Free Republic

Local officials in Russia say an explosion at an optical plant in the city of Sergiyev Posad, about 70 kilometers outside Moscow, killed one person and injured at least 43 people on August 9. Five of the injured are in intensive care with serious burns or head injuries, according to the city administration's Telegram account. Some of the 43 people admitted to a regional hospital have shrapnel injuries, it said. Officials at the city’s central hospital said that a woman had succumbed to wounds sustained in the blast. Independent Telegram channel Baza shared images of a tall cloud of smoke...

The Armed Forces of Ukraine were able to break through the first line of Russian defense on the left bank of the Dnipro, and take control of the settlement of Kozachi Laheri, dialog.ua reports. The Russian military is sounding the alarm, reporting a serious advance of the Ukrainian army units, which were able to force the Dnipro and take control of the settlement of Kozachi Laheri on the left bank, breaking through the first line of Russian defense in this area. Russian military Yegor Guzenko (call sign “Thirteenth”) reports this on his Telegram channel, noting the rapid deterioration of the...

By the time the College Football Playoff selection committee gets ready to reveal the final four in early December, the opening week of the season will have faded into the rearview. Teams that have plowed through their conference schedules can make a strong final impression by winning their league title games, while at the same time hoping other contenders suffer a late L. But the matchups that take place early in the season can carry just as much weight in the eyes of the committee. Whether it’s two blue bloods squaring off in an NFL dome or a fringe top-10...

OPEC's last hurrah?Commentary: Long-lasting consequences if cartel failsBy Joe DuarteLast Update: 12:04 AM ET Jan. 11, 2003 NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Are OPEC's days numbered? The possibility is higher than most people are willing to admit. As the U.S. nears its almost certain invasion of Iraq, and potentially establishes a long term foothold in the Middle East, events are likely to follow that will change the world as we know it perhaps for the rest of the 21st century.Even as the major media postulates that oil prices could reach $40 to $50 per barrel it is important to note that...