NPR’s "The Indicator from Planet Money" podcast edition answers listener questions on various topics, including tech layoffs, the concept of "recession pop" music, and economic issues like price controls and tariffs. The podcast discusses why IT graduates face challenges in the job market and looks at past economic patterns during recessions.
Key Facts
The podcast "The Indicator from Planet Money" addresses audience questions.
Topics include tech layoffs, a situation where many workers are let go.
"Recession pop" refers to music that became popular during the 2009 economic downturn.
The podcast explores why IT graduates might struggle to find jobs.
President Trump’s tariff policies and their impact, including price controls, are discussed.
Related content includes episodes about past economic struggles and price controls.
Fact-checking for the podcast is done by Sierra Juarez.
Qantas Airlines discovered a data breach affecting a platform used for customer service, exposing information of up to six million customers. The exposed data includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer numbers, but no sensitive data like passport or credit card details. Qantas notified authorities and assured that the breach does not impact airline operations.
Key Facts
A cyber attack targeted Qantas' third-party customer service platform.
The breach exposed data of six million people, such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers.
Passport details and credit card information were not included in the breach.
Qantas has involved the Australian Federal Police and other agencies in the investigation.
The company assured that the breach does not affect flight operations or airline safety.
The breach is part of a series of data breaches reported in Australia this year.
The Australian Privacy Commissioner noted that data breaches are a growing concern for both private and public sectors.
The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has decided to stop transgender athletes from competing in women's sports following a federal investigation linked to swimmer Lia Thomas. The school will update its sports records and issues an apology, aligning its policies with federal guidelines that follow unchangeable characteristics of sex assigned at birth.
Key Facts
The University of Pennsylvania will bar transgender athletes from women's sports after a federal investigation due to swimmer Lia Thomas.
The U.S. Department of Education announced the agreement, requiring UPenn to apologize and update women's sports records.
UPenn will adjust its records from the 2021-22 season to show who would hold them under current eligibility rules.
Lia Thomas was the first transgender athlete to win a top U.S. college title in 2022.
The decision follows an executive order signed by President Trump to stop transgender women from competing in female sports categories.
Title IX is a U.S. law that bans sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding.
The university will now use biology-based definitions for male and female athletes.
Thomas first competed with the men's swim team before switching to the women's team after starting hormone therapy in 2019.
The government won a vote on its welfare bill by making last-minute concessions to address concerns from Labour rebels. Changes included not altering rules for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) until a review is complete, impacting potential savings and creating challenges for the Treasury's budget.
Key Facts
The government’s welfare bill passed with a 75-vote majority.
Concessions were made to appease Labour MPs who opposed parts of the bill.
Planned changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility were delayed.
Changes initially aimed to cut costs, potentially saving around £5 billion.
The bill faced criticism for being rushed and poorly managed.
The Universal Credit and PIP Bill lost significant measures after concessions.
The outcome has weakened the authority of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
The bill will undergo further review in the House of Commons on July 9.
Key decisions will be made this year that will shape how the internet works in the future. The program "Tech Life" from BBC Sounds discusses this topic along with other technology advancements.
Key Facts
Important choices about the internet's future will be made this year.
"Tech Life," a program by BBC Sounds, covers these discussions.
The program is available for over a year.
One episode explains an AI system for safe driving that monitors the road and the driver.
Another episode explores quantum computers and includes experts answering questions about them.
The program offers content in different languages and provides help with signing in and accessing newsletters.
Mali's military killed 80 fighters after multiple coordinated attacks hit military posts across the country. The attacks were claimed by an al-Qaeda-linked group and targeted several towns in central and western Mali, causing significant damage.
Key Facts
Mali’s military responded to attacks by killing 80 fighters.
The attackers targeted military posts in seven towns across central and western Mali.
An al-Qaeda affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The attacks involved taking control of military barracks and positions.
Areas attacked included towns near the borders with Senegal and Mauritania.
The military showed images of fallen rebels and seized weapons.
Mali has struggled with violent groups linked to ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda for over a decade.
Residents in affected towns reported intense gunfire and smoke.
TSB, a British bank, is being sold by its Spanish owner, Sabadell, to Santander for up to £2.9 billion. The transaction requires approval from Sabadell's shareholders and would mark the second sale of TSB in ten years.
Key Facts
TSB is being sold by its Spanish owner, Sabadell, to Santander for up to £2.9 billion.
The sale has not yet been finalized; it needs approval from Sabadell’s shareholders.
This transaction would be the second sale of TSB in the last ten years.
TSB has a long history, with its brand dating back over 200 years.
TSB operates 175 branches in the UK.
Santander has about 349 branches in the UK but is reducing this number as more people use online banking services.
The FDA has approved a new preventative treatment for HIV called Lenacapavir, which requires only two injections a year and provides almost complete protection against the virus. However, budget cuts to health programs may affect how quickly the treatment becomes available.
Key Facts
The FDA has approved a new treatment for preventing HIV called Lenacapavir.
Lenacapavir offers nearly 100% protection from HIV.
People need only two injections of Lenacapavir each year.
There are concerns that cuts to health programs might slow the treatment's distribution.
Mitchell Warren from the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition discussed the treatment's impact.
The Dalai Lama's 90th birthday is stirring interest in whether he will reveal a plan for his successor. As celebrations occur in northern India, the Dalai Lama has hinted at discussing his succession but has not provided specific details yet.
Key Facts
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, is reaching his 90th birthday.
He fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule and settled in Dharamsala, India.
A three-day Tibetan Religious Conference is taking place, coinciding with his birthday celebrations.
Over 7,000 people, including Indian ministers and actor Richard Gere, are attending the festivities.
The Dalai Lama has recognized the importance of the succession issue but has not given detailed plans.
In past statements, he mentioned his successor might not be a male or might be from outside China.
The Chinese government views the Dalai Lama as a separatist despite his calls for Tibetan self-rule within China.
Tibetans worry about the future leadership and the symbol of Tibetan identity after the Dalai Lama.
President Donald Trump is in a public argument with Elon Musk over a new tax bill. Trump suggested reviewing the subsidies given to Musk's companies, Tesla and SpaceX, due to the argument. The bill narrowly passed in the Senate with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance.
Key Facts
President Trump suggested reviewing government subsidies to Elon Musk's companies to save money.
Elon Musk's companies, Tesla and SpaceX, have received government subsidies and contracts.
The argument began after Musk criticized a new tax and spending bill that Trump supports.
The Senate narrowly passed the bill with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance.
Musk called the bill destructive and criticized lawmakers who supported it.
There are concerns that conflicts over the bill could affect Musk's business operations.
Musk had previously supported Trump with significant campaign donations.
Allegations exist of Musk having conflicts of interest while leading a government efficiency initiative.
The Milwaukee Bucks are releasing Damian Lillard, who has been injured, and will sign Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers. Lillard's contract will be spread out over five years, and Turner, who has signed a four-year contract with the Bucks, will join the team for the 2025-26 season.
Key Facts
The Milwaukee Bucks are letting go of Damian Lillard and will sign Myles Turner.
Lillard had surgery for a torn Achilles tendon and may miss most or all of the next season.
Lillard's contract worth $113 million will be spread over five years.
Myles Turner is leaving the Indiana Pacers where he played for 10 years.
Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million contract with a player option in the final year.
Turner led the Pacers in blocks and is sixth in games played for the team.
Turner will play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Bucks in the 2025-26 season.
Lillard is 35 years old and has a career average of 25.1 points, ranking fourth in NBA history for three-pointers.
Jimmy Swaggart, a well-known US televangelist, has died at the age of 90. He was famous for his ministry, which reached people worldwide, though it faced challenges after a sex scandal.
Key Facts
Jimmy Swaggart was a US televangelist, which means he preached religious messages on television.
He died at the age of 90 after going into cardiac arrest, a condition where the heart suddenly stops working properly.
Swaggart's ministry was large and reached millions of people around the world.
He started broadcasting sermons on the radio in the 1960s.
Swaggart became one of the early figures in televangelism, which combines television and religious teachings.
A significant sex scandal negatively affected his ministry.
He lived in Baton Rouge, where he experienced cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Millions of websites can now block AI bots from accessing their content without permission, thanks to a new system from Cloudflare. The system aims to protect creators' work and allow websites to ask for payment from AI companies that use their content.
Key Facts
Cloudflare, an internet infrastructure company, is rolling out a system to block AI bots, also known as crawlers, from accessing content without permission.
This system affects millions of websites, including major news outlets like Sky News and The Associated Press.
The system allows websites to charge AI firms a fee for using their content.
Many creators have criticized AI companies for using their work without compensation, leading to disputes in the UK and the US.
Cloudflare says the system is already active on a million websites.
The technology will initially apply to new Cloudflare users and sites that have tried similar blocking efforts before.
The "Pay Per Crawl" system being developed would enable content creators to request payment for their work used by AI firms.
There is a debate over the need for stronger legal protections to support this technological solution.
The jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial is reviewing key testimony from his former girlfriend, Cassie. They are looking at her statements about incidents where she was allegedly abused by Combs. The jury is also considering legal definitions related to drug distribution as part of the charges.
Key Facts
The jury is reviewing testimony from Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie.
Cassie testified about being abused by Combs in a hotel in Los Angeles in 2016.
She also recounted an incident in 2013 during the Cannes Film Festival where Combs allegedly kicked her off a yacht.
A stripper named Daniel Phillip also testified about witnessing signs of abuse.
The jury asked for clarification on what counts as drug distribution in the charges.
Combs could face 15 years to life in prison if found guilty of all charges.
Combs has pleaded not guilty and did not testify in his defense.
The jury has been deliberating for over five hours without reaching a verdict.
Lululemon has filed a lawsuit against Costco, claiming that the wholesale club is selling copies of its popular clothing designs under the Kirkland Signature label. Lululemon says these knockoffs harm their brand by using their design patents without permission.
Key Facts
Lululemon has sued Costco, accusing them of copying Lululemon's clothing designs.
The lawsuit claims Costco's Kirkland Signature brand sells these designs at a lower price.
Lululemon describes these copied products as "knockoffs" or "dupes."
Lululemon says the copies hurt their brand by making people think they are the same as the genuine products.
Lululemon has said they take protecting their product designs very seriously.
Costco has not yet commented on the lawsuit.
Lululemon was founded in 1998 and is known for expensive athleisure clothing.
Costco's Kirkland Signature brand offers similar products at lower prices and had $254.5 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the FBI is reviewing tens of thousands of videos involving Jeffrey Epstein, which purportedly include child exploitation content. However, details about these videos remain unclear, and there is no confirmation from official documents or sources about their existence.
Key Facts
Pam Bondi claimed the FBI is reviewing many videos of Jeffrey Epstein involving children.
Lawyers and officials involved in Epstein's criminal cases have not confirmed these videos' existence.
No official documents related to Epstein's cases mention videos with children.
A court filing from 2023 indicated Epstein's estate found some videos that might contain illegal content.
The Department of Justice has not confirmed Bondi's statements or provided details about the videos.
The initial release of Epstein-related documents did not meet public expectations and contained no new significant information.
There is no confirmed client list linked to Epstein, despite Bondi's hinting at one.
The case has fueled conspiracy theories and public speculation.
Hundreds of people in Gaza have been killed while trying to get food from aid centers supported by Israel and the US, according to officials in Gaza.
Key Facts
People in Gaza were shot at aid distribution centers.
These centers are supported by Israel and the US.
The information comes from officials in Gaza.
The report was part of a program explained by Sandra Gathmann.
Contributors to this report include Amy Low from Doctors Without Borders, Kazem Abu Khalaf from UNICEF, and Nebal Farsakh from the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
The UK government has outlined a plan that will take two years to introduce new workplace rights. These include protections from unfair dismissal from the first day of employment and banning exploitative zero hours contracts. Some changes, like improvements to flexible working, are scheduled to come into effect in 2027 and are still under review.
Key Facts
It will take two years for new workplace rights to be introduced, as part of the Employment Rights Bill.
Protections from unfair dismissal from day one of employment are part of these new rights.
A ban on exploitative zero hours contracts is also planned, but won't happen until 2027.
The government aims to improve access to flexible working, with changes expected by 2027.
The Bill is currently being reviewed by the House of Lords, with a goal for it to become law by autumn.
New measures like whistleblowing protections and changes to paternity leave are set for April next year.
A Fair Work Agency is also planned, alongside changes to sick pay and union processes.
Business groups have expressed concerns about the potential disruption these changes could bring.
Waffle House has removed a 50-cent extra charge on eggs as egg prices have dropped to more normal levels. The surcharge was first added in February due to an avian flu outbreak that led to higher egg prices. Retail egg prices are still higher than last year but are starting to stabilize.
Key Facts
Waffle House removed a 50-cent surcharge on eggs due to falling prices.
The surcharge was added in February after avian flu raised egg prices significantly.
The avian flu caused the destruction of many egg-laying chickens.
Egg prices, while stabilizing, are still over 40% higher than they were a year ago.
Waffle House announced the surcharge removal via social media.
The chain operates over 2,000 restaurants and uses approximately 272 million eggs each year.
Other breakfast chains, like Denny's, also added charges when eggs were scarce.
Overall, food prices have risen 2.9% over the past year, with restaurant prices increasing by 3.8%.
Jimmy Swaggart, a well-known televangelist and gospel singer, died at age 90. He was hospitalized on June 15 after cardiac arrest and his ministry announced his death on social media. Swaggart became famous in the 1980s but faced scandals that affected his career and ministry.
Key Facts
Jimmy Swaggart was a televangelist and gospel musician, related to Jerry Lee Lewis.
He first gained fame in the 1980s, drawing big crowds and earning over $100 million a year.
Swaggart admitted to marital infidelity in 1988 during a church service, which hurt his reputation.
His ministry's income dropped from $150 million to about $11 million after scandals.
Swaggart continued preaching even after being defrocked by his church in the late 1980s.
He started broadcasting in 1969 and later created the SonLife Broadcasting Network.
Swaggart wrote over 100 books and sold millions of records and Bibles.
He was scheduled for induction into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.
