Three new movies are hitting theaters this weekend: "F1," "M3GAN 2.0," and "Sorry, Baby." "F1" features Brad Pitt as a racing driver returning to the Formula One scene, while "M3GAN 2.0" is a sequel about a rebuilt killer robot. "Sorry, Baby" is a debut film by Eva Victor, blending emotional themes with humor.
Key Facts
"F1" stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula One driver making a comeback.
The film "F1" includes advanced camera techniques to immerse viewers in the racing scenes.
Damson Idris plays a rookie driver named Joshua, alongside Brad Pitt in "F1."
"M3GAN 2.0" follows the story of a killer robot being rebuilt despite resistance.
Allison Williams plays Gemma, a roboticist, in the movie "M3GAN 2.0."
"Sorry, Baby" is directed by Eva Victor, who previously worked at the satirical site Reductress.
The film "Sorry, Baby" blends humor with emotional storytelling.
Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton appears as himself in "F1" and serves as a producer.
Aylo, the owner of Pornhub and other adult sites, plans to introduce government-approved methods to check user ages in the UK by July 25. This change is to comply with UK laws requiring pornographic sites to ensure effective age verification, beyond just clicking a button.
Key Facts
Aylo owns adult websites like Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube.
The UK requires porn sites to implement strong age checks under the Online Safety Act.
Aylo aims to introduce new age verification methods by July 25 in the UK.
Ofcom, the UK regulator, says simple button clicks are not enough for age verification.
Other possible age checks include photo ID or credit card verification.
Pornhub is the most visited adult site globally.
Regulators worldwide are reviewing Pornhub's measures to prevent underage access.
Ofcom is investigating several adult sites for possibly breaking child safety rules.
Hugo Carvajal, a former Venezuelan military intelligence director, has admitted in a U.S. court to involvement in drug trafficking and narcoterrorism. He worked with a Colombian group to distribute cocaine in the U.S., and he faces a long prison sentence.
Key Facts
Hugo Carvajal was a director in Venezuela's military and worked under President Hugo Chavez from 2004 to 2011.
He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and narcoterrorism in a U.S. court.
Carvajal's charges include attempting to bring large amounts of cocaine into the U.S. and conspiring with others to do so.
He worked with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which was previously considered a terrorist group by the U.S.
Prosecutors suggest Carvajal should receive at least 50 years in prison.
Carvajal was nicknamed "El Pollo," which means "the chicken" in Spanish.
He took part in a failed coup in 1992 that helped Chavez become well-known.
Carvajal was extradited from Spain to the U.S. in July 2023, after a long effort by the U.S. Justice Department.
A new report from UNICEF and the International Labor Organization shows that child labor has decreased worldwide over the past five years, with 20 million fewer children working. However, 138 million children still work, often in unsafe conditions. Poverty and lack of access to education are leading causes of child labor, and regions like Asia have made progress with strategies that include financial support for families and access to free schooling.
Key Facts
UNICEF and the International Labor Organization report on child labor shows a decline in working children by 20 million in five years.
Currently, 138 million children are involved in child labor around the world.
Of these, 54 million children work in dangerous conditions that harm their health.
Poverty is a key reason children start working, often from as young as 5 years old.
Access to free education and financial support for families helps reduce child labor.
In Asia, child labor dropped from 13% in 2008 to 3% in 2024, partly due to improved access to schooling and financial aid.
In sub-Saharan Africa, child labor remains high, with 22% of children working as of 2024, due to limited schooling and reliance on agriculture.
Many children in sub-Saharan Africa work on family farms, where schooling options are often not available.
Thailand is facing a growing problem with electronic waste, often from Western countries. The government is trying to control this by inspecting and closing down unlicensed recycling plants, but the situation is worsening as more e-waste is mislabelled and illegally processed, harming the environment.
Key Facts
Thailand is inspecting unlicensed recycling sites to control electronic waste.
China banned e-waste imports in 2018, causing more waste to be sent to Thailand.
Thailand's e-waste imports have increased from 3,000 to 60,000 tonnes in ten years.
Many e-waste shipments are falsely labelled as second-hand goods for resale.
Processing e-waste can release harmful chemicals like mercury and lead.
The valuable metals retrieved from waste are often exported to China.
These recycling practices are damaging the environment and people's livelihoods.
Despite a 2020 import ban, Thailand still struggles with illegal e-waste processing.
The Thai government plans to restrict cannabis use to medical purposes only, reversing the 2022 move that allowed recreational use. Although the order isn't law yet, the decision has created uncertainty in the $1 billion cannabis industry.
Key Facts
Thailand's Ministry of Public Health wants cannabis use limited to medical purposes only.
Recreational cannabis use was decriminalized in Thailand in 2022.
The change is not official until it is published in the Royal Gazette.
Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub mentioned concerns about social issues among young people.
Thousands of cannabis stores have opened since decriminalization.
The Bhumjaithai Party left the ruling coalition over issues unrelated to cannabis.
The Thai Chamber of Commerce estimated the cannabis market could be worth $1.2 billion by 2025.
The cannabis industry has faced regulatory uncertainty since its decriminalization.
Season 4 of "The Bear" on FX continues to explore the life of Carmy Berzatto as he navigates his career and personal challenges. The show delves into Carmy's ongoing pursuit of perfection in the restaurant industry, while also showing more about Sydney's family and her work dynamics with Carmy.
Key Facts
Season 4 of "The Bear" is now available on FX on Hulu.
The main character, Carmy Berzatto, is played by Jeremy Allen White.
Carmy struggles with his career choice as a chef, seeking perfection in his work.
The season addresses Carmy's past issues, including family and previous bosses.
The Bear restaurant's finances are under pressure, set against a ticking clock.
Sydney Adamu, played by Ayo Edebiri, faces career decisions and family dynamics.
The show highlights standout episodes featuring Carmy's extended family and their interactions.
The article discusses the closure of all Homebase stores, a DIY chain. It provides information on how to listen to a related program on the BBC Sounds platform.
Key Facts
Homebase is a DIY chain store.
All of its store locations have been closed.
The BBC has a program discussing why these stores closed.
The program is available on the BBC Sounds platform.
The release date of the program is June 26, 2025.
The program lasts 25 minutes.
The BBC Sounds platform offers help with signing in and other information.
The U.S. shipbuilding industry thrived during World War II but is now almost non-existent. Currently, China leads the world in shipbuilding. The article examines the decline of American shipbuilding and the possible effects of U.S. policies aimed at protecting it.
Key Facts
The U.S. had a strong shipbuilding industry during World War II.
Today, China's shipbuilding industry is the largest in the world.
American shipbuilding has significantly declined in recent years.
Protectionist policies could impact efforts to revive U.S. shipbuilding.
The discussion is part of an NPR series called "The Indicator from Planet Money."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed a new panel to review vaccine schedules for children in the U.S. The panel includes individuals known to be skeptical of vaccines, which has raised concerns among health experts and politicians.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all 17 members of a U.S. vaccine advisory committee with new members.
The new panel will review vaccination schedules for children and vaccines approved over seven years ago.
The committee advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccines.
Concerns have been raised about the qualifications and potential biases of the new panel members.
The review of long-approved vaccines, like hepatitis B for newborns, is a point of concern.
The panel postponed a vote on vaccines for RSV, a respiratory virus affecting infants.
They plan to discuss thimerosal, a preservative not used in most current vaccines.
Dr. Martin Kulldorff, the new chair, was previously removed from his university position for not getting a Covid-19 vaccine.
The United States has placed sanctions on three Mexican financial institutions, accusing them of facilitating money laundering for drug cartels. This action is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. to combat opioid trafficking and crack down on Latin American criminal networks, including disrupting financial collaborations that support drug operations.
Key Facts
The U.S. targeted CIBanco, Intercam Banco, and Vector Casa de Bolsa for alleged money laundering.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury linked these banks to the trafficking of fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid.
The banks were the first to be sanctioned under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, both aiming to combat opioid trafficking.
Sanctions include blocking financial transfers between these Mexican banks and U.S. banks.
Mexico's government has not received evidence to justify the U.S. sanctions.
CIBanco is allegedly linked to several cartels, including the Beltran-Leyva, CJNG, and Gulf Cartel.
Intercam Banco is also accused of connections to the CJNG cartel.
Vector Casa de Bolsa, accused of ties with the Sinaloa Cartel and Gulf Cartel, denies the allegations and plans to cooperate in resolving the issue.
By 2028, Network Rail plans to eliminate areas with poor mobile phone signals on major train lines and tunnels in Britain. This will involve installing 4G and 5G networks with the help of two private telecom companies.
Key Facts
Network Rail aims to remove mobile signal blackspots on major railway lines by 2028.
The project will install 1,000km of high-speed fibre optic cable on parts of the East Coast and West Coast Main Lines.
Neos Networks will also add cables to the Great Western and Chiltern Main Lines.
The plan is to eventually extend to more than 5,000km of tracks, but the exact timeline is not yet defined.
Freshwave will address signal problems in 57 train tunnels covering about 50km.
New 4G and 5G infrastructure will be installed at 12 major train stations, including locations like Birmingham New Street and Edinburgh Waverley.
Private funding from telecom companies for the project is expected to save taxpayers approximately £300 million.
The improvements aim to enhance passenger experiences by providing better connectivity and reducing call drop-offs during train journeys.
Thailand is changing its cannabis laws after making the drug legal in 2022. New rules will require a doctor's prescription to use cannabis. The move aims to control smuggling and address concerns about the market being unregulated.
Key Facts
Thailand legalized cannabis in 2022, leading to many shops selling the drug.
The government plans to restrict cannabis use to people with a doctor's prescription.
There are about 11,000 cannabis dispensaries in Thailand.
Smuggling of Thai cannabis to the UK has increased, involving young travelers.
In 2023, 142 couriers were caught with cannabis; this rose to 800 in 2024.
In the UK, 173 people smuggling cannabis from Thailand have been sentenced in 2024.
Thai authorities are intensifying airport inspections to combat smuggling.
The lack of strict regulations in Thailand has been described as a loophole aiding smugglers.
A landslide in Bello, a city near Medellin, Colombia, has resulted in at least 11 deaths, with 15 people still missing. Rescue operations and evacuation orders are ongoing as heavy rains continue to threaten the area.
Key Facts
At least 11 people have died in a landslide in Bello, Colombia.
15 people are reported missing due to the landslide.
Rescue teams are using dogs and drones to search for missing people.
More than 1,500 people are staying in shelters set up in schools and community centers.
Heavy rain caused the landslide, which affected makeshift homes on hillsides.
These homes are unstable during heavy rains, posing risks to poorer residents.
Medellin issued evacuation orders for areas due to the danger of structures collapsing.
Recent storms have caused damage, leading to the evacuation of around 60 homes.
A man attacked the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria, killing at least 25 people. The Syrian Interior Ministry blamed ISIS, but another group claimed responsibility. The attack has raised concerns about the government's ability to protect its citizens, especially religious minorities.
Key Facts
A man with a rifle attacked the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, killing at least 25 people.
After shooting at worshippers, the attacker detonated a suicide bomb.
The Syrian Interior Ministry accused ISIS of the attack, but Saraya Ansar al-Sunna also claimed responsibility.
This is the first attack on a Syrian church since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Concerns about security in Syria have increased, with fears of further attacks causing unrest among religious communities.
Ahmed al-Sharaa is the new president of Syria, taking over after Assad's regime.
Al-Sharaa has promised to protect minorities but faces skepticism due to his past association with extremist groups.
The attack challenges the Syrian government's ability to maintain security and protect its diverse population.
A Salvadoran journalist was arrested in Georgia while he was covering a protest. He is now in custody under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is waiting for a deportation hearing.
Key Facts
A journalist from El Salvador was detained in Georgia.
He was reporting on a protest at the time of his arrest.
The journalist is currently held by ICE.
He is facing a deportation hearing.
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. agency that handles immigration issues.
The NPR show "Econ Battle Zone" features a fun competition where hosts Mary Childs, Kenny Malone, and Erika Beras present economic topics in creative ways. The episode includes various challenges, like making economic discussions rhyme or turning them into songs, and is judged by Betsey Stevenson and David Kestenbaum.
Key Facts
"Econ Battle Zone" is a show by NPR where hosts discuss economic topics.
Mary Childs and Kenny Malone compete against Erika Beras in this episode.
Each host presents economic topics in creative formats, like rhyming or singing.
Betsey Stevenson and David Kestenbaum are guest judges for the competition.
The episode includes contributions from various artists and experts.
It is hosted by Keith Romer and produced by a team including James Sneed and Jess Jiang.
Listeners can find the episode on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have arrived in Venice for their wedding amidst protests. Local activist groups held demonstrations against what they perceive as wealth inequality, using Bezos’s presence to highlight their concerns.
Key Facts
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are in Venice for their wedding.
Activist groups are protesting the event due to concerns about wealth disparity.
The protests have included banners and floats with messages against Bezos.
Activists plan to block canals with boats on the day of the wedding.
Greenpeace and other groups have participated in the protests.
Protesters focus on themes of unchecked wealth and the impact on public spaces.
There has been no response from Bezos’s representatives regarding the protests.
Celebrities like Mick Jagger and Oprah Winfrey are expected to attend the wedding.
On Wednesday, there were clashes in Kenya between police and protesters upset about police violence and corruption. In Gaza, the Israeli military reported that seven soldiers died when a bomb was attached to their vehicle by Hamas militants. Also, Kilmar Abrego Garcia will stay in jail while legal teams discuss his possible deportation.
Key Facts
Clashes occurred in Kenya between police and protesters.
The protests in Kenya were about police brutality and corruption.
Seven Israeli soldiers died in Gaza.
The soldiers died when a bomb was attached to their armored vehicle.
Hamas militants were responsible for the attack on the Israeli soldiers.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is staying in jail for now.
Legal teams are debating whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia would be deported if freed.
Parts of the United States, including New York City, are experiencing a severe heat wave, with many areas under heat advisories. The extreme temperatures are affecting infrastructure like roads and train systems, causing disruptions.
Key Facts
Tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under a heat advisory due to a heat wave.
The heat is so intense that it is causing asphalt roads to buckle.
Rail services, such as Amtrak and public transit in Washington and Philadelphia, are slowing down their trains because of the heat.
Mikhail Chester, a professor at Arizona State University, discusses how extreme heat affects transportation.
NPR correspondent Julia Simon gives tips on staying cool in the heat.
The report was produced by a team, including Jeffrey Pierre, Mia Venkat, and Connor Donevan, and edited by several others.
