EDS / INSIGHTS
The permanent record
More context. More connections. Every published briefing, in one place.
Scientists say the 2026 El Niño has pushed central‑Pacific sea‑surface temperatures to their highest level on record, surpassing the benchmark set in 2015. The unprecedented warmth is already influencing weather patterns worldwide, though the exact scale of future impacts remains uncertain.
President Donald Trump is weighing the removal of Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle amid allegations of improper conduct in Greece. The claims center on alleged requests for payment from a Trump donor and statements suggesting undue influence over Greek officials.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev summoned Russian ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova after a Ukrainian‑registered merchant vessel sank following a drone strike off the Black Sea coast. The incident, which left eleven crew members missing, heightened diplomatic tension in a region already plagued by maritime attacks linked to the Russia‑Ukraine war.
Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has been announced as the head of a new rebel coalition, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN). The group says it will use force to end what it calls tyranny in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Actress Selma Blair has been summoned on charges of assault after an alleged altercation with flight attendants on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York. The incident has led to criminal charges both on the aircraft and later in the hospital, with Blair pleading not guilty.
A research team from the Archaeological Legacy Institute and Purdue University has arrived at Nikumaroro Island to examine a possible aircraft wreckage linked to Amelia Earhart, contending with giant coconut crabs. The expedition will spend five days investigating the “Tara ia Object” while navigating challenging weather and wildlife.
Residents of Batam island protest that new data centres are draining water supplies, leaving households without tap water. Authorities cite a dry spell and plan desalination plants, while the exact water usage of the centres remains unclear.
Bumble’s shares jumped nearly 50% after a Wall Street Journal report that Ithaca is in advanced talks to acquire the company for about $1 billion. The surge lifted the firm’s market value to roughly $580 million, far below its 2021 peak of more than $14 billion.
President Donald Trump announced an immediate cease‑fire on attacks on energy infrastructure, but the Russian government has not issued an official comment. Pro‑Kremlin media, however, has praised the announcement as advantageous for Moscow.
The 2024 midterm elections will feature 21 House toss‑up districts and seven Senate toss‑ups that could swing control of Congress. President Trump's approval rating sits around 37%, a factor Democrats hope will help them win key battlegrounds.
Former Ukrainian commander‑in‑chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told the BBC that Ukraine has stabilised the front line and that Russia’s ability to advance has been broken. He cited intelligence estimates that Russian casualties far exceed those of Ukraine, suggesting a severe erosion of Moscow’s offensive capability.
Actor RJ Mitte, known for his role as Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad, died at age 34. Police have not determined the cause of death and the investigation remains ongoing.
One person died and several others were injured after a roller‑coaster incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. The ride, identified as Goliath, became stuck on the track, prompting an emergency response and an ongoing police investigation.
A Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner was taken out of service after passengers reported bedbug bites on a Perth‑Rome flight. The airline arranged accommodation and rebooked affected travelers within 48 hours.
President Donald Trump announced a deal to import Russian diesel and claimed an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The move sparked criticism from allies and U.S. lawmakers amid rising energy prices and ongoing conflicts.
Russia struck six Ukrainian energy facilities hours after President Trump announced an energy ceasefire. The attacks caused blackouts, injuries and at least one death, prompting Ukrainian officials to question Russia’s commitment to the truce.
A coordinated cyber attack forced refrigeration units in hundreds of French supermarkets to overheat, spoiling food worth millions of euros. The attack targeted Danfoss software and affected chains including Coopérative, Intermarché, Carrefour, Monoprix and others.
Tom Cruise’s new film Digger is projected to lose roughly $245 million, putting it among Hollywood’s biggest box‑office failures. The movie has earned about $35 million worldwide against a $280 million production and marketing budget.
Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, South Africa’s deputy police chief, resigned three weeks after being charged with sexual offences. The resignation came amid broader allegations of corruption and links to organised crime revealed by the Madlanga Commission.
Nebraska ranchers are grappling with rising fuel, steel, and diesel costs while a Trump‑era policy to import duty‑free foreign beef adds market pressure. Despite these challenges many, such as Yvette Mannon and Jake Wolfinger, continue to back President Trump.
