Tuesday News: “Are we on our way to the sixth major mass extinction?”; “Now it is the Old World’s turn to rescue the United States”; Trump’s Unconstitutional, Illegal “Plot to Rig Midterms,” Limit Mail-In Voting; “How Does Trump’s Federal Takeover End?”

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, August 19.

• ‘A climate of unparalleled malevolence’: are we on our way to the sixth major mass extinction? (“Churning quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at the rate we are going could lead the planet to another Great Dying”)
• A universal adapter for solar, batteries, EVs, and microgrids is here (“DG Matrix and Resilient Power say their solid-state transformers can cut costs, time, and complexity for powering data centers, EV charging hubs, and more.”)
• At Europe’s melting glaciers, signs of climate peril are everywhere (“Europe’s glaciers are shrinking faster than anywhere else on Earth, leaving behind unstable landscapes.” Disaster.)
• Climate Change is Coming for Your Bananas
• What Happens If AI Hits An Energy Wall? (“The technology driving the economy has some big problems”)
• The Weaponized World Economy (“Surviving the New Age of Economic Coercion”)
• Trump claims to have ended six wars – is that true? (“Trump and his administration claim to have helped settle conflicts from the Middle East to Asia, yet the reality is more complex”)
• Now it is the Old World’s turn to rescue the United States
• Zelensky Wasn’t Going to Repeat His Oval Office Disaster (“The Ukrainian president had a new strategy—and backup from allies—during his meeting with Trump.”)
• Zelensky praises ‘significant’ White House talks as Starmer chairs Ukraine security guarantee meeting
• The details of a difficult Ukraine deal come into view (“This wouldn’t be a just peace. It would simply reflect battlefield realities.”)
• Ukraine live updates: ‘Dynamics have accelerated,’ says Polish PM as coalition of the willing debrief takes place after White House meeting (“European leaders meet virtually after talks at the White House where Trump said arrangements being made for meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy”)
• Inside Trump world’s reaction to the Zelenskyy reset (“Here’s what Trump insiders are privately saying about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s cascade of meetings — and what it all means for Ukraine, Russia, Europe and MAGA.”)
• In Donbas, Ukrainians hold out as Russia besieges, bargains for their land
• Can Zelensky Trust Trump? Ukraine’s Fate May Depend on the Answer. (“President Trump has offered only vague assurances of security guarantees for Ukraine if President Volodymyr Zelensky agrees to cut a deal with Russia.”)
• Four key takeaways from Ukraine talks in Washington
• French President Emmanuel Macron says he doesn’t believe Putin is ‘very willing to get peace’ in Ukraine (Correct.)
• Zelensky survives another episode of the Trump show (“America hints at providing security guarantees for Ukraine”)
• Why Trump deserves credit for his Ukraine push — and why it may all fall apart
• In hurried D.C. summit, Europeans try to bend Trump away from Kremlin (“Talks over Ukraine appear friendly, but no signs emerge of a firm agreement to end the war.”)
• Key takeaways from Trump and Zelenskyy’s meeting, pivotal talks with European leaders
• Zelensky meeting shows how the White House has remade the press corps to Trump’s liking
• Takeaways from Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders (One piece of good news: “JD Vance kept his mouth shut.”)
• US and Europe to Work Immediately on Ukraine Security Plan (“The aim is to avoid Russia demanding restrictions on the size of Kyiv’s military as part of a future agreement to end the war.”)
• Trump promised Ukraine ‘security guarantees’: Here’s what they could look like
• Zelenskyy’s new outfit was not a response to difficult first White House visit, says designer (“Ukrainian designer Viktor Anisimov said outcome of crucial meeting with Trump was more important than fashion”)
• All smoke but no fire as Zelenskyy emerges unbruised after Trump meet
• Hamas source says group agrees to latest Gaza ceasefire proposal (Feels like Groundhog Day from Hell, unfortunately.)
• An Account Using the Same Name as Trump’s BLS Pick Posted Red-Pilled Conspiracy Theories (This guy is complete f’ed up.)
• Businesses face ‘chaos’ as EPA aims to repeal its authority over climate pollution
• Trump Administration in Talks to Take a 10% Stake in Intel
• The Nationalization of Intel? (The Trump administration is…socialist? Also, they LOVE “picking winners and losers.”)
• Wind, solar must show ‘significant’ work but ‘no fixed minimum’ under new Treasury rules (“To qualify for tax credits, projects will need to meet less cut-and-dried physical construction requirements instead of spending at least 5% of project costs to prove construction had commenced.”)
• Is America done with clean energy? Why wind, solar power are in peril (“Since taking office, the Trump Administration has paused permits on all new wind and solar projects on public land, both onshore and offshore.” Insanity.)
• ‘Come to America and lose $1B’: Trump drives new offshore wind losses (“Ørsted is seeking $9.4B to finish two U.S. projects, the latest in a spate of setbacks for foreign firms invested heavily in the struggling sector.”)
• House energy coalition raises alarm on HUD, USDA intent to end energy efficiency building codes
• In Pursuing Trump Rival, Weaponization Czar Sidesteps Justice Dept. Norms (“Edward Martin Jr. is among the top administration officials who have tried to cast the specter of criminality on President Trump’s enemies.” Evil.)
• Trump’s remarkable statement against states’ rights
• Angry Trump Accidentally Blurts Out Unnerving New Plot to Rig Midterms (“Donald Trump just gave away his own game.”)
• Trump Promises New, Blatantly Unconstitutional Order to End Mail-In Voting
• Trump wants to stop states from voting by mail and using voting machines
• Trump’s vow to change processes like mail-in voting could fall short based on the Constitution
• Trump Pledges Unconstitutional Order to Limit Mail-In Voting After Putin Chat (“The president demanded that states do what the federal government “tells them,” after announcing an executive order aimed at banning mail-in voting “)
• In Surprise Move, Trump Taps Missouri Attorney General to Help Run F.B.I. (“The move appears to diminish the authority of the current deputy director, Dan Bongino, whose tumultuous tenure has included a pitched argument over files related to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.”)
• Republican Bid to Help Trump Move Past Epstein Falls Flat
• DOJ to begin sharing Epstein files with Congress on Friday, House member says
• Top Air Force general to exit in Hegseth’s latest shake-up of Pentagon
• DHS speechwriter linked to hateful social accounts while claiming American conservatives are ostracized like Jews in Nazi Germany (“‘They are not migrants. They are not ‘undocumented.’ They are an invading army. The largest invasion in American history,’ DHS speechwriter writes on X”)
• Jeffries: Noem will be among the first ‘hauled up to Congress’ if Democrats retake House
• Trump approval holds at 40%, lowest level of his term, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
• How Does Trump’s Federal Takeover End? (“The president has opened the door to a permanent military occupation of the nation’s capital—and maybe other cities too.”)
• Is Trump’s DC Military Deployment the Start of a Slow-Motion Civil War? (“Anything is possible in the coming days and weeks, but it’s difficult not to feel like we are veering toward escalating violence.”)
• Trump’s D.C. Crackdown Is the Logical Endpoint of the Post-9/11 Era
• By taking over DC, Trump may have outflanked the Democrats — again (“Democrats have been branded “soft on crime” for 60 years. Will they ever learn to turn the tables?”)
• Mississippi and Louisiana Will Send National Guard Troops to D.C.
• Detentions of D.C. delivery drivers leaves immigrant communities on edge
• Fifth Circuit: West Texas A&M Violated First Amendment by Blocking Student Group’s Drag Show
• Newsmax to pay $67M to settle defamation case over 2020 election reporting (“Newsmax, your MAGA step-mother-in-law’s favorite news channel, because Fox News is too liberal anymore, has agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $67 million to settle a defamation lawsuit.”)
• The serious trend behind MSNBC’s silly new name (“There are legitimate business rationales. But could corporate fear of Trump retaliation also play a role?”)
• Oklahoma goes ‘America First’: We don’t want ‘woke’ teachers indoctrinating our kids
• Sherrod Brown’s Race Will Test Trump Voters’ Buyer’s Remorse (“The Ohio Democrat lost last year. He’s hoping the GOP’s tax-and-spending bill and Trump’s tariffs have shifted the electorate’s mood since.”)
• Maine oyster farmer wants to upend Democratic politics with Senate bid (“Graham Platner wants to oust Sen. Susan Collins — and disrupt national Dems’ plans to unite around Gov. Janet Mills.”)
• Iraq and Afghanistan veteran launches Democratic campaign against Sen. Susan Collins in Maine
• Texas Democratic legislator to stay in State Capitol after refusing law enforcement escort to leave (“State Rep. Nicole Collier of Fort Worth said she will remain locked in the Austin statehouse chamber until the House reconvenes Wednesday morning.”)
• ADL chief attacks Zohran Mamdani, but gets his facts wrong (“Jonathan Greenblatt criticized the mayoral nominee for hedging on ‘globalize the Intifada’ and falsely claimed Mamdani hasn’t visited synagogues or engaged Jewish groups” Greenblatt is a hot mess.)
• Senators Mark Warner, Tim Kaine Slam Trump Administration for Ripping Federal Funding Away from Five “high-performing, award-winning” Northern Virginia School Districts (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William County are all impacted)
• Video: Virginia Democrats Launch New Digital Ad Slamming Sears for Cheering on Trump’s Tax Bill That Will Take Healthcare Away from Virginians
• Spanberger Formally Accepts Invitation to October 9 WAVY-Norfolk State University Debate After Sears Declined Statewide “People’s Debate” at Virginia State University (Last week, Earle-Sears “refused to participate in the traditional, statewide ‘People’s Debate'”)
• Virginia: First debate for governor set as candidates accept Norfolk State event
• Earle-Sears and Spanberger agree to debate, but Southwest Virginia’s 12-year hosting streak may end
• Youngkin promised a ‘rip-roaring economy.’ Did he deliver? Here are the numbers. (The main point is that the fate of Virginia’s economy is overwhelmingly tied to the national economy and to the federal government’s workforce, spending, etc. Oh, and the Virginia General Assembly was either divided or controlled by Democrats during Youngkin’s governorship. So Youngkin had VERY little to do with the Virginia economy, one way or the other.)
• Meet the candidate: Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (“For Virginia to be a leader in new and clean energy generation, and be on the forefront of clean energy, is not just a priority and a goal, but it also serves the purpose of ensuring that we move towards generating more, which is necessary to lower costs.”)
• The Facts Are Clear, as Is the Choice for Virginia’s Next Attorney General: Jason Miyares Has Repeatedly Misused His Office and Pushed an Extreme Right-Wing Agenda; Jay Jones Is Committed to Upholding the Law
• MAGA Miyares Silent as Trump Seeks to Ban Abortions for Veterans (“The Trump rule would eliminate abortion services in most cases, including rape and incest”)
• NEW REPORT: Social Security Supports 1 in 3 Virginia Veterans (“Affordable Virginia and National Partnership for Women and Families Detail Report in Roundtable in Virginia Beach”)
• Commentary: I served on Va.’s Redistricting Commission. What’s happening in Texas hurts us all
• Virginia to write regulation banning trans women from women’s sports
• Officials defend Virginia’s election system following Trump attacks on mail-in voting
• Despite federal shift, state health officials encourage COVID vaccines for pregnant women
• Virginia lawmakers weigh risks and rewards of AI chatbots
• Fairfax Co. superintendent shares why she’s holding firm against Dept. of Ed threat (“We believe in the rule of law, and we believe that we’re following the law, and therefore, we believe that we’re going to have an opportunity to have our funds continued”)
• VMI announces new, White guy, superintendent: ’87 alum David Furness
• Charlottesville NIMBYs hope lawsuit can protect their property values (NIMBYs are the worst.)
• What are kids thinking about on the first day of school? We ask them. (“More than 280,000 students in Fairfax, Prince William and Alexandria returned to the classroom Monday, kicking off back-school-season in the Washington region”)
• Update: City of Staunton lifts Boil Water Advisory following water main break
• Cruising Virginia countryside in an electric vehicle is a lot easier now (“As EV tourism takes hold in rural towns, historic Middleburg looks to attract eco-minded visitors with a high-speed electric-vehicle charger.”)
• Forgotten space transformed: Waynesboro to dedicate South River Preserve on Thursday (“DuPont’s former picnic area and seven-acre asphalt parking lot along the South River in Waynesboro has been transformed into meadow and forest habitat.” Excellent, how about we do that with MANY asphalt parking lots?)
• Virginia Tech athletics director to BOV: Invest more, or Hokies may be left behind
• CWG Live updates: Cloudy and cool again today with a few showers; warmer tomorrow