The NPR podcast "Planet Money" kicked off its Summer School series on government's role in the economy. The series explores how government actions and policies impact the economy, aiming to make complex economic ideas easy to understand.
Key Facts
"Planet Money" launched a podcast series called Summer School about government and the economy.
The series discusses how government actions influence the economy.
Noble laureate Simon Johnson is featured in the series.
Economists like Adam Smith believed economics and politics are closely linked.
The series examines questions like why some countries are wealthier than others.
Episodes are available weekly until Labor Day.
Listeners can access the podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The U.S. State Department warned diplomats about fake messages from impostors using AI to pretend to be Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others. These fake messages aimed to contact foreign leaders and U.S. officials but were not successful. This warning highlights concerns about using AI for trickery, which is becoming more common.
Key Facts
The State Department warned about AI-driven attempts to impersonate officials, including Marco Rubio.
Impostors tried to contact several foreign ministers, a U.S. senator, and a governor using text, Signal, and voicemail.
The department is monitoring the situation and working to improve cybersecurity.
The FBI previously warned about similar scams using fake messages from U.S. officials.
A previous incident involved an AI deepfake video of Rubio with false claims about Ukraine.
AI misuse for deception is increasing, with solutions like legal actions and better education suggested.
New technologies are being developed to detect deepfakes as AI trickery grows.
The department found no cyber threat but warned about potential information exposure if individuals are tricked.
Instagram mistakenly accused some users of violating its child sexual abuse policies, leading to account bans. After being brought to Meta's attention by the BBC, these accounts were quickly reinstated. Many users reported stress and other negative impacts due to these wrongful bans.
Key Facts
Instagram incorrectly banned some users, accusing them of breaking rules on child sexual exploitation.
Meta, Instagram's parent company, reinstated accounts after media coverage.
Over 100 people contacted the BBC claiming their accounts were wrongly banned.
Users experienced stress and loss of income or personal memories due to bans.
A petition with over 27,000 signatures claims Meta's AI system wrongly bans accounts.
Users voiced concerns on Reddit and social media about false bans.
Meta has not publicly commented on this issue.
The appeals process used AI-generated responses, which frustrated affected users.
**Summary:** A leaked audio recording allegedly proves that former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina authorized the use of deadly force against student protests in 2024, according to a BBC investigation. Hasina is being tried in absentia for crimes linked to the deaths of up to 1,400 people during the unrest, with prosecutors planning to use the recording as evidence.
**Key Facts:**
- BBC verified an audio recording where Sheikh Hasina reportedly directed security forces to shoot protesters.
- The protests were initially about job quotas for families of independence war fighters and grew into a larger movement.
- The United Nations estimated up to 1,400 people died during the protests.
- Hasina is currently in India and claims innocence, denying all charges.
- The audio recording was matched with known samples of Hasina’s voice by Bangladesh and verified by audio experts.
- Military-grade weapons were reportedly used in the crackdown.
- Leaked tapes from the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre surfaced online in March 2024.
- Prosecutors regard the recording as key evidence in Hasina’s trial for crimes against humanity.
Schools in Monmouthshire, South Wales, are advising parents not to give smartphones to children under 14 due to concerns about excessive use, cyber-bullying, and impacts on schoolwork and wellbeing. Although schools cannot enforce this policy at home, they aim to guide parents and have already banned smartphone use on school premises.
Key Facts
Schools in Monmouthshire are advising against giving smartphones to children under 14.
Concerns include excessive phone use, cyber-bullying, and effects on children's school performance.
Smartphones are already banned in Monmouthshire schools.
Headteacher Hugo Hutchinson reports students being online late at night.
Monmouthshire could be the first county in the UK to have a countywide advisory policy.
Some parents are supportive, worried about what their children could see online.
Alternative options like "brick phones," which only make calls and texts, are being considered by parents.
Schools hope their involvement will help guide parents who worry about their children feeling left out without a smartphone.
BBC Sounds released an episode on July 8, 2025, discussing a new AI system that helps with safe driving. This system watches both the road and the driver to enhance safety.
Key Facts
The episode is titled "AIs on the road" and is part of the BBC Sounds Tech Life series.
It was released on July 8, 2025.
The episode focuses on an AI system designed for safe driving.
The AI system monitors the road ahead.
The system also keeps an eye on the driver to ensure safety.
The episode is available to listen to for over a year after its release.
Caitlin Clark, known for her achievements in college basketball at Iowa, has become a key figure in the WNBA, breaking attendance records and influencing the league's financial success. A new book, "On Her Game," explores her journey and impact on women's sports.
Key Facts
Caitlin Clark was a star basketball player at the University of Iowa.
She has helped set new attendance records in the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association).
Clark has become an important financial contributor to the WNBA's success.
Some controversies have surrounded Clark during her career.
A new book titled "On Her Game" focuses on her life and career.
Amna Nawaz discussed Clark and the book with author Christine Brennan.
Some US airports have started to let passengers keep their shoes on during security screenings. This change, made by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is happening in several airports and is part of efforts to improve the travel experience.
Key Facts
Some US airports have stopped requiring passengers to remove shoes at security checks.
This policy started after a security threat in 2006 when a man tried to hide a bomb in his shoe.
The airports involved include Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, and Portland international airports.
The TSA has not formally announced this change but mentioned improving security and passenger experience.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will discuss the change in a news conference.
Other airports like Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky and Philadelphia are also following this new policy.
TSA PreCheck passengers and children already did not have to remove their shoes.
Richard Reid, known as the "shoe bomber," attempted to use a shoe bomb on a flight in 2001, leading to this long-standing policy.
The birth rate in the United States is decreasing, with the average number of children per woman now at 1.6, below the needed 2.1 to keep the population stable. This decline is leading to discussions about the reasons behind it and what can be done to address the issue.
Key Facts
The U.S. birth rate is dropping, with each woman having an average of 1.6 children.
A stable population requires an average of 2.1 children per woman.
The falling birth rate is leading to political debates on potential solutions.
NPR reporters discussed both political and personal factors behind the decrease.
Donald Trump, as President, expressed a desire to increase the birth rate.
The program "Consider This" from NPR explored this topic in detail.
Goldman Sachs has appointed former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a senior adviser. Sunak, who worked at Goldman years ago and served as the UK's finance minister, will help the bank with his policy experience and global connections.
Key Facts
Goldman Sachs named Rishi Sunak, a former UK Prime Minister, as a senior adviser.
Sunak worked at Goldman as an analyst in the early 2000s.
He also served as the UK's finance minister.
Sunak remains a Conservative member of Parliament in England.
He became the wealthiest British prime minister due to his career and family wealth.
Sunak has taken roles at Oxford and Stanford universities.
Goldman Sachs values Sunak's policy knowledge and global network.
Other former UK finance ministers have also moved into finance roles.
A recent memo from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) states there is no evidence to support claims of a "client list" or blackmail involving Jeffrey Epstein. The memo confirms previous findings related to Epstein's case.
Key Facts
The U.S. Department of Justice released a memo about Jeffrey Epstein on Monday.
The memo states there is no evidence of a "client list" connected to Epstein.
It also mentions there is no evidence of blackmail related to Epstein.
These findings reaffirm previous conclusions by authorities.
Jeffrey Epstein died in a federal jail in 2019.
Conspiracy theories have circulated about Epstein since his death.
An imposter used artificial intelligence to mimic Secretary of State Marco Rubio's voice to contact foreign ministers and other officials through the Signal messaging app. The US State Department is investigating the incident and has stated it is taking steps to strengthen its cybersecurity measures.
Key Facts
An unknown person used AI to imitate Marco Rubio and contacted foreign ministers and other officials.
The imposter used the Signal app to send voice messages posing as Rubio.
The State Department found out about the incident through a cable sent on July 3.
At least five people were contacted, including foreign ministers, a US governor, and a congressional member.
The fake account used had the name marco.rubio@state.gov.
The State Department is working to improve its cybersecurity defenses.
The hoax was reported to be unsophisticated and did not succeed in its goals.
US authorities do not currently know who was behind the impersonation attempt.
Victims of the Post Office scandal are seeking accountability after over 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted due to faults in the Horizon computer system. The first part of Sir Wyn Williams' inquiry report highlights the human impact of the scandal and addresses compensation issues, as victims continue to seek justice and closure.
Key Facts
More than 900 sub-postmasters faced prosecution due to errors in the Horizon computer system, which falsely showed money missing.
The first part of Sir Wyn Williams’ report from the official inquiry looks at the impact on people and discusses compensation efforts.
Victims gathered in London to hear the findings of the report presented in person by Sir Wyn Williams.
Tracy Felstead was wrongfully convicted at age 19 and served six months in prison; her conviction was overturned in 2021.
Seema Misra was sent to prison in 2010 while pregnant; she experienced mixed emotions about the report's release.
The report suggests there have been unjustified delays in providing compensation to victims.
Kathy McAlerney faced financial losses and her contract was ended; she is still waiting for compensation after many years.
The Post Office provided an unreserved apology, but victims are frustrated by the ongoing delays in resolving their claims.
Diogo Jota, a Liverpool and Portugal football player, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in Spain. Police suspect speeding may have caused the accident. An investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause.
Key Facts
Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in Spain on July 3.
Spanish police are investigating, suspecting the vehicle was speeding.
Police believe it was Jota driving the car.
They also noted that one tire may have failed while the car was overtaking.
The crash happened in Zamora, Spain, and the car caught fire.
Jota had posted a video of his wedding shortly before the accident.
Jota was well-known for playing with Liverpool and had a successful career there.
Andre Silva played in Portugal’s second-tier football league.
Some U.S. airports recently stopped requiring travelers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has not officially confirmed this change, but reports from travelers and airport staff indicate the rule may no longer be enforced in certain locations.
Key Facts
The rule to remove shoes at airport security started in 2006 after an attempted shoe bombing incident.
Recent observations suggest that some airports, like those in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, are allowing travelers to keep their shoes on.
Travelers have shared on social media that they did not have to remove their shoes at airports like Buffalo and Seattle.
The TSA has not officially announced a change in the shoe removal policy.
A spokesperson mentioned that any updates to security measures would be communicated through official channels.
There is some confusion among travelers and TSA agents regarding the current policy.
A former TSA officer mentioned that current technology can effectively screen passengers without them removing their shoes.
Monzo, a digital bank, was fined £21 million by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for not properly checking addresses on account applications, allowing openings with fake addresses like 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. The problems, found during an FCA investigation, led the bank to take on risky customers and happened mainly between October 2018 and August 2020.
Key Facts
Monzo did not verify the addresses on some account applications, allowing fake ones like famous UK sites.
The FCA fined Monzo £21 million for its weak anti-financial crime systems.
The problems occurred mainly from October 2018 to August 2020.
Monzo's customer base grew significantly from 600,000 in 2018 to over 5.8 million in 2022.
The bank failed to keep its financial crime controls in line with its rapid growth.
Monzo does not have physical branches; it operates only online.
The FCA found Monzo breached rules by opening accounts for high-risk customers between August 2020 and June 2022.
Monzo's CEO stated that issues have been fixed and improvements made since the investigation.
The UK's Transport Secretary advises air travelers to assume the 100ml liquid limit in hand luggage is still in force, despite some airports like Edinburgh and Birmingham allowing larger quantities due to new scanning technologies. These airports have installed advanced scanners that enable passengers to carry up to two liters of liquid, but this change has not yet occurred nationwide.
Key Facts
The 100ml limit for liquids in hand luggage generally remains in place for UK airports.
Edinburgh and Birmingham airports allow up to two liters due to new scanners.
The new scanners use CT X-ray technology, letting passengers bypass the small container rule.
Installing these scanners involves complex and costly processes for airports.
There are limited manufacturers for these scanners, causing slow and staggered installations.
Airports are responsible for their rollout schedules and have separate contracts and providers.
Passengers are advised to check with their specific airport or airline before traveling.
The 100ml rule started in 2006 after security measures following terror incidents.
Hackers targeted Marks & Spencer (M&S) in a cyber attack, disrupting online orders and leaving some store shelves empty. The attack is believed to be carried out by a group called DragonForce, with motives possibly related to ransom or extortion. M&S expects the effects of this attack to affect customers until the end of the current month and predicts a profit loss of about £300 million.
Key Facts
Hackers attempted to disrupt or damage Marks & Spencer's business.
The attack affected online orders and caused empty shelves in some stores.
A group named DragonForce is believed to be responsible for the attack.
The exact motives of the hackers are unclear but may include ransom or extortion.
Marks & Spencer plans to operate normally for customers by the end of July.
Background systems will still be under repair until October or November.
The company expects a profit loss of about £300 million due to the attack.
Marks & Spencer hopes to recover some financial loss through insurance.
A report by NewsGuard claims that some chatbots, like ChatGPT, spread false Russian narratives about one-third of the time. NewsGuard focused on Russian-linked websites called the Pravda network. However, researchers question the report's methods and findings, suggesting that misinformation might occur due to a lack of credible information rather than intentional Russian influence.
Key Facts
NewsGuard is a company monitoring misinformation and released a report about chatbots.
The report claims chatbots spread Russian disinformation about 33% of the time.
The chatbots were tested with prompts based on pro-Russian Pravda network stories.
The Pravda network is a group of websites presenting false news as if it were real.
Critics argue the report's methods lacked transparency and may have exaggerated results.
Researchers found only 5% of prompts led to false claims, different from NewsGuard’s findings.
Chatbots may pull from unreliable sources when credible information is missing.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) might change its rule about removing shoes during airport security checks. This change would be the first in almost 20 years, and an announcement is expected from Homeland Security later today.
Key Facts
TSA has not confirmed reports about not needing to remove shoes at security.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will talk about this at 5 p.m. EDT.
The announcement will happen at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The new policy aims to make security checks easier and faster for travelers.
The shoe removal rule started after Richard Reid's failed attack in 2001.
This would be the first change to this rule in almost two decades.
