The 65th Congress experienced the most closely divided partisan split in House history, with Republicans holding 215 seats and Democrats 214. This narrow margin meant neither party achieved a clear majority following the election. Consequently, the few third-party members held significant influence when the House gathered to select its speaker.
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, Vance Boelter, 58, pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder, stalking, and firearms violations. Boelter, represented by federal public defender Manny Atwal, entered his plea in court. The courtroom illustration depicts Boelter at the lectern during the proceedings. The charges against Boelter are serious and involve multiple offenses.
India to Switzerland: Don’t preach on minorities while ignoring your own. The crux of the matter, distilled from the various opinions swirling around, is a pointed exchange between India and Switzerland at the UN Human Rights Council. Switzerland, in its role as the current UNHRC president, brought up concerns about India’s treatment of minorities and freedom of expression. This prompted a rather unexpected response from India, a response that, frankly, raised eyebrows and set the stage for a broader discussion about hypocrisy and the complexities of international diplomacy.
India, in its reply, wasn’t shy about turning the tables. Instead of directly addressing Switzerland’s concerns, the Indian diplomat delivered a message of sorts, stating that India, as a “vibrant democracy,” was ready to help Switzerland with its own issues, specifically citing racism, systematic discrimination, and xenophobia.… Continue reading
Following a recent drone attack on Ukraine and Poland, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in discussions with leaders from Poland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the NATO Secretary General, emphasizing the need for a unified response to escalating Russian aggression. These discussions focused on the increased number and brazenness of the Russian drones, which entered both Ukrainian and Belarusian airspace, representing a new level of escalation. Zelensky proposed the implementation of a joint air defense system across Europe and increased funding for interceptor drone production. He also offered Poland assistance, including training and expertise, to combat Russian drone activity, and coordinated with Poland on military cooperation.
In a recent interview, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated the Department of Defense’s new secondary title, “Department of War,” is meant to signal a desire for peace. President Trump signed an executive order to add the title, but Congressional approval is required for the formal renaming. Critics, including Senator Rand Paul, have already condemned the department’s actions, specifically the recent destruction of a Venezuelan boat, raising concerns about the department’s motivations. The new title and Hegseth’s explanation have drawn comparisons to George Orwell’s novel *1984* and other works.
A keeper at Bangkok’s Safari World zoo was fatally attacked by lions in the drive-through zone while on duty, witnessed by horrified visitors. The attack occurred when the keeper exited his vehicle and was then mauled by several lions during feeding time. The zoo has closed the drive-in zone until safety can be assured and is reviewing safety measures after the incident. The deceased keeper, a supervisor with years of experience, was rushed to the hospital after being rescued but succumbed to his injuries.
Belarus says it ‘warned’ Poland of drone activity during Russian strike, blames jamming for stray aircraft. Alright, let’s unpack this whole situation. Belarus is claiming they gave Poland a heads-up about some drone activity happening during a Russian strike, and they’re also pointing the finger at jamming for those rogue aircraft that ended up inside Polish airspace. Sounds a little… messy, doesn’t it?
Honestly, the whole thing feels incredibly suspicious. First off, why the delay in the warning? Warn after the fact? Convenient. It’s like someone starting a fire and then calling the fire department after the house is already engulfed.… Continue reading
Following the recent incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius expressed concern about the persistent threat posed by Russia. He highlighted various provocations by Russian forces across Baltic airspace, the Baltic Sea, and Central Europe. Furthermore, Pistorius indicated that the drones may have deliberately entered Polish territory, and he voiced his support for consultations under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty. This came after reports of multiple airspace violations and the discovery of drone wreckage in Poland.
The release of a crude birthday message, allegedly penned by former President Trump for Jeffrey Epstein, has ignited controversy. Despite denials and legal threats from Trump and his allies, the authenticity of the document, a hand-drawn doodle, is being questioned. Some Republican lawmakers are demanding transparency regarding Trump’s relationship with Epstein, posing a challenge to the former president. Trump may resort to diversionary tactics to deflect attention from the issue, potentially involving actions such as deploying national guard troops or expanding deportation efforts.
On Wednesday, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University. Former President Donald Trump mourned Kirk’s death on social media. Law enforcement confirmed the shooting, and the suspected shooter remains at large. The event was controversial, having faced opposition and a petition against Kirk’s appearance. This tragic event comes amid a rise in political violence across the nation.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood