Scientists predict that July 22, 2025, will be slightly shorter than a normal day, by about a millisecond. This is due to small changes in Earth's rotation, which are influenced by factors like weather and movements inside the planet. The idea of potentially needing to remove a second from the official time has been raised due to recent short days, but it is considered unlikely.
Key Facts
Scientists say July 22, 2025, will be about a millisecond shorter than a typical 24-hour day.
Earth's rotation can change due to weather, tides, and movements inside Earth.
The organization tracking Earth's rotation is the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service.
The shortest day recently was July 5, 2024, which was 1.65 milliseconds shorter than usual.
Earth’s rotation has been gradually slowing due to the moon's gravitational pull causing ocean tides.
In the past, extra seconds called "leap seconds" were added to keep time accurate.
Recent faster rotations raise the idea of removing a second, called "negative leap seconds," though this has never been done.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) moved some of its field office workers to answer calls on their main phone line to reduce long wait times. While this change has made phone service faster, it has also increased stress and workload for remaining staff, causing delays in other local services.
Key Facts
The SSA reassigned about 4% of its field office workers to help with answering calls on the national 800 number.
This reassignment aims to decrease wait times for callers by providing better phone service.
The change has improved phone service, with average wait time dropping to 13 minutes.
Local office workers report higher stress and more work due to fewer staff remaining to handle in-person services.
Some claim specialists, essential for processing benefits like disabled children's payments, were reassigned to the phone line.
Staffing issues are partly due to a shrinking workforce despite more people qualifying for benefits.
Critics say the reassignment is a temporary fix that shifts problems around rather than solving them.
The SSA recently removed some of the performance data it used to share publicly, making it hard to evaluate overall service improvements.
Heavy rains and floods from Typhoon Wipha have killed five people and forced thousands to evacuate in the Philippines. The typhoon is now moving toward Vietnam, where 350,000 soldiers are on alert for potential flooding and landslides due to expected heavy rainfall.
Key Facts
Typhoon Wipha caused heavy rains and flooding in the Philippines, resulting in five deaths and thousands displaced.
The storm is headed towards northern Vietnam, near Haiphong City, with wind speeds up to 102 kph (63 mph).
As of Tuesday morning, the storm was about 60 km (37 miles) from the Vietnam coast.
Vietnam has prepared 350,000 soldiers for potential emergencies such as floods and landslides.
Up to 500 mm (20 inches) of rain is expected in Vietnam, which could lead to dangerous flooding.
In the Philippines, two people are missing after being swept away in a stream.
Around 48,000 people in Manila and nearby areas have been evacuated due to flooding.
The storm is expected to weaken after making landfall in Vietnam.
OpenAI has partnered with the UK government to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in public services like education, defense, and justice. This collaboration aims to boost productivity and enhance the country's economic growth while addressing AI-related security and privacy concerns.
Key Facts
OpenAI and the UK government signed a deal to use AI in public services.
AI could be applied in sectors such as education, defense, and the justice system.
The agreement involves sharing data and understanding AI capabilities and risks.
The UK aims to boost its economy, which has shown only slight growth recently.
OpenAI's technology, like ChatGPT, generates content from user prompts.
There are concerns about AI's impact on copyright and data privacy.
The UK has also partnered with other AI companies like Google and Anthropic.
Venezuela is investigating claims that over 250 Venezuelan migrants, who were detained in a prison in El Salvador after deportation from the US, suffered human rights abuses. The allegations include reports of torture, such as beatings and lack of proper food. Venezuela is looking into the actions of some El Salvador officials and has called on international organizations to investigate.
Key Facts
Over 250 Venezuelan migrants were deported from the US and held in El Salvador's CECOT prison.
Venezuela claims these migrants faced "systemic torture", including sexual abuse and mistreatment.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab presented evidence of injuries, although it hasn't been independently verified.
El Salvador has not yet responded to these accusations.
Venezuela plans to investigate El Salvador's President and other officials related to the prison.
The Attorney General asked international bodies like the UN and ICC to investigate.
The migrants were accused of gang affiliations, which their families and lawyers dispute.
The US used the Alien Enemies Act to deport the Venezuelans, allowing deportation without normal legal processes.
Annie Farmer, a key witness in the case against Jeffrey Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell, wants the government to release more information about Epstein. She is frustrated with the political use of the case and feels this makes it harder for victims like her to find justice.
Key Facts
Annie Farmer is one of the early accusers of Jeffrey Epstein and testified in the trial against Ghislaine Maxwell.
She and her sister reported Epstein's abuse to the police and FBI in 1996.
Farmer feels the case's political use brings little justice to the victims.
She is skeptical about how President Trump's administration handled the case.
Trump claimed there were no additional files to release on Epstein.
There is controversy over a supposed "client list" linked to Epstein, with recent claims denying its existence.
Farmer is concerned about the firing of federal prosecutor Maureen Comey.
She spoke out more after the death of Virginia Giuffre, another accuser, renewed her focus on justice for victims.
Billy Joel, the famous singer, says he feels good despite being diagnosed with a rare brain condition called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). The condition has caused him to struggle with balance, leading to the cancellation of some concert dates, but he is receiving treatment and focusing on his health.
Key Facts
Billy Joel was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that causes fluid build-up in the brain.
NPH can affect balance, hearing, vision, and mobility and is most common in people over 60.
Joel announced a series of concert cancellations after his doctors advised him that his condition worsened with recent performances.
He is undergoing specific physical therapy to help manage his condition.
Joel’s wife expressed gratitude for the quick diagnosis and care he received, hoping for a swift recovery.
He canceled 17 performances planned for 2025 and 2026 in North America and Europe.
Joel ended a long residency at Madison Square Garden and had an incident on stage in 2025, which led to postponing his tour for medical reasons.
Technology is changing the trucking industry, making it easier for truck drivers to find and book jobs online. However, some drivers report lower earnings and rising fuel costs as digital platforms become more common, while industry groups are concerned about the impact on wages and working conditions.
Key Facts
New digital trucking apps help match truck drivers with companies that need to move goods.
The term "Uberised" is used to describe these platforms, similar to the Uber app for taxis.
In Canada, about 80% of trucking companies have fewer than five employees.
Eight major digital platforms, like Uber Freight, now serve the Canadian trucking market.
Some drivers, like Jared, report that pay rates have dropped since the introduction of these apps.
The cost of fuel is also increasing, affecting drivers' earnings.
Industry unions, such as Teamsters Canada, express concerns that these digital platforms might keep wages low.
A Vancouver-based company, Freightera, allows drivers to quickly find routes without setting prices themselves.
A Bangladeshi air force training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in Dhaka, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 170 more. The crash happened after the plane experienced a mechanical problem during a training exercise, and an investigation is underway to understand what went wrong.
Key Facts
A Bangladeshi air force jet crashed into a school in Dhaka.
At least 20 people died, and more than 170 were injured.
The crash occurred because the jet had a mechanical fault.
The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was killed in the crash.
Witnesses reported seeing fire and smoke after the crash.
Many victims were children, aged between 9 and 14.
The interim government announced a day of mourning across Bangladesh.
An investigation committee has been formed to look into the incident.
Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is starting an inquiry into a data leak that exposed the identities of many Afghans and British military personnel. The breach, which happened in February 2022, was discovered in August 2023 and led to an urgent response, including legal actions and efforts to bring affected individuals to safety in the UK.
Key Facts
The data leak revealed information about thousands of Afghans and British military officials.
The ISC is investigating the role of the UK intelligence community in the data loss.
The data breach involved an email mistake at the UK Special Forces headquarters in February 2022.
The breach was not discovered until August 2023, when details surfaced online.
The Ministry of Defence asked for a legal order to prevent news of the leak due to Taliban risks.
The UK set up a special program to relocate about 7,000 people affected by the leak.
The ISC is asking for all relevant intelligence documents to review the breach.
The Ministry of Defence will support the ISC's inquiry and defend against any legal claims.
A major cyber espionage attack targeted Microsoft server software, affecting about 100 organizations, mainly in the US and Germany. The attack exploited a previously unknown flaw in SharePoint servers, but Microsoft quickly provided security updates to fix the issue.
Key Facts
The cyber attack affected about 100 organizations using Microsoft server software.
Two cybersecurity groups announced the discovery of the attack on Monday.
The attack targeted self-hosted SharePoint servers, a tool for sharing documents, while Microsoft-hosted versions were not affected.
The term "zero-day" refers to a flaw that hackers exploit before it's known or fixed.
Most affected organizations were in the United States and Germany, including some government groups.
Microsoft has issued security updates to help protect against this attack.
The identity of the hackers remains unknown, and the FBI is investigating.
Over 8,000 servers globally could potentially be at risk from similar attacks.
A couple from Calgary had a close encounter with a grizzly bear while hiking for their wedding anniversary in Trolls Falls, located in Alberta's Kananaskis Country. They managed to stay calm and scare the bear away by making themselves look bigger. Bear activity is reportedly increasing in the area.
Key Facts
A Calgary couple saw a grizzly bear while hiking during their anniversary.
The encounter took place at Trolls Falls in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
They calmed down and made themselves appear large to scare the bear off.
Bears are commonly seen in the Trolls Falls and Kananaskis Country region.
Recent reports show that bear activity is going up in this area.
Fighting near Suweida city in southern Syria has stopped temporarily as Bedouin fighters agreed to a ceasefire with the Druze community, although they might resume fighting in the future. The Bedouin fighters moved to nearby villages after violent clashes involving Druze fighters, Bedouins, and Syrian government forces, with Israeli airstrikes supporting the Druze. The Bedouin fighters demand the release of wounded Bedouins in Suweida, whom they call hostages, and threaten to re-enter the city if this is not done.
Key Facts
Bedouin fighters have agreed to a temporary ceasefire with the Druze in Suweida.
The clashes included Druze fighters, Bedouins, and government forces.
Israel conducted airstrikes to support the Druze side in the conflict.
Bedouin fighters moved from Suweida to nearby villages.
Bedouin fighters demand the release of injured Bedouins they call hostages.
Heavily armed government security personnel prevent Bedouins from re-entering Suweida.
Bedouin fighters threaten to force their way back into the city if demands are not met.
At least 20 people died when a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into a school in Dhaka. The plane was a training aircraft that went down shortly after takeoff. Over 160 others were injured in the incident.
Key Facts
A Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into a school in Dhaka, killing at least 20 people.
The crash happened at the Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighborhood.
The jet was an F-7 BGI, a type of Chinese fighter plane used for training.
The pilot was among those who died.
More than 160 people, including many students, were injured.
The plane had taken off from a nearby air force base and crashed shortly after.
The aircraft reportedly had a "technical malfunction" before the crash.
A special Air Force committee will investigate the cause of the crash.
Boniface Mwangi, a well-known activist in Kenya, was charged with unlawfully having tear gas canisters after being arrested for his involvement in protests against the government. He was released on bond, and the charge has been criticized as an attempt to silence him and other activists.
Key Facts
Boniface Mwangi is a recognized activist in Kenya.
He was charged with unlawfully possessing three tear gas canisters.
Mwangi was released on bond after appearing in court.
Police claimed Mwangi was involved in organizing violent protests.
His home and office were searched by detectives.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission called the charges false.
Amnesty International criticized the legal action, saying it's part of efforts to intimidate dissenters.
Protests against President William Ruto began after he proposed new tax measures.
In recent years, community bail funds have become more popular in the U.S. as part of efforts to change how cash bail works. However, some lawmakers, particularly Republicans, are criticizing these funds, saying there are safety concerns. Former President Trump also criticized bail reform, claiming it has increased crime, although studies show mixed results about its impact.
Key Facts
Community bail funds help people who can't pay bail by collecting donations to pay for them.
In 2020, the number of community bail funds in the U.S. increased significantly, from about a dozen to over 100.
Former President Trump criticized bail reform on social media, calling it a "complete disaster."
Eight states have passed laws since 2020 to change how bail works, such as reducing reliance on cash bail.
Crime rates increased in 2020 and 2021 but have decreased over the last three years.
Studies provide differing views on whether bail reform has led to higher crime rates.
Lawmakers, mostly Republicans, have raised public safety concerns and called for more regulation of community bail funds.
A Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a school in Dhaka, killing at least 19 people and injuring over 100 others. The plane hit Milestone School and College in the Uttara neighborhood, causing a large fire and significant damage.
Key Facts
A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood.
The crash took place shortly after the aircraft took off at 1:06 PM local time.
At least 19 people died, and more than 100 were injured in the incident.
The F-7 BGI is a multi-purpose fighter jet built by China's Chengdu Corporation, used for various military roles.
Students at the school were either taking tests or attending classes at the time of the crash.
The school has about 6,000 students enrolled.
Rescue operations include the army, air force, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh, with eight fire service units managing the fire.
The government set up an emergency hotline and is coordinating rescue efforts, with DNA testing planned for unidentified victims.
On July 9, 2024, 11 United Nations experts warned about famine in Gaza, stating that Israel's actions were causing starvation. They urged the international community to send humanitarian aid and end the siege. The experts highlighted severe hunger affecting the people in Gaza and the difficulty of gathering data due to the situation.
Key Facts
On July 9, 2024, UN experts issued a warning about famine in Gaza.
They described Israel's actions as causing intentional starvation.
The experts called for international help and an end to the siege in Gaza.
Famine often means extreme lack of food leading to starvation and death.
The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) scale helps identify food crises.
The FAO scale requires 20% of households lacking food, high child malnutrition, and increased death rates to declare famine.
FAO, World Food Programme, and partners use this tool for food insecurity.
Data collection in Gaza is challenging due to access restrictions by Israel.
Recent changes aim to prevent large increases in water bills for households in England and Wales after prices rose significantly. The report suggests installing smart meters to better monitor water use and replacing the current water regulator to improve oversight. Pollution incidents involving water companies have also reached a record high, prompting calls for more investment in infrastructure.
Key Facts
The environment secretary stated water bills will not rise as much as before, based on a new report.
The report recommends installing smart water meters in homes to help control water costs.
The regulator Ofwat may be replaced by a single regulator to better manage water infrastructure.
Average water bills increased by 30% from now to 2030, despite a historical 15% decline when inflation is considered.
Water companies have been criticized for paying shareholders £54 billion since being privatized in 1989.
Incidents of water pollution by companies in England have reached record levels, with serious cases increasing by 60%.
Suggested reforms aim to reduce sewage discharge incidents by half by 2030.
Campaigners argue the report does not fully address the water industry's issues, focusing more on management than solutions.
Harvard University went to federal court to challenge the Trump administration's decision to cut $2.6 billion in federal funding, claiming it was done illegally. The government argues that the funding cuts are justified because Harvard allegedly failed to comply with directives to combat antisemitism. The court case could impact Harvard's research projects and is being closely watched.
Key Facts
Harvard is challenging a $2.6 billion cut in federal funding in court.
The funding cuts are linked to accusations that Harvard did not follow directives to combat antisemitism.
A federal judge, Allison Burroughs, is handling the case.
Harvard claims the cuts are an attempt to control the university's internal matters.
The case could affect many research projects at Harvard.
The government halted new grants to Harvard and began canceling existing ones.
Harvard and the American Association of University Professors filed lawsuits against the funding cuts.
The Trump administration requested changes in Harvard's campus policies, which Harvard rejected.
