Source: Al Jazeera [Qatari state media]
“Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country is prepared for any war Israel might wage against it, adding he was not optimistic about the ceasefire between the countries, while confirming Tehran is committed to continuing its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes. Pezeshkian made the comments in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera aired on Wednesday, one of his first since the end of the 12-day conflict with Israel last month, in which the United States intervened on Israel’s behalf, launching strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. … Pezeshkian’s comments echoed earlier remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said in an interview with US broadcaster Fox News aired Monday that Tehran would never abandon its uranium enrichment programme, but was open to a negotiated solution to its nuclear ambitions, in which it would guarantee that the programme was for peaceful purposes in response for the lifting of sanctions.” (07/23/25)
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/23/iran-ready-for-war-with-israel-will-not-halt-nuclear-programme-pezeshkian
Source: System Update
“Semafor Editor Ben Smith on Epstein Saga; How do MAGA Supporters Really Feel About Trump’s Foreign Policy? Eddington Movie Review: Reflections on 2020.” (07/22/25)
https://rumble.com/v6wjk40-system-update-show-490.html
Source: Quillette
by Charlotte Allen
“If leading media critics don’t expect much, filmmakers won’t deliver much.” (07/22/25)
https://quillette.com/2025/07/22/the-mediocrity-feedback-loop-28-years-later-review-alex-garland-danny-boyle/
Source: SFGate
“The United Nations’[s] top court in a landmark advisory opinion Wednesday said countries could be in violation of international law if they fail to take measures to protect the planet from climate change, and nations harmed by its effects could be entitled to reparations. Advocates immediately cheered the International Court of Justice opinion on nations’ obligations to tackle climate change and the consequences they may face if they don’t. ‘Failure of a state to take appropriate action to protect the climate system … may constitute an internationally wrongful act,’ court President Yuji Iwasawa said during the hearing.” [editor’s note: And so the scam continues – SAT] (07/23/25)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/the-un-s-highest-court-will-decide-wednesday-on-20781633.php
Source: Freakonomics
“Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone? (Update).” (07/22/25)
https://freakonomics.com/podcast/why-does-one-tiny-state-set-the-rules-for-everyone-update/
Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by JT Morris
“Don’t want to publish an opinion on your blog you disagree with? Too bad, the government forces you to publish it. Criticize the mayor? Go to jail — and good luck trying to sue the mayor for violating your First Amendment rights. Want to access online content legal for adults without jeopardizing your privacy and reputation? Think again, your state legislature demands you reveal your identity first. That’s not the America I know. Nor is it one a robust First Amendment would ever allow. But those constitutional threats came up before the Supreme Court during its past two terms, thanks to state legislatures and government officials who would prefer to play thought police instead of obey the First Amendment’s commands.” (07/22/25)
https://www.thefire.org/news/free-speech-still-reigns-faces-setbacks-online
Source: In These Times
by Xintian Tina Wang
“In the wake of a sweeping executive order to eliminate diverse, equitable and inclusive programs across federal agencies, the Trump administration slashed millions of dollars in National Endowment for the Arts grants on May 3. The cuts have hit nonprofits centering BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities especially hard, forcing many to scale back programming or shut down. As arts institutions scramble, artists who have long addressed themes of identity, oppression and cultural resistance find themselves at a critical juncture. From the methods DonChristian Jones uses to reimagine space, to how Roin Morigeau and Lehuauakea preserve Indigenous practices, to the ways Kamari Carter and Jia Sung remix cultural symbols, these five artists are navigating the complex intersections of tradition, activism and personal expression to reshape the future.” (07/22/25)
https://inthesetimes.com/article/artists-trump-culture-budget-cuts-endowment-queer-art
Source: CBS News
“Ozzy Osbourne, the heavy metal legend who rose to fame in the pioneering group Black Sabbath, has died, his family said in a statement to CBS News. He was 76. … Either clad in black or bare-chested, the singer was often the target of parents’ groups for his imagery and once caused an uproar for biting the head off a bat. Later, he would reveal himself to be a doddering and sweet father on the reality TV show ‘The Osbournes.’ Black Sabbath’s 1969 self-titled debut LP has been likened to the Big Bang of heavy metal.” (07/22/25)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ozzy-osbourne-dies-age-76-rocker/
Source: bloggingheads.tv
“Jeffrey Epstein, MechaHitler, and Other Ills | Robert Wright & Paul Bloom” (07/22/25)
https://bloggingheads.tv/videos/68876
Source: Reason
by Jack Nicastro
“The Social Security trust fund will go bankrupt in 2033 according to the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) trustees. With neither Democrats nor Republicans appearing willing to reduce benefits or increase the retirement age, the only way to make Social Security solvent is to increase revenue. While this can be done, it will come at the great financial detriment of young people entering the work force who are already struggling with the cost of living.” (07/22/25)
https://reason.com/2025/07/22/a-social-security-bailout-would-cost-younger-workers-157000-in-higher-taxes/
