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Russia Ukraine Drone and Missile Barrage Kills, Wounds Dozens

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Russia flag (Canva Pro)

Russia unleashed a massive assault on southern Ukraine overnight into Saturday, striking residential areas and leaving dozens of civilians wounded just days after a rare and deadly airstrike on central Kyiv. The escalation comes as U.S.-led peace efforts continue to falter.

Zaporizhzhia Governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed that at least one person was killed and 28 were wounded, including children, after a five-story residential building was hit. Ukrainian officials reported that Moscow launched 537 drones and decoys along with 45 missiles. Ukraine’s Air Force said it successfully intercepted or neutralized 510 of the drones and 38 missiles.

The strike follows Thursday’s attack on Kyiv that killed 23 people and injured many others, including children. That assault also damaged European Union diplomatic offices, marking one of the deadliest strikes on Ukraine’s capital since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. Rescue workers searched for survivors for hours as residents were pulled from the rubble.

Despite the devastation, the Kremlin claimed it remained open to peace talks. However, Ukraine and Western leaders view the ongoing attacks as proof that Moscow has little interest in meaningful negotiations.

In response to the surge in Russian aggression, the Trump administration announced an $825 million arms sale to Ukraine, including extended-range missiles and equipment to strengthen Kyiv’s air defenses. The move signals continued U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense, even as broader efforts to secure a peace deal stall.

The intensification of Russia’s drone and missile campaign highlights both Moscow’s determination to pressure Ukraine militarily and the increasing urgency for Western allies to reinforce Ukraine’s defenses.

82% of Britons Say UK in Bad State

Tower Bridge in London, England (Charles Postiaux/Unsplash)

Public confidence in the direction of the United Kingdom continues to plummet, with new polling showing an overwhelming majority of Britons think the country is in poor condition compared to other Western nations.

According to YouGov, just 1% of respondents described the UK as being in a “very good state.” By contrast, 82% said the country is in a “bad state,” with more than a third (36%) judging it to be in a “very bad state.”

The pessimism has worsened slightly since the spring, when 80% said the country was in bad shape. But the bigger shift is in expectations for the future: six-in-ten Britons now believe things will get worse over the next year, up sharply from just four-in-ten in 2024. Fewer than 1% said they think the UK’s situation will improve significantly over the next 12 months.

When asked to compare the UK to other Western nations, nearly half of respondents (48%) said Britain is in a “worse state than most Western countries.” About 31% believe the country is doing “about average,” while only a small minority thought it was performing better than its peers.

The numbers highlight a deepening sense of disillusionment across the electorate — one that has intensified since the last general election and shows little sign of reversing in the near future.

Chicago Mayor Johnson: Trump Targeting City Out of ‘Disdain for Working People’

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson accused the Trump administration of deliberately targeting his city for political reasons rather than public safety concerns.

Appearing Friday on MSNBC’s The Briefing, Johnson responded to host Jen Psaki’s question about Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard to Chicago and his administration’s immigration crackdown.

“Well, it’s because there’s clearly a disdain for working people,” Johnson said. “Instead of the federal government and the president of the United States focusing on how we can drive unemployment down in our communities, make sure that people can put food on the table, and ensure every child has access to high-quality education, he has done the opposite. He has sown seeds of division, working to not only divide communities, but conquer them.”

Johnson argued that his administration’s investments are yielding results. He cited over 31,000 summer jobs for young people, an expansion of mental and behavioral health care, progress toward building 10,000 affordable housing units, and reforms in the city’s detective bureau.

“As a result of those investments, homicides are down 32%, shootings down nearly 40%, robberies down nearly 35%, and carjackings down almost 50%,” Johnson said. “There is more work to do, but what I know works is investing in people — especially communities historically locked out of opportunity. That’s how we build safe and affordable communities, not just in Chicago, but across America.”

The mayor dismissed Trump’s threats as political theater: “This is not about crime. He’s working to divide and conquer communities. Donald Trump does not want another election.”

Former St. Louis Police Chief Calls for National Guard

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Former St. Louis County Police Chief and Republican councilman Tim Fitch is calling for the National Guard to be deployed in St. Louis to help combat the city’s ongoing crime crisis.

During an interview Friday on NewsNation’s On Balance, host Leland Vittert asked Fitch why governors in states like Missouri and Louisiana — both led by Republicans who strongly support President Trump — haven’t yet called up their National Guard units to address violent crime.

“That’s a good question,” Fitch replied. “What I would say, President Trump, if you’re watching tonight, please bring your troops to St. Louis. We need the help in the city of St. Louis.”

Vittert noted that the Missouri governor already has the authority to deploy the state’s National Guard without federal intervention. “You wouldn’t even need his troops. You could do it with Missouri National Guardsmen ordered by the governor, and there’s not anything anybody could say about it,” he said.

Fitch acknowledged the point but praised Trump for sending more federal resources to the region. “Yeah, well, one thing he did do was increase the number of FBI agents that we have assigned to St. Louis. So, that’s already happened. And that’s happening as we speak. So, we’re going to see more federal law enforcement officers in the St. Louis region, which is very welcomed.”

St. Louis consistently ranks among the most violent cities in America, with high per-capita rates of homicides and violent crime. Calls for additional law enforcement support — whether through the National Guard or federal officers — continue to grow as local leaders grapple with how to stem the violence.

Speaker Johnson: National Guard ‘May Be Necessary’ for Shreveport Crime

Mike Johnson
House Speaker Mike Johnson (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said Friday that sending in the National Guard to his hometown of Shreveport could be necessary to address rising violent crime, though he cautioned that the issue should be handled “one city at a time.”

Speaking on CNN’s News Central, co-host John Berman pressed Johnson on whether he would support a Guard deployment in Shreveport, noting that FBI statistics show the city’s violent crime rate per 100,000 residents was higher last year than Washington, D.C.

“There’s a lot of good work that’s been done. There [are] a lot of reasons for that,” Johnson said. “But we have a Democrat D.A. there who has not been prosecuting crime as some other, more aggressive D.A.s have around the country. Soros funded that individual to be elected. But I’ll say that it’s an urban area that has a lot of problems that are happening around the country, and we have to address it.”

When asked if the National Guard could help, Johnson replied: “I don’t know, that’s not my call. It may be necessary.”

Berman then pressed further, asking if Johnson would personally request such action. Johnson declined to commit, instead stressing the need to evaluate each city individually.

“Let’s take one city at a time and see. We have to address the crime problem in any city where it’s a problem like that,” he said. “And in large cities, like in Chicago, as you mentioned, that would be a big help there. I was there just two days ago, and it’s a serious, serious problem. They don’t even report murders on the evening news in Chicago anymore because it’s so common.”

Johnson tied the issue to Democratic leadership, arguing that “Democrat-run cities typically have that problem because they have not been tough on crime.” He added that President Donald Trump’s support for tough enforcement is “common sense” and a key step toward keeping American cities safe.

Ottawa Man Charged in Jewish Woman Stabbing

Canada new PM
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Police in Ottawa have charged a 71-year-old man with aggravated assault after he allegedly stabbed an elderly Jewish woman inside a grocery store in the Canadian capital.

The suspect, Joseph Rooke, was arrested following Wednesday’s attack at a Loblaws supermarket, which is known for having one of Ottawa’s largest kosher food sections. Authorities also charged him with possession of a dangerous weapon. Police confirmed they are investigating the stabbing as a possible hate-motivated crime and are reviewing the suspect’s social media history.

According to the National Post, Rooke openly identified himself online as an antisemite and atheist. In a post last summer, he wrote: “Yes, I am antisemitic and atheist,” while calling Judaism “the world’s oldest cult.” He also claimed Jewish people had gained power in government, business, and media, accusing them of being “masters of propaganda” and “reprisal.”

In another post, Rooke declared: “I am under no obligation whatsoever, legal, moral, or otherwise, to like Jews and I do not.” Reports indicate his hostility toward Jews grew more intense after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed more than 1,200 people and saw hundreds taken hostage.

Before focusing on Jews, Rooke frequently attacked religion in general, describing Christianity, Islam, and other faiths as “nonsense.” He had called for Christmas to be renamed “Humanity Day” and even filed a legal challenge against the Canadian judiciary for requiring judges to include the phrase “so help me God” in their oath of office.

The victim, a Jewish woman in her 70s, was hospitalized after the stabbing but has since been released. Her name has not been made public. Rooke remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on September 2.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that they are treating the case with the utmost seriousness due to the likely hate-crime motive.

Zelenskyy Begs Trump and Europe to Stop the War

Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo by Carsten Koall/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pushing for direct diplomacy next week. He plans meetings in Washington and Europe to strengthen peace efforts amid relentless Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy announced on Friday that Ukrainian officials “want to meet with President Donald Trump and European leaders next week to discuss recent developments in efforts to end the three‑year war with Russia.” He intends to inject new momentum into stalled diplomatic talks and build momentum for meaningful agreements.

He voiced frustration with Russia’s refusal to engage constructively, even as it launches devastating aerial strikes on civilians. Recent attacks killed at least 23 people in Kyiv, including four children, and left scores wounded. Kyiv declared a day of mourning and suspended local entertainment.

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, met with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in New York to coordinate, saying the priority “is to push forward real diplomacy and ensure the implementation of all the agreements reached at the Washington summit.” Yermak also noted that Russia continues to drag out hostilities despite American efforts, and he expressed appreciation for Trump’s firm resolve.

Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine accepts a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and for a summit with Putin. He criticized Russia’s “artificial” insistence on expert‑level groundwork before involving leaders, calling for immediate direct talks.

He demanded swift sanctions on nations aiding Russia’s war effort and stressed that future security guarantees must include a reliable weapons supply—either U.S.‑made arms paid for by Europe or those produced domestically.

Line Drawn: States Demand Return to Biological Bathroom Rules

Supreme Court
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Twenty‑three states recently submitted an emergency brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that biological‑sex bathroom and locker‑room policies preserve student privacy and safety. The coalition highlighted the urgent need to guard private spaces in schools and sports facilities from policies they say compromise modesty and fairness.

South Carolina leads the push for Supreme Court intervention, requesting immediate relief from a Fourth Circuit ruling. That ruling permitted a transgender ninth-grader—referred to as John Doe—to use the boys’ restroom while the legal battle continues.

South Carolina enacted a provision in July 2024 withholding 25% of state funding from school districts that allow transgender students to use facilities aligned with their gender identity. The state describes this measure as a defense of “privacy and safety in spaces long seen as intimate and vulnerable.”

Meanwhile, supporters of the transgender student’s case argue the injunction from the Fourth Circuit, based on the Gavin Grimm precedent, reflects established constitutional protections under Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment. The Fourth Circuit’s decision obligates the school district to permit Doe’s use of the boys’ restroom during the appeal.

In response, 23 states—including South Carolina and led by Attorney General Todd Rokita—filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, urging justices to uphold policies that segregate intimate facilities by biological sex. Rokita emphasized that no child should be forced into shared spaces that compromise privacy.

“No child should fear for their safety or privacy when using a bathroom, changing in the locker room, or showering after sports. Forcing schools to mix boys and girls in these types of spaces shouldn’t be allowed or tolerated, and we’re going to continue fighting to stop it,” Rokita stated.

The request follows the Supreme Court’s June decision affirming Tennessee’s ban on gender‑affirming care for minors, signaling a possible shift toward recognizing state authority in gender-related education policies. SCOTUS has also slated to review similar laws from Idaho and West Virginia in the upcoming term.

South Carolina frames the request as a necessary defense of bodily privacy and common-sense distinctions between sexes in school settings. Its filing opposes what it portrays as activist overreach that upends traditional norms in intimate spaces.

Democrats Lied—Chicago Pastor Calls for Trump’s Help

columbus
Chicago (Pedro Lastra/Unsplash)

A Chicago pastor says Democratic leaders are misleading the public about crime in the city and urges President Trump to step in. The confrontation highlights a widening gap between faith-based community advocates and state officials over public safety.

Chicago Pastor Corey Brooks of Project H.O.O.D. insists the city’s crime crisis is being downplayed by Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson. Brooks cited around 254 homicides so far this year—80 percent of the victims Black males—and declared claims of safety improvements “an outright lie.” He supports a temporary deployment of the National Guard to restore calm, though notes lasting solutions must come from local institutions.

Brooks told Fox & Friends, “For anyone in our community to say that things are getting better and that people are safe, that is an outright lie.”

He went on to add, “We still have mothers who are burying young boys, and their sons are dying prematurely. That is a serious issue. And for individuals to make us try to feel as if we’re witnessing things getting better, that’s not right.”

State and local leaders strongly disagree. Governor Pritzker denounces federal intervention as unconstitutional and politically motivated, arguing there is no established crime emergency—especially as violent crime in Chicago has dropped significantly this year. Mayor Johnson warns that deploying troops could damage community trust and inflame tensions, undermining progress.

Nationally, President Trump has proposed sending the National Guard to Chicago as part of a broader initiative, following similar deployments in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. He claims such a surge could dramatically reduce crime. Critics challenge the legality and effectiveness of such measures

‘Trump Accounts’ Promise to ‘Jump Start’ America’s Next Generation

(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The White House unveiled its detailed plan for the Trump Accounts as described under the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

“An American child born after December 31, 2024 and before January 1, 2029 for whom a Trump Account is established will receive an initial $1,000 deposit from the government, with the potential for parents to contribute up to an additional $5,000 per year initially,” the White House said. “Employers may make an annual contribution of up to $2,500 to a Trump Account and that contribution will not impact the employee’s taxable income.”

According to estimates made by the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) using average stock market return data, a Trump Account balance for a child born in 2026 will be $303,800 by age 18 and $1,091,900 by age 28 if maximum contributions are made, and $5,800 by age 18 and $18,100 by age 28 if no contributions are made to the account, the White House statement explained.

The CEA explained in a report that deposits in the Trump Accounts “must be invested in stock mutual funds or exchange-traded funds mirroring the S&P 500 or another American stock index.” Deposits cannot be withdrawn before the child turns 18. “After that point, the account generally is treated as a traditional IRA (Individual Retirement Account) and generally is subject to the same withdrawal rules as other traditional IRAs.”

In April, the Trump administration mulled “baby bonuses” for U.S. families. “The president wants America to be a country where all children can safely grow up and achieve the American dream,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at the time. “As a mother myself, I am proud to work for a president who is taking significant action to leave a better country for the next generation.”

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