8.7 magnitude earthquake near Russia prompts tsunami alerts in Alaska, Hawaii. That headline just screams, “hold on to your hats, folks!” It’s definitely a day where everyone in the Pacific region should be paying close attention. The news is unfolding, and the initial reports are both alarming and, frankly, a little bit terrifying. An 8.7 magnitude earthquake – that’s a seriously powerful event, right up there in the ranks of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.
The situation quickly escalated with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issuing urgent warnings, especially for Hawaii. The message was clear: a tsunami has been generated, and it could cause damage along the coastlines of all islands in the state.… Continue reading
A new poll reveals Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, leading the New York City mayoral race with over 50% support. The poll, conducted by Zenith Research and Public Progress Solutions, shows former Governor Andrew Cuomo in second place with 22% of the vote and Curtis Sliwa at 13%. The poll indicates Mamdani’s support increases in a smaller field of candidates and in head-to-head scenarios, with respondents also expressing greater willingness to consider voting for him. Concerns about housing costs, the price of groceries, and crime are cited as the most important issues to the respondents. The general election is scheduled for November 4.
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The UN conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, saw 17 countries, the EU, and the Arab League endorse a text urging Hamas to disarm and cede control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. This unprecedented declaration, also condemning the October 7th attacks, aims to facilitate a two-state solution, with some nations expressing willingness to recognize a Palestinian state. Notably, the text also considers potential deployment of foreign forces to stabilize Gaza post-conflict. The conference also saw calls for a ceasefire, aid and actions by Israel in order to proceed with a recognition of a Palestinian state, and the two-state solution’s viability is threatened by the ongoing war and Israeli actions.
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During a recent Air Force One press briefing, President Donald Trump stated that Jeffrey Epstein “stole” former Mar-a-Lago employee Virginia Giuffre, indicating she was among those “taken” by Epstein. Trump claimed he had banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago for taking employees, even though Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, had previously worked at his resort. This comes amid scrutiny over the administration’s refusal to release further records related to Epstein, despite earlier promises of transparency, highlighting ongoing tension. Giuffre was a key accuser in the Epstein-Maxwell sex trafficking case, alleging abuse by prominent figures.
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Karoline Leavitt, current White House press secretary, faces unresolved campaign debt from her 2022 congressional run, owing over $326,000 to numerous creditors. Despite the campaign raising no funds during the recent months, much of the debt stems from unreturned illegal contributions. The FEC, facing a lack of commissioners, cannot enforce any penalties for campaign finance violations. This situation underscores the lack of recourse creditors have when campaigns fail to pay their debts.
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Overnight, Russian strikes utilizing glide bombs and missiles targeted both a prison and medical facilities in Ukraine, resulting in at least 27 fatalities across the country. In response to these attacks, U.S. President Donald Trump shortened his deadline for Russia to end the killing, threatening sanctions and tariffs if it does not comply within ten days. Despite Trump’s warnings, the Kremlin has indicated that it will continue to pursue its goals in Ukraine. Simultaneously, Ukraine launched long-range drones targeting Russian infrastructure, including an attack on a railway station in the Rostov region.
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Following a recent cybersecurity breach, the dating discussion app Tea announced that some direct messages were also accessed. The app, which allows women to anonymously discuss men, previously revealed that thousands of user selfies and photo IDs were exposed. The company stated it is working to identify impacted users and offer identity protection services, while also emphasizing the need for users to consider real-life security precautions. The breach affects users who signed up before February 2024, with approximately 72,000 images leaked in total, including those found in direct messages.
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The University of California San Diego School of Medicine published findings that individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD) are at a significantly higher risk of developing oral cancer within five years. This study underscores the importance of investigating the potential health consequences associated with cannabis use, particularly as its prevalence increases. With millions reporting daily or near-daily use, and a notable percentage developing CUD, further research is crucial to understand the long-term health impacts of cannabis. This recent study sought to explore the relationship between CUD and oral cancer, a disease for which other substances like tobacco are known to pose significant risk.
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Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal team is requesting immunity for her testimony before a congressional committee, but the committee has rejected the demand. The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, issued a subpoena for Maxwell to testify on August 11th, but her lawyers assert she cannot risk further criminal exposure without formal immunity. Maxwell’s potential testimony is crucial, as lawmakers seek to uncover details about the sex trafficking ring operated by Jeffrey Epstein and potential co-conspirators. Furthermore, Maxwell is also requesting clemency from former President Donald Trump, with the promise to testify openly before Congress if granted.
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Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has refuted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s claims that Israel is withholding aid from Gaza, labeling the accusations as “a lie”. This comes as a global hunger monitor issued an alert warning that famine is “playing out” in the Gaza Strip, highlighting widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease. The Israeli government, however, continues to deny the severity of the humanitarian crisis, while the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) indicates that famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption and acute malnutrition in certain areas. Despite Israel’s claims of open aid access, restrictions remain, contrasting with the urgent needs of a population facing escalating food insecurity and mortality.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker