Tuesday (7/7) News: Oil Companies Profit as “World Gets Dangerously Hot”; “NATO braces for difficult summit”

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise (economic, environmental, etc.) for Tuesday, July 7.

INTERNATIONAL

• Fuel on the fire: why oil companies are profiting as the world gets dangerously hot (“The scientific consensus is that burning fossil fuels drives the climate crisis, yet the world’s biggest oil companies are planning to increase production” Psychopaths.)
• Wall Street Just Won’t Stop Financing the Fossil Fuel Industry’s Expansion (Not just psychopaths, GREEDY psychopaths.)
• Renewables remain cheapest new power option, and avoided $US480bn in fossil fuel costs in 2025
• Stymied datacentre projects threaten global AI revolution (“Large-scale datacentre projects around the world are being challenged or cancelled, as infrastructure’s energy demands ramp up” They need to work on slashing their energy and water consumption, ASAP.)
• As climate change damages streets and highways, the road ahead may be expensive
• Ukrainian drones hit Russia’s largest oil refinery as Zelenskyy says Siberia now ‘within reach’ (“The Omsk oil refinery represents the largest of Russia’s 11 gasoline producers to be hit by Ukrainian forces, Ukraine’s military said. The facility is estimated to have a refining capacity of more than 21 million metric tons of crude oil per year and specializes in the production of a range of fuels, lubricants and petrochemical products.”)
• Zelensky to press Nato for air defence systems after intense Russian strikes
• Jailers and officials at Russia’s ‘torture prisons’ in Ukraine exposed by BBC (“Former prisoners accuse the men of abuse in detention centres and want to see them brought to trial.”)
• NATO unveils billions in arms deals to prove its firepower to Trump
• The Memo: Sea of tensions await Trump at NATO summit
• Europe Races to Plug Security Holes After U.S. NATO Pullback
• Trump’s NATO-bashing casts shadow over U.S. pledge to defend allies as leaders gather in Turkey
• In NATO’s Next Act, Can Europe Play the Leading Role?
• Nato braces for difficult summit as Trump puts pressure on spending
• Trump’s Iran grudge hangs over NATO summit
• Greenland, Tariffs, NATO and Now Soccer. Trump Creates a New Clash With Europe. (“The decision to reverse a one-game ban landed badly in Europe, at a moment of already-heightened geopolitical tension with the United States.”)
• Australian PM says Chinese missile test could have caused ‘considerable damage’ if weaponised (“Solomon Islands prime minister says he doesn’t want to see more countries testing ICBMs in Pacific, adding ‘be our friend but don’t threaten us’”)
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Fires Missiles at Ships Near Hormuz (“Attacks could complicate negotiations to end U.S. war with Iran”)
• Tanker set ablaze after being struck by projectile in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran mourns Khamenei
• Resistance and revenge – Iran wanted to send a message with its farewell to Khamenei
• Millions of mourners highlight regime’s strong social base despite Iran’s divisions
• Trump Expected to Tell Turkey He Is Ready to Restore Access to F-35 Jets
• Scoop: Netanyahu asks Trump to rein in Erdoğan ahead of NATO summit
• ‘Everything I’ve ever asked him for, he’s done’: Erdoğan takes the stage as NATO’s Trump whisperer (Erdoğan is an authoritarian thug.)
• Israeli officer shown throwing stun grenade into car during West Bank raid (If we had a normal, sane U.S. administration, presumably they’d be strongly protesting – and hopefully more than that – the disgusting actions by Israeli settlers, officers, etc on the West Bank!)
• Dowry murders in India no longer spark public anger or debate, study finds (“Thousands of women are killed in dowry disputes each year, despite the practice being banned in 1961” HORRIBLE!)
• Marine Le Pen’s political future at stake with ruling on electoral ban imminent (“Leader of France’s far-right National Rally and a contender for the presidency set to hear appeal decision on Tuesday”)
• The Results Are In on Trump’s Boat-Strike Campaign (“They haven’t stopped the drugs, but that may not be the point.”)
• Islandwide blackout hits Cuba as its fuel reserve dwindles and aging grid crumbles (All Trump’s doing is punishing the innocent people of Cuba – who are overwhelmingly VICTIMS of the Communist regime, btw.)
• Jamaicans protest deal with U.S. to host deportees from other countries
• Integrity of World Cup is questioned as Trump, FIFA defend actions surrounding Balogun suspension
• The Joy of the World Cup Just Collided With Trump
• Trump’s call to Infantino and plot to ‘free’ Balogun that sparked a huge World Cup controversy (The sport itself is excellent, but FIFA is f’ed.)
• FIFA Is a Cautionary Tale for Trump (“The messy decision to reverse a red card against an American player shows what happens when an institution forfeits the benefit of the doubt.”)
• Trump, 80, Humiliated With His Own Dance After U.S. World Cup Loss (“Players were spotted after winning the game with an eyebrow-raising move.”)
• Ragged USA crash out of World Cup with last-16 defeat to Belgium
• The United States men exit the World Cup knowing they inspired a nation to believe they could win it all one day

