Week in politics: Trump-Musk's public rift, nuclear deals with Russia and Iran

A longtime DEA informant—previously instrumental in major drug cases—has been arrested for allegedly trying to shake down high-profile cocaine traffickers. The targets were facing extradition from Colombia and the Dominican Republic, suggesting the informant saw an opportunity to exploit their vulnerable legal status.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another corruption headline—it’s a messy twist in the already murky world of drug enforcement. Informants are supposed to help authorities, not turn the system into their own payday. If proven true, this scheme could undermine trust in confidential sources and complicate international drug prosecutions. Plus, it raises uncomfortable questions about how much oversight exists over these shadowy middlemen.

Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders got pulled over for speeding at a whopping 101 mph in a 60 mph zone near Cleveland. The 23-year-old, who slid in the draft earlier this year, was cited after the late-night stop by Strongsville police. Not exactly the kind of headline you want as a new player trying to make an impression.

Editor’s Note: Rookies already face enough pressure without adding reckless driving to the mix. For Sanders—whose draft stock took a hit earlier—this kind of off-field incident could raise red flags about his judgment, especially with training camp looming. Fans and coaches tend to notice when players can’t keep their foot off the gas, literally.

Indian PM Narendra Modi pushed back against President Trump’s boast that he personally helped de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan earlier this year. During their first call since the May conflict, Modi made it clear he wasn’t happy with Trump taking credit for something India insists it handled on its own.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about bruised egos—it’s a diplomatic tightrope. Modi’s rebuttal signals India’s reluctance to let external powers, even the U.S., frame its conflicts. With both India and Pakistan armed with nukes, how outside leaders talk about mediation matters, because missteps could inflame tensions rather than calm them. Plus, it’s another awkward moment in the Trump-Modi relationship, which has been mostly warm but occasionally prickly.

The NTSB dropped a serious warning about certain jet engines—mostly CFM International's LEAP models—used in planes like Boeing's 737 Max. If these engines get damaged, there's a risk of smoke leaking into the cockpit or cabin, which is obviously a big problem mid-flight. They’re urging airlines to check not just the LEAP-1B (the main culprit) but also the -1A and -1C versions, just to be safe.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another technical bulletin—it’s a heads-up that could directly impact passenger safety. Smoke in the cockpit or cabin isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s dangerous, potentially obscuring visibility or causing panic. Given Boeing’s recent struggles with the 737 Max, this adds another layer of scrutiny. For travelers, it’s a reminder that regulators are (at least) catching these risks early, but for airlines, it might mean unplanned inspections or even grounded planes.

Honda just pulled off a quiet but impressive milestone—they successfully launched and landed their experimental reusable rocket in Japan, hitting a height of about 890 feet before touching down within a razor-thin 15 inches of the target spot. No flashy fanfare, just solid engineering progress.

Editor’s Note: While Honda’s better known for cars and lawnmowers, this test shows they’re serious about cracking the reusable rocket game—a field dominated by SpaceX and a handful of others. Nailing precision landings is a big deal for cutting costs and making space access more sustainable. If they keep this up, we might see a new player shaking up the space race.