Sergei Tikhanovsky, an opposition figure in Belarus, was released from solitary confinement in a high-security prison after over five years. He was jailed for opposing the Belarusian president and has now been exiled but remains determined to continue advocating against the regime.
Key Facts
Sergei Tikhanovsky was held in solitary confinement for over five years in Belarus.
He was arrested for opposing Belarus's authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, before a 2020 election.
Tikhanovsky's imprisonment included harsh conditions, such as being in a punishment cell without basic amenities.
His release came after a visit by a senior US delegation to Belarus.
Tikhanovsky lost almost 60kg (132 pounds) during his time in prison.
He was released alongside 13 other political prisoners.
While in prison, he was not allowed phone calls, letters, or visits, including from a priest.
Tikhanovsky's wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, ran for president in his place and drew large public support.
People traveling on the train line between London and Brighton might face delays on Monday and Tuesday because of hot weather. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 34°C (93°F), which could affect the train tracks and cause slower train speeds and fewer trains running.
Key Facts
Train passengers on the London to Brighton line may experience delays due to high temperatures.
Temperatures might reach 34°C (93°F) on Monday and could be higher on Tuesday.
Heat could make train tracks get as hot as 50°C (122°F).
Speed limits on trains will be reduced to prevent track damage.
Fewer trains will be running, and journeys will take longer.
People are advised to check train schedules online before traveling.
Those who can work from home are encouraged to do so to avoid crowded trains.
Many Americans will learn they have cancer this year. Supporting a friend with cancer can be hard, but simply being present, listening, and allowing them to express their feelings helps. Avoid telling unrelated stories or disappearing, as this may feel more hurtful than the illness itself.
Key Facts
Over 2 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.
It is common for friends to not know how to support someone with cancer effectively.
Experts recommend being present and listening as key ways to support a friend with cancer.
Sharing unrelated cancer stories can feel irrelevant or hurtful to the person with cancer.
"Cancer ghosting" is when people avoid contact out of fear or discomfort, which can feel more painful than the illness.
Social support can impact a patient’s mental health and their ability to cope with the disease.
Being physically present can help the person feel less alone and maintain some sense of normalcy.
Canada has canceled its digital services tax to restart trade talks with the United States after President Trump stopped negotiations in response to the tax. Canada and the U.S. have agreed to continue these discussions, aiming for progress by July 2025.
Key Facts
Canada withdrew its digital services tax aimed at large tech companies.
U.S. President Trump stopped trade talks with Canada because of this tax.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump agreed to restart trade talks.
The goal is to make progress by July 21, 2025.
The tax would have applied to large tech firms making over $820 million globally and $14.7 million in Canada.
Affected companies would pay a 3% levy on digital service revenues from Canadian users.
The tax was meant to apply to online marketplaces, social media, ads, and user data sales.
The tax would have been retroactive, covering revenues from January 1, 2022.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that trade talks with the United States have resumed after Canada withdrew its plan to tax U.S. technology companies. The talks had been halted when President Donald Trump objected to this tax, calling it unfair, but they are now back on track.
Key Facts
Canada planned to tax U.S. tech firms like Amazon, Google, and Meta with a 3% levy on revenue from Canadian users.
President Trump halted trade talks with Canada due to this planned tax, considering it an attack on the U.S.
Canada's Digital Services Tax would have cost U.S. companies $2 billion.
Prime Minister Carney and President Trump spoke on Sunday and agreed to resume trade talks.
Trade negotiations are aiming for a deadline set for July 21, 2025, as discussed at the G7 Summit.
The move to rescind the tax removed the obstacle for continuing trade discussions between the U.S. and Canada.
Canada's Finance Minister also communicated with the U.S. Treasury to support the progression of trade talks.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Inter Miami 4-0 in the Club World Cup's last 16. Joao Neves scored twice for PSG, and the team will play the winner of the Bayern Munich vs. Flamengo match in the quarterfinals.
Key Facts
PSG beat Inter Miami 4-0 in the Club World Cup match.
Joao Neves scored two goals for PSG.
Achraf Hakimi and an own goal by Miami's Tomas Aviles added to the score.
The match took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Inter Miami did not attempt a shot for the first 50 minutes of the game.
Lionel Messi faced PSG for the first time since moving to Inter Miami.
Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, saw the game as a helpful experience for the team.
PSG will compete against either Bayern Munich or Flamengo in the quarterfinals.
Israel has told people in northern Gaza to leave their homes as it plans more military actions. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump is urging for a ceasefire and a deal to release hostages.
Key Facts
Israel advised residents in northern Gaza, including Gaza City and Jabalia, to move south to the al-Mawasi area.
At least 86 people died in the 24 hours leading up to midday on Sunday, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Three children were reportedly killed in a strike on the supposed "safe zone" of al-Mawasi.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump called for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Israel Defense Forces stated their operations in north Gaza aim to eliminate terrorists and their infrastructure.
Reports indicated that bombings intensified on Sunday, destroying several houses.
Medics said an airstrike hit a tent in al-Mawasi, killing five people, including three children from the Maarouf family.
International mediators are working on finding a resolution to end the conflict and release hostages, but talks have stalled.
Companies in China are working hard to develop artificial intelligence (AI) applications, which is increasing the need for high quality training data. Training data is information used to teach AI systems how to perform tasks.
Key Facts
Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications are growing rapidly in China.
To build these AI applications, companies need a lot of training data.
Training data is used to teach AI systems to understand and work accurately.
High quality data is especially important because it helps improve AI performance.
There is a significant demand for this data as more AI applications are developed.
Lando Norris won the Austrian Grand Prix, holding off his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. The race saw some tense moments, including a near-collision between the two McLaren drivers. Max Verstappen crashed out early, impacting his championship position.
Key Facts
Lando Norris won the Austrian Grand Prix for the McLaren team.
Oscar Piastri briefly led the race before Norris regained the position.
There was a near-collision between Norris and Piastri during the race.
Max Verstappen crashed with Kimi Antonelli in the first lap, ending his race.
Piastri apologized for the near-collision and expressed regret for not capitalizing on his time in the lead.
Charles Leclerc finished in third place, while Lewis Hamilton came in fourth.
McLaren is currently leading the constructors' championship, ahead of Ferrari.
The next race in the Formula 1 season will be the British Grand Prix.
This year's Supreme Court decisions have given the president more power and reduced the power of the courts. NPR's Scott Detrow talked to Greg Stohr from Bloomberg about what these decisions say about the court's future direction.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made decisions that increase the president’s authority.
The courts now have less power than before these decisions.
The changes highlight a shift in how the government branches work together.
NPR's segment features a discussion between Scott Detrow and Greg Stohr.
The program "Consider This" can be accessed through various platforms like NPR App and Apple Podcasts.
Marc Marquez won the Dutch Grand Prix at the MotoGP despite his brother Alex crashing and injuring his hand. With this win, Marc increased his lead in the championship standings and matched the record of 68 premier class victories set by Giacomo Agostini.
Key Facts
Marc Marquez won the Dutch Grand Prix race.
His brother, Alex Marquez, crashed and fractured his hand during the race.
Marc now leads the championship by 68 points.
Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi finished the race in second place.
Francesco Bagnaia, a Ducati rider, finished in third place after briefly leading.
Marc Marquez has 68 MotoGP victories, tying with Giacomo Agostini.
Alex Marquez will have surgery on his hand injury.
The next race on the MotoGP calendar is the German Grand Prix.
Tropical Storm Barry formed near Mexico's southeast coast and is expected to bring heavy rain to the area. Another storm, Tropical Storm Flossie, developed off Mexico's southwest coast and could become a hurricane by early next week.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Barry is located near Tuxpan, Mexico.
Barry has winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and is moving northwest at 12 mph (19 kph).
A storm warning is in place for Mexico's southeast coast from Boca de Catan to Tecolutla.
Barry is expected to make landfall on Sunday night and weaken quickly inland.
It may produce 3 to 6 inches of rain, with some areas seeing up to 10 inches, mainly in Veracruz, San Luis Potosi, and Tamaulipas.
Tropical Storm Flossie is located south of Acapulco, Mexico.
Flossie has winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and is moving west at 9 mph (15 kph).
A storm watch is issued for the southwest coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes.
Flossie might become a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday and may cause 3 to 6 inches of rain in areas like Oaxaca and Guerrero.
Chinese immigrants in Taiwan must prove they have given up their household registration in China by the end of June, or they risk losing their residency rights in Taiwan. This requirement affects about 12,000 people, including many who have lived in Taiwan for decades.
Key Facts
Around 12,000 Chinese immigrants in Taiwan must prove they no longer have household registration in China by June 30.
If they do not meet this deadline, they could lose their right to live in Taiwan and might be deported.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council set this rule in response to national security concerns.
Many affected immigrants, like Chang Chih-yuan, have lived in Taiwan for many years.
Household registration ties a person's legal status and access to services to a specific location.
Roughly 140,000 Chinese spouses have permanent residency in Taiwan.
As of June 23, about 5,200 immigrants submitted necessary documents, while around 2,400 faced difficulties or asked for more time.
Some immigrants fear losing their residency despite living in Taiwan for decades and contributing to the community.
A chess club in the Katwe slums of Uganda's capital, known from the movie Queen of Katwe, continues to train successful players despite facing financial challenges. Run by chess coach Robert Katende, who was portrayed in the 2016 film, the club has helped many children like Phiona Mutesi achieve notable success in chess and life.
Key Facts
Robert Katende started the chess club in Katwe, a poor area of Kampala, Uganda.
The club inspired the 2016 Disney film Queen of Katwe, based on Phiona Mutesi's life.
Phiona Mutesi, a former club member, became a national chess champion and earned the Woman Candidate Master title.
Katende has run the program for over two decades, introducing more than 4,000 children to chess.
The club received a $50,000 grant from Disney, allowing expansion to other areas.
The program now also operates in prisons and slums across several African countries.
More than 2,500 children and 800 inmates currently participate in the programs.
Despite the film's lack of profit, Katende continues his work, emphasizing chess as a tool for life lessons.
A study by the University of Oxford found that Uber's new pricing system made passenger fares go up while driver earnings went down. The study also noted an increase in the amount Uber takes from each fare after changing its pricing method in 2023.
Key Facts
The study looked at data from 258 Uber drivers in the UK over 1.5 million trips between 2016 and 2024.
Uber introduced a dynamic pricing system in 2023, which led to higher costs for passengers.
Drivers' earnings dropped from more than £22 per hour to just over £19 per hour.
Uber's share from each fare increased from 25% to 29%.
Drivers spent more unpaid time waiting for rides since the new pricing system was introduced.
The study showed a growing gap between passenger fares and driver earnings.
Uber disputed some claims in the study, stating that all drivers are shown potential earnings before accepting a trip.
NPR sometimes uses anonymous sources to share important information in their stories. They follow a careful process to decide when it is necessary to keep a source's identity secret to protect them or when the information is crucial for the public.
Key Facts
NPR uses anonymous sources to report important stories that may otherwise go unreported.
The preference is to name sources, but anonymity is considered if disclosure risks the source's job or safety.
NPR grants anonymity only after senior editors approve based on specific guidelines.
Editors balance transparency with the potential harm the source may face.
Vetting involves confirming the source's credibility and the importance of their information.
If anonymity is granted, NPR explains why in the story.
NPR avoids using pseudonyms to maintain factual reporting.
NPR's ethics handbook provides additional information on these practices.
The government in England has announced plans for supermarkets and food manufacturers to make it easier for people to buy healthy food. The goal is to reduce obesity rates by introducing promotions, adjusting store layouts, and changing product compositions, though no specific targets are set. The plan will be part of a larger health improvement strategy, which includes additional support and regulation changes.
Key Facts
Supermarkets and food manufacturers in England will work with the government to encourage healthier shopping habits.
These efforts could involve promotions on healthy foods, adjustments in store loyalty schemes, and redesigns of shop layouts.
The policy will involve major food retailers reporting on healthy food sales, but it does not set specific targets for them to meet.
The plans are part of a 10-year NHS health improvement plan aiming to curb obesity and pressure on the healthcare system.
More than one in five children are currently obese by the time they leave primary school.
A study found that healthy food costs more than twice as much as less healthy options in terms of calorie content.
The government will also offer incentives like vouchers for healthy living and expand health management programs.
The new policies aim to reduce sugar and calorie intake to lower obesity rates.
Children as young as five are learning about sun protection through a new program at schools in Kent, UK. The initiative aims to reduce skin cancer cases by teaching children how to protect their skin from UV exposure, a major cause of melanoma. This program is expected to become part of nationwide lessons by 2026.
Key Facts
Children are learning to check UV levels and apply sunscreen properly.
The program is currently being tested in Kent primary schools and will expand to all UK schools by 2026.
Melanoma is a serious skin cancer linked to UV exposure, with cases expected to rise from 18,300 in 2021 to 21,300 by 2026 in the UK.
Teaching sun safety when young can help prevent future skin cancer cases.
Most melanoma cases are caused by exposure to the sun and sunbeds.
"Safe tan" is a myth, as tanning means skin damage, according to experts.
The ABCDE checklist helps check moles for signs of melanoma: asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving changes.
Cancer Research UK emphasizes keeping kids in the shade during peak hours and using wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, clothing, and SPF 30+ sunscreen.
Hundreds of people protested in Venice against Jeff Bezos' wedding celebrations, which took place over three days. Some locals expressed frustration over issues like high tourism, expensive housing, and climate concerns. Despite the protests, local leaders supported the wedding, seeing it as an economic benefit.
Key Facts
Protesters marched in Venice during Jeff Bezos' three-day wedding celebration.
Jeff Bezos married Lauren Sanchez in a private ceremony with about 200 celebrity guests.
Public banners and signs expressed opposition to Bezos and concerns about over-tourism and climate issues in Venice.
Some locals are upset with issues like high housing costs and climate-related flooding.
The Venetian Environmental Research Association confirmed Bezos donated 1 million euros each to three environmental groups.
Local businesses and political leaders saw the wedding as economically beneficial.
Venice’s mayor viewed Bezos positively, aligning him with the city’s business culture.
