Max Verstappen, a Formula 1 champion, confirmed he will stay with the Red Bull team next year, ending rumors about his future. Despite speculation and potential contract clauses that might have let him leave earlier, Verstappen affirmed his commitment ahead of the next racing season.
Key Facts
Max Verstappen is a Formula 1 champion staying with Red Bull for next year.
He currently has a contract with Red Bull until 2028.
There had been discussions about a possible contract clause that might let him leave early.
Verstappen announced his decision before the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Red Bull recently changed their team principal, replacing Christian Horner with Laurent Mekies.
Other teams, like Mercedes, were speculated to be interested in Verstappen.
A tech company called SportIQ has created a smart basketball that gathers data such as shot arc and release time to help basketball players improve. The ball has been used by professional players like Duncan Robinson and is being considered for use in the NBA to aid in game officiating. The ball includes a sensor that tracks if it has been touched, which could help make decisions in games.
Key Facts
A company named SportIQ developed a smart basketball with sensors.
The basketball can measure the arc of a shot, release time, and makes or misses.
Professional player Duncan Robinson has used the ball for about five years and speaks positively about it.
The ball feels similar to a regular basketball, which is important for acceptance.
The NBA is testing a version of the ball for officiating, focusing on who touched the ball last.
A simpler version of this ball is available for consumers.
Using the ball in official NBA games is at least a year away.
Wearable cooling devices, like neck fans, are becoming more visible as people look for ways to stay cool during hot weather. These gadgets are small fans that rest on the neck and blow air to help reduce heat.
Key Facts
Wearable cooling devices include gadgets that help people stay cool in hot weather.
One kind of device is a horseshoe-shaped fan that sits around the neck and blows air.
These neck fans have become more popular this summer.
The article explores whether these fans are actually effective at cooling people down.
More information about the effectiveness of these devices will be available in the audio version of the report.
A dentist in Colorado, James Craig, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his wife, Angela Craig, by poisoning her protein shakes. The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder among other charges, concluding that he poisoned her due to marital issues and financial troubles while having an affair.
Key Facts
James Craig, a dentist, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his wife, Angela Craig.
He poisoned Angela's protein shakes with arsenic and gave her a fatal dose of cyanide in the hospital.
The murder took place in March 2023 while he was having an affair.
The coroner found that Angela died from cyanide and a chemical from eye drops.
Evidence showed Craig searched online for ways to kill with arsenic and ordered potassium cyanide.
A security camera captured Craig holding a syringe before entering her hospital room.
Craig was also found guilty of trying to get someone to kill a detective involved in his case.
He was sentenced to additional 33 years for other charges.
A baby boy was born in Ohio from an embryo that had been frozen for more than 30 years, possibly setting a new world record. The parents, Lindsey and Tim Pierce, adopted the embryo from Linda Archerd, who created it in 1994 through IVF (a process where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body). This case is notable for the long duration the embryo was frozen before resulting in a successful birth.
Key Facts
A baby boy was born in Ohio from a 30-year-old frozen embryo.
This could be the longest time an embryo has been frozen before a live birth.
Lindsey and Tim Pierce are the couple who adopted and gave birth to the baby.
Linda Archerd, who created the embryo in 1994, chose not to discard or donate it anonymously.
Archerd kept the embryos in storage and paid for it for years.
She used a Christian embryo adoption agency called Nightlight Christian Adoptions.
Archerd selected the Pierces based on her preferences for a married Caucasian, Christian U.S. couple.
The IVF procedure was carried out by Rejoice Fertility clinic in Tennessee.
A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam experienced severe turbulence, causing 25 people to be sent to the hospital and the flight to divert to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The incident involved 275 passengers and 13 crew members and is part of several similar turbulence-related events reported this year.
Key Facts
The Delta flight was originally going to Amsterdam but had to land in Minneapolis due to turbulence.
There were 275 passengers and 13 crew members on the Airbus A330-900.
Twenty-five people were taken to the hospital for checks and treatment.
Passengers not wearing seat belts were thrown around the cabin during the turbulence.
Emergency services met the flight upon landing to help the injured.
Serious turbulence-related injuries on flights are rare but are reportedly increasing.
Other turbulence incidents this year include flights from Miami to Raleigh-Durham, Berlin to Milan, and San Francisco to Singapore.
In May 2024, a passenger died from turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight, which was the first such death in decades.
A problem with the UK's air traffic control radar caused delays and cancellations for flights across the country, affecting many passengers. The issue lasted only 20 minutes but had a lasting impact because of busy airspace. The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) quickly switched to backup systems, and there was no evidence of a cyber attack.
Key Facts
A radar problem in the UK's air traffic control system lasted 20 minutes.
The issue led to 150 flight cancellations and ongoing delays.
NATS, which manages UK airspace, switched to a backup system to resolve it.
There is no evidence of a cyber attack causing the problem.
Transport Secretary confirmed it was an isolated event with no malign activity.
Airline companies criticized NATS due to past similar issues in August 2023.
Ryanair called for NATS's chief executive to resign, blaming repeated failures.
Experts noted the UK has very busy airspace, which makes failures more impactful.
The UK government supports increasing airport capacity to handle air traffic demand.
Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL player and popular podcaster, was dropped by ESPN after settling a legal case where he was accused of rape. The case was closed after both parties agreed to a settlement, but details of the settlement were not shared. Sharpe has denied the allegations.
Key Facts
Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL star, was accused of rape by a woman during their two-year relationship.
The woman sought over $50 million in damages.
Sharpe denied the allegations and settled the case earlier this month.
The settlement led to the case being dismissed, but details were not made public.
Sharpe, 57, was removed from ESPN following the settlement.
He has not been on the network since the lawsuit was filed in Nevada in April.
Sharpe hosts popular podcasts "Nightcap" and "Club Shay Shay."
He played in the NFL for 14 years, winning three Super Bowl titles, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Ukraine's Parliament approved a bill from President Zelenskyy that returns independence to two key anti-corruption agencies. This action reverses a previous decision that placed these agencies under the control of the prosecutor-general, a move that had sparked protests and international criticism.
Key Facts
Ukraine's Parliament voted to restore the independence of two main anti-corruption bodies.
President Zelenskyy signed the new bill into law quickly after it passed.
The previous law placed anti-corruption agencies under the oversight of the prosecutor-general, causing public protests and international concern.
Reversing this decision is important for Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union and continue receiving Western aid.
The European Union praised the new law, highlighting its importance for reforms and fighting corruption.
Protests occurred across Ukraine in response to the earlier law, marking the first major demonstrations since Russia's invasion.
Transparency International criticized the past changes for weakening key reforms in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Parliament approved the new law with 331 votes in favor and 9 abstentions.
Ofcom, a UK regulator, is investigating four companies that run 34 adult websites to check if they are following new age verification rules. These rules aim to prevent children from accessing harmful adult content online, and require users to confirm they are over 18.
Key Facts
Ofcom is investigating 34 porn sites run by four companies: 8579 LLC, AVS Group Ltd, Kick Online Entertainment S.A., and Trendio Ltd.
The investigation focuses on whether these sites are complying with new age check requirements.
The new rules require sites with adult content to use tools to verify users’ ages to avoid children accessing them.
These four companies have a combined total of over nine million monthly visitors.
Age verification rules took effect recently and apply to various platforms, including social media and music streaming services.
Over 400,000 people have signed a petition to repeal the Online Safety Act, which mandates these age checks.
Some people worry about privacy and the effectiveness of the age checks, with the use of VPNs being a potential workaround.
Ofcom aims to make the internet safer for children and has said it will announce more enforcement actions soon.
OpenAI and Microsoft are renegotiating the terms of their partnership, which has been important to both companies. They aim to adjust their business arrangement, including Microsoft's stake in OpenAI and how they share future earnings. Both companies are working to be less dependent on each other while maintaining their collaboration.
Key Facts
OpenAI and Microsoft are in discussions to change their partnership agreement.
Microsoft needs to approve OpenAI's plan to become a fully for-profit company.
SoftBank might reduce its investment if OpenAI's restructuring isn't completed by year's end.
The renegotiation affects Microsoft's 49% stake and future revenue sharing.
Both companies seek changes, like OpenAI's right to choose other cloud providers beyond Microsoft.
Microsoft currently uses OpenAI's technology but wants to prepare for the future when AI evolves.
OpenAI wants a typical ownership structure and more flexibility with cloud services.
The relationship remains important as both companies work to reduce mutual dependence but retain benefits from their collaboration.
Congress approved a plan allowing the White House to take back $7.9 billion previously set aside for foreign aid, including funds for disease control, disaster relief, and democracy promotion. Details on which programs will be affected are not clear, causing uncertainty among aid groups about the changes this will bring.
Key Facts
Congress agreed to let the White House take back $7.9 billion meant for foreign aid.
The approval for this money retraction was given on July 18.
This funding originally supported efforts like disease and famine control, disaster relief, and democracy promotion.
Aid groups are unsure how the cuts will be implemented because specific details are lacking.
The White House claims the cuts will prevent wasting taxpayer money, but no evidence of waste was provided.
The rescission involves taking significant funds from long-term development assistance programs.
Around $2.5 billion will be cut from development aid, crucial for reducing poverty and building infrastructure.
These cuts may affect programs that help build self-reliance in low-income countries.
CBS announced it will end "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in May 2026, citing a drop in viewers. This decision came shortly after Stephen Colbert criticized CBS's parent company, Paramount, for settling a lawsuit with former President Trump. The cancellation coincides with the Federal Communications Commission approving a major merger involving Paramount.
Key Facts
CBS will cancel "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in May 2026.
CBS cited declining viewership as the reason for ending the show.
Stephen Colbert recently criticized Paramount for settling a legal case with Trump.
The cancellation came soon after the Federal Communications Commission approved a merger involving Paramount.
The FCC approved an $8 billion merger between Skydance and Paramount.
The US media landscape has changed significantly since the 1980s due to deregulation.
The Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to air different views, was abolished in 1987.
Only a few companies now control 90% of US media, down from over 50 in 1983.
Cambodia is asking Thailand to return 20 Cambodian soldiers captured during a recent conflict over a disputed border area. Thailand plans to return the soldiers after completing legal processes, while maintaining the ceasefire agreement.
Key Facts
Cambodia wants 20 soldiers captured by Thailand to come back home.
The soldiers were captured after a ceasefire was agreed upon between the two countries.
Thailand wishes to complete legal processes with the soldiers before returning them.
Nearly 300,000 people evacuated due to cross-border fighting.
The conflict resulted in 15 Thai soldiers and 15 Thai civilians dead, as well as eight Cambodian civilians and five Cambodian soldiers.
The ceasefire, facilitated by Malaysia, is holding despite some violations.
The United Nations called for the ceasefire to be fully respected and for both countries to work on peaceful solutions.
Suleika Jaouad has used journaling to cope with personal challenges, such as battling leukemia and surviving the pandemic. She has written a book, "The Book of Alchemy," which includes writing prompts and essays from various artists to inspire others. Jaouad runs an online community, The Isolation Journals, to help people use writing as a tool for personal reflection and transformation.
Key Facts
Suleika Jaouad started journaling during her fight with leukemia at age 22.
She found inspiration from reading journals of well-known writers like Audre Lorde and Sylvia Plath.
Jaouad published a book, "The Book of Alchemy," which includes writing prompts from 100 writers and artists.
The book aims to help people find creative inspiration and new perspectives.
Jaouad founded an online journaling community called The Isolation Journals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She views journaling as a way to transform everyday experiences and emotions.
Favorite journal prompts from the book include "Just Ten Images" and "A Day in the Life of My Dreams," offering structure for creative reflection.
Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami win their Leagues Cup match against Atlas by setting up two goals, one in the final moments of the game. This was Messi’s return after a one-match suspension from Major League Soccer.
Key Facts
Lionel Messi had two assists in Inter Miami's 2-1 win over Atlas.
The game was part of the Leagues Cup, featuring teams from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Messi's assist to Marcelo Weigandt in the final minute secured the win.
Messi had been suspended for one match before this game for missing MLS’s All-Star game.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) confirmed Weigandt’s goal after an initial offside call.
Messi was named MLS Player of the Month, with five assists and eight goals in July.
Inter Miami's Rodrigo De Paul, a national teammate of Messi, made his debut in this match.
Online news publishers are facing significant drops in website traffic due to Google's AI-generated search summaries. These AI Overviews display at the top of search results, leading users to click on news websites less often. The decline in traffic affects publishers' ad revenue and their overall business model.
Key Facts
Google's AI Overviews were introduced in May 2024.
These AI summaries appear at the top of Google search results.
News websites like CNN, Business Insider, and HuffPost have seen traffic drop by 30% to 40%.
This drop in traffic impacts online advertising revenue which many publishers rely on.
If publishers opt out of AI Overviews, they also lose visibility on Google Search.
Some publishers are suing AI companies over the use of their content.
Google states that AI Overviews are popular with users and may become more common.
A new idea called "Google Zero" suggests that search engines may stop sending people to websites. This could happen because more people are using tools like Google AI, which don't require clicking on links.
Key Facts
"Google Zero" is a term used to describe when search engines do not direct traffic to websites.
This situation could happen due to the rise of AI tools like Google AI Overview.
These AI tools give people information directly, reducing the need to click on website links.
Fewer website visits could cause problems for online publishing.
Many parts of the internet depend on web traffic to survive.
The potential lack of traffic might lead to some parts of the web collapsing.
A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam had to land unexpectedly in Minneapolis due to strong turbulence. This resulted in 25 people going to the hospital, and the plane safely landed with emergency services ready to help.
Key Facts
The flight was going from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam.
It had to land in Minneapolis because of significant turbulence.
There were 275 passengers and 13 crew members on board.
The plane landed safely at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
After landing, medical staff checked on the passengers and crew.
25 people were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Delta is helping the affected passengers with their immediate needs.
