Stanford University. “I think this is fundamentally distorting the market and the broader transition that’s already occurring in the U.S. and occurring everywhere on the planet.” A White House spokesperson credited Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s leadership, saying the administration’s policies were reducing inflation and strengthening national security. “It’s great that Secretary Burgum is restoring accountability to taxpayers on green energy projects, which is in line with the American people’s mandate to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across the administration and stop funding the Green New Scam,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement. The move to clamp down on renewable projects through the Interior Department came as Trump has dismantled federal policies aimed at expanding wind and solar power, rolled back clean energy tax credits provided in the Inflation Reduction Act, and ended new wind leases on federal lands, while ordering a review of existing ones. There was also an EPA order to remand an air permit for a planned offshore wind project off New Jersey, and an Interior Department order that halted work on another project in New York for a month. The administration also tried to impound green energy spending approved during the Biden administration, a decision that’s now before the courts. That follows Trump’s earlier struggles to fulfill his promises to save the struggling coal industry. He abandoned a plan during his first term to bailout coal-fired power plants and instead saw electricity generation from wind, solar and other renewables surpass coal. Burgum’s directive last week to review all renewable projects on federal lands escalates the administration’s attacks that until now have largely been directed at wind. Of the roughly 60 renewable projects listed on the Bureau of Land Management’s website, 39 are solar. They include some of the country’s biggest projects, like the Esmeralda Seven, a cluster of solar projects in central Nevada. At 6.2 gigawatts, it would produce enough electricity to power more than 1 million homes. Those projects are getting harder to do. Renewable developers can still claim federal tax credits under the megalaw Trump signed earlier this month, but they would have to begin work right away to receive the money, analysts say, because of the tighter timelines imposed by the law. Burgum’s order could tie up projects for months, developers say, making it harder for them to complete construction while they’re eligible for the money.

Trump administration cancels Grain Belt Express loan guarantee - The Trump administration is canceling a nearly $5 billion dollar loan guarantee for a power line that would connect wind and solar power to the grid, marking the latest in a string of attacks on renewable energy by the administration. The Biden administration had previously offered a loan guarantee of up to $4.9 billion dollars for the Grain Belt Express Phase 1 project, a massive electric transmission project in Kansas and Missouri. “After a thorough review of the project’s financials, DOE found that the conditions necessary to issue the guarantee are unlikely to be met and it is not critical for the federal government to have a role in supporting this project,” the Department of Energy said in a written statement. “To ensure more responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, DOE has terminated its conditional commitment,” it added. Grain Belt Express indicated in a statement that it would continue with its efforts to build the massive power line, which would stretch across 800 miles and add 5,000 megawatts of power capacity, or enough to power 500 million LED lightbulbs. “America is energy dominant and an AI powerhouse, and Grain Belt Express will be America’s largest power pipeline,” the statement said. “While we are disappointed about the LPO loan guarantee, a privately financed Grain Belt Express transmission superhighway will advance President Trump’s agenda of American energy and technology dominance while delivering billions of dollars in energy cost savings, strengthening grid reliability and resiliency, and creating thousands of American jobs,” it added.The energy department’s move comes after Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) repeatedly railed against the power line. He took credit for canceling the loan, with his office saying the cancellation came after his request.

From green icon to housing villain: The fall of California’s landmark environmental law - — The revolution is now a fortified construction site. Just blocks from UC Berkeley, steel boxes and concertina wire ring the storied People’s Park. Behind them: the skeletal frame of a student dormitory, rising where protesters once clashed in one of the nation’s most famously progressive cities.Neighbors and activists fought the campus housing complex at every turn — including through a novel legal argument: Excessive noise from its boisterous young tenants should be considered an environmental impact under the landmark California Environmental Quality Act.The project took six years to break ground — and became a symbol of how state legislation Ronald Reagan signed in 1970 to protect air and water and check rampant development was being used to block desperately needed new homes. It also helped hasten the law’s slide — from a pillar of California’s climate leadership to a cautionary tale about the ruling party’s inability to tackle a perpetual housing shortage — that culminated last month in a major rollback.

Rulemakers play catch-up as data centers multiply - As tech companies flood the electric grid with new data centers, some states and utilities are crafting new rules to keep the artificial intelligence boom from outstripping power supply. In Texas, regulators are working on new requirements for data centers to better share costs and ramp down their power use if ordered by the state. Ohio regulators will force data centers in some areas to pay for their connection costs. And one of the nation’s largest grid operators is offering faster connection studies for data centers in exchange for demand response programs.The flurry of moves reflect attempts to respond quickly to an unprecedented load growth without stifling an industry that has attracted billions of dollars in investment. Just this week, President Donald Trump announced more than $90 billion in data center investments at a summit in Pennsylvania and reiterated his pledge that the U.S. would lead the world in AI development.Dan Diorio, vice president of state policy for the Data Center Coalition, said the industry is working with regulators and lawmakers, stressing AI’s benefits and the role that large loads can play on the grid. “We continue to emphasize that this is an industry that drives innovation, and this is an industry that is innovating every day because it has to,” Diorio said. “And so what you don’t want to do is ultimately create something that ends up imposing a one size fits all solution, or an inflexible solution. You don’t want to create something where you try to push a square peg into a round hole.”A July report from the Clean Energy States Alliance noted that “dramatic load growth” led by data centers, electrification and new manufacturing has put states on the back foot for electricity planning. Electricity demand nationally is forecast to rise 25 percent between 2023 and 2030, according to consulting firm ICF, and some states may see even more impact.State lawmakers have offered a range of bills this year to boost generation, add fees to data centers or otherwise protect the grid. But as the CESA report chronicles, the approaches have been varied and results remain mixed.“More work is needed to advance these ideas and to formulate best practices,” the report found.Diorio said the data center industry’s message to regulators this year was that they are “one end user on a system experiencing a significant amount of load growth from a variety of different sources.”“I think we were able to sort of shed some light on what some of the concerns are and what the best approaches are,” Diorio said. “We’ll continue those conversations through the remainder of the year and into 2026 and beyond.”

Brace For Soaring Electricity Bills: Biggest US Power Grid Sets Power Costs At Record High To Feed AI -Very soon if you want AI (and even if you don't), you won't be able to afford AC. Just this morning we warned readers that America's largest power grid, PJM Interconnect, which serves 65 million people across 13 states and Washington, DC, and more importantly feeds Deep State Central's Loudoun County, Virginia, also known as 'Data Center Alley' and which is recognized as one of the world's largest hubs for data centers..... had recently issued multiple 'Maximum Generation' and 'Load Management' alerts this summer, as the heat pushes power demand to the brink with air conditioners running at full blast across the eastern half of the U.S.But as anyone who has not lived under a rock knows, the deeper issue is that there's simply not enough baseload juice to feed the relentless, ravenous growth of power-hungry AI server racks at new data centers. "There is simply no new capacity to meet new loads," said Joe Bowring to Bloomberg, president of Monitoring Analytics, which is the independent watchdog for PJM Interconnection. "The solution is to make sure that people who want to build data centers are serious enough about it to bring their own generation." Well, there is another solution: crank up prices to the stratosphere. And that's precisely what happened. As Bloomberg reports, business and households supplied by the largest US grid will pay $16.1 billion to ensure there is enough electricity supply to meet soaring power demand, especially that from a massive buildout in AI data centers. The payouts to generators for the year starting June 2026 topped last year’s record $14.7 billion, according to PJM Interconnection LLC, which operates the grid stretching from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic. That puts the capacity price per megawatt each day at a record $329.17 from $269.92.

UK Approves $51 Billion Nuclear Plant --The UK government gave the final go-ahead on Monday for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant to be built in eastern England after securing investment from Canadian pension fund La Caisse, Centrica, and Amber Infrastructure. Sizewell C in Suffolk will be the UK’s second new nuclear plant in more than two decades, following the government’s 2013 deal with EDF to build Hinkley Point C in Somerset, which is now expected to come online in 2029 after years of delays and cost overruns. The state will be the largest shareholder in the Sizewell C project with a 44.9 percent stake. La Caisse will hold 20 percent, energy firm Centrica 15 percent, and London-based Amber Infrastructure will take an initial 7.6 percent, joining France’s state-owned EDF, which had already announced its 12.5 percent stake. The new plant will be the third nuclear station at the Sizewell site, following Sizewell A and B, both of which are being decommissioned. Sizewell C was initially proposed in the early 2010s as a joint project between EDF and China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN). The UK government removed Chinese involvement in 2022, buying out CGN’s stake due to national security concerns. The plant is expected to deliver clean power to the equivalent of 6 million homes and create up to 10,000 jobs at the peak of construction, the government said. It also estimates the plant could save the UK electricity system around 2 billion pounds ($2.6 billion) per year on average, once operational. “This government is making the investment needed to deliver a new golden age of nuclear, so we can end delays and free us from the ravages of the global fossil fuel markets to bring bills down for good,” Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said.

Trump axes nuclear waste oversight panel - President Donald Trump dismissed all but one of the members of the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, diminishing oversight over the country’s long-term spent nuclear fuel storage program.“On Wednesday, the White House sent emails to seven Board members — Drs. Richelle Allen-King, Miles Greiner, Silvia Jurisson, Nathan Siu, Seth Tuler, Scott Tyler, Brian Woods — dismissing them from the Board, effective July 16, 2025,” Christopher Burk, the board’s director of external affairs, said in an email. “As a result, Dr. Peter Swift, Board Chair, is the sole member of the Board. The NWTRB staff and funding have remained in place.”The move came at a time when Republicans and Democrats alike are pursuing a nuclear expansion, with Trump aiming to quadruple nuclear power capacity by 2050. It also comes amid a major shakeup at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with administration officials directing the agency to apply minimal scrutiny in reviewing reactors backed by the departments of Energy or Defense and the firing of Christopher Hanson, a Democratic commissioner and former NRC chair under former President Joe Biden.“Rep. Peters is concerned by the dismissal of the Board members and will continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure the oversight of nuclear waste management,” the office of Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) said in an email to POLITICO’s E&E News. Peters sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

$250K awarded to study gas pipeline through Valley - (WKBN) – Local leaders and lawmakers are looking into what it would take to develop a natural gas pipeline across Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.Eastgate Regional Council of Governments was awarded a $250,000 state grant to conduct a study to explore the idea and how to fund it.A consultant would be hired to study the economic and technical feasibility of the pipeline along State Route 11, which connects the region’s deepwater ports on Lake Erie in Ashtabula and Conneaut and the Ohio River in Wellsville.The study would also look at how best to connect abundant and low-cost Ohio Appalachian natural gas to address major service gaps in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties. The pipeline could also be used to supply natural gas-fired power plants and the export of liquified natural gas. Anyone interested in the project is urged to contact Eastgate Executive Director James Kinnick at jkinnick@eastgatecog.org or (234) 254-1500 or Lake to River Vice President of Economic Development Sarah Boyarko at sarah@laketoriverohio.org or (330) 866-8973.

OH Spending $250K to Study Utica to Lake Erie Pipe for LNG Exports Marcellus Drilling News - Here's a fascinating development. Years ago, MDN heard the rumor of the potential to export LNG from a deepwater port along the shore of Lake Erie. The state of Ohio has just allocated $250,000 to study a pipeline in the "Lake to River" region of the state, which stretches from Columbiana County north through Mahoning, Trumbull, and Ashtabula counties. The pipeline coul d, potentially, flow Utica (and Marcellus) molecules from eastern Ohio (and possibly western PA) northward not only for potential liquefaction and export via a port in Ashtabula, but to feed new power plants in the region and even deliver low-cost natural gas to utility companies.

Marietta residents find brine waste in gas wells - — Bob Lane drives through the steep hills of Athens County, pointing to access roads where his gas wells are. These conventional wells and others nearby have been producing gas for him and other property owners for decades. But today, these wells are no longer producing gas. Instead, they contain fracking wastewater. Fracking wastewater, known as brine waste, is a byproduct of unconventional oil and gas drilling. It is stored in Class II injection wells as a way to isolate the fluid from getting into the environment, reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Brine contains heavy metals and radioactive substances that can damage the environment and public health if it leaks into water or onto land, according to the EPA. Incidentally, brine waste has migrated out of these wells into conventional gas wells around Marietta, Ohio. Lane and Bob Wilson, owner of Wilson Energy LLC., have been fighting for six years to get the wastewater out of their wells, filing a lawsuit against injection well companies in 2019. But since then, little has been done, and now more landowners in Washington and Athens counties are finding that distinct brine stench wafting up from their gas wells. As of 2024, there were 17 injection wells in Washington County, according to ODNR. Washington County is tied for second-most injection wells per county in Ohio after Trumbull County, with 19, said Karina Cheung, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources — the regulatory body responsible for these wells. In 2023, 5.9 million barrels of brine were injected into wells in Washington County.Ohio accepts brine waste from a number of states, including Pennsylvania and West Virginia. As of 2025, Ohio has 232 active injection wells — more than its two neighboring states combined. Ohio accepted 11,212,266 barrels of brine waste from other states in 2024, and, in total, 32,936,244 barrels of this wastewater were injected into injection wells in the state last year, according to Cheung. She notes these numbers could be higher, as companies are still sending in their 2024 reports. Lane believes injection wells are leaking because the state is accepting and injecting too much brine waste. He also questions why other states do not want this brine waste: “If it has no effect on drinking water or anything else, why in the world are they hauling it over 100 miles from up in Pennsylvania, clear down here to Washington County? Why don’t they drill disposal (injection) wells up there and put it in the ground up there?” Lane, owner of Bob Lane’s Welding Inc., grew up on a beef farm and orchard in Marietta, Ohio. He invested in his first gas well with a friend in 1978. In the mid ’80s, he bought 72 more wells out of a bankruptcy court in Columbus. Wilson has worked in the oil and gas industry since he was 15 years old. “That’s all I’ve ever done,” he said. He has worked in all sectors of the oil and gas industry, from drilling wells and laying pipelines to wellhead production and now owning them. Wilson and Lane reached out to ODNR about the problem, but according to Wilson, the agency didn’t believe it could be brine waste. Lane then reached out to then-Ohio state Rep. Jay Edwards, who visited the well sites and put pressure on the ODNR to investigate the issue.Later that year, an ODNR inspector took samples from 15 of Lane and Wilson’s wells. The results, released in June 2020, found that brine waste had migrated from the nearby Redbird #4 injection well into 28 gas production wells. According to the report, the Ohio Shale Formation, where the Redbird #4 injection well is located, has a low permeability, meaning that with a high enough amount of pressure, this fluid can escape its intended storage space. Wilson and Lane filed a lawsuit in 2019 against several injection well companies, including Tallgrass Energy Company and Deeprock Disposal Solutions, and named Deeprock’s former CEO Brian Chavez, now an Ohio state senator and chair of the state’s energy committee. But, six years later, Lane and Wilson have yet to see their day in court. The lawsuit has been appealed twice, most recently by Tallgrass in the Ohio Supreme Court, said Lane. Meanwhile, Wilson and Lane are continuing to see their wells flooded. Wilson lost another well to brine waste just a month ago, and another is on the way, he said. Today, Wilson, who owns 170 gas wells in Washington County, Ohio, has had 45 of these wells flooded. Lane, who owns 65 wells, has had eight flooded with brine water. But now, Lane and Wilson aren’t the only ones seeing brine waste in their wells. Gas well owners Jack Chamberlain and Joe Wigal recently reported their wells in Marietta, Ohio, to have what they suspect is brine waste from nearby injection wells, reports the Buckeye Environmental Network.

In Ohio, oil and gas industry is steering new carbon capture bill - An Ohio bill that would establish rules for underground carbon dioxide storage is being shaped behind the scenes by oil and gas companies that stand to benefit from the legislation. House Bill 170 would pave the way for companies to pump waste carbon dioxide from industrial plants and hydrogen production deep underground as a way to lower their emissions. Companies would lease subsurface property rights long-term and eventually transfer liability for the stored waste to the state.Oil and gas industry groups have been busy for months vetting bill sponsors, drafting legislation, writing talking points for lawmakers, meeting with regulators, and coordinating with other industry stakeholders.Industry lobbyists often play an active role in pushing for legislation that will favor them. But public records shared with Canary Media by Fieldnotes, a watchdog group that investigates the oil and gas industry, show that the American Petroleum Institute and the Ohio Oil and Gas Association have played an outsize role in shaping the bill.Supporters say carbon capture and sequestration, or CCS, is necessary to lower greenhouse gas emissions that drive human-caused climate change, especially for hard-to-electrify industries. As lawmakers and regulators craft rules for the technology, the stakes are high, with potentially large risks and rewards for industry and the public. Carbon capture is ​“the new Wild West…where there is a lot of money to be made,” said Jennifer Stewart, the American Petroleum Institute’s director of climate and environmental, social, and governance policy, at a hearing on last year’s carbon capture bill in the Ohio Senate. She suggested that tax credits could offset the costs of reducing greenhouse gas pollution and that companies could also sell carbon offset credits to other businesses. Despite HB 170 and Senate Bill 136 having terms nearly identical to those of the 2024 substitute bill, Schaffer’s aide gave both petroleum groups a chance for advance review before the bills were introduced this year. House Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) is now a cosponsor with Robb Blasdel. Replacing Landis as a cosponsor of SB 136 is freshman Sen. Brian Chavez (R-Marietta), who has worked and owned companies in the oil and gas industry. He has not answered Canary Media’s questions about whether the bill might benefit any of his businesses. After hearings in the Ohio House this spring, Robb Blasdel’s office asked for revised bill language, which the American Petroleum Institute’s representative supplied on June 2. Less than 90 minutes later, her office invited petroleum industry people and others to an ​“interested party” meeting on June 5. Among them were staff and lobbyists for carbon capture companies and other bill supporters, along with representatives for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Nature Conservancy, which had identified themselves as interested parties(versus saying they were for or against the bill).No opponents were invited, despite numerous concerns raised by the Buckeye Environmental Network, the Freshwater Accountability Project, and others, including whether provisions in the bill would infringe on property rights, lower home values, and cause health and safety problems, among other issues. A new substitute bill was introduced during the June 18 meeting of the House Natural Resources Committee, which Robb Blasdel chairs. More hearings are planned for the fall. The American Petroleum Institute ​“regularly engages with policy makers on both sides of the aisle to educate on the critical role of American energy and to share our industry’s priorities,” said Christina Polesovsky, the organization’s associate director for Ohio, in response to Canary Media’s questions about critics who see the group as having outsize influence. She added that the group has provided on-the-record testimony through the committee process. While the extent of industry’s involvement in the carbon capture bills wasn’t clear before the most recent batches of the public records were released to Fieldnotes this spring, it’s not necessarily surprising. “This is the system that we’re in,” said Stephanie Howse-Jones, a Cleveland City Council member who served for seven years as a Democratic representative in the Ohio House. Lobbyists often provide draft bills and talking points. Lawmakers often use those talking points when speaking about legislation, but they don’t always read the full text of their bills, she noted.Howse-Jones said Ohioans need to understand specifically how bills will impact them and their communities. Getting that information may be more challenging after Ohio’s latest budget bill changed the state’s public records law to shield lawmakers’ notes and some internal communications from disclosure until the next legislative session. But more transparency isn’t enough, she said. “Ohioans must demand more of their state legislature,” Howse-Jones said. Until campaign finance reform takes place, ​“most of us won’t be able to compete with the dollars. But we do have organizing-people power.” That goes beyond voting and includes taking an active role in organizing and communicating constituent concerns, she said.

Ascent Resources Issues 2024 ESG Sustainability Report - Marcellus Drilling News - Ascent Resources, founded as American Energy Partners by Aubrey McClendon, a gas industry legend, is a privately held company that focuses 100% on the Ohio Utica Shale. Ascent, headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, is Ohio’s largest natural gas producer and the 8th largest natural gas producer in the U.S. Yesterday, Ascent published its 2024 Sustainability Report, chronicling the company's environmental, health and safety; social; and governance (ESG) efforts and accomplishments in 2024.

Talen Acquires Gas-Fired Plants in PJM for $3.5B | Hart Energy -Talen Energy Corp. agreed to acquire two combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants in the PJM power market for approximately $3.5 billion net, according to a July 17 press release. Talen is purchasing Caithness Energy’s Moxie Freedom Energy Center in Pennsylvania and Caithness’ and BlackRock’s Guernsey Power Station in Ohio. The purchase price comes out to $3.8 billion gross. Moxie is a 1,045-megawatt (MW) CCGT located 3 miles from Talen’s Susquehanna nuclear power plant. Guernsey is a 1,836-MW CCGT near Columbus, according to Talen’s investor relations presentation. Talen will pay $1.46 billion in cash for Moxie and $2.33 billion in cash for Guernsey, according to a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The plants have an average heat rate of 6,550 Btu/kilowatt hour, which is expected to increase Talen’s annual generation by 50% to approximately 60 terawatt-hours (TWh) from about 40 TWh, the company said. Moxie and Guernsey also have access to gas pipeline infrastructure from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, the release stated. “This acquisition enhances Talen’s fleet by selectively adding modern, highly efficient baseload H-class CCGTs in Talen’s key markets, where we are an innovator in data center contracting,” said Mac McFarland, Talen president and CEO. As part of the deal, Houston-based Talen is also acquiring the equity interests in Guernsey from funds managed by Global Infrastructure Partners, a part of BlackRock. “The transaction is immediately and highly accretive, maintains our balance sheet discipline, and adds more than the equivalent of another Susquehanna nuclear plant to our platform, further enabling large load service,” McFarland said. The company said it plans to issue approximately $3.8 billion in new debt to fund the acquisitions and refinance debt. The Moxie and Guernsey transactions are expected to close in the fourth quarter. Each deal is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Trump and the energy industry are eager to power AI with fossil fuels --AI IS “NOT my thing,” President Donald Trump admitted during a speech in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. However, the president said during his remarks at the Energy and Innovation Summit, his advisers had told him just how important energy was to the future of AI. “You need double the electric of what we have right now, and maybe even more than that,” Trump said, recalling a conversation with “David”—most likely White House AI czar David Sacks, a panelist at the summit. “I said, what, are you kidding? That's double the electric that we have. Take everything we have and double it.” At the high-profile summit on Tuesday — where, in addition to Sacks, panelists and attendees included Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Google president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat and ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods — companies announced $92 billion in investments across various energy and AI-related ventures. These are just the latest in recent breakneck rollouts in investment around AI and energy infrastructure. A day before the Pittsburgh meeting, Mark Zuckerberg shared on Threads that Meta would be building “titan clusters” of data centers to supercharge its AI efforts. The one closest to coming online, dubbed Prometheus, is located in Ohio and will be powered by onsite gas generation, SemiAnalysis reported last week.For an administration committed to advancing the future of fossil fuels, the location of the event was significant. Pennsylvania sits on the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, which supercharged Pennsylvania’s fracking boom in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The state is still the country’s second-most prolific natural gas producer. Pennsylvania-based natural gas had a big role at the summit: The CEO of Pittsburgh-based natural gas company EQT, Toby Rice — who dubs himself the “people’s champion of natural gas” — moderated one of the panels and sat onstage with the president during his speech.All this new demand from AI is welcome news for the natural gas industry in the US, the world’s top producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas. Global gas markets have been facing a mounting supply glut for years. Following a warm winter last year, Morgan Stanley predicted gas supply could reach “multi-decade highs” over the next few years. A jolt of new demand — like the demand represented by massive data centers — could revitalize the industry and help drive prices back up. Natural gas from Pennsylvania and the Appalachian region, in particular, has faced market challenges both from ultra-cheap natural gas from the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico as well as a lack of infrastructure to carry supply out of the region. These economic headwinds are “why the industry is doing their best to sort of create this drumbeat or this narrative around the need for AI data centers,” says Clark Williams-Derry, an energy finance analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. It appears to be working. Pipeline companies are already pitchingnew projects to truck gas from the northeast — responding, they say, to data center demand. The industry is finding a willing partner in the Trump administration. Since taking office, Trump has used AI as a lever to open up opportunities for fossil fuels, including a well-publicized effort to resuscitate coal in the name of more computing power. The summit, which was organized by Republican senator (and former hedge fund CEO) Dave McCormick, clearly reflected the administration’s priorities in this regard: No representatives from any wind or solar companies were present on any of the public panels. Tech companies, which have expressed an interest in using any and all cheap power available for AI and have quietly pushed back against some of the administration’s anti-renewables positions, aren’t necessarily on the same page as the Trump administration. Among the announcements made at the summit was a $3 billion investment in hydropower from Google.This demand isn’t necessarily driven by a big concern for the climate — many tech giants have walked back their climate commitments in recent years as their focus on AI has sharpened — but rather pure economics. Financial analyst Lazard said last month that installing utility-scale solar panels and batteries is still cheaper than building out natural gas plants, even without tax incentives. Gas infrastructure is also facing a global shortage that makes the timescales for setting up power generation vastly different.“The waiting list for a new turbine is five years,” “If you want a new solar plant, you call China, you say, ‘I want more solar.’”

Range Looks to Capture 5-Bcf/d Appalachia AI Power Market Growth -Range Resources seeks to expand its gas supply agreements with power generation partners in Appalachia.With a Marcellus and Utica inventory measured in decades, Range is poised to capture a share of the anticipated 4 Bcf/d to 5 Bcf/d of additional regional power demand expected by the end of the decade, CEO Dennis Degner said.Appalachia power demand is growing from technology hyperscalers, data centers and other industrial users. Big Tech is securing power purchase agreements for renewable sources like nuclear and hydropower wherever possible, but natural gas is expected to supply much of the baseload power needed to keep AI data centers running reliably.“We hear from the end users how important it is to address the 99.999% of reliability,” Degner said July 23 during Range’s second-quarter earnings call. The nascent gas-to-AI story is beginning to take shape in the hills of Appalachia. Just as Range gained an early lead in the Marcellus play after its discovery over two decades ago, it’s now ahead of the curve on this new trend.In April, Range, Liberty Energy and Imperial Land Corp. announced an alliance to develop a natural gas power generation facility in Washington County, Pennsylvania.Range expects that an end user offtaker for the gas-fired power will come to the table for a deal “here in the near term,” Degner said.Just last week, Trump-backed investors rallied in Pittsburgh to unveil $90 billion of commitments for energy and infrastructure investments in Pennsylvania shale country. Fellow Appalachia producer EQT Corp. announced two deals to supply around 1.5 Bcf/d of its Marcellus gas to two data center projects in Pennsylvania. EQT produced about 6.34 Bcfe/d from Appalachia in the first quarter.

PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - July 12 to 18 - Uncontrolled Shale Gas Wastewater Release For 34 Hours; Abandoned Conventional Wells Top 300; 107 New Brownfield Sites [PaEN] --From July 12 to 18, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 527 inspection entries and entries from past inspections just posted. Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between July 12 to 18-- Click Here for violations issued. Click Here for inspection entries. At 6:30 p.m on July 13, 2025, Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC reported a well control incident at the 7H shale gas well on the Broadleaf Holdings pad in Columbia, Springfield and Troy Townships, Bradford County caused the “uncontrolled release” of wastewater up the well casing to the pad surface. Read more here. Efforts to control the pressure and prevent fluids from escaping all three well annuli failed for more than 34 hours until a second temporary plug was put in the well. The Courier Times reported on July 16, 2025, Upper Makefield Township residents and Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) said the Department of Environmental Protection is not doing enough to make Energy Transfer/Sunoco define the extent of a petroleum products pipeline leak and clean it up.DEP officials agreed the pipeline company was not doing enough fast enough. "They need to do better,” said David Brown, DEP Environmental Cleanup Manager. "The rate of work has been unsatisfying." Read more here. July 14, 2025 inspection of six conventional wells in Cranberry Township, Venango County found them all abandoned and not plugged and were not set up for production. The wells include Myers V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 and V7. The well owner said in an email dated March 25, 2024 he would plug the wells by March 2025, but did not. The inspection was prompted by an application for inactive well status. Violations issued for abandonment. Response requested by August 1. DEP inspection report - Myers V1. Howard Drilling, Inc. holds 617 permits, including 5 abandoned wells, but not these.July 7, 2025 inspection of the Melat 1 conventional well in Cranberry Township, Venango County found the well abandoned and not plugged. The owner failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. This well was never inspected before. Violations issued. Response requested by August 1. DEP inspection report. Melat holds 18 permits. July 3, 2025 inspection of the Penn Park Dev & Crest 1 conventional well in Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Owner signed a Consent Order & Agreement with the owner May 21, 2024 to plug the well and the owner failed to comply. Original violations issued June 9, 2025. New violation issued for failure to comply with order. No requests made of well owner. DEP inspection report. Baron Crest holds 72 permits. Baron was issued violations July 1 for failing to comply with the same order for not plugging an abandoned will in Venango County. Read more here. June 26, 2025 inspection of the Calvin & Evelyn Miller 1 conventional well in East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County found it abandoned and not plugged. Original violations issued June 4, 2024. Response requested by July 14. DEP inspection report. MTN V holds 1,011 permits.July 15, 2025 inspection of the 127 Veterans RD 1 conventional well in Brady Township, Clarion County found some work had been done to bring the well back into production. The owner was told on July 2 by DEP the well needs to be producing or plugged by the end of July or violations for abandonment would be issued. Violations were issued for failure to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Response requested by August 8. DEP inspection report. Kapp holds 10 permits.Abandoned Conventional Wells: So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 304 violations to 71 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells- [3D Resources LLC ; Amer Natural Resources LLC; WB Anderson; Apex Energy (PA), LLC; Apollo Resources LLC; ARG Resources Inc.; Baird Oil Co.; Baron Crest Energy Co.; Bialy Gas Production LLC; Chris E. Burke; David H. Melat Co; Edward E. & Frederick J. Craig; Crude A Co - Randy L. Larkin; Dannic Energy Corp.; Paul H. Deeter; Delong Oil Inc.; Developed Resources, Inc.; Randy A. Dietterich; Diversified Production LLC; East Resources Inc.; Eastern Natural Resources LLC; Equitrans LP; EQT Production Co.; Exotic Oil & Gas LLC; Ex-Treme Oil And Gas LLC; Harry L. King; Howard Drilling Inc.; Iron Pennsylvania Land LLC; Keystone Crude LLC; Kiski Valley Gas Co.; Leechburg Gas Co.; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; Mid East Oil Co.; MTN Energy; MTN V Oil & Gas Inc.; Charles E. Myers; Myers Gas; Niche Energy LLC; Ohio Kentucky Oil Corp. ; Oil & Gas MGMT Co. LLC; Old MTN Gas Co. Inc.; OneXXX Prod & Exploration Corp.; Ows Acquisition Co. LLC; PA Mineral SVCS LLC; PBS Coals Inc; Raymond J. Patten; Pencan Explorations Inc.; Penta Oil Corp.; Robert F. Phipps; Pillar Energy PA, LLC; Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC; Prosperity Oil Co. Inc.; Red Lion Gas Coop Assn; Reel Resources, Inc; Raymond Sawyer; Fred C. Scheel; SK Opr Inc.; Larry A. Shaffer Jr.; FM Sloan Inc.; Andrew F. Suchko; S R Star O&G LLC ; Stockman LLC; Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC; Andrew F. Suchko; Thomas Thurma Jean; Timberline Energy, Inc.; Valley Green Golf & Country Club, Inc.; Vessels Coal Gas Inc.; Washington Energy Co LLC; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring; Woodward Inc.]. Abandoned Shale Gas Wells: So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 58 violations to 22 shale gas drilling companies for abandoning and not plugging their wells-- [Anegada Energy LLC; Apex Energy (PA) LLC; Big Dog Energy LLC; Big Dog Energy LLC; Blackhill Energy LLC; Diversified Prod LLC; Diversified Production LLC; Diversified Production LLC; EQT ARO LLC; EQT Chap LLC; EQT Chap LLC; EQT Production Co.; EQT Production Co.; Frontier Natural Resources; Hilcorp Energy Co.; LPR Energy LLC; LPR Energy LLC; Rice Drilling B LLC [EQT]; Rice Drilling B LLC [EQT]; Roulette Oil & Gas LLC; STL Resources LLC; Taft Operating LLC].

Repsol Continues Cleanup at Bradford Pad, No Stream Impacts -Marcellus Drilling News -Overview of the current material recovery around the 7H wellhead, material is being piled for removal offsite (PA DEP) Earlier this week, MDN brought you the news about an “uncontrolled release” of production fluid at a Repsol well in northeastern Pennsylvania (see Uncontrolled Release of Wastewater at Repsol Pad in Bradford County). The fluid escaped secondary containment and specially-constructed gravel berms set up and poured over into the surrounding environment at Repsol’s 7H gas well on the Broadleaf Holdings pad in Troy Township, Bradford County. The uncontrolled release went on for 34 hours until a second plug was installed to stop the flow. Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) did a follow-up inspection. Fortunately, there have been no significant impacts on nearby streams.

Pa. AG Files Criminal Charges Against Equitrans for 2022 Accident - Marcellus Drilling News -Pennsylvania’s Republican Attorney General, Dave Sunday, has turned out to be a MAJOR disappointment. Yesterday, Sunday’s office filed 14 criminal counts against Equitrans Midstream (now owned and part of EQT Corporation) for an accident that happened in 2022. In November 2022, one of the ten natural gas storage wells at the Equitrans Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area in Jackson Township, Cambria County, began to leak. Equitrans is the owner/operator of Rager Mountain. The well leaked roughly 100 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of gas into the atmosphere (see Equitrans Gas Storage Well in Cambria County, PA is Leaking). Read More

Mizuho Securities Says Marcellus “Worth About $20,000 an Acre” -Marcellus Drilling News -We spotted a fascinating Hart Energy article that summarizes information from a recently released Mizuho Securities study. Mizuho researcher Nitin Kumar says that we are roughly halfway through the shale revolution. He posits that approximately 290,000 horizontal wells have been landed in shale rock in the Lower 48 and that under current economic conditions and with current technology, another 270,000 locations remain. It will take another 25 years to drill them, says Kumar. Which is interesting, although we take some issue with those findings. However, embedded in the statistics is something that caught our attention: the value of undeveloped acreage in various shale plays, including the Marcellus.

Judge backs New York ban on gas hookups - A federal appliance efficiency statute does not prevent New York from amending state law to bar new gas hookups in certain buildings, a court ruled Wednesday.Judge Glenn Suddaby of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York found the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) does not preempt the state from changing its building and energy codes to block new gas infrastructure.The decision is giving renewed hope to clean energy advocates pushing to expand building electrification and reduce reliance on gas. The ruling is the second this year to back New York officials’ efforts to prevent new gas infrastructure. It contrasts with a 2023 appellate court decision on the other side of the country — often cited by the gas industry — which found the Berkeley, California, ban on new gas hookups violated EPCA.

17 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Jul 14 – 20 - Marcellus Drilling News -For the week of July 14 – 20, the number of permits issued to drill new wells in the Marcellus/Utica decreased from the previous week. There were 17 new permits issued across the three M-U states last week, four fewer than the 21 issued two weeks ago. The Keystone State (PA) issued just four new permits. All were single permits. Range Resources received its permit for a well in Allegheny County. EQT got a permit for a well in Greene County. Infinity Natural Resources’ (INR) permit was in Indiana County. And Expand Energy’s permit was in Wyoming County. ALLEGHENY COUNTY | ANTERO RESOURCES | ASCENT RESOURCES | ENCINO ENERGY | EOG RESOURCES | EQT CORP | EXPAND ENERGY | GREENE COUNTY (PA) | GUERNSEY COUNTY | GULFPORT ENERGY | HARRISON COUNTY | INDIANA COUNTY | INR/INFINITY NATURAL RESOURCES | MARION COUNTY | MONROE COUNTY | NOBLE COUNTY | RANGE RESOURCES CORP | WETZEL COUNTY | WYOMING COUNTY (PA)

Judge Approves $167.5 Million Settlement in EQT/Rice Merger Case -Marcellus Drilling News - In June, EQT Corp. agreed to pay $167.5 million to investors who claimed the company overstated the benefits of its $6.7 billion merger with Rice Energy (see EQT Agrees to Pay $167.5M to Settle Class Action re Rice Merger). It is, according to the plaintiffs, the largest-ever stockholder suit deal lodged in Western Pennsylvania federal court. The proposed settlement comes after six years of ongoing litigation. The new news is that U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville, the judge in the case, granted his preliminary blessing of the deal earlier this week.

An estimated 800 gallons of gasoline spill after possible equipment malfunction at Wawa in Wildwood, NJ - 6abc Philadelphia-- There was a massive fuel spill at a Wawa in Wildwood on Sunday. The spill happened around 4:40 p.m. at the Wildwood Rio Grande Avenue location due to a possible equipment malfunction on a third-party fuel delivery tanker that was making a delivery at the store. Firefighters were able to determine that an estimated 800 gallons of gasoline had spilled from the tanker. Officials said the issue was quickly identified, and measures were taken to minimize the environmental impacts. Oil, dry and sand were used to dike off storm drains in the area to prevent any additional product from entering the stormwater drainage system. The Cape May County Health Dept. Haz-Mat (CBRNE), Wildwood Public Works and Sewer Departments and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) were all notified and dispatched to the scene. In addition, the United States Coast Guard was notified due to an unknown amount of gasoline entering nearby storm drains, which drain to the intercoastal waterways on the city's west side. The transport company involved, S. Coraluzzo Petroleum Transporters, based in Hammonton, NJ, implemented their emergency plans and notified Lewis Environmental for clean-up of the incident. The location was closed during the response efforts but has since reopened. Officials said they are working closely with local authorities to assess the situation and ensure that any and all steps to protect the environment are taken. The incident investigation is being handled by the City of Wildwood Police Department and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

Oil spill in Long Island's Mill River forces around-the-clock environmental cleanup - Oil has stopped flowing into Long Island's Mill River, but not before an estimated 1,000 gallons of greasy fluid leaked into the waterway that leads to the Atlantic Ocean. It was all hands on deck as PSEG Long Island contractors kept working to contain the spill Thursday in East Rockaway after an underground electrical transmission cable surrounded by a cooling oil started leaking Monday. Hundreds of gallons of oil leak into Long Island river With state oversight, PSEG Long Island contractors removed hundreds of gallons of oily water and set up containment booms in the East Rockaway Channel after fluid leaked into the Mill River. "Literally, it looks just like a rainbow on the water and you can see the oil," Joey Leggio, an Oceanside boat captain, said. "A lot of people used to go swimming here. Now, how are you going to go swimming in this water now?" Dominic Decrescenzo, of East Rockaway, said. PSEG Long Island said the source of the dielectric fluid leak was discovered Wednesday night. The fluid is similar to mineral oil, which is nonhazardous, the utility said. The flow of fluid was stopped and crews started repairing the cable, the utility said. Environmental crews also took time to wash off greasy swans and ducks. Though the fluid was deemed nonhazardous, at least two ducks died and good Samaritans have been finding other injured birds. "Any sort of foreign substance on a bird's feathers is extremely hazardous to them. It negates their ability to control their own temperature, it stops them from being buoyant. So that they can sink down into the ocean and actually drown," John Di Leonardo, with Humane Long Island, said. "It's a shame. It's really sad, these poor birds," Leggio said. Several Long Island rescues, including the Wildlife Center of Long Island and Sweetbriar Nature Center, have stepped up to help rehabilitate the birds. PSEG Long Island also said it understands residents' concerns about the cleanup and that it was working to address the issues, while emphasizing the fluid is not hazardous.

EQT Ordering Equipment to Expand MVP from 2.0 to 2.5 Bcf/d - Marcellus Drilling News --Embedded in yesterday’s EQT Corporation update for the second quarter was the news that EQT’s plan to expand capacity along the existing 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) from Wetzel County, WV, to Pittsylvania County, VA, is getting a “jumpstart” this year. One year ago, EQT announced a plan to expand capacity along MVP, from 2.0 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) to 2.5 Bcf/d (see EQT’s Game Plan Changed – Keep MVP & Expand Extra 0.5 Bcf/d). During yesterday’s quarterly conference call, EQT CEO Toby Rice stated that the open season is nearly concluded and the company is preordering equipment for the expansion.

PHMSA Cuts Pipeline Safety Enforcement Actions - The number of pipeline safety enforcement cases worked by the federal government has dropped off sharply since President Donald Trump’s administration took power in January. According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the agency initiated 46 enforcement cases in the first six months of 2025. If the rate of filings continues, 2025 would see the lowest number of enforcement cases initiated by the agency in a year, according to records going back to 2002. The agency attributes the drop to an ongoing change in PHMSA policy, according to a report Bloomberg published on June 10. PHMSA issued two revisions to its enforcement policies in June, and cut back on initiating new cases until the policies were in effect, according to the Bloomberg report. The agency monitors midstream infrastructure and opens enforcement files to investigate potential non-compliance with federal regulations or to cite hazardous situations. According to its website, it closed 80 outstanding cases in the first half of this year.

Upstream M&A Deals Slow in 2Q, Two of Top 3 Deals Located in M-U -Marcellus Drilling News - According to Enverus Intelligence Research, the upstream M&A (mergers and acquisitions) sector “hit the brakes” during the second quarter, falling 21% quarter-over-quarter to $13.5 billion. There were two Marcellus/Utica deals in the top five. Actually, our two deals were in the top three. The announcement by EOG Resources cutting a deal to buy Encino Energy in the Ohio Utica for $5.6 billion was the #1 highest value M&A deal in upstream O&G during 2Q (see HUGE Utica News: EOG Resources Buys Encino Energy for $5.6 Billion). The #3 highest value deal was EQT’s purchase of Olympus Energy for $1.8 billion (see EQT Buying Olympus Energy for $1.8 Billion; 90K Acres, 0.5 Bcf/d).

Baker Hughes Sees Bright Outlook for Natural Gas as LNG, Data Center Boom Fuels Growth -Baker Hughes Co. expects growing natural gas and LNG demand across the world to lift its industrial and energy technology (IET) business in the years ahead and offset weakness in the oilfield services (OFS) sector that’s expected to continue. Chart showing LNG projects and their capacities listed with the timeline for completion in the United The company booked $7 billion of orders during the second quarter, including $3.5 billion in its IET segment alone that resulted in another record equipment backlog. “Looking beyond this year, we see continued momentum for power solutions, sustained growth in new energy and a robust pipeline of LNG and gas infrastructure opportunities,” CEO Lorenzo Simonelli said during a call to discuss second quarter earnings.

Santos Expects Barossa Natural Gas Production, Supply to Darwin LNG in Coming Months -Santos Ltd. management anticipates first gas from its Darwin LNG extension project within the next several months, marking the potential for more cargoes for the Asian market. Aerial photograph of Darwin LNG facility in Australia showing liquefaction tanks and associated infrastructure. A floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit arrived at the Barossa gas field in June and began final commissioning work to bring volumes from the offshore production area to the Darwin facility. CEO Kevin Gallagher said the Barossa project is on track to begin production during the third quarter, contributing to the company’s plans to boost overall volumes 30% by 2027.

Golden Pass LNG Reports Sustained Feed Gas Flows — Golden Pass LNG received its first significant draw of feed gas earlier in the week, according to pipeline flow data, indicating that commissioning activities could begin to ramp up. The Golden Pass facility southeast of Houston received 4,067 Dekatherms (Dth) Wednesday, according to Wood Mackenzie pipeline data. Additional nominations were reported, but were revised down to zero by Friday. The receipt of gas followed FERC’s recent approval for the introduction of hazardous materials for the terminal's fuel system and ground flares. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission also authorized commissioning of an interconnect facility to the Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America LLC system.

Golden Pass LNG Gains Crucial FERC Approval, Setting Stage for Feed Gas Ramp-Up — A look at the global natural gas and LNG markets by the numbers

• 790 MMcf/d: Golden Pass LNG could soon begin generating feed gas demand after being granted key federal approvals for commissioning. FERC approved the introduction of hazardous materials for the terminal's fuel system and ground flares, as well as for an interconnect facility to the Natural Gas Pipeline Co. system. Golden Pass LNG is designed with a nameplate capacity of 18 million tons/year (Mt/y) at peak output. Once operational, Train 1 could add up to 790 MMcf/d in feed gas demand at full output, according to NGI calculations.
• 4.2 Mt/y: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is evaluating the Gulfstream LNG project for final construction approval after a 14-month prefiling process. Developer Gulfstream LNG Development LLC is seeking to build a 4.2 Mt/y export facility in Plaquemines Parish, LA. Gulfstream is the first greenfield LNG export project to complete the pre-filing process in five years. It is also a part of a backlog of 290 Mt/y of LNG projects that have been proposed in the United States, according to NGI’s LNG Project Tracker.
• 5 diversions: Multiple U.S. LNG cargoes have been diverted from France in recent days to more profitable markets, mostly in Asia, as lower spot market prices bring buyers into the market. Five vessels carrying Gulf Coast gas volumes have diverted from French import terminals, including four in the last week. An influx of LNG cargoes to the major European import hub has dropped local prices to $11.141/MMBtu, making it the lowest-earning destination in Northwest Europe at the moment. Meanwhile, Russian LNG imports in France are set to surpass U.S. volumes in July, according to Kpler data.
• $2.126/MMBtu: Average natural gas prices in Europe fell sharply in the spring compared to the volatile winter, but the range of prices at regional hubs rose to near-record levels in the second quarter, according to the European Union’s (EU) Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). Day-ahead gas prices in the EU averaged $12.69 during the quarter, but the range of prices between EU virtual trading hubs rose to $2.126, the highest range since early 2023. Countries without direct access to LNG terminals, like Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary saw the greatest premiums over the Title Transfer Facility, according to ACER.
• 10.8%: Commissioning of Cheniere Energy Inc.’s Corpus Christi LNG Stage 3 expansion pushed the Texas port’s natural gas exports to a new record during the first six months of the year. The Port of Corpus Christi reported LNG exports reached 8.5 Mt at the end of June, a 10.8% rise from the same period last year. Two of the seven midscale trains of the Stage 3 project have achieved LNG production. The remaining trains are expected to come online by early 2026, adding up to 10 Mt/y in capacity.

Want a trade deal? Buy some American LNG. - U.S. gas exports are getting a boost from their role as a key bargaining chip in the Trump administration’s trade negotiations. Fresh off wins for the fossil fuel sector in the Republican megalaw, the Trump administration is now pushing hard in the talks for countries to buy U.S. fossil fuels, most notably natural gas that’s liquefied for easy export over long distances. New gas purchase commitments from foreign trade partners are helping to avert a wave of U.S. tariffs set to take effect Aug. 1. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in recent days that the final sprint on trade talks will be “for the record books,” adding that countries will be hit with tariffs in August if deals aren’t reached. “LNG is playing a significant role in the bilateral trade talks,” Mark Menezes, president of the U.S. Energy Association trade group and a former Department of Energy official in Trump’s first term, said in an interview. “It’s certainly a way to address the trade imbalance and also the potential tariffs.” As of last week, 14 binding deals and seven tentative ones have been signed this year for U.S. LNG, said Talon Custer, an energy equity analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. This week, President Donald Trump announced new trade deals with Japan and Indonesia, and deals with Malaysia and the European Union appear close. While Trump is touting the deals as major breakthroughs for U.S. industry, they are not the traditional, all-encompassing free trade agreements that typically take months or years to negotiate and enact into law with congressional approval. Still, on Tuesday, Trump said the United States had reached a trade agreement with Japan that will include a “major expansion of U.S. energy exports.”He said the United States and Japan are likely forming a “joint venture” in Alaska around LNG, telling Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to “set that up.” Trump has been talking about the potential venture for months.The White House also announced a deal with Indonesia that advances trade in crude oil, gasoline and liquid petroleum gas, a product category that includes propane. A White House spokesperson did not respond for comment on more details of the pact, but the American Petroleum Institute celebrated it. It’s too soon to tell if the deal will reverse long-standing U.S. trade imbalances. The U.S. trade deficit in May was roughly $72 billion, down from deficit spikes earlier in the year but up from April 2024. But the trade deals and new business ventures are central to the Trump administration’s all-out push to boost fossil fuels — and cut federal support for renewables. The Republican budget law directs more oil and gas lease sales on public lands and slashes royalty payments. It also gives oil and gas producers new tax perks — and delays for a decade a fee on methane emissions. Those wins for the oil and gas sector passed alongside massive cuts to wind and solar tax credits and grants. The U.S. is flush with natural gas and is adding infrastructure to ship more. The Department of Energy says the U.S. is on track to triple LNG export capacity by 2030. The White House says it’s prioritizing LNG. “President Trump is leveraging every tool of government to boost natural gas production and LNG exports,” Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, told POLITICO’s E&E News. “This stands as a major priority and success for President Trump, as we’ve already witnessed significant demand and interest from our trading partners for more American LNG.”

‘Stakes Are High’ for U.S. Manufacturers Warning of LNG-Fueled Natural Gas Price Shock -- Spooked by the rapid expansion of U.S. LNG exports, manufacturers are warning that rising natural gas prices could cripple operations that depend on the fuel, potentially undermining the very industries the Trump administration aims to support. NGI's natural gas forward curve prices at locations relevant to LNG exports. “We are for an LNG policy that puts America first, not an America last policy, which is what we have now,” Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA) CEO Paul Cicio said. Since President Trump’s second term began, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has significantly ramped up LNG export approvals. DOE Secretary Chris Wright in May said that since President Trump took office, five LNG export authorizations have been issued totaling 11.45 Bcf/d.

Gas Markets Finally Chill Out After Years of Turmoil -- After nearly three years of lurching between panic and euphoria, U.S. natural gas markets are finally catching their breath. Volatility in the Henry Hub front-month futures contract—a key benchmark for U.S. gas prices—has fallen sharply in the first half of 2025, signaling a return to something resembling stability. According to newly released data from Bloomberg and highlighted by the EIA, annualized volatility dropped from a frothy 81% in Q4 2024 to 69% by mid-2025. While that’s still elevated compared to pre-2022 norms, it’s a meaningful decline, suggesting that the market is no longer reacting to every weather forecast or geopolitical rumor. The calm follows a record-setting storage build season. After a warm winter and sluggish demand from both the power sector and LNG export terminals earlier this year, the U.S. entered injection season with inventories already running high. By mid-July, storage levels were within spitting distance of the five-year average—a stark contrast to the storage panic of 2022, when Europe’s scramble for LNG sent U.S. gas prices surging. This newfound balance has restored some seasonality to gas prices, with front-month futures responding more predictably to summer cooling demand and hurricane risks. It’s also coincided with a broader shift in gas trading behavior: hedge funds have started unwinding speculative long positions, and physical buyers are reportedly locking in forward contracts at more favorable rates. But with LNG export capacity expected to surge in 2026 and domestic power demand increasingly tethered to AI-driven data center growth, the next volatility cycle may already be loading in the background. For now, though, U.S. gas is—finally—acting its age.

US Natgas Prices Fall 6% to 1-Week Low on Record Output, Lower Demand Forecasts - (Reuters) – U.S. natural gas futures fell about 6% to a one-week low on Monday on record output, forecasts for less hot weather over the next two weeks, stagnant gas flows to liquefied natural gas export plants and ample amounts of gas in storage. Front-month gas futures for August delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 21.1 cents, or 5.9%, to $3.354 per million British thermal units at 10:03 a.m. EDT (1403 GMT), putting the contract on track for its lowest close since July 11. Looking ahead, the premium of futures for March over April 2026, fell to its lowest since March 2020. The industry calls the March-April spread the “widow maker” because rapid price moves resulting from changing weather forecasts have forced some speculators out of business, including the Amaranth hedge fund, which lost more than $6 billion in 2006. The industry uses the March-April and October-November spreads to bet on winter weather forecasts and supply and demand since March is the last month of the winter heating season when utilities pull gas out of storage and October is the last month of the summer cooling season when utilities inject gas into storage. Despite hotter than normal weather so far this summer, analysts projected record output would allow energy firms to keep injecting more gas into storage than usual in coming weeks. Gas stockpiles were already about 6% above normal levels for this time of year. LSEG said average gas output in the Lower 48 rose to 107.2 billion cubic feet per day so far in July, up from a monthly record high of 106.4 bcfd in June. On a daily basis, output hit a record high of 108.5 bcfd on July 18, topping the prior all-time daily high of 107.9 bcfd on July 14. Meteorologists forecast the weather in the Lower 48 U.S. states would remain mostly hotter than normal through at least August 5, with the hottest days so far this summer expected over the next week or two. LSEG forecast average gas demand in the Lower 48, including exports, would rise from 106.3 bcfd this week to 110.4 bcfd next week. Those forecasts were lower than LSEG’s outlook on Friday. The average amount of gas flowing to the eight big U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants rose to 15.8 bcfd so far in July as liquefaction units at some plants slowly exited maintenance reductions and unexpected outages. That was up from 14.3 bcfd in June and 15.0 bcfd in May, but remained below the monthly record high of 16.0 bcfd in April. Gas flows to U.S. energy firm Cheniere Energy’s 3.9-bcfd Corpus Christi LNG export plant in Texas were on track to decline to 1.7 bcfd on Monday from 2.2 bcfd on Sunday and an average of 2.3 bcfd over the prior seven days, according to LSEG data. Officials at Cheniere had no comment on the reduction. The company, however, has said in a report that compressor work on a pipeline providing gas to the plant could reduce gas flows by around 0.4 bcfd on July 24.

US Natgas Prices Fall 5% to 12-Week Low on Near-Record Output, Lagging LNG Exports - U.S. natural gas futures fell about 5% to a 12-week low on Wednesday on near-record output, stagnant gas flows to liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants, and ample amounts of gas in storage. Front-month gas futures for August delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 17.5 cents, or 5.4%, to settle at $3.077 per million British thermal units, their lowest close since April 25. That price drop put the front-month into technically oversold territory for the first time since mid-May. Despite hotter than normal weather this summer, analysts projected record output should allow energy firms to keep injecting more gas into storage than usual in coming weeks. Gas stockpiles were already about 6% above normal levels for this time of year. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said a tropical system off the east coast of Florida had a 10% chance of strengthening into a tropical cyclone over the next week as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico. Even though Gulf storms can boost prices by knocking some gas production out of service, analysts have noted that they are more likely to cut demand and prices by knocking out power to millions of homes and businesses, which reduces the amount of gas that electric generators need to burn, and shutting LNG export plants. Only about 2% of all U.S. gas comes from the federal offshore Gulf of Mexico. LSEG said average gas output in the Lower 48 U.S. states rose to 107.3 billion cubic feet per day so far in July from a monthly record high of 106.4 bcfd in June. LSEG forecast average gas demand in the Lower 48, including exports, will rise from 105.9 bcfd this week to 110.1 bcfd next week. Those forecasts were similar to LSEG’s outlook on Tuesday. The average amount of gas flowing to the eight big U.S. LNG export plants rose to 15.7 bcfd so far in July as liquefaction units at some slowly exited maintenance reductions and unexpected outages. Gas was trading around $12 per mmBtu at both the Dutch Title Transfer Facility benchmark in Europe and the Japan Korea Marker benchmark in Asia.

US natural gas prices climb on heat forecast, smaller storage build -US natural gas futures edged up about one per cent on Thursday on a smaller-than-expected storage build and forecasts for the hottest weather in three years to blanket much of the country early next week. That heat wave should cause power generators to burn more gas to meet soaring air conditioning demand. Front-month gas futures for August delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 1.7 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to $3.094 per million British thermal units by 10:39 EDT (14:39 GMT). On Wednesday, the contract closed at its lowest since April 25, putting it in technically oversold territory for the first time since mid-May. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said energy firms added 23 billion cubic feet of gas to storage during the week ended July 18. That was smaller than the 33-bcf build analysts forecast in a Reuters poll and compares with an increase of 20 bcf during the same week last year and an average of 30 bcf over the 2020-2024 period. That build left stockpiles about six per cent above the five-year normal for this time of year. Looking ahead, the premium of futures for September over August rose to a record high, a sign the market was giving up on hot summer weather in August that could cause gas prices to soar next month. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said a tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico had a 10 per cent chance of strengthening into a tropical cyclone over the next week. Even though Gulf storms can boost prices by knocking gas production out of service, analysts have noted that storms are more likely to cut demand and prices by shutting LNG export plants and knocking out power to millions of homes and businesses, which reduces the amount of gas that electric generators need to burn. That is because only about two per cent of all US gas comes from the federal offshore Gulf of Mexico. LSEG said average gas output in the Lower 48 US states has risen to 107.3 billion cubic feet per day so far in July, up from a monthly record high of 106.4 bcfd in June. On a daily basis, however, output was on track to drop to a preliminary two-week low of 106.2 bcfd on Thursday since hitting a daily record high of 108.5 bcfd on July 18. Meteorologists forecast the weather in the Lower 48 would remain mostly hotter than normal through at least August 8. The hottest days of the summer are expected early next week. Temperatures across the country will average around 82.4 degrees fahrenheit (28 degrees celsius) on July 28 and 82.8 degrees fahrenheit on July 29. If correct, that will exceed the summer's current hottest daily average of 80.3 degrees fahrenheit on June 24 but would remain just shy of the daily average record high of 83 degrees fahrenheit on July 20, 2022, according to data from LSEG going back to 2018. LSEG forecast average gas demand in the Lower 48 states, including exports, will rise from 105.9 bcfd this week to 110.1 bcfd next week. Those forecasts were similar to LSEG's outlook on Tuesday. The average amount of gas flowing to the eight big US LNG export plants rose to 15.7 bcfd so far in July, as liquefaction units at some of the facilities slowly exited maintenance reductions and unexpected outages. That was up from 14.3 bcfd in June and 15 bcfd in May but remained below the monthly record high of 16 bcfd in April.

Louisiana cancels $3 billion coastal restoration project (AP) — Louisiana on Thursday canceled a $3 billion repair of disappearing Gulf coastline, funded by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spillsettlement, scrapping what conservationists called an urgent response to climate change but Gov. Jeff Landry viewed as a threat to the state’s way of life.Despite years of studies and reviews, the project at the center of Louisiana’s coastal protection plans grew increasingly imperiled after Landry, a Republican, took office last year. Its collapse means that the state could lose out on more than $1.5 billion in unspent funds and may even have to repay the $618 million it already used to begin building.The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group, a mix of federal agencies overseeing the settlement funds, said that “unused project funds will be available for future Deepwater Horizon restoration activities” but would require review and approval.The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project aimed to rebuild upward of 20 square miles (32 kilometers) of land over a 50-year period in southeast Louisiana to combat sea level rise and erosion on the Gulf Coast. When construction stalled last year because of lawsuits, trustees warned that the state would have to return the hundreds of millions of dollars it had already spent if the project did not move forward.Former Louisiana Rep. Garret Graves, a Republican who once led the state’s coastal restoration agency, said that killing the project was “a boneheaded decision” not rooted in science.“It is going to result in one of the largest setbacks for our coast and the protection of our communities in decades,” Graves said. “I don’t know what chiropractor or palm reader they got advice from on this, but — baffling that someone thought this was a good idea.” Project supporters stressed that it would have provided a data-driven, large-scale solution to mitigate the worst effects of an eroding coastline in a state where a football field of land is lost every 100 minutes and more than 2,000 square miles (5,180 square kilometers) of land have vanished over the past century, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The project, which broke ground in 2023, would have diverted sediment-laden water from the Mississippi River to restore wetlands disappearing because of a range of factors including climate-change-induced sea level rise and a vast river levee system that choked off natural land regeneration from sediment deposits.“The science has not changed, nor has the need for urgent action,” said Kim Reyher, executive director of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. “What has changed is the political landscape.”

Belcher: How the Big Bill Impacts Oil and Gas - The signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law on July 4 represented an enormous victory for President Donald Trump, and it has huge implications for the U.S. energy industry. An extremely complex bill, it passed by razor thin margins in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. While the bill addresses a host of policy areas, including tax, Medicaid and immigration and border security, it represents a major step in implementing the president’s energy dominance agenda. Mirroring what U.S. and global markets have been projecting over the past several months, the bill refocuses policy away from climate, ESG and renewable energy, and toward energy reliability, dispatchability and security. Fossil energy, nuclear, geothermal and, to an extent, hydrogen, emerged as winners, while wind and solar took a hit. Some of the most consequential pieces of the bill are directed at oil and gas leasing and permitting, both onshore and offshore. For example, the bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to hold quarterly lease sales across nine western states over 10 years, increases the onshore drilling term from three years to four years, and lowers the federal onshore royalty rate from 16.67% back to 12.5%. Offshore, the Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) must hold no fewer than two lease sales every year for 15 years in the central and western Gulf of America, requiring at least 80 million acres to be included in each lease sale. Additionally, the legislation restores the federal minimum offshore royalty rate to 12.5% and increases the amount of offshore revenue to be distributed to states and conservation programs. The bill also allows for comingling of onshore and offshore production under certain conditions, and delays until 2035 the so-called methane fee included in the Inflation Reduction Act that imposes royalties on all methane extracted from onshore and offshore federal leases. There are significant incentives for oil and gas activities in Alaska. For example, BOEM must hold six Cook Inlet lease sales over 10 years, while BLM is required to hold six lease sales over 10 years in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska and four lease sales over 10 years in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, 50% of bonus, rental and royalty receipts paid to the federal government from the oil and gas program must be paid to the State of Alaska in fiscal years 2025 through 2033, increasing to 70% beginning fiscal year 2034. In total, Congress anticipates increased onshore oil and gas leasing will produce an additional $11 billion in federal revenues over 10 years, while offshore leasing will produce an additional $5 billion. It is estimated that Alaska oil and gas leasing will add another $1 billion. OBBBA also includes language to encourage federal coal leasing and to make more leasing tracts available. It also reduces the royalty rate for federal coal production from 12.5% to 7% through 2034 to boost coal production. OBBBA changed the tax deduction benefits for intangible drilling costs, allowing companies to receive the benefits more quickly. It amends the tax credits created in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by cutting and accelerating the phase-outs for “clean” energy sources, especially wind and solar, while providing exceptions for energy sources deemed to be more thermal and dispatchable, such as nuclear and geothermal. The final OBBBA text also retained some benefits for biofuels and hydrogen, and it largely maintained incentives for carbon capture and storage (CCS). A credit was also added to encourage the mining of metallurgical coal, which is used for steelmaking and is often exported. Producers of metallurgical coal will receive a 2.5% tax break as part of the 45X advanced manufacturing production tax credit. Language that would have accelerated project approvals for pipeline projects in exchange for a $10 million fee, and LNG export projects for a $1 million fee, was struck from the final package for not complying with Senate rules. Language in the final bill did establish accelerated NEPA reviews on projects that trigger NEPA reviews, in exchange for a fee of up to 125% of the project cost. Those developments underscore the need for additional permitting reform, which could take place through additional legislation later this year or next year. OBBA also provides increased funding for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), including $218 million for maintenance and repairs, and $171 million for the acquisition of new petroleum products.

White House report extols fossil fuels as economic engine - Increased production of oil and natural gas could boost U.S. gross domestic product nearly 2 percent by 2035, the White House Council of Economic Advisers said in a report released Thursday.To meet the needs of artificial intelligence and other energy-hungry enterprises, the report — “The Economic Benefits of Unleashing American Energy” — calls for accelerating the construction of gas pipelines, preventing coal plant retirements, quickly permitting all kinds of oil and gas projects and boosting liquefied natural gas exports.The report says the “energy potential of public lands remains underutilized” while highlighting provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to expand lease sales, lower lease royalties, and nix wind and solar tax credits.“Policies that promote the energy sector’s growth,” it says, could raise GDP by 1.9 percent over the next decade.

SLB Sees Near-term Slowdown in E&P Activity Before Rebound Next Year SLB Ltd., the world’s largest oilfield services (OFS) operator, reported a sluggish second quarter for exploration and production (E&P) spending in the second quarter as firms readjusted to market and demand uncertainty. (graph: NGI spot natural gas prices with Lower 48 production) A significant portion of the decline in activity centered in North America, according to management, where producers are waiting to react to the implications of an oil oversupply and stronger natural gas prices in 2026. The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) front month WTI contract closed at $67.34/bbl on Friday, down 20 cents from Thursday’s close. Meanwhile, the Nymex natural gas August contract settled at $3.565/MMBtu, up 2.3 cents day/day. Lower 48 benchmark Henry Hub is seen averaging $4.286 in 2026, according to NGI’s Forward Look data.

Mizuho: 25 More Years of Oil Shale Wells Left to Drill | Hart Energy -It’s halftime in the epic U.S. shale game with roughly 25 more years of oil drilling left and 22 more years of gas targets, according to a Mizuho Securities USA analysis. And the undeveloped leasehold that is left carries an average price of $10,000 an acre, ranging from $80,000 in New Mexico’s northern Delaware Basin to $100 on the Permian’s Central Basin Platform.To date, roughly 290,000 horizontals have been landed in tight rock in the Lower 48 and 270,000 locations remain, Mizuho energy analyst and managing director Nitin Kumar found in a recent study.The findings are based on a Mizuho database of more than 325,000 horizontals landed across North America since 2005 and more than 81 million data points, such as each well’s gas and oil output, spacing and cost.“Based on our analysis of remaining inventory … we estimate about 269,000 wells remain across core plays in U.S. shale compared to some 290,000 horizontal wells drilled in core basins since 2008,” Kumar reported.“At the pace of development in 2024—some 10,800 wells—we estimate this represents roughly 25 years of remaining inventory depth in shale.”Of the undrilled total, about 13% is in U.S. shale plays’ Tier 1 or core acreage and 22% are in Tier 2 areas, totaling about 93,000 future well locations, which would be some eight to nine years of drilling at the 2024 pace.“Using the adjusted well productivity for remaining well inventory, we estimate U.S. shale can hold Lower 48 oil volumes flat for about nine years—or until 2033—below $60/bbl WTI,” he wrote.As for U.S. shale gas, he expects remaining inventory in Appalachia, the Haynesville and other gas-weighted acreage “could sustain their share of U.S. natural gas volumes for approximately 22 years below $3.50/Mcf at the wellhead.”Operators with the most remaining oil location inventory are Chevron Corp., Hess Corp.(now a part of Chevron as of July 18), Diamondback Energy and Crescent Energy based on their 2024 drilling pace.Holding the most remaining gas inventory is Range Resources. In the Permian in particular among public E&Ps there, Diamondback has 25 years remaining, Coterra Energy has 23 and Occidental Petroleum and Chevron each has 22.In Lower 48 gas plays, Range, Antero Resources, EQT Corp. and EOG Resources(including in the Utica shale) each have more than 15 years remaining.Across the Midland Basin, Kumar counted roughly 56,000 remaining well locations with public E&Ps holding 77%.Delaware-wide, there are roughly 52,000 locations left to drill. Public E&Ps hold 77% there as well, he found.The average undeveloped Lower 48 shale acre is worth about $10,000 at $70 WTI and $4 Henry Hub, Kumar added.“We would note that this estimate has increased by approximately 200% since 2022 via a combination of higher natural gas prices, lower well costs and stable well productivity trends,” Kumar reported. Just undeveloped Tier 1 leasehold, though, is worth an average of $20,000 an acre across the Lower 48, Kumar found, with the average of the different core areas of the Delaware ($30,700) and Midland ($31,300) basins worth the most.Among the Permian cores—which include the New Mexico side of the Delaware, Texas-side Delaware, the northern Midland and the Midland’s Howard County—the average value is more than $40,000 per undeveloped acre with the Delaware’s core in New Mexico worth some $80,000 an acre, he found.He also found that private E&Ps have been pushed to the north and south in the Midland. In the Delaware, “private activity has focused on the New Mexico Shelf to the north and Reeves/Pecos border in the south part of the basin.” As for U.S. shale gas acres, Expand holds 17% followed by EQT (14%) and Range (8%).“Acreage operatorship appears to be less consolidated in gassy sub-basins than the oil assets,” Kumar reported.“We estimate public E&Ps control approximately 58% of acreage in the northeastern Marcellus, southwestern Marcellus, Texas Haynesville and Eagle Ford dry-gas sub-basins—the four most valuable gas plays.”He added, “Private operators still control approximately 29% of acreage in these areas.”The northeastern and southwestern Marcellus areas are worth about $20,000 an acre.

U.S. Refiners Rethink Crude Sourcing After Chevron Gets Venezuela Green Light - U.S. refiners are reassessing Latin American crude sourcing strategies after President Donald Trump’s administration granted Chevron the authority to resume and expand operations in Venezuela, signaling a shift in sanctions enforcement that could revive heavy crude flows to Gulf Coast plants.The change follows more than a year of tightened restrictions, during which Gulf refiners diversified rapidly to alternative suppliers including Brazil, Colombia, and Guyana crude. U.S., importing an average of 95,000 barrels per day from Guyana in the first half of 2025, up sharply from pre-sanctions levels, as companies such as Valero, Marathon, and PBF Energy sought to replace heavier grades previously sourced from Venezuela and Mexico, Reuters reported on Friday.Now, those companies may face tough operational decisions. While Venezuelan crude provides a better feedstock match for many Gulf Coast coking refineries, several have recently invested in units configured for medium-sweet crude from Guyana and the Middle East.Blending strategies and recent capex decisions suggest refiners won’t simply flip back to Venezuelan barrels overnight.Chevron, which operates joint ventures with PDVSA under a pre-existing OFAC framework, is expected to gradually increase exports from fields in the Orinoco Belt and western Zulia state. ING analysts forecast a measured but market-moving return of Venezuelan supply in the second half of 2025, dependent on infrastructure recovery and port throughput. The decision is also expected to boost demand for Aframax and Suezmax tankers in the Atlantic Basin.TradeWinds reported on Friday that shippers are repositioning tonnage in anticipation of U.S. buyers returning to Venezuela. The Biden administration had paused all new Venezuela-related licenses in 2024, but under Trump, backchannel negotiations between U.S. and Venezuelan intermediaries helped lay the groundwork for Chevron’s phased comeback. For now, U.S. refiners are navigating a volatile supply landscape shaped by shifting political winds, and weighing whether a partial return to Venezuela will complement, or complicate, their longer-term rebalancing strategies.\

US drillers cut oil and gas rigs for 12th time in 13 weeks, Baker Hughes says (Reuters) - U.S. energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the 12th time in 13 weeks, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in its closely followed report on Friday. The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by two to 542 in the week to July 25. Baker Hughes said this week's decline puts the total rig count down 47 rigs, or 8% below this time last year. Baker Hughes said oil rigs fell by seven to 415 this week, their lowest since September 2021, while gas rigs rose by five to 122, their highest since August 2023. In July, the combined rig count fell for a fifth consecutive month. In Texas, the biggest oil and gas-producing state, the rig count fell by four to 249, the lowest since October 2021. In Alaska, the rig count fell by one to nine, the lowest since July 2024. In the Permian basin in West Texas and eastern New Mexico, the biggest U.S. oil-producing shale formation, the rig count fell by three to 260, the lowest since September 2021. In the Eagle Ford shale in South Texas, the rig count fell by two to 39, the lowest since October 2021. Baker Hughes this week joined its U.S. rivals Halliburton and SLB in warning of a slowdown in upstream activity and spending as weak and volatile oil prices have led producers to curb capital spending and drilling. The oil and gas rig count declined by about 5% in 2024 and 20% in 2023 as lower U.S. oil and gas prices over the past couple of years prompted energy firms to focus more on boosting shareholder returns and paying down debt rather than increasing output. Even though analysts forecast U.S. spot crude prices would decline for a third year in a row in 2025, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected crude output would rise from a record 13.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 to around 13.4 million bpd in 2025. On the gas side, the EIA projected a 68% increase in spot gas prices in 2025 would prompt producers to boost drilling activity this year after a 14% price drop in 2024 caused several energy firms to cut output for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic reduced demand for the fuel in 2020. The EIA projected gas output would rise to 105.9 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2025, up from 103.2 bcfd in 2024 and a record 103.6 bcfd in 2023.

ConocoPhillips in Talks to Sell Oklahoma Assets One of the top U.S oil and gas producers, ConocoPhillips, is in an advanced stage of discussions to sell assets in Oklahoma to privately-held Stone Ridge Energy in a deal that could be worth about $1.3 billion, Reutersreports, citing sources with knowledge of the talks.ConocoPhillips last year acquired Marathon Oil in an all-stock deal with an enterprise value of $22.5 billion, inclusive of $5.4 billion of net debt. The deal expanded ConocoPhillips’ presence in the Permian, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, and Bakken shale basins.Now the company is reportedly in advanced talks to sell about 300,000 net acres in the Anadarko shale formation to Stone Ridge Energy, the energy-focused arm of U.S. Stone Ridge Asset Management. These assets currently produce some 39,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), about half of which is natural gas.If talks lead to a deal, which is not certain per Reuters’ sources, the assets would be managed by Flywheel Energy, an Oklahoma-based private firm backed by Stone Ridge Energy, according to one of the sources.Reports of talks for a sale in Oklahoma come as no surprise, as ConocoPhillips was said in April to have hired investment bank Moelis & Co. to manage a potential deal.This move would be part of ConocoPhillips’ broader strategy to streamline its portfolio after acquiring Marathon Oil and assuming approximately $5.4 billion in debt.ConocoPhillips is seeking to divest $2 billion worth of non-core assets, with a particular focus on holdings in Oklahoma. The decision to sell these assets may appeal to buyers looking to capitalize on the increasing demand for natural gas, particularly in industries like energy-hungry data centers. Since acquiring Marathon Oil, ConocoPhillips has already sold over $1 billion in assets, with plans to refocus on core areas, such as the Permian Basin and Bakken.

New Mexico oil and gas leases land $58M - - Federal officials notched just over $58 million in revenue from leasing 16 parcels of public land in New Mexico to oil and gas producers, the Interior Department announced Thursday. Seven companies won bids for the 7,500 acres of public land, which can now be explored and developed following environmental reviews. The leases are for 10-year terms.In pursuit of energy “dominance,” the Trump administration has focused intensely on the oil and gas sector, seeking to boost domestic output and strip away regulations.Thursday’s lease sale was the first to occur after Congress earlier this month passed a budget package that cut oil and gas royalty rates down to a minimum of 12.5 percent, lower than the 16.67 percent that had been passed into law during the Biden administration. Oil and gas royalties — which are a percentage of the value of publicly owned oil and gas that producers must pay the government — are split between federal authorities and the state where the drilling occurs.

Trump Claims Japan, U.S. to Form Joint Venture for Alaska LNG Exports (Reuters) — U.S. President Donald Trump said on July 22 that Japan will form a joint venture to develop a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska though a Japanese government official said he was not aware of such plans. It was not immediately clear whether Trump was referring specifically to the proposed $44 billion Alaska LNG project. That project would consist of an 800-mile (1,300-km) pipeline carrying gas to a planned liquefaction plant for export. Trump's announcement of the venture came in comments to lawmakers at the White House where he discussed his trade deal with Japan. "We concluded the one deal ... and now we're going to conclude another one because they're forming a joint venture with us at, in Alaska, as you know, for the LNG," Trump told the lawmakers. "They're all set to make that deal now." The METI official, who oversees resource development, said the agency is working to confirm Trump's comments. Several companies from Japan have expressed an interest in buying LNG from the project, along with Thailand's PTT and India's GAIL. JERA and Tokyo Gas, Japan's two biggest LNG buyers, have expressed their interest in the Alaska LNG project but said they would need to assess specific conditions, including costs, before moving forward. But when asked about the joint venture mentioned by Trump, a JERA spokesperson said they could not confirm it. A Tokyo Gas spokesperson declined to comment, saying the company is not involved in a joint venture for LNG in Alaska and is not familiar with the details.

Libya, U.S. to Collaborate on Gas Project to Boost Output (Reuters) - Mellitah Oil and Gas will work with U.S. construction consulting firm Hill International to manage a project which aims to boost Libya's gas output, the country's National Oil Company (NOC) said in a statement on July 23. NOC said a cooperation agreement was signed during a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump's senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos, to Tripoli. Launched by Mellitah Oil and Gas, a joint venture between NOC and Italy's Eni, "Structures A&E" is a strategic project that aims to increase local gas production and ensure exports to Europe, according to Eni. It involves the development of two gas fields located offshore Libya. Combined gas production will start next year and eventually reach 750 MMcfd. Overall investment for the project is estimated to total $8 billion, Eni said earlier. Boulos also met Libya's internationally-recognized Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, according to a statement from the prime minister's office. Dbeibah said his government was committed to building economic partnerships with Washington to open the way for U.S. companies to participate in development and investment projects in Libya. Dbeibah's team delivered a presentation on Libya's strategic economic partnership projects, which are valued at approximately $70 billion and include investor-ready projects in the energy, minerals and electricity sectors among others.

Global Natural Gas Prices Slip as Supply Surges, Heat Fades — LNG Recap - Ample supplies and cooling temperatures combined Monday to drag down global natural gas prices. Image showing a comprehensive market analysis of the European Union’s gas storage levels with graphs representing trends in inventories, highlighting key insights into energy market dynamics and gas data projections for the near future. The end of maintenance at processing plants in Norway and at the Gorgon LNG export terminal in Australia improved the supply outlook. U.S. LNG exports also continue to steadily increase as Plaquemines LNG and an expansion at the Corpus Christi terminal in South Texas ramp up. The Golden Pass terminal on the Texas coast also nominated feed gas for the first time on Friday as it prepares to fire up equipment. No gas was ultimately delivered to the plant, but the facility has asked federal regulators for permission to introduce fuel gas and hazardous fluids to some equipment. The plant is expected to produce first LNG by year’s end.

Global natural gas demand growth set to accelerate in 2026:IEA -Following a slowdown in 2025, growth in global demand for natural gas is expected to rise in 2026, according to the IEA’s latest quarterly Gas Market Report. The report provides a short-term outlook for natural gas supply, demand, trade and more in 2025 and 2026. It finds that market fundamentals remained tight in the first half of 2025 due to a combination of lower Russian piped gas exports to the European Union, relatively modest growth in liquefied natural gas (LNG) output and higher storage injection needs in Europe. In this context, and amid elevated macroeconomic uncertainty, global natural gas demand growth is forecast to slow from 2.8% in 2024 to around 1.3% in 2025. The increase this year is expected to be almost entirely driven by North America and Europe, with the growth in consumption in the Asia-Pacific region – where many markets tend to be sensitive to higher prices – falling to its weakest annual rate since the energy crisis in 2022. The report sees global demand growth picking up again in 2026 and accelerating to around 2% as a considerable increase in LNG supply eases market fundamentals and fosters stronger demand growth in Asia. In 2026, LNG supply is set to rise by 7%, or 40 bcm – its largest increase since 2019 – as new projects come online in the United States, Canada and Qatar. The report includes a special section on the role of the Middle East in global gas markets, noting that geopolitical tensions in the region have fuelled recent price volatility. “The backdrop for global gas markets is shifting as we enter the second half of this year and look towards 2026. The wave of LNG supply that is set to come online is poised to ease fundamentals and spur additional demand, especially in Asia,” said IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security Keisuke Sadamori. “However, our latest forecast is subject to unusually high levels of uncertainty over the global macroeconomic outlook and the volatile geopolitical environment. The IEA continues to monitor gas markets closely and to work with stakeholders around the world to support security of supply.” In the first half of 2025, global natural gas consumption in Europe increased by 6.5% year-over-year, primarily supported by the electricity sector amid lower power generation from wind and hydro. While this should not be interpreted as a structural trend, such episodes highlight the key role gas-fired power plants often play in ensuring electricity supply security in markets with higher shares of variable renewables.

Slovakia to Tap Up to 100% Russian Gas Under EU ExemptionSlovakia to Tap Up to 100% Russian Gas Under EU Exemption --Slovakia’s government is planning to increase its intake of Russian pipeline gas under a temporary EU exemption, reversing earlier commitments to phase out Russian energy supplies in a controversial move amid a growing bloc-wide crackdown on Russian fossil fuels. The exemption allows Bratislava to continue drawing from Gazprom supplies until 2027, aligning with a long-term contract that runs through 2034. The decision comes after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico lifted his veto on the EU’s newest sanctions package against Russia, which includes a new oil price cap and sweeping blacklists. In negotiation, the EU agreed to guarantees on energy security and a delayed phase-out of Russian gas for Slovakia, which Fico said was essential in order to protect heavy industry from prohibitively high costs.The broader EU 18th sanctions package slashed the Russian oil price cap from $60 to $47.60 per barrel, imposed more banking and shadow-fleet restrictions, and locked in a ban on petroleum products refined from Russian crude, regardless of origin, while stopping Nord Stream investments.Slovakia remains dependent on Russian gas for around 40% of its domestic use and nearly all transit volume? (via TurkStream) ?to other central European countries, which complicates decoupling.Previously, Bratislava backed an EU proposal to phase out all new Russian gas contracts by 2028. It has now secured a carve-out until 2027 and financial mechanisms to cushion industries hit by supply disruptions. Fico’s standoff with Brussels also reveals a deeper institutional weakness in the EU’s sanctions regime because it means that any single member state can delay or dilute collective action. Analysts say this structural flaw leaves the bloc vulnerable to political leverage from governments willing to trade consensus for carve-outs.

Hungary, Serbia announce new oil pipeline to bypass EU energy restrictions -- Hungary and Serbia will jointly build a new oil pipeline aimed at safeguarding affordable energy supplies amid ongoing EU efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced on Monday. The pipeline, with an expected annual capacity of 4-5 million tons, is planned to become operational by 2027. Hungary will construct 180 kilometers of the new infrastructure as part of the project. “Brussels wants to cut us off from Russian oil and gas, forcing Hungarian families to pay two to four times more. We won’t allow that,” Szijjarto told a press conference in Budapest. “We are building new sources, not shutting them down.” According to the minister, the pipeline will help protect Hungary’s long-standing utility cost reduction program and shield families from energy price hikes driven by EU policies. Hungary, which has consistently opposed Brussels’ energy sanctions, views the pipeline project as critical to national energy security and regional cooperation with Serbia. The project comes as both countries deepen their energy partnership, with Serbia heavily reliant on Russian oil and gas supplies and Hungary working to secure alternative routes amid EU diversification policies. Budapest has repeatedly warned that ending access to Russian energy would harm its economy and raise household costs, as over 80% of Hungary’s oil imports currently flow through the Druzhba pipeline. In 2023, Hungary and Serbia also launched joint investments in gas infrastructure, including a new interconnector aimed at enhancing regional energy security.

Australia’s Domestic Natural Gas Troubles Could Tighten Global Markets - Australia’s LNG exporters could be under more pressure to supply domestic markets and divert cargoes from Asia as the country’s energy watchdog warns of supply shortfalls by the end of the year. Bar graph showing annual LNG exports from Qatar, the United States and Australia over the last several years with the data for 2025 through July 14, 2025 and compiled by NGI. In the latest supply report, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) estimated that the domestic supply surplus has continued to shrink since the last study in December. The agency estimated domestic market supply could range between a 2 petajoule (PJ) shortfall and an 11 PJ surplus in 4Q2025. Australia’s southern states would be the most vulnerable to a gas shortage near the end of the year, but “structural shortfalls” across the entire east coast are expected by 2028, according to ACCC researchers.

Vessel collision leads to oil spill in Germanys Cuxhaven Port -Authorities in Germany have confirmed that a collision between two vessels earlier this week has resulted in the spillage of oil into the waters of the Port of Cuxhaven. The incident occurred on the morning (local time) of Wednesday, July 23, when the locally-registered product tanker Capella and the Dutch-flagged offshore supply vessel Coastal Legend collided with each other in the port's outer harbour. An estimated six cubic metres of diesel leaked into the harbour's waters following the collision. Firefighters later arrived at the scene and deployed containment booms as a precaution while the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (Technische Hilfswerk; THW) used skimmers to collect some of the oil on the surface. An oil recovery vessel has also been deployed to the area in response to the incident. Officials assured that the incident did not result in injuries and that shipping traffic in the nearby Elbe River had been unaffected by the spill. The response efforts continued into the late evening of Wednesday. According to the latest reports, the THW and other local partners were able to recover approximately 80 cubic metres of oily water, which was then pumped into a waiting tanker for eventual disposal.

Pollution and permit chaos on Limassol’s coastline | Cyprus Mail - A recent oil spill off the coast of Limassol has triggered mounting concern among residents and swimmers, many of whom say the sea remained polluted for days despite official statements declaring the waters safe. The incident, confirmed by authorities to have begun on Saturday, July 12, occurred when a disused subsea pipeline near the Moni seaport ruptured, releasing oil into the sea and reportedly damaging a nearby electricity supply line. The Cyprus ports authority (CPA) said in a public statement that the fisheries department detected the spill early on and took immediate action, supported by a licensed private contractor. “CPA immediately implemented an environmental management protocol,” said CPA general manager Anthimos Christodoulides, “having assigned a licensed company to carry out the necessary pollution prevention and containment measures.” Floating booms were deployed to contain the slick, and the CPA said it had begun the process of contacting the pipeline’s owner to ensure full accountability and dismantling of the pipe. Yet residents insist pollution was visible well before the official announcement was made, with many saying they began submitting complaints nearly two weeks earlier. Maria, a resident of Ayios Tychonas, wrote to the Sunday Mail describing what they saw on the morning of July 12: “The sea near the Mediterranean hotel was covered in a dirty, oily brown film, giving off an unpleasant odour.” Another resident, Pavlos who swam near the Four Seasons hotel that same morning reported: “Brown waste-like slicks, patches of oil, and thick white foam floating visibly on the water. Lifeguards said it’s becoming more frequent and believe it’s coming from ships entering port.” Despite these observations, the CPA only issued a public statement on July 14 with Christodoulides explaining the priority had been to contain the leak. “Once we had a clear picture, we proceeded with informing the public.” He insisted the leak was isolated and due to long-term corrosion. “At this stage, there is no indication of oil pollution originating from any vessels,” he stressed. However, mayor of Amathounta Kyriacos Xydias, whose municipality includes Ayios Tychonas, took a more urgent tone. “I told the CPA, if you are going to make a statement today, the proper state authorities must intervene immediately. First, the matter must not be repeated, and secondly, the matter must be cleaned up.” He added that the municipality regularly coordinates with both deputy ministry of shipping and the ministry of the interior on sea pollution. “Every year, we organise a meeting to coordinate. We do not have a contract with the ministry of the interior. We just pay the fee. And, in fact, we force them to take measures.” Pressed on whether the sea was now safe for swimming, Xydias replied cautiously. “I think that tomorrow it will be fine. But I am not sure if the pollution has been properly cleaned.” The fisheries department maintains that the spill was “small in scale” and has since been contained. Daily inspections continue along Limassol’s shoreline, with no new signs of oil reported. But some swimmers remain sceptical, saying the sea still smells of chemicals. “We keep being told the water’s clean,” Anna, a beachgoer told the Sunday Mail, “but what we’re seeing, and smelling, says otherwise. If lifeguards are raising concerns and swimmers are spotting waste, someone’s got to act. The sea is our island’s biggest asset, we can’t afford to lose public trust in it.”

Crude Flows From BTC Pipeline, Ceyhan Port Resume After Contamination Scare (Reuters) - Azeri BTC crude oil loadings from the Turkish port of Ceyhan resumed on July 23, after increased checks linked to a contamination issue delayed loadings in recent days, several industry sources told Reuters. The Aframax tanker Searanger proceeded to one of the berths at the BTC Ceyhan terminal for loading on Wednesday morning after the storage tank was found to be clean of contaminants, a port agent said. Searanger arrived at Ceyhan on July 19, port documents showed, alongside, another tanker scheduled for loading yesterday was still sat at anchor near the port awaiting clearance to proceed, the port agent said. Each cargo was tested before loadings could proceed, a trade source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, after loadings were delayed by the discovery of an excessive level of organic chlorides in some Azeri BTC cargoes. "BTC Co has been made aware of a potential quality issue related to organic chlorides in some BTC blend loadings. BTC Co is currently assessing the quality of the crude oil across all the facilities along the pipeline," BP, operator of the Azerbaijan and Georgia sections of the BTC pipeline, and the BTC Ceyhan terminal, said. "While we have not yet completed the assessing activities, we continue loadings at Ceyhan using the crude oil from the tanks that have already been assessed. Export via the BTC pipeline also continues," BP added. Organic chlorides are compounds used in the industry to boost extraction from oilfields by cleaning oil wells and accelerating the flow of crude, but the compounds must be removed before oil enters pipelines. Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR did not reply to a request for comment.

BP Detects Tainted Oil at Ceyhan Port But Exports Continue (Reuters) — BP said on July 24 that contaminants were detected in some of the oil tanks at Turkey's BTC Ceyhan terminal following assessment of the facilities, adding that oil loadings continued from other reservoirs. The reports about Azeri BTC oil being contaminated with organic chlorides emerged earlier this week, putting the markets on edge and evoking memories of a wide-scale contamination in the Druzhba pipeline that led to massive disruptions of Russian oil exports in 2019. BP, the operator of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, a direct route from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, said it had completed assessment of the quality of the crude oil across all the facilities along the pipeline. The results confirmed that the crude oil was on specification at all the facilities along the pipeline up to the Ceyhan terminal, it said. "At the Ceyhan terminal, the assessment of the tanks has also been completed. The results have identified the presence of organic chlorides in some of the tanks. Respective actions have been taken to contain those tanks with plans being put in place to fully resolve the issue and investigate the situation," BP said. "Currently, loadings at the Ceyhan terminal continue from the tanks that have been assessed to be within normal specifications. Export activities via the BTC pipeline also continue." Organic chlorides are used in the industry to boost extraction from oilfields by cleaning oil wells and accelerating the flow of crude, but the compounds must be removed before oil enters pipelines. A port agent told Reuters earlier on Thursday that Azeri BTC crude loadings from Ceyhan were again paused while fresh test results were awaited. One cargo had finished loading by Thursday morning, after operations resumed on Wednesday when one onshore tank at the terminal was found to be clean of contaminants. The loadings were a few days behind schedule and progressing slowly, the port agent said. Meanwhile, Chevron-led Tengizchevroil (TCO), which operates in Kazakhstan, told Reuters that its production and delivery of crude oil to the BTC pipeline were not interrupted. Beyond this, TCO said it does not comment on specific details of its operations and commercial matters. Exports of Azeri BTC are expected to be 17.3 million barrels in August, on a par with July's plans, according to a loading schedule seen by Reuters.

Kazakhstan to Triple Fuel Exports by 2040 in $20 Billion Refining Push -Kazakhstan has unveiled an ambitious new energy strategy that will triple its petroleum product exports by 2040, with refined fuel volumes set to hit 39 million tons per year, up from 17 million now, with export share rising to 30% of total output. The sweeping 2025-2040 plan marks a sharp departure from previous government policy, which capped fuel exports at just 10% under a 2024 draft framework.The revised strategy, approved this week by the cabinet, emphasizes downstream development as a top priority, particularly with respect to expanding refining capacity, launching a $5 billion petrochemical buildout, and targeting new export markets in China, India, and neighboring countries. The government also confirmed six ongoing projects in the oil and gas chemical sector totaling an additional $15 billion in investment, according to the Times of Central Asia.The new strategy prioritizes boosting exports to growing demand centers in China, India, and neighboring Central Asian countries. The plan includes expanding existing refining infrastructure and constructing a new petrochemical complex, with the goal of raising refining depth to 94% and enabling full domestic coverage amid projected annual fuel demand growth of 1.5-2%, driven by urbanization and industrialization.The Times of Central Asia notes that Kazakhstan will invest up to $5 billion in its oil and gas chemical sector, focusing on polymers, fertilizers, and other high-value products. These efforts complement the government’s broader downstream development vision, which includes six major projects already underway and a parallel investment pipeline totaling $15 billion.The Energy Ministry emphasized that with 30 billion barrels of proven reserves, Kazakhstan intends to become a strategic refining center in Eurasia. Implementation of the plan will begin in 2025 with pilot refinery digitization initiatives, according to ICE. The government sees this as a key step toward insulating its economy from global commodity price volatility while attracting long-term foreign investment.

Zambia plans $1.1 billion oil refinery in copperbelt to cut fuel imports | Business Insider Africa - Zambia has signed a landmark agreement to develop a $1.1 billion crude oil refinery and energy complex in Ndola, located in the country’s copperbelt region, the government announced on Monday.The new facility is expected to process up to 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, enough to meet the entire domestic fuel demand and enable future exports to neighbouring countries, Reuters reported.According to a government statement, the project could save Zambia millions of dollars annually by reducing its reliance on fuel imports. Construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with the first phase of commercial operations targeted for 2026.The agreement was signed between Zambia’s state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and China’s Fujian Xiang Xin Corporation. An IDC spokesperson said that crude oil will be sourced from the Middle East and imported via Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port.Beyond fuel refining, the planned energy complex will include infrastructure for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottling, bitumen production, lubricant blending, and a 130-megawatt power plant, boosting Zambia’s broader energy and industrial capacity.Separately, Zambia has also secured an equity stake in Angola’s Lobito refinery project, located in Benguela Province along the Atlantic Coast.President Hakainde Hichilema had earlier announced the country’s intention to invest in the facility, which is currently under construction and expected to be completed by 2026.Once operational, the Lobito refinery is projected to process up to 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Under the current arrangement, private investors, including Zambia, will collectively hold a 70% stake, while Angola’s state oil company, Sonangol, will retain the remaining 30%.

OPEC forecasts stable crude exports from Africa until 2035 -Africa is repositioning itself as a rising energy consumer and industrial growth hub in the global oil market, according to the Opec World Oil Outlook 2025. The report predicts that Africa's total crude and condensate exports will remain stable at around 5.2 million barrels per day (bpd) through 2035, but by 2050, they are expected to decline to 4.2 million bpd due to rising domestic demand and strategic value addition. Domestic crude use is expected to rise from 1.8 million bpd in 2024 to 4.5 million bpd by 2050, nearly tripling over the outlook period. This growth is tied to Africa's demographic boom, industrial expansion, and a push to enhance local refining and downstream infrastructure. Global trade patterns are shifting, offering new opportunities for African producers. Exports to Europe are expected to increase to a peak of 3 million bpd in 2030, before gradually tapering to 2.3 million bpd by 2050. The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a more prominent long-term partner, with African crude exports remaining stable at 1.9 million bpd through 2030, then rising modestly to 2.2 million bpd by 2040 before easing to 1.8 million bpd by 2050. Trade with the US and Canada is expected to fall to 100,000 bpd by 2045, as competition from Latin America intensifies.

OPEC+ Plans 550,000bpd Output Raise In September -The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would likely hike output by September as the producer group meets soon. The OPEC+ oil producers are set to approve another big output boost for September as they complete both the unwinding of voluntary production cuts by eight members and the United Arab Emirates’ move to a larger quota, five sources said, in a report by Oil.com Five sources familiar with the discussions said on Monday the group is likely to approve an increase of around 550,000 bpd for September when it meets on August 3. That will complete the return to the market of 2.17 million bpd from the eight members: Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Algeria. It will also complete an additional 300,000 bpd output jump from the UAE as the country moves to a larger production quota, the sources said.

Saudi Arabia’s Crude Oil Exports Hit 3-Month High in May --Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports rose to a three-month high in May, the latest data by the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) showed on Monday, as the Kingdom leads the OPEC+ production increases this summer.Saudi Arabia, the world’s top crude oil exporter, saw its shipments rise by 25,000 barrels per day (bpd) from April to 6.19 million in May, according to the JODI data which compiles self-reported figures from the individual countries. The export levels in May reached the highest since February this year, when the shipments exceeded 6.5 million bpd, the data showed. Meanwhile, Saudi crude oil production jumped by 179,000 bpd to reach a 23-month high in May, as the Kingdom and its OPEC+ allies started easing their production cuts in April this year. Saudi Arabia’s domestic refinery intake inched by 17,000 bpd in May from the previous month, but total product demand surged by 478,000 bpd to the highest level in 9 months. The demand in May was above the five-year average range, according to the data in JODI. Since April, Saudi Arabia has been consistently increasing its crude oil production, as it leads the OPEC+ group’s current policy to unwind 2.2 million bpd in total oil production cuts.Earlier this month, OPEC+ caught the market by surprise by announcing a larger-than-expected output hike of 548,000 bpd for August. Another production boost of 550,000 bpd for September is expected, and this would allow OPEC+ to unwind all the 2.2 million bpd cuts.OPEC+ producers still have 1.6 million bpd in other production cuts spread among the group members and expiring at the end of 2026.

Oil Prices Dip As EU Rolls Out Fresh Sanctions Against Russia, Global Trade Fears Mount -- Oil markets began the week on a cautious note as European Union (EU) sanctions targeting Russian energy exports came into force, triggering a modest decline in crude prices. The move coincided with uncertainty surrounding international trade negotiations ahead of the impending August 1 U.S. tariff deadline. Crude oil benchmarks remained range-bound, with prices hovering near $70 per barrel across global indices. The downward trend reflects the combined weight of escalating trade tensions, tepid global economic growth projections, and evolving geopolitical developments. Brent crude futures fell by approximately 0.11% to $68.52 per barrel, down from $68.60 at the prior close. Meanwhile, the U.S. benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), declined 0.19%, trading at $65.87 per barrel, compared to its previous level of $66. On Friday, the EU finalized its 18th sanctions package, directly targeting revenue streams from Russian oil. This latest round includes a reduction of the oil price cap from $60 to $47.60 per barrel and introduces a dynamic pricing mechanism to adapt to global market conditions. Additionally, the sanctions blacklisted 105 more vessels involved in Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” bringing the total number of restricted ships to 444. These include international oil traders, shadow operators, and even an Indian refinery with ties to Russian oil giant Rosneft. A separate import ban now prohibits refined petroleum products manufactured using Russian crude, even when processed through intermediary nations—excluding the U.S., UK, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland. The Czech Republic also lost its exemption for Russian crude imports under the new measures. The global oil market is closely watching for disruptions to supply resulting from these restrictions. In related developments, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced that he may impose 100% secondary sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire in Ukraine is not brokered within the next 50 days. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, after meeting with Trump, warned nations like China, Brazil, and India of the risks of maintaining commercial ties with Moscow, cautioning that the U.S. could enforce retaliatory tariffs against them. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels are stirring again as Iran confirmed plans to resume nuclear negotiations with France, the UK, and Germany in Istanbul on July 25. This has raised expectations that sanctions might ease, increasing global oil supply and potentially exerting further downward pressure on prices. Traders are also wary of upcoming U.S. trade policy decisions. Trump is reportedly pushing for new 15%-20% tariffs on the EU, and just last week, he unveiled a sweeping 30% tariff on all EU imports, effective from August 1. These developments have further unsettled investor confidence. The demand side of the oil equation also remains shaky. Despite OPEC’s latest forecast projecting a 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) increase in 2025, bringing total demand to 105.13 million bpd, its June report revealed rising production figures. OPEC alone added 220,000 bpd, while the broader OPEC+ bloc increased output by 349,000 bpd, reaching 41.56 million bpd in total. This rise in supply, coupled with cautious demand growth, has heightened expectations of a looming market surplus. Adding to bearish sentiment, inflation data in the U.S. revealed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7% in June—up from 2.4% in May—fueling speculation around potential Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. A stronger dollar tends to suppress oil demand globally by making purchases more expensive for holders of other currencies. With OPEC+ increasing output and geopolitical friction rising, the global oil market faces a delicate balancing act in the weeks ahead.

Weighing EU Sanctions on Russia’s Oil Industry Against the U.S. Tariff Policies - The crude market on Monday traded sideways as the market weighed the latest EU sanctions on Russia’s oil industry against the U.S. tariff policies. While the EU approved further sanctions against Russia, the market does not see much of an impact on supply as it is still expected to make it to the market one way or another. The sanctions could be difficult to monitor and enforce, especially with the U.S. deciding not to support the sanctions. Meanwhile, the United States’ 30% tariffs on EU imports are expected to start on August 1st. Also, adding some pressure was news that Iran is due to hold nuclear talks with Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul on Friday. The oil market posted a high of $67.76 before it sold off to a low of $66.46 by mid-morning. The market later settled in a sideways trading range during the remainder of the session. The August WTI contract settled down 14 cents at $67.20 and the September Brent contract settled down 7 cents at $69.21. The product markets ended the session mixed, with the heating oil market settling up 5.62 cents at $2.5092 and the RB market settling down 2.15 cents at $2.1319. The Israeli military attacked Houthi targets in Yemen’s Hodeidah port on Monday in its latest assault on the Iran-backed militants, who have been striking ships bound for Israel and launching missiles against it. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the army was “forcefully countering any attempt to restore the terror infrastructure previously attacked”. In a statement, the Israeli military said the port it attacked had been used “among other things, to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are then used by the Houthi to execute terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and its allies.” The Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said on Monday that a series of attacks on the port was under way, without providing any details. Data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative showed that Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports in May increased to their highest level in three months. Crude exports from the world’s largest oil exporter increased to 6.191 million bpd from 6.166 million bpd in April. Saudi’s crude output for May was at 9.184 million bpd, up from 9.005 million bpd in April. Saudi refineries’ crude throughput was at 2.721 million bpd, up 17,000 bpd from April’s 2.704 million bpd, while direct crude burning increased by 112,000 bpd to 489,000 bpd. Ecuador’s OCP pipeline will restart operations on July 23rd and the country’s SOTE pipeline will restart operations on July 26th. IIR Energy said U.S. oil refiners are expected to shut in about 171,000 bpd of capacity in the week ending July 25th, increasing available refining capacity by 74,000 bpd. Offline capacity is expected to remain at the same level in the week ending August 1st. The Conference Board reported that the U.S. Leading Economic Indicators Index fell by 0.3% in June to 98.8. Analysts had forecast a decline of 0.2%.

Oil steady as little impact seen from EU sanctions on Russia -- Oil prices were little changed on Monday, falling slightly as the latest European sanctions on Russian oil are expected to have minimal impact on supplies, while U.S. tariffs stoked demand concerns. Brent crude futures dropped 7 cents to close at $69.21 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude lost by 14 cents to settle at $67.20. The European Union on Friday approved the 18th package of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, which also targeted India's Nayara Energy, an exporter of oil products refined from Russian crude. "The market right now thinks that supply will still make it to market in one way, shape or another, there is not too much concern," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital in New York. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia had built up a certain immunity to Western sanctions. The EU sanctions followed U.S. President Donald Trump's threats last week to impose sanctions on buyers of Russian exports unless Russia agrees to a peace deal within 50 days. ING analysts said the part of the package likely to have an effect is the EU import ban on refined products processed from Russian oil in third countries, though it said it could prove difficult to monitor and enforce. Iran, another sanctioned oil producer, is due to hold nuclear talks with Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul on Friday, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. That follows warnings by the three European countries that a failure to resume negotiations would lead to international sanctions being reimposed on Iran. In the United States, the number of operating oil rigs fell by two to 422 last week, the lowest total since September 2021, Baker Hughes said on Friday. "Oil-focused drilling is expected to remain at subdued levels through the balance of the year," StoneX analyst Alex Hodes said in a note on Monday. "We aren't anywhere close to prices that merit a significant pullback in investment though," Hodes added. Meanwhile, U.S. tariffs on EU imports are set to kick in on August 1, though U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday that he was confident the United States could secure a trade deal with the bloc. "The U.S. tariffs are potentially negative for oil demand and economic activity. We haven't seen it yet, but it is in the cards," Again Capital's Kilduff said. While tariff concerns will continue to add pressure in the lead up to the August 1 deadline, some support may come from oil inventory data if it shows tight supply, said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore. "It feels very much like a $64-$70 range in play for the week ahead." Brent crude futures have traded between a low of $66.34 a barrel and a high of $71.53 after a ceasefire deal on June 24 halted the 12-day Israel-Iran war.

Oil Prices Drop Amid Mounting Concerns Over Fuel Demand Oil prices declined on Tuesday amid growing concerns that slowing business activity could impact fuel demand, as trade tensions escalate between the United States and the European Union—both major consumers of crude. Brent crude futures fell by 52 cents, or 0.75%, to $68.69 per barrel as of 03:25 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 51 cents, or 0.76%, at $66.69 per barrel. The August WTI contract expires on Tuesday. The more actively traded September contract dropped 54 cents, or 0.82%, to $65.41 a barrel. "Concerns over demand persist amid rising global trade tensions, especially as markets await the latest tariff threats between major economies and potential announcements from Trump ahead of the August 1 deadline." She added that investors are also monitoring the ripple effects of new U.S. sanctions on Russian crude oil. Supply concerns have largely eased thanks to increased output by major producers, and following the June 24 ceasefire that ended the conflict between Israel and Iran. A weaker dollar offered some support to crude prices, making oil less expensive for buyers using other currencies. Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG, wrote in a note that prices have dipped as "trade war fears offset the support provided by a softer dollar." Sycamore also pointed to the potential for an escalation in the U.S.-EU trade dispute over tariffs. According to EU diplomats, the bloc is exploring a broader range of potential countermeasures against the United States as hopes fade for a mutually acceptable trade deal with Washington. The U.S. has threatened to impose 30% tariffs on EU imports starting August 1 if no agreement is reached.

The Prospect of Increased Output and Easing Demand Kept Buyers at Bay -- The crude market on Tuesday fell for the third consecutive session as the prospect of increased output and easing demand kept buyers at bay. Analysts see inventories rising as OPEC production increases at a time when U.S. tariffs will likely impact demand. The market is concerned of a trade war between the U.S. and European Union will cut fuel demand growth by cutting economic activity. The European Union is exploring possible counter measures against the U.S. as prospects for an acceptable trade agreement with the U.S. fade. The U.S. has threatened to impose a 30% tariff rate if a deal is not reached. The oil market posted a high of $67.13 before it breached its support line at $66.76 and sold off to a low of $65.99 in afternoon trading. The expiring August contract market retraced some of its losses ahead of the close and went off the board down 99 cents at $66.21. The September WTI contract settled down 64 cents at $65.31, while the September Brent contract settled down 62 cents at $68.59. The product markets ended the session lower, with the heating oil market settling down 5.74 cents at $2.4518 and the RB market settling down 3 cents at $2.1019. U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said he does not think the U.S. Congress should consider sanctions on Russia until after President Donald Trump’s 50-day deadline for Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Some members of Congress have been pushing for sanctions on Russia, including a Senate bill with 85 co-sponsors from both parties that would impose 500% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports. Axios reported that U.S. Syria envoy Tom Barrack will lead a meeting with senior officials from Israel and Syria on Thursday. It is unclear where the meeting will take place, but is expected to focus on security arrangements in southern Syria and increasing coordination and communication. North Dakota’s Industrial Commission reported that the state’s oil production fell 61,000 bpd to 1,113,000 bpd in May. The EIA reported that the U.S. became a net exporter of crude oil to Nigeria in February and March, as crude demand on the U.S. East Coast slowed due to refinery maintenance and the Dangote refinery drove up Nigeria’s demand for inputs. This is the first time that the U.S. has exported more crude oil to Nigeria than it imported. Gross U.S. exports of crude to Nigeria touched 111,000 bpd in February and 169,000 bpd in March. Imports, which were at 133,000 bpd in January, fell to 54,000 bpd and 72,000 bpd in February and March respectively. Vortexa reported Monday that crude oil stored on tankers that have been stationary for at least seven days fell by 14% w/w to 66.31 million bbl in the week ended July 18th. U.S. President Donald Trump said that China’s President Xi Jinping had invited him to China and he would probably meet him in the not too distant future.

Oil prices fall as tariff deadline looms -- Oil prices declined for a third consecutive session on Tuesday on concerns the brewing trade war between major crude consumers the United States and the European Union will curb fuel demand growth by reducing economic activity. Brent crude futures fell 62 cents, or 0.9%, to close at $68.59 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude lost 99 cents, or 1.47%, to settle at at $66.21 a barrel. The August WTI contract expires on Tuesday and the more active September contract was down 47 cents, or 0.7%, to $65.48 a barrel. "Oil prices fell for a third straight session ... as urgency builds in trade negotiations between the U.S. and its partners," Soojin Kim, an analyst at bank MUFG, said in a note. The Trump administration has set an August 1 deadline for countries to secure trade deals or face steep tariffs. The EU is exploring a broader set of possible counter-measures against the United States as prospects for an acceptable trade agreement with Washington fade, according to EU diplomats. The U.S. has threatened to impose a 30% tariff on EU imports if a deal is not reached. A weaker dollar has limited some losses for crude as buyers using other currencies are paying relatively less. Prices have slipped "as trade war concerns offset the support by a softer (U.S. dollar)," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore wrote in a note. Stronger distillate profit margins due to low inventories are also supporting crude prices. "The move lower might have seen more momentum if it were not for the continued performance in distillates which continues to be aided by low stocks," PVM Oil analyst John Evans said in a note. Meanwhile, a Reuters poll of analysts showed U.S. crude oil inventories likely fell by about 600,000 barrels in the week to July 18.

U.S.-Japan Trade Deal Boosts Oil Prices - Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading hours on Wednesday, buoyed by growing optimism that a new U.S.-Japan trade pact could reinvigorate global economic momentum and spur energy demand. The gains were further underpinned by industry data indicating a surprise draw in U.S. crude inventories, offering a dual boost to bullish sentiment after several sessions of declines. Brent crude for September delivery rose 0.35% to $68.83 per barrel by 02:07 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 0.2% to $65.44. The modest gains come after three consecutive down sessions driven by market unease over escalating U.S.-EU trade tensions and jitters surrounding President Trump’s tariff ultimatum set for August 1.Wednesday’s bounce suggests that investors are recalibrating expectations, with macroeconomic concerns giving way—at least temporarily—to trade-driven optimism.Fueling the upward momentum was news of a sweeping trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan, announced Tuesday by President Trump. The deal includes a reduction in proposed tariffs—from 25% to 15%—on Japanese imports and secures a $550 billion Japanese investment in the U.S. economy. In return, Japan will expand market access for American goods, including cars, agricultural products, and energy exports.The agreement is being hailed as a breakthrough ahead of the White House’s broader tariff deadline, with implications that ripple far beyond bilateral ties. Energy traders interpreted the deal as a signal that geopolitical headwinds may be softening, paving the way for stronger global trade flows and—crucially—higher oil consumption.Bullish sentiment was compounded by data from the American Petroleum Institute (API), which reported an unexpected draw of 577,000 barrels in U.S. crude inventories for the week ending July 18.Gasoline stockpiles also fell by 1.2 million barrels, while distillate stocks—covering diesel and heating oil—rose by 3.48 million barrels.“This will offer some relief to the middle distillate market, which has been looking increasingly tight,” ING analysts wrote in a note following the release. Markets are now looking to official data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), due later on Wednesday, for confirmation of the API figures. A corroborated drawdown would strengthen the case for a near-term recovery in consumption. While the broader macroeconomic landscape remains fraught with uncertainty—particularly in light of looming tariff deadlines and uneven demand growth—today’s uptick reflects a fragile but notable shift in sentiment. If confirmed by EIA data, the draw in inventories combined with signs of thawing trade tensions could keep crude prices on firmer footing, at least in the near term.

Nil, Baby, Nil; WTI Extends Losses Despite Big Crude Production Drop, Inventory Draw Graphics Source: Bloomberg -Oil prices are down for a fourth session in a row this morning even as API reported a drop in US oil inventories and Trump reached a trade deal with Japan that imposes a 15% tariff on imports from Tokyo. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he’ll discuss a potential extension of the trade truce with China during talks in Stockholm next week.The discussions can now take on a broader array of topics, potentially including Beijing’s continued purchases of “sanctioned” oil from Russia and Iran, he said. “We are racing towards the Aug. 1 deadline for reciprocal US tariffs,” “Japan deal done, now it is a question of if they pull a rapid deal out of the bag for the EU.”API

• Crude -577k
• Cushing +314k
• Gasoline -1.2mm
• Distillates +3.5mm

DOE

• Crude -3.169mm
• Cushing +455k
• Gasoline -1.738mm
• Distillates +2.931mm

The official data showed a much larger crude draw than API, but the rest of the data lined up... The total commercial crude inventory drawdown was made worse by the second week in a row of SPR drawdowns... US Crude production tumbled by over 100k b/d last week to its lowest level since January as the rig count continues to plunge... WTI extended losses after the data . So much for drill, baby, drill!

Oil prices steady with trade talks in focus (Reuters) - Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday as investors assessed trade developments between the European Union and the U.S. after President Donald Trump reached a tariff deal, opens new tab with Japan. Brent crude futures settled 8 cents, or 0.12%, lower at $68.51 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 6 cents, or 0.09%, at $65.25 per barrel. On Wednesday, EU officials said they were heading towards a trade deal with Washington that would result in a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S., avoiding a harsher 30% levy slated to be implemented from August 1. Just hours earlier, Trump said the U.S. and Japan had struck a trade deal that lowers tariffs on auto imports and spares Tokyo from punishing new levies on other goods in exchange for a $550 billion package of U.S.-bound investment and loans. "The trade deal with Japan might be a template for trade deals with other countries," "On the other hand, the market is still concerned about the U.S. coming to an agreement with the European Union and China." The European Commission planned to submit counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of U.S. goods for approval to EU members. A vote is expected on Thursday, though no measures would be imposed until August 7. Both benchmarks lost about 1% on Tuesday after the EU said it was considering countermeasures against U.S. tariffs. "The slide (in prices) of the past three sessions appears to have abated, but I don’t expect much of an upward impetus from news of the U.S.-Japan trade deal as the hurdles and delays being reported in talks with the EU and China will remain a drag on sentiment," On the supply side, U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed U.S. crude inventories fell last week by 3.2 million barrels to 419 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.6 million-barrel draw. "That’s a bullish swing," "It was largely a function of import-export dynamics." U.S. crude exports were up by 337,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 3.86 million bpd, while net U.S. crude imports fell last week by 740,000 barrels per day, the EIA said. In another bullish sign for the crude market, the U.S. energy secretary said on Tuesday that the U.S. would consider sanctioning Russian oil to end the war in Ukraine. The EU on Friday agreed its 18th sanctions package against Russia, lowering the price cap for Russian crude.

Oil climbs on US trade hopes, crude drawdown -- Oil prices advanced during Asian trade on Thursday, lifted by renewed optimism surrounding United States trade negotiations and a sharper-than-expected drawdown in American crude inventories, supporting expectations for a more balanced global oil market. At 3:30 pm AEST (5:30 am GMT) Brent crude futures were up 28 cents or 0.4%, to US$68.79 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 31 cents or 0.5% to $65.56 per barrel. The gains follow muted price action on Wednesday as markets monitor progress in trade discussions between the United States and the European Union, just days after President Donald Trump finalised a tariff agreement with Japan. The deal removed the threat of new levies on Japanese auto exports in exchange for a US$550 billion investment and lending commitment from Tokyo. ANZ analysts commented in a note to clients: "News emerged that the two sides were working towards a deal that would set a 15% tariff on most goods, similar to the U.S. pact with Japan. Bessent said he’ll discuss a potential extension of the trade truce with China during talks in Stockholm next week. "The prospect of a trade deal triggered a risk-on tone and boosted sentiment across commodity markets." Two E.U. diplomats confirmed Wednesday that talks were progressing toward a framework that could include a 15% U.S. baseline tariff on EU imports, along with potential exemptions. If successful, it would mark another milestone agreement following the recent U.S.-Japan accord. Oil was further supported by bullish inventory data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported a weekly crude stockpile decline of 3.2 million barrels, nearly doubling expectations for a 1.6 million-barrel draw. Gasoline stocks also dropped by 1.7 million barrels to 231.1 million barrels, significantly outpacing forecasts of a 900,000-barrel decline. However, distillate inventories - including diesel and heating oil - rose by 2.9 million barrels to 109.9 million barrels, though levels remain near their lowest seasonal point since 1996. "This suggests demand over the northern hemisphere summer has been relatively strong," ANZ noted. Beyond trade and inventory data, geopolitical risk remains an undercurrent in the oil market. Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine resumed in Istanbul on Wednesday, with discussions focusing on prisoner swaps. However, no progress was made on core issues such as a ceasefire or a potential summit between the two countries' leaders. Separately, oil flows from Kazakhstan faced fresh disruptions as foreign tankers were temporarily blocked from loading at Russia’s key Black Sea ports under new regulatory measures.

Optimism Over U.S. Trade Negotiations and a Draw in Oil Inventories -- The crude market on Thursday ended the session as the market remained supported by the optimism over U.S. trade negotiations and a larger than expected draw in oil inventories. The market traded higher and posted a high of $66.39 by mid-day amid the news that the EU and the U.S. were moving towards a trade deal. The market was also supported by a suspension of Azeri crude exports from the Turkish port of Ceyhan and a brief halt to loadings at Russia’s Black Sea ports, which has since been resolved. The market, however, erased most of its gains early in the afternoon as it sold off to a low of $65.33. The oil market was pressured by the news that the Trump administration planned to allow Chevron to once again produce oil in Venezuela. The September WTI contract later bounced off its low ahead of the close and settled up 78 cents at $66.03 and the September Brent settled up 67 cents at $69.18. The product markets ended the session in negative territory, with the heating oil market settling down 3.61 cents at $2.4129 and the RBOB market settling down 1.71 cents at $2.1042. U.S. Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, said the European Union really wants to make a trade deal with the U.S. He said representatives from South Korea will also visit his office on Thursday for discussions on trade.The European Commission said a negotiated trade solution with the United States is within reach, while EU members voted to approve counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros or $109 billion of U.S. goods in case the talks collapse. On Wednesday, two European diplomats said the European Union and the U.S. were moving toward a trade deal that could include a 15% U.S. baseline tariff on EU goods and possible exemptions. European negotiators have been hoping to reach an agreement to avoid the 30% tariff rate U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would impose on imports from the European Union on August 1. Sources stated that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is discussing authorizations to key partners of Venezuela’s state-run oil company PDVSA, starting with Chevron, which would allow them to operate with limitations in the sanctioned country. If granted, the authorizations to Chevron and possibly also to PDVSA’s European partners, would mark a policy shift from a pressure strategy the U.S. adopted earlier this year.Bloomberg News reported that the biggest impact of the new sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia will occur in the diesel market, where independent stockpiles in Europe’s Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub are at a three year low for this time of year.Valero Energy said it plans to operate its 15 refineries up to 94% of their combined total complete throughput capacity of 3.2 million bpd in the third quarter of 2025.

Crude finishes with 1% gain on supply concerns and US crude draws (Reuters) - Oil prices rose 1% on Thursday as U.S. crude draws and expected cuts to Russian gasoline exports overwhelmed news that oil major Chevron (CVX.N), opens new tab will gain U.S. approval to renew production in Venezuela. Brent crude futures settled at $69.18 a barrel, up 67 cents or 0.98%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures finished at $66.03 a barrel, up 78 cents, or 1.20%. Crude fell in early afternoon trade on news that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration was preparing to allow limited oil operations in sanctioned OPEC nation Venezuela. Earlier in the session, WTI had been up more than a dollar and Brent crude came near that level. "The news about Chevron being able to go back into Venezuela and get oil going again just took the knees out of the market," . Even so, Kilduff said the market did not expect the Trump administration would open up Venezuela to other U.S. oil companies. "This is a unique one-off," he added. Oil rebounded late in the session on news Russia was planning to cut gasoline exports to all but a few allies and nations like Mongolia, with which it has supply agreements. "Russia looking to cut off gasoline exports gave the market a boost," . "The market was looking for a reason to go higher." Also lifting futures was the previous day's report of a U.S. crude inventory draw and hopes for a trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union that would lower tariffs. U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed crude inventories fell last week by 3.2 million barrels to 419 million barrels, far exceeding analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.6 million-barrel draw. "The U.S. crude inventory draw and the trade efforts are adding some support to prices," On Wednesday, two European diplomats said the EU and the U.S. were moving toward a trade deal that could include a 15% U.S. baseline tariff on EU imports and possible exemptions. That could pave the way for another major trade agreement following a deal with Japan.

Oil Prices Climb Amid U.S.-EU Trade Hopes and Russian Export Restrictions Oil prices continued to move higher on Friday morning in Asia, supported by renewed optimism surrounding U.S.-EU trade negotiations and expectations that Russia will restrict gasoline exports. Even reports of Chevron's return to Venezuela, which analysts estimate could add around 200,000 barrels per day to global supply, have been unable to pull prices lower.At the time of writing, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 0.51% to $66.38 per barrel, while Brentcrude gained 0.48% to $69.51 per barrel.According to diplomatic sources, trade negotiations between the EU and the U.S. are progressing toward an agreement that could see a 15% baseline tariff applied to EU imports, with room for exemptions. This potential resolution, following recent deals with Japan and the Philippines, is helping to ease persistent demand-side anxieties driven by global economic uncertainties.“The crude market has found some comfort in the bounce off the $65/64 support band this week, keeping hopes alive for a move back toward $70,” said Tony Sycamore, analyst at IG. Market participants are also eyeing upcoming macroeconomic data next week from both China and the U.S., including manufacturing activity, inflation, employment, and inventory figures—all of which could influence near-term oil demand expectations.Adding fuel to the upward move, reports emerged on Thursday that Russia may impose fresh restrictions on gasoline exports to most countries.Oil rallied over 1% during the previous session after these reports surfaced, reinforcing bullish sentiment that had been dented earlier in the week by fears of oversupply and global trade friction.Further supporting prices, U.S. crude inventories fell by 3.2 million barrels last week to 419 million barrels, significantly exceeding expectations for a 1.6 million-barrel draw, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.Distillate stocks remain tight across global hubs. In the U.S., inventories are at their lowest seasonal level since 1996, despite a 2.93 million-barrel build last week. In Singapore, middle distillate stocks dropped by 1.19 million barrels week-on-week, while European gasoil inventories in the ARA region slid to 1.75 million tonnes—their lowest since January 2024. Although ICE gasoil cracks eased below $25/bbl after peaking at $28/bbl earlier this week, margins remain historically elevated. This has incentivized refiners to boost run rates, potentially lifting crude demand in the weeks ahead.

Oil steady as investors weigh trade optimism against potential Venezuelan supply increase – CNA - Oil prices were steady on Friday, as trade talk optimism supported the outlook for both the global economy and oil demand, balancing news of the potential for more oil supply from Venezuela. Brent crude futures were up 28 cents, or 0.4 per cent, at $69.46 a barrel at 1311 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 27 cents, or 0.41 per cent, at $66.30. Brent was heading for a 0.3 per cent weekly gain at that level, while WTI was down around 1.5 per cent from where it closed last week. Brent prices have been largely range-bound between $67 and $70 a barrel for the last month, since the sharp drop in prices in late June after de-escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict. Oil prices are "caught in largely a holding pattern brought about by inconclusive specific oil drivers", PVM analyst John Evans said. Oil, along with stock markets, gained support from the prospect of more deals between the United States and trading partners ahead of an August 1 deadline for new tariffs on goods from an array of countries. After the U.S. and Japan secured a trade deal this week, two European diplomats said the European Union was moving towards a deal involving a baseline U.S. tariff of 15 per cent on EU imports, plus possible exemptions. "Trade talk optimism appears to be offsetting expectations for stronger Venezuelan supply," ING analysts wrote in a client note on Friday. The United States is preparing to allow partners of Venezuela's state-run PDVSA, starting with U.S. oil major Chevron, to operate with limitations in the sanctioned nation, sources said on Thursday. Venezuelan oil exports could consequently increase by a little more than 200,000 barrels per day, which would be welcome news for U.S. refiners, as it would ease tightness in the heavier crude market, ING analysts wrote. Prices were also supported this week by disruptions to Black Sea oil exports and Azeri BTC crude loading from the Turkish port of Ceyhan. "Delays in deliveries from the Russian terminal on the Black Sea and the Turkish port on the Mediterranean are likely to have contributed to the Brent oil price rising back towards $70. Now that exports are back to normal, support for prices is likely to ease," Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch said. A meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, which includes top ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, is scheduled for 1200 GMT on Monday. Four OPEC+ sources told Reuters the meeting was unlikely to alter the group's existing policy, which calls for eight members to raise output by 548,000 barrels per day in August.

Oil prices dip to settle at 3-week low on US and China economic concerns (Reuters) - Oil prices eased on Friday and settled at a three-week low as traders worried about negative economic news from the U.S. and China and signs of growing supply. Losses were limited by optimism U.S. trade deals could boost global economic growth and oil demand in the future. Brent crude futures fell 74 cents, or 1.1%, to settle at $68.44, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 87 cents, or 1.3%, to settle at $65.16. Those were the lowest settlement levels for Brent since July 4 and WTI since June 30. For the week, Brent was down about 1% with WTI down about 3%. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday in Scotland. European Union officials and diplomats said they expected to reach a framework trade deal this weekend. The euro zone economy has remained resilient to the pervasive uncertainty caused by a global trade war, a slew of data showed on Friday, even as European Central Bank policymakers appeared to temper market bets on no more rate cuts. In the U.S., new orders for U.S.-manufactured capital goods unexpectedly fell in June while shipments of those products increased moderately, suggesting business spending on equipment slowed considerably in the second quarter. Trump said he had a good meeting with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and got the impression that the head of the U.S. central bank might be ready to lower interest rates. Lower interest rates reduce consumer borrowing costs and can boost economic growth and demand for oil. In China, the world's second-biggest economy, fiscal revenue dipped 0.3% in the first six months from a year earlier, the finance ministry said, maintaining the rate of decline seen between January and May. The U.S. is preparing to allow partners of Venezuela's state-run PDVSA, starting with U.S. oil major Chevron, to operate with limitations in the sanctioned nation, sources said on Thursday. That could boost Venezuelan oil exports by a little more than 200,000 barrels per day (bpd), news U.S. refiners would welcome, as it would ease tightness in the heavier crude market, ING analysts wrote. Iran said it would continue nuclear talks with European powers after "serious, frank, and detailed" conversations on Friday, the first such face-to-face meeting since Israel and the U.S. bombed Iran last month. Venezuela and Iran are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Any deal that could increase the amount of oil either sanctioned country could export would boost the amount of crude available to global markets. OPEC said the joint ministerial monitoring committee (JMMC) scheduled to convene on Monday does not hold decision-making authority over production levels. Four OPEC+ delegates said an OPEC+ panel is to raise oil output when it meets, noting the producer group is keen to recover market share while summer demand is helping to absorb the extra barrels. OPEC+ includes OPEC and allies like Russia. In Russia, the world's No. 2 crude producer behind the U.S., daily oil exports from its western ports are set to be around 1.77 million bpd in August, down from 1.93 million bpd in July's plan, Reuters calculations based on data from two sources show. In the U.S., energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the 12th time in 13 weeks, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in its closely followed report on Friday.

Iran's President Says Tehran Is Ready for More Israeli Attacks, Not Optimistic About Ceasefire - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an interview with Al Jazeera published on Wednesday that Iran is ready for any future Israeli attacks and that he was “not optimistic” about the ceasefire that was reached at the end of the 12-day US-Israeli war on Iran.“We are fully prepared for any new Israeli military move, and our armed forces are ready to strike deep inside Israel again,” Pezeshkian said.“That is why we have prepared ourselves for any possible scenario and any potential response. Israel has harmed us, and we have also harmed it. It has dealt us powerful blows, and we have struck it hard in its depths, but it is concealing its losses,” he added.Pezeshkian said that Israel’s attacks on Iran sought to “eliminate” Iranian leadership, which he said it failed to do. The Iranian leader said in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson that he was targeted by an Israeli airstrike, and US officials later confirmed that he was injured in an attack that targeted a meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.Pezeshkian also vowed that Iran’s nuclear enrichment program would continue and reaffirmed that Tehran is not seeking nuclear weapons. President Trump has been threatening to bomb Iran again if the country restarts uranium enrichment.“Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position,” Pezeshkian said. “We believe in diplomacy, so any future negotiations must be according to a win-win logic, and we will not accept threats and dictates.”Iranian officials have said that they’re open to future negotiations with the US, but that they need a guarantee that Iran won’t come under attack again since previous talks were used as a cover for Israel to launch the 12-Day War.

Iran's President 'Ready' For War With Israel, Will Not Halt Nuclear Program -Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country remains prepared and vigilant for any war Israel might launch against it, while conveying that he is not optimistic about the ceasefire continuing to hold."We are fully prepared for any new Israeli military move, and our armed forces are ready to strike deep inside Israel again," Pezeshkian told Al Jazeera in a fresh interview. He emphasized that Iran's nuclear program will continue, but asserted it is only for peaceful nuclear energy purposes."We are not very optimistic about it," Pezeshkian said of the ceasefire which ended the 12-day war in June, which also saw America's involvement at the tail-end. "That is why we have prepared ourselves for any possible scenario and any potential response. Israel has harmed us, and we have also harmed it. It has dealt us powerful blows, and we have struck it hard in its depths, but it is concealing its losses."He described Israel’s strikes as having sought sought to "eliminate" Iran’s hierarchy - including slain nuclear scientists, military leaders, and some top officials - "but it has completely failed to do so".The Iranian leader said that continued uranium enrichment would would be carried out "within the framework of international laws" - despite opposition from most international powers."Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position," Pezeshkian said."We believe in diplomacy, so any future negotiations must be according to a win-win logic, and we will not accept threats and dictates."And that's when he issued his most directly challenging words to Trump yet, saying "that our nuclear program is over is just an illusion" while emphasizing "Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists and not in the facilities."According to President Trump's latest words on the matter, revealed in a Monday night Truth Social post, he's ready and willing to order the US military to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities again "if necessary".

Israeli Military Launches More Strikes on Yemen's Hodeidah Port Amid Houthi Attacks on Israel - On Monday, the Israeli military launched drone strikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah as the Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, continue to launch near-daily missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory in response to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.The Israeli military claimed that it targeted “engineering equipment working to restore port infrastructure, fuel tanks, and vessels used for military activity and [attacks] against the State of Israel and ships in the maritime area near the port.” Yemeni media reported on the Israeli attack, but the extent of the damage and whether or not there were casualties is unclear.According to The Times of Israel, the strikes marked the 13th time that Israel bombed Yemen, operations that have done nothing to deter the Houthis, who vow their attacks will continue until there’s an end to the war and siege on Gaza. Previous Israeli attacks on Yemen involved dozens of Israeli warplanes, but Monday’s strike involved only Israeli Air Force drones.After the Israeli strikes, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced that Yemeni forces launched five drones at Israel, and Israeli media reported the downing of one drone fired from Yemen.“We continue and are committed to providing support and assistance to the oppressed Palestinian people,” Saree said. “Our operations will not cease until the aggression against Gaza stops and the siege is lifted.”Recent reports have said that Israel was urging the US to restart its bombing campaign in Yemen, but so far, there’s no indication the Trump administration is considering it. The US launched heavy missile strikes on Yemen from March 15 to May 6, killing more than 250 civilians, but the campaign also failed to deter the Houthis. President Trump framed his ceasefire with the Houthis as a victory, but he essentially gave up on trying to thwart Houthi attacks on Israel. The Houthis recently affirmed that they’re committed to the truce with the US, and a US official told The Wall Street Journal that the group’s recent attacks on commercial ships didn’t violate the ceasefire since they were not American vessels.

Gaza's Health Ministry Reports Spike in Starvation Deaths Due To Israeli Blockade - Gaza’s Health Ministry on Sunday reported a significant spike in starvation deaths due to the Israeli blockade, saying that it recorded a total of 18 malnutrition-related deaths within 24 hours.The Health Ministry said in another post on Telegram that it has recorded a total of 86 deaths due to hunger and malnutrition, including 10 adults and 70 children.“This is a silent massacre, and the Ministry of Health holds the occupation and the international community responsible,” the ministry wrote. “We demand the immediate opening of the crossings to allow the entry of food and medicine.”Mohammed Abu Afash, the director of Medical Relief in Gaza, told Al Jazeera that women and children in Gaza are “collapsing” due to malnutrition and hunger. He said that if more aid isn’t allowed in, the coming days will be “catastrophic.”“We are heading into the unknown. Malnutrition among children has reached its highest levels,” Abu Afash added. The World Food Program also said on Sunday that nearly one in three Palestinians in Gaza are going days without receiving anything to eat.Among the people who starved to death on Sunday were Razan Abu Zahe, a four-year-old girl, and a three-month-old baby, Yehia al-Najjar. Babies are particularly vulnerable as mothers suffering from malnutrition are unable to produce breast milk, and Israel has impeded the import of baby formula.The latest starvation deaths came after Nick Maynard, a British surgeon currently working at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza, warned of “unprecedented malnutrition” in Gaza. He said many Palestinians wounded by Israeli attacks were not surviving surgery due to their malnourished state, and that medical staff were also suffering.

Israeli Forces Kill 130 Palestinians in Gaza Over 24 Hours - Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Monday that Israeli forces killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 1,155 over the previous 24-hour period as airstrikes and massacres of people seeking aid continue. The Health Ministry said that another four bodies were recovered from the rubble. “A number of victims remain under the rubble and in the streets, as ambulance and civil defense crews are unable to reach them at this time,” the ministry wrote on Telegram.Among the dead were 99 Palestinians who were killed while seeking aid, most of whom were killed on Sunday while attempting to reach UN aid trucks that entered northern Gaza. The ministry said that the number of Palestinians killed while seeking aid has risen to 1,021, and over 6,511 have been injured.Israeli strikes on Monday included an attack on a water desalination plant in Gaza City, which killed at least five Palestinians, including a woman. In southern Gaza, five members of the same family were killedby a strike on tents sheltering displaced people.Also on Monday, Israeli tanks and ground troops launched an offensive in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, the only city that hasn’t seen major ground operations. Family members of Israeli captives believe many of the remaining hostages could be held in the area and have released a statement expressing concern over the new offensive. “The families of the hostages are shocked and alarmed by these reports. As of this moment, we have received no official, organized updates or satisfactory answers on this matter,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. “The families of the hostages are shocked and alarmed by these reports.”

After massacring Gaza aid seekers, Israel escalates bloodshed with assault on Deir al-Balah - The Zionist regime responded to international outrage over its cold-blooded massacre Sunday of 92 Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza by escalating mass murder and starvation of the population. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that at least 130 Palestinians were killed Monday and over 1,000 wounded across Gaza, as Israeli troops assaulted the city of Deir al-Balah. Deir al-Balah had been until now the last settlement in Gaza spared bombardment, reportedly because Israeli officials believed Israeli hostages were held there. As a result, it became a center for Palestinian refugee camps, UN aid operations and the remaining operational water treatment facilities in Gaza. An estimated 80,000 Palestinians were forced to flee Deir al-Balah after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation orders for several neighborhoods in the city. One Deir al-Balah resident, Thurayya Abu Qunneis, told CNN: “The planes came and dropped many leaflets on us; the entire sky was covered with leaflets on the houses, the streets and everywhere, stating that we had to evacuate from certain areas. … We are living on edge. We can’t sleep, eat or drink. There is no flour, no anything, and we are hungry. We are dying, and our children are dying of hunger.” Yesterday, Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers invaded Deir al-Balah, bombarding mosques, civilian homes and UN and World Health Organization (WHO) facilities. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, “UN staff remain in Deir al-Balah, and two UN guesthouses have been struck, despite parties having been informed of the locations of UN premises … These locations—as with all civilian sites—must be protected, regardless of evacuation orders.” IDF forces attacked the WHO’s staff residence and main warehouse in Deir al-Balah three times, bombing and setting them aflame and detaining two WHO staff and their relatives. “Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot and screened at gunpoint,” WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted, adding: “WHO demands the immediate release of the detained staff and protection of all its staff.” The IDF attack on Deir al-Balah is part of a systematic policy of genocide by denying food, water, electricity and medical treatment to the Palestinian population. Starvation is rapidly spreading in Gaza, with at least 19 people having confirmed to have starved to death in Gaza since Saturday. In the meantime, fully stocked UN food aid warehouses across the border in Egypt contain enough feed Gaza for 3 months, but food shipments are blocked by the IDF.

Israeli Minister: Gaza Will Be 'Wiped Out' and Will Become Totally Jewish - Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said on Thursday that Israel was working to “wipe out” the Gaza Strip and called for the Palestinian territory to be settled by Jews, saying it will become totally Jewish.“The government is racing ahead for Gaza to be wiped out,” Eliyahu said in a radio interview, according toThe Times of Israel. “Thank God, we are wiping out this evil. We are pushing this population that has been educated on Mein Kampf.”The minister, who is a member of Itamar Ben Gvir’s Jewish Power party, said that Gaza will be cleared for Jewish settlements, but said that Jewish towns wouldn’t be “fenced in inside cantons.” “All Gaza will be Jewish,” he said. According to the Times, Eliyahu said Arabs who are loyal to the state of Israel could be tolerated, but it’s unclear what that means. “We aren’t racists,” he said. The Israeli minister also denied that there was “hunger” inside Gaza, even though people have begun starving to death every day. “There’s no hunger in Gaza,” he said. “But we don’t need to be concerned with hunger in the Strip. Let the world worry about it.”

Four Major News Agencies Warn Gaza Staff Face Starvation Due to Israeli Blockade - Four of the world’s major news agencies have issued a rare joint statement warning that their journalists in Gaza are unable to feed themselves due to the US-backed Israeli blockade, as Palestinians continue to starve to death under the siege. “We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families,” AFP, The Associated Press, Reuters, and BBC News said. “For many months, these independent journalists have been the world’s eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.”The news agencies said that journalists “endure many deprivations and hardships in war zones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them.” They urged the “Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza” and said it was “essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there.”On top of the starvation, journalists in Gaza continue to be targeted by the IDF. On Wednesday, Walaa al-Jabari, who worked for local news outlets, was killed along with her husband and four children. Al-Jabari was pregnant at the time of her killing, and the Gaza Government Media Office said her death brought the total number of journalists killed by Israel since October 7, 2023, to 231.The statement from the news agencies came as Gaza’s Health Ministry said another two Palestinians had starved to death over the previous 24-hour period. Starvation deaths have spiked over the past week, with dozens, mostly children, dying of malnutrition due to Israeli-imposed restrictions and the killing of aid seekers. The Health Ministry said it has recorded a total of 113 starvation deaths. Palestinians in Gaza also continue to be gunned down while attempting to reach food aid. Since the end of May, more than 1,000 aid seekers have been killed by Israeli forces, mainly near distribution sites run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Pope Leo XIV Condemns Israeli Attack on Gaza Church, Calls for End to 'Barbarity' - --Pope Leo XIV on Sunday again condemned the Israeli tank shelling of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City, which killed three Christians, and made another appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza, calling for an end to the “barbarity” and for a peaceful resolution.“I express my deep sorrow over the attack by the Israeli army on the Catholic Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza City. As you know, last Thursday, it resulted in the deaths of three Christians and the serious wounding of others,” the pontiff said after his weekly Angelus prayer.“I pray for the victims: Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, and Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud. I express, in particular, my closeness to their families and all the parishioners. This act tragically adds to the ongoing military assaults on civilians and places of worship in Gaza. I call, once again, for an immediate end to the barbarity of war,” the pope added.Leo’s strong statement suggests the Vatican is not accepting Israel’s claim that the attack on the church was an accident, something Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, had cast doubt on since the strike was a direct hit.Leo spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, and, according to a Vatican statement, he “repeated his appeal for a renewed push for negotiations, a ceasefire and an end to the war” and “again expressed his concern about the tragic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose children, elderly and sick are paying an agonizing price.” Cardinal Pizzaballa entered Gaza on Friday along with Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III to show support for the small Christian community in Gaza City following the strike on the church. The visit marked the third time Pizzaballa entered Gaza since October 7, 2023. Pizzaballa was still in Gaza on Sunday and celebrated Mass at the Holy Family Church.

Twenty-Five Western Nations Condemn Israel for 'Inhumane Killing of Civilians,' Demand Gaza Ceasefire - The foreign ministers from 25 Western nations have released a joint statement condemning Israel for its “inhumane killing of civilians” in Gaza and demanding an end to the genocidal war.The statement was signed by ministers from the UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.The signatories strongly condemned the current “aid” system in Gaza, which is run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and has become a death trap for starving Palestinians.Mourners carry the bodies of Palestinian children killed in an overnight Israeli strike on a house, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, during a funeral at Al-Shifa Hospital, in Gaza City, July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa “The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Gazans of human dignity. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food,” the signatories said.“It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid. The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,” they added.The 25 nations also condemned Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel and called for the remaining Israeli captives to be released while demanding an unconditional ceasefire.“We urge the parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end, through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. Further bloodshed serves no purpose. We reaffirm our complete support to the efforts of the US, Qatar, and Egypt to achieve this,” the 25 nations said.

It's A Genocide, But It's Also So Much More Than That - Caitlin Johnstone -- The mass atrocity in Gaza is a genocide, obviously, and is an undisguised ethnic cleansing operation. But it’s also a lot more than that.

• It’s an experiment — to see what kinds of abuses the public will accept without causing significant disruption to the imperial status quo.
• It’s a psychological operation — to push out the boundaries of what’s normal and acceptable in our minds so that we will consent to even more horrific abuses in the future.
• It’s a symptom — of Zionism, of colonialism, of militarism, of capitalism, of western supremacism, of empire-building, of propaganda, of ignorance, of apathy, of delusion, of ego.
• It’s a manifestation — of violent racist, supremacist and xenophobic belief systems that have always been there but were previously restrained, meeting with the unwholesome nature of alliances that have long been in place but have been aggressively normalized.
• It’s a mirror — showing us accurately and impartially who we currently are as a civilization.
• It’s a disclosure — showing us what the western empire we live under really is underneath its fake plastic mask of liberal democracy and righteous humanitarianism.
• It’s a revelation — showing us who among us really stands for truth and justice and who has been deceiving us about themselves and their motives this entire time.
• It’s a catalyst — a galvanizing force and a rallying cry for all who realize that the murderous power structures we live under can no longer be allowed to stand, and a blaring alarm clock opening more and more snoozing eyes to the need for revolutionary change.
• It’s a test — of who we are as a species and what we are made of, and of whether we can transcend the destructive patterning that is driving humanity to its doom.
• It’s a question — asking us what kind of world we want to live in going forward, and what kind of people we want to be.
• It’s an invitation — to become something better than what we are now.

Israeli Knesset Passes Non-Binding Resolution Calling for the Annexation of the West Bank - -The Israeli Knesset on Wednesday passed a non-binding resolution that calls for the annexation of the occupied West Bank, a symbolic show of support for the total takeover of the Palestinian territory.The motion passed in a vote of 71-13, with two opposition parties in the 120-seat Knesset boycotting the vote. The resolution received the support of all 60 lawmakers who are part of the current government, as well as members of the United Torah Judaism, Noam, and Yisrael Beiteinu parties.The resolution states that the declaration would “make it clear to the world that Israel will not accept solutions that involve dangerous territorial concessions, and that it is committed to its future as a secure Jewish state.” It says that Judea and Samaria, the Biblical name for the West Bank, is “an inseparable part of the historical homeland of the Jewish people.”Following the vote, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, claimed that Jews cannot be considered “occupiers” of the Palestinian territory.“This is our land. This is our home. The Land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel. In 1967, the occupation did not begin; it ended, and our homeland was returned to its rightful owners,” Ohana said. “We are the original first natives of this piece of land. Jews cannot be the ‘occupier’ of a land that for 3,000 years has been called Judea.”While the resolution is symbolic, it comes as the Israeli government has been working to advance settlements in the West Bank and as Jewish settlers have been increasing violent attacks against Palestinians with the goal of driving them from their land. The current Israeli government has prioritized the expansion of settlements since it came into power at the end of December 2022.

Ukraine Launches Drone Attack on Moscow - A Ukrainian drone barrage targeted Russia’s capital city. The attack followed reports that President Donald Trump pushed Ukrainian leader Zelensky to attack Russian cities.According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine launched over 90 drones at Russia on Sunday morning. At least 19 of those UAVs targeted the Moscow region and were intercepted. Russian officials did not report casualties, and over 130 flights were disrupted.Ukraine also attacked the Russian capital on Saturday. More than 230 Ukrainian drones were downed over the weekend, including 27 over Moscow, the Russian Defence Ministry said.A Ukrainian official confirmed the attack. Kiev also reported over 400 Russian drones and missiles were fired at Ukraine over the weekend.The attack on the Russian capital follows a report in the Financial Times that Trump asked Zelensky to target Moscow and St. Petersburg to make Russia feel the pain. The Ukrainian leader said he could conduct the strikes with access to long-range American weapons.Additionally, a German general called for Ukraine to attack Moscow on a podcast. “You can also indirectly affect the offensive potential of Russian strike forces before they are deployed,” Freuding said. “Use long-range air warfare assets to strike aircraft and airfields before they are used. Also, target weapons production facilities.”

Ukraine sees first major anti-government protests since start of war, as Zelensky moves to weaken anti-corruption agencies | CNN -- Ukraine has seen the first major anti-government protests since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion over three years ago, as a move by President Volodymyr Zelensky to curb anti-corruption agencies sparked fury across the nation. Defiant crowds gathered in the capital Kyiv on Tuesday, as well as Lviv in the west, with smaller groups gathering in Dnipro in the east and Odesa in the south, after Ukraine’s Parliament — the Verkhovna Rada — approved a bill that grants oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies to the prosecutor general, a politically appointed figure. Critics say the move will hamper the two bodies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), and take Ukraine further away from its dream of joining the European Union. The EU has made it clear to Kyiv that it must implement strong anti-graft measures if it wants to become a member. The Biden administration urged the Ukrainian government to do more to root out corruption in 2023. Ukraine has long been seen as one of the most corrupt countries in Europe. Allegations of corruption have been wielded against some of the country’s top officials, including several close allies of Zelensky – such as former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov. The bill was fast-tracked through the parliament and signed into law by Zelensky late Tuesday. The Ukrainian leader said in his nightly address that both organizations would “continue to work” but defending his move as a necessary step to rid the two agencies of “Russian influence.” This came after Ukrainian authorities raided one of the bodies on Monday and arrested two of its employees “on suspicion of working for Russian special services.” He also criticized the previous system as leading to cases being stalled for years. But opponents say the two agencies will no longer be able to operate independently because the new law gives the prosecutor general power to influence investigations and even shut cases down. Criticism came from all corners of society. Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba slammed the move in a statement, calling Tuesday a “bad day for Ukraine.” The move didn’t go unnoticed on the front lines, where the military is struggling to hold back Russian forces. Referring to corruption that the agencies were working to root out, Yegor Firsov, chief sergeant of a drone strike platoon, said on X that “this is not a question of NABU or SAP. This is a question of barbarism,” adding that “nothing is more demoralizing than seeing that while you are sitting in a trench, someone is robbing the country for which your brothers are dying.” Responding to the criticism during his daily address on Wednesday, Zelensky said he would submit a new bill to parliament intended to uphold the independence of anti-corruption agencies. He said the new bill would “strengthen the law enforcement system,” and that “very importantly, all norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place.” However, protests continued on Wednesday evening, with hundreds of mostly young people turning up in Kyiv to voice their disapproval, waving signs with such slogans as “Why do I need a system that doesn’t protect me?”, “Have you gone completely mad?” and “People are giving their lives for our future, and the authorities are destroying it.”