Is it possible that NATO forces could become directly involved in the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine?
Until recently, such a question seemed very hypothetical given the high risks of escalation of the military confrontation between the US-led bloc and Russia into a large-scale armed conflict. But this scenario should be taken seriously now, writes Ivan Timofeev, programme director of the Valdai Club
“A significant escalation factor that would amplify the risk of a direct clash between Russia and NATO, could be the appearance of military contingents form bloc members on the territory of Ukraine. The prospect of such a scenario has already been mentioned by some Western politicians, although their view has not been supported by the US and isn’t an official NATO position.”
“Each of these scenarios involves a direct clash between Russian and NATO forces. Such a situation would inevitably raise the question of deeper bloc involvement and, in the longer term, the transfer of military conflict to other areas of contact with Russia, including the Baltic region. At this stage, it will be even more difficult to stop the escalation. The more losses both sides suffer, the more the maelstrom of hostilities will grow and the closer they will come to the threshold of using nuclear weapons. And there will be no winners.”
https://www.rt.com/russia/599286-russia-nato-ukraine-conflict/
🇺🇸⛽️ 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 ...
I heard about this meeting then found out it actually happened. Had Grok give a run down.
Cardinal McElroy — Labor Day Sermon, September 6, 2026
Sermon details
• Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
• Location: Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C.
• Organized by the Catholic Labor Network and the Archdiocese of Washington; reception co-sponsored by the D.C. labor federation
Who attended the Silicon Valley trip
• Cardinal Robert McElroy — Archbishop of Washington
• Cardinal Blase Cupich — Archbishop of Chicago
• Cardinal Joseph Tobin — Archbishop of Newark
• They spent several days in August with the leaders of the AI teams at the so-called frontier labs. The engineers spoke openly about AI’s destructive elements, including the work question.
Was the meeting secret?
• Yes — unannounced at the time. The only source that mentions it, Letters from Leo, says explicitly it was “a trip no outlet has reported.” Nothing surfaced in August from ...