Starving: “The spike in food, fuel and fertilizer prices sparked by the war in Ukraine is threatening to push countries around the world into famine, bringing ‘global destabilization, starvation and mass migration on an unprecedented scale.'” I can name one dude in Moscow who couldn’t care less. And in a Russian court, Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges. “Prosecutors allege that prior to her trip, Griner purchased two cartridges containing 0.252 grams and 0.45 grams of hash oil for personal use.”

+ Sting Wray: “Wray’s speech was particularly notable because it took place at MI5’s London headquarters and alongside the agency’s director general, Ken McCallum, in an intended show of Western solidarity. ‘We consistently see that it’s the Chinese government that poses the biggest long-term threat to our economic and national security, and by ‘our,’ I mean both of our nations, along with our allies in Europe and elsewhere.” China lashes out at US, British intelligence services.

+ Majoring in Econ: Jemele Hill in The Atlantic: “College-sports traditionalists were appalled last week when the Big Ten athletic conference announced that it will add UCLA and the University of Southern California to its membership in 2024—creating a seismic shift in the college-sports landscape that will generate millions of dollars in revenue for the two California powerhouse programs. This reorganization is the strongest indicator yet that college sports is cannibalizing itself.” College sports have almost nothing to do with college anymore. That said, my Cal Bears just jumped two spots closer to the top of the Pac 12 10.

+ Grass Stain: We were set for a semifinal battle of good vs evil at Wimbledon. Sadly, good has an abdominal injury. “Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Friday’s Wimbledon semifinal against Nick Kyrgios.”

+ The World is a Little Less Sonny: “I loved working with him. And the only Jew I knew who could calf rope with the best of them.” So said Rob Reiner about James Caan who died at the age of 82. Misery, Elf, Brian’s Song, and of course his greatest role in The Godfather. What a run.

+ Buoy Wonder: The Maldives is building the world’s first floating city. Sadly, it’s probably a need as much as a want.