Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering and bribery, following a trial that presented evidence of his attempts to influence witnesses. The sentence, which Uribe has vowed to appeal, also includes an eight-year ban from holding public office and a significant fine. Judge Sandra Heredia cited the potential for Uribe to flee the country as the reason for the house arrest ruling. This historic case stems from allegations of Uribe’s ties to paramilitary groups and a libel suit that turned into an investigation against him.
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The Trump administration, backed by private tax-filing corporations, has officially shut down the IRS’s Direct File service, a free online tax-filing option. This decision comes despite positive reviews and a 94% satisfaction rate from users who saved an average of $160 annually on filing fees. The program was projected to save Americans billions annually and provide billions more in tax credits to low-income families. The move was influenced by months of lobbying from private tax-filing companies and GOP congresspeople who had received campaign donations from the tax preparation industry, leading to the program’s demise and financial gain for these companies.
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According to author Michael Wolff, Donald Trump was reportedly taken aback by speculation that he was involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s death and vehemently denied any culpability. Wolff recounted a conversation where Trump stated, “They say I killed Epstein. I didn’t have Epstein killed,” and also suggested “a lot of people wanted him dead.” The controversy surrounding Epstein’s death continues, with unanswered questions. Amidst the lingering questions, Trump’s former attorney interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell for over nine hours, followed by her seeking a presidential pardon, and a quiet prison transfer.
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Columbia Sportswear has filed a lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging trademark infringement and breach of contract. The lawsuit claims the university’s merchandise, particularly apparel lacking required identifying logos, is too similar to Columbia Sportswear’s offerings, causing consumer confusion. The agreement, signed in June 2023, allowed the university to use “Columbia” on merchandise with specific school identifiers, which the sportswear company alleges the university violated. Columbia Sportswear seeks to halt sales of infringing products, recall existing items, and secure damages for the harm caused to its brand.
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India Will Buy Russian Oil Despite Trump’s Threats, Officials Say, and honestly, it shouldn’t be a shock to anyone with a grasp of global economics. The simple fact is, a dollar bill, or in this case a barrel of oil, doesn’t just sit around gathering dust. The underlying reality of the situation is that India is able to secure much needed oil at a lower market price, which essentially removes some demand from the overall global supply of oil.
The narrative around Russian oil has been pretty consistent. It’s always been available for sale, though sometimes at a lower price point.… Continue reading
A second Hamas propaganda video featuring hostage Evyatar David was released with his family’s approval, showcasing his severely deteriorated physical condition. The footage depicts David appearing emaciated and documenting his limited food intake, primarily lentils with many days of no food. In the video, David claims he has been without proper food and water for an extended period, stating he was forced to dig his own grave and appealing to Israeli authorities for his release. His family issued a statement accusing Hamas of intentionally starving him for propaganda purposes and called for urgent intervention to save his life.
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The article asserts that the ongoing events in Gaza constitute a genocide, a conclusion supported by numerous human rights organizations and a leading Israeli human rights group. It argues that the United States is not merely complicit but actively participating in the genocide by providing Israel with the military, financial, and political support necessary to carry out its actions. This collaboration, spanning both Democratic and Republican administrations, extends to the media, which is accused of downplaying the severity of the situation and stifling criticism. Ultimately, the article condemns the US’s role in the genocide, asserting that it will be judged harshly by history for its actions.
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Former FBI agent Michael Feinberg has come forward with allegations of being denied a promotion and forced to resign due to his continued friendship with Peter Strzok. Feinberg was serving as acting assistant special agent in charge when he was told by Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans that he had two options: demotion or resignation. According to Feinberg, he was also informed that he would be subjected to a polygraph and a “struggle session” probing his relationship with Strzok, who was fired from the FBI. Feinberg ultimately chose to resign, citing the demands of FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and Kash Patel as the reason.
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The Smithsonian Institution announced plans to restore information about Donald Trump’s two impeachments to the National Museum of American History exhibit in the coming weeks. This follows the removal of a placard detailing Trump’s impeachments in July, which reverted the exhibit to its 2008 format. The Smithsonian stated the removal was due to a review of “legacy content” and that the placard did not meet museum standards, despite having been displayed since September 2021. While Trump attempted to exert influence over cultural institutions, the Smithsonian maintains the removal was not due to external pressure, and the updated section will reflect all impeachment proceedings in U.S. history.
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Northern European countries are experiencing “truly unprecedented” heat, with the Arctic Circle in Norway recording temperatures above 30C (86F) for multiple days in July, and Finland enduring its longest heat streak since 1961. Scientists attribute these prolonged heatwaves, driven by hot waters and high pressure systems, to climate change, noting the increasing frequency and severity of such events. These extreme temperatures, which are 8-10C above seasonal norms, have led to wildfires, infrastructure strain, and the opening of ice rinks for relief, impacting both locals and tourists. Experts warn that these severe heatwaves will intensify as climate change progresses, posing significant challenges for the region.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood