The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results reveal a continued decline in reading and math scores for high school students, with 12th graders’ scores reaching their lowest levels in over two decades. Eighth-grade students also showed significant losses in science proficiency, indicating a downward trend across multiple grade levels and subjects. Experts note these declines predate the pandemic and point to potential contributing factors such as increased screen time and shifts in teaching methods. Moreover, the achievement gap between highest and lowest performing students widened in both 8th grade science and 12th-grade math.
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Ghislaine Maxwell’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, stated that defendants who cooperate with the government typically expect something in return, particularly if they are represented by competent counsel. He explained that such exchanges often involve plea bargains and that the justice system relies on these types of agreements. Aidala was responding to questions regarding Maxwell’s transfer to a lower-security prison after meeting with Trump’s Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, where she denied witnessing any inappropriate behavior by Trump. Aidala emphasized that he didn’t know specifics about Maxwell’s case, only the general practice of quid pro quo within the legal system.
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Michael James Pratt, founder of the porn empire GirlsDoPorn, has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for sex trafficking. Pratt, who pleaded guilty in June, was found to have recruited hundreds of women, often in their late teens, through fraudulent modeling offers, using force, fraud, and coercion. The crimes resulted in a 2020 judgment against Pratt and others, after several women claimed they were victimized. Co-defendants Matthew Isaac Wolfe and Ruben Andre Garcia received 14 and 20-year sentences, respectively, while cameraman Theodore Gyi was sentenced to four years.
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President Zelensky reported a brutal Russian airstrike in Yarova, Donetsk, resulting in over 20 civilian deaths at a location where pensions were being distributed, prompting a global response. In response, President Trump is considering additional sanctions against Russia and its trading partners due to Moscow’s intensified war efforts. However, Russia dismisses sanctions as ineffective and maintains its commitment to its goals, with President Putin stating a peace deal is “practically impossible.” The central challenges to peace negotiations are the division of territory and the future of Ukrainian security, both of which face significant legal and political obstacles.
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According to a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR), explosions occurred near a military unit in Khabarovsk, Russia, resulting in casualties. The targeted unit, Military Unit 6912, was accused of war crimes committed during the Battle of Kyiv in 2022. The explosions occurred as the Russian army arrived for duty. Following the incident, local authorities reportedly restricted internet access and altered public transport routes to conceal the event from the public; however, The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these claims.
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The White House vehemently denies the authenticity of a birthday card signature published by the Wall Street Journal, claiming it is a fabrication. Officials like Karoline Leavitt and Taylor Budowich have asserted that the signature does not belong to former President Trump. However, despite these denials, various examples of Trump’s signatures show a significant resemblance to the one in question, suggesting his signature style may have evolved over time and varies based on the context.
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Marvin Byrd, 54, has been charged with first-degree murder in St. Louis, Missouri, following the death of his roommate. Court records indicate the shooting occurred after a disagreement during a gathering to watch a college football game. Byrd reportedly shot his roommate after becoming angry over the failure to bring household items and drugs to the event. Byrd claimed the shooting was accidental, but police stated it stemmed from a build-up of frustration. He is currently held without bond.
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In a coordinated cyberattack coinciding with Military Intelligence Day, Ukraine’s military intelligence disrupted Russian fuel card payment systems and disabled dozens of online pages. The attack, launched on September 7th, utilized DDoS tactics to target networks processing fuel payments, including those used for RosPetrol fuel cards and systems of Rostelecom and Lukoil. Following the fuel system disruption, K-Corp, a telecom operator servicing the Kalashnikov Concern, was targeted, resulting in the disablement of hundreds of switches and servers. This operation follows a similar attack in July, which targeted Russian-installed authorities in Crimea, gaining access to their internal servers and documentation.
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In the 2025 Norwegian election, the left-leaning bloc, led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, secured a narrow victory with 88 seats compared to the right-leaning parties’ 81 seats. The Labour Party emerged as the frontrunner, requiring support from the other left-wing parties to pass legislation. The populist Progress Party experienced a substantial gain, becoming the leading opposition, while the election primarily focused on domestic concerns such as purchasing power and taxes.
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John Q. Hosedrinker