This Week in News

In this episode, we unpack how Saudi Arabia’s aggressive push into global capitalism—through foreign investment, tourism, and tech and infrastructure spending—could reshape Middle East politics by making economic interdependence a stronger incentive for peace than military alliances. We also examine the risks behind this strategy, from inequality and human rights concerns to the possibility that any downturn in global markets could quickly expose how fragile this new model of stability might be. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we unpack the administration's agreement with Northwestern University that restores nearly $790 million in frozen federal research funding in exchange for a $75 million settlement and sweeping changes to protest, antisemitism training, and oversight policies. We explore what this deal means for academic freedom, campus governance, and how federal funding is increasingly being used as leverage to enforce civil rights compliance across American universities. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we break down new internal research, lawsuits, and global policy moves that reveal how short-form social media is reshaping our attention, sleep, and mental health for both kids and adults. In this episode, we also talk about practical guardrails—from boredom on purpose and one-week detoxes to dumb phones and landlines—that help you reclaim your focus and protect your family from algorithm-driven feeds and explicit content. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we break down the disappearance of 55-year-old American traveler Ann Evans in St. Martin after she failed to return to her cruise ship, and examine the ongoing search efforts by local authorities. We also explore what her case reveals about cruise shore excursion safety protocols, the emotional toll on families, and the hard questions now being raised about oversight and accountability in international travel.Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we break down new research revealing how "adversarial poetry" prompts can slip past safety filters in major AI chatbots to unlock instructions for nuclear weapons, cyberattacks, and other dangerous acts. We explore why poetic language confuses current guardrails, what this means for AI security, and how regulators and platforms might respond to this emerging threat. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we break down a new court filing revealing how Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem approved deportation flights sending Venezuelan men to El Salvador’s most notorious maximum-security prison under a rarely used wartime statute. We unpack the legal clash over an ignored judge’s order, the human rights concerns, and what this showdown over the Alien Enemies Act could mean for future executive power and immigration enforcement. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we break down the upgraded first-degree murder charges against an Afghan evacuee accused of ambushing two National Guard soldiers near the White House and explain what investigators say about premeditation, evidence, and the condition of the surviving soldier. We also explore how the case is reshaping debates over immigration vetting, refugee policy, National Guard street patrols, and the balance between national security and compassion. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we break down Donald Trump’s announcement that all Biden-era executive actions signed via Autopen are “void,” including executive orders, pardons, and other formal directives. We explore the legal and constitutional questions around Autopen use, what experts say about the validity of these documents, and how this move could impact federal agencies and day-to-day governance. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we break down how ICE is dramatically expanding a private bounty hunter–style contractor program to track, monitor, and help deport immigrants using data-driven surveillance and pay-per-case incentives. We explore the civil liberties concerns, risks of abuse and wrongful targeting, and what Congress, the courts, and advocacy groups may do in response. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we break down the heated town hall clash where singer and activist Tish Hyman presses Representative Eric Swalwell for a clear yes-or-no answer on whether biological men should be allowed in women-only spaces like restrooms, locker rooms, and shelters. We walk through how the confrontation unfolded, the divided reaction from the crowd, and how the viral moment is fueling broader debates over gender identity, women's rights, and demands for policy clarity from elected officials. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.