Rolling in dough
Iran starts laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and vows to block oil exports from the Gulf. / CNN, AL-Monitor
At the same time, Tehran is exporting more oil than before—headed for China—while ignoring pleas from the White House for a ceasefire. / The Wall Street Journal [$], The Guardian
Donald Trump’s war is found to be historically unique in that it’s not popular with Americans, who typically love war. / The Conversation
Also potentially historically unique? Blowing through $5.6 billion in munitions in the war’s first two days. / Foreign Exchanges
In terms of optics, Trump seems like he’s tired of his war, Vance is “conspicuously quiet,” and progressives puzzle over Tucker Carlson’s “dope merch.” / Responsible Statecraft, Politico, The Verge [$]
Gal Beckerman on why Republicans won’t call the war what it is: “First, there is a solid legal reason.” / The Atlantic [$]
See also: The void would very much like you to stop screaming into it. / McSweeney’s
Downtown Washington, DC, contains around 230 acres of disused government office space. / Bloomberg CityLab
Only 21% of residential recyclables actually get recycled in the United States, and the number is declining. / Quartz
This summer, electric air taxis will start testing their aircraft in 26 states. / TechCrunch
Vermont’s landmark law to cut greenhouse gas emissions dies from a mix of politics and policy design. / Canary Media
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How did overdose deaths in the US suddenly begin to fall in 2023? Apparently by applying tactics first used to fight Al-Qaeda to fentanyl networks and Chinese companies. / Dreamland
Unrelated: A Girl Scout troop in New Jersey partners with a cannabis shop to sell cookies. / NJ.com
The wealth “gap” between billionaires and the merely rich is said to be pushing buyers out of the art market. / The Art Newspaper
Insiders explain how to get a discount on expensive artworks: “The key is understanding that a discount in the art world is gestural.” / Artsy
For puzzle fans, a satisfying birthday quiz. For animal fans, some wildlife photography. / Futility Closet, Colossal
And for readers, if you’re not already following, the Tournament of Books—presented by Field Notes—is well underway! / Field Notes, The Tournament of Books
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