A preliminary report on the Air India crash in June revealed that both fuel control switches, which are used to turn off the engines, were moved to the cut-off position. BBC's correspondent Theo Leggett explained that moving these switches involves a two-step process.
Key Facts
A preliminary report investigated the Air India crash in June.
The report found that both engine fuel control switches were moved to the cut-off position.
The fuel control switches are used to turn the engines off.
Moving these switches involves a two-step process.
BBC's Theo Leggett provided insights on the role of these switches.
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A preliminary report on an Air India plane crash that happened after takeoff suggests that the engines' fuel switches were moved to the "cutoff" position shortly before the crash, causing the plane to lose thrust. The crash, which took place on June 12 in Ahmedabad, India, resulted in the deaths of 260 people, including those on the ground.
Key Facts
The Air India flight's fuel switches were moved from "run" to "cutoff" just seconds after takeoff.
The crash occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 19 on the ground.
The report comes from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The report does not explain why the fuel switches were moved to "cutoff".
One pilot questioned the other about the fuel switch change, which was captured in the cockpit voice recorder.
The report did not assign blame or conclude the reasons for the switch change.
A U.S. aviation expert noted that it is difficult to accidentally move the fuel switches.
The only survivor of the crash was a passenger named Viswashkumar Ramesh.
The investigation is ongoing, and no action has been recommended for Boeing 787 operators at this point.
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Lawmakers in Cambodia changed the constitution so that the government can take away citizenship from people they believe have worked with foreign powers. This amendment was approved unanimously and has raised concerns, as some fear it could be misused against political opponents.
Key Facts
Cambodia's National Assembly changed the constitution to allow for taking away citizenship.
The change lets the government strip citizenship from those thought to have collaborated with foreign countries.
All 125 lawmakers in the assembly approved the amendment.
The Justice Minister said they would quickly introduce a law to support this change.
Previously, Cambodian citizens could only lose citizenship through "mutual agreement."
Amnesty International and other groups are worried the law could be used to target critics of the government.
The amendment follows pressure from former leader Hun Sen after opposition figures criticized the government over border issues with Thailand.
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NPR’s Planet Money explored garment manufacturing in the U.S. by following the production of a simple sports bra made in a Los Angeles factory. The episode looked at how many people were involved, the wages they earned, and discussed the current state and future of the domestic garment industry.
Key Facts
The episode focused on a garment factory located in Los Angeles.
It explored the process of making a basic purple sports bra in the U.S.
The report examined how many workers were needed to make the sports bra.
It discussed the wages that these garment workers received.
The program considered if Americans are interested in working in garment manufacturing.
It looked at the reasons why garment manufacturing exists in the United States.
The episode questioned whether the garment industry can expand domestically.
Planet Money encourages listeners to support the show through subscriptions.
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Amanda Anisimova, an American tennis player, is set to compete in her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon against Iga Swiatek. After a career break for mental health reasons, she has made a comeback and could become the first U.S. woman to win Wimbledon since 2016.
Key Facts
Amanda Anisimova is playing in the Wimbledon final after taking a break from tennis.
She stepped away from the sport to focus on her mental health due to stress and homesickness.
Anisimova was a tennis prodigy at 17, reaching the 2019 French Open semifinals.
After personal struggles and her father's death, she decided to prioritize her mental well-being.
She resumed training in the fall of 2023 after several months off.
Anisimova could become the first American woman to win Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2016.
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Thousands of people gathered in Bosnia and Herzegovina to remember the Srebrenica massacre, marking its 30th anniversary. Seven victims, whose remains were found recently, were buried during the event. The massacre, part of the Bosnian War, involved the killing of over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces in 1995.
Key Facts
The event took place in a valley with many white gravestones in Potocari, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Srebrenica massacre occurred in July 1995 during the Bosnian War.
At least 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces.
The massacre happened in Srebrenica, a place designated as a safe zone by the United Nations.
The remains of the victims buried recently were discovered in various mass graves.
Extensive DNA analysis helped identify the victims for the recent burials.
More than 6,000 victims have been buried at the memorial site, but over 1,000 are still missing.
In 2007, the International Court of Justice ruled that the events in Srebrenica were a genocide.
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Martin Lewis shares a method for negotiating better deals when speaking with a call center. The approach is designed to help people save money on personal finance matters.
Key Facts
Martin Lewis is known for providing personal finance advice.
He suggests a strategy for negotiating with call centers to get better deals.
This advice is shared in a podcast episode available on BBC Sounds.
The goal of the strategy is to help people save money.
The strategy is especially relevant for handling personal finance issues.
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President Donald Trump announced that the United States will increase tariffs on Canadian goods to 35%, despite Canada dropping its planned digital tax under U.S. pressure. Trump has sent notices to several countries about these increased tariffs, which will start on August 1 unless new trade agreements are made.
Key Facts
Trump announced a 35% tariff on Canadian goods, up from the previous 25%.
Canada agreed to cancel a digital services tax that would have affected U.S. technology companies.
Tariffs will begin on August 1 unless new trade deals are reached.
Canada is the U.S.'s second-largest trading partner, after Mexico.
The U.S. claims Canada is not doing enough to stop the flow of fentanyl, an addictive drug, into the U.S.
Canada exports items like oil, cars, and industrial machinery to the U.S.
Trump imposed separate tariffs on steel, aluminum, and car parts globally.
Canada has a $63.3 billion trade surplus with the U.S.
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The article discusses why Generation Z (Gen Z) seems to express fear or hesitation towards sex compared to previous generations. This trend is linked to several factors, including growing up during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifts in cultural conversations like the #MeToo movement, and concerns about legal changes affecting reproductive rights.
Key Facts
Gen Z is reportedly having less sex than previous generations did at the same age.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected Gen Z's experiences with in-person relationships.
Online engagement, such as watching porn and participating in LGBTQ+ communities, is more common among Gen Z.
Legal and cultural shifts, like the #MeToo movement and changes to reproductive rights, contribute to anxieties about sex.
Some young people express fear of unwanted pregnancies due to changes in laws regarding reproductive rights.
Despite these concerns, many Gen Z individuals express interest in sex, though they may not act on it as frequently.
The conversation around sexuality and sex for pleasure has evolved, impacting how young people view sex.
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The government is starting a consultation to introduce a new Private Parking Code of Practice to make parking charges fairer. This comes after complaints from drivers who faced high fines, like Rosey Hudson, who was billed £1,906 for a delay in paying at a car park in Derby. The proposed code aims to prevent unfair parking fees and improve transparency and oversight in the private parking sector.
Key Facts
The government wants to create a fairer system for private parking charges.
Drivers like Rosey Hudson have been fined large amounts for minor delays.
The new code seeks to prevent unfair charges due to mistakes or poor technology.
Private parking firms currently self-regulate through two trade associations.
Parking operators can get driver details from the DVLA to issue fines.
A previous code from February 2022 was withdrawn due to legal challenges.
The AA believes the new proposals do not sufficiently protect drivers.
The government is consulting the public on the new code until 5 September.
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The National Trust plans to cut about 550 jobs, which is 6% of its workforce, due to increased costs from higher taxes and wages. The charity is trying to save £26 million and has started talking to staff and their union to reduce the number of forced job losses.
Key Facts
The National Trust will cut about 550 jobs, or 6% of its workforce.
Higher wages and increased taxes are the main reasons for the job cuts.
The National Trust's wage costs have gone up by more than £10 million.
They aim to save £26 million through these cost-cutting measures.
A 45-day consultation period with staff started on Thursday.
The Trust is working with the union Prospect to try and lessen forced job losses.
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Afghan taxi drivers in Kandahar face extremely high temperatures often above 40°C (104°F). To cope, they have found their own ways to stay cool since their car air-conditioners often fail.
Key Facts
Kandahar, a city in Afghanistan, frequently experiences temperatures over 40°C (104°F).
Taxi drivers there often have problems with their car air-conditioning systems breaking down.
To handle the heat, these drivers are creating their own methods to stay cool inside their cars.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by workers in hot climates without reliable cooling options.
The problem is common among many drivers due to the harsh weather conditions and equipment issues.
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Heathrow Airport plans to expand its capacity to handle 10 million more passengers each year by 2031. The expansion includes a £10 billion investment for new terminal spaces and improved facilities, and would require higher passenger charges over the investment period.
Key Facts
Heathrow Airport wants to add 10 million extra passengers yearly by 2031.
The expansion plan involves a £10 billion investment.
It aims to demolish the old Terminal 1, extend Terminal 2, and build a new access road tunnel.
Passenger charges are expected to rise to an average of £33.26, up from £28.46.
The plan includes creating new terminal spaces the size of 10 football fields.
The improvements will lead to faster security and baggage handling.
Heathrow aims to increase its annual passenger capacity by 12%.
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Rayyan Arkan Dikha, an eleven-year-old from Indonesia, created a viral boat-racing dance that has become popular worldwide. His dance, known as "aura farming," is seen in videos across social media, with notable athletes and teams joining in. The dance, which he performed during a traditional boat race, has led him to gain widespread attention.
Key Facts
Rayyan Arkan Dikha is an eleven-year-old boy from Indonesia who created a viral dance.
The dance is performed at the tip of a racing boat during the national Pacu Jalur race.
"Aura farming" is an internet term meaning to build charisma or coolness.
His dance has been replicated by athletes such as Travis Kelce and the Paris Saint-Germain football team.
Videos of his dance have millions of views on TikTok.
Dikha's role during the boat race includes energizing the crew.
His mother expressed concerns about his safety while dancing on the boat, though a rescue team is always nearby.
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The article mentions a weekly quiz by NPR, which includes questions about Elon Musk's new political party and his company, xAI. It also invites readers to submit their own quiz questions related to news from July 7 to July 15 for a chance to be featured.
Key Facts
NPR hosts a weekly quiz that includes questions about current events.
Some quiz questions are related to Elon Musk's new political party and his company, xAI.
Readers are invited to submit their own questions for the quiz.
Submissions should relate to news from the week of July 7 through July 15.
If selected, contributors will be acknowledged on NPR's website.
Submissions are subject to NPR's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently obtained high-level access to a database that manages government payments to farmers and ranchers in the United States.
Key Facts
DOGE stands for the Department of Government Efficiency.
DOGE now has high-level access to a specific database.
The database controls government payments to farmers and ranchers.
These payments total billions of dollars.
The database is used across the U.S.
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A recent report discusses three areas affected by red tape: the challenges facing professional gamblers, potential increases in business spending on research and development, and difficulties in unsubscribing from services. A court has stopped a rule from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that aimed to make unsubscribing easier.
Key Facts
Professional gamblers in the U.S. are concerned about future obstacles due to government rules and procedures, often called red tape.
Businesses may invest more in research and development (R&D), which involves creating new products or improving existing ones.
The FTC introduced a 'click to cancel' rule meant to simplify the process of unsubscribing from services.
A court has blocked this 'click to cancel' rule from being implemented.
The discussion includes related topics such as sports gambling expansion and the difficulties faced by day traders.
The report is part of a series called "Indicators of the Week" presented by NPR’s Planet Money.
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The Srebrenica massacre, where over 8,000 Bosnian men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces in 1995, remains a painful memory in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A new play, "Flowers of Srebrenica," highlights this tragedy and ongoing ethnic tensions in the region. Despite convictions for the genocide, some leaders still deny it happened, reflecting deep divisions within the country.
Key Facts
In July 1995, over 8,000 Bosnian men and boys were killed in Srebrenica by Bosnian Serb forces.
The United Nations was supposed to protect Srebrenica, but Dutch soldiers did not prevent the massacre.
Bodies were originally placed in mass graves but later moved to hide the crime, complicating identification.
DNA testing has helped many families identify and bury their loved ones at Potočari Cemetery.
The play "Flowers of Srebrenica" shows the identification of massacre victims by clothing and personal items.
Some Bosnian Serb leaders deny the genocide, despite international convictions of Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided into two entities by the Dayton Peace Agreement, contributing to current tensions.
Republika Srpska’s president, Milorad Dodik, has taken steps challenging Bosnia's national institutions, causing further conflict.
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Autofocus glasses from Finnish company IXI use liquid crystal lenses that adjust automatically to help people see clearly at different distances. These glasses aim to improve vision corrections compared to traditional bifocals or varifocals as the global population ages and eyesight issues grow. The glasses' design focuses on looking like regular eyewear, and they include technology to track eye movements.
Key Facts
IXI's glasses use liquid crystals in the lenses to adjust vision correction using an electric field.
The glasses have a built-in eye tracker that changes the lens based on where the wearer looks.
Autofocus lenses aim to replace traditional bifocal or varifocal glasses, offering a smooth transition for different distances.
The glasses' earlier prototypes had poor quality, but newer versions show improvement in tests.
IXI's glasses feature a small battery that lasts about two days and can be recharged overnight.
The design of the frames offers some adjustability, but limited due to internal electronics.
The CEO has not revealed the launch date or final pricing but hinted at a possible high cost.
These glasses might help where traditional options are challenging, but more evidence is needed to confirm their effectiveness for critical tasks like driving.
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A retired woman in Georgia, Beverly Morris, is facing water issues she believes are caused by a nearby data center built by Meta, the company that owns Facebook. While Meta denies its data center affects groundwater, the increasing number of data centers raises concerns about water usage, as they require significant amounts to keep servers cool.
Key Facts
Beverly Morris lives near a data center in Mansfield, Georgia, owned by Meta.
Morris blames the data center for problems with her well water, including sediment buildup.
Meta conducted a groundwater study, stating their operations don't affect local water conditions.
The US, including Georgia, is seeing growth in data centers, driven by increased online activity and needs for AI tools.
Data centers use large amounts of water to cool servers; one facility can use millions of gallons daily.
In Georgia, data centers are attractive due to the humid climate aiding cooling processes.
Local activism is increasing, with some data center projects delayed or stopped.
A study predicts AI-driven data centers worldwide may use 1.7 trillion gallons of water by 2027.
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