September 7, 2026

x02 Briefs

The Lessons of Transparency from Covid-19 – mindfulintelligence.news

pgnewser September 2, 2026 0

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EXCERPT:

If you remember the early days of Covid-19, you probably remember the confusion just as much as the fear.

One week masks were “not necessary,” the next week they were “strongly recommended.” Guidance changed on travel, testing, quarantine, school closures, and boosters. Some of those changes were totally reasonable because the evidence was changing, while others were about protecting authority, not people.

Be it understood or not, the way it was communicated often made people feel like they were being managed, not informed (because, in part, they were).

And that’s the real takeaway. Covid-19 didn’t just test healthcare systems. It tested trust.

Transparency is not a “nice-to-have” during a public health crisis. It is part of the response. When it’s missing, even good policies get treated like suspicious ones.

Here are the biggest transparency lessons Covid-19 left us with, and why they still matter now.

Apocalyptic Flash Flood Devastates Tibet and Nepal

pgnewser August 27, 2026 0

Major flash floods from a glacial collapse devastated parts of Tibet and Nepal, with Nepal being the hardest hit. The flash floods removed whole villages, hitting them with 30-plus-foot high walls. The alleged current death toll stands at around 500, with 1,300 reported missing. The true death toll may be much higher. There were scores of foreigners among the dead. They were there to make Hindu pilgrimages.

Catastrophic Nepal, Tibet flood death toll soars as 25 Canadians still missing – National– globalnews.ca
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EXCERPT:

Catastrophic flash floods in a border area of Nepal and Tibet, an autonomous region of China, have killed at least 353 and left more than 1,300 people missing as of Thursday. Many were foreigners in the area for trekking, guided tours or a pilgrimage to a sacred Hindu site.

The number of missing from Wednesday’s disaster may vary across agencies because of differences in how they collected data, when it was reported and how it was verified, as well as gaps in coordination between those assembling data and those conducting rescue efforts in the affected area.

Police reported at least 353 dead and 826 missing. Local reports cited the National Emergency Operation Center as saying Thursday the missing included 113 Nepali tourists, 85 security personnel from the army and police as well as 161 residents from the Rasuwa district and one from the Nuwakot district.

Anti-Journalist Law Signed by Gavin Newsome

pgnewser August 27, 2026 0

California’s Progressive Governor, Gavin Newsome, has signed the “Stop Nick Shirley” Act into law. The law makes it illegal for reporters to question immigration service providers on film and share the results online. The law selectively protects a certain class of people from American journalism. The law is sure to be challenged in the courts.

The law takes effect October 1, 2027. Progressive Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, who introduced the bill, claimed, “Our immigrant service providers are living in fear because of extremists looking to demonize the work that they do and the populations they serve.” This is not Americanism, this is progressivism. We are different nations altogether.

Newsom Signs ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ to Stop Investigations Into Immigration ‘Service’ Provider Fraud › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
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EXCERPT:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Saturday expanding privacy protections for immigration service workers, despite warnings that the measure could chill investigative journalism and face First Amendment challenges.

Assembly Bill 2624, dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” by Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, expands California’s Safe at Home program to certain nonprofit employees who assist people navigating the U.S. immigration system.

The law will take effect Oct. 1, 2027, after Newsom leaves office because of term limits.

Democratic Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, who introduced the bill in February, said the protections are necessary because immigration service providers face harassment and threats.

“Our immigrant service providers are living in fear because of extremists looking to demonize the work that they do and the populations they serve,” Bonta said Saturday.

The measure imposes penalties on people who distribute information or images of covered immigration workers under circumstances the law defines as inciting violence or threats. Penalties can range from $10,000 to $50,000, with violations potentially carrying jail or prison sentences.

DHS Finds Chinese Parts in U.S. Voting Machines

pgnewser August 27, 2026 0

Due to a breach in security, the Department of Homeland Security has let states know it will be conducting spot paper ballot audits of U.S. voting machines this November.

The announcement comes following news Chinese parts have shown up in U.S. voting machines, giving the Chinese government potential opportunity to manipulate election results. This is a follow-up on the announcement President Trump made in July about Chinese interference in U.S. elections.

DHS Secretary Says Chinese Parts in Voting Machines Necessitate Audit – PJ Media– pjmedia.com
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EXCERPT:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to require states do random audits of paper ballots in order to counteract the danger from potential Chinese access to voting machines this November.

The statement that China interferes in our elections is not supposition. It is fact, and the only question is to what extent. As part of his July reveal of classified document caches exposing a vast domestic and international election fraud network, President Donald Trump noted that not only did the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) steal 200 million voters’ data and manufacture fake ballots to help Joe Biden, it also has potential access to vote tabulation machines. Indeed, the CCP mounted a pressure campaign to influence American officials ahead of the 2020 election. It subsequently transpired that a Chinese company had bought the vendor involved in the New Jersey noncitizen registered voters scandal.

All of which is to say that it is perfectly understandable that DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin is concerned about the CCP’s and related entities’ possible ability to influence the midterm election, especially since he almost certainly has even more evidence than we, the public, do about Chinese meddling.

CCP Hackers Break into Major U.S. Government Institutions

pgnewser August 27, 2026 0

The Department of Justice announced the disruption of a Chinese Communist Party hacking operation that had successfully accessed government networks. Some institutions breached include the Senate, the DOJ, NASA, and the Federal Reserve.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced, “Today we announced the disruption of a global botnet and hacking platform used by Chinese state-sponsored hackers to target U.S. critical infrastructure. These tools were used by PRC cyber actors to hide the origin of their attacks… Today’s action is just the latest technical operation against PRC-sponsored hacking – and in support of President Trump’s Cyber Strategy for America, the FBI is surging efforts to shape adversary behavior and defend the homeland in cyberspace.”

Feds: Chinese Hackers Broke Into DoJ, NASA, Federal Reserve, Senate › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
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EXCERPT:

The Justice Department announced Wednesday that federal authorities seized internet domains associated with two Chinese hacking platforms used to target some of the nation’s most sensitive government institutions.

The platforms, known as QScan and QTRouter, were operated by a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group called QTFY, according to the Justice Department.

Federal officials said QTFY was employed by China-based Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company and provided computer intrusion services to paying customers, including China’s Ministry of State Security and People’s Liberation Army.

The hacking tools allowed malicious actors to infiltrate computer systems while concealing the country from which the attacks originated, prosecutors said.

Among the targets were the Justice Department, NASA, Federal Reserve and U.S. Senate. The Energy Department, Department of Health and Human Services and National Institutes of Health were also victims of QTFY-related intrusion activity, according to federal officials.

“State-sponsored malicious hackers preying on America’s critical infrastructure will be stopped and prosecuted,” Attorney General Todd Blanche said. “We are here to ensure security for the American people and will use every tool we have to keep that promise.”

U.S. Sanctions Foreign Support of Progressive Antifa in America

pgnewser August 27, 2026 0

The U.S. State Department has begun sanctioning progressive terrorist groups funding Antifa terror cells in America. The action appears to be an effort to cut off the international supply for progressive terror cells on American soil.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced, “Far-left terrorism poses a profound threat to the United States and the broader West. Today, the United States sanctioned several transnational far-left terrorist networks, including Autistici/Inventati – a major far-left tech collective whose services are used by the most active and violent Antifa cells in the United States and across the world.”

State Department Institutes Sanctions Against Far-Left Transnational Terrorist Groups › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
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EXCERPT:

The U.S. government has announced sanctions against multiple transnational far-left terrorist networks, including an Italy-based group that supplies the digital infrastructure for Antifa cells in the United States.

Just the News reports that the State Department  says groups like the Autistici/Inventati Collective are designed to provide far-left extremist groups with the means to organize, recruit, communicate, and carry out violent attacks while remaining beyond the reach of the law.

Sanctions  have also been imposed on the transnational groups Palestine Action, a United Kingdom-based activist organization involved in pro-Palestinian protests and direct actions, and Masar Badil, a transnational network with branches in Europe and Canada that operates as a front for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Granicus reports that the Department of the Treasury and the State Department targeted these networks for allegedly supporting violent political extremism or acting as fronts for designated terrorist organizations.

According to a Wednesday press statement from Thomas Pigott, A/I’s full spectrum of digital services are specifically built to provide far-left terrorist groups with the means to organize, recruit, communicate, and carry out violent attacks – all while remaining beyond the reach of the law.

Democrats Lose Gerrymandering Battle in Maryland

pgnewser August 27, 2026 0

A Maryland state judge has blocked Democrats from using the ballot in November to trigger redistricting. The judge ruled the Democrats must go through the legal process of redistricting, which doesn’t include using a referendum. The Democrats hope to eliminate the last remaining Republican seat in the state.

Maryland Judge Blocks Democrat Redistricting Referendum in Big Win for Republicans– slaynews.com
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EXCERPT:

A Maryland judge has temporarily blocked Democrats from placing a congressional redistricting question on the November ballot, handing Republicans an early victory in their fight against a maneuver that could make it easier to target the state’s only GOP member of Congress.

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Robert J. Thompson issued an injunction Wednesday, ruling that the Democrat-controlled General Assembly must follow the ballot procedures established under Maryland law.

The ruling has been stayed while the case is appealed to the Maryland Supreme Court.

Republicans argue that Democrats are trying to change the rules governing congressional districts in order to make it harder to challenge a future map designed to oust Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), the lone Republican in Maryland’s congressional delegation.

MAHA Inspires Artificial Color Removal from Major Cereals

pgnewser August 27, 2026 0

General Mills has announced all its cereals in the U.S. are now artificial-color-free. The company made the changes in response to HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA challenge to companies to replace artificial colors with natural alternatives.

US Breakfast Giant Removes Artificial Dyes From Cereals In MAHA-Friendly Move– dailycaller.com
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EXCERPT:

General Mills announced Wednesday that all of its cereals in the U.S. are now made without artificial colors.

The American food company said in a news release that with all of its U.S. cereals — including popular options like Lucky Charms and Trix — now being free of certified colors, 90% of its total retail portfolio in the nation has completed the transition. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Americans Can Now See If Companies Are Actually Making Good On Food Dye Pledge)

“As the leader in cereal, General Mills is focused on giving people what they are looking for from the brands they know and love,” Bethany Quam, president of Big G Cereal at General Mills, said in a statement. “This achievement reflects how we are evolving with consumer needs while continuing to offer food that tastes great, delivers quality and provides value.”

General Mills also said it will launch more than twice as many new products “that align with evolving consumer nutrition preferences as it did just two years ago” during, such as products with more protein and fiber options, according to the press release. The company is currently on track to remove certified colors from its full U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027, per the announcement.

The announcement comes as many companies have begun phasing out artificial dyes in their food and beverage products in recent months. Nestlé announced in June that it has fully eliminated artificial colors from all of its food and beverage products in the U.S.

Trump Commits to Ending Sharia in America

pgnewser August 27, 2026 0

With the rise of Islamist Progressive candidates and elected officials nationwide, President Trump has declared that, if needed, he will issue an executive order to prevent Sharia from being the Rule of Law in any American-ruled jurisdiction.

He declared in an interview, “Number one, on Sharia law, I would absolutely say that’s not this country. There’s no Sharia law. And you do have pockets of it, as you know… I would absolutely prohibit the Sharia Law thing. It is happening in this country a little bit, and where we see it, we take it out… We have one system.”

Trump Mulling Crackdown to ‘Absolutely Prohibit’ Sharia Law in America– slaynews.com
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EXCERPT:

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would “absolutely” support prohibiting Sharia law in the United States, arguing that Americans should be governed under one legal system rather than competing religious codes.

Trump made the remarks during a live interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck, who asked whether the president would support or sign legislation aimed at barring Sharia law.

“Number one, on Sharia law, I would absolutely say that’s not this country,” Trump said.

“There’s no Sharia law,” the president continued.

“And you do have pockets of it, as you know.”

The president pointed to developments in Europe as a warning for the United States.

“And you go to London, you go to Paris,” Trump said.

“It’s almost like a second way of life. It’s ridiculous.”

U.S Switches to Economic Warfare Against Iran

pgnewser August 27, 2026 0

The Strait of Hormuz appears to be mostly opened, but not fully safe. The Trump administration has ended all negotiations with Iran, demanding total surrender. The U.S. has switched to economic warfare against Iran, of a scale never seen before. They’ve warned their allies that any refusal to go along with the U.S. plan will result in them being removed from the U.S. dollar system.

DOJ Moves to Confiscate Iran Oil As Legal War Prize – RedState– redstate.com
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EXCERPT:

 

During the Revolutionary War and before, war at sea was fought with some very different presumptions. The crews of warships were often as not paid in part by prize money, money earned from the ships and cargoes they captured. This process was handled by something called a maritime prize court. These courts would adjudicate the legality of any ship and cargo seizures under existing maritime law; they could also order the sale of ships and cargoes, with the proceeds going to the ship’s company.

The recipients of prize money weren’t always regular navy forces, either. Governments, including the newly formed United States government, would, in those times, issue something called a letter of marque, authorizing privately owned warships to hunt enemy ships on the high seas; these ships and their companies were called privateers. And, yes, the unfortunate side effect of that was that some of the privateers, when the war they were authorized to help fight ended, turned to piracy.

Now, though, the Department of Justice may be reactivating the maritime prize courts, something the United States has not done since our Civil War.

The Justice Department is preparing to activate a long-dormant maritime war court to streamline military capture of Iranian oil tankers as US prizes, according to three people familiar with the plans.

Reviving prize courts, which is expected to face legal challenges, is intended to strengthen the blockade of Iran and offset the cost of the conflict.

Aaron Reitz, the Houston-based US attorney whose office is partnering with department headquarters on the initiative, confirmed DOJ is “now reviving” prize courts, which he described as an “ancient body of maritime law.”

The unfinalized plans, if adopted, would offer a faster path for federal prosecutors to claim oil and other cargo taken from enemy or neutral vessels as US property. The seized goods would then be sold with proceeds transferred to the treasury.

Thanks to Trump, Marine Comes Home from Russia

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

After spending more than four years in a Russian prison, U.S. Marine Robert Gilman has been released. His release came thanks to negotiations between the Trump administration and the Putin regime. While the Biden administration negotiated a deal to release WNBA player Britney Griner from a Russian prison, they made no effort to negotiate the release of a U.S. Marine.

Trump Brings U.S. Marine Home After Biden Abandoned Him in a Russian Prison for Four Years– gellerreport.com
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EXCERPT:

Biden abandoned a U.S. Marine. Trump brought him home.

Biden traded drug carrying basketball player Brittney Griner for a convicted Russian arms dealer “merchant of death” Viktor Bout.

Pro Abortion States Fall Below Replacement Rates

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

The states that allow abortion are falling below replacement rates for their populations. The 10 states that allow abortion up to birth are doing the worse, with Vermont being the worst of the worst. They have a total fertility rate of 1.27. The TFR needs to be above 2 to meet replacement requirements.

States With Unlimited Abortions Kill So Many Babies They’re Below Replacement Rate– www.lifenews.com
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EXCERPT:

… The numbers show a fairly uniform correlation between these permissive legal regimes and collapsing birth rates. It’s only logical. Massachusetts’s total fertility rate (TFR) in 2024 was 1.38, more than 33% below replacement-level fertility, with only four states experiencing lower fertility. Of the 10 states with “open seasons” on the unborn, seven are below the current national TFR of 1.62 children per woman. The 10 states have fertility rates between 1.27 (Vermont) and 1.80 (Alaska). None is at replacement level, and all have declined further over the last six years. Overall, the situation offers a bleak picture. It is not that demographers, politicians, and economists are the primary story, philosophizing in their studies about gross national product and “golden eras” going unrealized, it is the personal stories of families not formed and babies never born. Surveys say that the typical woman would like to bear 2.4 children in her lifetime. That is clearly not happening.

Trump within Window View of CCP Sniper

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

A senior Chinese Communist Party official has somehow been allowed to purchase historic property in Washington D.C. That property is only 650 feet away from the White House’s northeast grounds. The man, Qiu Feili (who goes by Philip Qiu in America) is also a trained sniper. The property cost $8.4 million.

NEW: Senior Chinese Official Buys Building Steps From White House– trendingpoliticsnews.com
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EXCERPT:

A senior Chinese Communist Party official with documented ties to intelligence and state security organizations has acquired a historic commercial property located approximately 650 feet northeast of the White House grounds in Washington, D.C.

According to an investigative report from the Daily Caller, the 100-year-old Securities Building at 729 15th Street NW was purchased on July 21, 2026, for $8.4 million by the Philip Qiu and Family Foundation. District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds filings confirm the transaction details and the foundation’s role as buyer.

The new owner is identified as Philip Qiu, also known by his Chinese name Qiu Feili. Public records and translations of Chinese government announcements reviewed by the Daily Caller indicate that Qiu has held multiple positions connected to Chinese intelligence and state security entities.

His career began as a detective in the Criminal Investigation Team of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, a local unit under the Ministry of Public Security. By 2011, while enrolled in a master’s program at Shanghai Jiaotong University, he had completed special forces training. University announcements from that period describe him participating in a training exercise in which he served as a commander and recorded the best individual sniper performance, using 42 shots to eliminate a significant portion of opposing forces.

Trump Plan Leads to Historic Rx Price Drop

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

President Donald Trump’s efforts to bring down the cost of prescription drugs have led to an historic drop in drugs that hasn’t been seen in over 60 years. The cost of prescription drugs dropped 3.1% in 12 months, starting from this past July.

White House Spokesman Kush Desai stated, “No president in modern history has been able to drastically reduce prescription drug prices across the board except for President Trump. This is a direct result of the President’s willingness to push the envelope with bold policies that actually put Americans and America First.”

Trump Was Right Again! Rx Drug Prices CRASH By Largest Amount In 60 Years!– wltreport.com
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EXCERPT:

Earlier this year, the Trump administration took major action to lower prescription drug costs for Americans.

In February, the White House launched TrumpRX — a website that offers deeply-discounted prescription medications, including GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic.

Now, broader economic patterns are reflecting the initiative’s tremendous success.

As proof that the Trump administration’s efforts are working extremely well, prescription drug prices in the U.S. have just recorded the steepest annual drop since 1963.

That’s over 60 years!

Hong Hung in Upset Loss

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

The anti-American Communist running for Wisconsin Senate, Francesca Hong, lost her primary election to progressive David Crowley. Going into the polls, Hong was alleged to have a significant double-digit lead over Crowley. She was given a near-certain chance at winning.

Crowley narrowly beat her, and that only after a suspicious breakdown in the election process occurred. Five of the Eight USB Drives that had election information were handed in without any data. The data was then later allegedly retrieved.

Crowley Stuns In WI, Beating Socialist In Dem Governor Primary– thefederalist.com
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EXCERPT:

Wisconsin Democrats on Tuesday disregarded the polls and narrowly rejected an avowed socialist as their nominee for governor in the Badger State’s nationally-watched primary election.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who dropped out of the race late only to be coaxed back in by the so-called Democratic Party “establishment,” defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong by razor thin margins.

Per usual, Crowley’s Milwaukee County faced a ballot count delay, a stoppage that dragged out the tally for hours and was once again blamed on “human error.” It’s another in a string of election night messes for Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s most-populated — and election integrity challenged city.

With 98.4 percent of the vote in just before 2 a.m., Crowley led by just four-tenths of a percentage point, or just over 3,000 votes. The New York Times finally called the race for Crowley just before 3 a.m. local time.

Another State Legalizes Abortion Up to Birth

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey held a signing ceremony with herself and abortion-supporting women to celebrate the signing of a bill making it legal to murder the unborn up to birth. A law already existed that allowed “late-term abortions” to protect the life of the mother.

Now, a woman or girl need not give any reason to demand doctors murder her unborn child, even if it’s on the day of the child’s scheduled delivery. In the 2024 election, Democrats claimed no one was suggesting legalizing abortions up to birth. Now, 10 states have passed laws allowing abortion up to birth. Massachusetts became the 10th state.

Massachusetts Legalizes Abortion Up to Birth– gellerreport.com
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EXCERPT:

Massachusetts Legalizes Abortion Up to Birth; ‘The Progressive Death Cult Takes Over’
The Bay State joins a list of states with a similarly dark approach to innocent human life. Newsweek: Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed legislation on Monday that gives doctors the final say on whether an abortion should be allowed late in pregnancy, making it the 10th state to allow the procedure at any point in pregnancy (Newsweek).

I am deeply ashamed for my country.

Biden’s FBI Killed Investigations into Family Corruption

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

The FBI under President Biden ran a covert operation designed to neutralize any effort to investigate allegations of corruption by the Biden family. The operation was called “Rounded River.” The Trump White House Transparency Task Force released their findings last week.

Newly Declassified Documents: Biden FBI Labeled Trump Officials, Journalists as Russian Disinformation ‘Conduits’– slaynews.com
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EXCERPT:

Newly declassified documents released by the White House Transparency Task Force allege the FBI operated a covert effort that identified journalists, senior Trump administration officials, and Republican lawmakers as “conduits” of Russian disinformation while treating prominent Democrats as the supposed targets of the same influence campaign.

The records center on an FBI operation codenamed “Round River,” which focused on intelligence involving the Biden family, Burisma Holdings, Ukraine, and alleged foreign influence during the 2020 election cycle.

The documents were declassified Wednesday by the White House Transparency Task Force, led by journalist John Solomon.

The release includes an Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) briefing presentation describing Operation Round River, along with a spreadsheet identifying individuals associated with the investigation.

America Looks to Form No-China-AI Alliance

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

The United States is looking to head China off at the AI resource path with a pending message to its allies. The U.S. is working on a draft letter that will let its allies know they cannot partner with China’s AI-led group and benefit from America’s AI power. The group, called the World AI Cooperation Organization, appears to be a vessel for China to secure AI resources for its country.

US Drafts Warning to Allies: Join China-Led AI Group and Risk Exclusion – bloomingbit– news.google.com
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EXCERPT:

  • The US is preparing a draft letter telling allies to choose between the US and China in artificial intelligence (AI).
  • The US said countries that join the China-led World AI Cooperation Organization could be excluded from US-centered cooperation on AI, semiconductors and critical-mineral supply chains.
  • Pax Silica, which includes South Korea, Japan and Australia, is drawing attention alongside the move, and the US appears to be trying to block China from securing resources for advanced AI development.

Alito Rejects Retirement

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

Reliable American SCOTUS Justice Samuel Alito announced he will be returning for another term. This followed rumors he intended to retire. He told the Wall Street Journal, when asked what his plans were, “Obviously I’m here for another term.” Justice Alito is 76.

Justice Alito says he’s staying on Supreme Court for another term – USA Today
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EXCERPT:

WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he plans to remain on the bench through at least the next session, batting down speculation the conservative justice intends to step down to allow President Donald Trump to choose his replacement.

“Obviously I’m here for another term,” Alito, 76, said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published Aug. 7

Alito, appointed to the court by President George W. Bush in 2006, is widely considered a contender to resign during Trump’s second term so conservatives can fortify their 6-3 majority on the court for the long term. A court departure would give Trump an opportunity to make a fourth Supreme Court appointment, the most since Ronald Reagan, and replace Alito with a younger conservative justice who could serve for decades to come.

FCC Lifts Limits on Local TV Station Ownership

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

The Federal Trade Commission voted 2-1 to lift FCC restrictions on local tv station ownership. The ruling will allow companies to own local stations that cover more than 39% of the U.S. They can now also own more than one tv station in a local market.

FCC votes in favor of lifting limits on TV station ownership – newsminer.com
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EXCERPT:

The Federal Communications Commission voted 2-1 in favor of allowing TV station ownership groups to own more outlets, easing the way for more consolidation.

The Thursday vote that favored the change means companies can own local stations that cover more than 39% of the U.S. They could also own more than two stations in a single market.

The measure supported by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr will allow the agency to approve deals that put station ownership groups over the cap if the agency determines that they are promoting the public interest. Carr has said the agency would consider such issues as commitment to local journalism and “viewpoint diversity.”

Dems Win in Senate CR Bill

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

The Senate Voted 90-6 to pass short-term funding for the government just before they went on summer recess. The Senate failed to pass the SAVE Act, which would require Voter ID and same-day voting, but managed to pass a CR that protects Democrats’ social programs from Trump cuts through executive orders.

Senate passes short-term bill to prevent a shutdown before the midterm elections – NBC News
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EXCERPT:

The Senate voted 90-6 early Saturday to pass a short-term funding bill to remove the threat of a government shutdown before the midterm elections.

The legislation, advanced in a late-night session that stretched into the early hours, would keep federal funds flowing through Dec. 11 at existing levels to give time to negotiate a full-year deal.

It was negotiated by the two parties and includes some modest add-ons, including a provision demanded by Democrats aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from blocking federal grants to blue states for political reasons.

It also includes some adjustments to preserve the SNAP and WIC food programs, in addition to disaster relief and national security measures.

While Jobs Were Lost, the Unemployment Rate Went Down

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

The U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, but the unemployment rate went from 4.2% in June to 4.1% in July. Last month, 20,000 jobs were added. The labor participation rate hit 61.4%, which is the lowest this has been in five years.

US economy loses 23,000 jobs in July, unemployment rate falls to 4.1% – gulftoday.ae
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EXCERPT:

The US economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, compared with 4.2% in June.

The US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its monthly report that nonfarm payrolls declined by 23,000 in July, compared with an increase of 20,000 jobs in June, falling short of the Dow Jones forecast for a gain of 83,000 jobs.

The unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, while the labour-force participation rate declined to 61.4%, its lowest level in more than five years.

AG Blanche Barely Breaks Confirmation Minimum

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

Trump’s former personal attorney Todd Blanche confirmed to be Attorney General on slim vote – TheGrio
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EXCERPT:

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was confirmed by the Senate early Saturday morning to become the country’s next AG.

In a narrow 50-49 vote, Blanche, President Trump’s former personal attorney, moves from being the Justice Department’s second-highest-ranking official to its official leader.

All Senate Democrats opposed Blanche’s confirmation, joined by Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. His nomination advanced after Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana announced his support, despite concerns about several of Blanche’s decisions while he was acting attorney general, including shielding Trump from specific IRS audits and lawsuits targeting Trump’s political opponents.

Despite those marks, Cassidy said Blanche was better than any other acting official at leading the department under Trump and his current administration.

“Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this,” Cassidy said on Friday. “But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche. It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump and who indeed may not be as good as Mr. Blanche.”

Hochul Blocks ICE

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

New York’s progressive Governor, Kathy Hochul, signed a new state law prohibiting police from aiding ICE agents in any way, shape, or form. During the signing she incited violence against ICE agents, characterizing their actions as “atrocities on our streets.”

This is a dog whistle for “ICE agents are Nazis.” The comments appear to be an effort to encourage more violence against ICE agents by progressive citizens of the progressive state of New York.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Announces New Law That Bars Police From Working With ICE– www.louderwithcrowder.com
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EXCERPT:

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has once again proved just how much the left hates you — the American people.

Hochul announced that a new state law that bars police from cooperating with ICE agents has gone into effect. She did this because, according to the left, no human is illegal. Well, unless, of course, you are a law enforcement officer working with federal agents to uphold national security. That, in fact, would be illegal, according to Hochul.

Per CBS:

It bans local government agencies from maintaining agreements with ICE for civil enforcement. It also prohibits ICE agents from using local detention centers for civil enforcement, including mass raids.

“Local police will assist ICE only if a real crime has been committed,” Hochul said. “But on civil immigration matters, ICE is on their own.”

The problem with this claim is that breaking federal immigration laws is a crime. Can someone please clear that up for the Governor?

She said the law will help protect immigrants from aggressive enforcement while they pursue asylum claims.

What a bunch of nonsense. This is nothing more than an effort to vilify federal agents, while turning a blind eye to criminal aliens who have disregarded this country’s laws from the very start.

Back in July, state officials sent letters to 12 local law enforcement agencies that have agreements with ICE. The letters stated that they must unwind the agreements by Aug. 25.

Meta Secures a $16.7 Billion Child Addiction Lawsuit

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

A Federal lawsuit against social media giant Meta has been settled. Meta has agreed to pay $16.7 billion in an agreement with multiple states Attorney Generals. California is one of the states, but Texas and other large states are not. The lawsuit charged Meta with facilitating childhood social media addiction.

California State AG Rob Bonta said of the settlement, “Today, we have secured a settlement with Meta that will make social media less dangerous for our kids and make a world of a difference for children and their families,” Bonta said in a statement. “Meta has agreed to make massive transformations that will reduce the risk of harm from its platforms — and will do it within months.”

Meta settles social media addiction case for $16.7 billion– www.cnbc.com
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EXCERPT:

Meta and a coalition of state attorneys general have settled a major federal case centering on allegations that the social media giant misrepresented the extent of child-related mental health harms caused by apps like Facebook and Instagram.

The settlement was revealed in a court filing released Wednesday that details several requirements Meta must make to its apps as part of a proposed “consent judgement.”

Those changes include daily usage limits and “nighttime blocks” for teenagers that use the company’s apps like Facebook and Instagram, “enhanced age assurance measures” that would prevent children from using the apps, and the creation of additional tools for parents and guardians.

Judgement Against O’Keefe Struck Down

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

Investigative journalist James O’Keefe saw a $130,000 judgment against him thrown out by a three-panel D.C. appeals court. The judgment came after a Democrat group sued O’Keefe’s Project Veritas. The group claimed Project Veritas’ video called “Rigging the Election” was fraudulent and in violation of wiretapping rules. A D.C. jury ruled in their favor.  After the judgment, O’Keefe filed an appeal, claiming the judgment was a violation of the Freedom of Press. The panel ruled 2-1 he was right.

Circuit Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson wrote in the ruling, “The principal question in this appeal is whether the jury’s damages award violated the First Amendment by punishing the defendants for publishing a news story. We conclude that it did. The separate issue is whether, under D.C. law, one of the media defendants became the fiduciary of her own news target by tricking him into hiring her as an unpaid intern. We conclude that she did not.”

Court sides with conservative activist James O’Keefe in First Amendment case– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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EXCERPT:

O’Keefe, the founder and former CEO of Project Veritas, had appealed a lower court’s 2022 jury decision to award the Democratic consultant targeted by his media company’s undercover video $130,000 in damages based on claims of fraudulent misrepresentation and wiretapping. O’Keefe’s appeal proved successful on Friday, when the three-judge panel agreed, with one judge dissenting in part, to discard the $130,000 damages judgment.

District Judge Blocks 75-Nation Visa Ban

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

U.S. District Judge Jeanette Vargas struck down the Trump administration’s pause on issuing visas to 75 countries. The judge claimed Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his legal authority. She asserts consular authority trumps Secretary of State authority. The judge is another Biden-appointed District Judge. The ruling has been appealed.

Federal judge rules against Trump’s 75-country visa ban– thehill.com
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EXCERPT:

A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s pause on issuing visas to immigrants from 75 countries on Friday. In a 61-page decision, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas found that this policy was “contrary to law” and was “in excess” of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s legal authority. The visa pause order was announced by…

Young Men Abandon Marriage

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

A study from the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) shows a dramatic increase in the number of unmarried young men, while married young men have decreased. Unmarried men in the 20-29 age group outnumber married men in that age group almost 2 to 1, 30.4 million to 15.4 million. The number of unmarried young men increased by 47% in 25 years.

Number of unmarried young men surges 47% in US since 2000– www.lifesitenews.com
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EXCERPT:

(LifeSiteNews) — According to a recent report by the Institute for Family Studies (IFS), the number of unmarried young males has grown precipitously since the turn of the century. 

“Over the past 25 years, the gap between the number of unmarried and married men ages 20-39 has widened from 2.6 million to a whopping 15 million,” University of Virginia sociology professor Brad Wilcox noted on X.  

Since 2000, the number of unmarried men in that age group rose from 47% from 20.7 million to 30.4 million in 2025 while the number of married men decreased from 18.1 million to 15.4 million.  

SCOTUS Upholds Trump Mail-in Voting Order

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

A Supreme Court ruling will allow the Trump administration’s Mail-in Voting Executive Order to take effect in the 2026 midterm election. The order requires states to have “unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, [to] enable confirmation that only citizens receive and cast ballots, reducing the risk of fraud and protecting the integrity of Federal elections.”

The final ruling was 6-3, with the three progressive judges dissenting. The ruling did not determine if the executive order was legal, it only determined the states had no standing because they offered no proof of “concrete” harm by the order, claiming their arguments were only “conjecture.”

Trump Triumphs at SCOTUS – Dems Counting on Mail-in Voting Should Prepare to Panic– www.westernjournal.com
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EXCERPT:

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding mail-in ballots to go forward.

In late March, Trump issued an executive order requiring states to send a list of names of those receiving mail-in ballots so they could be verified as U.S. citizens, with the Department of Homeland Security working in conjunction with the Social Security Administration.

“The Federal Government has an unavoidable duty under Article II of the Constitution of the United States to enforce Federal law, which includes preventing violations of Federal criminal law and maintaining public confidence in election outcomes,” the directive read.

The U.S. Postal Service was instructed not to deliver ballots to those unverified as citizens.

Further, states are required to have “unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, [to] enable confirmation that only citizens receive and cast ballots, reducing the risk of fraud and protecting the integrity of Federal elections.”

Trans Cult Group Suspected of Serial Murder Sees Charges Suspended

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

 A Transgender cult called Zizian saw its felony firearms charges suspended without comment by a Maryland court. The group has been linked to eight violent deaths. The hope was the arrests in 2022 would lead to serial murder charges, but now the investigation appears to be suspended. There are three members in the cult, all three saw their cases made inactive on August 14.

ANDY NGO REPORTS: Maryland felony cases against Zizian trans death cult members abruptly suspended | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com
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EXCERPT:

After 18 months of prosecution, Maryland abruptly put its cases against three Zizian trans cult members on indefinite hold. Officials have not publicly explained why.

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Maryland state felony prosecutions against three members of the Zizian trans death cult have been indefinitely suspended for unknown reasons.

The cases against cult leader Jack “Ziz” LaSota and subordinates Michelle “Jamie” “Alex” Zajko and Daniel “Hastur” Blank were made inactive on Aug. 14; All scheduled future trial dates were canceled.

LaSota, Zajko and Blank were arrested together following a national manhunt on Feb. 16, 2025 in rural western Maryland. They were found with a cache of weapons in their two box trucks. They had spent years moving around the country as members of the Zizians, a radical transgender cult who has been linked to at least eight violent deaths.

The three initially faced only misdemeanor trespassing, firearms and obstruction charges after an elderly Frostburg-area property owner reported that they had arrived in box trucks and asked to camp on his property.

Authorities later added charges involving the alleged illegal possession and carrying of concealed and loaded firearms.