NATIONAL

• Virginia joins multistate push against ICE rollback on detainee death reporting (“Attorneys general argue the Trump administration policy change weakens federal accountability amid rising scrutiny of detention conditions.”)
• He wrote a scathing message to ICE. Federal agents showed up at his door. (That’s authoritarian, police-state shit.)
• ICE’s Internal Watchdog Is Now Investigating Online Critics (Nobody should agree to do this – QUIT!)
• The US supreme court’s ruling on trans people in sports is an assault on bodily autonomy (“Laws banning trans athletes claim to defend science, fairness, and women’s safety. They do the opposite”)
• Key Health Care Panel Is Again Blocked From Meeting (“The United States Preventive Services Task Force has been stymied under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ” INSANE!)
• Where Obamacare enrollment is plummeting
• Red scare revived as Trump leads push to attack Democrats as ‘communists’ (So f’ing stupid. Also, right wingers have been using this same attack for decades, along with fear mongering, xenophobia, etc. Why does this shit have ANY appeal whatsoever? Sad commentary on a big chunk of Americans who lap it up.)
• DOGE officially shuts down (DOGE did ENORMOUS damage.)
• Why does JD Vance keep saying loony things? (“Scratch their surface and you see exactly what he’s trying to do: stand up strong for intolerance and corruption”)
• The Ultimate Goal of the Right’s “Religious Liberty” Crusade (“A new report from Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission makes clear that this issue is just a stalking horse for a much broader political project to transform America.”)
• Trump Is Fleecing Us
• This Is What Trump’s Crazed Posts Are Really About: Political Guru (“Trump’s insecurities are what’s keeping him up at night, argues David Rothkopf.”)
• Trump denied latest bid to delay $5.8m judgment payment to E Jean Carroll (“Carroll was awarded damages after New York jury concluded Trump sexually abused her, then defamed her after she publicly described the attack”)
• He was Trump’s boyhood friend. Now he’s pushing Trump to declare a ‘national emergency’ and seize control of the midterms
• Trump posts a doctored photo of the Obamas and Air Force One with graffiti spray-painted on plane
• Inside Trump’s Ideological Fight With the Smithsonian (“Publicly and behind the scenes, the president continues to try to impose his own views of American history and culture, presenting an ongoing challenge to Lonnie Bunch, the institution’s leader.” Instead of “fight with,” the NY Times COULD HAVE chosen go with the more accurate “assault on,” but of course they didn’t, because they are cowards.)
• A Huge Escalation in Trump’s Smithsonian Meddling (“A White House report details what the administration wants to change in museums—and suggests that a crackdown could be coming.”)
• Democrats have abandoned Graham Platner (Democrats should also abandon the people who pushed this guy in the first place…)
• With Graham Platner, Democrats Got Drunk on the Beer Test (“He said there wouldn’t be any more scandals, but a new Politico report threatens to end his Senate campaign in Maine.”)
• Calls grow for Graham Platner to drop out after sexual assault allegation
• Exclusive: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her (It’s been obvious for months that Platner’s a disaster; if you didn’t choose to see that, it says a lot about you – nothing good.)
• Lessons From the Graham Platner Disaster (“If there’s a lesson here, it might be about the importance of listening hard to the people telling you what you don’t want to hear. Many Democrats, disgusted by their party’s failure to contain Donald Trump, want representatives as furious as they are, and they no longer trust their leaders to tell them who is electable. That opens space up for outsider candidates who wouldn’t have had a chance a few years ago. It also makes it easier for unfit characters to escape proper vetting.”)
• Who Might Replace Platner if He Drops Out? Here’s What Could Happen. (“Graham Platner can be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws in the next week. If he does, Maine Democrats would face an uncertain two-week race to choose a replacement.”)
• Calls Mount for Platner to End Campaign After Rape Accusation
• As Israel becomes Democratic litmus test, Jewish progressives warn about a tilt into antisemitism (That’s glaringly obvious – and has been for a looong time.)
• MAGA Demands Proof of Life for Mitch McConnell (“There is speculation that the 84-year-old’s condition is much worse than his office admits.”)
• Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized after more than three weeks (Since we’re not supposed to speak ill of the dead, now’s a good time to remind everyone that Mitch McConnell played a HUGE role in the disaster we’re currently facing with Trump, MAGA, SCOTUS, etc. McConnell should go down in history as an absolute f’ing disgrace.)
• Man in viral D.C. Metro photo says he was ‘terrified’ as masked white nationalists surrounded him (“Roswell Encina, a gay Filipino American civic leader, said the Fourth of July encounter with Patriot Front was frightening and impossible to separate from American history.”)

VIRGINIA

• One Year After Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA02) Voted for Trump’s “Big UGLY Bill,” Virginians Are Paying the Price (Fmr. Rep. Elaine Luria: “The people of Hampton Roads are paying the price for Jen Kiggans’ failed leadership and her 100% Trump voting record”)
• Editorial: The public should oppose offshore mining plans for Virginia (“The Trump administration is an abysmal option to establish new rules governing seabed mining off Virginia’s coast.”)
• Video: Gov. Abigail Spanberger Argues re: Data Centers That Being “upset about something…[is] not how you make good policy” (On the 2026 elections, Spanberger says Dems are a “big-tent party” and the #1 goal is to “win the majority”)
• Spanberger talks data centers, energy and progressive Democrats in interview with Politico
• Gov. Spanberger takes a victory lap on her dubious win on data centers
• Virginia Built the World’s Data Center Capital. Now Comes the Balancing Act (“The state’s decadeslong bet on digital infrastructure is delivering economic gains while intensifying debates over energy, land use and community impacts.”)
• The Ban on Mass Voter Purges Beginning August 5, 2026 (Safeguard your Voting Rights: Check Your Voting Status Weekly During the 90-Day “Quiet Period”)
• In letter, Hashmi urges SCC commissioners to ask questions before review process starts
• Lieutenant governor pushing SCC for thorough review of Dominion-NextEra merger
• Record Heat and Data Centers Are Making It Hotter, Drier, and Costlier (“Cut the A/C, Kids. Data Centers Need Our Power and Water”)
• Testing service acquisition expands Virginia’s workforce credentialing and policy plans
• On the hottest day of the year (at that point), here’s where the power came from that kept us cool (“An almost hour-by-hour look at the power grid shows how reliant we are on natural gas.” Greeeaaaat…)
• How Loudoun County became the data center capital of the world (“The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors chair listened as residents voiced both support and opposition to the continued creation of data centers during a Q&A session.”)
• Column: Ocean Harvesters continues misinformation campaign (I mean, their name says it all…)
• 2 pumped storage hydroelectric stations could be located just miles apart in Wise County (“A Florida company has a preliminary permit from the federal government for one site and is pursuing another.”)
• How Waynesboro residents can challenge the Northrop Grumman pollution permit
• Democrats Hylton, Crosby vie to complete Chesterfield board term
• Arlington plans to phase out partnership supporting toddlers with disabilities
• DC-area forecast: Patchy clouds, sunshine and storms