Florida reports 21 cases of E. coli infections linked to raw milk, and it’s hard not to feel a certain sense of “told you so.” It’s almost like a chapter out of a textbook on how not to handle food safety. The raw milk craze, fueled by a desire for “natural” and “unprocessed” food, seems to have collided head-on with some rather nasty, microscopic realities. These 21 cases, including six children under the age of ten, aren’t just numbers; they represent real people, real discomfort, and, in the worst cases, real health scares.
It’s a stark reminder of why we have processes like pasteurization in the first place.… Continue reading
Federal revenue in recent years has been around $4.7 trillion, with customs fees typically accounting for only about 2% of that total. Even if tariff revenue were to double or even double again, it would still represent a small fraction of the overall federal revenue. The majority of federal revenue comes from personal income tax (about half) and payroll taxes (about a third), dwarfing the impact of tariff revenue. The lack of these crucial figures in the original article obscures the true scale of the revenue sources.
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Overnight, Ukrainian drones from the SBU’s CSO “A” unit struck the Saky airfield in occupied Crimea, resulting in significant damage. The attack completely destroyed a Su-30SM fighter jet and severely damaged another, along with hitting three Su-24 bombers and an ammunition depot. The SBU stated the special operation aims to weaken Russia’s military infrastructure, with estimated losses potentially reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. This strike follows a larger operation targeting Russian airfields, further demonstrating Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt Russian operations.
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On Thursday, four Bay Area locations of Blue Bottle coffee voted to unionize, joining the growing trend of barista organizing across the U.S. The workers, who voted 22 to 5 in favor of joining the Blue Bottle Independent Union, aim to secure better benefits and higher wages to address the high cost of living. This independent union, which previously unionized six locations in the Boston area, is focused on maintaining flexibility and control. The union drive, announced in June, highlights concerns regarding benefits, wages, and transparency in coffee sourcing.
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Reports indicate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided the IDF should fully occupy the Gaza Strip, even in areas where hostages are held. This decision follows months of ceasefire talks and the release of videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages, generating increased pressure for a deal and sparking protests. Netanyahu has reportedly conveyed a message to the army’s chief of staff, emphasizing the necessity of this course of action. A Cabinet meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to formally decide on the expansion of IDF operations.
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If Trump and the GOP keep this up, AOC is going to be president. This is a fascinating, and frankly, quite plausible scenario. There’s a real sense, sifting through the commentary, that the current political climate, particularly the actions of Trump and the Republican Party, could inadvertently pave the way for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to take the highest office in the land. It’s a complicated prediction, riddled with doubts and skepticism, yet underpinned by a core belief that the status quo is unsustainable.
The common thread woven through many of the thoughts is a deep-seated frustration with the Republican Party and, to a lesser extent, the Democratic establishment.… Continue reading
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly criticized the Republican Party, stating she is unsure if she relates to the party anymore, particularly concerning the treatment of women. Greene expressed dissatisfaction with the GOP’s direction, accusing it of neglecting the “America First” agenda and reverting to a “neocon” past. She also highlighted disagreements on foreign policy, especially regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. Political analysts suggest these statements reflect inevitable splits within the MAGA base following the 2024 elections, potentially benefiting Democrats in the upcoming 2026 midterms.
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The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law recently released a report, “The Trump Administration’s Campaign to Undermine the Next Election,” detailing potential threats to democratic processes. The report highlights specific actions and strategies undertaken during the Trump administration that could negatively impact future elections. These include efforts to restrict voting access and undermine confidence in election results. The report serves as a warning about the ongoing risks to the integrity of the electoral process.
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A recent expert review has warned that plastics pose a “grave, growing and under-recognized danger” to both human and planetary health, deeming the situation a “plastics crisis.” The rapid acceleration of plastic production, primarily single-use plastics, has led to a surge in plastic pollution, impacting the entire planet and costing at least $1.5tn annually in health-related damages. Plastics endanger people and the environment at every stage, from production to disposal, with exposure to toxic chemicals and microplastics posing significant risks. The review emphasizes the urgent need for a global plastics treaty with measures to protect human and planetary health, as recycling alone cannot solve the crisis.
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India has responded to former US President Donald Trump’s threat to increase tariffs on Indian goods due to continued oil imports from Russia, deeming it “unjustified and unreasonable.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) defended India’s energy strategy, citing market conditions as the reason for crude oil purchases from Russia. The MEA also highlighted that other countries, including the US and EU, continue trade with Russia, while pointing out the disparity. India emphasized that it is taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security while maintaining a commitment to trade negotiations.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker