Latest Episode
November 9: Trump-Linked Biosecurity Contracts and Iran’s Nuclear Inspections
In U.S. news
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny over reports that he blocked Navy promotions after a secret screening examined officers’ connections to rainbow-flag events and other diversity activities.
ProPublica reports that the Trump administration awarded a small biosecurity company nearly $40 million in contracts months after a firm linked to President Trump’s elder sons invested in its parent company. The work covers Ebola screening at several U.S. airports and outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ProPublica says the awards total seven times what the company previously received directly in government contracts.
NewsNation reports that Stephen Miller will become White House chief of staff Monday. The outlet says Trump is acknowledging that parts of his immigration crackdown may have gone too far, while administration officials signal no plans to slow deportations. Republicans suffered significant losses in last week’s midterms, including in Texas.
CNN reports that a record 159 women will serve in the next Congress, seven more than currently serve. Healthcare-focused winners included Annie Andrews and Abdul El-Sayed, with successful candidates emphasizing affordability, public health and reproductive health.
In brain-interface research
Researchers in China report that hydrogel electrodes recorded brain activity continuously for eight hours while one person walked, ate, read and slept. In a separate 14-hour test, a user maintained typing accuracy above 94 percent on a flickering virtual keyboard. The team says the design could support longer-lasting wearable brain-computer interfaces. The findings appear in NPJ Flexible Electronics.
On Iran’s nuclear monitoring
Iran says it is not obliged to accept full nuclear monitoring while under threat of U.S. military attacks, Bloomberg reports. In a report sent to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran said attacks on its nuclear facilities and the threat of renewed strikes have made normal inspections impossible.
In Poland
Polish police say the 24-year-old gunman who killed six people, including a British national, in Krakow has died in the hospital. He was critically wounded during Saturday’s attack on Main Square. Prosecutors are investigating whether anyone helped him.
In the Russell Brand case
Russell Brand has been convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He now faces sentencing.
Off the coast of Crete
At least 21 migrants and refugees have died trying to reach the Greek island of Crete. Greece’s coast guard says more than 100 people were rescued in several operations off the island’s southern coast.
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