A kiss cam moment at a Coldplay concert went viral when the couple featured, Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, reacted awkwardly when shown on the screen. This led to Byron, the CEO of a company called Astronomer, being put on leave and then resigning, as the company began an investigation into the matter.
Key Facts
Kiss cam is a stadium video feature known for showing couples and encouraging them to kiss.
At a Coldplay concert, a couple separated quickly instead of kissing when they appeared on the kiss cam.
The couple was later identified as the CEO and the head of human resources of a company called Astronomer.
The event led to social media attention, memes, and spoof merchandise.
Astronomer put its CEO, Andy Byron, on leave and then he resigned.
The kiss cam has a history of being both fun and controversial.
Past controversies include focusing mostly on straight couples and mocking same-sex couples.
A tourist boat named Wonder Seas capsized in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay during a sudden storm, resulting in at least 28 deaths and leaving 14 people missing. There were 53 people on board, mostly Vietnamese families, and ongoing rescue efforts have saved 11 people so far.
Key Facts
At least 28 people died when a tourist boat capsized in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
The incident happened during bad weather, with a sudden storm causing the boat to overturn.
The boat was carrying 53 people, mainly Vietnamese families from the capital, Hanoi.
Heavy rain is making rescue efforts difficult, but 11 people have been rescued alive.
Among those rescued were a 14-year-old boy found in an air pocket and a 10-year-old boy now stable in the hospital.
Of the 28 recovered bodies, eight were children.
Rescue operations continue, with 14 people still missing.
Ha Long Bay is a popular tourist spot with many small islands and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
NPR's report highlights that Florida is a central location for immigration enforcement under President Trump, who started his new term in January. A new large detention center, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," has opened in Florida, and journalist Jasmine Garsd has covered how these events are affecting families.
Key Facts
President Trump began a new term in January 2025.
Florida is a key state for immigration enforcement under Trump's current term.
A new detention center in Florida is called "Alligator Alcatraz."
This detention center has 5,000 beds.
The center is located in a swampy area, noted for its reptiles.
NPR reporter Jasmine Garsd has reported from Florida on immigration issues.
The reporting includes stories of children separated from their parents.
The NPR show “Consider This” discussed how Florida's situation might show future trends in immigration enforcement.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will close its Office of Research and Development and cut over 3,700 jobs. This change is part of a larger plan to focus on specific environmental issues through a new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions and save nearly $750 million.
Key Facts
The EPA is closing its Office of Research and Development, which provides scientific support for environmental protection.
The closure will help focus efforts on specific environmental issues like air and water.
A new department called the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions will be created.
The changes are expected to save the EPA nearly $750 million.
More than 3,700 jobs will be cut, reducing the total EPA workforce by about 23%.
The job cuts follow a Supreme Court ruling allowing federal workforce downsizing.
The research office had 1,540 positions, with up to 1,155 scientists possibly affected by layoffs.
The EPA is also offering some employees an option to resign voluntarily by July 25.
A man drove his car into a crowd of people outside a nightclub in Los Angeles, injuring 23 people. During the chaos, someone shot the driver, who was also attacked by bystanders. The police are still investigating why the incident happened.
Key Facts
A car struck a crowd outside a Los Angeles nightclub early on July 19, 2025.
The incident injured 23 people waiting to enter the club.
The driver was attacked and shot by a bystander after the crash.
The driver’s condition is unknown, and no fatalities have been reported.
Police are investigating the driver's motive, including if it was intentional or related to drunk driving.
A possible dispute occurred between the driver and club patrons before the incident.
Police are searching for the shooter, described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, and bald.
The car also hit a taco truck and valet stand near the nightclub.
A car drove into a crowd of people outside a nightclub in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people. The driver was shot and attacked by bystanders, and police are searching for the shooter. Several victims were hospitalized, with at least three in critical condition.
Key Facts
A car hit a crowd outside a Los Angeles nightclub, injuring 30 people.
The incident happened early Saturday along Santa Monica Boulevard.
The driver was found with a gunshot wound and was hospitalized.
Police are looking for a suspect who may have shot the driver.
The crash damaged a taco truck and a valet stand.
Bystanders helped injured people before emergency services arrived.
A fight reportedly occurred before the crash.
The nightclub was hosting a reggae/hip hop event at the time.
A vehicle hit a crowd of people waiting outside a nightclub in Los Angeles, injuring 30 individuals, with at least three in critical condition. The incident occurred on a busy street and is under police investigation.
Key Facts
A vehicle drove into a crowd waiting to enter a nightclub in Los Angeles.
The incident happened along Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood.
30 people were injured, and at least three were critically hurt.
Victims were taken to hospitals and trauma centers for treatment.
The vehicle also hit a taco truck and valet stand.
One person among the injured had a gunshot wound.
The Los Angeles City Fire Department and LAPD are investigating the incident.
People from inside the club helped the injured until emergency crews arrived.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro visited Haiti to offer support amid ongoing gang violence. During his visit, he held talks on security and other issues, opened a Colombian embassy in Port-au-Prince, and discussed training Haitian officers.
Key Facts
President Gustavo Petro of Colombia traveled to Haiti to address the increase in gang violence.
Petro's visit included discussions on improving security, trade, education, agriculture, and combating drug trafficking.
Colombia opened a new embassy in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.
Petro proposed training programs for Haitian law enforcement.
Haitian officials visited Colombia to learn about defense capabilities.
Gang violence in Haiti is severe, with a recent UN report mentioning nearly 5,000 deaths over nine months.
The visit followed large drug seizures by Haitian authorities and ongoing UN-backed efforts to curb violence.
Haiti has seen a significant displacement due to gang control, affecting 1.3 million people.
A new investigation has started to examine the 1967 death of Chief Albert Luthuli, a leader of the African National Congress. Luthuli was reportedly hit by a train, but recent testimonies suggest the incident might not have occurred as originally described, raising questions about the true circumstances of his death.
Key Facts
Chief Albert Luthuli was 69 years old when he died near Durban, South Africa, in 1967.
Luthuli was the leader of the African National Congress (ANC) and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
He was reportedly hit by a train on July 21, 1967, while crossing the Umvoti River Bridge.
Train driver Stephanus Lategan testified that he saw Luthuli walking on the bridge and sounded the whistle, but Luthuli did not move aside.
Luthuli's family said he was usually very careful when crossing the bridge.
A new inquest in 2023 has been opened to investigate suspicious deaths from the apartheid era.
Expert witnesses at the new inquest have raised doubts about Lategan's version of events.
Some experts suggested the possibility that Luthuli was assaulted and his body placed on the track to make it look like a train accident.
High-protein snacks are popular in grocery stores, with many products labeled as "high-protein." However, some products might not be as beneficial as they seem because they still contain lots of sugar. To check if these snacks are worth eating, you can calculate how much of the food's total calories come from protein.
Key Facts
Protein is a nutrient needed for building and repairing muscles and supports the immune system.
High-protein snacks have become common in stores, including products like chips and candy.
Some snack packages highlight their protein content but might also have a lot of sugar.
The protein-snacks market is expected to grow significantly, from $50 billion in 2024 to $101 billion by 2032.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls marketing claims on food, but "high-protein" labels are often used to suggest healthiness.
To evaluate a snack's protein value, multiply the grams of protein by 4 (calories per gram), and divide this number by the total calories to find the protein percentage of total calories.
For example, a snack with 20 grams of protein and 200 total calories means 40% of its calories come from protein.
Chile plans to increase lithium mining, which is essential for electric vehicles (EVs). There is an interest in determining if this can be done in a way that is better for the environment.
Key Facts
Chile is planning to expand its lithium mining operations.
Lithium is an important mineral for the electric vehicle industry.
The documentary explores whether lithium mining can be more sustainable.
The program is part of a tech series covering various innovations.
The episode first aired on July 19, 2025.
It will be available to watch for 11 months after its release.
The show is available with audio description and sign language options.
A video from a Coldplay concert showing two people embracing on a big screen has gone viral online, leading to speculations about them being executives from a company called Astronomer. The company has started an investigation into the matter but has not confirmed the identities of the people in the video.
Key Facts
A video from a Coldplay concert in Boston featured two people embracing on a big screen.
Rumors suggest that these individuals are executives at a tech company named Astronomer, including its CEO.
The company's board is investigating the video but has not verified who is in it.
The video spread quickly online and was widely shared on platforms like TikTok.
Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin, joked on stage that the pair might be having an affair or are just shy.
The identities of the individuals in the video have not been officially confirmed by the company or the individuals involved.
False statements supposedly from the CEO, Andy Byron, circulated online afterward.
Astronomer has stated that no other employees are involved in the video.
Slovenia's parliament has approved a new law that allows terminally-ill adults to choose to end their lives when no other treatments can help. This move follows a referendum where 55% of voters supported the idea. The law does not allow assisted dying for those suffering due to mental illness.
Key Facts
Slovenia's parliament passed a law for assisted dying with 50 votes in favor, 34 against, and three abstentions.
The law applies to terminally-ill adults experiencing unbearable suffering with no remaining treatment options.
Assisted dying will not be available for mental illness-related suffering.
A referendum showed 55% of Slovenians supported assisted dying.
Opponents may seek another referendum to challenge the law.
The law is expected to come into effect in the next few weeks.
Slovenia joins Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and some U.S. states in permitting assisted dying.
Slovenia's Commission for Medical Ethics has expressed concerns about ethical risks linked to the law.
Paramount is cancelling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," a top-rated late-night talk show. The company said it cancelled the show for financial reasons.
Key Facts
"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" is the highest-rated late-night talk show on broadcast TV.
Paramount is the company that decided to cancel the show.
The official reason given for the cancellation is financial.
The timing of the cancellation has prompted questions.
Stephanie Sy talked about the show's cancellation with Eric Deggans, a television critic from NPR.
Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois are set to fight for the world heavyweight boxing titles at Wembley Stadium. Usyk is undefeated and aims to win Dubois' IBF belt to become the undisputed world champion. Dubois, who has won his last three fights, believes he is ready to challenge Usyk this time.
Key Facts
Oleksandr Usyk is undefeated in his professional boxing career.
Usyk has not lost a boxing match in 16 years, with his last defeat in 2009 as an amateur.
Daniel Dubois has won his last three fights by knockout.
Usyk aims to add Dubois' IBF title to his WBA, WBC, and WBO titles.
The fight will take place at Wembley Stadium in front of an expected crowd of 90,000 people.
Usyk previously defeated Anthony Joshua and has won against several British fighters.
Dubois previously faced Usyk but lost in the ninth round after a controversial low blow.
Dubois was scheduled to fight Joseph Parker but withdrew due to illness.
Danielle Bensky, who met Jeffrey Epstein as a young dancer, is criticizing the Justice Department for not releasing more information about his case. She is sharing her concerns about how the department is handling the files.
Key Facts
Danielle Bensky is a survivor of abuse connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
She met Epstein when she was a young ballerina.
Bensky is unhappy with the Justice Department's decision.
The Justice Department has decided not to release more documents on Epstein's case.
Bensky is voicing her concerns publicly to draw attention to the issue.
Eighteen gold miners were rescued after being trapped for about 18 hours in a mine in north-western Colombia. The incident happened due to equipment failure, and all miners were safely brought out after a 12-hour rescue operation.
Key Facts
Eighteen miners were trapped in a gold mine in the Antioquia region of Colombia.
The miners were stuck for approximately 18 hours before being rescued.
The incident was caused by equipment failure in the El Minón mine.
The rescue operation took about 12 hours to complete.
All trapped miners were reported to be in good health after the rescue.
The mine where the incident occurred was reportedly unlicensed.
Oxygen was supplied to the trapped miners through hoses during the wait.
Colombia's National Mining Agency advised against illegal mining due to safety and environmental concerns.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is recommending a one-day prison sentence for Brett Hankison, a former police officer involved in the 2020 Louisville raid where Breonna Taylor was killed. While Hankison's shots did not hit Taylor, he was convicted of firing recklessly, which violated the rights of those present.
Key Facts
Breonna Taylor, a medical worker, died in March 2020 during a police raid at her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky.
Seven officers executed a "no-knock" search warrant, meaning they did not have to announce themselves before entering.
Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired one shot, thinking the officers were intruders; this led to officers returning fire.
One officer fired the shot that killed Taylor, but Brett Hankison was charged for shooting blindly into the apartment.
The DOJ now recommends Hankison serves no additional jail time beyond one day due to time already served.
Hankison's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Monday, where a judge will finalize the decision.
Breonna Taylor's death and George Floyd's death spurred nationwide protests over race and police practices.
The city of Louisville paid Taylor’s family $12 million and banned no-knock warrants with a new law named in her honor.
The article discusses a trend called the "Gen Z stare," where younger people from Generation Z (born roughly between 1997 and 2012) seem to look blankly at others during interactions. While some say it's part of a larger pattern seen in young generations resisting social norms, a social media expert suggests it might just reflect their preference for genuine engagement.
Key Facts
The "Gen Z stare" describes a blank or silent look given by Generation Z members during interactions.
This stare is noticed both in customer service settings and when Gen Z customers interact with service workers.
Generation Z includes people born approximately between 1997 and 2012.
Previous generations also experienced similar critiques, such as millennials being associated with certain lifestyle choices.
Jennifer Grygiel, a social media expert, argues the stare might not be unique to Gen Z.
Grygiel believes Gen Z values genuine, authentic interactions.
The behavior might stem from less experience in face-to-face interactions due to digital communication.
China is a major player in the rare earth minerals market, which are essential for technology. Some of these minerals are mined in Myanmar and this mining is causing environmental issues in neighboring Thailand.
Key Facts
Rare earth minerals are crucial for modern technology.
China dominates the global market for rare earth minerals.
Some of China's rare earth minerals come from Myanmar.
Increased mining activity in Myanmar leads to environmental problems.
These environmental issues impact Thailand, which is next to Myanmar.
The Thai Army is building flood control barriers to deal with these issues.
