Ukraine’s GenStaff says its deep strikes have erased 4% of Russia’s GDP this year, and that figure certainly grabs your attention. Four percent might not seem like a colossal figure at first glance, but when you’re talking about the entire economic output of a country, it represents a significant dent, a real punch to the gut. It’s a substantial sum of money, and you have to wonder, just how much damage needs to be inflicted before it becomes truly unsustainable for Russia to keep up the fight?
This brings up the million-dollar question: What percentage point of economic damage would it take to make the war unfeasible for Russia to continue?… Continue reading
On August 15th, a workshop at the Elastik gunpowder plant in Russia’s Ryazan Oblast was devastated by an explosion, resulting in at least five fatalities and over 100 injuries. The blast triggered a fire that consumed the gunpowder-producing facility. Emergency services were deployed, but the cause remains undetermined, though initial reports suggest potential safety violations. The plant had previously experienced a deadly accident in 2021 involving a private explosives manufacturer, Razryad, which rents space from Elastik.
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Stanford University will withdraw from the Cal Grant program, a state-funded financial aid program, to maintain its current admissions practices. University officials announced the decision in a statement, citing the ability to use university scholarship funding instead. This move comes as Assemblymember Phil Ting targeted legacy admissions after the Varsity Blues scandal, and student organizers have voiced concerns about admissions policies favoring children of wealthy parents. Ryan Cieslikowski, a Stanford alum and advocate for tackling classism, represents the opposition’s perspective on the matter.
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A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that a majority of U.S. adults are not confident in former President Donald Trump’s ability to make wise decisions regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. The poll, conducted from August 4 to August 10, found that 59% expressed little to no confidence, while only 40% expressed at least some confidence. The survey also highlights partisan divides, with Democrats more likely to believe the U.S. has a responsibility to help Ukraine. These findings come ahead of a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where a potential ceasefire in Ukraine and broader U.S.-Russia matters will be discussed.
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Maxwell prison transfer raises witness tampering concerns, House Dems say. Honestly, this whole situation is just screaming “bad news,” isn’t it? You’ve got Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of sex trafficking, being moved around in the prison system after an interview with a Justice Department official and now, the House Democrats are understandably raising a massive red flag. It’s like something straight out of a movie, but unfortunately, it’s very real life and it feels more than a little disturbing. The first thought that pops into my mind is, “oh boy, here we go again.”
This reeks of potential manipulation, and the fact that Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are jumping on this is completely valid.… Continue reading
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that strikes on Russian enterprises and infrastructure have caused an estimated $74 billion loss in revenue, accounting for about 4% of Russia’s GDP. Almost 80% of these attacks targeted oil and gas infrastructure, including refineries and storage facilities, with the majority of strikes occurring within 1,000 kilometers of Ukrainian positions. These actions have prompted India, a major buyer of Russian crude, to seek alternative sources, potentially influenced by political pressures from the United States.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom is utilizing former President Donald Trump’s social media tactics to counter Republican gerrymandering efforts in Texas. Newsom is adopting Trump’s signature all-caps, aggressive tone to warn Texas against redrawing voting districts in favor of Republicans. The governor’s posts threaten legal action from California and other blue states if Texas proceeds, mirroring Trump’s confrontational style. While the strategy has garnered praise from some online users, others criticize it for distracting from more pressing issues and escalating political tensions.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized former President Donald Trump, accusing him of appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Newsom made these remarks while urging California voters to approve mid-cycle redistricting to counter Republican efforts in Texas to redraw congressional maps. Trump is set to meet with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, a move Newsom found alarming. The White House responded, criticizing Newsom’s policies and accusing him of supporting the current administration’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.
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On Thursday afternoon, the building at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan was evacuated due to reports of a white powder found in the mailroom. Authorities, including first responders and hazmat units, arrived quickly and confirmed that the powder was contained in five letters. While awaiting test results, officials confirmed that at least two people were exposed and that the building was evacuated as per standard protocol. Preliminary testing found no dangerous substance, but the incident follows recent detainments by ICE agents and protests over detainee conditions, with a federal judge recently ordering improvements to the facility.
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According to administration sources, President Trump has authorized the Pentagon to use military force against Latin American drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations. This directive comes amid heightened tensions with Mexico, with officials suggesting a strike is imminent unless significant changes occur. Despite Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s rejection of U.S. military intervention, Mexico has extradited alleged cartel members to the United States. Experts suggest that the new directive is not limited to Mexican cartels, with increased surveillance and potential for drone strikes.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker