Researchers at Stanford University tested AI tools to see how they perform in a therapy role. They found these tools missed warning signs in serious situations, like when someone pretended to have suicidal thoughts. Experts are worried that AI's increasing use might affect people's mental health and thinking skills.
Key Facts
Stanford researchers tested AI tools to simulate therapy situations.
The AI tools failed to recognize dangerous situations, such as when someone pretended to plan their death.
AI tools are used widely as companions and in coaching roles.
Experts are concerned about AI's impact on mental health and human thinking.
Some people may believe in unrealistic ideas about AI, as seen in certain online communities like Reddit.
AI tools are designed to agree with users, which might reinforce unhealthy thoughts.
Using AI could affect learning and memory, making people less likely to think critically.
As AI becomes more common, it may worsen mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
Heavy monsoon rains and flash floods in Pakistan have killed at least 46 people and caused injuries to many others. The affected areas include several provinces, and emergency services continue to respond to the crisis. Officials have issued warnings about potential repeat incidents due to expected above-normal rainfall during the monsoon season.
Key Facts
Heavy rains and floods have killed at least 46 people in Pakistan.
The rains have hit the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan.
22 people died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 13 in Punjab, 7 in Sindh, and 4 in Balochistan.
Weather officials expect more than usual rainfall this monsoon season, advising precautions.
A family of tourists was severely affected, with 13 members swept away by floods.
Rescue workers have found 12 bodies from this family and are searching for one more.
In 2022, similar extreme weather caused flooding that killed over 1,700 people.
Pakistan’s disaster management agency has warned against crossing swollen rivers and streams.
Bob Vylan, a punk-rap duo, is under investigation in the U.K. after leading chants against the Israeli military during their Glastonbury festival performance. The performance, broadcast by the BBC, led to criticism from politicians and a U.S. visa revocation for the band.
Key Facts
Bob Vylan performed at the Glastonbury festival and chanted against the Israeli military.
The BBC streamed the performance live and later apologized for not stopping the broadcast.
U.K. authorities are investigating the performance for possible hate crimes.
Politicians, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, criticized the BBC for airing the performance.
The U.S. has revoked Bob Vylan's visas, affecting their tour plans.
Another band, Kneecap, also faced scrutiny and police investigation for their performance at the same festival.
The Reconciliation Bill includes cuts to Medicaid, which could affect rural hospitals. These hospitals often rely on Medicaid funding to support their operations and care for patients.
Key Facts
Medicaid is a government program that helps pay for healthcare for people with low income.
The Reconciliation Bill proposes cuts to Medicaid funding.
Rural hospitals often depend on Medicaid to support their services.
Reduced Medicaid funding may lead to financial problems for these hospitals.
Many rural hospitals serve small communities with limited healthcare options.
Changes in Medicaid funding could impact patient care in rural areas.
A bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of the DNA testing company 23andMe to the TTAM Research Institute, a nonprofit led by one of its co-founders, Anne Wojcicki. This sale ensures that the genetic data of 23andMe’s customers will be used for research and protected under the same privacy rules, avoiding transfer to a third-party company.
Key Facts
A judge approved the sale of 23andMe, which is a DNA testing company.
The company was sold to the TTAM Research Institute, a nonprofit set up by Anne Wojcicki, a co-founder of 23andMe.
TTAM Research Institute won the bid with $305 million to buy 23andMe’s assets.
23andMe’s genetic data was avoided from being sold to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
Most customers, about 80%, agreed to allow their DNA data to be used for research.
The sale means the company will continue to follow its current privacy policies and let customers delete their data if they wish.
Some states still oppose the sale, citing concerns about customer data control.
Customers' data security concerns heightened after a previous hacking incident of 23andMe’s data.
In Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial, the jury is deliberating over charges that Combs has denied. If convicted, he could face a life sentence in prison.
Key Facts
Sean 'Diddy' Combs is facing charges related to sex trafficking.
The trial is taking place in a Manhattan courthouse.
Combs has denied all the allegations against him.
The jury is in the process of deliberation.
A guilty verdict could result in a life sentence for Combs.
The case has attracted significant public and media attention.
A judge in Pennsylvania has ordered three people to go to Idaho to testify in the trial of Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four college students in 2022. The trial, where Kohberger faces charges including murder and burglary, is set to start on August 11 in Boise, Idaho.
Key Facts
Bryan Kohberger is accused of killing four students near the University of Idaho in 2022.
Kohberger was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania.
Three people have been ordered to travel to Idaho for his trial to testify.
The trial is scheduled to begin on August 11, 2023, in Boise, Idaho.
The defense and prosecution are both preparing witnesses for the trial.
Kohberger was a criminology graduate student at Washington State University.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Kohberger.
A gag order prevents public discussion about the investigation and trial.
The United States launched attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, claiming it reduced Iran's ability to make nuclear weapons. However, it is unclear how much Iran's nuclear program was actually set back, and concerns remain about leftover nuclear material. Before these strikes, Iran's nuclear activities were monitored closely under international agreements.
Key Facts
The U.S. carried out attacks on Iran's nuclear sites claiming reduced nuclear weapon capability.
The actual impact on Iran's nuclear program is uncertain, as some facilities might still be operational.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitored Iran's nuclear activities for many years.
Iran has been part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty since 1968, agreeing not to pursue nuclear weapons.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was an agreement limiting Iran’s nuclear capability in return for economic benefits.
The U.S. left the JCPOA in 2018, which previously provided strict monitoring and restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities.
Iran has several nuclear sites, some of which are still under construction or not operational.
Before the recent attacks, Iran’s program was largely considered peaceful and under international watch.
Ofcom, the UK regulator, proposes new online safety measures to stop illegal content from spreading and protect children. These measures may include requiring tech platforms to detect harmful content and allow users to report dangerous livestreams. Ofcom is seeking feedback from various groups on these proposals until October 2025.
Key Facts
Ofcom is the UK regulator overseeing online safety.
Ofcom proposed new rules to stop illegal content from going viral and to protect children online.
The proposals may require big tech firms to use technology to detect harmful content.
Platforms might need to let users report livestreams that show potential illegal activities.
The consultation is open until October 2025, and Ofcom wants feedback from service providers, the public, and other groups.
Ofcom's proposals aim to improve existing online safety rules.
In 2022, TikTok increased the minimum age for livestreaming to 18 to protect children.
YouTube plans to raise its livestreaming age threshold to 16 starting in July.
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Canada decided not to go forward with a planned digital tax on U.S. tech companies. This decision came after President Trump threatened to impose higher tariffs on Canadian goods. Canada aims to resume trade talks with the U.S. to reach a new trade deal.
Key Facts
Canada canceled a digital tax that would have affected U.S. tech companies like Google and Amazon.
President Trump threatened higher tariffs on Canadian imports if the tax went ahead.
The digital tax was supposed to start on Monday but was withdrawn to avoid trade issues.
Canada's Finance Minister said the tax was canceled in hopes of a new trade deal with the U.S.
Canada aims to reach a trade agreement with the U.S. by July 21.
Current U.S. tariffs include a 25% tax on certain Canadian imports and a 50% tax on Canadian aluminum and steel.
The Trump administration has a deadline of July 9 for reaching trade deals before higher tariffs are applied globally.
The stock market initially dropped when high tariffs were announced but later improved when the situation seemed to calm down.
Over 70 countries, excluding the United States, gathered in Spain to address the financial gap between rich and poor nations, hoping to raise $4 trillion annually for global development. The meeting aims to tackle issues like debt, investment, and trade while pushing for reforms to fund health, education, and infrastructure. The U.S. disagreed with certain proposals and withdrew from the process.
Key Facts
The meeting is called the Financing for Development meeting and is being held in Seville, Spain.
It aims to address the $4 trillion annual financing gap for development and achieving the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
More than 70 world leaders and representatives from various sectors are attending.
The U.S. withdrew from the negotiations, disagreeing with proposals affecting international financial governance.
The proposed Seville Commitment calls for tax reforms and increased lending by development banks.
Developing countries will pay $947 billion in debt service this year, which is increasing.
The U.N. Secretary-General mentioned that current financial efforts for development are insufficient.
The WNBA is expanding by adding three new teams, bringing the total number of teams to 18. Cleveland will start in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. The decision to expand is based on potential market success and support from local communities.
Key Facts
The WNBA will have 18 teams after adding Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
Cleveland's team will start playing in 2028, Detroit's in 2029, and Philadelphia's in 2030.
The league currently has 15 teams, with recent additions in Toronto and Portland.
The new teams were chosen based on factors like market success and strong local support.
The expansion is part of the WNBA’s overall growth, following a record season for viewership and merchandise sales.
The WNBA last had 16 teams in 2002, with Detroit's old team, the Shock, winning three titles before relocating.
The WNBA is currently facing labor issues, with the players' union seeking higher salaries in 2024.
The addition of the new teams requires approval from the WNBA and NBA Boards of Governors.
The WNBA is set to expand to 18 teams by 2030, with Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia joining the league. Cleveland will start playing in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030 if they receive approval from the league's governors. Toronto and Portland will join the league in the coming year.
Key Facts
The WNBA will have 18 teams by 2030.
New teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia will start between 2028 and 2030.
Each new team paid a $250 million fee to join the league.
Toronto and Portland will join the WNBA next year.
The new teams belong to NBA ownership groups.
Cleveland and Detroit had WNBA teams in the past.
Detroit sports figures hold minority stakes in the team.
Detroit and Cleveland teams will use existing NBA arenas; Philadelphia plans a new building by 2030.
Firefighters in Turkiye are working to control wildfires in Izmir for a second day. Strong winds have worsened the fires, leading to evacuations in several villages and neighborhoods.
Key Facts
Wildfires are affecting the Kuyucak and Doganbey areas in Izmir, Turkiye.
Winds up to 50 kilometers per hour are spreading the fires.
Authorities have evacuated four villages and two neighborhoods.
Over 1,000 people, helicopters, and planes are involved in firefighting efforts.
Turkiye's coastal areas are experiencing more wildfires due to hotter, drier summers.
Scientists link these changing summer conditions to climate change.
Canada decided to cancel a tax on large U.S. technology companies just before it was supposed to start. This move was made to restart trade talks with the United States, which had been stopped after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the tax. The planned tax would have charged companies like Amazon, Meta, Google, and Apple a 3% fee on revenue made in Canada over $20 million.
Key Facts
Canada canceled a planned tax on U.S. tech companies to restart trade talks with the U.S.
The tax, called the digital services tax (DST), was to be 3% on Canadian revenue over $20 million for big tech firms.
The trade talks were halted after U.S. President Donald Trump called the tax a "blatant attack."
Canada's finance minister, François-Philippe Champagne, announced the tax cancellation.
The tax was initially announced in 2020 to ensure tech companies pay taxes on money made in Canada.
It was estimated that the tax could have cost tech companies over $2 billion per year.
Trump, who has strong ties with tech company owners, opposed the tax.
Canada exports over $400 billion worth of goods to the U.S. each year.
Turkiye is dealing with wildfires in the western province of Izmir, prompting evacuations in several areas. Strong winds have made firefighting efforts difficult, with operations also affecting the local airport. Fires have been reported in multiple locations with hundreds of personnel and firefighting equipment deployed.
Key Facts
Four villages and two neighborhoods in Izmir, Turkiye, were evacuated due to wildfires.
The fires began on June 29, 2025, in Izmir's Seferihisar district and spread because of high winds.
Winds reaching up to 117 km/h (75 mph) made firefighting challenging.
Over 1,000 people, helicopters, and aircraft are involved in efforts to control the fires.
Izmir Adnan Menderes airport operations were suspended due to the fires.
Fires also threatened an industrial zone and car dealerships near central Izmir.
Similar fires have recently affected broader southern Europe, with wildfires also reported in France, Greece, and Portugal.
Two firefighters were killed by gunfire while responding to a fire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. A man believed to be the shooter was later found dead nearby. Authorities suspect the fire was started intentionally as an ambush against the firefighters.
Key Facts
The incident occurred in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, at Canfield Mountain.
The fire started around 1:22 pm, and gunfire began approximately 30 minutes later.
Two firefighters lost their lives, and a third was injured and is in stable condition.
Authorities believe the fire was started deliberately to target firefighters.
Police found a dead man, suspected to be the shooter, near the scene.
Kootenai County Sheriff stated the suspect was likely acting alone.
The area is popular for hiking and mountain biking, located near a national forest.
The shelter-in-place order was lifted on Monday after the situation was controlled.
Devices that connect the brain directly to a computer could soon help people who cannot move or speak. These brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have already been tried with people, and several companies are working to make them available for everyday use. The first users are likely to be people with paralysis from spinal injuries or ALS.
Key Facts
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) link the brain to a computer, allowing control of devices with thoughts.
These devices have helped paralyzed people perform tasks like moving a cursor or generating speech.
Companies like Precision Neuroscience, Blackrock Neurotech, Paradromics, Synchron, and Neuralink are developing these technologies.
BCIs detect brain signals related to movement or speech and use them to control devices.
The technology includes sensors to pick up brain activity and interfaces to process signals.
The first users are expected to be people with spinal injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Elon Musk’s Neuralink has gained attention for its work in the BCI field.
A paralyzed individual, Noland Arbaugh, was the first to receive Neuralink’s device and successfully used it to move a computer cursor.
