AUG 27: Macron challenges Netanyahu, Trump allies accused in Greenland ops, Exxon eyes return to Russia
This is today's NEWS RECAP.
MAJOR HEADLINES
Minneapolis School Shooting
Two children were killed and 17 people injured in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, police confirmed. The shooter also died at the scene.
Police Statement:
“Two young children, ages eight and ten, were killed where they sat in the pews. 17 other people were injured, 14 of them being children, two of those children are in critical condition. The coward who fired the shots ultimately took his own life in the rear of the church.”
Mayor Jacob Frey:
“Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying!”
In response, President Trump ordered that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff at the White House, on all public buildings and grounds, at military posts, naval stations, and aboard U.S. vessels, until sunset on August 31, 2025.
Moldova’s Independence Day and European Support
Moldova marked its 34th Independence Day with high-profile visits from the leaders of France, Germany, and Poland. The presence of European allies signaled strong unity and support for Moldova’s sovereignty, which remains under pressure from Moscow.
Chancellor Merz in Moldova:
“This war must end. Like you, we want the issues in Ukraine to finally be put to rest, ideally today and immediately. But not at any price.We don’t want Ukraine to capitulate. Such a capitulation would only buy Russia time. And Putin would use this time to prepare for the next war.
That’s why we want and need a lasting peace. We are working diligently toward this, together with our partners in the United States and Europe. We are doing this for Ukraine, but we are also doing it for ourselves.”
He warned that Russia persistently works to disrupt Moldova’s freedom, prosperity, and peace, carrying out daily hybrid attacks ahead of the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections.
Merz on Putin’s Goals:
“President Putin, as he himself says, considers the collapse of the Soviet Union the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century. He wants to turn back the clock. He also wants to bring Moldova back into the Russian sphere of influence. As a result, not a day goes by without massive hybrid attacks from Russia.”
NATIONAL NEWS
FDA Approves Restrictive Covid Vaccine Policy
The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved updated Covid vaccines for the fall season — but with the most restrictive eligibility rules since the shots first became available.
The vaccines are authorized for people 65 and older, the group most vulnerable to severe illness.
Younger adults may receive the shots only if they have at least one underlying medical condition that increases their risk.
Healthy children under 18 could still receive the vaccines, but only if a medical provider is consulted.
The policy will face another step: the CDC’s influential advisory committee must vote on whether to recommend the vaccines. That panel’s influence may shift significantly, as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently reduced its size, replaced members, and added some Covid vaccine opponents.
Nuclear Weapons, Trump, and Pentagon Signals
During a meeting with Lt. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Integration, U.S. Air Force, the general praised President Trump’s leadership while offering key updates on nuclear policy.
Praise for Trump: Gebara described Trump as a president who “aims to bring peace.” The direct praise stood out; during other administrations, Pentagon briefings rarely openly praised the sitting president. Now this seems to be the norm.
Nuclear authority: He emphasized that Trump is the sole decision maker on nuclear weapons use, with direct access to all systems — from submarines to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Unlike in many other countries, no intermediaries exist between the president and nuclear launch authority.
Context: Donald Trump, like any other U.S. president, does not have direct, physical control of nuclear weapons. Instead, a complex system of command and control is in place to enable a president to order their use. The president has the sole authority to issue a launch order, but other military officials in the chain of command must verify and transmit it.
Treaty concerns: The current nuclear treaty with Russia expires in 2026 and does not cover all weapon types. If the treaty collapses, the Pentagon is prepared to increase the U.S. arsenal.
China’s expansion: Gebara noted that China has added as many nuclear weapons as the entire U.K. arsenal, while also hinting that the U.S. has positioned additional nuclear weapons in Great Britain.
Meanwhile, President Trump posted on X (Twitter) that he was “investigating” NBC over its contract renewal offer to late-night host Seth Meyers.
Space Force vs. Governors: National Guard Dispute
New amendments added to Congress’ must-pass annual defense policy bill would give the U.S. Space Force authority to absorb certain Air National Guard space units that are currently state-controlled.
The move has prompted unified opposition from all 50 governors, who argue that such units should instead become part of a new Space National Guard, as proposed in separate legislation.
SpaceX Starship Achieves Test Flight Milestone
SpaceX successfully launched its 10th Starship test flight yesterday evening at 7:30 p.m. ET from Starbase in Texas, marking a major milestone for both the company and NASA.
The Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster both performed simulated landings before ultimately exploding — one in the Indian Ocean, the other in the Gulf of Mexico.
Despite the fiery endings, the mission is being hailed as a success. A source told The New York Times that SpaceX “appeared to achieve all of their test objectives” and is “back on track” after three failed tests earlier this year.
The achievement provides renewed momentum for NASA’s Artemis III mission, which aims to land two astronauts on the moon by late 2027.
QUICK NEWS
Judge Dismisses Trump Lawsuit: A federal judge dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit that targeted all 15 Maryland federal judges over an order related to immigration cases.
Data Breach Risk: DOGE uploaded Social Security information to a vulnerable cloud server, jeopardizing the personal data of millions of Americans, according to a whistle-blower complaint.
FEMA Letter Fallout: Several FEMA employees have been placed on leave after criticizing the Trump administration in an open letter. About 180 current and former FEMA staffers signed the letter, addressed to Congress and other officials, protesting the agency’s leadership and direction.
Tariffs on India: President Trump’s new 50% tariff on Indian goods went into effect today. Half of the rate is explicitly intended as punishment for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
GLOBAL NEWS
Gaza and Israel
The Israeli military said a deadly strike on a Gaza hospital was intended to destroy an observation camera it claimed Hamas had placed there. No evidence was provided to support the claim.
French President Emmanuel Macron told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that calling for Palestinian statehood does not promote antisemitism but is “essential” for Israel’s security.
A growing number of rabbis have become outspoken critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, citing moral and religious grounds.
NATO and Defense Industry
On August 27, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Rheinmetall’s artillery plant in Unterlüß, Germany — the company’s largest production facility and a central hub of Europe’s defense manufacturing.
Denmark Summons U.S. Envoy Over Greenland
Denmark has summoned the U.S. envoy after revelations that allies of Donald Trump have been conducting covert operations in Greenland to advance his long-stated goal of annexing the autonomous island.
Danish public broadcaster DR reported that at least three Americans closely linked to Trump have been working to recruit local supporters, amplify grievances with Denmark, and bolster Greenland’s independence movement.
Sources said the effort aims “to penetrate Greenlandic society in order to weaken relations with Denmark from within and make the Greenlanders submit to the United States.”
DR outlined a three-phase strategy:
Charm offensive – Trump’s visit to Nuuk in January 2025.
Pressure campaign – J.D. Vance’s visit to Pituffik in March 2025, where he criticized Denmark’s role.
Infiltration strategy – covert support for pro-annexation factions while fueling discord between Denmark and Greenland.
While the U.S. is not expected to attempt annexation by force (yet), Denmark and European allies have recently boosted their military presence around the island.
Analysts noted parallels to Russia’s covert annexation campaign in Ukraine’s Donbas region prior to 2014.
Russia and Energy
RSC Energia, the historic Roscosmos enterprise that developed all Soviet rockets, announced it is facing financial collapse, warning: “The backlog is gone, the situation is critical.”
ExxonMobil is in secret talks with Rosneft about returning to the Sakhalin-1 project in Russia. Negotiations intensified after Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, with Exxon seeking support from the U.S. government. Exxon withdrew from Russia in 2022 after the Ukraine invasion, but hopes to recover losses if a peace deal permits.
Hungary vs. EU
Hungary has filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Justice against the EU Council over the bloc’s decision to use interest from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
Ukraine and Poland
Ukrainians working in Poland have added nearly $28 billion to the Polish budget over the past three years.
Taxes paid: $12.8 billion
Refugee aid costs: $4.1 billion
Russia’s Oil Revenues Decline
Sanctions on Russia’s “shadow fleet” have reduced its oil revenues from the Baltic and Black Seas by 30% in just one week, according to Kaja Kallas.
Russia’s Finance Ministry also reported a 28% year-on-year drop in oil and gas revenues for July.
Norway Divests from Caterpillar
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund — the world’s largest — announced it will sell off its $2.1 billion stake in Caterpillar over the company’s role in demolitions of Palestinian homes in the West Bank and Gaza.
The fund’s ethics council said Caterpillar equipment is being used to commit “extensive and systematic violations of international humanitarian law.”
The U.S. government has been accused of facilitating this by purchasing the machinery and transferring it to Israel.
This year, Norway’s fund has already divested from more than 20 Israeli companies; Caterpillar is the first major U.S. company targeted.
The White House, Israel, and Caterpillar did not immediately comment.
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