Small earthquake rattles parts of New York City area, New Jersey, and naturally, that’s where we begin. It seems a little tremor, clocking in at a modest magnitude, decided to grace the area with its presence. The reaction is, well, predictable, but still entertaining to observe. People were definitely talking about it, from Bushwick to Jersey, and it’s sparking all sorts of thoughts and, yes, even jokes.
Small earthquake rattles parts of New York City area, New Jersey, and let’s face it, there’s a distinct air of surprise surrounding the whole thing. It’s not every day you feel the earth move in this part of the world, and that’s why this particular event gets noticed.… Continue reading
India Will Buy Russian Oil Despite Trump’s Threats, Officials Say, and honestly, it shouldn’t be a shock to anyone with a grasp of global economics. The simple fact is, a dollar bill, or in this case a barrel of oil, doesn’t just sit around gathering dust. The underlying reality of the situation is that India is able to secure much needed oil at a lower market price, which essentially removes some demand from the overall global supply of oil.
The narrative around Russian oil has been pretty consistent. It’s always been available for sale, though sometimes at a lower price point.… Continue reading
Comer agrees to postpone Maxwell’s testimony to House on Epstein. That’s the headline, and it feels like a sigh of inevitability, doesn’t it? The immediate reaction is a sense of déjà vu, as if we’ve seen this particular movie before. The consensus seems to be that this delay wasn’t exactly a surprise. It’s perceived by many as a tactic, a way to buy time and hopefully make the whole situation fade from public consciousness. The unspoken assumption is that the powers that be are more interested in making this go away than uncovering the truth.
The fear is that the postponement is just a prelude to something more sinister.… Continue reading
Ukraine says it uncovers a major drone procurement corruption scheme, and that’s the headline. It’s a situation that makes you think, “Jail the corrupt, and keep the drones coming!” The sentiment is spot-on: democracies are built to expose and fight corruption. Inefficiencies like this are the reason why democratic systems, in theory, outperform dictatorships, or at least have the potential to. It’s a lesson learned, perhaps, from the examples of other countries where the rot has set in, like in Russia. There, money meant for essential things like body armor disappears, leaving soldiers vulnerable.
The focus of Ukraine on drone procurement is telling.… Continue reading
Office of Special Counsel says it’s opened Hatch Act probe of Jack Smith, and the immediate reaction is a mixture of disbelief and a bit of dark humor. It’s hard to ignore the irony, isn’t it? The same folks who arguably turned the Hatch Act into a punchline during the Trump administration are now turning their attention to a special counsel investigating the former president. It’s like a scene straight out of a political satire.
The core issue, of course, is the Hatch Act itself. This law is designed to keep federal employees from using their positions to influence elections. It’s about maintaining a sense of impartiality and preventing the government from being overtly partisan.… Continue reading
NATO unleashes a new $10 billion “combat wallet” for Ukraine, a move that feels like a significant escalation, especially in the face of escalating attacks on Ukrainian civilians. The sheer amount of funding, seemingly designed to keep the flow of arms and support continuous, is a clear signal of the West’s resolve. I can’t help but think of the potential impact of such a massive influx of resources, especially if it includes long-range missiles, which could drastically alter the battlefield dynamics. This “combat wallet” concept, a clever piece of wording, paints a picture of a decisive response to the ongoing aggression.… Continue reading
Hamas says it won’t disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. The core of the issue is this: Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, insists it will not lay down its weapons unless a fully independent Palestinian state is created. This stance sets up a fundamental conflict with the prevailing view held by many countries and by Israel itself. It essentially means the path to peace, and a two-state solution, is blocked.
The situation presents a clear Catch-22. Many, including Israel, believe that disarmament is a prerequisite for establishing a Palestinian state. Yet, Hamas insists on the opposite. The very fact that Hamas has stated this position should give us cause for pause, it is a fundamental obstruction to the peace process.… Continue reading
White House: Trump ‘would not recommend’ special prosecutor for Epstein files… well, that’s certainly not a shock, is it? The immediate reaction is a resounding, “Of course not!” It’s almost comical at this point. The idea of Trump endorsing an independent investigation into the Epstein files feels as likely as him suddenly deciding to donate all his wealth to charity. Accountability, it seems, is the last thing on his mind. It’s as if there’s an inherent fear of what might be revealed, a fear that goes far beyond mere political inconvenience. It’s a fear that seems to be fueled by the potential for significant, possibly even criminal, ramifications.… Continue reading
Illinois becomes the first state to require student mental health screenings.
The education system has been a witness to an astonishing amount of unseen or unreported mental health issues for years, spanning from experiences like abuse to struggles with depression. It’s a complex issue, and while this new requirement is well-intentioned, it’s understandable to have mixed feelings about it. Concerns about privacy and potential misuse of this information are definitely valid. It’s important to consider who will be conducting these screenings, whether they have the proper training and qualifications, and what kind of support will be offered after the screening.
It’s also crucial to remember that these screenings are not a cure-all.… Continue reading
France suspends Gaza evacuations over antisemitic posts by Palestinian student. It’s a situation that’s grabbed everyone’s attention, and honestly, it’s hard not to be taken aback by the details that have emerged. We’re talking about a Palestinian student, Nour A., whose social media activity has sparked serious controversy, leading French authorities to pause the ongoing evacuations from Gaza.
The crux of the issue revolves around the content of her online posts. These weren’t just run-of-the-mill, over-the-line comments. We’re talking about posts that openly praised Hitler, and that shared his speeches about the extermination of Jews. According to reports, some posts also included calls for filming and celebrating the execution of hostages.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood