Influence

• IMDb is introducing a new category to include digital creators such as influencers, gamers, and streamers whose work overlaps with the entertainment industry. • The platform will celebrate the launch of this category with an invite-only party on September 14 at the Toronto International Film Festival. • This change expands the database's scope to recognize professional contributions from creators outside of traditional film and television roles.

• The Taliban’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum signed a major oil and gas exploration and production agreement with the Saudi company Delta Energy in Kabul. • The deal focuses on the exploration and production of energy resources within Afghanistan. • This agreement highlights the shifting geopolitical influence of Persian Gulf nations and Western powers over Afghanistan's natural resources.

• Team CJP has launched a protest at Parliament Street demanding immediate action following viral claims made by Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj. • In a viral interview, Bhardwaj allegedly admitted to assaulting an individual named Sanjay and claimed he avoided jail due to a call from BJP leader Kapil Mishra. • The Delhi Police have officially rejected allegations of political interference regarding the case, though Bhardwaj's claims remain independently unverified.

Bureau of Meteorology suggests El Niño has already broken records, with Pacific ocean temperature change exceeding 2C in six monthsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereThe growing El Niño weather phenomenon to Australia’s east is already breaking heat records, with forecasts showing it will likely easily surpass previous events, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, as seperate research suggested climate change had greatly shortened the odds of the event hitting record extremes.On Thursday the UN’s weather agency said the event in the Pacific was continuing to strengthen and would probably persist until early 2027, warning it had the “potential to deliver a massive blow to communities and economies across the world”.Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter Continue reading...

Washington-Rabat ties under scrutiny as questions swirl over what led to deadly influx into tiny Spanish territoryThe cosy relationship between Washington and Rabat has long been flaunted by both sides, from Morocco’s announcement this year that it would be the first African state to join Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to the congratulatory message recently sent by Trump to mark King Mohammed VI’s 27 years in power.The latest example landed this week. As Spain grappled with the aftermath of the sudden influx – and swift return – of more than 70,000 people into Ceuta, Morocco’s monarch confirmed he had named a $1bn highway flanking the disputed territory of Western Sahara after Trump. Continue reading...

César Gastélum was filming outside a fast-food outlet in Sinaloa state when he was killed by a motorbike driverA popular Mexican influencer has been shot dead while doing a live stream on social media outside a restaurant in Sinaloa state, where lethal cartel violence has become widespread.César Gastélum, who had nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok and was known for making comedy videos, was filming with two friends outside a fast-food restaurant in the city of Culiacán. The three were dressed in the bright orange jackets and backpacks of food delivery drivers. Continue reading...

Some in Dover say their town is being exploited by content creators and politicians, but others claim there is a genuine problemIf you believe rightwing influencers and politicians, Dover and the wider Kent coast has been the site of an “invasion” for years now. And, for an online audience of millions, they and their camera crews have been the vanguard in the nation’s defence.Indeed, if you believe all you see on the algorithms of amateur Channel watchers, the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, braved a hail of French gunfire as he took to the water in a fishing boat this week; an attempt by the French authorities, he suggested, to deter him in his mission of highlighting the small boats crisis. Continue reading...

• China has launched the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) to provide AI training and support to developing nations. • Founding members of WAICO include Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan, positioning China as a competitor to the US-led "Pax Silica" bloc. • The initiative aims to narrow the global digital divide while granting Chinese firms a "first-mover advantage" through new customers and institutional partnerships in emerging markets.

• Sports betting firms have launched a $72 million political influence campaign in the United States to shape industry regulations. • The spending is primarily aimed at fighting predatory tax rates and establishing "regulatory moats" to protect market share. • This strategy prioritizes corporate growth and regulatory stability over the implementation of responsible gaming laws.

Police believe Sara Gilson was killed by husband Jeremiah Duffy after she accused him on TikTok of child sexual abuseSara Gilson, the social media influencer who was killed after she publicly accused her husband of child sexual abuse, “couldn’t seem to get away” from Jeremiah Duffy despite filing multiple protective orders, Gilson’s ex-husband said in an interview.“She had been stuck in a relationship where domestic abuse seemed ‘OK’,”Lyle Landers told People. “I had begged her for five years to get away from him. I had offered to help her, in any way I could, to get away from him. But he seemed to have some sort of control over her, and she couldn’t seem to get away.” Continue reading...

Sara Gilson was fatally shot less than two weeks after accusing her husband of pedophilia on social mediaAn Oklahoma woman known for posting on social media about parenting her children was fatally shot in an apparent murder-suicide by her husband a short time after she published a clip alluding to allegations that he had molested a minor, according to authorities and court records.Sara Duffey – who was 43 and also went by Sara Gilson – and 48-year-old Jeremiah Shawn Duffey were both found dead with gunshot wounds on Thursday at a home in suburban Tulsa, said statements from local police. Investigators suspected that Jeremiah had shot Sara and then himself. Continue reading...

After a Kyiv visit, rightwing firebrand now supports Ukraine – but perhaps it’s just because Trump favors a winnerLaura Loomer, the online Maga provocateur, has never worked in the White House or anywhere else in the government, but her sudden conversion to the Ukrainian cause this week is significant because her social media posts often have real policy implications in the second Trump administration.The rightwing commentator has spent the last few days in Kyiv, where she announced a newfound sympathy for Ukraine in its long war with Russia, and admitted that she had previously fallen for Russian propaganda. Continue reading...

Rightwing provocateur meets Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who says he expects talks with Donald Trump in Washington next weekVolodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Donald Trump in Washington next week, according to the rightwing US influencer Laura Loomer, amid signs the White House’s traditional hostility towards Ukraine is beginning to crumble.In an interview with Loomer, Ukraine’s president said he is likely to attend Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral and also hold talks with Trump, which will take place as the latest version of the Russian sanctions bill makes its way through Congress. Continue reading...

• European markets are experiencing declines, with Germany’s DAX slipping by 42 basis points and France’s CAC 40 dropping by 85 basis points. • The downturn is driven by investor anticipation of an upcoming policy decision from the European Central Bank (ECB) and varied reactions to corporate earnings reports. • Economic predictions are further complicated by ongoing geopolitical tensions and fluctuating oil prices, adding volatility to the indices.

• Governments are increasingly utilizing social media influencers as unofficial ambassadors to shape global public opinion and project soft power. • States provide these creators with privileged access, official tours, and interviews with senior officials to cover geopolitical conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, as well as China's global ambitions. • This strategy blurs the line between traditional diplomacy and information warfare by presenting state-sponsored narratives as spontaneous, personal travel diaries or humanitarian observations.

• President Donald Trump delivered a national address on Thursday night focusing on election security and the role of voting machines. • The speech specifically addressed concerns regarding foreign influence and the integrity of the voting process. • This address matters as it highlights the administration's stance on electoral vulnerabilities and the perceived threats from external actors.

• The Trump administration's cuts to staff and resources have left government agencies underprepared to combat foreign influence and disinformation campaigns. • In 2024, China and Russia expanded their targeting beyond the presidential election to include various congressional races. • These resource gaps are critical because they weaken the institutional guardrails necessary to reduce the reach and impact of foreign interference.

Mike Collins’ son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II, has shared antisemitic conspiracies and Nazi imagery onlineUS politics live – latest updatesThe Republican Senate nominee in Georgia, Mike Collins, who has been plagued by a string of controversies in his time in public office, has close ties with a white nationalist influencer – his son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II – it has transpired.A trucking executive and one-time “Freedom caucus” conservative endorsed by Donald Trump, Collins has been the GOP representative for Georgia’s 10th congressional district since 2023. In that time, the anti-abortion hardliner has drawn scrutiny over his associations with far-right and extremist figures, incendiary social media activity and accusations of antisemitism, which he has denied. He has also denied the legitimacy of the 2020 election and defended January 6 rioters, who he has said deserved pardons. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Green party launches pushback against idea that next PM will have more left-leaning agenda than StarmerUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham is “too in hock to vested interests” to offer real change, Zack Polanski has said as the Greens launched a pushback against the incoming prime minister, portraying him as cautious and weak on such areas as wealth taxes, Gaza and rent controls.Under Polanski’s leadership the Green party in England and Wales has more than tripled its membership, and is closely tracking Labour in opinion polls, with much of the new support coming from former Labour voters disenchanted with Keir Starmer’s approach. Continue reading...

• Social media influencers are increasingly accepting undisclosed payments to promote songs, creating an artificial sense of virality that can push tracks up the pop charts. • This practice mirrors historical "pay-to-play" mechanisms, such as 19th-century sheet music promotions and 20th-century record labels paying radio DJs to play specific songs. • The lack of transparency is significant because it misleads listeners into believing a song's popularity is organic rather than a paid marketing campaign.

• South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham passed away on Saturday due to cardiovascular disease and an aortic dissection. • A veteran legislator with over 30 years in Congress, Graham was recognized as a leading voice on U.S. foreign policy and a key ally to President Donald Trump. • His career spanned decades of influence in the Republican party, shaping national security strategies and legislative priorities.

• Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has formally entered the race for the Democratic Party (DP) leadership, creating a competitive four-way contest. • The election is marked by significant tension between the pro-Lee Jae-myung and pro-Jung factions as they vie for control of the party. • This race serves as a critical test of Lee Jae-myung’s influence, as the DP seeks accountability following mixed results in the June elections.

• The State Comptroller has warned that Iran-led hostile networks are exploiting Israeli social media to sow panic and deepen internal societal divisions. • The report reveals a critical lack of government coordination, noting that no single state body is currently leading the response to these foreign influence operations. • Despite the rise of AI and evolving digital threats, the Justice Ministry has failed to update its 2019 guiding principles for handling bot activity and fake accounts.

• ABC News analyzes the Supreme Court's historical role in defining who is "created equal" and who can access the unalienable rights outlined in the Declaration of Independence. • The report highlights the judicial "push and pull" regarding women's rights, specifically focusing on the right to vote, equal pay, and reproductive access. • This legal tension is exemplified by the evolution and eventual overturning of Roe v. Wade, illustrating how the Court shapes the practical application of American ideals.

• A new report highlights India's expanding global influence, driven by a strategic combination of diplomacy, defense capabilities, and development initiatives. • India is positioning itself as a leading voice for the Global South, leveraging its economic growth and strategic partnerships to bridge the gap between developing and developed nations. • This shift matters as India seeks to play a more central role in international governance and security frameworks, enhancing its status as a stabilizing global power.

• A new report highlights India's expanding global influence, driven by its strategic focus on diplomacy, defense, and development. • India has emerged as a primary voice for developing nations by leveraging key international platforms, including the G20, BRICS, and Global South initiatives. • The report emphasizes India's unique ability to maintain simultaneous, high-level engagements with Western powers, Gulf nations, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

• Gulf nations and Western leaders are expressing concern over Iran's continued ability to project power and influence through proxy militia groups. • Despite existing deals between the US and Iran, analysts believe Tehran will likely increase its support for these armed groups to maintain regional leverage. • In January, the US and Israel attempted to mobilize ethnic minority groups, including Arabs in the southwest and Baloch in the southeast, to destabilize Iran from within.

Analysts and western leaders believe Iran will increase support of militia groups despite deal between US and IranAs Marco Rubio ended his brief visit to the Middle East on Friday, he sought to cast in the best possible light his discussions with leaders of the Gulf states. Those leaders are deeply anxious that the deal agreed earlier this month between Iran and the US fails to address their worries about continued Iranian efforts to project power and influence throughout the region.“They’ve shared with us some very concrete concerns,” the US secretary of state admitted, and insisted that any definitive agreement will require Tehran to not only restrict its nuclear programme but also halt its support of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, militia in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen. Continue reading...