Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) plan to sign a peace agreement mediated by the United States, aiming to end several months of conflict in the eastern DRC. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has seized key cities, while Rwanda denies these claims. The conflict has caused significant loss of life and displacement of people.
Key Facts
Rwanda and the DRC will sign a peace deal mediated by the United States.
The conflict in eastern DRC has killed thousands and displaced millions.
The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group; Rwanda denies this.
M23 has taken over strategic cities like Goma and Bukavu.
The U.S. is considering investments in the region for stability.
The DRC-Rwanda conflict has historical roots dating back to the 1990s.
Eastern DRC is rich in valuable minerals like coltan and cobalt.
The United Nations reported Rwanda's support for M23 in 2022, a claim Rwanda disputes.
Nissan plans to cut about 250 jobs at its Sunderland factory in the UK. This move is part of a larger global restructuring due to weak sales. Manufacturing workers will not be affected, and the job cuts will come from shop floor and office staff.
Key Facts
Nissan aims to reduce 250 jobs at its Sunderland UK plant.
The job reduction is part of a global plan due to low sales.
A voluntary leave program is available for shop floor and office staff at the Sunderland site.
Manufacturing staff at the plant will not be impacted by these cuts.
Globally, Nissan announced plans to cut 11,000 jobs and close seven factories.
Nissan employs about 6,000 people in Sunderland and around 133,500 worldwide.
The Sunderland plant is key to Nissan's electric vehicle plans and produces models like the Juke and Qashqai.
Nissan introduced the new Leaf electric vehicle, which will also be built in Sunderland.
The Supreme Court upheld a Texas law that prevents children under 18 from accessing online pornography. This decision is part of a trend where many states have passed similar laws due to the ease of accessing explicit content on devices like smartphones.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court upheld the Texas law with a 6-3 vote.
Similar age verification laws exist in nearly half of all U.S. states.
The Free Speech Coalition, an adult-industry group, opposed the law, citing privacy concerns for adults.
Pornhub has stopped operating in some states because of challenges with these laws.
The Supreme Court previously ruled on related issues in 1996 and 2004.
Texas claims modern technology allows for easy age verification which is like ID checks in physical stores.
Appeals courts reversed initial decisions blocking the law, allowing it to take effect.
The NCAA is thinking about allowing athletes and staff to bet on professional sports, focusing its enforcement on college sports betting and protecting game fairness. They won't allow betting on college sports or sharing insider info with bettors, and they plan to stick with advertising rules that ban betting-related promotions at championship events. The proposal follows concerns as sports betting becomes legal in more places across the U.S.
Key Facts
The proposal allows betting on professional sports for athletes and staff but not on college sports.
The NCAA is focusing on keeping college sports fair and free from betting influences.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has voiced worries about athletes being targeted on social media due to gambling.
Recent years have seen several sports betting violations handled by the NCAA.
The NCAA acknowledges it’s tough to stop adult athletes from betting on pro sports.
NCAA has a deal with Genius Sports to manage betting data and prevent harmful bets.
NCAA rules were first made when sports betting was mostly illegal in the U.S.
NCAA also proposed adding women's flag football for consideration in future sports programs.
The UK government decided not to cut disability and sickness benefits after facing pushback from many MPs, affecting Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership. This was the third time in a month that Starmer's government changed its plans, indicating challenges within his party.
Key Facts
The UK government reversed plans to reduce disability and sickness benefits after 126 MPs opposed the changes.
The proposed changes would have tightened eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment, affecting many with long-term health conditions.
The government's plan aimed to help people find jobs and save 5 billion pounds yearly.
Labour MPs were concerned that the changes could reduce income for 3.2 million people by 2030.
Starmer's administration has altered other policies recently, including keeping a winter heating benefit for pensioners.
The changes now mean stricter rules will only impact new applicants, not current benefit receivers.
This issue arose just as Prime Minister Starmer marked the first year of Labour's return to power.
A recent poll suggested Labour is losing voters to other political parties.
Mannequins that look like Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez have been set up in Venice before their wedding in Italy. These mannequins are made by an art group and come as people in Venice show their unhappiness about the city's wealthy visitors.
Key Facts
Mannequins of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez appeared in Venice.
The art installations are created by an art collective.
Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon.
The mannequins are displayed before Bezos' wedding in Italy.
Some local people in Venice are protesting, feeling that rich visitors are overwhelming the city.
The UK government decided to change its plan on benefits cuts after facing opposition from over 100 of its own MPs. The new plan will maintain current benefits for existing claimants but target future ones, and it includes additional support measures. Some Labour MPs still oppose the changes, but others have been convinced by recent amendments.
Key Facts
The government agreed to revisions in its benefits reform plan due to party opposition.
Current beneficiaries of personal independence payment (Pip) and health-related universal credit will not see their benefits reduced.
Planned cuts will impact only those who claim benefits in the future.
More than 100 backbenchers initially opposed the original reform plan.
Labour MPs' support increased after amendments, but some still plan to vote against it.
The government hopes to fast-track a £1 billion support plan to help those affected.
Reforms were initially expected to save £5 billion annually by 2030.
Without reforms, costs for health-related benefits could rise by an extra £30 billion by 2029.
A new platform called ICERAID.us has started in the United States, rewarding people with cryptocurrency for uploading photos of suspicious activities along the border. This site encourages civilians to act like law enforcement without oversight, adding concerns in Arizona, where vigilante groups already patrol the border.
Key Facts
People crossing the desert in Arizona face natural dangers like heat and dehydration.
Armed vigilante groups have been policing the border unofficially and often violently.
ICERAID.us offers cryptocurrency for photos of suspicious border activities.
The platform uses everyday people to gather information, resembling law enforcement roles.
The site provides guidance on legally taking photos in public spaces.
Enrique Tarrio, known for his far-right views, leads the platform.
Surveillance technology is increasingly used along borders globally.
Since 2024, U.S. border surveillance and enforcement investments have increased.
In Arizona, vigilante actions have sometimes resulted in harm or death.
ICERAID uses a similar web address to a community initiative, potentially causing confusion.
The new aid distribution system in Gaza, supported by the US and Israel, has faced significant violence and disruption, leading to confusion and danger for those seeking help. More than 500 Palestinians have been reported killed while traveling for aid, with accusations mostly aimed at Israeli forces, although a definitive cause is unclear. International organizations, including the UN, criticize the aid process and mention possible violations of international law due to the ongoing violence against civilians.
Key Facts
The new aid system in Gaza started with US and Israeli support, facing criticism for increasing violence.
Over 500 Palestinians have died, and 4,000 have been injured while trying to access aid.
Videos reviewed by BBC Verify showed gunfire and chaos near aid locations but did not confirm who is responsible for the deaths.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have admitted to firing "warning shots" at suspected threats.
The US committed $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates aid sites in IDF-controlled areas.
The UN condemned the plan, saying it endangers people by forcing them to travel through risky areas for aid.
The Red Cross reported activating mass casualty procedures 20 times due to gunshot victims.
The UN and human rights experts suggest the violence against civilians could constitute a war crime.
The UK government decided to change its plan on disability benefit cuts, which will now only affect new claimants from November 2026. This change reduces the expected savings from these reforms and raises questions about how the government will meet its budget goals.
Key Facts
The original plan aimed to save £5 billion by cutting welfare costs.
Changes will reduce savings from disability payment reforms by more than half.
Only new claimants from November 2026 will be affected by the planned disability benefit changes.
The change affects the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), sparing 370,000 existing claimants.
PIP assessments now need a score of four points on one activity for support eligibility.
This scoring method will be developed with input from disability charities.
Revisions to Universal Credit health changes mean benefit increases for 2.25 million people.
New plans could cost £2.5 to £3 billion on top of the winter fuel payment U-turn.
Sturgeons are endangered due to overfishing and habitat damage, leading to a shortage of natural caviar in Aktau, Kazakhstan. The Caspian Sea faces significant decline, potentially losing up to 34% of its surface by the century's end, affecting its ecosystems. Factors such as Russia's water management and pollution from oil companies contribute to the sea's problems.
Key Facts
Adilbek Kozybakov, an ecologist, recalls how his family regularly consumed sturgeon caviar in Aktau, Kazakhstan.
The Caspian Sea's surface area may decrease by up to 34% by the end of the century, according to a study in Nature magazine.
The sea's decline threatens local ecosystems, including habitats for Caspian seals and sturgeons.
The Caspian Sea is the world's largest enclosed body of water and a crucial route for oil and gas.
Russia's water management practices have reduced water flow into the Caspian Sea.
Oil pollution and poaching have severely impacted sturgeon populations.
Kazakhstan's major oil fields are managed by foreign companies.
A Kazakh lawyer sued the government over secret contracts with oil firms, concerned about environmental impacts.
Two men were given life sentences for killing an Aboriginal teenager, Cassius Turvey, in Perth, Australia. The incident led to public protests and discussions about racism. A third man involved was sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter, and a fourth received a shorter sentence for other assaults.
Key Facts
Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Aboriginal boy, died from head injuries after an attack.
This attack happened on the outskirts of Perth in October 2022.
The main attackers, Jack Brearley and Brodie Palmer, were sentenced to life in prison.
A third man, Mitchell Forth, was sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter.
A fourth person, Ethan MacKenzie, was jailed for two and a half years for his role in other attacks.
Brearley claimed self-defense, which the judge dismissed as false.
The attack sparked protests and discussions about racism in Australia.
The judge noted that racial insults used during the crime affected the Aboriginal community.
Investigators have retrieved crucial data from the flight recorders of an Air India plane that crashed on June 12 near Ahmedabad airport. The crash involved a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which resulted in at least 270 deaths. The recovered data will help investigators understand what caused the crash.
Key Facts
The Air India flight crashed less than a minute after takeoff on June 12.
At least 270 people lost their lives in the crash.
Investigators found the flight recorders, often called "black boxes," on June 13 and June 16.
These flight recorders contain data on aircraft performance and cockpit audio.
The investigation is led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with help from the US National Transportation Safety Board.
The data analysis aims to understand the crash and improve future aviation safety.
The flight recorders were recovered nearly two weeks after the crash, sparking questions about the timing.
A Russian court has sentenced photographer Grigory Skvortsov to 16 years in prison for treason, alleging he shared details about underground Soviet bunkers with an American journalist. Skvortsov denies wrongdoing, claiming the information was publicly available. The trial was held in secret, and Skvortsov says Russian officers mistreated him during his arrest.
Key Facts
A Russian court found photographer Grigory Skvortsov guilty of treason.
Skvortsov received a 16-year sentence in a maximum-security prison.
He was accused of sharing information about Soviet-era bunkers with a U.S. journalist.
The trial took place in a closed-door session in Perm, Russia.
Skvortsov claims the information he shared was already publicly available or could be bought.
The court released a photo of Skvortsov in a glass cage during the verdict.
Skvortsov alleges he was mistreated by Russian authorities during his arrest.
The rights organization Memorial considers his case possibly politically motivated.
Baby Bank Network Bristol, a charity founded in 2015 by three local mothers, has aided over 11,000 families in need by providing essential items like clothes and strollers. It operates from a small warehouse in Bristol and is seeking funds through a campaign called Power The Hive to expand to a larger location and support more families.
Key Facts
Baby Bank Network Bristol started in 2015 by three mothers to help families in poverty.
The charity has given away nearly 460,000 essential items to families.
Items like clothes and prams were mostly secondhand but valued at £3.4 million if new.
The charity runs from a small warehouse and aims to move to a larger space.
Around 40 families per week receive help from the charity.
The charity has 325 referral partners and relies entirely on donations and fundraising.
The fundraising campaign, Power The Hive, aims to raise £10,000, with the first £5,000 match-funded.
A third of UK children live in poverty, with nearly half under the age of four.
A teacher named Stefanie Lakin from Solihull started a charity called Madrina, which provides free prom dresses and suits to teenagers who might not afford them otherwise. Since 2022, Madrina has given almost 1,000 dresses and works with schools to identify students in need, aiming to make proms more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Key Facts
Stefanie Lakin set up the charity Madrina in 2022 to provide prom dresses for free.
Madrina has given away almost 1,000 dresses, each worth up to £750.
The charity also offers free suits for boys, with garments donated by local shops.
Madrina collaborates with schools, local charities, and parents to find families who need help.
About 80 schools have pop-up prom shops organized by the charity.
Shoes and bags are also donated by prom dress shops and community members.
The initiative helps students who might skip prom due to financial reasons.
Schools like St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School support the charity to ease the cost burden on parents.
The Supreme Court is gathering to make decisions on the last six cases of its term, one of which involves birthright citizenship. The decisions are expected on Friday.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is meeting on Friday to decide the last six cases for the term.
One of the cases involves birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship refers to the right to citizenship for anyone born in a country.
The meeting is part of the Supreme Court's regular schedule to conclude its term.
Steve Inskeep and Nina Totenberg discussed the expectations for these cases on NPR.
Chad Machado and his son Xavier opened a pizza shop in Kekaha, Hawaii, after Chad lost his job during the Covid-19 pandemic. Xavier, who has loved cooking since he was young, teamed up with his father to start the business.
Key Facts
Chad and Xavier Machado are from Kekaha, a town on the island of Kaua'i in Hawaii.
Xavier was not interested in school but had a strong passion for cooking.
Chad lost his job due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
They decided to open a pizza shop as a result of Chad's job loss.
The father-son duo took a risk to start the business together.
This NPR article discusses three economic topics: the effect of having more babies on climate change, a legal ruling involving an AI company named Anthropic, and the current state of the bond market.
Key Facts
The article features economic stories related to babies, climate change, AI, and the bond market.
It explores whether an increase in the birth rate could significantly impact climate change.
A U.S. judge made a ruling that favored the artificial intelligence company Anthropic.
The bond market appears to be unusually stable, or "chill," as described in the article.
The reporting on these topics is part of a weekly economic update by NPR.
The episode is available on various platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Japan executed Takahiro Shiraishi, known as the "Twitter killer," who murdered nine people in 2017. Shiraishi connected with his victims on social media, lured them to his apartment, and then killed them. The case led to public discussion about how suicide is discussed online and resulted in a change in Twitter's rules.
Key Facts
Takahiro Shiraishi murdered nine people in 2017.
He used Twitter to find his victims, mostly young women.
He lured them to his apartment by claiming he could assist them with suicide.
Shiraishi strangled and dismembered his victims.
Police discovered the bodies in October 2017 in Zama, near Tokyo.
Shiraishi admitted to the murders and later rejected his defense's claims that the victims consented to die.
He was sentenced to death in December 2020.
The case prompted Twitter to update its rules against promoting or encouraging suicide.
