Afghanistan earthquake kills 800, injures 2,800. Taliban asks world for help. The immediate reaction, and it’s hard to avoid, is just profound sadness. Eight hundred people dead. That’s a staggering number. And the scale of the injuries, 2,800, it paints a picture of absolute devastation. We’re talking about the loss of life, the destruction of homes, the disruption of everything these people knew. It’s impossible not to feel for the civilians, the ones who are bearing the brunt of this tragedy, particularly when you consider the poor quality of building construction which is often the case in areas like Afghanistan, compounded by the lack of adequate medical facilities to treat so many people.… Continue reading
The House Oversight Committee has withdrawn its request for testimony from Robert Mueller regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case, citing Mueller’s health issues that prevent him from testifying. The committee previously issued a subpoena to Mueller last month, aiming to gather information relevant to their investigation due to his tenure as FBI director during the time Epstein was under investigation. This decision arises amid recent controversy surrounding the Epstein files and the Justice Department’s internal review. Mueller, who served as FBI director from 2001-2013, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021.
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President Trump’s recent social media post of a golf outing has fueled concerns regarding his health, particularly because the photo was a week old. This comes amidst speculation about his well-being, intensified by sightings of apparent swelling and bruises, as well as his absence from public view. In July, the White House announced Trump’s diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition, and the president has since responded to rumors of bad health, but public scrutiny is likely to continue.
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At a regional summit in Tianjin, China, President Xi Jinping emphasized leveraging the “mega-scale market” and boosting cooperation in areas like energy and technology. President Putin of Russia voiced support for Xi’s vision of a new global security and economic order, advocating for a multipolar world and the use of national currencies. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), including leaders from the Global South, aims to create a more equitable global governance system, opposing Cold War mentalities and supporting multilateral trade. China plans to provide substantial aid to member states. The summit also offered an opportunity for China to improve ties with India.
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Modi says Russia and India stand together even in difficult times, a sentiment that resonates with a long-standing, complex relationship. It’s clear that the bond between these two nations has weathered many storms, stretching back to the Cold War era and persisting through shifting global power dynamics. The consistent message has been one of solidarity, a willingness to face challenges together, and this continues even now.
The backdrop to this statement is undeniably complex. Both India and China are significant purchasers of crude oil from Russia, a relationship that has persisted despite international pressure. This is not a mere economic transaction; it’s a piece of a much larger geopolitical puzzle.… Continue reading
On September 1st, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) announced the destruction of two Russian Mi-8 helicopters and a tugboat in occupied Crimea. Drones targeted the Hvardiiske military air base, destroying helicopters valued at $20–30 million. In Sevastopol Bay, Ukrainian intelligence struck a military tugboat, identified as a BUK-2190, used by a Russian special naval forces unit. The attacks, part of ongoing efforts to degrade Russian military infrastructure in Crimea, significantly limit the combat capabilities of the elite Russian unit.
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The U.S. Education Department has declared that Denver Public Schools breached Title IX regulations by establishing all-gender bathrooms and allowing students to use bathrooms aligned with their gender identity, a decision that stems from an investigation at East High School. As a result, the department is demanding the district revert multi-stall, all-gender restrooms back to gender-specific ones, within 10 days or face enforcement actions, along with using biology-based definitions for gender in its policies. This probe is part of the Trump administration’s broader push against policies accommodating transgender students, with numerous similar investigations targeting school districts nationwide regarding bathroom access and sports participation. Denver Public Schools officials are currently assessing their next steps in response to the department’s findings.
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During a CNN interview, the CDC’s Daskalakis stated that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has never been briefed by a CDC expert on measles, COVID-19, or influenza. Daskalakis confirmed that the CDC, considered a world leader in public health, has offered briefings that Kennedy has not accepted, leading to speculation about the sources of Kennedy’s information. This revelation adds to growing criticism regarding Kennedy’s health expertise, particularly as the American Public Health Association condemned his actions and anti-vaccine views.
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The Trump administration faces the potential of returning nearly $100 billion in customs duties, according to analysts, following a court ruling on the legality of tariffs. The US Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling, determining that Trump acted unlawfully by implementing broad import levies without Congressional approval. Although the appeals court voted in favor of the initial judgment, the tariffs remain in effect while the Trump administration appeals to the Supreme Court. These tariffs, first introduced in February, have generated approximately $100 billion in extra customs duties.
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In a recent interview with Fox News, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro sparked controversy by advocating for a 50% tariff on imports from India. Navarro accused India of enabling trade imbalances and geopolitical alliances contrary to U.S. interests, while also criticizing India’s high tariffs. He further stated that “Brahmins” are “profiteering at the expense of the Indian people.” These remarks, echoing previous criticisms of India’s trade practices and relations with Russia, follow Prime Minister Modi’s recent interactions with China’s President Xi Jinping.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker