Iran’s Infowar: AI Lego, Memes and Tightening Control
The Iranian government is using AI Lego, memes, and hip hop diss tracks to shape its international image, according to Al Jazeera English.
World News
Seven Dead in Major Russian Attack on Ukraine
At least seven people were killed in Russian strikes across Ukraine overnight, including five in the central city of Dnipro, according to BBC News.
Mali Under Attack: Explosions and Gunfire as Armed Groups Strike
Explosions and sustained gunfire have been reported in Mali's capital, Bamako, as armed groups launch coordinated attacks across the country, according to the BBC.
Gunmen stage simultaneous attacks across Mali, army says
Gunmen have attacked Mali’s capital Bamako and several locations across the country, the army says, in an apparently coordinated assault involving multiple groups. According to the army, the attacks were carried out by “terrorist groups” targeting military barracks.
Australian Hiker Missing in Nova Scotia for 2 Weeks
A 62-year-old Australian woman has been missing for two weeks in a Nova Scotia national park, according to a report from The Guardian.
First Commercial Flight from US to Venezuela in 7 Years
A historic milestone in US-Venezuela relations was marked as the first commercial flight from the US to Venezuela in over seven years landed in Caracas, according to The Guardian.
Banksy Unveils Resin Statue in Central London Amid Security
Banksy has installed a new statue in central London using a low-loader and a team of experienced professionals, according to BBC reports.
Hegseth Says Clock Paused on Iran War Approval Deadline
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has argued that the clock has paused on a deadline for the Trump administration to seek approval from Congress for the US-Israeli war with Iran, according to the BBC.
Uganda’s 2026 Bill Sparks ‘Copy Russia and China’ Claims
Uganda’s proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 has drawn comparisons to laws in Russia and China, according to critics who argue it is designed to suppress dissent. The bill, which could jail individuals for up to 20 years for promoting 'foreign interests,' is moving quickly through parliament.
Turkish Police Arrest 500+ at May Day Rallies
Turkish police arrested more than 500 people and used tear gas during May Day demonstrations in Istanbul. The CHD lawyers' group reported over 500 arrests, with large police deployments also in Ankara, Izmir, and other cities.
Pentagon Announces $54B AI Deals With 7 Tech Firms
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced new agreements with seven artificial intelligence companies for classified military systems, according to Al Jazeera.
French Nun Attacked in Jerusalem, Israeli Police Arrest 36-Year-Old Man
Israeli police have arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of racially motivated assault after a French nun was attacked in East Jerusalem, according to BBC.
Santa Marta Climate Talks Aim to Shift Global Energy Away from Fossil Fuels
The Colombian government has launched a global initiative to transition economies away from fossil fuels, marking a potential turning point in the climate crisis, according to The Guardian.
Iran and US in Islamabad: Diplomacy at Stake
Iran’s foreign minister is in Islamabad, with U.S. envoys also on the way, raising hopes of breaking the Strait of Hormuz deadlock with diplomacy, according to Al Jazeera.
US military kills two more in Pacific drug boat strike
The US military announced on Friday that it killed two people in an attack on a boat in the eastern Pacific, part of a series of deadly strikes on vessels in recent months which it claims are targeting 'narco-trafficking' operations, according to The Guardian.