For now, links to four reports: from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, the Cradle, and Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll up or down today’s GAZA, NICARAGUA, UKRAINE and YEMEN so far, and down for IRAN 7-23-26.) — MCM

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U.S.-Iran strikes escalate as the ongoing war rattles global energy markets. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchiand and Michel Martin | NPR  New U.S. strikes on Iran and continued Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf and Jordan are sending ripples through global energy markets. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Persian Gulf states pile on debt to build ‘zero Hormuz’ infrastructure. From the Cradle. Borrowing from Persian Gulf nations in international debt markets has spiked this year, in a bid to finance the construction of costly infrastructure to bypass oil export routes through the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reported today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JULY 23  Iraq will not allow its territory to be used to threaten Iran: prime minister. From Middle East Monitor. Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said Thursday Baghdad will never allow the use of Iraqi territory to threaten Iran, reaffirming his country’s commitment to security cooperation with Tehran, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED