EDS / INSIGHTS
The permanent record
More context. More connections. Every published briefing, in one place.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called for an "associate member" relationship with the EU that could let Canadians live, work and study across the Atlantic. While the idea has sparked enthusiasm, experts warn that the legal and political hurdles are substantial.
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson condemned the White House for using her song “Midnight Sun” in a TikTok video depicting immigration raids. The clip was later removed, but Larsson’s three‑minute reaction video called the use “dehumanising” and attracted over 4.2 million views.
Fans across the United States who hold tickets to Ed Sheeran’s tour are divided over the removal of Macklemore as a support act. The controversy, sparked by Macklemore’s pro‑Palestinian protest, has led some ticket‑holders to consider refunds and question the tour’s future.
Lena Dunham and husband Luis Felber welcomed their first child via surrogacy. Dunham announced the birth in a Vogue op‑ed, describing the emotional moment of meeting her daughter.
A U.S. federal judge ordered the Trump administration to provide at least 30 days' notice before any demolition of the Kennedy Center. The ruling follows a dispute over the venue’s temporary closure and proposed renovations.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the EU’s proposal for Canada to become its first associate member, citing opportunities for deeper cooperation on defence, critical minerals and energy security. The proposal, announced by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, still requires approval from all 27 EU states and a parliamentary debate in Canada.
The United States has issued visas for a core Iranian delegation, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. The delegation will travel under restrictions that bar the purchase of luxury goods and other items.
Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran called him asking for a $2 million donation to aid the region after Macklemore was removed from the tour. The claim appears in Kraft’s statement, though Sheeran has not confirmed any such pledge.
Sylvia Zin, wife of detained U Min Zin, testified before Congress asking President Trump to raise her husband's case with President Xi. The appeal comes ahead of a Trump‑Xi summit at the White House, where other detained Americans, including seismologist Chen Youlin, are also on the agenda.
UN human‑rights experts say there are reasonable grounds to believe the United States carried out indiscriminate missile strikes on a school in Minab and a sports complex in Lamerd that killed at least 177 civilians. The same report also documents widespread Iranian security‑force abuses during the December‑January protests, which it classifies as crimes against humanity.
Merriam-Webster added 1,400 new entries to its dictionary, including slang terms such as “neckbeard” and “trash panda.” The update also introduced words like “cuffing season,” “superfood,” and “California sober.”
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles announced on X that her recent pathology tests came back clear, confirming she is cancer‑free six months after her diagnosis. The statement also highlighted her continued work for President Trump and referenced recent Vanity Fair interviews that sparked a dispute with the administration.
The United States has again denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, extending sanctions imposed last year. Washington says the measure responds to alleged support for terrorism, but it also tests the limits of the UN Headquarters Agreement.
Charlie Kirk’s family has filed a legal notice accusing Utah Valley University and state officials of negligence that they say enabled his 2025 campus shooting. The filing, made a day before the first anniversary of his death, outlines alleged security lapses and warns of foreseeable danger.
Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, warned that Anthropic’s practice of anthropomorphising its Claude model could have a disastrous impact on humanity. He called for greater transparency, independent scrutiny and stronger control tools for advanced AI systems.
President Donald Trump has hailed artificial intelligence as a key economic engine while dismissing concerns from experts as a hoax. Despite growing warnings from politicians and industry insiders, he continues to promote AI development.
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate to a range of 3.75%‑4%, ending a three‑year pause in policy adjustments. The unanimous decision, announced amid President Donald Trump's criticism, signals a renewed focus on curbing inflation that has lingered above the Fed’s 2% target for over five years.
Newly released photographs show severe damage to U.S. military installations across the Middle East after Iran’s recent attacks. The images, supplied by active service members, corroborate a Pentagon watchdog report that hundreds of structures were destroyed.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt after he ignored a subpoena from the Oversight Committee. The contempt measure was adopted by unanimous consent and will be forwarded to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution.
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged five men with a conspiracy to finance terrorism and plot murders of Ukrainian allies on American soil. The alleged scheme involved recruiting U.S. residents to surveil and potentially kill dissidents linked to Ukraine.
