The Hershey Company has announced a significant shift, committing to return to using “classic milk and dark chocolate recipes” across its Reese’s and Hershey’s product lines by 2027. This decision follows public criticism from Brad Reese, grandson of the candy’s inventor, who voiced concerns over the company’s alteration of original formulas in spinoff products. While Hershey’s CEO attributes the change to a desire for portfolio alignment and consistency, Brad Reese remains cautious, vowing to verify the authenticity of the new recipes based on taste. The company plans to revert to real milk chocolate for various Reese’s items, including minis and shapes, and classic Hershey’s bars, while also working to eliminate artificial colors from all products.
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In a disjointed national TV address, President Donald Trump repeated justifications for the war with Iran that have been circulating on social media, offering no new details on the conflict’s trajectory or conclusion. Despite hopes for clarity, the speech, pre-empted across broadcast networks, largely reiterated claims of swift victories and Iran’s crippled military capabilities, while struggling with word pronunciation and offering contradictory statements about the war’s impact on oil prices. The address occurred as public approval of the war wanes, with a significant majority of Americans disapproving, underscoring a growing weariness with the prolonged military action.
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Beginning Wednesday, Japan’s divorced couples can now negotiate joint child custody, a significant legal shift after over a century of mandatory sole custody. This revision, the first since the late 1800s, allows parents to decide on joint or sole arrangements and permits existing sole custody orders to be reviewed by family courts. While aiming to align Japan with international norms and ensure the non-custodial parent’s involvement, concerns remain regarding potential exploitation by abusive ex-spouses and the increased burden on family courts.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has announced her intention to vote against all military aid to Israel, including defensive supplies. This statement, made at a private forum with the Democratic Socialists of America, signals a significant shift from her previous stances, even as other prominent Democrats struggle to articulate their criticisms of the Israeli government. While Ocasio-Cortez has previously expressed nuanced views on defensive systems like the Iron Dome, she now asserts that Israel should be capable of self-funding such measures. Her decision aligns with a growing progressive bloc within the Democratic Party that advocates for conditioning aid to Israel based on adherence to international and U.S. law.
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A federal judge ruled that former President Donald Trump’s speech at the Ellipse on January 6, 2021, was not part of his official duties and thus not covered by presidential immunity. This decision allows a civil lawsuit brought by Democratic lawmakers and others to proceed. The judge found that the organization and content of the rally, as well as a phone call to Georgia’s Secretary of State, pointed to actions taken by an office-seeker rather than an incumbent president fulfilling his official capacity. This ruling is seen by plaintiffs as a step towards holding the former president accountable for his conduct on that day.
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In the Oval Office, the President expressed a desire for voter ID and proof of citizenship in elections, suggesting these will be subjects for future discussion. This follows a previous executive order aimed at altering state election procedures, which faced judicial challenges and partial blocking, including a directive to withhold federal funds from states refusing to comply. Several states have voiced strong opposition to what they perceive as presidential interference in state-run election matters, a stance that aligns with the President’s past calls for “nationalizing” elections despite the Constitution granting states authority over them.
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Chinese state media is subtly portraying the US as a belligerent and destabilizing force in the Middle East, most notably through a viral AI-generated video. This video uses a narrative of Persian cats, representing Iran, battling a white eagle, symbolizing the US, in a conflict over resources. The message aligns with Beijing’s broader narrative of the US as a declining, aggressive hegemon, contrasting with China’s image as a steady and peaceful rising power, and leveraging popular cultural tropes to make its geopolitical points palatable to domestic audiences. This strategy serves to counter accusations of China being a destabilizing force and to present China as a provider of global stability.
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The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Foundayo, Eli Lilly’s second GLP-1 pill for weight loss, expanding treatment options for obesity. Unlike the previously approved Wegovy pill, Foundayo offers greater convenience by allowing intake at any time of day without food or water restrictions. This new pill, which demonstrated an average weight loss of 12% in clinical trials, aims to improve access and affordability, with Lilly offering programs to reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. Foundayo joins a growing class of GLP-1 medications that mimic a hormone regulating appetite and digestion, though common gastrointestinal side effects and the need for long-term use remain considerations.
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An analysis reveals approximately 750 U.S. troops have been wounded or killed in the Middle East since October 2023, a figure the Pentagon has not publicly acknowledged. CENTCOM has provided outdated and low-ball casualty figures, failing to clarify military deaths and injuries, which includes at least 15 troops wounded in a recent Iranian attack. This lack of transparency has drawn criticism, with experts emphasizing the need for accurate reporting on the war’s costs to the American taxpayers. Furthermore, Iranian strikes have forced U.S. troops to relocate from bases to civilian infrastructure, potentially turning these locations into military targets.
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As part of a rare initiative to involve businesses in military recruitment, the governor of Ryazan has ordered large firms to identify employees as potential candidates for contract military service. Companies with 150 or more workers must submit a specified number of employee names by September 20. This directive, aimed at bolstering troop numbers amid ongoing conflict, applies to all business entities regardless of ownership and cites presidential decrees from 2022 regarding heightened military readiness.
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John Q. Hosedrinker