Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old “senior advisor” to the US State Department and Department of Homeland Security, is under scrutiny due to his controversial past and family history. A new report reveals Coristine, who boasts the nickname “Big Balls,” is the grandson of a KGB officer executed as a double agent. His past includes being fired from a cybersecurity internship for alleged information leaks and connections to cybercrime communities. This lineage and his current position raise concerns about national security given his access to sensitive information.
Read More
Three years after the Russian invasion, Keir Starmer underscored the critical importance of Ukraine’s defense, emphasizing a Ukrainian patient’s warning that a Ukrainian defeat would endanger Europe. Starmer also noted that Donald Trump’s engagement with Putin, despite controversial statements, has shifted the global dialogue surrounding the conflict. The Prime Minister pledged robust sanctions against Russia to pressure Putin into concessions, aiming to secure a just and lasting peace.
Read More
DoorDash will pay $16.75 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that, between May 2017 and September 2019, the company improperly used customer tips to lower its own payments to New York delivery drivers. The Attorney General’s office claimed this practice was deceptive as it wasn’t disclosed to customers. This settlement provides restitution to affected workers, and DoorDash maintains that its past pay model was compliant, despite resolving the years-long legal dispute. The company has since abandoned this pay structure.
Read More
A State Department document revealed a proposed $400 million contract with Tesla for armored electric vehicles, a significant discrepancy from the Biden administration’s planned $483,000 EV expenditure. While the State Department claims the $400 million figure was an early estimate and the contract is on hold, a former White House official suggests the action was intentional. This proposed purchase, potentially involving thousands of Cybertrucks, raised concerns among security experts due to the vehicle’s suitability for diplomatic security and the potential for compromised range and durability when armored. The discrepancy and subsequent cancellation of the plan followed public attention and criticism.
Read More
Following a failed attempt to secure a buyer willing to maintain its operations, Joann Fabrics will close all 800 of its stores nationwide. A nationwide going-out-of-business sale will commence immediately, as mandated by the winning bidder in the asset auction. Despite exploring all options to remain operational, the company will now wind down its operations after more than 80 years. Founded during World War II, Joann experienced periods of both success and financial struggles, ultimately succumbing to declining sales and filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection twice. The company will work to minimize the impact on its 19,000 employees and customers during this closure.
Read More
Following online criticism of a video depicting CEO Tom Hill seemingly performing a Nazi salute at a company event, Hill resigned from Engineered Structures, Inc. (ESI). In response, ESI announced internal restructuring, including a new Corporate Responsibility Task Force and the appointment of Neil Nelson as CEO. Boise State University, a past ESI client, acknowledged the incident and expressed its expectation that ESI uphold its commitments to address the situation. The company aims to move forward with a renewed focus on compassion and ethical conduct.
Read More
A lawsuit, updated following Elon Musk’s threatening email and X post, alleges that his demand for all federal employees to submit reports is unprecedented and constitutes massive employment fraud. Musk’s instructions were disseminated via an OPM email address established by his Department of Government Efficiency initiative, despite several agencies advising employees to ignore the request. The lawsuit highlights the absurdity of the mandate and its potential for widespread, unlawful terminations. Musk further escalated threats on X, prompting a deluge of satirical responses to the HR email address.
Read More
The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 restricts the executive branch’s ability to withhold congressionally appropriated funds. Chief Justice Roberts previously affirmed Congress’s sole power of the purse, deeming executive impoundment of funds unconstitutional except in extraordinary circumstances. However, Russell Vought, Trump’s OMB nominee, controversially declared the Act unconstitutional during his confirmation hearings, prioritizing presidential authority over adherence to the law. This directly contradicts established legal precedent regarding the separation of powers.
Read More
France is poised to offer a nuclear shield to Europe, a move spurred by growing concerns over the United States’ shifting stance on continental security. This unprecedented offer signals a potential major shift in the European security landscape, particularly given the perceived weakening of the US commitment to its European allies. The prospect of French fighter jets, equipped with nuclear weapons, being deployed to Germany underscores the seriousness of this initiative. This strategic positioning would not only send a strong message of deterrence to potential adversaries like Russia but also potentially alleviate anxieties about a power vacuum left by any reduction in US military presence on the continent.… Continue reading
Senator Bernie Sanders’s recent Iowa rally, drawing overflow crowds, marks a significant shift from his 2019 visit promoting the Build Back Better plan. This tour focuses on mobilizing opposition to a second Trump presidency and its agenda of federal deregulation and corporate tax cuts. Sanders framed the fight as a continuation of historical struggles against oligarchy, emphasizing grassroots action to counter the influence of billionaire donors and pressure vulnerable Republican representatives. Despite some attendees expressing disappointment in the Democratic Party’s response to Trump, the event fostered a sense of community and renewed political engagement among participants.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood