BBC News Briefing Plus: Is this viral new band actually AI? ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. With Donald Trump set to sign his sweeping tax and spending bill into law, my colleagues at BBC Verify fact-check three of the claims he's made about it and assess the impact it could have on US national debt. Experts speak to culture reporter Ian Youngs about whether Diddy could stage a successful comeback after serving a prison sentence following his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. And rumours swirl around a viral new band which many claim is in fact AI. Plus, try our quiz of the week. | |
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TOP OF THE AGENDA | Trump to sign sweeping tax and spending bill into law |
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| | On Thursday, Trump told supporters in Iowa 'there could be no better birthday present for America' than Congress passing the bill. Credit: Reuters | US President Donald Trump is set to sign his landmark tax and spending bill into law, a day after Congress narrowly passed it. The "big, beautiful bill" as Trump calls it, will enact key parts of his agenda, including tax cuts and the immigration crackdown. Trump began his victory lap at a rally on Thursday, telling supporters it will unleash economic growth, but he must now convince sceptical Americans, as polling suggests many disapprove of parts of the legislation. My colleagues at BBC Verify have fact-checked three of the claims about the bill and explain what the legislation could do to US national debt. The White House signing event on Friday comes ahead of US Independence Day celebrations. |
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| Dozens killed in cafe strike targeting Hamas operative | It raises questions over whether Israel’s use of force is proportionate, as required by international law, writes our reporter. | Read more > |
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| Trump says US to start sending out tariff letters | The move comes ahead of a deadline that could see much higher import taxes on goods coming into the US. | Latest on tariffs > |
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| Elephant kills UK and New Zealand tourists in Zambia | The pair were trampled by a mother that was with her calf, after guides' efforts to stop it by firing shots failed, police said. | More on what happened > |
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| Oasis reunion tour kicks-off in Cardiff | The gig in the Welsh capital is the first time the band have played together in 16 years. They began with their song 'Hello'. | Latest updates > |
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| Druze worry about being left behind in post-war Syria | | More than 100 people were killed in sectarian violence in a suburb south of Damascus in April. Credit: Omar Jaj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images | The Druze - a community with its own unique practices and beliefs, whose faith began as an off-shoot of Shia Islam - have historically occupied a precarious position in Syria. But recent attacks have left many worried that the country is drifting toward an intolerant Sunni-dominated order with little space for religious minorities. Syria's government has repeatedly stressed the sovereignty and unity of all denominations of Syrian society, including the Druze. |
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| | Lina Sinjab, Middle East correspondent |
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| | When the gunfire started outside her home in the Damascus suburb of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, Lama al-Hassanieh grabbed her phone and locked herself in her bathroom. For hours, she cowered in fear as fighters dressed in military-style uniforms and desert camouflage roamed the streets of the neighbourhood. A heavy machine gun was mounted on a military vehicle just beneath her balcony window.
"Jihad against Druze" and "we are going to kill you, Druze," the men were shouting. She did not know who the men were - extremists, government security forces, or someone else entirely - but the message was clear: as a Druze, she was not safe. |
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| | | Deadly clashes: Sectarian violence involving Islamist factions, security forces and Druze gunmen is another sign of the fragile security situation, writes Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher. | | Church attack: A suicide bombing at a Damascus church last month has left many Christians in Syria fearing the new government is not doing enough to protect them, Middle East correspondent Lina Sinjab reports from the capital. | | Future concerns: After several months under Syria's new government, though great strides have been made in gaining some social freedoms, there are growing concerns around what democracy will look like but also around the role of Islam in the new regime, writes Lina Sinjab. |
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PICK OF THE WEEK | Diddy's reputation is tarnished, but could he find a way back? |
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| | Sean "Diddy" Combs was one of the most influential figures in hop-hop. Credit: Reuters | Hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs's reputation lies in tatters after a jury this week found him guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted him of the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. He's currently facing more prison time, but once he's out, could he attempt to salvage his music career? While some experts point to the vast amount of support still shown for the star, others believe "irreparable" damage has been done. |
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SOMETHING DIFFERENT | Why size matters | Evolution explains a lot about our bodies, but some parts still flummox scientists. | |
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And finally... | A new band has taken Spotify by storm with more than 850,000 monthly listeners, but there's a catch - no one's sure if the group is actually real. From claims that the band members and their music are AI, to a bizarre hoax around a spokesperson, here's what you need to know about The Velvet Sundown. | |
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US Politics Unspun newsletter | No noise. No agenda. Just expert analysis of the issues that matter most, from North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher. | |
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