In a significant upset, Democratic candidate Catelin Drey won the special election for Iowa’s 1st Senate District, defeating Republican Christopher Prosch. This victory breaks the Republican supermajority in the Iowa Senate and marks the first time a Democrat has held the seat since 2013, with Drey securing 55% of the vote in a district President Trump previously won by a significant margin. The win, which occurred after the death of former Senator Rocky De Witt, is seen by Democrats as a sign of growing vulnerability for Republicans as the midterm elections approach. Drey will serve the remainder of De Witt’s term until January 2027, with the seat up for election again in November 2026.
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In response to a declared “crime emergency” by Donald Trump, the National Guard was deployed in Washington, D.C., and observed picking up trash in parks. Despite Trump’s claims of lawlessness, crime rates were at a 30-year low earlier this year. This initiative is part of a larger plan involving 40 or more tasks and has led to over 1,000 arrests, including suspected illegal immigrants. Reactions to the crackdown vary, with some residents expressing mixed feelings and concerns about immigration raids, while a magistrate judge criticized the government’s handling as reckless.
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In Banda Aceh, Indonesia, two men were publicly caned after being convicted of violating Islamic law due to hugging and kissing. The men, aged 20 and 21, received 80 lashes each in front of an audience. This punishment is allowed under Aceh’s Shariah law, which permits caning for offenses like homosexuality. Human rights groups have criticized the practice as discriminatory and inhumane, despite local support.
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The Democratic National Committee voted to reject a resolution advocating for a halt in U.S. arms sales to Israel, despite growing opposition among Democratic voters regarding Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The initial resolution, proposed by a younger DNC member, aimed to represent the views of the party’s younger demographic. Although the original resolution was struck down, a conversation was started and could continue. DNC leadership, including Chair Ken Martin, instead pushed for a resolution calling for a ceasefire and continued military support for Israel, but ultimately pulled the resolution to promote unity.
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During a meeting, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung requested US President Donald Trump’s assistance in establishing peace on the Korean peninsula, even humorously suggesting Trump build a tower and play golf in North Korea. President Trump responded by hinting at a potential meeting with Kim Jong-Un later in the year, acknowledging their past positive relationship. Furthermore, Lee Jae Myung emphasized the importance of the US-Korea alliance for South Korea’s economic growth and expressed hopes for its continued development in areas like science and technology.
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Ukrainian drones strike 1,300 kilometers deep into Russia, torching Shahed storage depots in Tatarstan, and it’s hard not to be impressed, frankly. Four years into a conflict that was supposed to be a swift and decisive victory for Russia, we’re seeing a completely different picture. We’re talking about a war that has bled Russia of manpower and resources, a war that continues to chip away at its military capabilities. To see Ukraine hitting targets so far inside Russia, particularly targeting critical infrastructure like Shahed drone storage, is nothing short of a strategic masterstroke.
The sheer audacity of the attacks is breathtaking.… Continue reading
On August 26, an explosion and subsequent fire occurred on the Ryazan-Moscow oil pipeline, a critical route for supplying petroleum products to the Russian capital, according to a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR). The explosion, which halted the transportation of petroleum products to Moscow, was reported near the village of Bozhatkovo. The pipeline, managed by state-run operator Transneft, was repurposed in 2018 to supply gasoline to Moscow and also provides fuel to the Russian military. While the cause remains unconfirmed, Ukrainian forces have previously targeted Russian energy infrastructure with the aim of disrupting revenue.
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During a recent Cabinet meeting, former President Donald Trump targeted California Governor Gavin Newsom, reigniting claims about the state’s water supply and federal intervention following wildfires. In response, Newsom subtly questioned Trump’s mental state using a screenshot from X’s AI chatbot, Grok, which addressed the repetition of false claims, often associated with memory impairments. This exchange follows a pattern of Trump’s public misstatements and frequent references to a need to have forced the opening of water valves. The White House quickly countered the criticism.
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According to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Vladimir Putin is hesitant to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss ending the war, consistently delaying the process. Zelenskyy is prepared to meet Putin on neutral ground, though he doesn’t anticipate a visit to Kyiv or a trip to Moscow. Carney emphasized the importance of continued allied support for Ukraine until this meeting occurs. Canada is also providing substantial military aid to Ukraine, including a US$500 million package of equipment and ammunition, with further weaponry transfers planned.
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French authorities have arrested two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, for allegedly plotting terrorist attacks against synagogues and the Eiffel Tower, with the youths reportedly sympathizing with ISIS. The individuals, raised in “Arab-Muslim families,” had been exchanging violent content and discussing attacks, having searched for weapons online. They appeared in court on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism. This incident reflects a worrying rise in terrorism charges against minors in France, prompting the creation of a special department within the National Terrorism Prosecution Office.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood