August 13, 2026

pgnewser

How to Stop China from Freeriding on American AI– warontherocks.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

How to Stop China from Freeriding on American AI– warontherocks.com
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EXCERPT:

The release of the Chinese open-weight AI model Kimi K3 has compressed a year’s worth of unresolved AI policy debate into a single news cycle. On July 21, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened sanctions against Chinese labs found to have built their models on “theft,” reporting that the government is “finding watermarks of our U.S. large language models on many of the Chinese models.” The following day, White House science advisor Michael Kratsios clarified that the Chinese AI lab behind K3, Moonshot AI, had built a sophisticated platform to copy Anthropic’s Fable model while evading detection.

Industry has been vocal about its own views, with Nvidia’s Jensen Huang declaring that American companies should “absolutely” use Chinese models that outcompete American counterparts on price. In the Washington Post, investor Bill Gurley argued that treating open models as a danger to be licensed and contained runs afoul of the free-market principles that have long powered American innovation.

Israel says it has serious concerns with Hamas disarmament deal– abcnews.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Israel says it has serious concerns with Hamas disarmament deal– abcnews.com
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EXCERPT:

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel has shared “serious security concerns” with the White House regarding the proposed disarmament deal with Hamas, an Israeli official said as Israeli strikes overnight and into Sunday evening killed at least 17 people, including children, in Gaza.

The remarks by Doron Spielman, spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, were some of the first public comments since U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement.

Spielman told The Associated Press that Israel’s intelligence assessment is that Hamas remains committed to rebuilding its military rather than genuinely demilitarizing. He said the Israeli military would not withdraw from Gaza — where it controls more than 60% of the territory — before Hamas disarms.

Trump poses ultimatum on Blanche, will push for "anti-weaponization fund" if AG not confirmed – CBS News– news.google.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Trump poses ultimatum on Blanche, will push for “anti-weaponization fund” if AG not confirmed – CBS News– news.google.com
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EXCERPT:

  1. Trump poses ultimatum on Blanche, will push for “anti-weaponization fund” if AG not confirmed  CBS News
  2. Tillis says Blanche won’t be confirmed as AG amid Trump fund fight  Axios
  3. Why senators fear Trump’s DOJ payout fund isn’t dead, despite Blanche’s promises  The Washington Post
  4. Todd Blanche’s Loyalty to Trump Is Putting His Attorney General Confirmation at Risk  The New York Times
  5. Blanche vote is rescheduled , but there’s no deal  Politico

 

US, Gulf Allies Launch Strikes On Iranian Proxies Following ‘Surprise’ Attack On US Base– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

US, Gulf Allies Launch Strikes On Iranian Proxies Following ‘Surprise’ Attack On US Base– trendingpoliticsnews.com
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EXCERPT:

The United States and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening conducted joint precision airstrikes targeting Iran-backed militias in Eastern Iraq. The strikes follow a “surprise” missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan earlier in the day.

According to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapons sites. CENTCOM described the targets as belonging to Iran-aligned groups that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had directed to carry out attacks on U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.

Tuesday’s operation was launched in response to more than 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks over the preceding 72 hours. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense stated that its air defenses had intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraqi territory that targeted petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions.

Saudi Arabia’s statement framed the strikes as precise and targeted actions against objectives linked to those attacks, conducted in coordination with CENTCOM, and emphasized the kingdom’s right to self-defense while stating it does not seek escalation.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization that includes Iran-backed groups integrated into Iraq’s security structure, reported that the strikes hit headquarters and facilities in multiple locations, including Baghdad and sites in other provinces. The PMF said at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 wounded, with damage to buildings and facilities.

Graphics card prices jump by up to 20% in China as shops stockpile Nvidia and AMD GPUs– www.techspot.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Graphics card prices jump by up to 20% in China as shops stockpile Nvidia and AMD GPUs– www.techspot.com
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EXCERPT:

Ripple effect: Just when it seemed like graphics card prices couldn’t get much worse, the memory crisis has delivered another unpleasant surprise. Nvidia and AMD GPU prices have surged in China, with some models rising by as much as 20% in a single week and premium cards now selling for almost 60% above their official MSRPs.

Distributor lists from MSI and Colorful reveal the increases. MSI raised the RTX 5080 Shadow 3X OC and Ventus from 9,999 yuan ($1,477) to 11,999 yuan ($1,773), a 20% jump in seven days. Its RTX 5070 Ti Shadow 3X OC rose 19.5%, while the RTX 5090D V2 increased 13%. What’s worse is that these cards were already well above their suggested prices before the latest adjustment.

Comparing the new figures with Nvidia’s Chinese MSRPs makes the situation look even worse. MSI’s RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio OC is now 54% above the base MSRP, while the RTX 5080 Gaming Trio models are around 57% higher. Colorful’s RTX 5080 Vulcan W OC is priced at 13,199 yuan ($1,949), 59% above MSRP, and its RTX 5070 Ti Vulcan W OC carries a similar 58.7% premium.

The increases aren’t just limited to Nvidia. A market snapshot showed Radeon cards climbing across Chinese retailers, with some RX 9000 models seeing double-digit increases. AMD reportedly warned Asus, XFX, Sapphire, and other partners earlier this month that its GPU-and-memory bundles would become 10% more expensive.

The culprit is, of course, the continuing rise in GDDR6 and GDDR7 costs, combined with more expensive PCBs, coolers, and packaging. Nvidia supplies board partners with GPU and memory kits, so higher VRAM costs are passed directly to manufacturers. Reports claim the latest adjustment adds around 600 yuan ($89) to 8GB cards, 900 yuan ($133) to 12GB models, and 1,200 yuan ($177) to 16GB products.

Hundreds of Ukrainian Drones Target Moscow in Overnight Blitz– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Hundreds of Ukrainian Drones Target Moscow in Overnight Blitz– www.themoscowtimes.com
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EXCERPT:

Nearly 400 Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow and the surrounding region overnight, local authorities said Tuesday morning, as a separate strike in the southwestern Belgorod region injured at least 19 people, according to officials.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 390 drones had been tracked in the skies above the wider Moscow region since Monday night, noting that “most” of them were intercepted. He did not report any damage or injuries.

Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said an apartment building in the town of Chekhov, located around 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the Russian capital, was hit in a drone attack. Local authorities said the building’s facade and two apartment units were damaged, but added that there were no casualties.

Air defense systems downed “a few dozen” Ukrainian drones elsewhere in the Moscow region, including in Podolsk, Domodedovo and Kolomna, Vorobyov said.

Firefighters in France hold back vast wildfire as heat returns to test their grip– abcnews.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Firefighters in France hold back vast wildfire as heat returns to test their grip– abcnews.com
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EXCERPT:

Firefighters have kept a vast wildfire in southwest France from advancing overnight, extinguishing flare-ups near Atlantic coast dunes before returning heat and drier air threatens to test their hold on the blaze

LEGE-CAP FERRET, France — Firefighters kept a vast wildfire in southwest France from advancing overnight Tuesday, extinguishing flare-ups near Atlantic coast dunes before returning heat and drier air threatened to test their hold on the blaze.

The fire remained stabilized at 6 a.m. after a calm night and the burned area was unchanged at 420 square kilometers (162 square miles), the Gironde prefecture said.

Several flare-ups were detected overnight north of Le Porge and in dune land north of Cap Ferret but were brought under control by firefighters, authorities said.

The areas lie along the Atlantic coast west of Bordeaux, where crews have battled the blaze since it erupted near Saumos last week.

The First Waves of Amphibious Assault Will Be Unmanned– warontherocks.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

The First Waves of Amphibious Assault Will Be Unmanned– warontherocks.com
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EXCERPT:

In the Pacific War, the U.S. Navy’s underwater demolition teams prepared the way for U.S. and allied amphibious landings on enemy-held islands. Through beach reconnaissance, obstacle breaching, mine clearance, and other missions, these teams paved paths for the first waves of amphibious assaults conducted by naval task forces and subsequent landings by marines and soldiers throughout the island hopping campaign.  

These critical first steps of an amphibious operation were incredibly risky in World War II. And the underwater demolition teams, which were the predecessors of the Navy SEALs, were understandably proud of their work. The Marine Corps prided itself on being first to hit the beach. And when marines did hit the beach, they often arrived to find signs left by the underwater demolitions team saying, “Welcome Marines.” 

Precision strike weapons make such operations more perilous than ever. There may never be an American servicemember preparing or landing with the first wave of an opposed amphibious assault again. And it may be robots welcoming marines and soldiers to the beach in these future fights.  

Venezuela Quake Toll Passes 5,500, Operation Blessing Provides 70,000+ Meals and More– www.cbn.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Venezuela Quake Toll Passes 5,500, Operation Blessing Provides 70,000+ Meals and More– www.cbn.com
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EXCERPT:

It’s been just over a month since the June 24 earthquakes devastated Venezuela. The death toll is now above 5,500 as teams removing debris continue to find bodies.

The government is estimating the total damage at $19.6 billion so far. That includes $9 billion in destroyed or severely damaged homes.

More than 23,000 people are living in temporary locations. CBN’s Operation Blessing is on hand to help those who’ve lost their homes.

Theiris Dellimore was living on the street after the quake. Authorities told her the home was too dangerous to live in, that parts of it could collapse.

The Operation Blessing team provided Theiris and her family with a tent, mattresses, food, and hygiene supplies. Now, she says, they’re safe from the rain and the cold at night.

“Gracias. First of all, thank you. May God continue to bless you so that you can continue to bless Venezuela so that you can continue to help us. We’re just getting started. We still have a long way to go. Don’t forget about us,” she said.

AI Capability Races Ahead of the Business Payoff | American Enterprise Institute– www.aei.org

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

AI Capability Races Ahead of the Business Payoff | American Enterprise Institute– www.aei.org
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EXCERPT:

The state of the AI revolution can be confusing. At times, it can seem as if the latest artificial intelligence models are showing huge capability increases. One example is when two OpenAI models broke out of the lab, accessed the internet, and broke into another AI company. Or, as a Wall Street Journal headline put it, “The Day the Bots Broke Loose.”

But then you might come across another headline from the Wall Street Journal: “Big Companies Are Starting to Hire Again, Defying Predictions of AI Wipeout.” And from that piece:

The push to expand head count, at least modestly, is a reversal from the prevailing corporate messaging during much of the AI era. Major employers largely held back on adding people due to economic uncertainties or a belief that artificial intelligence could shoulder more tasks on the job. But some executives say the costs and limitations of AI now demand that more people be added; others want to hire people back following layoffs.

Zelensky’s Political Storm Starts to Clear– warontherocks.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Zelensky’s Political Storm Starts to Clear– warontherocks.com
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EXCERPT:

Welcome to The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest of Ukrainian commentary and analysis from across the political spectrum only for War on the Rocks members. Each Monday, we bring you a curated selection of articles from Ukrainian media offering insight into how Ukrainians themselves debate the issues shaping their country.American coverage often narrows the view to the battlefield — these pieces widen it, revealing the texture of daily life, politics, and public argument in a nation at war.

Burnham brings members of Socialist Campaign Group into government | Andy Burnham– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Burnham brings members of Socialist Campaign Group into government | Andy Burnham– www.theguardian.com
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EXCERPT:

Andy Burnham has appointed three new ministerial aides from Labour’s most leftwing faction, the first time members of the Socialist Campaign Group have been part of the government.

The new chief whip, Anneliese Midgley, has also promised MPs that the government will beef up the role of ministerial aides – known as parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) – who traditionally go under the radar, allowing them to do more media appearances, take on parliamentary roles and contribute more directly to policy direction.

Burnham has said he wanted to end the Labour factionalism that divided the party under both Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer – and would seek to make appointments from the party’s left and centrist wings.

Though Burnham has returned several soft left ministers to key positions in the cabinet – such as Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell and Angela Rayner – there were no ministerial appointments from the party’s most leftwing caucus, the Socialist Campaign Group, which was the group affiliated with Corbyn.

Labour Retakes the Lead in Britain

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

A new poll shows the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has a bigger bounce for his party than expected, with Labour now leading reform in the latest political polls. Labour took the lead by four over Reform. It is the first lead it has had since March 2025. Restore Britian was not offered as one of the choices in the poll.

Poll shows Labour ahead of Reform UK for first time since Burnham became PM – UK politics live | Politics– www.theguardian.com
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EXCERPT:

Labour has regained its lead over Reform UK in More in Common polling, Luke Tryl, its director, says.

Here are the figures it has released today.

Opinion poll Photograph: More in Common

Tryl says:

Our latest voting intention sees a cross over. Labour move ahead by 4. Their first lead since March 2025 & highest share since Nov 24

He also says the Greens are on their lowest share of the vote since Zack Polanski became leader.

This is the first poll to show Labour ahead of Reform UK since Andy Burnham became PM. Other polls last week showed Labour narrowly behind Nigel Farage’s party, or Labour and Reform UK neck and neck.

For much of the past year, Reform UK has had a lead of 10 points or more over other parties in most opinion polls. Here are the figures from the Politico poll of polls tracker.

Euthanasia Bill Resurfaces in Britian

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

A new bill has been introduced in Britian that will legalize euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide. The bill is the same as the one that failed in 2024. This is just the latest effort to legalize the creation of a suicide industry that eventually enables the state to nudge economic liabilities towards death.

The Radical Bill to Legalize Assisted Suicide in Britain is Back– www.lifenews.com
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EXCERPT:

The following message was sent out by Not Dead Yet UK:

By now you’ll know that the assisted dying bill is back.

On 17 June, Labour MP Lauren Edwards introduced a new version of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. MPs will vote on whether it should proceed at its second reading on 11 September 2026. That’s less than two months away.

So what’s new?Honestly? Not much.

This is the same bill Kim Leadbeater brought forward in 2024 — the one that spent months being picked apart in the House of Lords, generating more than 1,300 amendments before running out of time in April. The bill fell not because it was defeated, but because Parliament was prorogued. Now it’s back, with two minor Lords amendments incorporated.

The first is a technical Wales amendment. Because delivering health services is devolved to the Welsh Government, the bill now requires the Senedd to give its approval before Welsh Ministers can set up the regulations for assisted dying in Wales. It’s a constitutional housekeeping change. It doesn’t alter what the bill actually does.

The second concerns people with eating disorders. This one is more serious. During the Lords debates earlier this year, peers raised concerns that someone with anorexia could potentially stop eating — deliberately — in order to reach the six-month terminal threshold and qualify for an assisted death. A minor amendment was added in the Lords to address this. But experts who work with people with eating disorders say it doesn’t go far enough. The loophole, they argue, remains. We agree.

UK report exposes sexual abuse of at least 250k girls that authorities, media ignored– www.lifesitenews.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

UK report exposes sexual abuse of at least 250k girls that authorities, media ignored– www.lifesitenews.com
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EXCERPT:


While the world is full of troubles
And anxious in its sleep.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand.

~The Stolen Child, by W.B. Yeats

(Elizabeth Yore) — In 2025, Independent MP Rupert Lowe initiated this independent, survivor focused, public crowdfunded investigation to examine systemic failures of UK police, and authorities into the sexual exploitation of children by grooming gangs. The report entitled Rape Gang Inquiry Report was issued last month on June 16 with the critical involvement of Rotherham survivor, Sammy Woodhouse. The inquiry was crowdfunded with funding from over 20,000 UK citizens in the amount of 764,000 pounds, with a public hearing featuring testimony from survivors, whistleblowers, experts, and investigators. The 219-page document details decades of systemic child sexual exploitation of at least 250,000 girls across the United Kingdom who were subjected to gang rape, trafficking, and forced conversions by Pakistani grooming rape gangs.

Although the first grooming gang scandal was exposed in 2003, little was done for years to meaningfully address the child exploitation scandal until the 2014 Jay Report, which investigated child sexual exploitation in the city of Rotherham in north-central England and found that 1,400 children were sexually abused between 1997 and 2013 by Pakistani Muslim grooming gangs.

‘Cockroach Movement’ Forces Out India’s Education Minister– time.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

‘Cockroach Movement’ Forces Out India’s Education Minister– time.com
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EXCERPT:

Joshi addressed the exam leak in May, saying, “The reforms are needed, we are bringing them, but they cannot be done within a year. By next year, technology-driven examination will be there.”

CJP Spokesperson Saurav Das said in an interview with local media ANI following the president’s announcement that the party members will be meeting the new education minister “very soon.”

“Whoever becomes the Education Minister should know that the youth are watching. They will demand accountability,” Das said. “So, when the time comes, work in the interest of the youth. Stop paper leaks.”

Palestinian activist tells Tommy Robinson he’s lucky security is stopping rioters from getting him as the crowd applauds– www.louderwithcrowder.com

Palestinian activist tells Tommy Robinson he’s lucky security is stopping rioters from getting him as the crowd applauds– www.louderwithcrowder.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Palestinian activist tells Tommy Robinson he’s lucky security is stopping rioters from getting him as the crowd applauds– www.louderwithcrowder.com
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EXCERPT:

To be clear up front, this is a thirty-second clip that’s gone viral from an over two-hour debate on whether the right has a right to be suspicious of Islam. And in those thirty seconds, a person arguing that the right should NOT be suspicious of Islam… gives the right a damn good reason to be suspicious of Islam. Whether or not it’s a chilling threat or a dingbat who had what she thought was a zinger she should have thought through more is open for interpretation.

Representing the religion of peace is Aisha Khan Aziz. She’s the co-president of a South Asian debating society in Oxford. One of the people she is addressing is Tommy Robinson, a man who need to introduction if you’ve been with us at the Louder with Crowder Dot Com website for any extended period of time.

Brent falls below $82 per barrel, first time since July 13 – Business & Economy– tass.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Brent falls below $82 per barrel, first time since July 13 – Business & Economy– tass.com
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EXCERPT:

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. The price of Brent crude futures contract with September delivery on the ICE exchange in London fell below $82 a barrel for the first time since July 13, according to trading data.

As of 1:00 Moscow time (10:00 p.m. GMT, August 2), Brent was down 6.74% at $82 a barrel.

By 1:10 Moscow time (10:10 p.m. GMT, August 2), Brent had pared losses to trade at $82.89 a barrel, down 5.73%.

UK PM Burnham vows to be ‘relentless’ on Channel migrant crossings | Migration– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

UK PM Burnham vows to be ‘relentless’ on Channel migrant crossings | Migration– www.aljazeera.com
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EXCERPT:

NewsFeed

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said his government will be “relentless” in tackling small boat crossings across the English Channel, saying crossings are down by 50% compared with the same period last year despite Britain recording its highest daily arrival figure of 2026 last week.

13 Killed In Suicide Blast During “Peace Rally” In Pakistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa– www.ndtv.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

13 Killed In Suicide Blast During “Peace Rally” In Pakistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa– www.ndtv.com
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EXCERPT:

The moment the explosion happened in Pakistan’s Swat

New Delhi:

Thirteen people were killed and 22 others were injured in an explosion targeting Pakistani police personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province today. Visuals of the explosion have surfaced on social media.

The blast happened when a “peace rally” was going on in a town in Swat district.

The explosion looked like a suicide attack, although there is no immediate official confirmation about it, news agency PTI reported.

Saudi Arabia Establishes New Defense Alliance For Crucial Sea Lane– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Saudi Arabia Establishes New Defense Alliance For Crucial Sea Lane– trendingpoliticsnews.com
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EXCERPT:

Saudi Arabia has announced the establishment of the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance, a framework for collective maritime defense cooperation focused on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The announcement follows years of insecurity in the vital sea lane due to threats from the Iran-backed Houthi militant group.

The announcement followed a meeting hosted in Riyadh by the Saudi Ministry of Defense, attended by chiefs of staff and representatives from 43 countries along with a European Union delegation. Of the 51 countries and organizations invited, these participants discussed the proposed alliance’s draft charter, organizational structure, command-and-control arrangements, operational mechanisms, and next steps.

As part of the agreement, 14 countries issued a joint declaration supporting the alliance as founding members. This includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia. The United Arab Emirates and Oman were notably not among those listed in the initial joint statement.