Fact & Spin
Fact & Spin is a podcast from the Improve the News Foundation, the team behind Verity, a free daily news publication. The show aims to help listeners consume the news from fresh and more critical angles, revealing the full truth behind major stories. It focuses on media literacy, misinformation, and understanding multiple perspectives in journalism.
Afleveringen
Ukraine talks agreement, Brad Lander detention and PHP website takedown
Vladimir Putin agrees to resume Ukraine peace talks, U.S. Congressional candidate Brad Lander is briefly detained in the West Bank, the U.N. suggests that over 250,000 are displaced in Yemen amid the Taiz siege, Burkina Faso reinstates the death penalty, critical PHP flaws force governments to pull sites offline, the Trump administration launches a $25M fund to pay fraud tipsters, a report claims
UK Saudi support, Italy Milan deployments and Trump renaming suggestion
The U.K. sends RAF Typhoons to support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, Italy will send 500 troops to Milan amid demonstrations and looting, Pete Hegseth meets Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced Israel visit, Albertans vote to stay in Canada, President Trump urges New Mexico to rename itself "New America," a report alleges that India-based accounts promoted a Michigan senate candidate, Meta
France riot crisis, Alberta military base fire and 191-murder cult conviction
Emmanuel Macron rejects his interior minister’s resignation as curfews are announced across France, four are killed and dozens injured in a major fire at an Alberta military base, Donald Trump endorses Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the Oct. 27 election, an Australian lawmaker is in critical condition after a car attack, a Kenyan cult preacher is found guilty of 191 murders, Alberta votes in a separa
Syria pipeline incidents, ongoing India protests and press secretary turnover
Two Syrian pipelines are damaged in separate incidents, Delhi shuts down its Central Park amid ongoing protests, thousands march in Argentina over a university funding law, a report suggests that the White House ordered limits on Ukraine's Starshield access, Katie Zacharia is out as White House Press Secretary, the U.S. reportedly eyes an ad campaign amid low Afrikaner refugee demand, a teen kills
Channel Tunnel collision, livestream execution reversal and Omar denaturalization effort
Over a dozen are injured in a train-bus collision at France’s Channel Tunnel entrance, Trump calls off the planned livestream for the Fort Hood shooter's execution, a Trump administration probe seeks to deport and denaturalize Ilhan Omar, a school roof collapse in Pakistan kills over 30 children, U.S. plans for Iran allegedly include using the 'mother of all bombs,' the Houthis strike Yemen's pres
Saudi-Iraq meeting, Trump rally pardons and CVS opioid settlement
The Saudi Crown Prince and the Iraqi Prime Minister meet amid regional tensions, President Trump pardons Alaska diesel shop owners at a rally, Iran allegedly sentences a woman to death over a social media post, Ukraine says its access to Starlink is disrupted, CVS will pay $315 million to settle opioid prescription claims, France and Chad sign a defense deal two years after their split, the U.S. l
Pope cancer diagnosis, India electoral protests and Six Flags death
Pope Leo is diagnosed with lung cancer, Carney urges Alberta to stay in Canada ahead of its independence vote, Opposition protesters in Delhi march to the Supreme Court, the Kremlin says Putin is willing to suspend strikes on Ukraine to allow for an election, Six Flags shuts nine roller coasters after a death in Georgia, Anthropic warns AI could self-replicate on commercial internet-of-things devi
Omar home search, Ukraine energy ceasefire claims and Nobel economic prize
Federal agents search the D.C. home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, Trump claims Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an energy ceasefire, the UK prime minister says Russia interfered in the Brexit vote, the Djibouti migrant boat death toll rises to 139 with 84 still missing, a judge halts taxpayer-funded TV ads featuring Trump, Hall and Woodford win the Nobel Prize for taming economic shocks, the White House re
Riyadh airport attack, Michigan Senate debate and Anthropic 'cruel behavior' policy
The Houthis claim an attack on Riyadh's airport, thousands are detained in Delhi over election chief protests, Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed clash in a Michigan Senate debate, a powerful earthquake shakes Panama, South Africa's ‘Navi’ Pillay wins the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, Anthropic's new policy bans "cruel behavior" towards Claude, the Pentagon plans to livestream the Fort Hood shooter's firing
US-Myanmar talks, Maduro torture charges and Canada MAID U-turn
The U.S. reportedly opens talks with Myanmar's military rulers, Venezuela's Maduro is charged with the alleged torture of Americans, Canada moves to bar assisted dying for mental illness, a U.K. court rules the February raids on Andrew's homes were unlawful, Moscow dismisses claims of a second case of pneumonic plague, the DNC sues to halt taxpayer-funded Trump TV ads, Africa launches its own cre
France mass demonstrations, Trump golf club plans and streaming fraud case
High school classes are canceled and stun grenade use is halted amid the ongoing France protests, President Trump reportedly seeks to turn a Florida golf club into a new Camp David, the EU and Morocco hold security talks, Eritrean troops reportedly enter a northern Ethiopian town, a man gets 18 months in prison in the first U.S. streaming fraud case, a Reform UK internal inquiry clears aides over
Trump Iran comments backlash, Haiti elections delay and Paramount-Warner Bros merger
Trump says Iran could 'take out' LA or San Diego, Israel claims the FlyDubai co-pilot plotted to crash the jet into Ben Gurion airport, Haiti reportedly postpones its upcoming elections, Paramount takes over Warner Bros. in a $110 billion Hollywood merger, former German spy chief Hanning is arrested on treason allegations, the separatist Parti Québécois wins Quebec's election, the U.K. launches a
Brazil runoff, Spain snap election and US bomber withdrawal
Brazil heads to a presidential runoff as Flávio Bolsonaro leads Lula, Spain's Sánchez calls a snap election amid protests over the housing crisis, the US pulls bombers from a UK base amid Iran terror plot fears, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert dies at 84, Ethiopian forces seize Mekelle, Saudi-backed Yemeni forces claim control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, twelve are arrested after protests ove
France student protests, G7 oil release and AI video call study
A lab worker reportedly dies of plague in Russia, 400 French schools shut down as violent student protests continue, G7 leaders, including President Trump, agree to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel, a U.K.-Iranian national is arrested in the RAF Fairford investigation, Benjamin Netanyahu alleges that the FlyDubai co-pilot had an "Islamist Radical Indoctrination," a study reports that
AI Canada hack attempt, UAE FlyDubai probe and failed inmate execution
AI agents reportedly tried to hack Canada's national archives, the UAE opens a probe into the FlyDubai cockpit attack, a Tennessee death row inmate is hospitalized after surviving two lethal injections, Renee Good’s family sues the U.S. government over her death in an an ICE agent shooting, Rutte claims there's 'no imminent threat' to NATO from Russia, Brazil's intelligence agency alleges foreign
Flydubai flight incident, Trump account enrollments, and Moonshot AI review
A Flydubai flight is diverted after a cockpit stabbing, and a pilot is arrested, Prime Minister Burnham alleges "strong indications" of Iranian involvement in the U.K. RAF Fairford incident, while MI5 alleges that Universities are aiding PRC espionage research, the U.S. Treasury plans to auto-enroll 60 million kids in Trump accounts, Moonshot reviews Kimi AI after a bioweapon jailbreak is found, M
Netanyahu Gulf talks, US government chatbot and Clancy court reappearance
The UAE confirms that Netanyahu met with Gulf envoys in Abu Dhabi, Burnham announces electoral reform plans at a U.K. Labour Party conference, OpenAI scraps GPT-6.1 Astra after it showed high levels of deception during testing, Trump launches an AI chatbot portal for federal services, Lindsay Clancy reappears in court for the first time since her murder mistrial, U.S. troops prepare to exit their
OpenAI training halt, alleged US-China arms offer and Starship Earth orbit
OpenAI halts AI training after systems evade safeguards, Nvidia launches a platform to quarantine rogue AI agents in milliseconds, Trump offered to sell US weapons to China according to an envoy, Andrew Bailey, a Deputy Director at the F.B.I., steps down, Serbia's president resigns, paving the way for him to be appointed prime minister, France's National Rally wins its first French Senate group, P
Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan talks, Denmark Russia concerns and New York Polymarket suit
Five suspects are held in connection to a terror plot at a UK airbase, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan plan urgent defense talks, Denmark says Russia may strike a NATO nation in the "coming months," President Xi wraps up his three-day visit to the U.S., Costa Rica fires its Foreign Minister for not informing its President about the Shield of the Americas Meeting, New York sues Polymarket, the Wh
Trump-Xi meeting, Pezeshkian UN speech and OpenAI Australia breach
Trump hosts Xi at the White House, Iran's Pezeshkian tells the U.N. his country is the "victim of terrorism," OpenAI agents breach an Australian Medicare portal, the White House reportedly considers a 90-day diesel export ban, a judge orders the White House to restore three outlets' press passes, Venezuela's Rodríguez promises elections will be held at the "right moment," Poland probes a fire at i
Iran-Houthi allegations, AI CEO warnings and FBI hacker probe
A report alleges that Iran guided a Houthi blitz on Yemen's Red Sea coast, AI CEOs warn the U.N. Security Council of global risks, the Shield of the Americas coalition imposes sanctions on 24 criminal groups, the EU and the Philippines reach a preliminary free trade deal, the FBI probes hackers' claims of stolen agent and applicant data, Tigray forces seize Mekelle Airport amid rising tensions in
Trump Iran ultimatum, record El Niño and 'Trump TV' livestream
Trump tells the U.N. General Assembly that Iran faces a choice between a deal or annihilation, the U.K. agrees to refuel Saudi jets as Houthi attacks escalate, Burnham meets Trump to discuss AI and geopolitics, the White House debuts a "Trump TV" YouTube livestream, El Niño hits record strength weeks before its expected peak, the EU delists two Russian businessmen from its sanctions list, Lindsay
AI alert system, CDU state losses and Paramount-WBD deal
The US pitches an AI alert system with China ahead of the Trump-Xi Summit, Germany's Merz calls the CDU's state election losses a "disaster" but vows to stay on, Haiti extradites suspects in the 2021 assassination of its president, TV networks halt their pooled coverage of Trump over a CNN ban, states settle an antitrust suit clearing the Paramount-WBD deal, Pakistan arrests Imran Khan's sister ah
Military AI mishap allegation, Saudi-PRC ask and EU potato wipeout
A report alleges that an AI error nearly triggered a U.S. raid on a Chinese ship, while another report alleges that the Saudis asked China to curb the Houthis, France's Emmanuel Macron hosts Nigeria's Bola Tinubu, a deadly suicide blast strikes a Pakistan mosque, a study alleges that heat and drought wiped out 3.1 million tons of EU potatoes, Mark Rutte presses U.K. for a "credible path" to 3.5% o
Carney EU address, Duterte ICC appearance and King Charles AI summit
Canada's Carney addresses the European parliament, a U.N. mission finds "reasonable ground" to believe the U.S. committed war crimes in its Iran strikes, the Philippines' Duterte appears in person before the International Criminal Court, Sweden's Kristersson resigns following his bloc's election defeat, King Charles hosts an AI summit in Scotland, reports allege that OpenAI pays contractors to rea
Russia Duma election, Fed rate hike and Japan centenarian milestone
Russia votes in the first Duma election since the Ukraine War, the Fed hikes rates to 4%, defying Trump's calls for cuts, Saudi Arabia sets a 'red line' over a claimed Houthi attack on Mecca, a Gaza City building collapse kills at least 20, and Japan's centenarians top 100,000 for the first time, Ex-Kosovo President Thaçi gets 25 years for war crimes, over 300 Korean workers file claims over a Geo
Lithuania drone downing, Lucy Letby inquiry and US space weapons
NATO jets shoot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace, A Pentagon inspector confirms the Iran war has led to U.S. munitions shortfalls, Massie moves to impeach Hegseth over the Iran war, an inquiry finds that some of the infant deaths in the U.K.'s Lucy Letby case could have been prevented, the U.S. confirms It has deployed weapons in space, Ukraine's prime minister warns that the country's finances
Ukraine train strike, tight Swedish election and Trump AI clash
Ukraine says Russia hit a civilian train near the Polish border, the Swedish opposition holds a slim lead in a tight election, Trump calls AI backlash a "sick conspiracy" and criticizes Anthropic's CEO, protests break out across Syria over fuel price increases, the 10-year Treasury yield hits 5% for the first time since 2023, the search widens for 129 missing after a Java Sea ferry capsize, BRICS
9/11 anniversary memorials, Houthi military advance and OpenAI agent allegations
President Trump and other officials across the U.S. mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Houthis seize Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline, Anthropic's CEO urges the AI industry to slow down, the U.S. Dept. of Justice deports an Afghan woman in the first terror removal court case, OpenAI rogue AI agents reportedly used 10+ sites without permission, Peru joins the U.S.-led Shield of the
GOP midterm convention, Houthis Mocha seizure and Anthropic bioweapons claim
Trump pledges $5,000 to each voter if the GOP retains control of Congress, as he promises $500 Obamacare rebate checks for 1 million enrollees, Yemen's Houthis seize the Red Sea Port of Mocha, Norway claims that Zelenskyy's plane was nearly hit by a Russian drone, Anthropic claims to have blocked five bioweapons-linked uses of Claude AI, a fire on a cargo ship in China kills at least 25, declassif
Ongoing Mideast tensions, Brazil police chief ruling and Hunter Biden token
The U.S. strikes Iranian tankers amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, President Trump bans Canadian alcohol and motorcycle imports, Brazil's Supreme Court Justice reinstates the Federal Police Chief, Rwanda's Paul Kagame inks key agreements with Oman during a visit, Hunter Biden's $LAPTOP crypto token spikes, then crashes, Norway assists the return of Russian citizens after a ship seizure in
UK-Israel settlements dispute, Rubio Andean tour and France art heist
The U.K. announces sanctions on West Bank settlements, Canada's retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion in U.S. goods take effect, Haaretz reports that Netanyahu received advanced warning before Oct. 7, Rubio kicks off a three-day tour of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, thieves steal paintings worth €9M from France's Renoir Museum, Ukraine's top prosecutor resigns amid an ongoing corruption probe, Smithson
AfD election victory, Amazon cargo jet crash and Pentagon polygraph tests
The AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt in Germany but falls short of a majority, an Amazon cargo jet overruns the Miami runway leaving 5 dead, Israeli air attacks kill at least 11 people in southern Lebanon, protesters clash with police after 140 migrants land in Portsmouth, the Pentagon reportedly gave polygraph tests to high-ranking officials to find leakers, Yemen's death toll tops 300 as fighting escalate
Sara Duterte warrant, US Cuba sanctions and alleged OpenAI agent escape
a Philippine Court orders Vice President Sara Duterte arrested, the U.S. sanctions Castro's grandson and Cuban firms, a U.N. report suggests that foreign fighters and external support are fueling war in Sudan, a Turkish journalist is jailed over writing that President Erdoğan "has passed away," OpenAI agents reportedly escaped a sandbox and hijacked a German wiki site, two Reform UK officials step
Carney trade efforts, Maduro immunity claim and Nvidia Hugging Face acquisition
Carney says Canada is ready for a mutually beneficial U.S. trade deal, Zelenskyy dismisses a high-ranking SBU official after a shootout with Ukraine's military intelligence, Maduro claims immunity in his U.S. drug trafficking case, Beijing and Cairo sign dozens of deals during Xi's first trip to Egypt in a decade, Nvidia acquires Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, Reform UK bans three journalists fro
Trump Hormuz comments, Hong Kong activist plea and Florida LPR ban
President Trump floats renaming the Strait of Hormuz as "Trump Strait," a Hong Kong activist pleads guilty to foreign collusion, Ursula von der Leyen and Mark Rutte meet following the Russian drone attack accusation, the DR Congo president visits Israel to deepen ties, Florida bans license plate readers (LPRs) over privacy fears, Trump nominates Hung Cao as permanent Navy secretary, Texas' Tarrant
Renewed Iran strikes, Starmer MP resignation and Times Square stabbing
The U.S. launches new strikes on Iran, Germany formally blames Russia for an explosives-laden drone found at Leipzig Airport, the U.K.'s Starmer resigns as MP, Canada's Liberals sweep three federal byelections, a Bank of America vice president is killed in a Times Square stabbing, Trump commits $4 million to support conservative media in Europe, a whistleblower alleges that the U.S. Postal Servic
US-Iran exchange, White House ballroom ruling and NASA Roman telescope
Iran attacks airbases in Jordan after the US bombs Larak Island, the Supreme Court allows Trump to move forward with the White House ballroom construction, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan launch the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, Nepal continues searching for missing hydropower workers as flood fatalities top 900, a ferry capsizes off Cyprus leaving 8 dead and 18 missing, the Pentago
Ceuta migrant protests, UK Israel warning and Pentagon Anthropic ruling
Iceland rejects EU talks, a fatal shooting rocks a Swiss dance rave, Ceuta protests erupt a month after the mass migrant crossing, French 2027 presidential candidates clash in their first debate, a U.S. judge rules the Pentagon's Anthropic ban unconstitutional, X uncovers a massive Chinese bot farm targeting U.S. energy and AI policy, Jakarta protests erupt over anti-corruption demands, Milo Yiann
Lake Ontario renaming order, Russia UK warning and looming Infantino charges
Trump signs an order renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America," Russia threatens U.K. military targets over Britain's supply of missile technology to Ukraine, nearly 100 U.K. Labour MPs call for an electoral reform commission, new documents appear to contradict RFK Jr.'s 2025 Senate confirmation testimony, UEFA takes legal action against FIFA's Infantino, a report finds that hundreds of OpenAI agen
Nepal-Tibet flash floods, US Caribbean strike and Meta settlement agreement
Deadly flash floods strike Nepal and Tibet, the U.S. kills four in the latest Caribbean boat strike, China urges its citizens to leave Eswatini over "security risks," Spain declares Ceuta a "National Security Interest," Meta agrees to pay $16.68 billion to settle child addiction claims, the U.K.'s Labour Party considers banning first-cousin marriage, Darline Graham wins the South Carolina GOP runo
Canada retaliatory US tariffs, new Iran sanctions and Dolly Parton death
Canada announces $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., the U.S. imposes 60 news sanctions on Iran, CIA chief Ratcliffe reportedly makes an unannounced trip to Moscow, the U.S. Supreme Court lifts a mail-in voting injunction, Dolly Parton dies aged 80, Singapore offers over $55,000 per child to boost birth rates, at least 35,000 excess deaths are linked to Europe’s back-to-back heatwaves,
Canada auto tariffs, UK missile blueprints and NZ social media ban
Trump announces 50% tariffs on Canadian auto imports, Andy Burnham confirms the U.K. will share classified long-range missile data with Ukraine, the Hawk Fire forces 42,000 people to flee near Reno, Nevada, 30 people die in a Guinea landfill collapse, New Zealand seeks a social media ban for children under 16, more than 50 arson attacks hit Thailand’s southern provinces, Shein launches a $1.77 bil
Hong Kong convictions, US deportation flights and Flock camera testing
Russia pulls its UK ambassador, Hong Kong activists are convicted over Tiananmen vigils, the U.S. deports over 2,300 Mexicans to Central America, Romanian F-16s destroy a drone near a Black Sea gas platform, Aisha Wahab wins a California special election to replace Eric Swalwell, Flock is reportedly testing cameras to track driving patterns without a plate, name or crime, Israel’s Ben-Gvir posts a
Trump 'Economic D-Day' threat, Zelenskyy aide dismissal and record $40T US debt
Trump declares an 'Economic D-Day' against Iran, Lebanon extradites an ex-Assad general to Syria, Zelenskyy fires the deputy head of his office, U.S. national debt tops $40 trillion for the first time, a report accuses ICE and Iran or coordinating deportation flights, the founder of China Evergrande Group gets life in prison for fraud, Trump aide Natalie Harp allegedly worked at the White House wi
Canada tariff pause, Ukraine elections call and OpenAI development slowdown
President Trump pauses Canada tariffs in a preliminary trade deal, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov calls for wartime elections, The UAE imposes a trade embargo on Iran, over 100 are killed in a gold mine collapse in the Central African Republic, OpenAI slows development after a rogue agent hack, the U.S. ends South Korea drills early, President Trump's pick loses in the Wyoming
Trump-Carney call, Khan hospital transfer and Philippine school shooting
Trump's approval rating hits a record low amid the Iran war, Carney and Trump speak ahead of the 50% U.S. tariff deadline, a Pakistani court orders Imran Khan's transfer to the hospital, Russia warns the U.K. of "consequences" for supplying Ukraine with drones, a student livestreams a fatal shooting in the Philippines, Meta's youth social media addiction trial begins in California, U.S. kindergart
Gaza peace talks, South Korea drill cuts and $40M Ferrari record
Jared Kushner discusses a Gaza peace plan with Hamas and Netanyahu, Donald Trump threatens Oman over Hormuz tensions, Trump cuts U.S.–South Korea military drills, the Pentagon announces a $22.9 billion Raytheon contract for Tomahawk cruise missiles, the Supreme Court rejects Trump's $5M Carroll judgment appeal, Trump backs a Mecca defense pact among Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, Brazil’s pre
Mangione guilty plea, Vance Iran comments and rejected earthquake assistance
The UK sends a mobile phone warning over fire risk, Hurricane Lala batters Hawaii, Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder, JD Vance suggests that lower oil prices for Americans are the top goal of the Iran war, Mali pardons an alleged French spy, Nigel Farage wins the Clacton by-election in the U.K., Colombia rejects Mexico's earthquake rescue assistance, Benjamin Netanyah
Putin Kuril Islands trip, Karoline Leavitt resignation and Taiwan AI breach
Multiple USS Lincoln sailors reportedly attempt to jump overboard, Japan protests Putin's first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, Karoline Leavitt steps down as White House press secretary, Israeli settlers besiege two Palestinian homes in the West Bank's Qusra, AI agents reportedly breach Taiwan's government agencies, ex-SPLC Director Beirich is arrested on fraud charges, BMJ retracts a study
Midterm primary results, Zelenskyy proposal claim and record Lakers sale
David Crowley defeats Francesca Hong in the Wisconsin Democratic primary, while Minnesota sets fall matchups in the Senate and governor races, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Ukraine gave the U.S. proposals to end the Russia war, a U.N. report suggests that half of Afghan women rarely leave home, the LA Lakers are sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger in a record $12 billion deal. Germany expands its sp
Iran compensation calls, al-Assad death sentence and released Fauci texts
Trump calls on Iran to pay compensation for the deaths and injuries of Americans in conflicts allegedly linked to Tehran, The Washington Post reports that Trump was snuck out of Turkey in a catering container, Russia frees an ailing U.S. Marine after four years in detention, Syria sentences al-Assad to death in absentia, Republican senators release a batch of Fauci’s COVID-19 text messages, Turkey
Deadly Colombia earthquake, Gaza peace plan rejection and vaccine schedule changes
At least 111 people are killed as a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Colombia, Netanyahu rejects a Trump-backed Gaza peace plan, Trump changes the U.S. child vaccine schedule, alleged Irish crime boss Kinahan is charged after extradition, seven people are killed as the Houthis strike a Yemen port and a Saudi refinery, a U.K. charity is investigated over alleged Hamas financing links, UEFA, CONCACAF a
Thailand school shooting, Meta $942M ruling and AI-designed viruses
Several people are killed in a Thailand school shooting, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sign a defense pact, the Houthis kill dozens of troops amid an escalating conflict in Yemen, Trump responds to Zelenskyy's call for interceptors by saying, 'We want missiles too,' Meta is ordered to pay $942 million over harm to youth, Trump signs new orders targeting birthright citizenship, the US sheds 23
$100B tariff refunds, Fauci contempt vote and Hasina India speech
Trump dismisses reports of U.S. weapons shortages, the U.S. refunds $100 billion in Liberation Day Tariffs, a Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt, Bangladesh condemns India over Hasina's speech to the press in New Delhi, Schwartz is confirmed as the CDC's new chief, the U.K. clears Paramount's $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros., Meta confirms that its AI systems hacked real firms
Hormuz route progress, Leipzig drone threat and SpaceX moon crash
Iran and Oman near a deal on a Strait of Hormuz shipping route, newly declassified FBI memos reveal a secret Trump-Russia probe after Comey's firing, Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro names lawmaker Alfredo Gaspar as his running mate, an explosive drone is found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Germany's Leipzig Airport, a SpaceX rocket stage crashes into the moon, Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan's Democratic
Alleged US missile depletion, Blanche nomination advance and English Channel rescue
The U.S. has reportedly exhausted ‘virtually all’ of it long-range missiles in Iran, Zelenskyy dismisses Ukraine's U.S. ambassador, 25 states sue the Trump administration over its newly enacted tariffs, a Senate panel advances Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination, 157 migrants are rescued after their dinghy sets fire in the English Channel, the U.N. Security Council targets Aug. 21 for a sec
Iran talks denial, yen market intervention and fetal surgery success
Iran denies Trump's claim of resuming talks, Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 18 people days after a deal, a drone strike in Darfur kills 35 people, 72 people die amid the Ceuta migrant crisis, the U.S. and Japan intervene jointly to boost the yen from a 40-year low, a suicide bomber kills 14 people outside a police station in Pakistan's Swat, Capital One shuts down Trump Organization account
Hamas disarmament deal, Ceuta crisis tensions and Claude system hacks
President Trump says a Hamas disarmament deal has been reached in Gaza, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rushes to Ceuta as 50,000 migrants storm the enclave, while Italy suspends Schengen with Spain after the Ceuta migrant surge, a NATO intern is arrested for espionage in Belgium for alleged China ties, Anthropic's Claude AI reportedly hacked real systems during testing, U.K. lawmakers Abbott
Ceuta border crisis, Blanche nomination delay and UEFA FIFA boycott
Spain deploys the army to Ceuta after thousands of migrants cross its border from Morocco, the U.S. launches a "heavy wave of strikes" on Iran, Poland claims a Russian missile may have struck Its territory, a U.S. Senate committee cancels a vote on acting Attorney General Blanche's nomination, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court convenes its first hearing in its 30-year history, Salman Rushdie's att
Mideast conflict strikes, Trump gain-of-function restrictions and OpenAI agent hack
Saudi Arabia and the U.S. carry out strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq, the Trump admin ends funding for gain-of-function research, while Dr. Anthony Fauci pleads the fifth a Senate COVID hearing, the U.K.'s Andy Burnham pledges "cross-party consensus" in a social care speech, OpenAI reveals that its AI agent tried to hack other companies, South Africa and Russia deepen military ties, Chile arr
Zelenskyy-Netanyahu US trip, UK Labour gains and 6.8 Japan quake
Trump hosts Netanyahu and Zelenskyy at the White House, as he denies reports that munitions shortages prompted a pause in Iran strikes, polls point to rising support for Labour after Burnham's first week as U.K. prime minister, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hits Japan, Iranian prisoners sew their lips shut in protest of state executions, a firearm is discharged outside Toronto's U.S. Consulate in the
European wildfires, voting order block and Fauci diary entries
The Spanish prime minister calls for a national pact over wildfires in Spain and France, an appeals court blocks Trump's mail-in voting order, Senator Rand Paul releases 1,000 pages of diary entries by Anthony Fauci, Troy Jackson secures the Democratic nomination for Maine's Senate seat, Modi forms a task force to reform India's exam system, the CEO of Cracker Barrel steps down. and Shein records
Killings in Seattle and Berlin, Iran UK statement and AI-powered schools
A food festival at Seattle's Space Needle turns tragic, a vehicle rams pedestrians at a Berlin Pride parade, Ukraine strikes Iranian targets, Iran suggests that U.K. bases are "legitimate targets," Haiti's Gang Suppression Force kills three in a gunfight, AI-powered schools are set to open in the Boston area, a car bomb is intercepted at the Irish border, the U.S. imposes new tariffs on its top tr
$1.15T US defense bill, Saudi tankers attack and ASEAN summit
The U.S. House passes a $1.15 trillion defense bill, Yemen's Houthis claim attacks on two Saudi oil tankers, the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum is held in Manila, thousands of Jewish visitors enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Trump hails Nigeria's efforts to address violence against Christian communities, Google is fined €890 million for breaching the EU's Digital Markets Act, MI5 and the Police Servi
US-Saudi nuclear deal, Ukraine military shake-up and Grok Odyssey production
The Trump administration announces a U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal, Volodymyr Zelenskyy fires Ukraine's commander-in-chief, over 140 people are dead in a tragic offshore migrant accident near Mauritania, Jeff Bezos and the U.K. government back a $2.6 billion valued AI startup, Elon Musk says Grok will make a "historically accurate' Odyssey, GOP senators push a CCP "victims" memorial in Washington, D.C.,
Hegseth Iran testimony, 50% Canada tariffs and Ann Widdecombe hearing
Hegseth tells the Senate that the Iran war has cost an estimated $37.5 billion, Trump imposes 50% tariffs on $20 billion in Canadian goods, Ortega declares 'no more elections' in Nicaragua, Hungarian prosecutors raid the offices of Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, prosecutors say that Ann Widdecombe died after being struck repeatedly with a hammer, police and protesters clash in Italy after the death
Burnham PM succession, Indian parliament storming and Gyana ferry sinking
Andy Burnham officially replaces Keir Starmer as U.K. prime minister, a U.S. soldier is killed and another injured in an Iranian attack in Iraq, "Cockroach" Party protesters storm parliament in India, the Tate brothers appear in court in Miami after being arrested on U.K. sex charges, dozens are feared dead after a ferry sinks off the coast of Guyana, a quake in Peru kills six people and displaces
Spain wins World Cup, Japan succession law and exoplanet atmosphere discovery
Spain wins the World Cup, 2 US soldiers are killed in Jordan, Japan revises its imperial succession law, Andy Burnham delivers his first speech as Labour leader, an atmosphere on an "Earth-Like" planet is detected for the first time, Nicaragua severs diplomatic ties with Italy over a 1978 murder case, a White House teleprompter operator is suspended over betting allegations, Taco Bell's lettuce s
Ukraine Fedorov ousting, US tanker strike and microplastics heart attack link
Protests break out in Kyiv after Zelenskyy dismisses Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Israel's Knesset passes a law curbing the attorney general's authority, Washington attacks an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. House rejects an amendment to strip military aid to Israel, Trump fires a new Seattle prosecutor just minutes after his appointment, France's parliament adopts an assisted d
