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Saturday, August 23, 2025

■ The Week in Review

'Phase 5 (Catastrophe)': Global Food Authority Declares Famine in Gaza

"This engineered famine is the ultimate and inevitable result of the Government of Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war," said the head of Save the Children International in response to the IPC assessment.

By Jon Queally • Aug 22, 2025

US Deploys Warships to Venezuelan Coast, Raising Fears of Another 'Regime Change' War

"These aggressive policies seek to extend US dominance in Latin America, no matter the human cost," CodePink said.

By Stephen Prager • Aug 21, 2025

Here's a Map of What Trump-GOP Destruction of US Hospitals Looks Like

"Hospitals count on Medicaid to keep their doors open," said healthcare advocacy group Protect Our Care. "Medicaid accounts for one fifth of spending on hospitals, one fifth of hospital discharges, and at least one in five inpatient days in nearly every state."

By Brad Reed • Aug 21, 2025

'Corporate Greed at Its Ugliest': These 100 Companies Pay CEOs Over 600x What the Workers Get

"At a time when many American workers are struggling with high costs for groceries and housing, the nation's largest low-wage employers are fixated on making their overpaid CEOs even richer," said the author of a new report.

By Julia Conley • Aug 21, 2025

Stephen Miller Blasted for Attacking Anti-Authoritarian Protesters in DC as 'Stupid White Hippies'

"Stephen Miller was a loser in college, and now we all must pay for it," remarked one critic.

By Brad Reed • Aug 20, 2025

New Senate Report Details How Private Equity 'Devastates' Hospital Systems

"Private equity comes in, squeezes the life out of hospitals and doctor's offices, and then leaves patients and communities in the lurch," says a report from Sen. Chris Murphy.

By Brad Reed • Aug 20, 2025

Mass Layoffs at John Deere Follow Depressed Sales Caused by Trump Tariffs

"Equipment manufacturers like John Deere have lost millions, but let's remember that working people are hit hardest by the president's disastrous economic policies," said one lawmaker.

By Brad Reed • Aug 19, 2025

'The Oligarchy Is the Enemy': Maine Oyster Farmer Launches Senate Bid to Oust Susan Collins

"I will be a senator," said Graham Platner, "for all those who can't buy senators."

By Julia Conley • Aug 19, 2025

Mamdani Pounces as Leaked Audio Shows Cuomo 'Expecting Trump's Help' to Win

"Trump himself, as well as top Republicans, will say the goal is to stop Mamdani... and you'll be wasting your vote on Sliwa. So I feel good about that," Cuomo said in a leaked recording.

By Brad Reed • Aug 19, 2025

'Essentially Kidnapping': Texas Democrat Barred From Leaving Capitol Building Without Escort

"Locking Rep. Nicole Collier inside the chamber is beyond outrageous," said Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. "Forcing elected officials to sign 'permission slips' and take police escorts to leave? That's not procedure. That's some old Jim Crow playbook. Texas Republicans have lost their damn minds."

By Jon Queally • Aug 19, 2025

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■ Opinion

Trump Is Mounting an Authoritarian Takeover of Our Election System

Attempting to implement policies limiting mail voting or voting machines via executive order would be flagrantly illegal and flatly unconstitutional—a power grab.

By Michael Waldman • Aug 21, 2025

Trump's War on Clean Energy Could Be His Downfall... If the Dems Exploit It

Team Trump has mishandled American energy policy in every possible way literally since day one, setting the stage for higher electric bills.

By Bill Mckibben • Aug 20, 2025

Tariffs: A Tax Increase Republicans Support Despite Pledges Never To Raise Taxes

Americans are afflicted with increasing economic inequality. We should therefore avoid regressive tax increases, which put the highest increase on poor or average Americans. But tariffs are highly regressive.

By Paul F. Delespinasse • Aug 19, 2025

From Minnesota to the US Capitol: Tracing the Threat of Christian Nationalism

It’s safe to say that Vance Boelter’s actions were at least partially motivated by sycophants and political figures who twisted the Gospel and scripture for their benefit.

By Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck • Aug 17, 2025