Technology News

Low turnout in Togo municipal polls after deadly protests

July 17, 2025

Togo held municipal elections with low voter turnout following recent protests against constitutional reforms. The protests were sparked by dissatisfaction with leader Faure Gnassingbe's extended rule and the arrest of a popular rapper calling for demonstrations.

Key Facts:

Togo held municipal elections with low turnout.
Recent protests criticized constitutional reforms and Gnassingbe’s long rule.
Seven protesters died during these protests.
Heavy police and military presence was seen in Lome during elections.
Faure Gnassingbe has ruled Togo since 2005.
The constitutional reforms change the presidential system to a parliamentary one.
Critics of the reforms labeled them a "constitutional coup."
Public demonstrations in Togo have been banned since protests in 2017-2018.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Former HSBC trader has fraud conviction overturned

July 17, 2025

A former trader named Mark Johnson, who used to work for HSBC, had his fraud conviction overturned by a US court after a fight that lasted nine years. He was originally convicted in 2017 for allegedly manipulating currency exchange rates to benefit HSBC. The conviction was overturned because a law used against him was revoked.

Key Facts:

Mark Johnson is a former trader from HSBC who was originally found guilty of fraud in 2017.
He was accused of manipulating currency exchange rates to help HSBC make a profit.
He served time in US and UK prisons before being released in 2022.
In 2023, the US court overturned the law used in his prosecution, leading to his acquittal.
Johnson was alleged to have increased the price of British pounds before a large trade.
This practice was called "front-running," but some argued it was normal in the industry.
Johnson's arrest in 2016 happened in the US, avoiding extradition procedures.
His co-accused, Stuart Scott, successfully fought extradition and had charges dropped.

Source Information

BBC Business

Settlement reached in investors' lawsuit against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other company leaders

July 17, 2025

A settlement was reached in a lawsuit against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other leaders over the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal. Investors had claimed Meta leaders did not properly inform users about how their information would be used. Details of the settlement were not disclosed in court.

Key Facts:

A class action lawsuit alleged that Meta did not tell Facebook users about data misuse by Cambridge Analytica.
Cambridge Analytica was a firm that worked with Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
The lawsuit sought billions in refunds for fines and legal expenses.
A settlement was announced in a Delaware court, but details were not given.
Facebook previously agreed to pay a $5.1 billion fine to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Investors wanted company leaders to reimburse an estimated $8 billion for the FTC fine and legal costs.
Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg were expected to testify.
Former board member Jeffrey Zients testified on the first day of the trial.

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NPR Home

Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan have killed at least 54 people in 24 hours, officials say

July 17, 2025

Heavy monsoon rains have caused flash floods and killed at least 54 people in eastern Pakistan in just one day. This has increased the total number of rain-related deaths in the country to 178 over the past three weeks, with significant rainfall and flooding continuing to affect many areas.

Key Facts:

At least 54 people died recently due to heavy rains in eastern Pakistan.
The total number of rain-related deaths in the past three weeks is 178.
Pakistan has experienced 82% more rainfall this July compared to the same period last year.
The province of Punjab received 124% more rainfall than the same time last year.
Flash floods have affected areas like Rawalpindi and Lahore, causing street flooding.
Authorities used boats to rescue people in Jhelum district due to flash flooding.
The National Disaster Management Authority has issued flood alerts and advised caution.
More rain is expected, and there is a concern for possible repeat of severe weather like the 2022 floods.

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PBS NewsHour

Ken Burns calls public media funding cuts ‘shortsighted,’ but vows ‘we will continue’

July 17, 2025

Congress is thinking about taking back one billion dollars it had set aside for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This group helps fund TV and radio stations that are not for profit. Ken Burns, a well-known filmmaker, talked about what this might mean for PBS, a public TV network.

Key Facts:

Congress is considering canceling one billion dollars in funding.
This money was originally approved for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports public media like TV and radio stations.
Ken Burns, a famous filmmaker, discussed the issue and its effects on PBS.
Ken Burns is known for making documentaries about topics like the Civil War and Vietnam.

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PBS NewsHour

IRS to share personal data with immigration agents to aid deportation efforts

July 17, 2025

The Trump administration is sharing personal data with immigration authorities as part of its enforcement efforts. This includes Medicaid data and potentially sensitive taxpayer information from the IRS.

Key Facts:

The Trump administration is providing personal data to immigration authorities.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is receiving Medicaid data.
ProPublica discovered that the IRS is creating a program to share sensitive taxpayer information with immigration agents.
This information could include details like home addresses.
William Brangham discussed the issue with Christopher Bing from ProPublica.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

British spies and SAS named in Afghan data breach

July 17, 2025

A data breach exposed the identities of over 100 UK officials, including special forces and intelligence agents, as well as data on nearly 19,000 Afghans who worked with the UK during the Afghanistan war. This breach led to a resettlement scheme that allowed 4,500 Afghans to move to the UK, with another 2,400 expected to relocate.

Key Facts:

More than 100 UK spies and special forces members were identified in a data breach.
Nearly 19,000 Afghans who assisted the UK during the Afghanistan war had their data leaked.
The breach became public after a legal order preventing disclosure was partially lifted by a judge.
The data was accidentally emailed by someone at UK Special Forces HQ to an unintended recipient.
A resettlement plan called the Afghanistan Response Route was created, helping 4,500 Afghans move to the UK.
The resettlement program is expected to cost about £850 million.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) acknowledged the breach as a serious error.
The Taliban has not confirmed any actions against Afghans named in the breach, but their families are worried.

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BBC World

Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner of Welsh football team

July 17, 2025

Rapper Snoop Dogg has become a part-owner of Swansea City, a football team in the Championship league, by investing in the club. His involvement aims to increase the club's profile to bring in more money and help strengthen the team.

Key Facts:

Snoop Dogg has taken a minority ownership stake in Swansea City.
Swansea City is a football team in the Championship, which is the second-highest division in English football.
Snoop Dogg is known to have a great interest in football and wants to help the club.
The club announced that Snoop Dogg's connection came through a mutual link with its American owners, Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen.
Swansea City aims to raise its profile and revenue through Snoop Dogg's global fanbase.
A mural of Snoop Dogg has been placed in the Swansea.com Stadium to celebrate his involvement.
Luka Modric also became a part-owner of the club after the takeover by Cravatt and Cohen.

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BBC US

‘Good Trouble’ protests against Trump’s deportations and health care cuts held nationwide

July 17, 2025

Protests against President Donald Trump's policies, such as mass deportations and cuts to Medicaid, occurred in over 1,600 locations across the U.S. These demonstrations were part of a national day of action called "Good Trouble Lives On," honoring the late civil rights leader John Lewis.

Key Facts:

Protests took place at over 1,600 locations in the U.S. against Trump's policies.
The events were called "Good Trouble Lives On," in memory of John Lewis.
John Lewis was a civil rights leader who led the 1965 Selma march.
Organizers wanted the protests to be peaceful.
Protests highlighted issues like mass deportations and Medicaid cuts.
Major protests were planned in cities like Atlanta, St. Louis, Oakland, and Annapolis.
Chicago hosted a significant rally, including a candlelight vigil for John Lewis.
The protests also criticized Trump's use of National Guard troops in immigration enforcement operations.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

UK's most powerful supercomputer comes online

July 17, 2025

The UK has launched its most powerful supercomputer, Isambard-AI, in Bristol. This supercomputer, along with another in Cambridge, aims to support artificial intelligence projects like reducing NHS waiting times and addressing climate change. The UK government also announced investment in AI growth areas in Scotland and Wales and plans to train millions in AI skills.

Key Facts:

Isambard-AI is the UK's most powerful supercomputer and is now fully operational in Bristol.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle officially launched Isambard-AI as part of new government AI plans.
The supercomputer will work on public projects like healthcare improvements and climate change solutions.
AI Growth Zones in Scotland and Wales will receive significant investment from the government.
The Isambard-AI was initially used for a vaccine development project before becoming fully operational.
Isambard-AI and another supercomputer, Dawn, form part of the UK's AI Research Resource.
Over the next five years, the UK's computing capacity for AI research will expand significantly.
The UK government is training millions of people to prepare for changes AI might bring to jobs and industries.

