CIA and Vatican Travel to Moscow, Trump’s Ratings Hit All-Time Low, US Education Declines 6 Decades

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Originally published at: CIA and Vatican Travel to Moscow, Trump’s Ratings Hit All-Time Low, US Education Declines 6 Decades – Peak Prosperity

Geopolitics

CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow aboard a C-17 military transport from Latvia, a route tracked on public flight sites. The White House, State Department, CIA, and Kremlin declined to comment. This marks the first known visit by a U.S. intelligence chief to Russia since William Burns met Vladimir Putin in 2021. Analysts speculated that the trip may have involved warnings on Russia’s reported hybrid operations against NATO, including sabotage and cyber activity, amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes. Other observers reportedly described the visit as an effort to establish improved relations or pursue an exit ramp from the Ukraine conflict.

Coincidentally, Vatican Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, his first visit since 2021. Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s call for an end to the war and offered Vatican mediation. Lavrov said any agreement must address underlying causes. Kommersant reported that a scheduled Putin meeting was postponed the same day.

Meanwhile, related to the Iran Conflict, President Trump announced that the U.S. Navy had cleared mines from the Strait of Hormuz and stated new mining would face immediate response, with Space Force monitoring alongside previously targeted Iranian sites.

Additionally, following through on yesterday’s sanctions announcement, Secretary Bessent has targeted nearly 60 Iran-linked entities in China and Hong Kong, including Sweet Ocean Industrial Ltd. and three Chinese nationals. The Treasury Department avoided major Chinese banks ahead of a planned Xi-Trump summit. China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the measures and threatened retaliation.

US Politics

A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 33% approval for President Trump’s performance, the lowest of his two terms. Sixty-three percent disapproved of strikes on Iran, Republican support for the policy fell to 69%, and 83% expected the conflict to continue. Democrats led the generic ballot 35% to 29%, 69% said the country was on the wrong track, and 66% disapproved of Trump’s economic handling. Favorability ratings stood at 34% for JD Vance and 32% for Marco Rubio. Some commentary noted that the approval level is comparable to those of prior presidents at similar points in their terms.

A report from the Defense of Freedom Institute and Legal Insurrection Foundation identified $230 million in federal grants tied to intersectionality frameworks (using race, gender, sexual orientation, and class to assess privilege and discrimination), with $90 million still unspent. Examples include grants to Drexel University, the University of New Hampshire, and New York University. Cornell’s William Jacobson called for closing related funding channels.

Education

A review of U.S. education data showed 35% of 12th-graders proficient in reading and 22% in math. Nearly one-fifth of graduates lack functional reading skills, algebra enrollment among 13-year-olds dropped from 34% to 24%, and 26% of adults can name the three branches of government. Chronic absenteeism reached 26%, public schools lost two million students since 2012, and 405,000 teaching positions remain vacant. Academic performance peaked in 1967 and has been in decline ever since.

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked new content rules for future Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants but upheld existing cuts to more than 50 organizations. The blocked rules would have denied future funding to curricula that normalize adolescent sexual activity or contain overly sexually explicit or pornographic content not necessary to achieve the program’s statutory mission.

In other news, Girl Scouts of the USA faced criticism after reports documented mosque-based troops in several states incorporating Islamic practices and a Palestine information table at one event. This criticism follows past allegations that Girl Scouts disproportionately supports leftist agendas. However, reports noted that religious recognition awards are optional and available across multiple faiths.

Epstein Files

U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s motion to vacate her 2021 conviction, describing the claims as meritless and denying an evidentiary hearing. Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence, has petitioned the Supreme Court and sought a pardon. She was transferred to a minimum-security facility in Texas in 2025.

Privacy & Surveillance

A San Francisco developer reported that AliExpress used browser scripts to fingerprint devices via the Web Audio API by playing inaudible tones. The method collected data on CPU, sound hardware, memory, screen size, and network details. Brave stated it has blocked audio fingerprinting by default for six years and recently added GPU protections. Critics described audio fingerprinting as a longstanding technique used across the industry, not unique to the platform.

Economy

HSBC has joined the growing list of institutions warning of a potential global food crisis in 2027 linked to grain supply constraints, El Niño effects, and shipping risks. JPMorgan analysts issued a similar warning, stating any shock could persist. Some analysts noted that international grain prices remain within normal ranges despite the tensions.

Sources

CIA Chief’s Open Moscow Trip Sparks Hybrid War Warnings

This may well be a warning from Washington to Mr. Putin not to mess with NATO.

Source | Submitted by RandomMike

HSBC Warns of Looming Global Food Crisis as Supplies Tighten

“Buffers Running Down Quickly”: HSBC Warns Next Global Food Shock Brewing

Source

Bluetooth Blunder Exposes AliExpress’s Silent User Tracking

AliExpress wasn’t recording users but instead playing a silent sound and measuring how users’ specific devices processed it in order to fingerprint them.

Source

Taxpayers Bankroll $230M in Intersectionality Grants

Taxpayers are funding $230 million in largely Biden-era grants to study woke “intersectionality” — the assessing of factors such as race and class to rate “privilege’’ and potential discrimination, a new report says.

Source

Trump’s Iran War Drags His Approval to Record Lows

Only 33% of surveyed Americans approve of Trump’s overall performance, the worst level that Reuters/Ipsos has observed over either of his two administrations.

Source

Trump: Hormuz Mines Cleared, Iran Faces Economic Siege and Lingering Military Threats

“I have just been informed by the United States Navy that all mines have been removed and/or detonated from within the International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Source

Obama Judge Rejects Maxwell’s ‘Frivolous’ Epstein Appeal

All meritless and all or almost all are frivolous.

Source

Bessent Hits Chinese Firms With Iran Sanctions, Spares Banks as Beijing Threatens Blowback

Beijing, meanwhile, signaled earlier Tuesday that it would not retreat from its economic relationship with Iran, raising the risk that Trump’s economic war against Tehran could evolve into a direct confrontation with China, the largest buyer of discounted Iranian crude.

Source

Trillion-Dollar Schools: 16 Facts on America’s Education Collapse

For nearly a trillion dollars a year, we should be getting a world class education system. But we aren’t.

Source

Judge Blocks Trump Reforms to Explicit Sex-Ed Grants

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper has issued a split ruling on the Trump administration’s latest reforms to the federal Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPP), allowing already-made cuts to stand while preventing the new rules from being applied to future grants.

Source

Girl Scouts Trade Cookies for Qurans with New Islam Badges

I’ll never buy Girl Scout cookies ever again.

Source

Vatican and CIA Reopen Separate Channels to Moscow

The Vatican and the United States have almost simultaneously reopened two channels of communication with Moscow. (translated from Italian)

Source

In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: WSJ, RealAlexJones, BJB120, Teknofilo, NJ.com Politics, and Newsweek.

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Seems sus.

https://x.com/realjoshuareid/status/2092441568904966351?s=20

I am sorry, but the Director of the CIA doesn’t fly to Moscow unexpectedly to deliver a message telling Russia “Don’t do what we think you were going to do”.

Putin and Trump have a direct line. If Trump wanted to warn Putin not to do something, he would of just called him.

The only reason the CIA Director would go directly to Moscow is to deliver something so sensitive that it could not be trusted through normal means. That is my opinion.

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Perhaps it was to tell Putin, if you decide to bomb airports, please don’t target food carts. :partying_face:

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That makes complete sense.

Now. I wonder what the message was.

Maybe it was about Trump using nukes on Iran.

Is so. god help us.

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https://x.com/CarolinaLion2/status/2092626630246027399?s=20

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https://x.com/PardyBruce/status/2092484345680335152?s=20

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image650×510 66.9 KB

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https://x.com/AllisonInquiry/status/2092571530102235359?s=20

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:woman_facepalming: x :100:

"…Under the province’s current transitional system, the government calculates monthly gas royalties using the “plant inlet price”—the market price of gas minus the cost of getting it to processing plants.

Nancy Olewiler, an economist at Simon Fraser University who verified the error, said the province failed to subtract those transportation and processing costs in its latest budget forecasts, leading to a major overestimation of its share of industry profits.

Olewiler estimates the flawed price forecasts could reduce the natural gas royalties B.C. collects by roughly $500 million per year. Applying the budget data to the new royalty framework—slated to come into effect Jan. 1, 2027—risks compounding the errors and completely wiping out expected government gains, said the economist.

Over five years, the sum of lost revenue could nearly pay for the B.C. government’s entire three-year health-care expansion plan, or rival all the money spent fighting wildfires between 2021 and 2024.

“It’s a substantial overestimate,” Olewiler said. …"

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https://x.com/JasonLavigneAB/status/2092608640070889883?s=20

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BRITAIN’S STORM SHADOW GAMBIT: HOW LONDON CROSSED THE LINE AND FORCED RATCLIFFE TO MOSCOW

The UK hands over classified missile technology to Kyiv. Finland’s president calls for strikes deep into Russia. The next day, the CIA director lands in Moscow on a secret mission — and Washington begs Kyiv to stop the attacks.

Coincidence? Or has Britain just crossed the red line that forced the US to run damage control in the Kremlin? An analysis of three events that tell the same story.

THE PARADOX. On August 24, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces in Kyiv: “I have approved sharing Storm Shadow missile technology with Ukraine.”

On the same day, Finnish President Alexander Stubb declares Ukraine must strike Russian refineries and even civilian warehouses to “raise the cost of war for Russia.”

On August 25, CIA Director John Ratcliffe lands in Moscow on a C-17 military aircraft — and Washington asks Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian territory.

Three events. One crisis. And a question no one is asking: did Britain just force America to run to Moscow?

THE BRITISH PROVOCATION. On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Burnham authorized defense company MBDA to declassify sensitive technical information on British components of the SCALP/Storm Shadow missile. France had already granted Ukraine a license to produce SCALP. Now Britain opens its secret archives.

The Storm Shadow/SCALP is a long-range cruise missile designed to strike heavily protected fixed targets — bunkers, command centers, critical infrastructure. It flies at low altitude to evade radar, day and night, in all weather.

These missiles kill Russians. And now Ukraine can build them on its own soil.

The Kremlin’s response was immediate. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared that Britain is “participating in this war” and that the decision “will pour fuel on the fire.”

Because when you hand over blueprints for missiles that strike enemy territory, you might as well be pulling the trigger yourself.

STUBB’S PROVOCATION. The same August 24, Finnish President Alexander Stubb — speaking at the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting in Kyiv — declared that Ukraine must strike Russian oil refineries and even Wildberries warehouses to “raise the cost of war for Russia.”

His logic: hitting Russian territory will push Russians toward peace.

But there’s a problem. Russians do not surrender under bombardment. They proved it at Leningrad, at Stalingrad, through every invasion of their history. Stubb is applying Western logic to a nation that does not work that way.

Worse: on June 26, 2026, Stubb signed amendments to Finland’s Nuclear Energy Act — lifting the ban on deploying nuclear weapons on Finnish soil.

Russia’s response? Dmitry Medvedev confirmed that Finland is now on Russia’s nuclear target list.

Finland — once neutral — has gone from bridge to front-line nuclear flashpoint in less than 24 months. And Stubb seems oblivious.

THE RATCLIFFE MISSION — AUGUST 25. Hours after Burnham’s announcement and Stubb’s declaration, a US Air Force C-17 lands at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow. On board: CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

The Kremlin confirms the visit but denies any meeting with Putin: “Only talks between intelligence services.”

According to Axios, Washington asked Kyiv to suspend attacks on Moscow and St. Petersburg during the visit.

Why? Because they feared a Ukrainian strike during the visit could derail the mission. And because they knew they could ask. Which proves that Kyiv, despite appearances, still follows Washington’s orders.

The last known CIA director visit to Moscow was William Burns in November 2021 — to warn Putin against invading Ukraine. Ratcliffe flies to Moscow after three years of war, with Ukraine striking deep into Russia with Western missiles.

This is not a warning. This is crisis management.

PASCAL LAURENT’S CONFIRMATION. The French analyst writes:

“My hypothesis seems confirmed. Ratcliffe is indeed in Moscow to discuss Russian retaliation in Europe against NATO countries. Because the Russians will make Germany, Britain, and France pay for supplying missiles, drones, and logistical support that allow the Khazars of Kiev to strike Russian territory.”

He adds:

“We should see attacks on NATO countries in the coming weeks. And the NATO buffoons say: ‘They won’t dare.’ Let’s remind these clowns that when you supply offensive weapons, provide targeting coordinates, and send military advisors to show proxies how to use your equipment — it’s as if you’re doing it yourself!”

The Kremlin speaks rarely to say nothing. When it speaks, it’s wise to listen.

🧠 THE CONNECTION NO ONE IS MAKING. The British technology transfer, Stubb’s declaration, Ratcliffe’s flight, and Laurent’s analysis are not separate events. They are the same story:

The UK hands over blueprints for missiles that kill Russians.

Finland publicly declares Ukraine must strike deep into Russia.

Russia has already threatened retaliation against NATO countries.

Ratcliffe flies to Moscow to manage the fallout.

Kyiv obeys Washington and halts attacks. But for how long?

Ukraine follows Stubb’s orders when convenient and Ratcliffe’s orders when the situation gets hot. It is a proxy with multiple masters — and that is the real danger.

THE QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN.

-Why is the UK handing its most advanced missile technology to a country at war?
-Does Stubb understand Finland is now a nuclear target?
-Did Ratcliffe fly to Moscow because Britain crossed the line?
-Will Russia actually strike NATO countries in the coming weeks?
-How long will Kyiv obey Washington before Moscow’s retaliation begins?

THE HARD TRUTH. Stubb speaks from a bunker. Finns have none. Stubb gives speeches in Kyiv. Finns would pay the price.
Former Finnish Deputy Foreign Minister Jarmo Lindén recently said Finland should think about national security before exposing itself as a NATO base near Russia.
But Stubb doesn’t listen. And Ratcliffe runs to Moscow to extinguish a fire that London and Helsinki helped ignite.
Britain just handed Ukraine the ability to produce missiles that kill Russians. Finland is pushing for deep strikes. Washington is running to Moscow to manage the consequences.

The cobelligerence is no longer a theory. It is a fact. And Moscow is preparing its response.

The Ratcliffe visit is not an act of strength. It is an act of fear. Because Washington knows that Russia “speaks rarely to say nothing.” And when it speaks, it’s best to listen.

Has Britain just crossed the red line? Will Russia strike NATO countries in the coming weeks? And was Ratcliffe’s Moscow mission a desperate attempt to prevent a retaliation that London has made inevitable?

Independent analysis. No ideology. Just facts.

Marco | Independent Analyst

https://x.com/Marcorio61O/status/2092560508641558822?s=20

Another analyst notes that Storm Shadow missiles and advanced drones WILL NOT ACTUALLY BE MANUFACTURED IN THE UKRAINE as its infrastructure is too badly degraded. But this DOES allow Britain and the rest of Europe to ship these missiles and high tech drones to Ukraine but have some plausible deniability.

I would say that Europe is now to the RABID DOG stage Chris has mentioned and the only reasonable thing for Russia to do is a massive pre-emptive nuclear strike.

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My guess: CIA/Spec Ops personnel captured by Russia in Ukraine and swapped for something to bring back home. Quid pro quo of some kind requiring Radcliffe to show up with a C17 to return the captured person(s) back home. But the broad day light hay-diddle-diddle-right-up-the-middle flight is a bigger question to me. Someone WANTED the world to see that. Why?

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A very welcomed development.

https://x.com/liz_churchill10/status/2092408753362493603?s=20

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