Michigan progressive Abdul El-Sayed says ‘ogre’ remark not directed at rival

• Africa is home to 9 of the 10 poorest countries in the world as of 2026, facing a combination of compounding systemic issues. • These nations are struggling with severe climate conditions, widespread corruption, and ongoing civil wars fueled by ethnic and sectarian strife.

• The United States has halted military strikes on Iran for a second consecutive night as diplomatic discussions show positive momentum. • Oman and Iran are currently engaged in talks focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resolving disputes over territorial waterways.

• The U.S. and Iran have entered a temporary pause in fighting as of Monday, following a weekend of difficult negotiations regarding a lasting peace agreement. • Despite the ceasefire, oil prices dropped sharply, which initially triggered a surge in stock markets before gains leveled off later in the day.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Washington to navigate critical diplomatic challenges, including the ongoing conflict with Iran and tensions with Donald Trump. • The visit focuses on Gaza ceasefire negotiations, the release of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid, as the military campaign shifts toward a political challenge.

• The U.S. and Iran have paused military attacks on coastal areas and infrastructure to create "space" for diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. • U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz confirmed the pause on "Face the Nation," though the Trump administration maintains that a military buildup is still ongoing.

• Political scientist Robert Pape has issued a warning regarding a potential "August energy shock" that could cause global oil prices to skyrocket. • The prediction was intensified on Monday following recent escalations involving the Houthis, a Yemeni military organization.

• President Donald Trump has signaled a readiness to take "strong military action" against Iran if upcoming diplomatic negotiations fail to produce results. • Trump emphasized a strict timeline for these talks, stating that he will not grant "much time" and that the process must either "go fast or not at all."

• Asian nations, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia, are increasing their own defense spending and military capabilities to shoulder more of their own security burdens. • Key developments include Japan deploying longer-range missiles, Australia investing in nuclear-powered submarines, and South Korea debating the development of its own nuclear weapons.

Jury finds that the man, who cannot be named, assaulted the woman at his home in March 2023A well-connected Melbourne man has been found guilty of raping a former employee.The man, who cannot be named, faced two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in the county court of Victoria, and pleaded not guilty. Continue reading...

The Houthi threat to Saudi oil exports comes as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines are still reeling from the closure of the strait of HormuzGovernments in Asia are scrambling to avoid their second major energy crisis in six months, as another maritime chokepoint in the Middle East faces a violent blockade, leaving only the Suez canal completely open for the free movement of gulf oil.Countries like Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and South Korea – which rely on Middle East oil for up to 90% of their imports – are working to secure supplies after Yemen’s Houthis launched a blockade of Saudi Arabian shipping passing through the Bab al-Mandab strait, which forms the southern entrance to the Red Sea. Continue reading...

In opening statements, state argued Meta’s own research showed it harmed teens while firm’s attorneys pointed to transparencyThe long-awaited trial between the social media company Meta and the state of Tennessee began proceedings on Monday. Attorneys for Tennessee told a jury in Nashville that Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, disregarded internal research about its platform’s impact on teenagers, while the company sought ⁠to maximize profit from those young users.During ⁠opening statements in a seven-week ​trial in state court, the state’s lawyers said Meta researchers repeatedly flagged teenagers’ compulsive use of the platform – leading to eating disorders, depression and self-harm. But despite those warnings, Meta did not ⁠disable features such as autoplay, notifications and infinite scroll which, the lawyers said, were designed to keep teens on Instagram as long as possible and increase the number of ads they viewed. Continue reading...

Leading assemblage artist was known for reclaiming Jim Crow-era memorabilia as images of Black liberationArtist Betye Saar, the pioneering figure of the Black arts movement, died on Sunday morning in her home town of Los Angeles. She was 99.Saar, a famous practitioner of assemblage, an artistic style that builds sculpture from everyday objects, was best known for reclaiming Jim Crow era memorabilia such as dolls and washboards and recasting them as images of Black liberation. Saar also worked in genres including printmaking and film, exploring themes from family to spirituality. Continue reading...