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AMERICANALMANAC (Sadie Smith) - FBI turned to 'Sammy the Bull' Gravano to ask whether Comey understood mob meaning of '86'

Federal investigators interviewed one of the most notorious mob turncoats in American history to build their case that former FBI Director James Comey knew exactly what "86" meant when he posted it alongside the number "47", and his own defense team's filing may have handed prosecutors a damaging admission. A sworn affidavit filed by Comey's […] The post FBI turned to 'Sammy the Bull' Gravano to ask whether Comey understood mob meaning of '86' appeared first on American Almanac .

Federal investigators interviewed one of the most notorious mob turncoats in American history to build their case that former FBI Director James Comey knew exactly what "86" meant when he posted it alongside the number "47", and his own defense team's filing may have handed prosecutors a damaging admission. A sworn affidavit filed by Comey's defense lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald reveals that an FBI case agent called Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, the former underboss of the Gambino crime family, on May 8, 2026, to discuss an upcoming interview about Comey's now-deleted Instagram post. During that call, Gravano told the agent he believed Comey "had to know" what the term "86" meant "as it related to killing someone." Comey faces two…Open

Did Gravano claim that Comey's post was a direct personal threat to the president?
No; the affidavit notes that Gravano did not claim the post was a statement threatening that Comey would personally kill the president, but rather saw it as a general incitement.
Q&A ID 8c6fb057-7ecd-4ff3-b8cd-e10764fd6a44
What was James Comey's explanation for the Instagram post during his May 2025 interview with MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace?
Comey stated he did not arrange the seashells himself, had "no dark intention" regarding the post, and believed the arrangement was "a clever way to express a political view."
Q&A ID ccaafd8b-2f2c-4e12-a8f9-e1ec23e3d254
How did Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano characterize James Comey's seashell Instagram post?
Gravano characterized the post as a "call for violence against President Trump," using the phrase "let's kill Trump" to describe the message he believed it conveyed, though he noted it was a general incitement rather than a direct personal threat.
Q&A ID 1a0b3586-8873-44dc-9322-1f515f0fdff3
What did Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano tell an FBI agent during a phone call on May 8, 2026?
During the call, Gravano told the agent he believed James Comey "had to know" what the term "86" meant as it related to killing someone.
Q&A ID fdc19c03-8d43-4944-aad3-6ccf2fbf247b

AMERICANALMANAC (Sadie Smith) - Walz blocks mining near Boundary Waters, hands China a strategic advantage over U.S. minerals

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order blocking mining permits near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a move Republicans say undermines federal law, kills union jobs, and strengthens China's grip on critical minerals. Walz's order halts state agencies from reviewing or processing permits for proposed mining projects in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed […] The post Walz blocks mining near Boundary Waters, hands China a strategic advantage over U.S. minerals appeared first on American Almanac .

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order blocking mining permits near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a move Republicans say undermines federal law, kills union jobs, and strengthens China's grip on critical minerals. Walz's order halts state agencies from reviewing or processing permits for proposed mining projects in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed in northeast Minnesota, home to the Duluth Complex, the largest known untapped source of nickel and copper in North America. The order also directs the state Department of Natural Resources to draft legislation that would ban nonferrous mining in the watershed permanently and prevents Minnesota from participating as a cooperating agency in any federal environmental…Open

What specific legislative leader is associated with the bill that overturned the mining moratorium?
Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., led the legislation in Congress.
Q&A ID d79d8b4a-a77b-4854-a64c-4f6f2c077adf
What is the planned expiration date for Governor Walz's executive order?
The executive order is expected to expire by next April, which is 90 days after Walz leaves office.
Q&A ID 16a0dfc9-0ece-466e-867a-0513ea4f0cf2
How did Republican House Majority Whip Tom Emmer characterize Governor Walz's executive order?
Tom Emmer called the executive order "reckless and dangerous." He argued that the move empowers adversaries like the Communist Party of China and Russia by shifting mineral extraction to countries with weaker environmental oversight instead of mining them in the United States under strict environmental laws.
Q&A ID 97fa3286-d22f-42c0-b25c-35dfd5899f5a
Which minerals are found in the Duluth Complex and what are they used for?
The Duluth Complex contains copper, nickel, and palladium. These metals are used in various products, including cell phones, automobiles, and military equipment.
Q&A ID 4c35ecfb-ed0b-4d7a-a248-66bf2c107fcc

AMERICANALMANAC (Alex Tanzer) - Meghan Markle loses role in Guy Ritchie's Netflix series after British backlash proved 'untenable'

Meghan Markle's bid to return to acting collapsed within days after public fury in Britain forced producers to pull her from consideration for a role in Guy Ritchie's Netflix hit "The Gentlemen", a setback that raises fresh questions about the Sussexes' planned move back to England. Royal biographer Tina Brown broke the news on her […] The post Meghan Markle loses role in Guy Ritchie's Netflix series after British backlash proved 'untenable' appeared first on American Almanac .

Meghan Markle's bid to return to acting collapsed within days after public fury in Britain forced producers to pull her from consideration for a role in Guy Ritchie's Netflix hit "The Gentlemen", a setback that raises fresh questions about the Sussexes' planned move back to England. Royal biographer Tina Brown broke the news on her Substack, writing that the casting of Markle in Season 3 of the crime-comedy series had been withdrawn after reports of the potential role surfaced just one day earlier. Brown, the former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, said the British reaction left no room for negotiation. Fox News Digital reported that Brown wrote Saturday on her "Fresh Hell" Substack: "I learned this morning that the…Open

Has there been any public confirmation from the production team or Netflix regarding the casting withdrawal?
No, none of the key parties, including Guy Ritchie's production team, Netflix, or Archewell, have publicly confirmed or denied the casting withdrawal beyond Tina Brown's account.
Q&A ID f3b30e56-990f-42ba-b298-a7d56689ea6a
What are the reported annual costs associated with the couple's Montecito estate?
Reports indicate that the annual costs for the couple's Montecito estate may exceed $650,000.
Q&A ID a86a1fbb-16bd-4494-b664-1f4e9cedbc0a
What are the reported plans for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle regarding their move to England?
The Sussexes reportedly plan to move their family back to England by the end of the month, intending to live as private citizens in a private residence outside London and enroll their two children, Archie and Lilibet, in British schools.
Q&A ID 8387c2b1-7216-40aa-b281-c67532cf31a3
How quickly did the casting talks for Meghan Markle in Guy Ritchie's Netflix series collapse?
The reversal happened very quickly; reports that Markle was in early talks for the role emerged on Friday, and by Saturday morning, the deal was off.
Q&A ID addd31af-1320-4b18-ae80-4ab7011216e9

AMERICANALMANAC (Jack Newsome) - Red Lobster revives Endless Shrimp after the promotion helped drive it into bankruptcy

Red Lobster is betting customers will line up again for the all-you-can-eat shrimp deal that helped rack up millions in losses and push the chain into Chapter 11, only this time, the company says it has fixed what went wrong. The seafood chain relaunched its Endless Shrimp promotion on August 17 at participating locations nationwide, […] The post Red Lobster revives Endless Shrimp after the promotion helped drive it into bankruptcy appeared first on American Almanac .

Red Lobster is betting customers will line up again for the all-you-can-eat shrimp deal that helped rack up millions in losses and push the chain into Chapter 11, only this time, the company says it has fixed what went wrong. The seafood chain relaunched its Endless Shrimp promotion on August 17 at participating locations nationwide, barely two years after the deal's financial fallout contributed to dozens of restaurant closures and a bankruptcy filing. The limited-time offer lets diners mix and match five shrimp preparations for one price, eat as much as you want, any way you want it, a pitch that sounds almost identical to the one that nearly sank the company. Red Lobster insists this time is different. The company told Fox News Digital…Open

Does the current Endless Shrimp promotion have a specified end date?
No, while the CEO stated the promotion would be available for a limited time only, neither he nor the company specified a particular end date.
Q&A ID 80923483-db67-4d8b-8e8a-acf60a082de2
Who is the current CEO of Red Lobster, and what was his stated goal in June 2026?
The CEO is Damola Adamolekun, a 37-year-old who declared in June 2026 that he was planning "the greatest comeback in the history of the restaurant industry."
Q&A ID 4f7d77c3-ab06-4fc7-935f-37b39d13ad37
How did the original Endless Shrimp promotion affect Red Lobster's financial status?
The original promotion generated millions of dollars in losses, which contributed to the chain closing dozens of locations in May 2024 and subsequently filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Q&A ID 745e0813-c863-43c1-ace8-cd2a25a04436
When did Red Lobster relaunch its Endless Shrimp promotion at participating locations nationwide?
The seafood chain relaunched the Endless Shrimp promotion on August 17, 2026.
Q&A ID ad59591a-eb59-4e23-a9e4-2e651f594d8c

AMERICANALMANAC (Sadie Smith) - Army Secretary Dan Driscoll reportedly planning departure amid friction with Hegseth

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is looking to leave the Pentagon around the end of 2026 after a months-long power struggle with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a departure that could cut short an ambitious modernization push. Multiple sources told The Hill that Driscoll, a former venture capitalist and ally of Vice President Vance, has been eyeing […] The post Army Secretary Dan Driscoll reportedly planning departure amid friction with Hegseth appeared first on American Almanac .

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is looking to leave the Pentagon around the end of 2026 after a months-long power struggle with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a departure that could cut short an ambitious modernization push. Multiple sources told The Hill that Driscoll, a former venture capitalist and ally of Vice President Vance, has been eyeing the door for weeks. A former White House official and a separate source familiar with the discussions both pointed to a departure timeline around year's end. A U.S. official granted anonymity confirmed hearing a similar window. A third source familiar with the situation framed the timeline differently, saying Driscoll has long communicated that "between 23 and 24 months is the lifetime of an Army…Open

Who is Gen. Christopher LaNeve and what is his current status regarding Senate confirmation?
Gen. Christopher LaNeve is the Army's vice chief of staff and a former military aide to Hegseth; his confirmation remains in question due to objections from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, though the specific nature of those objections has not been made public.
Q&A ID 33d5773c-4af5-403d-baa5-ee563fe67893
How did the Senate vote to confirm Dan Driscoll?
The Senate confirmed Dan Driscoll in a 66-28 vote on February 25 of last year.
Q&A ID 5272b8e7-9739-4c19-91f0-d3ee02e4ee15
Who replaced Gen. Randy George as the Army's chief of staff?
Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army's vice chief of staff and a former military aide to Hegseth, was appointed to replace Gen. George.
Q&A ID 4a53f048-e237-401c-99fe-9c5a595a2963
What were the key goals of the agenda pursued by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll?
Driscoll's agenda included improving living conditions for service members, modernizing equipment, and studying how Ukrainian forces utilized commercial technology on the modern battlefield.
Q&A ID c467898d-26bb-42e7-876e-eb53ffa9bddd

AMERICANALMANAC (Alex Tanzer) - Pasta factory expansion in Italy unearths a 2,600-year-old necropolis packed with rare artifacts

A routine construction project at a pasta plant near Naples turned into one of Italy's most remarkable recent archaeological finds, a sprawling ancient burial ground filled with Egyptian, Greek, and Etruscan treasures. Workers breaking ground on an expansion at the Pasta Garofalo factory in Gragnano, a small town near Naples long famous for its pasta-making […] The post Pasta factory expansion in Italy unearths a 2,600-year-old necropolis packed with rare artifacts appeared first on American Almanac .

A routine construction project at a pasta plant near Naples turned into one of Italy's most remarkable recent archaeological finds, a sprawling ancient burial ground filled with Egyptian, Greek, and Etruscan treasures. Workers breaking ground on an expansion at the Pasta Garofalo factory in Gragnano, a small town near Naples long famous for its pasta-making tradition, did not expect to hit stone burial chambers. But between 2025 and 2026, archaeologists excavating the site ahead of construction uncovered a necropolis dating to the first half of the sixth century B.C., roughly 2,600 years old, predating the rise of the Roman Empire by centuries. The company announced the findings in July. Rows of tombs held human remains, pottery, and a…Open

Who is the CEO of Pasta Garofalo, and what was his reaction to the discovery?
Massimo Menna is the CEO of Pasta Garofalo. He stated that the find fills the company with "great pride and a profound sense of responsibility" and framed it as an obligation to care for the places where they operate.
Q&A ID b5d3bfaa-b0da-473d-8c8d-556f19a9c92e
Why is the discovery of the Gragnano necropolis significant regarding ancient trade?
The variety of civilizations represented—Egyptian, Greek, and Etruscan—suggests the territory of Gragnano served as a central crossroads in Mediterranean trade networks, connecting North Africa to central Italy.
Q&A ID 0d0df837-c77a-40fc-8cda-940ca8c5e76a
What is the estimated age and historical period of the necropolis found in Gragnano?
The necropolis dates to the first half of the sixth century B.C., making it roughly 2,600 years old. It dates to the Archaic period of Mediterranean history, which predates the rise of the Roman Empire by centuries.
Q&A ID 33138b9f-eaa9-4219-b7a3-f8bce0a16e1c
What was discovered during a routine construction project at a pasta plant near Naples, Italy?
A sprawling 2,600-year-old ancient burial ground, or necropolis, was discovered during an expansion project at the Pasta Garofalo factory in Gragnano. This site contains Egyptian, Greek, and Etruscan treasures and is described as a "city of the dead."
Q&A ID aa31e898-20be-4758-89a7-43db8d7e7ff8

AMERICANALMANAC (Alan Benson) - Trump hits Canada with 50% tariffs as Carney walks away from trade talks

President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian imports after Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended trade negotiations and recalled his team to Ottawa, and now both sides are blaming the other for the collapse. Trump's tariffs took effect early Saturday, hours before Carney pulled his negotiators from the table and accused Washington […] The post Trump hits Canada with 50% tariffs as Carney walks away from trade talks appeared first on American Almanac .

President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian imports after Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended trade negotiations and recalled his team to Ottawa, and now both sides are blaming the other for the collapse. Trump's tariffs took effect early Saturday, hours before Carney pulled his negotiators from the table and accused Washington of springing last-minute demands that amounted to an assault on Canadian sovereignty. Canada answered with a promise of dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs on American goods, set to hit September 8, the Tuesday after Labor Day. By Sunday, Trump had broken his silence. In his first public comments since the talks fell apart, the president posted on Truth Social : "Canada wants the…Open

What is the current status of scheduled trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada following the collapse of the talks?
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that no additional trade negotiations with Canada have been scheduled.
Q&A ID dec22af2-789a-4ed6-a098-f21746973297
What was the reasoning provided by Jamieson Greer regarding why Canada walked away from the negotiations?
Jamieson Greer stated that Canada walked away from terms that the two sides had already agreed to, and that Canada rejected a deal that would have given them even better terms than they previously had.
Q&A ID 425e4ca1-4d32-47d8-8e0e-1af695fef773
What concessions did U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer claim the United States offered to Canada?
Jamieson Greer stated the U.S. offered to cut tariffs on steel, autos, and lumber.
Q&A ID 6c2c2575-17da-4e25-a520-833cc452b293
What specific sectors did Prime Minister Mark Carney announce would be targeted by Canada's retaliatory tariffs?
The retaliatory tariffs announced by Carney will target steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.
Q&A ID 179d9a36-ee68-4171-b159-d6caf3f9c051

AMERICANALMANAC (Ken Jacobs) - Virginia Democrat concedes 'failure' after illegal immigrant who killed landlord fled to Tajikistan on facility pass

A Tajik national committed to a Virginia psychiatric facility after being found not guilty by reason of insanity in his landlord's killing used escorted outings, including one to his home country's embassy, to obtain a passport and airline ticket, then fled the United States. Abdulloi Doniyor Toshpulodzoda walked away from the Northern Virginia Mental Health […] The post Virginia Democrat concedes 'failure' after illegal immigrant who killed landlord fled to Tajikistan on facility pass appeared first on American Almanac .

A Tajik national committed to a Virginia psychiatric facility after being found not guilty by reason of insanity in his landlord's killing used escorted outings, including one to his home country's embassy, to obtain a passport and airline ticket, then fled the United States. Abdulloi Doniyor Toshpulodzoda walked away from the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Falls Church on a 48-hour authorized pass and boarded a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, then continued to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. He left on July 6, 2026, just days after a judge found he remained mentally ill and ordered him to stay confined for inpatient treatment. The New York Post reported that Virginia law permits mental health facilities to grant committed…Open

What is the current legal situation regarding Abdulloi Doniyor Toshpulodzoda's ability to be returned to the United States?
Authorities have issued a bench warrant and federal alerts for Toshpulodzoda, with the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney's Office stating he would be arrested and brought to Virginia if he re-enters the U.S. However, he is currently in Tajikistan, a Central Asian nation that has no extradition treaty with the United States.
Q&A ID 0891b4d1-382e-4d30-9809-3666658c3326
What specific actions did Abdulloi Doniyor Toshpulodzoda take during escorted outings to facilitate his flight from the United States?
Toshpulodzoda used two escorted outings to obtain necessary travel documents and tickets: a 2024 trip to the Tajik embassy in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C., where he obtained a passport, and a second trip to an apartment in Alexandria, where he obtained an airline ticket to Dushanbe.
Q&A ID 2c9280ee-cf73-474b-98a3-38fa1fc35e82
Who is the Tajik national that fled the United States from a Virginia psychiatric facility, and what was his legal status regarding the death of his landlord?
Abdulloi Doniyor Toshpulodzoda is a Tajik national who was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the 2019 killing of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian. Following that ruling, he was committed to the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute.
Q&A ID 672586cf-a857-4e5c-ad19-f3b8791d4fea

AMERICANALMANAC (Alex Tanzer) - Mamdani's $70 million city-owned grocery plan could stick New York taxpayers with the bill twice

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is spending $70 million in taxpayer money to open government-run grocery stores, and now the city is exploring additional tax breaks and subsidies for the private grocers his plan threatens to undercut. The administration's Economic Development Corporation confirmed to Fox News Digital that it is looking at tax abatements, […] The post Mamdani's $70 million city-owned grocery plan could stick New York taxpayers with the bill twice appeared first on American Almanac .

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is spending $70 million in taxpayer money to open government-run grocery stores, and now the city is exploring additional tax breaks and subsidies for the private grocers his plan threatens to undercut. The administration's Economic Development Corporation confirmed to Fox News Digital that it is looking at tax abatements, incentives, and zoning benefits through existing city programs to "alleviate cost pressures for small businesses across the city." That admission came after EDC official Waverly Neer publicly told NY1 the agency was considering grants and incentives to support local independent businesses in neighborhoods where the municipal stores would open. The sequence is striking. The city plans to…Open

What role does the city require a single operator to manage in the East Harlem location?
The city is demanding that a single operator handle procurement, delivery, and all store operations.
Q&A ID 09b445ed-14bd-4a43-a8d9-65377c8f9678
What has happened to the KC Sun Fresh grocery store in Kansas City?
The KC Sun Fresh, which received $750,000 in taxpayer funds, lost $885,000 last year and serves approximately 4,000 shoppers per week, with shelves reported as being nearly bare.
Q&A ID 6c9a3b84-90f4-48f8-9865-cefd75f6f0ef
What does E.J. Antoni of the Heritage Foundation claim regarding the 30% discount and the 2% profit margin of grocery stores?
Antoni states that a 30% markdown on goods sold at a 2% profit margin does not produce savings, but rather produces a deficit that taxpayers will have to cover.
Q&A ID 1c026e91-0985-47c3-a7e0-a22c40649c57
According to the city's Economic Development Corporation, what roles will private operators have in the stores?
Private operators will handle day-to-day work, staffing, merchandising, and sourcing, while the city sets operating standards and pricing requirements.
Q&A ID d8e2b124-df33-4ab3-9f50-c1c331560cd9

NYTIMES (Erika Solomon) - Iran Warns Gulf States Not to Join Trump’s Economic War

Iran’s new hard-line national security adviser, Mohsen Rezaei, vowed to prevent “a single drop of oil” from leaving the region.

What specific warning did Iran issue to Gulf States regarding Donald Trump's economic policies?
Iran warned Gulf States not to join Trump’s economic war.
Q&A ID 18814e3a-5f1c-4ef1-8162-edbbcd842343
What did Iran's new national security adviser, Mohsen Rezaei, vow regarding oil exports from the region?
Mohsen Rezaei vowed to prevent “a single drop of oil” from leaving the region.
Q&A ID 6b76e6cd-95ca-4a6c-98bd-e3b774897417