• The annual Islamic pilgrimage to holy sites in western Saudi Arabia starts Sunday with participation restricted to just 60,000 pilgrims as the world continues to grapple with coronavirus.
• Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed England will lift all coronavirus restrictions on Monday despite a rise in infections, while most devolved nations continue to take a more cautious approach.
• Fast food workers plan to strike in nine U.S. cities Tuesday to demand a rise of the minimum wage amid a historical workforce shortage in the industry.
• Colombia’s bicameral national legislature will resume Tuesday — roughly a week before the three-month anniversary of the unrest that gripped the country, resulting in hundreds of arrests and dozens of deaths.
• Cuba protests -- an interview with Factal editor Jeff Landset.

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This episode was produced with work from Factal editors Jimmy Lovaas, Jess Fino, Irene Villora, Alex Moore and Jeff Landset.  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected].

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.

• More than a year after the 2020 summer games were postponed, the Olympic torch relay finally arrives Friday in the Japanese capital engulfed in rising concerns over the sporting event.
• A new era of space tourism kicks off on Sunday when billionaire Richard Branson will go to space aboard his Virgin Galactic ship.
• Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev announced new elections will take place on Sunday.
• On Monday, South Africa’s Constitutional Court is scheduled to hear former President Jacob Zuma’s challenge against his jail sentence.
• Pro-democracy protests in the Kingdom of Eswatini -- an interview with Factal editor Sophie Perryer.

These stories and more are available in our weekly Forecast email and you can subscribe for free.

This episode was produced with work from Factal editors Irene Villora, Jeff Landset, Jess Fino, Jimmy Lovaas and Sophie Perryer.  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected].

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.

• The Carnival Vista cruise ship is set to sail from Port of Galveston, Texas, on Saturday —  the first time a Carnival Cruise Line ship has sailed from the United States in more than a year.
• Burkina Faso opposition groups are expected to march throughout the country Saturday as part of silent demonstrations against the government’s failure to tackle a growing jihadist insurgency.
• Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, will step down as chief executive officer of Amazon on Monday.
• The high court in Delhi, India, on Monday is set to continue hearing petitions seeking legal recognitions for same-sex couples in India.
• Serious issues linked to Brazil's mining industry -- an interview with Factal editor Imana Gunawan 

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For more on the issues linked to Brazil's mining industry, be sure to subscribe to The Debrief, our free monthly newsletter that takes a look back at big global stories that you might have missed. 

This episode was produced with work from Factal editors Jimmy Lovaas, Sophie Perryer, Jess Fino and Imana Gunawan.  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected]. 

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.

• President Joe Biden and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will meet face-to-face for the first time Friday, as the United States continues to withdraw its 8,600 troops from Afghanistan following the decades-long conflict.
• Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd in May last year, will be sentenced on Friday after an initial delay.
• Former President Donald Trump is set to speak to supporters on Saturday at the first of several planned rallies to boost Republican allies running for Congress against ones who stood against his claims of election fraud.
• Transportation organizations in India plan to stage nationwide protests Monday to demand the regulation of diesel prices that spiked during the coronavirus pandemic.
• UN coordinates efforts to clean up Sri Lanka ship fire -- an interview with Factal editor Imana Gunawan.

These stories and more are available in our weekly Forecast email and you can subscribe for free.

This episode was produced with work from Factal editors Sophie Perryer, Jess Fino, Ahmed Namatalla, Irene Villora and Imana Gunawan .  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected].

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.

Iran will hold presidential elections to elect a successor to outgoing President Hassan Rouhani who has served in the position since 2013. Democrats and Republicans will choose their candidates in the New York City mayoral race to lead the biggest city in the United States. The first person charged under Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law will stand trial on terrorism and secession charges. Gibraltar, one of the countries in Europe with the strictest abortion laws, will hold a referendum on whether abortion should be partially legalized. And an interview with Joe Veyera on the extreme drought gripping the Western U.S. 

These stories and more are available in our weekly Forecast email and you can subscribe for free.

This episode was produced with work from Factal editors Alex Moore, Jeff Landset, Jess Fino and Joe Veyera.  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected]. 

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.

Israel’s incoming government faces its first test with a vote of confidence in the country’s parliament. NATO is scheduled to meet in Belgium as U.S. President Biden makes his first trip overseas since entering office. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has promised a "full reopening" of the Golden State economy. Biden will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin face-to-face in Geneva, Switzerland. And an interview with Alex Moore on the recent violence in Burkina Faso.

These stories and more are available in our weekly Forecast email and you can subscribe for free.

This episode was produced with work from Factal editors David Wyllie, Jeff Landset, Joe Veyera, Irene Villora and Alex Moore.  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected].

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.

For the second year in a row, Hong Kong officials have banned an annual candlelight vigil commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre, citing concerns over coronavirus. Voters in Mexico will elect hundreds of politicians to local positions as well as 500 deputies to the lower house of its legislature, which could dramatically change the direction of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s tenure. Thailand will launch the first mass coronavirus vaccination program for its 66 million residents as the country struggles to grapple its most severe outbreak yet. The Supreme Court of Israel is due to hear back from Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit after he asked judges to delay their decision on the eviction of Palestinian residents from the East Jerusalem neighborhood Sheikh Jarrah amid a surge in tension last month. And an interview with Jess Fino on Europe's efforts to reopen to travel.

These stories and more are available in our weekly Forecast email and you can subscribe for free.

This episode was produced with work from Factal editors Vivian Wang, Jeff Landset, Bada Kim, Ahmed Namatalla and Jess Fino.  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected].

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.

President Joe Biden will unveil his first detailed budget proposal as president. More than a month after going into lockdown, New Delhi could begin rolling back coronavirus restrictions. Taiwan is set to enact even tougher water restrictions on its population to keep its multibillion-dollar semiconductor industry running. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid is racing to put together a cabinet of unlikely allies, looking to end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 11 years in office. And an interview with Sophie Perryer on another Mali coup. 

These stories and more are available in our weekly Forecast email and you can subscribe for free.

This episode was produced with work from Factal editors Alex Moore, Jillian Stampher, Jeff Landset, Ahmed Namatalla and Sophie Perryer.  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected].

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.

U.S. and European negotiators are rushing to conclude negotiations with Iran to revive the 2015 agreement that curbed its uranium enrichment by a Friday deadline. Tuesday marks one year since George Floyd was killed by now-former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin. A decade after the Syrian civil war began, President Bashar al-Assad looks certain to tighten his grip on power in Wednesday’s presidential election.  Loved ones of the 43 students who went missing in Mexico nearly seven years ago will press for more answers in a Mexico City protest. And an interview with Factal editor Alex Moore on the Belarus opposition crackdown.

These stories and more are available in our weekly Forecast email and you can subscribe for free. 

This episode was produced with work from Factal editors Ahmed Namatalla, Imana Gunawan, Sophie Perryer, Jeff Landset, and Alex Moore.  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected].

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.

The Greek government will officially open up for tourists in a bid to boost the tourism sector upon which the country relies economically. Puerto Ricans will vote  in an election to send two special delegates to the U.S. Senate and four to the House of Representatives, with plans to become the 51st state.  China’s six-wheeled, solar-powered Mars rover is scheduled to land on the Red Planet. Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble will meet with federal state leaders to discuss how to hold a much-delayed presidential election. And an interview with Factal editor Ahmed Namatalla on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

These stories and more are available in our weekly Forecast email and you can subscribe for free.

This episode was produced with work from Factal editors Jess Fino, Jeff Landset, Jimmy Lovaas, Sophie Perryer and Ahmed Namatalla.  Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Have feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed? Drop us a note: [email protected]

What's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams.

If you're a company interested in a trial, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at [email protected].

Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.