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Technology News

Breaking news and analysis from the world of technology

At trial, Meta investors, Zuckerberg face off on alleged data violations

At trial, Meta investors, Zuckerberg face off on alleged data violations

July 16, 2025
A trial involving Meta Platforms' shareholders against Mark Zuckerberg and other company leaders has begun. The case claims they misused Facebook users' data, breaking a 2012 agreement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The trial is expected to decide on liability and damages in months to come.

Key Facts:

  • The trial involves an $8 billion lawsuit against Meta Platforms' leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg.
  • Shareholders claim Facebook illegally used user data, violating a 2012 agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
  • The lawsuit follows the 2018 Cambridge Analytica incident, where data from millions of Facebook users was improperly accessed.
  • The FTC fined Facebook $5 billion for this privacy breach in 2019.
  • Shareholders want the defendants to repay Meta for the FTC fine and other legal expenses.
  • Testimonies during the trial will include Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, and others.
  • The trial is taking place in Delaware, where most U.S. public companies are incorporated due to favorable corporate laws.
  • This type of lawsuit, called a Caremark claim, is challenging to prove but has been gaining momentum in courts recently.

Source Information

Al Jazeera
A dentist is on trial for allegedly killing his wife with poisoned protein shakes

A dentist is on trial for allegedly killing his wife with poisoned protein shakes

July 16, 2025
A dentist named James Craig is on trial in Colorado, accused of killing his wife, Angela, by poisoning her protein shakes with substances including cyanide. The trial, which began at the Arapahoe District Court, involves accusations that Craig had planned the murder, possibly due to financial issues and an affair. Craig has pleaded not guilty, and his defense claims the evidence does not directly link him to her death.

Key Facts:

  • James Craig is a dentist facing trial for allegedly poisoning his wife, Angela.
  • Angela Craig showed symptoms like dizziness and headaches and was declared brain dead after hospitalization.
  • Toxicology tests revealed Angela was poisoned with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline.
  • Authorities accuse Craig of financial troubles and having an affair, which may have motivated him.
  • Prosecutors suggest Craig was interested in his wife's life insurance payout.
  • Craig is also accused of trying to tamper with the case, including attempting to solicit crimes from jail.
  • Defense argues that there's no direct evidence linking Craig to the murder and suggests Angela might have died by suicide.
  • If convicted, Craig could face life imprisonment without parole.

Source Information

NPR Home
Canada's PM wants to fast-track 'nation building' – but can he convince indigenous First Nations?

Canada's PM wants to fast-track 'nation building' – but can he convince indigenous First Nations?

July 16, 2025
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to boost the country's economy with a new law called the One Canadian Economy Act. This law could lead to big investments in areas like the Ring of Fire, which is rich in minerals, but some indigenous groups are worried it might ignore their rights to land and consent.

Key Facts:

  • The One Canadian Economy Act is aimed at boosting economic growth in Canada.
  • The law could result in billions of dollars in investments, particularly in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire area in Ontario.
  • Indigenous groups are concerned the law might sidestep their rights to land and consent.
  • The Ring of Fire is a key area due to its deposits of minerals like chromite and nickel.
  • Prime Minister Carney sees indigenous leadership as essential to economic growth.
  • Canada's constitution grants indigenous communities the right to be consulted on land and resource issues.
  • Past protests by indigenous groups have resulted in significant economic impacts and law enforcement costs.
  • Environmental and indigenous groups are worried about shortcuts in environmental assessments with the new law.

Source Information

BBC World
Three jailed over murder of Swedish hip-hop star in car park

Three jailed over murder of Swedish hip-hop star in car park

July 16, 2025
Three men have been sentenced to long prison terms for their roles in killing Swedish hip-hop artist C Gambino in Gothenburg in 2024. The court found them guilty of aiding and abetting murder, but it was not clear who fired the fatal shots. The shooting is linked to local gang conflicts, though the motive remains unknown.

Key Facts:

  • Three men in their 20s were sentenced for the murder of hip-hop artist C Gambino in Gothenburg.
  • C Gambino, real name Karar Ramadan, had recently won Sweden's 2023 Grammis award.
  • The court convicted the men of aiding and abetting murder but could not determine who fired the shots.
  • The gun used in the shooting was not found, and the getaway car was burned.
  • The shooting is linked to gang conflicts, but C Gambino was not known to be involved in a gang.
  • Investigators could not find DNA but used mobile phone data and CCTV footage to track the suspects.
  • One man received a life sentence, while the other two received 15.5 and 12.5 years in jail.
  • Another 19-year-old was convicted of burning the getaway car.

Source Information

BBC World
Co-op boss confirms all 6.5m members had data stolen

Co-op boss confirms all 6.5m members had data stolen

July 16, 2025
The Co-op CEO confirmed that a cyber-attack in April led to the theft of data from all 6.5 million Co-op members. The stolen data included names, addresses, and contact information, but not financial details. Four people were arrested as part of the investigation into the attacks on Co-op and M&S, and they have been bailed while the investigation continues.

Key Facts:

  • A cyber-attack in April affected all 6.5 million Co-op members.
  • The stolen data included personal details like names and addresses, but not financial information.
  • Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the attacks on Co-op and M&S.
  • The four arrested individuals have been released on bail pending further investigation.
  • Co-op disconnected its systems in time to prevent further damage from ransomware.
  • The company is working to restore its systems and has not disclosed the financial impact yet.
  • Co-op is partnering with a cybersecurity recruitment firm to direct young talent towards legal careers in cybersecurity.
  • A pilot program is planned with Co-op Academies Trust to support this initiative.

Source Information

BBC Tech
A look back at the outback murder that shook Australia

A look back at the outback murder that shook Australia

July 16, 2025
The disappearance of British backpacker Peter Falcone in the Australian outback in 2001 drew international attention. His girlfriend, Joanne Lees, managed to escape, and Bradley Murdoch was convicted of his murder in 2005, but he never disclosed the location of Falcone's body. Murdoch, who always denied the crime, has now passed away.

Key Facts:

  • Peter Falcone, a British backpacker, disappeared in the Australian outback in 2001.
  • Joanne Lees, Falcone's girlfriend, escaped the ambush.
  • Bradley Murdoch was found guilty of Falcone's murder in 2005.
  • Murdoch never revealed where Falcone's remains are.
  • Murdoch denied involvement in the murder until his death.
  • The case received widespread international media coverage.

Source Information

BBC World
'Sorry, Baby' is a story about pain and healing you haven't heard before

'Sorry, Baby' is a story about pain and healing you haven't heard before

July 16, 2025
"Sorry, Baby" is a movie about a woman named Agnes, who is dealing with life after a sexual assault. The movie is told in out-of-order chapters, showing different times in Agnes' life, and it explores her journey of healing and relationships.

Key Facts:

  • The movie is called "Sorry, Baby" and it follows a character named Agnes.
  • Agnes is an English literature professor at a small university.
  • The story begins with Agnes living near her campus and being close friends with Lydie.
  • Agnes was sexually assaulted by her mentor, Preston Decker, during her grad school days.
  • The film shows the assault’s impact on Agnes and her healing process.
  • The narrative is non-linear, meaning the story is not told in a straight line but jumps around different years.
  • Agnes and her friend Lydie have a strong bond, supporting each other during this difficult time.
  • The movie also explores themes of misunderstood feminist solidarity and how trauma is depicted in films.

Source Information

NPR News

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At least 21 people killed in stampede, suffocation at GHF site in Gaza

At least 21 people killed in stampede, suffocation at GHF site in Gaza

July 16, 2025
At least 21 Palestinians died during an incident at an aid distribution center in southern Gaza. The situation became chaotic, leading to a stampede, with reports of tear gas being used and gunfire heard. Different sources provide conflicting accounts of why the stampede happened.

Key Facts:

  • 21 Palestinians were killed at the GHF aid center in southern Gaza.
  • Most deaths were due to a stampede, with tear gas and gunfire mentioned as contributing factors.
  • The Gaza Ministry of Health and GHF have opposing views on what caused the incident.
  • GHF claimed armed crowd members linked to Hamas triggered the chaos.
  • Palestinians and witnesses disputed GHF's claim, citing tear gas use as the cause.
  • The United Nations stated 875 people have died near GHF sites since May, mainly from gunshot injuries.
  • The UN criticized GHF sites as unsafe and violating impartiality in humanitarian aid.
  • Additional deaths occurred on Wednesday from an Israeli attack on a displaced persons camp.

Source Information

Al Jazeera
US says it has deported five 'barbaric' migrants to Eswatini

US says it has deported five 'barbaric' migrants to Eswatini

July 16, 2025
The United States deported five individuals to Eswatini, who were previously convicted of serious crimes in the U.S. The deportees came from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen, and their deportation is part of a broader U.S. policy to remove individuals living in the country illegally.

Key Facts:

  • Five individuals from different countries were deported from the U.S. to Eswatini.
  • The deportees were convicted of serious crimes, including child rape and murder.
  • Eswatini is a small country in Southern Africa, formerly known as Swaziland.
  • The U.S. cited these deportees as "criminal illegal aliens."
  • The U.S. administration under President Trump is focusing on deporting people living illegally in the U.S.
  • The U.S. has also deported people to other countries, including El Salvador and Costa Rica.
  • The plan includes deporting people to countries they are not originally from, which the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed.
  • Nigeria refused to accept deportees from Venezuela or third-country prisoners from the U.S.

Source Information

BBC World
Cambodia deploys rodents for life-saving mine detection operations

Cambodia deploys rodents for life-saving mine detection operations

July 16, 2025
In Cambodia, specially trained African giant pouched rats help detect landmines by using their strong sense of smell. These rats work alongside humans to locate explosive materials in areas heavily affected by past conflicts.

Key Facts:

  • African giant pouched rats are used in Cambodia to find landmines.
  • These rats can grow up to 45 centimeters long and weigh up to 1.5 kilograms.
  • They alert handlers when they detect TNT, a common explosive in mines.
  • The rats are trained and deployed by APOPO, an organization that works worldwide.
  • Cambodia has a significant landmine problem, with many areas still uncleared from past conflicts.
  • Since 1992, efforts have removed over 1.1 million mines and 2.9 million explosive remnants.
  • Trainers and rats develop close working relationships, with handlers viewing them as family.

Source Information

Al Jazeera
Mystery buildings in Rafah raise concerns

Mystery buildings in Rafah raise concerns

July 16, 2025
Al Jazeera's investigation team used satellite images to study damage in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. They noticed that some schools and medical centers were not destroyed, despite the surrounding destruction.

Key Facts:

  • Al Jazeera's team used satellite data to study damage in Rafah.
  • Rafah is a city located in southern Gaza.
  • Some buildings, like schools and medical centers, were found undamaged.
  • The investigation noticed unusual patterns in how some areas were affected.
  • The reasons for the selective damage pattern were questioned by the investigation team.

Source Information

Al Jazeera
How will age verification for porn work and what about privacy?

How will age verification for porn work and what about privacy?

July 16, 2025
People in the UK will soon need to verify their age to access pornographic websites due to new rules. These checks aim to prevent those under 18 from viewing explicit material, but they come with concerns about user privacy and data security.

Key Facts:

  • The UK Online Safety Act requires adult websites to introduce age checks by 25 July.
  • Ofcom, a media regulator, says 14 million people in the UK watch online pornography.
  • There are various ways to verify age, including credit card checks, digital identity wallets, and facial age estimation.
  • Age verification companies claim they do not retain data and only confirm if a user is over 18.
  • Credit card checks might involve a mini transaction, but do not share personal data with adult websites.
  • Digital identity wallets securely store and share age information, with data encrypted and controlled by the user.
  • Email-based age estimation uses email activity on other sites to estimate age, keeping data for up to 28 days.
  • Facial age estimation uses technology to determine age based on appearance, raising questions about user comfort.

Source Information

BBC Tech
Co-op boss says sorry to 6.5m people who had data stolen in hack

Co-op boss says sorry to 6.5m people who had data stolen in hack

July 16, 2025
The Co-op confirmed that data from all 6.5 million of its members was stolen in a cyber-attack in April. The theft included names, addresses, and contact information, but not financial details. Four people have been arrested in connection with this and similar attacks on other retailers.

Key Facts:

  • The Co-op confirmed a cyber-attack where 6.5 million members had their data stolen.
  • The stolen data included names, addresses, and contact information but no financial data.
  • The attack affected Co-op, Marks and Spencer (M&S), and Harrods.
  • M&S suffered significant disruption and financial losses due to the attack.
  • After the first announcement, Co-op admitted more data had been accessed than initially reported.
  • The National Crime Agency arrested four individuals linked to the attacks.
  • The charges against the arrested include computer misuse, blackmail, and money laundering.

Source Information

BBC Tech
Twenty killed in crowd surge at Gaza aid site, GHF aid group says

Twenty killed in crowd surge at Gaza aid site, GHF aid group says

July 16, 2025
Twenty people died in a crowd surge at an aid center in southern Gaza when they attempted to get food. Most were trampled, and the incident reportedly involved individuals linked to Hamas. Conflicting reports and ongoing violence highlight tensions around aid distribution in the area.

Key Facts:

  • Twenty people died in a crowd surge at an aid site in Khan Younis, Gaza.
  • Nineteen people were trampled, and one person was stabbed.
  • The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) reported the incident and mentioned possible involvement of Hamas supporters.
  • Nasser Hospital reported receiving 10 bodies, saying they died from suffocation after contractors closed the aid site.
  • The GHF provides aid using private security contractors in areas under Israeli military control.
  • The UN reported 674 deaths at GHF sites and 201 more along UN aid convoy routes in six weeks.
  • The Israeli military acknowledged civilian harm and aims to reduce conflict with local populations.
  • The UN does not work with GHF, calling its practices unethical.

Source Information

BBC World
Twelfth volcanic eruption in four years felt in Iceland near capital

Twelfth volcanic eruption in four years felt in Iceland near capital

July 16, 2025
The Sundhnukur volcano erupted near Reykjavik, Iceland. This marks the 12th volcanic eruption in Iceland since 2021. The eruption did not threaten infrastructure, but residents and tourists from nearby areas, including the Blue Lagoon spa resort, were evacuated.

Key Facts:

  • The Sundhnukur volcano erupted near Reykjavik, Iceland.
  • This is the 12th volcanic eruption in Iceland since 2021.
  • The eruptive fissure is between 700 to 1,000 meters long.
  • Lava is flowing southeast and is not close to any buildings or roads.
  • People were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon spa and the town of Grindavik.
  • Lava is coming from long cracks in the ground, not from a central volcano opening.
  • Iceland has had many eruptions, but they haven't disrupted air traffic since the major 2010 eruption.
  • Grindavik, a town of nearly 4,000 people, was evacuated due to the danger of lava flows and earthquakes.

Source Information

Al Jazeera
Even healthy brains decline with age. Here's what you can do

Even healthy brains decline with age. Here's what you can do

July 16, 2025
After age 40, people's brains start to slow, with reaction times and memory slightly declining each year. Researchers have found that maintaining good habits like proper sleep, exercise, and controlling health factors can help keep the brain healthy as we age. Studies are focusing on understanding why some people's brains age slower, with genetics, quality sleep, and heart health playing a role.

Key Facts:

  • Brain function slows after age 40, affecting reaction time and memory.
  • This slowdown is usually a normal part of aging, not always a sign of disease.
  • MindCrowd is an online test for brain health that has been taken by over 700,000 adults.
  • People with "exceptional" brain performance often have habits like good sleep and cardiovascular health.
  • Good sleep quality means allowing the brain to go through all sleep stages, not just sleeping more hours.
  • Consistent sleep patterns and physical activity improve sleep quality.
  • Brain health is also affected by factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
  • Studies aim to understand brain aging by looking at how the brain works on a detailed level.

Source Information

NPR Home

How artificial intelligence is transforming the way people use the internet

July 16, 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how people use the internet. This shift affects how businesses operate online.

Key Facts:

  • AI stands for artificial intelligence, which means machines that can perform tasks that usually need human intelligence.
  • AI helps people search for information faster and more effectively.
  • Businesses on the internet are changing how they work because of AI.
  • AI personalizes user experiences by suggesting content and ads based on past behavior.
  • AI impacts internet security by detecting and preventing cyber threats.
  • New developments in AI can change how websites make money, affecting the internet's business model.

Source Information

NPR Technology
Do you want federal money for an EV or home solar? Time is running out — fast

Do you want federal money for an EV or home solar? Time is running out — fast

July 16, 2025
Federal tax credits for installing home solar panels, buying electric vehicles, and other energy-efficient technologies will end on December 31 due to a new law. People need to act quickly to benefit from these incentives, signing contracts and completing installations before the deadline.

Key Facts:

  • The federal tax credits for home solar panels and other energy-efficient technologies end on December 31.
  • Homeowners could get up to 30% off the cost of installing solar panels and related equipment through these incentives.
  • An additional federal credit offered up to $2,000 off for buying energy-efficient heat pumps and other appliances.
  • There is also a credit of up to $1,200 for home improvements like new insulation, doors, and windows.
  • To qualify for these credits, the equipment must be installed and in use, not just purchased, before the end of the year.
  • The incentives have motivated many people to quickly finalize their purchases and installations.
  • Dealers are actively selling electric vehicles that qualify for the current tax credits before they expire.
  • Acting soon is important as installation projects could take several months to complete.

Source Information

NPR Home
In praise of the humble recorder — a gateway instrument for millions of schoolchildren

In praise of the humble recorder — a gateway instrument for millions of schoolchildren

July 16, 2025
The recorder, a simple plastic instrument similar to a flute, is often the first instrument children learn to play in school. Although its use has declined in some areas recently, it remains a valuable tool for teaching music basics like reading notes and controlling breath.

Key Facts:

  • The recorder looks like a flute or clarinet and is commonly used in schools.
  • Its use has decreased in schools in the UK and the US due to COVID restrictions and alternative instruments like the ukulele.
  • Parkside Elementary in Atlanta still uses the recorder to teach music, generating excitement among students.
  • The recorder is easy for beginners to play; they just need to blow into the mouthpiece.
  • It is affordable and the right size for children's hands.
  • The recorder helps kids learn to read music by focusing on one line at a time.
  • It can be tricky because players need to cover holes correctly with their fingers to make the right sounds.

Source Information

NPR Home
Emmy nominations 2025: The contenders in key categories

Emmy nominations 2025: The contenders in key categories

July 16, 2025
The 2025 Primetime Emmy Award nominations have been announced by actors Harvey Guillen and Brenda Song in Los Angeles. "Severance" leads with 27 nominations, followed by "The Penguin" with 24 and "The Studio" with 23. The nominations cover various categories, including drama, comedy, limited series, and more.

Key Facts:

  • The 2025 Primetime Emmy nominations were announced in Los Angeles.
  • "Severance" received the most nominations with 27.
  • "The Penguin," an HBO series, got 24 nominations.
  • "The Studio" from Apple TV led the comedy category with 23 nominations.
  • Key drama series nominees include "Andor," "Severance," "The Last of Us," and "The White Lotus."
  • Comedy series nominations include "Hacks," "The Bear," and "Abbott Elementary."
  • Limited series nominees feature "The Penguin" and "Dying for Sex."
  • Kathy Bates, at 77, is the oldest nominee for Best Actress, Drama.

Source Information

Al Jazeera