The genetic testing company 23andMe went bankrupt because it could not find a successful way to make money. The company is now being sold to a non-profit started by one of its co-founders, which is postponing the handling of concerns about data privacy.
Key Facts
23andMe is a company that offers genetic testing, which helps people learn about their ancestry and health.
The company went bankrupt as it failed to create a successful business strategy.
23andMe is being sold to a non-profit organization.
One of 23andMe’s co-founders started this non-profit.
The sale delays dealing with issues related to the privacy of customers' DNA data.
NPR is gathering stories from military veterans who have been charged a fee by private companies to apply for VA (Veterans Affairs) disability benefits. Some organizations provide this help for free, but NPR is interested in hearing about any experiences, good or bad, with paid services.
Key Facts
NPR is investigating stories about veterans being charged fees to apply for VA benefits.
Accredited organizations like the VFW and the Legion offer free help to veterans.
Some private companies are asking veterans for money to help with the same application process.
NPR asks veterans who used these private services to share their experiences.
NPR promises not to share any personal information without the veteran’s permission.
Interaction with NPR through stories will be handled following their Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
A government review found that the UK's official statistics agency, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), has significant issues that affect the quality of its economic data. The review pointed out that these problems stem from how the agency makes decisions and manages its resources, leading to unreliable data that impacts government policy and financial decisions. The ONS acknowledges these issues and plans to make changes to improve its data reliability.
Key Facts
A review was conducted by the UK government on the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The review identified major issues with how the ONS plans and makes decisions.
The ONS provides key data for government decisions on benefits, housing, migration, and crime.
The Bank of England uses ONS data to make decisions on interest rates, which affect loans and mortgages.
Sir Robert Devereux led the review and attributed problems to poor choices by ONS leaders.
There is a suggestion to split the National Statistician role into two positions for better management.
The ONS plans to improve data quality by making management changes and cutting some programs to save money.
Tight budgets and difficulties in staff recruitment and retention were noted as ongoing challenges.
The Trump Organisation removed a "Made in the USA" claim from its website for the new Trump T1 phone, although it still asserts the phone will be made in America. Experts doubt the possibility of fully assembling smartphones in the US due to the lack of a local supply chain, suggesting parts might be imported.
Key Facts
The "Made in the USA" statement for the Trump T1 phone was removed from the Trump Organisation's website.
Trump Mobile claims the phone will still be made in America.
The company now describes the phone as having an "American-Proud Design" and being "brought to life right here in the USA."
Tech experts question if the phone can be entirely built in the US, noting a lack of necessary local supplies.
The phone was announced without a working prototype.
It is more likely the phone will be assembled in the US with imported parts.
Donald Trump has previously encouraged Apple to make its iPhones in the US.
Tabarre Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, operates in temporary structures as one of the few trauma hospitals amid the collapse of the country's health system. Armed groups have taken control of most of the capital, leading to widespread violence and displacement, which has forced hospitals to close and made it challenging to deliver medical care.
Key Facts
Tabarre Hospital uses shipping containers and modular units for its facilities.
The hospital is run by Doctors Without Borders and is one of the few remaining trauma hospitals in Port-au-Prince.
Armed groups have gained control of up to 90% of Port-au-Prince, forming an alliance called Viv Ansanm.
Over 5,600 people were killed in Haiti last year, according to the United Nations.
More than 1 million Haitian people have been forced to leave their homes due to violence.
Around half of Haiti's population is experiencing hunger.
Hospitals have difficulty obtaining supplies due to armed group control and attacks.
Haiti has not conducted a national election since 2016, and the interim government faces accusations of corruption and infighting.
Bill Moyers, a respected journalist and former White House press secretary, passed away at age 91 in New York. He was known for his public television work, creating many acclaimed programs on various topics. Moyers received numerous awards for his contributions to broadcast journalism.
Key Facts
Bill Moyers died at 91 years old in a New York City hospital.
He was a former White House press secretary and an honored television journalist.
Moyers worked on a variety of topics, from government issues to arts, on public television.
He created significant programs like “The Secret Government” and “Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth.”
Moyers was considered a "citizen journalist," working outside mainstream corporate media.
Throughout his career, Moyers won over 30 Emmy Awards and other notable journalism honors.
He began his career in journalism as a high school sports writer.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that recent U.S. strikes did not significantly harm Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. claims the strikes greatly damaged Iran's nuclear capabilities, while Iran insists that the attacks were not effective and threatened further retaliation if Provoked.
Key Facts
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says U.S. strikes did not hurt Iran's nuclear program significantly.
The U.S. targeted nuclear sites in Iran with airstrikes.
U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, claimed the strikes significantly damaged Iran's nuclear facilities.
Iran retaliated by attacking a U.S. air base in Qatar.
No casualties were reported during the attack on the U.S. base.
Direct conflict between Iran and Israel began on June 13.
Iran says its nuclear program is only for civilian use, not for making weapons.
Iran passed a law to stop cooperating with international nuclear inspectors.
In Peru, gangs are threatening private schools in less wealthy areas to get money, which started happening during the COVID-19 pandemic. In London, a well-known song from the musical "Evita" is performed every night on the street for people to enjoy without buying a ticket.
Key Facts
Gangs have started targeting private schools in poor neighborhoods in Peru.
This crime wave began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The gangs are using threats to extort money from the schools.
School administrators and parents are trying to manage these threats.
In London's West End, a famous song from "Evita" is sung in the street every night.
People can listen to the "Evita" song performance for free, without needing to buy a ticket.
A U.S. committee advising on vaccine policies recommended that flu vaccines for children and adults should not contain thimerosal, a preservative rarely used today. The discussion took place after the committee was restructured by RFK Jr., who replaced existing members with his own choices, some of whom have been known to make inaccurate claims about vaccine safety.
Key Facts
The committee advising on U.S. vaccine policies is called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Thimerosal is a preservative that contains mercury and is sometimes added to vaccines but is rarely used now.
The committee recommended that flu vaccines should not contain thimerosal.
The belief that thimerosal causes autism in children has been disproven, and it is not found in any vaccines on the current U.S. pediatric schedule.
The ACIP voted for continuing the general flu vaccine recommendation for those over six months old.
RFK Jr. recently replaced the entire previous committee with new members, decreasing the number from 17 to 7.
The committee also supported a monoclonal antibody shot for preventing RSV in infants under 8 months.
Residents in Tehran and Tel Aviv are worried about possible missile attacks and the spread of fake information, including videos made with artificial intelligence (AI). An increase in AI-made videos showing fake events has raised concerns about how this technology can shape what people believe is real. A new AI tool called Veo 3, from Google's DeepMind, can create realistic videos that are hard to tell apart from real ones.
Key Facts
People in Tehran and Tel Aviv are anxious about potential missile strikes.
AI-generated fake videos are spreading misinformation in Iran and Israel.
A platform called GeoConfirmed has noticed more AI-made fake videos.
Google DeepMind released an AI tool named Veo 3 that makes videos from text prompts.
Veo 3 can create eight-second videos that look and sound real.
Al Jazeera made fake videos of events to show how easy it is to create misinformation.
Google claims it adds watermarks to identify AI-generated content.
Some experts are concerned that Google released Veo 3 before security features were ready.
Kenyans are continuing to protest despite recent clashes. Elijah Rottok from the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights commented on their determination.
Key Facts
Elijah Rottok works at the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights.
Rottok commented about the protests happening in Kenya.
Recent demonstrations in Kenya have involved some violence.
Kenyans want to continue protesting despite these challenges.
Some schools in Maine allow students to go on a hike as an alternative to sitting in detention. This option lets students spend time outdoors instead of staying indoors for discipline.
Key Facts
The school is located in Maine.
Students can choose to hike instead of sitting in detention.
This alternative takes place in the woods.
The program is meant for high school students.
The goal is to offer a different way for students to deal with discipline.
A U.S. federal judge dismissed a copyright lawsuit against Meta Platforms, filed by authors claiming their works were used to train Meta's AI technology without permission. The court indicated that the authors did not present their case correctly, although the ruling does not confirm that Meta’s use of these materials is legal.
Key Facts
A judge in San Francisco dismissed a copyright infringement case against Meta.
The lawsuit was brought by 13 authors, including Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates.
The judge stated that the authors used the wrong arguments in their case.
The ruling noted that it does not confirm the legality of Meta's use of the materials.
Meta claimed the decision supports the fair use of copyright material by its AI models.
The case involved the use of copyrighted books to train Meta's AI system Llama.
The court ruling seems to encourage other authors to file better-prepared lawsuits.
Meta has acknowledged a technical error that led to the wrongful suspension of some Facebook Groups. The company denies there is a wider issue but admits to errors in enforcement, and some Instagram users have reported similar problems.
Key Facts
Meta confirmed a mistake in suspending some Facebook Groups.
Group administrators said they got automated messages that incorrectly claimed policy violations.
Some Instagram users also reported similar account suspensions.
A petition on change.org about wrongful account disabling received nearly 22,000 signatures.
Users find it hard to contact Meta after being suspended or banned.
Meta uses a combination of artificial intelligence and humans to enforce its policies.
The company reported 4.6 million actions against child sexual exploitation in early 2023.
Meta explains that AI is crucial to its process for reviewing content.
