The birth control pill is widely used as a contraceptive method in the U.S. Recently, social media has seen a rise in claims about side effects, sometimes spread by influencers giving incorrect information.
Key Facts
The birth control pill is a popular method of preventing pregnancy in the U.S.
Social media platforms have many discussions about the pill's side effects.
Influencers have played a role in spreading some unsupported claims.
Misinformation about the pill can affect people’s choices.
A report by Sarah Varney explores the scientific facts about birth control.
The U.S. Department of Justice wants to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is in prison, to discuss the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. The meeting aims to gather more information about any possible crimes connected to Epstein. Recently, some of former President Donald Trump's supporters have been upset with the investigation's lack of new findings.
Key Facts
The Justice Department wants to meet Ghislaine Maxwell for more information on the Epstein investigation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi's deputy, Todd Blanche, announced efforts to ensure transparency in the case.
Maxwell has been in prison since her 2021 conviction related to Epstein's crimes.
No new evidence, including a "client list," was found in a recent DOJ and FBI review of Epstein's case.
Some of Trump's supporters are dissatisfied with the investigation's results, believing important evidence is missing.
There are conspiracy theories suggesting figures in power were blackmailed through Epstein's activities.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex-trafficking charges.
Trump's administration has requested the release of certain legal documents related to the Epstein and Maxwell cases.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening, with many facing extreme hunger, despite Israel easing its blockade in May. The United Nations and aid groups report hundreds of deaths related to hunger, but a formal famine declaration has not been made.
Key Facts
Gaza's population relies almost entirely on outside aid for food.
The Israeli offensive has significantly impacted local food production in Gaza.
Recent reports indicate nearly 100,000 women and children in Gaza suffer from severe malnutrition.
Over 100 people have died in Gaza showing signs of hunger and malnutrition, mostly children.
Famine is officially declared when specific severe conditions are confirmed, such as widespread starvation and child malnutrition.
Data collection for famine declaration is difficult in Gaza due to restricted access.
The U.N. and governments typically make formal famine declarations based on expert analysis.
Severe malnutrition often involves a combination of nutrient deficiency and infections.
A serious security issue in Microsoft's SharePoint server software has been found, affecting many organizations like schools and hospitals that may struggle to defend themselves. Hackers, including groups linked to China, are exploiting this vulnerability to access sensitive information. While Microsoft has released a fix, the threat remains because some groups have potentially already accessed critical systems.
Key Facts
A vulnerability was found in Microsoft SharePoint Server software.
The flaw is being actively exploited by hackers, including some linked to the Chinese government.
Microsoft observed at least three China-based hacking groups targeting this issue since at least July 7.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warns that hackers could use this flaw to access sensitive data or control systems remotely.
Around 100 organizations, including government agencies and universities, are estimated to be affected.
Attackers have been stealing machine keys, which could allow ongoing access to compromised systems.
Microsoft released a patch, but systems may still be vulnerable if attackers are already inside.
Smaller organizations with fewer resources may find it harder to respond to these attacks effectively.
On February 13, 2024, Al Jazeera reporter Ismail Abu Omar lost his leg during an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. He shares his experiences and highlights how many people in Gaza are becoming amputees due to ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
Ismail Abu Omar is a reporter for Al Jazeera.
He was injured and lost his leg in an Israeli airstrike.
The incident happened in Gaza on February 13, 2024.
Abu Omar talks about his personal experience after the airstrike.
He mentions the strength and resilience of the people in Gaza.
There is an increasing number of amputees in Gaza due to the conflict.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh, an air force fighter jet crashed into a school, killing 31 people, including 25 students. Many students and civilians protested, demanding answers, an accurate count of those affected, and changes to air force practices. The government and military are working to identify victims and prevent similar incidents.
Key Facts
An air force fighter jet crashed into a Dhaka school, resulting in 31 deaths, including 25 students.
The crash happened as students were preparing to leave school for the day.
Protesters are demanding accountability and safer aviation practices from the government and military.
Students and others broke through government gates, calling for the resignation of the education adviser.
Police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse protests, with about 80 students reportedly injured.
The military stated a mechanical failure caused the crash.
The government aims to stop training flights in populated areas to prevent future accidents.
Efforts are underway to publish a complete list of those affected by the crash.
Rute Cardoso, wife of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, shared a tribute on Instagram for their one-month wedding anniversary, three weeks after Jota's death in a car crash in Spain on July 3. Liverpool FC has retired Jota's number 20 shirt and created a mural in his memory.
Key Facts
Diogo Jota died in a car crash on July 3 in Spain after a tire blew out and the car crashed and caught fire.
Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, posted wedding photos on Instagram as a tribute to him.
Jota joined Liverpool Football Club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020.
He scored 65 goals in 182 games for Liverpool.
Jota helped Liverpool win the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022 and the Premier League title last season.
Liverpool retired Jota's number 20 shirt to honor him.
A mural with messages from fans has been created near Liverpool's stadium in his memory.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talked with Benjamin Crump, a civil rights lawyer, about the sentencing of a former police officer involved in the raid that led to Breonna Taylor's death.
Key Facts
The conversation was between NPR's Ari Shapiro and lawyer Benjamin Crump.
Benjamin Crump is a civil rights attorney representing Breonna Taylor's family.
The discussion focused on the sentencing of a former police officer.
The ex-officer was involved in the raid that resulted in Breonna Taylor's death.
The event was covered on NPR's program "All Things Considered."
The audio of the discussion will be available later for listening.
An Indigenous man and his family are trying to bring back the language he grew up with. Their journey to gather information about this language takes them nearly 800 miles to Jesuit archives located in Canada.
Key Facts
An Indigenous man is working to revive the language from his childhood.
He is undertaking this journey with his family.
They traveled about 800 miles to find resources.
Their destination is the Jesuit archives in Canada, which hold historical records.
The story was reported by Noelle Evans on "All Things Considered."
Ozzy Osbourne, a famous heavy metal musician, has died at age 76 in Birmingham, England. His family, including his wife Sharon and their children, shared the news and asked for privacy. Ozzy was known for his time with the band Black Sabbath and had recently performed a final show with them in his hometown.
Key Facts
Ozzy Osbourne died in Birmingham, England, at age 76.
His family, including his wife Sharon, announced his death.
He was born on December 3, 1948, as John Michael Osbourne.
Ozzy was a member of Black Sabbath, a key band in heavy metal music.
He struggled in school due to dyslexia and ADHD, diagnosed later in life.
Osbourne's early jobs included working in a slaughterhouse and manual labor.
He briefly had a career as a criminal, leading to a short prison sentence.
After prison, his father helped him start a music career by buying him a PA system.
More than 100 victims of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed have applied for compensation offered by Harrods. The compensation program started in April 2023 and is open until March 2026. Harrods also took steps to replace the executors of Fayed's estate to ensure proper management of assets for potential claims.
Key Facts
Over 100 people who say they were abused by Mohamed Al Fayed have applied for compensation from Harrods.
The compensation process began in April 2023 and will remain open until March 2026.
Harrods has asked the High Court to change the people managing Fayed's estate to protect assets for potential claims.
Victims can potentially receive up to £385,000 in compensation, plus treatment costs if they undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Applicants can receive different payment amounts, including up to £200,000 in General Damages and up to £150,000 in Work Impact Payments.
The scheme includes people who worked for Fayair (Jersey) Co Ltd, one of Fayed's airline companies.
Harrods has acknowledged past failures during Fayed's ownership and has expressed regret for not intervening at the time.
The compensation is available to those with a "sufficiently close connection" to Harrods, even if the incidents happened outside the UK.
Russian lawmakers approved a bill that punishes people for searching online for information deemed "extremist." The bill will likely pass into law soon and includes fines for first-time offenders. The definition of "extremist" is broad, covering some opposition groups and movements. It's unclear how authorities will enforce the law, but VPN services are affected by new restrictions.
Key Facts
Russian lawmakers passed a bill penalizing online searches for "extremist" material.
The bill now moves to the upper house and then to President Putin for approval.
Fines for first-time offenders can be up to $64.
"Extremist" is broadly defined, including opposition groups and the LGBT movement.
How authorities will track violators is not specified.
VPN advertising is banned, and non-compliant VPNs face fines.
The legislation is part of a larger crackdown on dissent since 2022.
Some lawmakers and pro-Kremlin figures criticized the bill for various reasons.
Rescuers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are using basic tools to try to save miners trapped underground after shafts collapsed in a gold-mining area. Six miners have been rescued alive, but conflicting reports leave the exact death toll unclear.
Key Facts
Miners are trapped in Lomera, a gold-mining area in South Kivu province, DR Congo.
Rescuers are digging with bare hands and basic tools, as proper equipment is lacking.
Six miners have been rescued alive, but there are conflicting reports on whether any bodies have been found.
The M23 rebel group controls the area and denies that hundreds are trapped.
The region experienced a gold rush, drawing thousands of miners and creating risky, makeshift mining conditions.
Cascading landslides buried up to 15 mining shafts, hampering rescue efforts due to debris and stones.
M23 officials ordered a halt to some mining activities during the rescue operations.
DR Congo supplies vital minerals for the global electronics industry, often without proper regulation or safety standards.
The people in Gaza, including the author and her family, are facing severe food shortages and hunger. Basic food supplies like flour and lentils are running low, and many families cannot find or afford essential items.
Key Facts
People in Gaza are experiencing severe hunger due to food shortages.
The author’s family has not had a full meal in four months.
Basic food items like flour and lentils are scarce, with remaining supplies barely lasting two weeks.
Some families have money but cannot buy food because stores are empty.
The author describes small amounts of flour as precious and necessary for making bread.
Many families, including the author’s, cannot find essential items like diapers.
The current situation is described as worse than past hardships due to lack of essential resources.
Young people in Sebastia, a town in the West Bank, try to avoid encounters with Israeli soldiers by running home when they hear of military vehicles approaching. In January, 14-year-old Ahmed Jazar was shot and killed by an Israeli soldier during one of these incidents, raising concerns about the safety of children in the area.
Key Facts
Sebastia is a town in the West Bank where residents often see Israeli military actions.
People in the town use lookout points and social media to warn each other about approaching military vehicles.
In January 2023, an Israeli soldier shot and killed 14-year-old Ahmed Jazar.
Ahmed was unarmed at the time and his family said he was not involved in any hostile actions.
Ahmed's family described him as a caring son who planned to support his family financially.
The nursery near where Ahmed was shot still shows bullet marks.
An investigation by the Israeli Military Police was launched, but locals express skepticism about its effectiveness.
Ozzy Osbourne, the lead singer of Black Sabbath, died at the age of 76, shortly after his final concert. Known for his role in heavy metal music and his wild behavior, Osbourne had publicly shared his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020. He was celebrated for his contributions to heavy metal music, both as part of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist.
Key Facts
Ozzy Osbourne was 76 years old when he passed away.
He was the lead singer of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
Osbourne had Parkinson’s disease, which he revealed in 2020.
Black Sabbath's music played a huge role in developing heavy metal.
Osbourne had a well-documented history of substance abuse and outrageous behavior.
He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024.
The original Black Sabbath members reunited in 2025 for his farewell concert.
Osbourne's solo career included successful albums like "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman."
Brewdog will close 10 of its pubs in the UK due to business challenges like rising costs and economic pressures. They will hold a consultation process for staff affected by the closures, and attempt to find them new roles within the company.
Key Facts
Brewdog plans to close 10 pubs in the UK, including one in Aberdeen and three in London.
Reasons for the closures include rising costs and economic difficulties in the industry.
Brewdog was started in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The company will hold a 14-day consultation for staff at risk of losing their jobs, aiming to redeploy them where possible.
Brewdog has 71 bars in the UK and also operates in countries like the USA, Australia, and Dubai.
Trade union Unite criticized Brewdog for the short notice given to staff about the closures.
Brewdog faced criticism in the past for its workplace culture and wage policies.
Sonya Sotinsky, diagnosed with advanced tongue cancer, had to have her tongue and voice box removed. Using past recordings of her speech, she collaborated with researchers to create an AI-generated voice, allowing her to communicate again with her original tone and personality.
Key Facts
Sonya Sotinsky had to undergo surgery for stage 4 tongue cancer, which involved removing her tongue and voice box.
Before her surgery, she recorded various phrases and children's books to preserve her voice.
Sotinsky included a mix of personal expressions, including curse words, to maintain her unique personality.
She partnered with an artificial intelligence company to create a digital replica of her original voice.
This AI-generated voice is stored in a mobile app, enabling her to type and speak in her own voice again.
The process of diagnosing her cancer took nearly a year after initial complaints about painful symptoms.
Dr. Sue Yom, a radiation oncologist, highlighted the vital role of voice in expressing identity and understanding the world.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has been providing aid in Gaza since May. They operate four centers, much fewer than the previous network of over 400 run by the United Nations. Over 900 people have died in attacks at these GHF centers.
Key Facts
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing aid in Gaza in late May.
GHF operates four aid centers in Gaza.
Previously, the United Nations ran more than 400 aid centers in the area.
Over 900 Palestinians have died in attacks at GHF aid distribution sites.
There are concerns about safety, as people must decide between risking danger for food or facing starvation.
The situation involves significant risks for those seeking help at these centers.
Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison was sentenced to 33 months in prison for violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor. This relates to a police raid in 2020 that resulted in Taylor's death.
Key Facts
Brett Hankison is a former police officer from Louisville.
He was sentenced to 33 months in prison.
The sentence is for violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights.
The violation happened during a police raid in 2020.
