Friday Briefing: The First American Pope

SummaryHabibur Masum, 26, fatally stabbed his wife, Kulsuma Akter, 27, in a public street in Bradford while she was pushing their seven-month-old son in a pram. The court heard that Masum tracked Akter to a refuge where she had fled to escape his violent and controlling behavior, and he attacked her with a knife, causing multiple stab wounds, including one that severed her jugular vein. Masum has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a...

Summary Canada's plan to replace its CF-18 fighter jets with F-35s is projected to cost $27.7 billion, nearly 50% more than the 2022 estimate, with an additional $5.5 billion needed for full operational capability, according to Auditor General Karen Hogan's report. The project is also facing significant risks that could delay delivery, with facilities for the new jets over three years behind schedule and a potential shortage of qualified pilots hindering the transition. Hogan recommended...

SummaryA report by the Israeli newspaper Maariv reveals that most members of the militia armed by Israel in Gaza are criminals involved in drug trafficking and extortion, with recruitment linked to Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet. Shin Bet head Ronen Bar recommended arming the Abu Shabab gang with weapons seized from Hamas and Hezbollah, claiming it would not alter the balance of power in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the arming of the...

The UK is facing a competitiveness issue as companies, particularly mid-sized firms, struggle to scale before public listings. These businesses, which employ nearly a third of the workforce, encounter barriers such as lack of access to patient capital and cultural aversion to risk, hindering their growth potential. The Labour government's upcoming spending review must focus on supporting these mid-sized companies with better funding options, simplified hiring rules, and a shift in the perception of risk...

Federal prosecutors in Tennessee sought a pre-trial detention hearing for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, recently returned from El Salvador to face human smuggling charges involving undocumented migrants, including minors. They argue that the presence of children and Garcia's alleged ties to the MS-13 gang pose risks of flight and potential witness intimidation. Abrego Garcia’s attorneys plan to respond to the motion ahead of the scheduled arraignment, while the legality of his return follows court rulings against...

Iranian authorities executed nine individuals, alleged members of the Islamic State, following their arrest in 2018 during clashes that resulted in the deaths of three Revolutionary Guards. The detainees were charged with "moharebeh," armed uprising, and weapon possession after being tracked by the Revolutionary Guards while attempting to carry out attacks in Iran. Despite a decline in threats from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Iran has faced recent attacks from its Afghanistan branch,...