🏈 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Ted Cruz gets aggressively booed by Texas crowd on College GameDay

📎 FactPost

🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 On Monday, the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will meet in Cardiff to sign a cooperation agreement calling for the right to hold independence referendums.

The SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin leaders will discuss cooperation on the economy, energy, Europe and self-determination.

John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister and leader of the SNP, said the UK’s current system is “not sustainable.”

🔗 Clash Report

🇨🇦🤝🇪🇺 Canada is ditching the U.S. and is pursuing closer economic ties with the EU contradicting Trump's claims of Canada "wanting a deal very badly".

Mark Carney is accelerating plans to tie Canada more closely to Europe after U.S. trade negotiations collapsed, with officials exploring deeper integration in defense, energy, technology, research, and strategic supply chains.

Carney has instructed his special envoy to Europe to examine arrangements short of full EU or single-market membership.

He has also floated the title “Associate Member of the European Union” in discussions with European leaders.

Officials on both sides are studying how Canadian companies, workers and services could gain easier access to European markets in sectors including energy, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, semiconductors and defense.

The talks aim to reduce Canada’s heavy dependence on the U.S., which receives two-thirds of Canadian exports.

Carney has described the deterioration in relations with Washington as “a rupture, not a transition,” signaling that Ottawa is preparing for a longer-term realignment rather than a temporary dispute.

“This is Canada turning from looking at itself as a North American nation to a trans-Atlantic nation,” said a senior Canadian official.

Carney has held frequent talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as Canada negotiated a $25 billion purchase of German submarines.

Canadian diplomats have also met in Berlin to discuss broader defense cooperation.

During preliminary G-7 meetings in Toulouse, Canadian and European officials identified 11 areas where cooperation could be deepened, with an emphasis on reducing dependence on U.S. technology, defense equipment and trade.

The discussions also include underwater cables, data centers, cloud infrastructure and satellite networks that would sit outside the control of major U.S. technology companies.

Carney has spent months lobbying European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Alexander Stubb, Giorgia Meloni, Friedrich Merz and Jonas Støre.

European governments were initially cautious, partly over concerns about provoking Washington. But officials said attitudes shifted as doubts about U.S. reliability grew.

Senior EU officials have since told European ambassadors that a successful agreement could leave Canada more closely tied to the bloc than any other country outside Europe.

French discussions have even included the possibility of allowing Canadians to live and work in Europe without visas.

Carney is also pushing for closer links between Canadian and European research institutions and wants Canada to participate in the EU’s study-abroad program.

🔗 https://clashreport.com/world/articles/canada-explores-eu-membership-after-us-trade-war-i3232afgly

🇺🇸⛽️ Costco Is Now Rationing Motor Oil Because the Global Shortage Is Getting Real

A Kirkland Signature oil change has nearly doubled in price, but that's not the most concerning change to how Costco's selling lubricants these days.

Not only does 10 quarts of Kirkland Signature full-synthetic now cost $58 when it used to go for as low as $30, but stores are now imposing a two-per-customer, per-week limit.

The obvious culprit is supply—or, rather, a lack thereof. Demand remains strong as ever as global stock has dwindled due to our ongoing Middle East entanglement. As The Auto Wire highlighted in its own story unpacking the factors at hand, motor oil ultimately comes out of the same barrel that also gives us gasoline and diesel, and right now, refineries can earn more money finishing crude into gas compared to what Costco stocks on its shelves. We’re all getting the short end of the stick at the pump as it is, so it’s not difficult to imagine the pressure the motor oil market is facing.

In the background, though, this is more than a matter of simple economics. Over the years, oil chemistries have gotten more sophisticated to cope with the stresses of tinier engines pushing bigger boost while also mitigating their environmental impact. That’s led to more rigorous testing and higher standards, including a set of rules by the American Petroleum Institute that took effect at the start of the decade.

🔗 https://www.thedrive.com/news/costco-is-now-rationing-motor-oil-because-the-global-shortage-is-getting-real

🇺🇸⚔️🇮🇷 Insane footage showing U.S. forces launching dozens of Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles from Muwaffaq Salti Airbase in Jordan, during the Iranian ballistic missile attack three days ago.

Up to 70 Patriot interceptors were launched from Muwaffaq Salti Airbase alone during this attack.

Despite the massive salvo of interceptors, Iranian missiles still scored hits on American bases in Jordan, destroying aircraft and drone shelters and damaging an unknown number of helicopters, MALE UCAVs and fighter jets.

🔗 AMK Mapping 🇳🇿 (@AMK_Mapping_)

🇾🇪⚔️🇾🇪 Latest Map of the Military Situation in Taiz Front

🟡 The Houthis, with the support of popular committees, advanced on the western front of Taiz province and reached the important heights of Jabal Jardad and Jabal Habashi, liberating the heights of Al-Da'if, Bani Omar, and the western villages of these heights from the control of elements of the resigned government.

Clashes are currently ongoing around the Akkad area and Jabal Jardad.

✍️ The objective of the Yemeni forces in this movement is to cut off the western road of Taiz, which is the only connection route for the Islah Party's militants and Tariq Saleh's elements with the southern cities of Yemen. This road connects Taiz to the town of Al-Turbah (under the control of Tariq Saleh's elements) and ultimately to Aden. Cutting this important road places the city of Taiz under a complete siege and provides the ground for cleansing this city from the control of the Takfiri elements of the Al-Islah Party and other factions affiliated with the Saudi coalition.

🔗 IWN

🇬🇧 Labour admits 200,000 UK families pocket more in benefits than the average working Briton earns

With taxpayers already forced to pay up for migrant housing, councils tearing down the nation's flag, WFH civil servants' heating bills and more, it has now emerged that they are also funding above-average lifestyles in Britain.

Just days ago, Lord Truscott challenged Labour to reveal exactly how many benefit recipients "earn" more than the national average wage.

For the financial year ending 2025, she said, there were 200,000 families in the UK who claimed more than £39,039 in "state support".

This includes tax credits and all benefits, including Universal Credit, the state pension and Personal Independence Payment (Pip).

That's more than the entire population of Bournemouth, Peterborough, or Bolton.

"Our welfare system is so out of touch it pays those on benefits more than those who go out to work," Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately told The Sun.

🔗 https://www.gbnews.com/money/dwp-benefits-fury-labour-uk-families-working-britons

🇬🇧 Stunning data shows being on sickness benefits 'pays more than joining the British Army'

Young people can receive more by receiving sickness benefits than they would by joining the Army, new data has shown.

A study carried out by the Telegraph shows those who claim handouts can actually earn more than £2,000 a year more than an Army recruit's take-home pay.

The new analysis conducted by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) shows that young people can be better off on benefits than joining the Army.

A newly recruited private earns a salary of £27,282, which after tax and National Insurance translates to a take-home pay of £23,163 after income tax and National Insurance.

If you compare this with someone who is under-25 years old, and already receiving sickness benefits and housing support, the latter can claim £25,444 a year tax-free - meaning they are £2,282 better off.

Additionally, benefits are expected to increase by 3 per cent in April 2027, which would see the top rate of personal independence payments (PIPs) pass £200 a week.

🔗 https://www.aol.co.uk/articles/stunning-data-shows-being-sickness-000300000.html

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧 Westminster 'must prepare for a post-UK future,' John Swinney says

THE momentum for constitutional change is “undeniable” and Westminster “must prepare for a post-UK future”, John Swinney has said ahead of meetings with the first ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Scotland’s First Minister will speak to Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill in Cardiff on Monday, as well as a series of engagements with the Welsh Government.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Swinney said there could be “no clearer sign that the status quo is not sustainable” and that Westminster “must prepare for a post-UK future”.

He said: “Every nation across these islands is standing at a moment of incredible constitutional opportunity.

“There is a growing consensus that the Westminster system simply is not fit for purpose and does not work for ordinary people. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has accepted that himself – and the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have made it clear at the ballot box.

“For the first time ever, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are led by a pro-independence First Ministers.

“There could be no clearer sign that the status quo is not sustainable – and that Westminster must prepare for a post-UK future.

“And crucially, for the first time since 2014, there is a British Prime Minister who has publicly accepted the democratic principle of self-determination.

“The momentum behind serious constitutional change is undeniable. Andy Burnham must now be facing up to the idea that he will go down in history as the final Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.”

🔗 https://www.thenational.scot/news/26545086.westminster-must-prepare-post-uk-future--john-swinney-says/

🇾🇪⚔️🇾🇪 Houthi tribal mobilization shows long lines of armed Toyota technicals in the desert, the classic Yemen war image.

Bani Hashish tribes pledge readiness to march on Marib, the last major government stronghold in the north.

Toyota pickups with mounted guns remain the backbone of Houthi ground power.

🔗 Clash Report (@clashreport)

🇷🇺⚔️🇺🇦 Ukraine's PR counterattacks earlier this year resulted in the weakening of the defenses in the Orekhov sector which are now crumbling under sustained Russian attacks.

the Ukrainian XVII Corps defending the city of Orekhov and the surrounding towns and villages is under attack from the east and southeast by subunits of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division and the 38th Motorized Rifle Brigade. The Russians are aiming to completely isolate two large fortification systems: south of Malaya Tokmachka, encompassing the area of Hill 128, and north of that village on the right bank of the Konka River, encompassing the areas of Hill 136 and Hill 138. Meanwhile, units of the Russian 35th Army from the "East" grouping of forces are attempting to isolate the entire Orekhov stronghold area through DRG operations, infiltrating the area north of Novopavlovka and thereby cutting off the last remaining Ukrainian logistical route to Orekhov.

Last week, visual confirmation was obtained of the full control by the Russian 70th Motorized Rifle Regiment over the center of Malaya Tokmachka. At the same time, its leading assault groups are reaching the western outskirts of that village. On September 2, DRG units of the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment, near the eastern outskirts of Orekhov, crossed to the northern bank of the Konka River and established a small bridgehead encompassing the easternmost buildings of Preobrazhenka. This action is intended to support the operations of the 38th Motorized Rifle Brigade advancing on Preobrazhenka from the direction of Chervonaya Krinitsa. At the same time, DRG units of the 1198th Motorized Rifle Regiment, infiltrating along the bottom of the Orekhov Ravine, cut the Omelnyk-Orekhov road and penetrated the area of Hill 123. The next Russian objective is to cut the Tavricheskoe - Orekhov road.

🔗 Thorkill