Norway’s sovereign wealth fund announced the sale of its shares in 11 Israeli companies, citing the “serious humanitarian crisis” in Gaza as the backdrop for the decision. The fund, which invests Norway’s oil and gas profits, stated that these sales were finalized recently, following a decision to divest from companies not in the Norwegian Finance Ministry’s index. Additionally, the fund will move its Israeli company investments in-house and terminate contracts with external managers in Israel. These actions aim to simplify investment management and strengthen due diligence in response to the deteriorating conditions in the region.
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Zelenskyy says Putin not preparing to end war as Russian forces make breakthrough. This is the heart of the matter, isn’t it? The world is watching, parsing every word, every move, trying to decipher the true intentions behind the escalating conflict in Ukraine. President Zelenskyy’s stance, that Putin isn’t genuinely interested in peace, carries significant weight. It suggests that despite the ongoing clashes and territorial gains by Russian forces, the Kremlin’s objectives extend beyond a negotiated settlement.
The recent “breakthrough,” though, needs a closer look. Any advancement by Russian forces is met with counter-arguments, and so the push is labeled to be not as effective as portrayed.… Continue reading
A recent analysis estimates that Donald Trump’s family businesses have generated a staggering $3.4 billion through ventures like crypto, real estate, and licensing agreements. This figure is based on estimations due to a lack of financial transparency from the Trump Organization and its subsidiaries, which are largely managed by the president’s adult children. Profits were generated through various avenues, including cryptocurrency, financial investments, and the Mar-a-Lago resort. The president’s actions, such as using his properties for official events, have further fueled these profits, while simultaneously allowing him to bypass disclosure and ethics laws.
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Following a disappointing jobs report, President Trump has nominated E.J. Antoni, an economist from the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025 contributor, to replace the fired Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) chief, Erika McEntarfer. Trump’s decision to remove McEntarfer came after she released a report showing fewer jobs created than expected and downward revisions of previous months’ figures, a move condemned by economists. Antoni, a BLS data skeptic, has criticized the agency and is expected to focus on data accuracy and timeliness, though he has also indirectly contradicted Trump’s claims of a booming economy. The nomination is now awaiting confirmation by the Republican-controlled Senate.
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President Trump made multiple misstatements during a recent press conference, including incorrectly stating a meeting with Vladimir Putin would be held in Russia instead of Alaska. His responses to questions about deploying the National Guard were also rambling and incoherent. These instances raise concerns about his mental acuity, especially when considering the scrutiny previously applied to President Biden. Such gaffes from Biden would have likely prompted intense criticism and investigations, raising questions about whether the same standards will be applied to Trump.
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On August 11th, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) drones struck the Orenburg Helium Plant, a crucial Russian facility located approximately 1,200 kilometers from the Ukrainian front line. The facility is described by a source as the only one in Russia producing a critical component used in rocket manufacturing, the space industry, and aviation. Local reports indicate drone activity and explosions, prompting authorities to close a highway section near the plant, although the extent of the damage is currently unknown. While the governor reported downing two drones, a drone raid alert was also issued the following morning.
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An Islamic court in Indonesia’s Aceh province sentenced two men to 80 public canings each for engaging in sexual acts, specifically hugging and kissing. The men, aged 20 and 21, were arrested in April after being caught by religious police in a park bathroom. The court, applying Islamic law, determined their actions violated regulations against acts that lead to gay sexual relations. While the prosecutor sought 85 lashes, the judges reduced the sentence due to the men’s cooperation and lack of prior convictions.
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Republican Congressman Thomas Massie is partnering with Democratic Representative Ro Khanna to host a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, inviting victims of Jeffrey Epstein to speak and advocating for the release of legal files related to the case. This bipartisan effort aims to force a vote on the Epstein files, with the lawmakers providing an update on their discharge petition and the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The conference mirrors a similar tactic used by Donald Trump during the 2016 election, as both sides seek transparency and justice for survivors.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott accuses Rep. Jasmine Crockett of racism after she objects to redistricting plan. It’s a familiar pattern, isn’t it? The accusation, ironically, often reveals the truth. Accuse others of what you’re doing, as you do it. It’s almost as if there’s a playbook. It’s a tactic that feels designed to deflect and control the narrative. In this case, it’s about Texas’s redistricting plan, and Rep. Crockett’s objections to it.
The whole situation feels like gaslighting, doesn’t it? The accusations of racism, especially coming from those implementing policies that appear to disadvantage certain groups, it’s like a deliberate attempt to obfuscate what’s really happening.… Continue reading
At a recent town hall meeting, Rep. Doug LaMalfa faced a barrage of criticism and accusations, including being called a “liar,” from constituents regarding President Trump’s legislative agenda. The meeting, the first in nearly eight years, saw LaMalfa grilled on topics such as the budget bill, tariffs, and the handling of the Epstein files. Audience members expressed their discontent, with many directly confronting LaMalfa about his support for policies impacting veterans, farmers, and healthcare. The event underscored the challenges Republicans face in selling Trump’s agenda, with the representative’s responses met with strong disapproval and disagreement.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood