Episodes

Thursday May 11, 2023
Thursday May 11, 2023
Facts & Spin for May 11, 2023 top stories: Doctors sound the alarm about AI's "existential threat,” the US says it disrupted a Russian cybercrime network, Imran Khan is indicted on bribery charges, the Biden admin. reportedly plans to release migrants as Title 42 nears its end, George Santos pleads not guilty to 13 federal charges, Florida makes sweeping changes to education materials, the EU Parliament considers an AI facial recognition ban, the UK names its first 'Free Speech Czar', Tucker Carlson announces a Twitter relaunch, and the first baby is born in the UK from three people’s DNA.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod

Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Facts & Spin for May 10, 2023 top stories: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan is arrested, Trump is found guilty of sexually abusing columnist Jean Carroll, Putin draws parallels with World War II during a Victory Day address, Canada and China exchange “persona non grata” labels for their consuls, at least 13 are killed during Israeli air strikes on Gaza, a report finds the DOJ was aware of bribery allegations against Joe Biden in 2018, Goldman Sachs settles a gender discrimination lawsuit, LinkedIn announces plans to cut over 700 jobs, a study says a test to detect drowsy drivers may be available in five years, and an experimental Chinese spacecraft returns to Earth after 276 days.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod

Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Facts & Spin for May 09, 2023 top stories: The UK’s King Charles III is crowned in a historic ceremony, The Arab League readmits Syria following a 12-year suspension, Eight are killed in a Texas mall shooting, Antony Blinken is threatened with contempt of Congress over classified Afghanistan cables, The US and Saudi Arabia discuss Yemen peace efforts, Conservatives in Chile win a majority to draft a new constitution, Russia steps up attacks on Ukraine ahead of Victory Day, The EU proposes sanctions on Chinese firms for allegedly helping Russia, At least 22 are dead after a tourist boat capsizes in India, and over 100 wildfires in Canada displace thousands.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod

Saturday May 06, 2023
Saturday May 06, 2023
Facts & Spin for May 06, 2023 top stories: The WHO says COVID is no longer a global health emergency, The leader of Russia’s Wagner Group says he’ll withdraw his forces from Bakhmut, Eight are killed in Serbia’s second mass shooting in two days, Rochelle Walensky announces plans to step down as the CDC’s director, The US unemployment rate hits a 53-year low, Biden signs an executive order to levy sanctions related to the Sudan Crisis, Canada summons the Chinese ambassador over alleged legislator harassment, New York and California announce a workplace discrimination probe into the NFL, Indigenous leaders demand an apology and reparations from King Charles, and Italy's Napoli wins its first Serie A title in 33 years.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod

Thursday May 04, 2023
Thursday May 04, 2023
Facts & Spin for May 5, 2023 top stories: The White House hosts tech CEOs to discuss AI policies, US students’ history and civics scores reach a record low, a Human Rights Watch report claims China is monitoring the phones of Uyghurs, Senate democrats launch a renewed effort to counter China, India and Brazil are deemed to be among the most dangerous nations for activists, an Israeli raid kills three Palestinians accused of a deadly settler attack, the NYC subway death of a homeless man is ruled a homicide, four Proud Boys are charged with seditious conspiracy, the FDA approves the world's first RSV vaccine, and astronomers spot what appears to be a star swallowing its own planet.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod

Thursday May 04, 2023
Thursday May 04, 2023
Facts & Spin for May 4, 2023 top stories: Russia accuses Ukraine of attempting to kill Putin, a ceasefire is inked in Israel and Palestine, lawmakers hold a hearing on US Supreme Court ethics, Iran’s president begins a historic visit to Syria, an active shooter in Atlanta kills one, while a school shooter in Belgrade kills nine, a rights group says global risks to journalists are increasing, three McDonald's franchises are fined for child labor violations, an Alzheimer’s drug shows promise, and the US Surgeon General declares an epidemic of loneliness.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod

Wednesday May 03, 2023
Wednesday May 03, 2023
Facts & Spin for May 3, 2023 top stories: Biden approves the deployment of 1.5K troops to the Southern border, a senior member of Palestine’s Islamic Jihad on hunger strike dies in an Israeli jail, the US estimates that 20K Russians have been killed in Ukraine since December, the UN approves a travel exemption for Afghanistan’s Taliban, Biden calls a meeting as the Treasury Dept. warns of a June default, the White House announces plans to end most COVID vaccine mandates, Australia says it will ban non-prescription vapes, the "Godfather of AI" warns of looming AI dangers, Hollywood writers strike after negotiations stall, and a Korean student devours a $120K banana art piece.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod

Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Facts & Spin for May 02, 2023 top stories: JP Morgan buys First Republic Bank, Turkey claims to have killed the Islamic State’s alleged leader in Syria, Police continue their search for a Texas shooter, The Pope says the Vatican is involved in a secret Russia-Ukraine peace mission, Santiago Peña wins Paraguay's general election, Jordan hosts Arab normalization talks with Syria, UK chip giant Arm files for US share listing, A New York gun buyback program nets over 3K firearms, A report claims Epstein met with several high-profile individuals after being convicted, and several European organizations call for research into the health impact of racism.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod

Saturday Apr 29, 2023
Saturday Apr 29, 2023
Facts & Spin for April 29, 2023 top stories: Former US Vice President Pence testifies before a grand jury, at least 23 are killed in Russian strikes across Ukraine, the US announces plans to open Latin America migration centers, thousands rally in support of Israel’s judicial overhaul, Iran seizes an oil tanker headed for Texas, Turkey’s leader Erdoğan cancels a third day of election appearances, the BBC’s chairman resigns over Boris Johnson cronyism allegations, a poll finds that public support for the British monarchy is at a historic low, abortion bans are blocked in Nebraska and South Carolina, and scientists release the first direct image of a supermassive black hole.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod

Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Facts & Spin for April 28, 2023 top stories: US House Republicans pass a bill to raise the debt ceiling, Xi and Zelenskyy hold their first call since the start of the war, longtime talk show host Jerry Springer dies at age 79, an Iranian court orders the US to pay $313 million for 2017 ‘terrorist’ attacks, the UK House of Commons approves a controversial asylum bill, a Uyghur refugee dies after nine years of detention in Thailand, Chinese police question consultancy firm Bain & Co. staff, Tucker Carlson breaks his silence since departing Fox News, a study finds Eli Lilly’s diabetes drug leads to significant weight loss, and Pope Francis gives women the right to vote at bishops’ meetings.
Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/
Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod