Week In Review
By Giancarla Sambo
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Below, for your browsing convenience, the categories are divided into: Entertainment, Arts, Sports, Technology/Media, and General News:
Entertainment
AFM v. Universal Music and Warner Music Legal Battle Continues — Union Fires Back Against the Majors’ Aggressive Dismissal Push
The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) is pushing back against the dismissal arguments filed by Universal Music Group (UMG) and Warner Music Group (WMG) over generative AI licensing. The dispute centers on whether the labor contract's "new use" provision covers AI training agreements with platforms such as Suno and Udio.
Paramount Settlement Talks with California Moving ForwardParamount and California Attorney General Rob Bonta are scheduled to meet for a two-day settlement conference at the end of October to address the state's antitrust lawsuit over Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Although the introductory talks could help move the case forward before next year's trial, both sides remain divided over structural versus behavioral remedies.
Lil Durk Is Found Not Guilty in Murder-for-Hire Case
A Los Angeles federal jury found Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, 33, not guilty on all charges in a murder-for-hire case. The case alleged that he paid to have rival rapper Quando Rondo killed in retaliation for the 2020 shooting death of his close friend, King Von. The shooting instead killed Rondo’s 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson. Durk, who broke down in tears as the verdict was read after three days of deliberations, was supported by attendees including Machine Gun Kelly and Ye. He remains in custody for a separate racketeering murder trial scheduled for October 5.
CBS Argues First Amendment Protections in Bid to Dismiss ‘Matlock’ Writer Lawsuit Over Allegedly Racist CommentsCBS Studios has filed a motion invoking First Amendment protections and California's anti-SLAPP statute to dismiss claims in a lawsuit brought by former “Matlock” writer John H. Lowe III. While Lowe alleges a hostile work environment involving racial and sexual remarks, CBS denies the accusations as fabricated and asserts that staffing decisions are protected creative choices.
Dan Schneider’s ‘Quiet on Set’ Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed on Appeal
A California appeals court dismissed former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider’s defamation lawsuit against the makers of the docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” under the state's anti-SLAPP law. The court determined that the documentary successfully distinguished Schneider's documented inappropriate workplace behavior from actual child sexual abuse attributed to others.
AMC Global Media Settles ‘The Walking Dead’ Profit Participation Lawsuit for $120 Million
AMC Global Media has agreed to pay $120 million to settle a long-running profit participation lawsuit brought by “The Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman and several executive producers. The settlement resolves a 2022 breach-of-contract lawsuit concerning profit distribution formulas for the original series and its first spin-off.
Selena Quintanilla Family Legal Dispute Intensifies: A.B. Officially Sues Sister Suzette
Abraham “A.B.” Quintanilla III has officially filed a lawsuit in Texas against his sister, Suzette Quintanilla-Arriago and corporate entities including Q Productions, over profits related to Selena's estate. The suit alleges that Suzette breached her fiduciary duty as estate manager by hiding profits for a decade and failing to provide a complete financial accounting or distribute his full contractual share.
Jay-Z Loses Appeal to Revive Extortion, Defamation Lawsuit Against Lawyer Who Filed Rape Claim
California’s Second Appellate District unanimously upheld the dismissal of Jay-Z’s extortion and defamation lawsuit against Texas attorney Tony Buzbee. The court ruled that Buzbee did not act with legal malice and that his pre-lawsuit demand letters were sent in good faith as part of a standard mediation process.
Congress Begins Drafting 20% Federal Film Incentive with Trump’s Blessing
Members of Congress are drafting bipartisan legislation to introduce a 20% federal tax credit for U.S.-based film and television production, following President Donald Trump's endorsement. Additional performance metrics and target bonuses could potentially elevate the total incentive up to 30%.
Hollywood's Box Office Comes With 248 Million Missing Tickets
Although Hollywood celebrated an estimated $4.76 billion summer box office haul that appeared to top pre-pandemic figures, inflation-adjusted returns were 17% lower than in 2019. Furthermore, domestic theaters saw a 30% drop in ticket sales compared with the same period in 2019, amounting to roughly 248 million lost admissions, a figure masked by higher prices.
Tyla and Other Stars Cancel Concerts Amid Anti-Immigrant Backlash
Rising anti-immigrant fervor and xenophobic violence in South Africa are disrupting the African music industry, as international fans and artists respond to the social climate. Performers such as Tyla and Salif Keïta have canceled or faced boycotts of scheduled appearances amid mounting regional tensions.
Art
Samsung Asks Judge to Dismiss Dua Lipa’s $15 Million Lawsuit Over Unauthorized Image UsageSamsung has asked a judge to dismiss the $15 million copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit filed against it by pop star Dua Lipa. The dispute stems from Samsung's alleged unauthorized use of a photograph of Lipa on the packaging of its retail television boxes.
Fashion's Most Disgusting Product
In a New York Times guest essay, author Dana Thomas outlines the staggering scale of overproduction and environmental waste in the global fashion industry. She advocates for comprehensive government regulation to mandate production disclosures and penalize brands for unsold inventory.
Smithsonian's Secretary to Resign as Trump Tries to Rule the Institution
Lonnie G. Bunch III, the first Black historian to lead the Smithsonian, will step down as secretary by year's end after seven years marked by attacks from the Trump administration over American history. Bunch, 73, said his decision was not due to political pressure, but that he was ready to move on. He noted the job was stressful and wanted a less demanding routine. Chief Justice John Roberts praised his storytelling.
The Dance That Didn't Happen at the World Trade Center Plaza
Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks led to the cancellation of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company's scheduled performance at the World Trade Center plaza, choreographer Bill T. Jones is debuting a response work titled "Curriculum IV: Spin and Spin! Turn! Turn! Turn!". The new piece explores contemporary progressivism and features a musical score by Samora Pinderhughes that reimagines a 1930s standard as a collective reflection.
Ousted Kennedy Center Chairman Buys Dismantled 'Blue' Sculpture
Billionaire philanthropist and ousted Kennedy Center chairman David Rubenstein purchased the dismantled abstract sculpture "Blue" for more than $2 million, with plans to display it at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.
Reflecting Pool Contractor Blames Its Own Repairs, Not Vandals, for Damage
The contractor that renovated the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool admitted that its own application errors and a flawed repair plan caused the project's new liner to peel, contradicting prior administration claims blaming vandalism. Internal documents show that the setbacks stemmed from human oversight during primer application and the use of incompatible chemical compounds.
Unstitching the 1000-Year-Old Story of the Bayeux Tapestry
The 70-meter Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century embroidered masterpiece of the 1066 Norman conquest, was displayed at the British Museum in London on September 10, returning to British soil for the first time in nearly a millennium under a historic loan agreement between France and the UK. The British Museum is loaning artifacts, including the Lewis Chessmen and Sutton Hoo treasures, to Normandy museums as part of the exchange. The exhibition runs through July 2027 and is expected to be one of the museum’s most visited.
Nazi-Looted Painting Must Be Returned to Heir, Argentine Judge Rules
An Argentine judge ordered the return of the 18th-century painting "Portrait of a Lady," looted from Dutch Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker by Nazis during WWII. The artwork reappeared in August 2025 after journalists found it in an online real estate listing, leading to a court ruling that halts criminal proceedings against current possessors in exchange for restitution and probation.
Ancient Tombs, Untouched by Looters, Are Found Under Peru's Sands
Peruvian archaeologists have uncovered an undisturbed 600-year-old mausoleum containing 38 individuals beneath the ruins of Chan Chan on Peru's northern coast. This intact burial site, belonging to the Chimu elite, provides researchers with their first scientific data on untouched Chimu funerary practices.
Sports
LIV Golf Files for Bankruptcy Protection, Will Attempt to Restructure
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey with over $500 million in debt after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund abruptly ended support after the fifth season. It listed 14 players among its top 30 creditors, led by Jon Rahm with nearly $7.5 million, followed by Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Cameron Smith. The tour agreed to a restructuring plan with BC Partners, with PIF providing $49.6 million in debtor-in-possession financing.
Ex-Michigan Hockey Players Sue, Alleging Hazing Akin To 'Sexualized Abuse'
A federal lawsuit filed by 16 former University of Michigan men's hockey players alleges decades of severe, ritualized hazing and sexualized abuse within the program from 1984 to 2001. The complaint claims that former head coach Red Berenson and other staff members were aware of and facilitated the abusive initiation practices, while the university has denied legal liability.
Alleged Victim Forgives Antonio Brown, Won't Participate in Attempted Murder Case
Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, the alleged victim in Antonio Brown's attempted-murder case, has announced that he has forgiven Brown and will no longer participate in the state's prosecution. Brown's defense team remains hopeful that this decision, along with a previously filed motion to dismiss under Florida's "stand your ground" law, will end the prosecution.
Justice Dept. Opens Inquiry into Clippers' Dealings with Star Player
Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers arranged secret endorsement contracts for star player Kawhi Leonard to circumvent the NBA salary cap. The inquiry follows severe penalties imposed by the league on the franchise, owner Steve Ballmer, and Leonard.
Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 201: A Federal NIL Bill Worth Actually Passing, In Six Parts
The Senate plans a cloture vote on the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) in coming weeks. This critique proposes a six-part alternative to the PCSA for a federal name, image, and likeness (NIL) bill emphasizing student-athlete protections over shielding sports institutions. It focuses on third-party NIL compensation, a national baseline without overriding state laws, replacing fee caps with licensing for agent integrity, ensuring athletes receive payments through contracts and escrow, implementing due process for clearinghouses, and keeping NCAA antitrust protections as a separate issue.
Mexico Captain Edson Alvarez Denies Allegations of Involvement in Kidnapping Plot
Mexico captain and West Ham midfielder Edson Álvarez has categorically rejected allegations by filmmaker Juan José López Ordóñez linking him to an alleged kidnapping plot and financial dispute in Mexico City. Álvarez announced that his legal team is preparing to take legal action against individuals spreading false statements about the incident.
Technology/Media
Court Filings in A.I. Suit Invoke Copyright Law, Culture, and Sports
Summary judgment briefs filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York address whether OpenAI and Microsoft transformed copyrighted news articles or created illegal market substitutes. Presiding Judge Sidney H. Stein is expected to rule after the final filings.
Anthropic Researchers Raise Alarm Over A.I. Acceleration
Jacob Coxon, an AI researcher with three years at OpenAI and Anthropic, resigned, warning that “the people building AI earnestly believe it could kill us all by the end of the decade.” Anthropic’s Evan Hubinger estimated over a 10% chance of AI killing all humans within 10 years, citing the lack of a superintelligence alignment plan. Samuel Marks noted that higher-ups are more concerned, prompting lawmakers to advocate for new AI safety laws and increased public concern from researchers.
Anthropic Says It Blocked Possible Efforts to Build Biological Weapons
Anthropic announced that it disrupted multiple attempts by bad actors to misuse its AI models to develop biological weapons, missile guidance systems, and cyberattacks. The company terminated accounts after finding that users obfuscated prompts to bypass safety filters while conducting biological research that closely mirrors dangerous pathogen engineering.
California's Governor Signs Landmark Online Child Safety Bills
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed landmark legislation prohibiting social media platforms from offering addictive features, such as infinite scroll and autoplay, to users under 16. The new laws also require AI companies to disclose to young users when they are interacting with a chatbot rather than a human and to restrict dangerous online content.
Despite Pledges from Musk, Child Sexual Abuse Material Persists on X
An investigation by The New York Times reveals that child sexual abuse material and explicit, AI-generated images remain accessible on X, despite company pledges. The report details failures in X's automated upload filters to block content that other major tech platforms routinely screen out.
AI Data Center Pollution Poses Health Threat, Former E.P.A.
A report by former Environmental Protection Agency officials warns that air pollution from the rapid expansion of AI data centers could add at least $20 billion in annual public health costs by 2028. The analysis notes that ongoing federal policy rollbacks and fast-tracked permitting processes risk worsening these localized health and environmental impacts.
OpenAI Says Its A.I. Cracked a Notorious Math Problem. Controversy Ensued.
OpenAI announced on September 8 that an internal AI model used roughly 10,000 AI agents working in parallel for 88 hours to solve the Navier-Stokes problem, one of the seven $1 million Millennium Prize Problems, showing the equations can break down, producing infinite speeds in finite time. The announcement came amid controversy: NYU mathematician Tristan Buckmaster and Anthropic researcher Levent Alpöge had posted a related proof using publicly available AI models and accused OpenAI of racing to publish after learning of their work. OpenAI acknowledged it could not rule out that de-identified usage data from the two researchers had helped improve its models and said it would not claim the prize.
Could Your Chatbot Be Stealing Ideas from You? It's a Thorny Question.
Technology journalist Cade Metz explores growing concerns that AI tools may appropriate proprietary insights from one user and inadvertently pass them to another. The issue came to light after an NYU mathematician questioned whether his similar research contributed to OpenAI's recent breakthrough on a major mathematical problem.
Netflix Sued by Florida Over “Bait-and-Switch” on Privacy and Advertising
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a major lawsuit against Netflix, alleging that the streaming giant misled consumers by secretly collecting and monetizing user data. The state claims Netflix engaged in a privacy "bait-and-switch" while building an infrastructure to support its ad-supported tier.
Jimmy Kimmel Moves Talarico Interview to YouTube Because of F.C.C. 'Threat'
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" bypassed traditional television broadcasting and released its interview with Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico on YouTube to avoid potential equal-time F.C.C. regulations. Disney has since filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the F.C.C. challenging the agency's actions.
Top Mathematician Announces New Institute for A.I. Safety
Recent Fields Medalist Jacob Tsimerman is shifting his research focus from pure mathematics to artificial intelligence safety. He has announced plans to establish the Mathematical A.I. Safety Institute in the San Francisco Bay Area, alongside a separate role within OpenAI's safety department.
60 Posts in 10 Hours: How Trump's Social Media Reflects His Version of Reality
President Donald Trump's barrage of 60 social media posts over 10 hours offered a revealing look into an alternative reality centered on AI-generated imagery and his own ego. While critics view the online activity as bizarre and detached, defenders dismiss it as an authentic exercise in modern political engagement.
D.H.S. Takes Down Post Depicting Sikh Trucker and Optimus Prime
The Department of Homeland Security removed a social media post featuring an AI-generated image of a bearded man in a bandana facing off against Optimus Prime, accompanied by the text "Get off our roads, you don't know how to drive Mr. Singh". The post drew severe backlash from Indian American groups, civil rights organizations, and Hasbro over unauthorized brand use and concerns that it stigmatized Sikh Americans.
A Hacking Tool Built with AI Can Breach Phones Without a Click
Researchers at the Palo Alto cybersecurity firm Calif used advanced AI models to develop WeWorm, a self-propagating zero-click computer worm capable of breaching Apple iOS and Google Android systems via WeChat. The tool demonstrates how AI can significantly accelerate cyberattack capabilities, though Tencent has already patched the underlying vulnerability.
For China, a Mock AI Attack on WeChat Signals a Dangerous New Era
A simulated AI cyberattack using a tool called WeWorm revealed potential vulnerabilities in WeChat, exposing critical security risks in centralized digital networks. This simulation underscores the escalating urgency of cybersecurity and AI safety discussions between Washington and Beijing.
Social Media in China Is Getting Really Dark
The Chinese Communist Party's mandate for online platforms to broadcast "positive energy" is increasingly failing as a persistent wave of online pessimism spreads across social media. Driven by economic anxieties and a property crash, users on platforms such as RedNote and Douyin are turning to dark humor and subverting official narratives.
General News
25 Years After 9/11, a Nation Gathers to Remember
Last week was the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. There were solemn memorial gatherings and a historic seventh moment of silence dedicated to victims of toxic aftermath illnesses across the country. Lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, included ceremonies where leaders and families gathered to honor the victims while confronting the long-term reverberations of the tragedy.
25 Years Later, New York Marks the Shattering Loss of 9/11
The 25th anniversary of September 11 was marked by a remembrance ceremony at Ground Zero, where victims' relatives read nearly 3,000 names. A new seventh moment of silence honored those who died from 9/11 toxic dust illnesses, alongside six moments for the plane impacts and tower collapses.
At 9/11 Tribute, Trump Claims Firefighters Carried Him to Safety
During a September 8th 9/11 tribute event, Trump claimed that two firefighters physically lifted him and carried him to safety from a creaking building near Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Biographers, emergency personnel, and archival records dispute these unverified assertions regarding his involvement and presence at the site. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/us/politics/trump-sept-11-firefighters.html
Mamdani Accuses Former N.Y.C. Leaders of Lying About 911
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani accused past municipal leaders of misrepresenting post-9/11 air quality during a City Hall news conference marking the release of 170,000 previously withheld pages of contamination and correspondence records. The newly uncovered documents revealed elevated levels of carcinogens and toxins, such as benzene and asbestos, lingering near Ground Zero and surrounding areas months after the attacks.
C.I.A. Releases Intelligence Sent to Clinton and Bush on Al Qaeda Before 9/11 Attacks
On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the CIA released 69 declassified presidential daily briefs detailing pre-9/11 intelligence regarding Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. The documents include a September 1998 report warning President Bill Clinton that Al Qaeda might fly an explosive-packed airplane into a U.S. city.
The Man Who Approved 9/11 Victims' Checks Paid a Price
Kenneth Feinberg reflects on the profound emotional toll and lasting shift in worldview he experienced after serving as the special master for the Sept. 11 victim compensation fund. By prioritizing active listening over administrative processing, he secured compensation agreements with roughly 97 percent of eligible claimants.
Supreme Court Again Blocks Republican-Backed Missouri Voting Map
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency stay blocking a newly gerrymandered, Republican-backed congressional map in Missouri, deferring to the state's highest court. This decision ensures that the state will use its 2022 congressional map for the upcoming November midterms while legal challenges proceed.
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Voter-Screening Tool
The Trump administration has filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a lower-court freeze on an expanded Department of Homeland Security database. The administration seeks to allow states to cross-reference voter information with federal records to identify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Brushing Aside Trump's Threats, Canada Retaliates on Tariffs
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump are in a trade standoff that has disrupted a close economic relationship. Trump has imposed tariffs up to 50% on Canadian goods, prompting Canada to retaliate with duties on nearly $28 billion in U.S. products like dairy, steel, copper, and consumer goods. Carney is seeking trade deals with the EU and UK, while Trump threatens higher auto tariffs. Consumer confidence has fallen to multi-year lows on both sides.
U.S. Hits 5 Iranian Oil Tankers, Citing Attempted Strikes on Warship
The U.S. military destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island in retaliation for Iranian ballistic missile attacks on a U.S. Navy warship. In response to the tanker strikes, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Jordan, prompting the Jordanian military to intercept them and underscoring a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict.
U.S. Reading Scores Plummet on Global Exam
The reading scores of American 15-year-olds have fallen sharply, approaching a 25-year low, according to results from a recent global exam. Experts attribute these widespread declines to the growing influence and distraction of technology in children's daily lives.
Court Strikes Down Trump Order to Keep an Aging Coal-Burning Plant Running
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down a Trump administration emergency order that forced an aging Michigan coal plant to remain operational, ruling that federal intervention overstepped executive authority. The decision marks the first major legal setback for a broader federal initiative that keeps multiple struggling coal plants online beyond their scheduled retirements.
Court Halts New York Harbor Gas Pipeline Backed by Trump
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has halted the $1 billion Northeast Supply Enhancement natural gas pipeline project, ruling that New Jersey regulators' issuance of a key water permit was arbitrary and capricious. The decision effectively threatens the integrated interstate project and shifts the future of construction to New Jersey's administration.
D.O.J. Escalates Threats to States in Battle for Election Records
The U.S. Department of Justice sent formal notices to top election officials in at least 30 states ordering them not to destroy 2024 election records. The letters placed officials under a litigation hold and stated they were under investigation amid an ongoing push by the administration to acquire unredacted voter lists.
Denver Sues to Block Armed ICE Agents at Voting Sites
The City of Denver and civil rights groups have filed a federal lawsuit to block the Trump administration from permitting armed immigration agents to execute enforcement actions at polling places. The plaintiffs contend that the presence of armed federal officers disrupts local election administration and violates long-standing federal statutes protecting free and fair elections.
American Bar Association Ends D.E.I. Standards Under Trump Pressure
The American Bar Association accreditation council voted 10-6 to eliminate its long-standing diversity requirement for nearly 200 U.S. law school programs. The decision took effect immediately to protect the association's status as a national accreditor amid pressure from the Trump administration.
Afghan Woman Deported in First Use of Obscure Terrorism Court
The U.S. Department of Justice obtained a deportation order for Nazira Haji Zada, marking the first successful use of the dormant Alien Terrorist Removal Court established in 1996. Prosecutors alleged her connection to an ISIS-inspired mass-shooting plot before she signed an agreement consenting to removal.
Trump's PAC Unloads War Chest, with $49 Million Headed to Key Midterm Races
Trump’s political operation has begun deploying funds from its super PAC war chest to support Republican midterm candidates through a newly formed group, No Going Back PAC Inc. The organization has reserved at least $49 million for advertisements targeting Senate and House battleground races, marking the largest midterm expenditure tied to Trump's super PAC to date.
Why Did Trump Order Up 660 Million Pounds of Mystery Meat?
Trump signed an executive proclamation authorizing the duty-free importation of roughly 660 million pounds of foreign beef trimmings over 90 days. The guest essay by Eric Schlosser links this policy change to high-level meetings with JBS co-owner Joesley Batista and argues that the move benefits corporate monopolies while undercutting domestic ranchers.
New Accuser Sues Foundations with Ties to Cesar Chavez
A former volunteer sued California-based nonprofit groups linked to the Chavez family and United Farm Workers, accusing them of negligence and civil rights violations connected to Cesar Chavez. The lawsuit follows previous allegations of sexual misconduct against Chavez and has sparked community reckonings and renamings nationwide.
Before High Holy Days, Jewish Institutions in New York Increase Security
Jewish institutions across New York City substantially increased their security budgets ahead of the High Holy Days amid a multi-year rise in antisemitic incidents. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced state grants and the deployment of state troopers to support vulnerable nonprofits and houses of worship.
Sam Bankman-Fried Asks Supreme Court to Review Fraud Conviction
Sam Bankman-Fried has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn his 2023 fraud conviction, arguing that the trial court improperly limited his defense on FTX's bankruptcy proceedings and that an $11 billion forfeiture order is an excessive fine under the Eighth Amendment. The high-court review faces long odds, and separate Justice Department records indicate he also has a pending application for a presidential pardon.
Trump Wants to Give Out $5,000 Checks. It Would Cost More Than $1 Trillion.
Trump proposed a $5,000 "Trump dividend" check for every American adult, contingent on Republicans retaining control of both the House and Senate in the upcoming midterm elections. The proposal, outlined in a speech at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, faces scrutiny over its $1 trillion-plus price tag, its potential to worsen inflation, and constitutional hurdles regarding congressional spending authority.
88,600 Pictures with Trump and A.I.-Sponsored Suites
High-dollar fundraising, networking, and corporate sponsorships took place at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. The event featured luxury suites supported by AI groups and super PACs. It offered wealthy donors exclusive investor experiences, including premium packages for photo opportunities with Trump.
Trump Doled Out $45,000 Cash Gifts to Natalie Harp and Other Aides Last Year
Financial disclosure forms show Trump gave holiday gifts of $45,000 each to aides Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and Chamberlain Harris, and $20,000 to aide Walt Nauta. These payments raise legal and ethical questions about potential violations of policies prohibiting outside bonuses to political appointees.
Trump's Special Envoy Hauled in More Than $250 Million While in Government.
Financial disclosures reveal that Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, earned over $250 million while in government, including nearly $107 million in 2025. The revenue stemmed in part from a holding company associated with World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency enterprise co-owned by the Witkoff and Trump families.
The Iran War Is Pushing Global Coal Use to Record Highs
Global coal consumption is projected to reach an all-time high of 8.94 billion metric tons this year, driven by shipping disruptions in the Middle East and El Niño weather patterns. This surge in demand marks a significant setback for international climate agreements to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
U.S. Airstrikes Targeting Houthis Killed Scores of Civilians in Yemen
A joint report by Brown University's Costs of War Project and Mwatana for Human Rights reports that U.S. airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen from late 2023 to mid-2025 caused 213 civilian deaths. The findings document extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and note that a significant majority of the casualties occurred during intensified operations in early 2025.
Iran, Flanked by Leaders of Russia and India, Shows It Is Not Alone
The BRICS summit in New Delhi underscored Iran's efforts to maintain critical diplomatic and economic partnerships with major powers like Russia and India amidst ongoing U.S. isolation efforts. While nations such as China, Russia, and Iran leveraged the gathering to project an alternative world order, other coalition members continue balancing distinct economic and security ties with Washington.
Iceland Summons U.S. Ambassador Over Provocative Trump Map
Icelandic leaders publicly condemned a social media post by Trump that featured a map depicting their nation and other regions under the American flag. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir criticized the image as an insult to national sovereignty shortly after the government formally rebuked the U.S. ambassador by summoning him.
Trump Says Irish Unification Would Be 'Fantastic,' Breaking with Precedent
During a visit to Dublin, Trump stated that Irish reunification would be "fantastic" and predicted it would happen eventually. His remarks broke with decades of formal U.S. neutrality regarding the status of Northern Ireland.
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