“.. Weeks before they escaped a closed test and launched a cyberattack without any human prompting, some of OpenAI’s most advanced artificial intelligence agents secretly began sharing tips on how to cheat their way through an internal hacking evaluation ..” www.politico.com/news/2026/08...
Against all odds, with an HHS that has defunded mRNA research programs, the FDA just approved the first mRNA flu vaccine
NEW: Trump is pushing to delay a ban on intoxicating hemp products that experts warn can be dangerous. Among the beneficiaries is Susie Wiles' son-in-law. Bret Worley, who married Caroline Wiles in June, runs a company that sells intoxicating hemp gummies & vapes with names like “Trainwreck.”
Trump Seeks a Boost for Hemp That Would Benefit a Top Aide’s Family (Gift Article)
At the White House’s request, senators tucked a change sought by the hemp industry into a crucial spending bill. It would benefit the son-in-law of Susie Wiles, the president’s chief of staff.
nytimes.com
"Cool dude, see you in discovery!" is the obvious UNO Reverse card to Trump's attempts to bully organizations by suing them for a trillion dollars. It's a massive indictment of the US system that one after another institutions and major organizations settled and paid bribes rather than play it.
Graham Lanktree@glanktree.bsky.social · 7h agoPresident Donald Trump is seeking to stave off a court order that requires him to begin giving the BBC financial details on his business empire by Thursday in connection with a defamation lawsuit he is pressing against the network. www.politico.com/news/2026/08...
Trump Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins just called his SNAP cuts a "pretty big win". Throwing 5 million struggling Americans — including families with children — off food aid to fund tax cuts for the rich isn't a "win". It's a national disgrace.
Their style is expressive, even dandyish, but it's a natural expression of their persona and looks at home in their environs. IMO, this is what gives the impression of effortlessness. Does not mean everyone has to dress like this. To the contrary, I think style is about finding what works for you.
Whoahhhhhhhh
Nick Timiraos@nicktimiraos.bsky.social · 3h ago"The president calls Warsh in bursts—several times in a stretch of days, then quiet for longer periods. Trump has sought Warsh’s counsel on a range of matters, including how the war in Iran and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence are affecting the economy." www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
$1.4B to deploy the National Guard into cities? On top of: -$1.5T for the Pentagon -$240B for ICE and CBP -$1B to refurbish Trump's Qatar jet -$300M for Trump's ballroom -$100M for Trump's golf outings But nothing for working people.
Warren Decries $1.4 Billion Cost of Trump's National Guard Deployment in DC | Common Dreams
Cost of National Guard deployment in DC under Trump projected to reach $1.4 billion by 2029. Sen. Warren criticizes spen
commondreams.org
Judge Wise finds that ICE coerced a 20-year-old Tongan man — admitted legally to the country three years ago — to sign a document accepting deportation, despite no criminal record or immigration proceedings against him. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
“This award recognizes Ms. Branswell for her exceptional ability to clearly convey complex and often urgent science topics for the public.” They couldn’t have chosen a better person! Congrats @helenbranswell.bsky.social! “Well deserved” doesn’t begin to cover it… 🧪
businesswire.com
As a side note, I'd love to read about how the US Navy was, for many decades, the largest consumer of oil in the world and, as a result, the Secretary of the Navy was a small object of obsession for oil millionaires.
Beginning to feel like I need to budget a week on the blog for a military primer on 'how the US Navy is the load-bearing pillar of your ability to eat bananas and of folks in developing countries to eat at all.' Not saying that is an optimal situation, merely that it is the situation.
Israel is guilty of “ethnic cleansing” in Jerusalem by forcing Palestinian families to leave homes they’ve lived in for generations, according to one of the country’s best-known lawyers. Sky News investigates what is happening to the Silwan neighborhood youtu.be/Br9XOBia-sE?...
Israel has plans to tear down this neighbourhood - here's why
YouTube video by Sky News
youtu.be
ICE has now spent over $2.2 BILLION on purchasing 4 private prisons from CoreCivic, with the company banking half a billion dollars on the most recent sale. Of course, ICE will not actually operate these facilities; CoreCivic keeps the contracts to run these places for the foreseeable future.
This couple came legally. They applied for asylum before their visas expired, wanting to do it all by the books. After six months, they applied for work permits to stay afloat, passing background checks. They worked legally and paid taxes while government delay dragged on. Then ICE came for them.
Laura Rodríguez Presa@lauranrodriguez.bsky.social · 9h agoThe couple’s arrest outside Midway Airport aligns with what immigration attorneys across the country have observed in recent months: an increase in ICE arrests at airports of people traveling domestically with expired visas but pending immigration cases. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/05/c...
“.. In April, Mr. Trump fired his Navy secretary for not moving quickly enough on building the battleship of his dreams.” @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/u...
Dozens of gas-burning power plants are being built across the country, solely to power data centers. These plants could emit as much planet-warming pollution as half of all passenger vehicles in the entire country in a single YEAR. We need a data center moratorium — now.
Private equity strikes again: Fender's sudden decision to enforce its copyright on the 1950s Stratocaster design, 70-odd years later, is creating havoc in the guitar world. Misha Angrist has an absorbing account at @flaminghydra.com flaminghydra.com/issue-622/
Guitar villain / Adult dirigible
Misha Angrist on the fiasco at Fender, and then it’s up, up and awaaay with Michael Kupperman
flaminghydra.com
DOJ misses deadline to file formal answer or move to dismiss in @katiephang.bsky.social suit re Epstein docs. Asks for retroactive extension. Doc: www.documentcloud.org/documents/28...
PhangBlancheNunc080526
documentcloud.org
Abdul El-Sayed was outspent 9-to-1 by AIPAC and corporate Super PACs in the most expensive Senate Democratic primary of all time. Last night, he proved that organized people can beat organized money.
The money quote is counterfeit. There's no record of El-Sayed saying that. Might be worth pointing this out, if you're amplifying the claim.
A gracious concession: “I want to congratulate Abdul El-Sayed on winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. He is a doctor, a community health official, a Rhodes Scholar, and a dedicated Michigander. I am proud to offer my support as he takes on Mike Rogers in the general election…
Former Republican Sen. Jeff Flake just endorsed Jon Ossoff for Senate in Georgia. "Character matters. And I want someone in that seat who takes the institution seriously and will protect the institution."
Former GOP Sen. Jeff Flake backs Jon Ossoff, saying ‘character matters’
The Arizona Republican has been one of the loudest critics of President Donald Trump. He says Ossoff's character outweighs any policy disagreements they might have.
ajc.com
President Donald Trump’s administration has detained more than 50 spouses and parents of U.S. troops as it rolls back immigration protections for military families, an AP investigation has found.
AP Exclusive: Trump's immigration crackdown has detained more than 50 military spouses and parents
An Associated Press investigation reveals that President Donald Trump’s administration has detained dozens of parents and spouses of active-duty U.S. troops.
bit.ly
In 1996, Congress imposed fines on undocumented immigrants. For 30 years, the government did not enforce those laws, and they were basically irrelevant. Enter Trump, and the US government is now fining dishwashers and delivery drivers more than rich friends of the President who stole billions.
Project Salt Box@projectsaltbox.com · yesterdayNEW: CBP is shopping for a contractor to track down people the US has deported to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala and collect unpaid immigration fines — debts that can top $1.8 million a person.
NEW: CBP is shopping for a contractor to track down people the US has deported to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala and collect unpaid immigration fines — debts that can top $1.8 million a person.
U.S. Border Patrol wants a contractor to track down deported people abroad and collect their immigration fines
The agency gave bidders three business days to compete for a first-of-its-kind contract to collect fines from people it has deported to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
projectsaltbox.com
When I think of Homer, I think of the Homer statue at the University of Virginia—and the fact that for over 25 years, Ted Lendon has been making students (including me, once) learn how to march in a phalanx on the lawn. ⚔️
"Until Friday, ORR had a contract with the Acacia Center for Justice, but the federal govt. allowed that contract to expire after months of withholding funds to Acacia, and by extension, many of the nonprofits that served as 'subcontractors' and represented the majority of the children in ORR care."
Politico@politico.com · yesterday26-employee Texas law firm gets $150M to represent 24,000 children in immigration court
26-employee Texas law firm gets $150M to represent 24,000 children in immigration court
26-employee Texas law firm gets $150M to represent 24,000 children in immigration court
None of the Burke Law Group’s lawyers list immigration law as an area of expertise, per the firm’s website.
dlvr.it
