Starbucks gets a history lesson, and the UK will get a new PM

Starbucks gets a history lesson, and the UK will get a new PM

Author: Amanda Stephens, Hanna Bilinski,Rti June 29, 2026 Duration: 0:00
This week, in Hanna's absence, Amanda discusses current events with fellow Rti-hosts who may have a stake in the global turmoil. First, Michelle Chiang joins to discuss why Starbucks South Korea got a state-mandated history lesson last Monday, then Fil Leskovsky and Eloise Phillips join to discuss Keir Starmer's resignation, and the only member of British politics we all still support. Read along with us! Starbucks: 1. Gwangju Biennale honours sacrifice that brought democracy to South Korea (Justin McCurry, The Guardian), 2. How a Starbucks marketing stunt spiralled into mass boycotts in South Korea (Raphael Rashid, The Guardian), 3. Starbucks Korea to temporarily shut all stores for history lesson after bungled coffee promotion (Raphael Rashid, The Guardian), 4. Gwangju Uprising, (Wikipedia) Keir Starmer: 1. Starmer quits as Labour leader and paves way for contest for new prime minister (Richard Wheeler, BBC), 2. Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victory (Pippa Crerar, The Guardian), Larry: 1. Larry the Cat outlasts six British Prime Ministers (Reuters), 2. Literal cat fight breaks out between Downing Street and British Foreign Office (DAN BILEFSKY, The Seattle Times, via The New York Times)

Every week, writers Hanna Bilinski and Amanda Stephens find themselves stuck in the same cycle: falling down a rabbit hole of alarming headlines and relentless updates. The Doomscroll News Report is their attempt to climb back out and make sense of it all. Instead of just recapping the major international stories that flooded their feeds, they pause to place each event within a broader context, asking what it really means for the global conversation. This isn't a straight news broadcast; it's a dialogue between two curious observers who bring on knowledgeable guests to deepen the discussion. By weaving together expert insight with their own perspectives as individuals striving to stay informed, they create a space for understanding that goes beyond the reactive nature of the daily news cycle. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a necessary conversation that seeks clarity and connection amidst the noise, offering a thoughtful alternative to the endless scroll.
Author: Language: en_us Episodes: 50

The Doomscroll News Report
Podcast Episodes
Mayors and maternity, and the USA turns 250 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week, lonely host Amanda Stephens is joined by returning guest Michelle Chiang to talk about the Japanese politicians stirring the pot by... just being pregnant and taking medical leave? And also how we feel about t…
World-record heat, FIFA problems, and the Enhanced Games disappoints [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Hosts Hanna and Amanda tackle the heatwaves that struck near the end of May, why that may be one of MANY problems for the very-quickly-upcoming FIFA games, and what even happened with the so-called "Enhanced Games." Read…
Trump Xi Summit, Ebola Virus, and good news actually? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week, hosts Amanda and Hanna discuss the ripple effects of the Trump-Xi summit, the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda, and media reforms in Hungary after Orban's depature and why they may actually give us... hope…
Boats (Hormuz), boats (hantavirus), and billionaires [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week, Amanda and Hanna talk about what it really means that the Strait is Blocked up (spoiler: very expensive groceries), how scary is hantavisrus really? And the MET Gala’s fun new billionaire funder. We're talking…
Mass trials, technofascist manifestos, and salmon on cocaine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week, hosts Amanda and Hanna tackle the mass trial for MS-13 members in El Salvador, Palantir’s sicko manifesto, and why the salmon are on cocaine. Read along with us! Mass trials: 1. Mass trial for 486 alleged MS-1…