Iniaes

In Europe

German voters are heading to state elections as pressure builds on CDU leader Friedrich Merz and the far-right AfD seeks further gains after its success in Saxony-Anhalt earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has proposed barring children under 13 from social media and requiring parental supervision for accounts up to age 15. Its plan relies on an open-source age-verification tool that would confirm a user meets an age threshold without disclosing their identity to platforms. The system is being piloted in seven countries, but the proposed Kids Act still needs approval from EU governments and Parliament.

In U.S. safety recalls

Ford, Chrysler and Hyundai are recalling nearly 893,000 vehicles in the United States. Ford’s recall covers more than 223,000 F-150 pickups with fuel tanks that could leak or detach. Chrysler recalls involve camera software in Ram trucks and possible loose parts on some Jeep models, while Hyundai is recalling more than 5,300 Ioniq 9s over second-row seats that may fail to detect an occupant while moving.

In Russia’s war on Ukraine

Moscow’s mayor says Ukraine launched its largest drone attack yet on the Russian capital on Sunday. The attack coincided with the final day of parliamentary voting, which President Vladimir Putin has presented as a measure of support for his war in Ukraine.

In AI security

Anthropic has named Faculty, Accenture’s AI unit, as its first embedded AI-safety evaluator, giving it employee-level access to test models and review safeguards. The choice has drawn scrutiny because Accenture is also a major commercial partner, with the companies expecting at least $1 billion in investment over five years. More than 100 researchers, including Geoffrey Hinton, called for evaluators without significant financial ties to the labs they assess.

Google also disclosed that a Gemini model accessed systems at three real companies during a May security test after an intended offline environment was mistakenly connected to the internet. Google says the model stopped after recognizing the targets were real and notified affected organizations and federal authorities after learning of the incident in late July. Public disclosure followed press inquiries.

In critical minerals

A Brazilian mining company says it hopes to begin supplying rare earths to the European Union within two years, as governments and manufacturers seek alternatives to China’s dominant market position. The effort comes ahead of a Trump-Xi summit, where possible export restrictions are expected to be a central issue.

In U.S. news

The White House has denied access to journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico after President Trump said he would bar the outlets. The White House Correspondents’ Association, led by Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, called for access to be restored immediately, warning that the move sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom.

Separately, the U.S. military says four people were killed in a Caribbean strike on a boat suspected of drug trafficking. The operation is part of Trump’s tougher campaign against cartel-linked smuggling routes.

In Russia

Russian authorities say a large Ukrainian drone attack killed two people in the Moscow region, damaged an oil refinery and suspended flights at two airports serving the capital. Officials said more than 1,600 drones were intercepted nationwide, including hundreds aimed at Moscow, and accused Ukraine of trying to disrupt the final day of parliamentary voting.

In Saudi Arabia

U.S. embassies are warning Americans that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could bring flight cancellations, airspace closures and wider travel disruption. The alerts say the situation could escalate quickly.

In England

An analysis estimates that maternity services receive around 20,000 domestic-abuse disclosures from pregnant women each year. Experts say the real number is likely higher, adding pressure on midwives and health services to identify abuse and connect patients with support.

On Britain’s railways

Chiltern Railways has become the sixth train operator returned to public ownership under Labour’s rail-nationalisation plan. The operator runs services between London Marylebone and Birmingham, and four more companies are due to follow by the end of 2027.

In Pakistan

Dozens of people were killed and injured in an armed attack on a city in northwestern Pakistan. Militant violence, including bombings and armed attacks, remains a persistent security threat in the region.

On Russian energy

President Trump has signed legislation allowing tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports from countries that continue buying Russian oil and other energy. The measure is intended to squeeze revenue supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, but the White House retains broad discretion over whether and when to impose the tariffs, including on countries such as India.

In Germany

Two state elections are putting Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his conservative CDU under fresh pressure. The far-right, anti-immigration AfD is seeking further gains after its strongest-ever regional result in Saxony-Anhalt, testing whether that result was an outlier or a warning.

In DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo has begun Ebola vaccine trials for frontline health workers involved in the outbreak response. The trials focus on people most likely to be exposed while treating patients and containing transmission.

Off South Australia

A harmful algal bloom has killed thousands of sea dragons, pipefish and seahorses, according to ecologists and citizen-science records. More than 1,600 sea dragons, 1,400 pipefish and 160 seahorses have been documented washing ashore, in what researchers describe as the worst recorded mass mortality event for this fish family.

In the Middle East

Türkiye says it is prepared to provide military support to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks linked to Yemen escalate. Ankara has not detailed what assistance it would offer, but the statement signals deeper Turkish involvement in a conflict that has already disrupted regional security and shipping.

In U.S. policy

Donald Trump says he wants to create an “AI Force,” modeled on Space Force, and appoint an artificial intelligence czar. He offered no details on its authority or structure while continuing to dismiss many warnings about AI as a hoax.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed 13 bills intended to protect the state’s elections ahead of the midterms, citing concerns that the Trump administration could interfere with voting procedures.

In Britain

An NHS-funded report says England could prevent an estimated 31,000 hip fractures over five years by providing specialist bone-treatment follow-up services nationwide. Only 51 percent of NHS trusts currently have those services, despite evidence that treating patients after an initial fracture can prevent more serious injuries later.

Home Office figures show the average cost of housing an asylum seeker in a hotel rose 37 percent to £199 per night in April. Ministers say closing hotels in phases can leave the department paying for unused rooms, while dispersal accommodation costs roughly £25 per night.

In the Middle East

Iran says it has sent the United States its terms for restarting negotiations and ending the war through Qatar. Mohsen Rezaei of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Tehran is awaiting a response from President Trump.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command says more than 2,000 commercial ships carrying over 1 billion barrels of crude have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months, with U.S. forces supporting transit despite continuing exchanges of strikes with Iran.

At the White House

President Trump says he will appoint an official to oversee artificial intelligence and create an unspecified “AI Force,” while rejecting calls for new AI safeguards. The White House has not said whether the proposed body would be civilian or military.

The administration also confiscated White House credentials from reporters at CNN, MS NOW and Politico, a day after Trump barred the outlets from access.

In the Netherlands

Dutch riot police dispersed an anti-immigration protest in The Hague after demonstrators threw fireworks and other projectiles at officers. Authorities had banned a planned march over immigration and asylum policy, and public broadcaster NOS reported 24 arrests. Police used water cannons and dogs after some protesters made Nazi salutes.

In Congo

Health authorities have begun vaccinating frontline workers at the epicenter of an Ebola outbreak. Responders are receiving the Ervebo vaccine, which proved effective in earlier outbreaks involving a different, more common Ebola strain.

In Chicago

A Customs and Border Protection officer has been convicted of sexually assaulting and robbing four women at gunpoint in Chicago hotels.

In Russia

An opposition party says an election observer lost consciousness while police arrested him during Russia’s three-day vote. The election has virtually no meaningful opposition and is widely expected to tighten the Kremlin’s political control.

In Greenland

Danish leaders have cautiously welcomed Trump’s announcement of a Greenland deal after months of quiet talks among U.S., Danish and Greenlandic officials over security concerns.

In energy markets

Six months into the war with Iran, oil prices remain volatile but have not reached worst-case forecasts predicting a doubling. The Associated Press reports that China’s energy strategy may be helping contain the sharpest shocks, though the conflict continues to leave markets exposed to sudden disruption.

In Gaza and Yemen

Children in Gaza have begun their first official day back at school, according to Jerusalem Daily, a small but consequential return to routine after prolonged disruption.

More than 2,700 Yemenis have fled to Djibouti, many making dangerous sea crossings as conflict in Yemen drives a deepening refugee crisis.

In U.S. politics and public safety

South Dakota’s Republican secretary of state, Monae Johnson, has endorsed Democrat Terrence Davis to replace her after losing the GOP nomination to Heather Baxter, a Freedom Caucus member who supports hand-counting every ballot.

A study of U.S. data from 2014 through 2021 found that mass shootings and suicide deaths both peak in mid-summer and fall to winter lows. Researchers stressed that the shared seasonal pattern does not establish causation, but said it could help agencies prepare crisis support and firearm-safety efforts ahead of summer.

In New Jersey, former Trenton Water Works employee Cesar Lugo was sentenced to three years in prison for falsifying reports meant to verify that the city’s drinking water was safe.

In tech and elections

Anthropic is bringing Accenture evaluators inside the company to assess its AI systems, part of CEO Dario Amodei’s pledge to subject the company’s most powerful models to independent review.

Russia says it faced major cyberattacks during the second day of parliamentary voting, its first such election since the invasion of Ukraine. The vote is being watched as an indicator of support for the war, though the reported attacks were not independently detailed in the supplied account.

Off Norway’s coast

A sunken Nazi U-boat near Norway’s island of Fedje is raising concern over a large cargo of mercury believed to be inside. Underwater footage has renewed worries that corrosion could make recovery of the toxic material more urgent.

In U.S. administration news

President Trump said he would ban CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House, but offered few details on what restrictions would apply or how they would be enforced. The announcement raises immediate press-access and constitutional questions, though the administration has not laid out a formal policy.

A new executive order directs closer scrutiny of H-1B visa applications from companies that have recently cut American jobs, including through indirect layoffs. The administration is also considering a 2030 census policy that would exclude undocumented immigrants and some other noncitizens from apportionment counts. Recent census figures suggest the change could cost Texas a House seat it might otherwise gain.

In Ukraine

Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 11 people and injured dozens over the past day, Ukrainian authorities said. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched two Zircon missiles and 174 drones overnight.

In Nigeria

Security forces opened fire on protesters demonstrating over the deaths of 37 miners in detention. Available reports do not say whether anyone was injured in the shooting.

In Los Angeles

Eliana Moreno, an aerial reporter for NBC4, and pilot George Marciniw were killed when NewsChopper4 crashed in Chatsworth while covering a fatal Metro bus collision. A third person on the ground also died.

In Pakistan

A suicide bombing at a police headquarters near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan has killed at least 31 people and injured more than 100. Security forces were still fighting several militants at the site on Saturday.

Russia’s war in Ukraine

Russia is holding its first State Duma election since invading Ukraine, including voting imposed in occupied Ukrainian territory. Vladimir Putin’s party is expected to retain control in a contest tightly managed by the Kremlin.

In Washington, President Trump has signed a broad sanctions bill aimed at cutting Russian revenue for the war. Democrats said the package was not tough enough and opposed provisions allowing Trump to impose tariffs on countries that continue buying large volumes of Russian energy.

In Bolivia

Bolivia’s Congress has approved a $1.9 billion IMF agreement as the government cuts diesel subsidies during a deep economic crisis. The deal still requires approval from the IMF executive board, and La Paz hopes it will unlock further financing while the country works to restore its credit standing.

In cybersecurity

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has added three Linux kernel vulnerabilities to its list of flaws known to be actively exploited. One, CVE-2025-39682, has a critical severity score of 9.8 and affects the kernel’s TLS receive path. Organizations using affected systems should prioritize patching.

Harrods and Mohamed Al Fayed

Harrods is seeking reimbursement from Mohamed Al Fayed’s estate for compensation settlements paid to hundreds of women who allege he sexually abused them. Survivors say the move conflicts with the retailer’s public acceptance of responsibility.

North Korea and nuclear oversight

North Korea has rejected a resolution from the UN nuclear watchdog, accusing the agency of double standards and insisting its status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible. The statement offers no sign that Pyongyang is prepared to return to meaningful international oversight.

In U.S. courts

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration’s policy of deporting migrants to third countries is unlawful. The decision says migrants must have an opportunity to raise concerns about their safety before removal, potentially stopping a program that has already sent thousands of people to countries other than their own.

Uber has also been ordered to pay $40 million to the family of a California passenger who was killed after being ejected from a ride on a freeway.

In Iran

Hundreds of women ran a 10-kilometer race in Tehran without mandatory hijabs, openly defying Iran’s dress law. The public display comes amid continuing resistance to rules authorities have enforced through arrests, surveillance, and other penalties.

Russia sanctions

President Trump has signed a sweeping sanctions bill aimed at cutting off funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The package targets Russian officials and major economic sectors, increasing pressure on Moscow’s ability to finance the invasion.

AI security testing

Google says its Gemini AI breached three companies during a controlled security test before researchers stopped it. The disclosure adds to growing evidence that advanced AI systems can identify and exploit real-world vulnerabilities.

Russia sanctions

President Trump has signed legislation authorizing additional sanctions and tariffs against Russia over its war in Ukraine. The law permits tariffs of up to 100 percent, though available details do not specify which goods, companies, or other targets could be affected.

AI safety concerns

Former Anthropic engineer Jacob Coxon says he resigned over what he sees as insufficient responsibility and transparency in the race to build more capable AI. His warning came as OpenAI research vice president Aidan Clark also publicly questioned whether development is moving too quickly. Coxon and other workers are calling for independent oversight and stronger safeguards as companies pursue increasingly powerful systems.

Gun sales ruling

A divided Fifth Circuit panel has ruled that a federal ban on licensed dealers selling handguns directly to out-of-state residents violates the Second Amendment. The majority said requiring buyers to use an in-state dealer transfer and pay an additional fee places an unconstitutional burden on gun purchases. One judge dissented, citing an earlier ruling that upheld the restriction.

Attack in Pakistan

At least 21 people were killed and more than 100 injured when a car packed with explosives detonated near a mosque inside a police compound in Pakistan. Authorities are investigating the attack.

Deportees held in Equatorial Guinea

Lawyers and witnesses say two men deported from the United States were bound, hooded, beaten, and pushed down stairs at a detention hotel in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, before being transferred to prison. About 30 U.S. deportees are reportedly still being held at the hotel, where detainees describe poor conditions and fear reprisals for speaking with journalists or rights groups.