Source Information

BBC Business

Uber to invest in $300m in EV maker Lucid amid robotaxi deal

July 17, 2025

Uber plans to invest $300 million in Lucid, an electric vehicle company, to start a robotaxi service in a major U.S. city late next year. Over six years, Uber will use over 20,000 Lucid SUVs with self-driving technology from Nuro. This deal marks Uber's renewed effort in the autonomous vehicle market after stepping back in 2020.

Key Facts:

Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid to develop a robotaxi service.
The service aims to launch in a major U.S. city by late next year.
Uber will acquire and use over 20,000 Lucid SUVs equipped with self-driving tech from Nuro.
Lucid's stock rose by about 39% following the announcement.
The robotaxi partnership reflects Uber's return to autonomous vehicles after exiting the market in 2020.
A Lucid-Nuro robotaxi prototype is currently undergoing tests in Las Vegas.
Other companies like Tesla and Waymo are also expanding their autonomous taxi services in various U.S. cities.
Commercializing self-driving technology has been challenging due to high costs and strict regulations.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Zuckerberg settles Meta investor $8bn lawsuit for undisclosed terms

July 17, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg and other leaders at Meta Platforms have settled a lawsuit over claims that they let Facebook users' privacy be violated repeatedly. The details of the settlement are not public, and the case will no longer go to trial.

Key Facts:

Mark Zuckerberg and other Meta executives were sued over alleged privacy violations at Facebook.
The lawsuit aimed to recover $8 billion for damages allegedly caused by these privacy issues.
The settlement was reached with shareholders who sued the leaders of the company.
Details of the settlement are not disclosed to the public.
A trial had started but adjourned after the settlement was announced.
In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission fined Facebook $5 billion for privacy violations.
The company was not a defendant in this particular lawsuit.
Facebook changed its name to Meta in 2021.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Meta investors settle $8bn lawsuit with Zuckerberg over Facebook privacy

July 17, 2025

Meta and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, have reached a settlement with shareholders over a lawsuit related to Facebook's handling of privacy issues. The lawsuit, seeking $8 billion in damages, concerned data breaches linked to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The exact amount of the settlement has not been disclosed.

Key Facts:

Meta and Mark Zuckerberg settled a lawsuit with shareholders over privacy violations.
The lawsuit demanded $8 billion for mishandling user data.
The issue is linked to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where millions of Facebook users' data was leaked.
The settlement was revealed before the trial's second day in a Delaware court.
Meta has not disclosed the settlement amount.
Shareholders wanted several executives, including Jeffrey Zients and Peter Thiel, to reimburse Meta for fines and legal expenses.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal involved data used by Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.
The case involved multiple well-known figures, including Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings.

Source Information

BBC US

Burkina Faso military rulers scrap electoral commission, taking control of future polls

July 17, 2025

Burkina Faso's military leaders have removed the country's electoral commission, stating it is too costly and unnecessary. The Interior Ministry will now manage elections, and the return to civilian government has been delayed until July 2029, allowing the current leader to remain in power.

Key Facts:

The military commanders in Burkina Faso took power in September 2022 and have made several changes since then.
They shut down the electoral commission, which previously managed elections in the country.
The Interior Ministry will now be responsible for handling elections.
Elections planned for last year have been postponed, with civilian rule now delayed until July 2029.
The decision to end the electoral commission was partly due to its annual cost of about $870,000.
The military rulers claim this move will strengthen national control over elections and reduce outside influence.
Burkina Faso's leadership rejected help from France and chose to align more with Russia.
Human rights groups have accused the military of targeting civilians and limiting political freedoms.
There has been an increase in attacks by militant groups, with more than 280 attacks reported in the first half of 2025.

Source Information

BBC World

Bangladesh braces for further unrest after four killed in clashes at rally

July 17, 2025

Authorities in Bangladesh are taking strong security actions to prevent more political violence after clashes resulted in four deaths and over 50 injuries. A large number of police and military personnel were deployed, especially in Gopalganj, amid ongoing political tensions following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Key Facts:

Four people died, and more than 50 were injured in clashes between security forces and supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hundreds of police and military were deployed to manage possible unrest in Faridpur at a rally by the National Citizen Party (NCP).
The National Citizen Party is a new political group formed by students who helped remove Hasina from power last year.
In Gopalganj, pro-Hasina activists armed with sticks clashed with police.
Authorities imposed a curfew in Gopalganj following the violence, with shops closed and few vehicles on the streets.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus plans to investigate the violence, establishing a committee to report within two weeks.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party, the Awami League, has been banned since May but blamed the interim government for the violence.
Sheikh Hasina resigned and left for exile via helicopter last year, leaving behind ongoing tensions.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Caitlin Clark out of WNBA All-Star weekend after injury in final minute of Tuesday’s game

July 17, 2025

Caitlin Clark, a guard for the Indiana Fever basketball team, will miss the All-Star weekend due to a right groin injury. Despite her injury, she will attend the events to support her team. Clark has experienced several muscle injuries this year but has been an important player for the league's increased popularity.

Key Facts:

Caitlin Clark is a guard for the Indiana Fever.
She injured her right groin against the Connecticut Sun and will miss the All-Star weekend.
Clark was scheduled to join the 3-Point Contest and be captain of an All-Star team.
She has helped increase the league's attendance and TV ratings.
Clark has had a series of muscle injuries this year, missing multiple games.
Despite the injury, Clark plans to attend the All-Star events as a supporter.
Clark had imaging done on her injury, and her coach mentioned it was considered good news.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

How did Condé Nast go from dominance to decline? A new book explains

July 17, 2025

A new book by Michael Grynbaum explores how Condé Nast, once a leader in cultural trends through its magazines like Vogue, has seen a decline in influence. This shift is partly due to changing reader habits and the rise of social media and influencers.

Key Facts:

Condé Nast was once a key influencer in U.S. culture through its various publications.
The company was known for setting trends and offering authoritative lifestyle and fashion guidance.
Anna Wintour recently stepped down from her long-time role as editor-in-chief of Vogue.
Social media and influencers now provide many people with fashion and lifestyle inspiration.
The book "Empire of the Elite" examines Condé Nast's past dominance and current struggles.
Changing media habits have led to fewer people reading print magazines.
Condé Nast's history includes a focus on luxury and appealing to wealthy audiences.

Source Information

NPR Home

Watch: US builds new wall at Mexico border

July 17, 2025

The United States is constructing a new secondary wall at the border with Mexico in New Mexico. This wall aims to fill important gaps and improve security, as part of a larger plan announced by US Customs and Border Protection.

Key Facts:

The US is building a new wall at the Mexico border.
The new wall is around 7 miles (11 kilometers) long.
It is located in the state of New Mexico.
US Customs and Border Protection says the wall will fill necessary gaps.
In June, waivers were issued for constructing 36 miles (58 kilometers) of wall in Arizona and New Mexico.
The construction aims to improve security operations at the border.

Source Information

BBC US

Displacement camp in Gaza “amounts to a crime”

July 17, 2025

Ehud Olmert, who used to be Israel's prime minister, discussed a suggested plan for a "humanitarian" camp in Gaza. He stated that while it is not like a concentration camp, it would still not work well.

Key Facts:

Ehud Olmert is a former prime minister of Israel.
There is a proposal to create a "humanitarian" camp in Gaza.
Olmert compared this proposal to a concentration camp but said it is not the same.
He believes the proposed camp would not be practical or effective.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

What happened to the fuel-control switches on doomed Air India flight 171?

July 17, 2025

An Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad last month, killing 260 people. Investigations reveal that engines lost power shortly after takeoff, and the fuel switches may have been turned off manually. There is no official blame yet, and pilot groups dispute claims of human error.

Key Facts:

The crash happened with Air India Flight 171 on June 12 shortly after it took off from Ahmedabad.
The plane was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying 230 passengers and crew.
Both engines lost power 40 seconds into the flight, leading to a crash in a nearby suburb.
260 people died, including 19 people on the ground.
A preliminary report found that the aircraft was fit to fly and had no hazardous cargo.
The report noted a past advisory about potential issues with Boeing's fuel-control switch system.
The black box showed pilots discussing the fuel switches, but the cause is not confirmed.
Indian and international authorities are investigating, with involvement from Boeing experts.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

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