🎧 intro
Good morning. Happy Monday.It’s August 18th, and this is The Record🗞️.
Today’s show is about power, control, and the systems shaping our world—sometimes quietly, sometimes explosively.From Trump meeting world leaders and reshaping U.S. elections, to mass protests in Israel, corporate divestments, and a major media rebrand.This isn’t chaos. This is the news.And I’m tired of it being filtered through corporate neutrality.So here we go.
đź“° headline rundown
🗞️ Ukraine & European Summit (00:00:31)What’s happening: Trump will meet Zelenskyy at 1:15 p.m. EST, then European leaders at 3:00 p.m. Crimea and much of Donbas are likely off the table. Talks will focus on security guarantees short of NATO membership.What to know: This is a pivotal moment for Ukraine. Western support is being negotiated under heavy pressure, and the stakes could reshape Europe’s security architecture for years.My take: Borders are being redrawn, and Ukraine is navigating between survival and compromise. The balance of power is anything but neutral.🗞️ U.S. Elections & Voting (01:22)What’s happening: Trump announced plans for an executive order to eliminate mail-in ballots and electronic voting machines ahead of the 2026 midterms. His plan would effectively force voters to cast in-person paper ballots instead of mailing votes or using machines.What to know: Democrats and legal experts warn this could disenfranchise millions of voters. State and local governments control elections, so a federal order is unlikely to fully succeed and would almost certainly trigger lawsuits.My take: This is more than a policy proposal—it’s a political signal. Limiting ballots and forcing in-person paper voting is a direct power move putting access to the vote at risk.🗞️ Middle East Protests & Corporate Divestments (02:37)What’s happening: Hundreds of thousands protested in Tel Aviv calling for an end to the Gaza war and the release of hostages. Meanwhile, Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund said it will divest from six companies linked to Israeli military activity.What to know: The protests are sustained, symbolic, and sending a global signal. Institutional and financial pressure is starting to matter.My take: Protests, money, and diplomacy are all in motion. Even when governments stall, action is happening on the ground.
🗞️ Media Rebrand: MSNBC → MS NOW (03:54)What’s happening: MSNBC announced it is rebranding as My Source News Opinion World (MS NOW), marking a major name change for the network.What to know: Names signal shifts—editorial, marketing, and audience trust. Rebrands aren’t just cosmetic; they shape the narrative and influence perception.My take: Media is part of the power ecosystem. Who tells the story matters. This rebrand is a clear example of that.
🧠gut check
The world is exhausting—but that’s not failure. That’s how power and systems operate: unequal, complicated, relentless.Pay attention where it counts: protests in the streets, executive orders affecting millions, money moving through influence networks.Notice it, understand it, and keep tracking it. That’s work that matters.
đź“Ś show notes + support
– follow on IG: @redefiningtherecord– subscribe on Substack: redefiningtherecord– support the record ↓↓↓
– tip jar: venmo @marlenageller– hosted by Marlena– recorded in California with one dog, zero filters, and no coffee (yet)
🔚 sign-off
That’s The Record🗞️.
No permission required. See you tomorrow.
substack | podcast | daily news@marlenabeautydotcom | @redefiningtherecordRedefining the Record
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