Violence erupted during antigovernment protests in Nairobi and other Kenyan cities, resulting in several deaths and injuries. The protests marked the anniversary of a 2024 demonstration against tax increases that had turned deadly. Authorities have not officially confirmed the number of casualties, but reports indicate between eight and 16 people were killed.
Key Facts
Protests took place in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisii, and other cities.
Demonstrations were held to mark last year's violent anti-tax protests.
Protesters in Nairobi carried flags and chanted against President Ruto's government.
Shops and businesses in central Nairobi were attacked and damaged.
Protesters in Kikuyu town set fire to government buildings.
Police used tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse crowds.
Violence was reported in multiple towns, but some areas remained peaceful.
The number of deaths reported varies, with estimates between eight and 16.
Kenya's Faith Kipyegon is trying to be the first woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes. While her attempt in Paris is not eligible for an official record, experts believe she has the potential to achieve this feat with the help of pacers and special equipment.
Key Facts
Faith Kipyegon is aiming to run a mile in under 4 minutes, a feat no woman has achieved yet.
Her current personal best mile time is over 7 seconds slower than 4 minutes.
The event in which Kipyegon is attempting the run is sponsored by Nike and is considered an exhibition, so it won't count as an official record.
Pacers will help Kipyegon reduce air resistance during her run, similar to the method used by Roger Bannister when he broke the 4-minute mile in 1954.
Kipyegon will use special equipment, including custom spikes, a specially designed speed suit, and a 3D-printed sports bra.
The attempt will take place in Paris at the Stade Sébastien Charléty, where Kipyegon previously won Olympic gold.
Scientists believe, based on experiments and calculations, that Kipyegon can achieve the 4-minute milestone.
Wind conditions might affect her performance during the attempt.
Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former rising Formula One driver, in the movie "F1 the Movie". Sonny returns to racing with an old friend's struggling team and faces challenges with a young teammate. The film shows Sonny navigating both personal and professional obstacles while competing in races around the world.
Key Facts
Brad Pitt plays a character named Sonny Hayes, a veteran race car driver.
The movie is titled "F1 the Movie" and is directed by Joseph Kosinski.
Sonny was a promising F1 driver in the 1990s but a crash put his career on hold.
Thirty years later, Sonny becomes a professional gambler and occasional driver.
He joins a struggling F1 team at the request of his old friend Ruben.
Sonny conflicts with his younger teammate, Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris.
The storyline includes races in locations like Monza, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi.
Pitt and co-star Idris performed their own driving stunts, reaching speeds of up to 180 mph.
A group of parents in Granada, Spain, hold daily silent protests outside a school, displaying banners supporting Gaza and opposing violence against children. Their protests are not large, but they aim to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza, where many children have died.
Key Facts
Parents in Granada protest daily for Gaza by holding banners outside a school.
The banners read “No more dead children” and “Against Genocide.”
The protest started after a video circulated among parents, inspiring them to take action.
They protest quietly, standing in a line to avoid disrupting passers-by.
Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita due to ongoing conflict.
Over 17,000 children have been killed in Gaza.
Almost every child in Gaza, over 930,000, is at risk of famine.
Spain has shown support for Palestine and criticized Israeli actions in Gaza.
Sabrina Carpenter released new art for her album "Man's Best Friend" after her original cover led to debate. The new images are meant to be less controversial, and the album will be out on August 29. Some people criticized the first artwork as promoting negative stereotypes.
Key Facts
Sabrina Carpenter changed the cover art for her album "Man's Best Friend" after criticism.
The original cover showed her in a pose some thought catered to negative male stereotypes.
Carpenter's new cover features her holding a suited man's arm, and she called it "approved by God."
The album, Carpenter's seventh, is set to release on August 29.
Critics like Glasgow Women's Aid said the initial image was "regressive" and suggested violence and control.
Some defended the original artwork as satirical, claiming it reflected public perceptions.
Criticism included its timing, seen as inappropriate because of current political issues in the US.
Carpenter is known for bold music and performances that sometimes attract attention and controversy.
The musical Evita is playing in London's West End, and while people watch it inside, the actress playing Eva Perón sings the famous song "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from a balcony outside the theater. This unique performance draws large crowds on the street, offering a free experience to many who might not afford a ticket.
Key Facts
The musical Evita is being performed at London's Palladium theater.
Actress Rachel Zegler sings from a balcony during the performance.
The song "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" is played outside the theater.
Crowds gather outside to watch this balcony performance for free.
This outdoor performance is livestreamed back into the theater.
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber arranged for the street closure for the performance.
The theater hopes to make theater accessible to people who can't buy tickets.
This staging style is typical of shows involving Andrew Lloyd Webber and director Jamie Lloyd.
