Today in History: The Declaration of Independence is adopted in Philadelphia on July 4th AP. Explanation:
70 Songs to Choose from for Your Independence Day Playlist: Patriotic Songs by Lee Greenwood, Bruce Springsteen, and More FOX. Not on the list (lyrics):
It’s Lambert. X titled this song “Independence Day,” but I don’t often run on this day. The lyrics are acerbic about a failing relationship, told from a man’s point of view, and who wants that? That being said, Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” somehow became a “patriotic” classic, despite the lyrics. Maybe people are silently more sensitive to sarcasm than I think they are. Or maybe they just play it too loud. Either way, the refrain “Talk a walk outside!” is appropriate on any scale, from the dark room to the geopolitical.
Americans brush aside rising fuel prices and gear up for record Fourth of July travel Al Jazeera
Will the firefly show continue? Kentucky Lantern
climate
‘This is a catastrophe’: Hurricane Beryl hits Jamaica BBC
We need to urgently rethink the way we live. Archaeology can help. Archaeological Thinking
Syndemics
Biomedicine: The re-emergence of Mpox – an old disease, a modern challenge Bird flu diary
China?
Chinese death in Philippines hits business plans already strained by maritime dispute South China Morning Post
Changes in US Grand Strategy in the Indo-Pacific and China’s Countermeasures Monthly Review
Does China even matter anymore? Pearls and Stimuli
Japan
Japanese workers are the least motivated in the world Nippon.com
Myanmar
ICJ allows seven countries to intervene in Gambia’s genocide case against Myanmar Anadolu Agency
Korean Peninsula
India
North India stampede reminiscent of similar tragedies in recent years Anadolu Agency
Shiraksta
Israel plans to expand illegal housing in the West Bank, build 5,300 more settlements Anadolu Agency
The Samson Option: Israel’s nuclear attack plan against its enemies progressive
Exterminationism Sweeps Israel Haaretz
About that pier:
Following the news that Gaza’s docks have been shut down again after transporting just 6,200 tons of aid in a month and a half, it would be easy for me to write another post simply mocking the incompetence of the Pentagon.
It can get boring. Let me explain step by step what I should have done. ⬇️
So… pic.twitter.com/khMPveDyUy— Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) July 2, 2024
European Separation
More than 210 candidates withdraw from French elections in favour of a stronger aristocracy to counter far-right Anadolu Agency. Commentary:
These are the latest predictions for French parliamentary seats after the elections.
Le Pen’s RN won between 190 and 220 of the 577 seats, far short of the 289 needed to form a government.
So, as I have said, the most likely outcome is that there can be no government at all… pic.twitter.com/TzI4Dlxabu
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) July 4, 2024
Dear Old England
Have we stopped caring about democracy? Funding the future
A new cold war
Ray McGovern: Will Putin Attack Poland and the Baltics? Consortium News
Russia-Ukraine war most likely to end with a negotiated outcome, says major poll Guardian
Europe divided on whether admitting Ukraine into the EU is a “good idea” Regarding NATO membership,
Indeed, many of America’s leading international relations scholars, including Harvard’s Stephen Walt, George Beebe (former director of Russia analysis at the CIA), and John Mearsheimer, signed the open letter urging not to push Ukraine toward NATO membership.
They warn that it could happen… https://t.co/wWxBcMeB9w
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) July 4, 2024
* * * Notorious American journalist Carlson publishes interview with Zelensky Ukrainska Pravda
* * * World Bank recognises Russia as high-income country TASS
Russian government oil revenues up nearly 50% in June Bloomberg
* * * Russia has accused Stolichnaya Vodka maker of being an “extremist organisation” and is seeking to seize its assets in Russia. BNE Intellectual News
Great Game
How China and Russia Compete and Cooperate in Central Asia The New York Times
Beijing and Moscow go from ‘unlimited’ friendship to friend-foe in Russia’s backyard The Wall Street Journal
Meetings with the Taliban – women not allowed BBC
Why the Mongolian President’s first state visit to Uzbekistan is significant Diplomat
Biden Administration
FTC blocks deal with mattress company Tempur Sealy over competition concerns The Wall Street Journal
SEC claims Silvergate Bank failed to properly oversee $1 trillion in cryptocurrency transactions The Verge. Presentation: “FTX fallout continues with new fraud lawsuit.”
2024
Betting on Kamala Harris POLITICO
President Trump’s NATO plans emerge POLITICO
The day that may save the world Succulents
White House touts efforts to lower gas prices ahead of Fourth of July travel rush The Hill
The Supremes
What does the Supreme Court’s immunity decision mean for U.S. foreign policy? Al Jazeera
Digital Watches
Cloudflare launches one-click nuke for web-scraping AI Registry
Sports Desk
WWE breaks records in arenas and stadiums as popularity soars in 2024 Fox
Reorganization and legitimacy
Dan Davis explains why accountability gaps are everywhere This time it’s Bloomberg. The deck is “And How the World Went Crazy.”
Empire Collapse Watch
White Empire Hands Indi.ca. Useful maps:
Explosion at Arkansas defense munitions plant leaves two injured, one missing A.B.C.
U.S. Army wants to absorb civilian AI “as fast as you can develop it” The Register. Commentary (long):
The U.S. Army released a white paper a few months ago outlining its latest restructuring, which outlined plans to cut 24,000 jobs from the military’s organizational structure.
Let’s take a closer look.
First of all, this is not a pure cut. The Army will add 8,000 jobs and cut 32,000. ⬇️… pic.twitter.com/rfga2LzlnX
— Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) July 4, 2024
When RAND made magic in Santa Monica asterisk
Class struggle
U.S. jobless claims rise for ninth consecutive week Bloomberg
Italian raids reveal exploited workers making luxury handbags The Wall Street Journal
The System: What the Ultra-Wealthy Think About Money Anil Dash
The clamor for financial control Susanna Breslin
Another large ship loses power in Baltimore Harbor Maritime Executive
Today’s antidote (Keta Design):
See yesterday’s link and Antidote du Jour here
