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Russia-linked water sabotage charges; House GOP wobbles as ACA aid nears cliff; judge OKs release of Epstein grand jury records; Trump pitches steel over pencils; bid to let Congress void pardons; Colts put Charvarius Ward on IR, elevate Brett Rypien; ‘Shopaholic’ author Sophie Kinsella dies at 55
U.S. charges allege Russia-linked plot to sabotage water systems
Federal officials unsealed charges in Los Angeles against Ukrainian national Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova, accusing her of conspiring with Russia-linked groups CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn and NoName to damage protected computers and tamper with U.S. public water systems. Dubranova, extradited earlier this year, pleaded not guilty. She faces a statutory maximum of 27 years on counts including conspiracy, damaging protected computers, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The EPA, FBI Los Angeles, and the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security led the probe, noting NoName claimed credit for hundreds of attacks on government agencies, financial institutions, and infrastructure like railways and ports. EPA officials framed the case as a warning and highlighted new cyber resources released on October 23. Serious problem, serious posture, and for the record the defendant is presumed innocent.
Colts place Charvarius Ward on injured reserve, elevate Brett Rypien
Indianapolis moved cornerback Charvarius Ward to injured reserve and signed quarterback Brett Rypien off the practice squad. Midweek depth shuffle, because the NFL calendar respects neither rhythm nor sanity.
House GOP drifts as ACA subsidies near a cliff
With key Affordable Care Act subsidies expiring at year’s end, Speaker Mike Johnson floated a grab bag of 10 possible policies that might see votes sometime between soon and never. Inside the closed-door huddle, members reported general uneasiness because nothing is coming together. Another offered the executive summary: We wasted so much time. Governance by vibes, results optional.
Judge authorizes release of Epstein grand jury records
A federal judge in New York said the 2019 grand jury files in the case against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein can be made public, an uncommon step toward transparency in a saga long insulated by secrecy and influence. The documents could shed light on charging decisions and institutional failures that allowed him to operate for years.
Trump's trade pitch: fewer pencils, more steel
At a Pennsylvania rally, Donald Trump argued Americans can give up 37 pencils and extra dolls because you always need steel, then assured the crowd we are doing things right. Prosperity through stationery austerity, sharpen the steel, dull the pencils.
Proposal aims to let Congress overturn presidential pardons
Rep. Johnny Olszewski is pushing a constitutional amendment to let Congress override presidential pardons and commutations. The pitch is oversight and accountability, fewer get out of jail free cards for friends and fixers, more daylight on clemency. Of course, it still needs approval by two thirds of Congress and three fourths of the states, because even reform has to survive the legislative ninja course.
Sophie Kinsella, best-selling Shopaholic author, dies at 55
The British novelist died of brain cancer, and tributes are pouring in from fans and fellow writers honoring the creator who turned retail misadventure into a global phenomenon. A warm, witty voice gone far too soon.
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This podcast is a fully automated experiment in AI-generated content. Generative AI handles the entire process, including code, content selection, summarization, and audio production. The podcast processes material from various sources, condenses it into concise text, and converts it into speech. No human intervention is involved in the production process.
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