A new documentary has revealed that over 21,000 workers from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal have died since 2017 while working on Saudi Arabia’s multi-trillion dollar Saudi Vision 2030 programme, which includes the NEOM project and the Line. The programme has also seen allegations of wage theft, illegal working hours, human rights abuses, and the forced removal of over 20,000 indigenous people. The documentary follows a report by the Wall Street Journal alleging corruption, racism, Islamophobia, and misogyny among the project’s senior executives. Despite some architecture companies leaving NEOM due to human rights concerns, others including BIG, Zaha Hadid Architects, and OMA remain involved. Over 100,000 people have also reportedly “disappeared” during the construction of NEOM.
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The former mayor of University Park, Maryland, Joel Biermann, is facing nearly 30 charges related to child pornography. Biermann, 46, was arrested at his home after an FBI search warrant and is being held without bond. The charges date back to October 2024, although several solicitation charges were also filed for 2021 and 2023. The activities were allegedly committed online, according to State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, who described the charges as “repugnant” and “extremely disturbing”. Currently, Biermann is not holding office and is considered a private citizen.
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North Korea has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that flew for 86 minutes, marking the longest flight time yet. The missile reached a height of 7,000 km. South Korean and US officials have agreed to “take strong and varied response measures,” and South Korea has vowed to impose fresh sanctions on North Korea in response. This comes amid deteriorating relations between the Koreas and allegations of North Korean troops supporting Russia in the war in Ukraine. Both North Korea and Russia have yet to confirm or deny these claims.
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A California landlord, Charles Pierce, claimed on Reddit that he used ballots belonging to his former tenants to vote multiple times for Donald Trump in Shasta County, California. After Reddit users reported him for voter and mail fraud to the FBI, he was fired from his job as a landlord of an apartment complex in Redding. Pierce denied engaging in illegal activities and the Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters stated that the case had been passed onto the District Attorney’s Office. While no charges have been filed yet, the office is considering doing so. The FBI refused to comment on the situation.
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Rudy Giuliani’s Manhattan apartment was to be accessed by a moving company representative and lawyers on Thursday. This comes after Giuliani failed to surrender belongings to two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him, missing the Tuesday deadline. The election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, were meant to receive Giuliani’s prized possessions, which include his $5 million Upper East Side apartment and various other assets. The former New York City mayor’s law defense has argued that while his appeal of the defamation judgment is ongoing, Freeman and Moss should not be allowed to sell his possessions. A status report on any property exchanges has been demanded by U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman.
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A political group supported by billionaire Elon Musk is using a Facebook account tagged “Progress 2028” to disseminate misleading advertisements suggesting that Kamala Harris endorses certain policies that she in fact does not. These include wanting to implement mandatory gun buybacks, bestowing Medicare benefits and driving licenses to illegal immigrants, and banning fracking. The ads are sponsored by Building America’s Future, a secret fundraisers funded by Musk and others, and tied to over $100 million Musk has spent backing the re-election bid of Donald Trump. As these advertisements are not technically in breach of Meta’s advertising policies and are protected by the American First Amendment, they cannot be removed, even though they have the potential to mislead voters. The advertisements have been viewed by millions in swing states so far.
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Eight out of 11 justices on Mexico’s Supreme Court have resigned in response to a constitutional reform requiring judges to be elected by popular vote. The judges will formally step down in August and November 2025, but their departures have already deepened tensions between the Supreme Court and the government, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis. While three Supreme Court justices publicly support the reform, the resigning justices are careful to clarify their resignation does not signify agreement with the controversial changes.
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The refusal of the Georgian president to recognize the parliamentary election results marks a pivotal moment in Georgia’s political landscape, and I feel a mix of concern and urgency as I contemplate the implications. It is disheartening to witness how the ideals of democracy can be so easily undermined in a nation that has struggled for its independence and the right to self-determination. The call for public protests by the president underscores a broader narrative about resistance against an increasingly authoritarian regime. This struggle is not just about Georgia; it resonates with a global audience as similar patterns of governance emerge in various democracies around the world.… Continue reading
Hundreds of ballots being destroyed in Oregon and Washington as fires are set in ballot drop boxes is an alarming and deeply disturbing reflection of the current state of our nation. When I first read about this, I felt a mix of anger and disbelief, grappling with the notion that individuals would resort to such drastic measures to manipulate our electoral process. This is not a mere act of vandalism; it’s a direct assault on our democracy.
The idea that someone would light a ballot drop box on fire, knowing it could potentially disenfranchise scores of voters, is beyond comprehension. I cannot fathom the mindset of individuals who think that destroying other people’s votes is in any way justifiable.… Continue reading
The recent change requiring US airlines to automatically refund passengers for canceled or significantly delayed flights has been a long overdue development in consumer protection. It’s quite shocking to think this wasn’t a standard practice before. In an industry that can disrupt lives with mere announcements of delays or cancellations, automatic refunds provide a much-needed cushion for travelers. I speak from experience; being on the receiving end of a canceled flight is not just an inconvenience; it can throw every part of your carefully planned itinerary into disarray.
I remember when Allegiant Airlines canceled my flight to Florida just before Hurricane Milton made its chaotic impact known.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker