Twenty people died in a crowd surge at an aid center in southern Gaza when they attempted to get food. Most were trampled, and the incident reportedly involved individuals linked to Hamas. Conflicting reports and ongoing violence highlight tensions around aid distribution in the area.
Key Facts
Twenty people died in a crowd surge at an aid site in Khan Younis, Gaza.
Nineteen people were trampled, and one person was stabbed.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) reported the incident and mentioned possible involvement of Hamas supporters.
Nasser Hospital reported receiving 10 bodies, saying they died from suffocation after contractors closed the aid site.
The GHF provides aid using private security contractors in areas under Israeli military control.
The UN reported 674 deaths at GHF sites and 201 more along UN aid convoy routes in six weeks.
The Israeli military acknowledged civilian harm and aims to reduce conflict with local populations.
The UN does not work with GHF, calling its practices unethical.
The Sundhnukur volcano erupted near Reykjavik, Iceland. This marks the 12th volcanic eruption in Iceland since 2021. The eruption did not threaten infrastructure, but residents and tourists from nearby areas, including the Blue Lagoon spa resort, were evacuated.
Key Facts
The Sundhnukur volcano erupted near Reykjavik, Iceland.
This is the 12th volcanic eruption in Iceland since 2021.
The eruptive fissure is between 700 to 1,000 meters long.
Lava is flowing southeast and is not close to any buildings or roads.
People were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon spa and the town of Grindavik.
Lava is coming from long cracks in the ground, not from a central volcano opening.
Iceland has had many eruptions, but they haven't disrupted air traffic since the major 2010 eruption.
Grindavik, a town of nearly 4,000 people, was evacuated due to the danger of lava flows and earthquakes.
After age 40, people's brains start to slow, with reaction times and memory slightly declining each year. Researchers have found that maintaining good habits like proper sleep, exercise, and controlling health factors can help keep the brain healthy as we age. Studies are focusing on understanding why some people's brains age slower, with genetics, quality sleep, and heart health playing a role.
Key Facts
Brain function slows after age 40, affecting reaction time and memory.
This slowdown is usually a normal part of aging, not always a sign of disease.
MindCrowd is an online test for brain health that has been taken by over 700,000 adults.
People with "exceptional" brain performance often have habits like good sleep and cardiovascular health.
Good sleep quality means allowing the brain to go through all sleep stages, not just sleeping more hours.
Consistent sleep patterns and physical activity improve sleep quality.
Brain health is also affected by factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
Studies aim to understand brain aging by looking at how the brain works on a detailed level.
Federal tax credits for installing home solar panels, buying electric vehicles, and other energy-efficient technologies will end on December 31 due to a new law. People need to act quickly to benefit from these incentives, signing contracts and completing installations before the deadline.
Key Facts
The federal tax credits for home solar panels and other energy-efficient technologies end on December 31.
Homeowners could get up to 30% off the cost of installing solar panels and related equipment through these incentives.
An additional federal credit offered up to $2,000 off for buying energy-efficient heat pumps and other appliances.
There is also a credit of up to $1,200 for home improvements like new insulation, doors, and windows.
To qualify for these credits, the equipment must be installed and in use, not just purchased, before the end of the year.
The incentives have motivated many people to quickly finalize their purchases and installations.
Dealers are actively selling electric vehicles that qualify for the current tax credits before they expire.
Acting soon is important as installation projects could take several months to complete.
The recorder, a simple plastic instrument similar to a flute, is often the first instrument children learn to play in school. Although its use has declined in some areas recently, it remains a valuable tool for teaching music basics like reading notes and controlling breath.
Key Facts
The recorder looks like a flute or clarinet and is commonly used in schools.
Its use has decreased in schools in the UK and the US due to COVID restrictions and alternative instruments like the ukulele.
Parkside Elementary in Atlanta still uses the recorder to teach music, generating excitement among students.
The recorder is easy for beginners to play; they just need to blow into the mouthpiece.
It is affordable and the right size for children's hands.
The recorder helps kids learn to read music by focusing on one line at a time.
It can be tricky because players need to cover holes correctly with their fingers to make the right sounds.
The 2025 Primetime Emmy Award nominations have been announced by actors Harvey Guillen and Brenda Song in Los Angeles. "Severance" leads with 27 nominations, followed by "The Penguin" with 24 and "The Studio" with 23. The nominations cover various categories, including drama, comedy, limited series, and more.
Key Facts
The 2025 Primetime Emmy nominations were announced in Los Angeles.
"Severance" received the most nominations with 27.
"The Penguin," an HBO series, got 24 nominations.
"The Studio" from Apple TV led the comedy category with 23 nominations.
Key drama series nominees include "Andor," "Severance," "The Last of Us," and "The White Lotus."
Comedy series nominations include "Hacks," "The Bear," and "Abbott Elementary."
Limited series nominees feature "The Penguin" and "Dying for Sex."
Kathy Bates, at 77, is the oldest nominee for Best Actress, Drama.
The Cuban Minister for Labour and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó-Cabrera, resigned after claiming there were no beggars in Cuba, which sparked widespread criticism. Her remarks came amid worsening poverty and food shortages in the country, leading to a response from Cuba's president and calls for her removal.
Key Facts
Marta Elena Feitó-Cabrera was the Cuban Minister for Labour and Social Security.
She claimed there were no beggars in Cuba during a parliamentary session.
Feitó-Cabrera's comments suggested people scavenging were doing so by choice and not out of need.
Her statements led to widespread criticism from both Cubans and the president, Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Feitó-Cabrera resigned shortly after making the comments.
Poverty and food shortages in Cuba have been getting worse due to a severe economic crisis.
The president stated leaders should not be disconnected from the people's struggles.
The Cuban government accepted her resignation, but it does not publish official data on begging.
China has become a major player in the global film industry, rivaling the United States in box office earnings. The relationship between the US and Chinese film industries has evolved over time, with both countries influencing each other's movie markets.
Key Facts
The US historically led global box office earnings until China emerged as a strong competitor.
China and Hollywood have a long history of interaction and collaboration in the film industry.
The relationship between the two film industries has seen changes in power and influence over time.
The collaboration between China and Hollywood is part of a broader look at the movie business discussed in the NPR show.
The dynamic between the US and China’s film industries includes periods of closer collaboration and moments of tension.
NPR’s Planet Money Summer School episode explores how taxes can influence people's behavior and the broader economy. It discusses whether taxes can help reduce poverty and protect the environment, with insights from Professor Darrick Hamilton.
Key Facts
The episode is part of NPR’s Planet Money Summer School series.
Professor Darrick Hamilton from The New School speaks about the effects of taxes.
Topics include using taxes to reduce poverty and save the environment.
The episode mentions terms like progressive taxation and Pigouvian tax.
The show includes other episodes that discuss tax-related themes.
The podcast is available on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Planet Money+ offers bonus episodes for subscribers.
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged murder charges connected to his war on drugs. Following the arrest, there have been online harassment and disinformation campaigns against victims' families, such as Sheerah Escuerdo, who was targeted with an AI-generated video falsely claiming her brother is alive. Disinformation, involving false posts and AI content, has intensified the political tension between supporters of Duterte and the current Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Key Facts
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC for alleged crimes during his war on drugs.
Sheerah Escuerdo, who lost her brother during Duterte's war, was targeted with an AI-generated video claiming he was alive.
The video, posted by a pro-Duterte influencer, spread widely on Facebook, leading to harassment of Escuerdo.
The disinformation campaigns involve fake accounts, doctored images, and AI-generated content.
The political tension increased between Duterte supporters and those of current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Both Duterte and Marcos Jr's camps have used disinformation tactics in the past.
The National Union of People's Lawyers and Rise Up group have requested a government investigation into the online harassment.
The disinformation campaigns aim to discredit the ICC and Duterte's critics, while portraying Duterte's family as victims.
An advertisement for Trip drinks was banned for making claims that the drink can help people feel calm and reduce stress, which violated advertising rules. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found that these health claims were not allowed under the current guidelines.
Key Facts
Trip drinks advertised benefits such as calming and reducing stress.
The ad featured ingredients like cucumber, mint, and magnesium.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld three complaints about these claims.
The Great Britain nutrition and health claims register does not permit such claims in adverts.
The ad included phrases that suggested it could lower anxiety, which the ASA found misleading.
Trip's ad falsely claimed to have "0g added sugar."
CBD, used by Trip drinks, is a compound in the marijuana plant marketed for relaxation, but it does not cause a high.
The ASA banned the ad from appearing in the same form again.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson has asked for the release of all justice department files on Jeffrey Epstein, differing from President Trump's stance. While Trump supports Attorney General Pam Bondi's decision to release only credible information, Johnson and other Republicans, like Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Lauren Boebert, call for full transparency.
Key Facts
Mike Johnson, US House Speaker, wants all Epstein files released.
President Trump advises releasing only credible information.
Epstein died in prison in 2019; his death was ruled a suicide.
Some Republicans believe important details about Epstein are hidden.
Attorney General Pam Bondi says last week's memo speaks for itself.
Some Republican Congress members like Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Lauren Boebert also want transparency.
House Democrats attempted to force a vote to release the files but were unsuccessful.
The justice department reviewed over 300 gigabytes of data related to Epstein.
A BBC Sounds program called "Tech Life" features a segment where experts answer questions about quantum computers. This episode was released on July 15, 2025, and is available to listen to for over a year.
Key Facts
The "Tech Life" program discusses quantum computers.
Experts in quantum computing answer questions from listeners.
The episode was released on July 15, 2025.
The program is available for listening for more than a year.
Quantum computers are an advanced type of computer that can solve certain problems much faster than regular computers.
"Tech Life" is a show on BBC Sounds, a platform for audio content.
Heavy rainstorms and flooding are becoming more common due to climate change. Communities across the United States have experienced severe flooding, which reveals that current infrastructure may not be adequate to handle these events. Improving infrastructure to deal with increased flooding will be very expensive.
Key Facts
Climate change is leading to more frequent and intense rainstorms.
Many U.S. communities have experienced severe floods recently.
These extreme weather events are expected to increase as the planet warms.
Current infrastructure is often not sufficient to manage increased flood risks.
Upgrading infrastructure to handle flooding better will cost a lot of money.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps sometimes miss predicted flood zones.
Camp Mystic in Texas faced heavy damage from recent flooding.
The Air India crash that killed 260 people is under investigation. Preliminary findings show no mechanical problems, but the plane's fuel cutoff switches were turned off shortly after takeoff. Experts suggest a pilot might have done this.
Key Facts
The crash involved an Air India plane and resulted in the death of 260 people.
Early investigations found no evidence of mechanical problems with the plane.
Investigators discovered that the plane's fuel cutoff switches were turned off moments after takeoff.
Experts suggest that it is likely one of the pilots turned off the fuel switches.
William Brangham and aviation correspondent Miles O’Brien discussed the investigation details.
Byron Kominek turned his family's farm in Colorado into a place where crops and solar energy are both produced. The project, called Jack’s Solar Garden, shows how farming and solar power can work together.
Key Facts
Byron Kominek manages a farm in Colorado.
The farm combines growing crops with producing solar energy.
This approach is known as agrivoltaics, which means using the same land for agriculture and solar power.
The farm was originally used to grow hay.
It has now been transformed to also include solar panels.
The farm's name is Jack’s Solar Garden.
The project aims to show how agriculture and clean energy can coexist successfully.
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that a trade deal between Canada and the United States might include some tariffs. The US recently announced a 35% tariff on Canadian goods set to start on August 1, while Canada has responded with its own measures against US tariffs.
Key Facts
Mark Carney is the Prime Minister of Canada, discussing trade negotiations with the US.
The US plans to apply a 35% tariff on Canadian goods beginning August 1.
Trump has previously imposed a 50% tariff on global aluminium and steel and a 25% tariff on non-US cars and trucks.
Canada has responded with its own counter-tariffs to US measures.
Canada and the US are major trading partners, with Canada selling about 75% of its exports to the US.
Most trade between the US, Canada, and Mexico is currently duty-free due to an agreement called the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (Cusma).
Around 91% of Canadian exports to the US are duty-free under this agreement.
Talks are ongoing, and Carney mentioned he would only agree to a deal beneficial to Canada.
Tesla has introduced its Model Y car in India, starting at about $70,000, due to high import tariffs. Deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter, with Tesla competing in the luxury electric vehicle market against brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Key Facts
Tesla launched its Model Y in India with prices starting around $70,000.
High import tariffs drive up the cost of the car in India compared to other countries.
Tesla began taking orders and opened its first showroom in Mumbai.
Model Y deliveries are expected to start in the third quarter of this year.
Tesla targets the high-end electric car market in India, competing with luxury brands.
Import duties and tariffs on electric cars in India can exceed 100%.
Tesla plans to install superchargers in Mumbai and New Delhi.
India mainly uses right-hand drive vehicles, which Tesla's US factories do not currently produce.
Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to limit the access of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to a database that manages payments and loans to farmers. Concerns have been raised that the access given to DOGE staffers, who have no agriculture background, could lead to privacy breaches and potential errors that might harm farmers.
Key Facts
Sen. Tammy Baldwin wants DOGE's access to a USDA database controlling farmer payments and loans revoked.
DOGE's access could breach farmers' privacy and risk affecting food security and farmland operations.
The database, called the National Payment Service, handles financial details and payments for U.S. farmers.
Jordan Wick, a DOGE staffer, has been granted unique high-level access to this sensitive system.
This access allows Wick to view and alter financial information with little oversight.
Concerns exist about possible mistakes by those unfamiliar with the USDA's complex systems.
A recent issue flagged over 200 farmers' accounts due to incorrect birthdate entries.
USDA has confirmed that DOGE staff are reviewing agricultural loans and payments, citing a drive for government efficiency.
