On September 18th, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat petrochemical plant in Russia’s Bashkortostan Republic, resulting in a fire and “massive explosion” at a crude oil processing unit. Separately, Ukrainian forces also struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast, which is a key supplier to the Russian military and forced operations to cease. The attacks are part of a broader strategy to disrupt Russia’s oil industry. While Russian authorities claimed to have intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones across several regions, The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.
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So, about those “Don’t Tread on Me” folks and the whole Walz/National Guard situation… it seems the core sentiment here is a pretty cynical one. The general consensus, if you can call it that, is that the rallying cry of “Don’t Tread on Me” has always been, at best, a highly selective sentiment.
The initial reaction seems to be a resounding “Where are they, indeed?” The implication is that these folks, who once waved the Gadsden flag with such fervor, are mysteriously absent when the metaphorical boots start marching on other people. It’s not hard to see why. The comments paint a picture of a group primarily concerned with their own self-interests, or perhaps the interests of a very specific in-group.… Continue reading
Deep strike: Ukrainian drones hit major Russian oil plants 1,300 km from front lines – that’s the headline, and it’s a significant one. It really drives home just how far Ukraine can now reach inside Russia, delivering what amounts to a harsh dose of reality to the enemy’s doorstep, or, more accurately, their gas station. It’s a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the Ukrainian forces. This isn’t just about military targets; it’s about disrupting the very fabric of Russia’s war machine, potentially forcing them to confront their own resource limitations and perhaps even start importing fuel again, which would be quite a reversal.… Continue reading
The Trump administration has petitioned the Supreme Court for an emergency order to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board of governors. This action follows a failed attempt by the administration to oust Cook, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, and is part of a larger effort to reshape the Fed. The legal challenge is unprecedented, as no president has previously fired a sitting Fed governor. The administration argues that Cook’s alleged actions regarding mortgage rates raise concerns about her trustworthiness and ability to manage interest rates, though she denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.
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Nexstar and Sinclair, two major TV station owners, pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s show due to his jokes about the killing of a police officer, citing “insensitive” comments. Both companies have significant business pending before the Trump administration and are seeking mergers that would expand their reach. Media analysts suggest these decisions were made to curry favor with the administration, especially given the timing and the need for regulatory approvals. This, according to Stelter, is an obvious conclusion considering the circumstances.
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Following controversial comments made by Jimmy Kimmel about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, ABC indefinitely suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” triggering widespread backlash. Critics, including free speech advocates, condemned the move, citing it as a violation of free speech and a dangerous precedent for censoring commentary. The suspension prompted calls for boycotts of Disney and ABC on social media platforms, fueled by concerns of government censorship. The decision also came after FCC pressure and followed similar actions by ABC affiliate owners, including Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting.
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Poland reported increased activity of Russian and Belarusian drones attempting to breach its airspace, days after shooting down Russian drones earlier this month. This follows an incident that led Poland to invoke Article 4 of the NATO charter, prompting security discussions. Polish officials stated the border with Belarus will remain closed until it is deemed safe, given the heightened tensions. Analysts suggest these incursions may be attempts to test NATO’s defenses and resolve, and further training is needed to deal with these provocations.
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The Metropolitan Police have arrested three individuals suspected of spying for Russia. A 41-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were apprehended in Grays, Essex, while a 46-year-old man was arrested at a separate address in the same area. All three were arrested under the National Security Act 2023, specifically for assisting a foreign intelligence service, with the alleged target country being Russia. They were taken to a London police station for further investigation.
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FTC Accuses Live Nation, Ticketmaster of Colluding with Ticket Brokers. This is a headline that’s buzzing, and honestly, it’s got a lot of people feeling a mix of emotions, from frustration to a strange sense of “told you so.” It seems the Federal Trade Commission is taking aim at the behemoths of the live entertainment industry, and the accusation is a serious one: collusion with ticket brokers.
Now, what does this actually mean? Well, it suggests that Live Nation and Ticketmaster, the dominant forces in the ticketing game, may have been working behind the scenes with ticket brokers, essentially scalpers, to manipulate the market.… Continue reading
At Meta Connect, CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased new technology, including updated Meta Ray-Bans, a neural wristband, and Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses with a heads-up display. During a demo of the Display glasses and neural wristband, technical difficulties arose when the devices failed to respond to hand gestures, resulting in a live call that did not connect. Further complicating matters, an AI assistant in the Ray-Ban Display glasses struggled to provide clear instructions during a live cooking demonstration. These incidents caused an array of reactions, despite Zuckerberg’s enthusiasm for the new products.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood