Health
On June 30, the EPA approved two PFAS pesticides—diflufenican and epyrifenacil—for use on corn, soybeans, and wheat, along with expanded uses of bifenthrin on coffee, kiwi, kale, and broccoli, and the first food use of chlormequat on wheat, barley, and oats. The approvals occurred days after the Supreme Court limited Americans’ ability to sue pesticide makers and after the appointment of former American Soybean Association lobbyist Kyle Kunkler to the EPA’s pesticides office. Both new substances break down into trifluoroacetic acid, a persistent contaminant detected in 78% of tested German wells. The EPA states the chemicals do not meet its definition of PFAS, though they qualify under the broader definition used by most U.S. states. The EPA has stated it found no human health risks of concern when the pesticides are used according to label instructions.
A analysis by the Midwestern Doctor states that dermatology promoted sunlight avoidance beginning with a 1980s AAD-funded campaign that positioned dermatologists as skin-cancer experts. The analysis reports a 700% increase in Medicare Mohs surgeries from 1992 to 2009 while skin-cancer mortality rates showed little change. It notes that basal cell carcinoma is rarely fatal, that melanoma rates are lower among outdoor workers, and that a 20-year Swedish study found higher all-cause mortality among sun-avoiders. A 2023 UK study of 470,000 people reported a higher skin cancer risk among frequent sunscreen users.
Geopolitics
In a newly released documentary, Israeli footage shows senior officials, including Police Chief Kobi Shabtai and Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, coordinating a response during the October 7, 2023, attack, with an officer directing forces to target abducted soldiers and Ben Gvir instructing the camera to be turned off. The footage aligns with prior statements by former Defense Minister Yoav Galant and questions raised about Israel’s response on that date. Reports indicate that Hamas fighters armed with AK-47s did not possess the means to cause the vehicle damage later attributed to them. Some observers have questioned the extent of any directive’s application due to the absence of corroborating video evidence released by Hamas.
The Kremlin stated that Russia is expanding a security buffer zone in Ukraine in response to Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow-area targets. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov cited the capture of Konstantinovka as progress toward the Kramatorsk-Slavyansk area. Putin stated that continued strikes on Russian infrastructure would require a larger buffer zone. Reports noted fuel shortages and a gasoline shortage in Crimea. Ukrainian forces have reportedly recaptured approximately 50 square kilometers in one sector through mechanized pushes and drone strikes.
Iran’s ambassador to China stated at the Beijing World Peace Forum that Tehran will charge service fees for Hormuz transit related to security, supervision, and environmental oversight, with reduced rates for China and other friendly nations. The plan, coordinated with Oman, follows the June 15 U.S.-Iran agreement ending the conflict that began after the February 28 strikes. Iran rejected an Oman-proposed southern route under U.S. oversight and attacked a Singaporean vessel using that route, after which the IMO dropped the plan. Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi stated that Hormuz falls under Iranian authority rather than CENTCOM. Beijing has publicly maintained that navigation in the strait should not be hindered and opposes any tolls or fees.
Energy
Citi projects Brent crude prices between $60 and $65 per barrel by year-end, citing normalized Hormuz traffic and the U.S.-Iran agreement. Analyst Francesco Martoccia noted weak Chinese demand, softer physical crude prices, and disappointing inventory draws. Goldman Sachs forecasts a roughly 2 million-barrel-per-day surplus next year even after 1 million barrels per day of Strategic Petroleum Reserve refilling. Morgan Stanley has lowered its price forecasts on similar grounds. Other market observers have warned of potential short-term price spikes if Hormuz tensions persist.
Relatedly, OPEC+ approved an additional 188,000 barrel-per-day output increase for August. Core producers have raised quotas by nearly 800,000 barrels per day from April through July. Actual output fell to 33.13 million barrels per day in May from 42.77 million in February during the Hormuz closure. Brent traded near $72 on Friday. The UAE’s April departure from the alliance and Iraqi quota demands have added pressure on group coordination.
Skeptics note that Hormuz flows remain conditional and below pre-war levels despite recent increases.
Kirk Assassination
Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin July 6 in Utah’s Fourth District Court. Prosecutors must establish probable cause to proceed to trial. Judge Tony Graf Jr. has barred electronic devices from the courtroom, prohibited supportive apparel, and forbidden head-nodding by spectators. The judge held prosecutors in contempt for out-of-court statements and expanded jury questionnaires. The court rejected defense requests to remove the death penalty option or close the hearing. Charlie Kirk’s family issued a joint statement expressing gratitude for public support and requesting continued privacy out of respect for the judicial process.
Economy
Japanese bankruptcies linked to yen weakness reached a first-half record, with 45 firms failing from January to June, a more than 30% increase from the prior year, according to Tokyo Shoko Research. The yen reached 162 per dollar. Reverse knockout options held by regional banks are clustered at 163–170. Wholesalers importing food and raw materials have been most affected, while large exporters have continued to benefit from the weaker yen through higher earnings.
Hong Kong will launch its gold clearing and settlement system on Tuesday, with participation from eleven banks, including HSBC, JPMorgan, UBS, Standard Chartered, and major Chinese state lenders. Reports indicate large gold bars have moved from London, the U.S., and Europe to Asia. HKEX is waiving fees on dollar gold futures for one year.
British Politics
The UK government is consulting on proposals to require YouTube’s algorithm to prioritize content from the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4. YouTube has notified creators of the plan. Critics, including Nigel Farage and the Free Speech Union, have opposed the measure. The consultation ends August 31. The Labour Digital Rights Network has criticized the proposal as a blatant attempt to seize control under the guise of promoting trustworthy news.
Debanking is back in the news, as The Canary reported that Lloyds closed its bank account without explanation. UK banks closed 343,000 accounts in 2022, up from 45,000 in 2017. UK Finance is developing a data-sharing platform to restrict previously debanked customers. Similar account closures have affected Scott Ritter, Francesca Albanese, Jacques Baud, and Hüseyin Doğru in other Western countries. Some observers note that debanking often stems from banks’ internal risk assessments for markers of economic crime rather than explicit politics.
US Politics
Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized after suffering cardiac arrest on June 14. Kentucky’s 2024 House Bill 622 requires a special election to fill a Senate vacancy rather than allowing gubernatorial appointment. However, it is reportedly only logistically feasible for the special election to align with the general election if it were to be announced by August. McConnell’s office has stated that he is continuing to improve and working remotely on Senate matters.
McConnell’s wife and former Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao, met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing. Concerns have been raised regarding compliance with the Logan Act, as Chao has held no U.S. government position since January 2021. Her spokesperson stated the trip was long-planned and supported family philanthropy. The Logan Act is narrowly applied and rarely enforced for private contacts by former officials.
Sources
EPA Expands ‘Forever Chemical’ Pesticides on U.S. Crops
“It’s a national outrage that Trump’s EPA is expanding use of dangerous, cancer-linked PFAS pesticides just days after the Supreme Court limited the American people’s right to sue pesticide companies,”
Source | Submitted by Barbara
Dermatology’s Lucrative War on Sunlight
Dermatology needed a villain to justify its business model, and it chose the sun.
New Footage Confirms Israel’s Hannibal Directive on Oct. 7
The evidence proves it was.
Source | Submitted by westcoastjan
Citi Sees Oil Sinking to $60 as Hormuz Traffic Normalizes
We continue to recommend selling any summer rallies and forecast Brent reaching $60 to $65 a barrel by the turn of the year
Utah Court Tightens Grip on Kirk Assassination Hearing
During a four-day proceeding set to begin on July 6 in a Utah courtroom, prosecutors must reveal some of the evidence they have against Robinson.
Iran Offers China Special Breaks on Hormuz Transit Fees
“Special considerations” would be applied to China and other friendly nations when determining the level and type of service fees charged for their vessels.
OPEC+ Hikes Output as Hormuz Exports Rebound, Prices Fall
OPEC+ agreed a further increase in output targets from August, the group said in a statement on Sunday, adding to global supply at a time when oil prices are falling due to the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports.
Yen Weakness Fuels Record Japanese Bankruptcies
Japan’s weak currency caused the most bankruptcies for the first half of a year since 2022, underscoring the growing economic costs of the currency’s slump.
Russia Expands Ukraine Buffer Zone as Drone Strikes Hit Home
Russia has announced that one key measure that will be taken in response to Ukraine’s ramped-up drone attacks on Russian territory, including last month’s major strikes on the Moscow area, is the significant expansion of the border ‘buffer zone’ between the waring countries.
UK Plots Algorithmic Coup to Force-Feed BBC Content on YouTube
In a brazen move that reeks of authoritarian control, the UK government is pushing plans to seize influence over YouTube’s recommendation system.
Debanking The Canary: Banks as Enforcers of Political Silence
Banking is a fundamental utility like water and electricity, and that’s precisely why democratic societies are increasingly turning to its use as a method of censorship and repression.
Hong Kong to Launch Gold Clearing System, Challenging London’s Grip
Hong Kong will launch a long-awaited gold clearing and settlement system next week, making a giant stride towards being an international price-setter for the precious metal, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter.
Source (Paywalled)
McConnell Hospitalized as Kentucky Bars Governor From Naming Senate Replacement
The legislation eliminated the governor’s ability to appoint a replacement senator and instead directed vacancies to be filled through a special election process.
Chao’s China Meeting With CCP Sparks Logan Act Questions Amid McConnell Silence
The Logan Act prohibits unauthorized private citizens from conducting correspondence or negotiations with foreign governments regarding disputes or matters involving the United States.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: @MarcVegan, @grok, @BiffoBoffo, Ahmed Aboudouh, @LetsArmUKR, GlobalFlash_Cam, greenmktgl, Erika Kirk, @MrsErikaKirk, Shery Ahn, Bloomberg, Labour Digital Rights Network, Masterman Davies, McConnell’s office.
by westcoastjan 