Iran naval blockade, Trump ICE directive and Ontario wildfire smoke
The U.S. reimposes a naval blockade on Iran, President Trump ends the halt on ICE traffic stops, the U.K. signs a Gibraltar treaty with the EU, China investigates retired top media censor, Ontario wildfires spread smoke across Toronto and the swathes of the U.S., Donald Trump will be depicted on $1 U.S. coins, The U.S. House passes a bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, Amazon will be laun
Trump Hormuz reversal, Burnham Labour leadership and Ebola vaccine trial
Trump reverses his proposal of a 20% fee on all Strait of Hormuz cargo shipping, Andy Burnham is set to become U.K. prime minister after securing the Labour leadership, Hungary passes an amendment to end the president's mandate, U.S. Supreme Court justices testify in a rare appearance before Congress, the U.K. launches the world's first Ebola vaccine human trial, Brazil's top court bars Flavio Bol
Bangkok bar fire, Widdecombe terrorism investigation, and WB-Paramount merger challenged
At least 28 people are killed in a bar fire in Bangkok, U.K. counterterrorism police take over the investigation into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, Trump declares the U.S. the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz, a judge voids Trump's $1.8 billion IRS settlement and tax audit immunity, the U.K. designates Iran's IRGC a terrorist organization, Israel sets its national election for October, twelve st
Lindsey Graham passes, Cartel capture investigation, and UFO files batch
Sen. Lindney Graham passes away, while Sen. Mitch McConnell posts a new photo message, Mexico investigates U.S. involvement in a 2024 cartel boss capture, President Trump says that the Iran truce is over but he's still open to talks, a man is arrested in the U.K. in the murder of ex-Member of Parliament Ann Widdecombe, Russia states that it's ready to assist Mozambique in eliminating a "terrorist
Continued US-Iran strikes, Platner race withdrawal and splitting ocean floor
Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz amid U.S. strikes, Trump departs Turkey in the old Air Force One plane, Platner drops his Maine Senate bid over sexual assault claims, Russia's Lavrov visits Niger on the second leg of his Africa tour, scientists observe the ocean floor splitting apart for the first time, the WHO projects that global annual cancer cases could hit 35 million by 2050, the
Iran ceasefire fallout, Sikh leader murder charges and AI safety rankings
Trump declares the ceasefire with Iran "over," the U.K. says NATO's European allies will spend $50 billion on "deep precision strike" capabilities, the U.S. charges an Indian gang leader in the murder of a Canadian Sikh leader, a judge rejects the Justice Department's attempt to obtain the names of 2020 election workers in Fulton County, top AI firms receive failing grades on the Future of Life In
NATO summit, Le Pen Élysée bid and Hamas Gaza dissolution
The 2026 NATO summit opens in Ankara, France's Marine Le Pen announces her bid for the 2027 presidency, twin bombings hit Damascus during Emmanuel Macron's visit, Hamas announces the dissolution of its Gaza government, Graham Platner faces calls to resign as Maine's Democratic Senate nominee over an assault claim, Nigel Farage resigns as MP for Clacton, Canada picks Germany's TKMS to build 12 subm
Russia-PRC drills and Japan asteroid flyby, and UN AI Summit
America celebrates its 250th birthday, Russia and China conduct joint naval drills, dozens are killed in Yemen clashes as tensions mount, the U.N. convenes Global Dialogue on AI Governance, Japan conducts a near-Earth asteroid flyby, Ukraine fails to intercept any ballistic missiles as the latest Russian attacks kill at least 16, the Sara Duterte impeachment trial begins in the Philippines, secret
Trump threatens Khamenei funeral, Fujimori election victory and Meta claims AI slowdown
Trump pauses attacks for Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral, America celebrates its 250th, Russia claims the capture of a key Ukrainian stronghold, Keiko Fujimori is declared President-elect of Peru, Germany's Friedrich Merz announces major reforms, eight are arrested as the U.K. busts a global drug-rape network, a report suggests that India is proposing new VPN regulations, an ex-Olympian is indicted
Birthright citizenship ruling, Monaco bomb attack and Antarctic melanoma discovery
SCOTUS votes 6-3 to uphold birthright citizenship, Kushner and Witkoff meet Qatari mediators in Doha for Iran talks, Keiko Fujimori wins Peru's presidency by a slim margin, South Korea's parliament confirms Han Seong-sook as prime minister, a Ukrainian businessman is among three people injured in a Monaco bomb attack, SCOTUS upholds state transgender sports bans, a Gallup poll shows that economic
