According to Newsweek’s tracker, Donald Trump’s net approval rating has reached its lowest point since entering office, with a net approval of -11 points. This decline reflects growing public dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy, including tariffs and inflation, as well as his recent actions regarding crime in major cities. Polling data shows disapproval across various issues, including his approach to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict. These developments may have implications for the Republican Party ahead of upcoming elections.
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A Louisiana judge has ordered the return of electronics seized from former priest Travis Clark, who pleaded guilty to obscenity. As a precaution against the videos becoming public, the judge also mandated the erasure of all data from the devices. The case involved Clark and two dominatrices, where videos of their encounter on a church altar were taken. The videos depicted several disturbing acts including urination into a communion chalice, which is one of the many details known about them. Clark served jail time after violating probation, and the dominatrices pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges as well.
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A humanitarian flotilla, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, is scheduled to depart from Barcelona on Sunday to challenge the blockade of Gaza. The “Global Sumud Flotilla” aims to establish a humanitarian corridor and end what it calls the “ongoing genocide.” The mission, anticipating arrival in mid-September, is expected to be the largest solidarity mission in history, with additional vessels departing from other Mediterranean ports. Simultaneous demonstrations will occur in numerous countries, as this is not the first attempt, with previous attempts resulting in interception and detention by Israeli forces.
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The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russia’s spring-summer offensive of 2025 concluded without achieving significant territorial gains, with Russian forces failing to capture any major Ukrainian cities. During the offensive, Ukrainian forces inflicted heavy losses on the invading army, resulting in nearly 210,000 Russian casualties and the destruction of thousands of military equipment units. The General Staff dismissed Russian claims of territorial control and successful strikes as attempts to mask setbacks and misrepresent the situation, as Russia’s overall losses since the start of the year exceed 291,000 killed and wounded.
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The Supreme Court is considering a case, *Louisiana v. Callais*, that could significantly weaken the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). The state of Louisiana is arguing against the use of race in redistricting, potentially leading to the elimination of Black-majority districts. The Court is examining whether compliance with Section 2 of the VRA violates the 14th or 15th Amendments, indicating a possible intention to dismantle the law. If the Court finds Section 2 unconstitutional, it could jeopardize the existence of numerous Black-majority districts in Southern states. The ruling could potentially dismantle a cornerstone of voting rights protections, which has already been challenged in past Supreme Court decisions.
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Trump says he will order voter ID requirement for every vote, and the immediate reaction is a mix of disbelief and frustration. The core issue, as many point out, is the simple fact that he doesn’t have the authority to do this. The United States Constitution, in no uncertain terms, grants the power to regulate elections to the individual states, with potential oversight from Congress. The idea of a presidential “order” on this front is immediately seen as unconstitutional and legally unenforceable. It’s like a fundamental misunderstanding of how the country’s system of government actually works.
The comments quickly shift from the legality to the practicalities.… Continue reading
In response to two recent mass missile attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denounced Russia’s actions and called for stronger sanctions. Zelensky criticized Moscow for using the time intended for talks to launch attacks, following meetings involving US and European leaders. The attacks, which resulted in numerous casualties and damaged infrastructure, prompted Zelensky to emphasize that further economic measures, particularly in banking and energy, are crucial to foster diplomacy. He urged the US, Europe, and the international community to take decisive action.
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Two pastors were arrested in St. Petersburg for attempting to block FDOT crews from removing the “Black History Matters” mural. Despite repeated warnings, Andrew Oliver and Benedict Atherton-Zeman sat on the mural in protest of FDOT’s order to remove street art across the state, leading to their arrest on charges of obstructing traffic and obstruction. This action comes after the city of St. Petersburg’s request to preserve several murals, including the “Black History Matters” piece, was denied by FDOT, which cited safety concerns related to state traffic control guidelines and the recently signed Senate Bill 1662. Local officials and community members are strategizing their response to the mural removals, while the governor and FDOT continue to uphold the statewide order.
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The Trump administration moves forward on plans to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, a move that, to put it mildly, has sparked a lot of reactions. It’s a change that, at face value, seems to be a straightforward renaming, but the implications and the context surrounding it are, let’s just say, complicated.
First off, the practicalities of such a change are pretty significant. Think about all the signage, the stationery, the websites, the official documents – everything would need to be updated. It’s going to be a costly undertaking, and as some have pointed out, those costs will likely be borne by taxpayers.… Continue reading
As Congress prepares to reconvene after recess, lawmakers are gearing up to revive the Jeffrey Epstein case. Democrats and some Republican members are strategizing press events and issuing subpoenas to refocus attention on the matter. The forthcoming actions aim to bring the Epstein case back to the forefront of the legislative agenda. Further discussion and analysis are expected upon Congress’s return.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood