Season 4 of "The Bear" on FX continues to explore the life of Carmy Berzatto as he navigates his career and personal challenges. The show delves into Carmy's ongoing pursuit of perfection in the restaurant industry, while also showing more about Sydney's family and her work dynamics with Carmy.
Key Facts
Season 4 of "The Bear" is now available on FX on Hulu.
The main character, Carmy Berzatto, is played by Jeremy Allen White.
Carmy struggles with his career choice as a chef, seeking perfection in his work.
The season addresses Carmy's past issues, including family and previous bosses.
The Bear restaurant's finances are under pressure, set against a ticking clock.
Sydney Adamu, played by Ayo Edebiri, faces career decisions and family dynamics.
The show highlights standout episodes featuring Carmy's extended family and their interactions.
The article discusses the closure of all Homebase stores, a DIY chain. It provides information on how to listen to a related program on the BBC Sounds platform.
Key Facts
Homebase is a DIY chain store.
All of its store locations have been closed.
The BBC has a program discussing why these stores closed.
The program is available on the BBC Sounds platform.
The release date of the program is June 26, 2025.
The program lasts 25 minutes.
The BBC Sounds platform offers help with signing in and other information.
The U.S. shipbuilding industry thrived during World War II but is now almost non-existent. Currently, China leads the world in shipbuilding. The article examines the decline of American shipbuilding and the possible effects of U.S. policies aimed at protecting it.
Key Facts
The U.S. had a strong shipbuilding industry during World War II.
Today, China's shipbuilding industry is the largest in the world.
American shipbuilding has significantly declined in recent years.
Protectionist policies could impact efforts to revive U.S. shipbuilding.
The discussion is part of an NPR series called "The Indicator from Planet Money."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed a new panel to review vaccine schedules for children in the U.S. The panel includes individuals known to be skeptical of vaccines, which has raised concerns among health experts and politicians.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all 17 members of a U.S. vaccine advisory committee with new members.
The new panel will review vaccination schedules for children and vaccines approved over seven years ago.
The committee advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccines.
Concerns have been raised about the qualifications and potential biases of the new panel members.
The review of long-approved vaccines, like hepatitis B for newborns, is a point of concern.
The panel postponed a vote on vaccines for RSV, a respiratory virus affecting infants.
They plan to discuss thimerosal, a preservative not used in most current vaccines.
Dr. Martin Kulldorff, the new chair, was previously removed from his university position for not getting a Covid-19 vaccine.
The United States has placed sanctions on three Mexican financial institutions, accusing them of facilitating money laundering for drug cartels. This action is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. to combat opioid trafficking and crack down on Latin American criminal networks, including disrupting financial collaborations that support drug operations.
Key Facts
The U.S. targeted CIBanco, Intercam Banco, and Vector Casa de Bolsa for alleged money laundering.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury linked these banks to the trafficking of fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid.
The banks were the first to be sanctioned under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, both aiming to combat opioid trafficking.
Sanctions include blocking financial transfers between these Mexican banks and U.S. banks.
Mexico's government has not received evidence to justify the U.S. sanctions.
CIBanco is allegedly linked to several cartels, including the Beltran-Leyva, CJNG, and Gulf Cartel.
Intercam Banco is also accused of connections to the CJNG cartel.
Vector Casa de Bolsa, accused of ties with the Sinaloa Cartel and Gulf Cartel, denies the allegations and plans to cooperate in resolving the issue.
By 2028, Network Rail plans to eliminate areas with poor mobile phone signals on major train lines and tunnels in Britain. This will involve installing 4G and 5G networks with the help of two private telecom companies.
Key Facts
Network Rail aims to remove mobile signal blackspots on major railway lines by 2028.
The project will install 1,000km of high-speed fibre optic cable on parts of the East Coast and West Coast Main Lines.
Neos Networks will also add cables to the Great Western and Chiltern Main Lines.
The plan is to eventually extend to more than 5,000km of tracks, but the exact timeline is not yet defined.
Freshwave will address signal problems in 57 train tunnels covering about 50km.
New 4G and 5G infrastructure will be installed at 12 major train stations, including locations like Birmingham New Street and Edinburgh Waverley.
Private funding from telecom companies for the project is expected to save taxpayers approximately £300 million.
The improvements aim to enhance passenger experiences by providing better connectivity and reducing call drop-offs during train journeys.
Thailand is changing its cannabis laws after making the drug legal in 2022. New rules will require a doctor's prescription to use cannabis. The move aims to control smuggling and address concerns about the market being unregulated.
Key Facts
Thailand legalized cannabis in 2022, leading to many shops selling the drug.
The government plans to restrict cannabis use to people with a doctor's prescription.
There are about 11,000 cannabis dispensaries in Thailand.
Smuggling of Thai cannabis to the UK has increased, involving young travelers.
In 2023, 142 couriers were caught with cannabis; this rose to 800 in 2024.
In the UK, 173 people smuggling cannabis from Thailand have been sentenced in 2024.
Thai authorities are intensifying airport inspections to combat smuggling.
The lack of strict regulations in Thailand has been described as a loophole aiding smugglers.
A landslide in Bello, a city near Medellin, Colombia, has resulted in at least 11 deaths, with 15 people still missing. Rescue operations and evacuation orders are ongoing as heavy rains continue to threaten the area.
Key Facts
At least 11 people have died in a landslide in Bello, Colombia.
15 people are reported missing due to the landslide.
Rescue teams are using dogs and drones to search for missing people.
More than 1,500 people are staying in shelters set up in schools and community centers.
Heavy rain caused the landslide, which affected makeshift homes on hillsides.
These homes are unstable during heavy rains, posing risks to poorer residents.
Medellin issued evacuation orders for areas due to the danger of structures collapsing.
Recent storms have caused damage, leading to the evacuation of around 60 homes.
A man attacked the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria, killing at least 25 people. The Syrian Interior Ministry blamed ISIS, but another group claimed responsibility. The attack has raised concerns about the government's ability to protect its citizens, especially religious minorities.
Key Facts
A man with a rifle attacked the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, killing at least 25 people.
After shooting at worshippers, the attacker detonated a suicide bomb.
The Syrian Interior Ministry accused ISIS of the attack, but Saraya Ansar al-Sunna also claimed responsibility.
This is the first attack on a Syrian church since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Concerns about security in Syria have increased, with fears of further attacks causing unrest among religious communities.
Ahmed al-Sharaa is the new president of Syria, taking over after Assad's regime.
Al-Sharaa has promised to protect minorities but faces skepticism due to his past association with extremist groups.
The attack challenges the Syrian government's ability to maintain security and protect its diverse population.
A Salvadoran journalist was arrested in Georgia while he was covering a protest. He is now in custody under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is waiting for a deportation hearing.
Key Facts
A journalist from El Salvador was detained in Georgia.
He was reporting on a protest at the time of his arrest.
The journalist is currently held by ICE.
He is facing a deportation hearing.
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. agency that handles immigration issues.
The NPR show "Econ Battle Zone" features a fun competition where hosts Mary Childs, Kenny Malone, and Erika Beras present economic topics in creative ways. The episode includes various challenges, like making economic discussions rhyme or turning them into songs, and is judged by Betsey Stevenson and David Kestenbaum.
Key Facts
"Econ Battle Zone" is a show by NPR where hosts discuss economic topics.
Mary Childs and Kenny Malone compete against Erika Beras in this episode.
Each host presents economic topics in creative formats, like rhyming or singing.
Betsey Stevenson and David Kestenbaum are guest judges for the competition.
The episode includes contributions from various artists and experts.
It is hosted by Keith Romer and produced by a team including James Sneed and Jess Jiang.
Listeners can find the episode on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have arrived in Venice for their wedding amidst protests. Local activist groups held demonstrations against what they perceive as wealth inequality, using Bezos’s presence to highlight their concerns.
Key Facts
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are in Venice for their wedding.
Activist groups are protesting the event due to concerns about wealth disparity.
The protests have included banners and floats with messages against Bezos.
Activists plan to block canals with boats on the day of the wedding.
Greenpeace and other groups have participated in the protests.
Protesters focus on themes of unchecked wealth and the impact on public spaces.
There has been no response from Bezos’s representatives regarding the protests.
Celebrities like Mick Jagger and Oprah Winfrey are expected to attend the wedding.
On Wednesday, there were clashes in Kenya between police and protesters upset about police violence and corruption. In Gaza, the Israeli military reported that seven soldiers died when a bomb was attached to their vehicle by Hamas militants. Also, Kilmar Abrego Garcia will stay in jail while legal teams discuss his possible deportation.
Key Facts
Clashes occurred in Kenya between police and protesters.
The protests in Kenya were about police brutality and corruption.
Seven Israeli soldiers died in Gaza.
The soldiers died when a bomb was attached to their armored vehicle.
Hamas militants were responsible for the attack on the Israeli soldiers.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is staying in jail for now.
Legal teams are debating whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia would be deported if freed.
Parts of the United States, including New York City, are experiencing a severe heat wave, with many areas under heat advisories. The extreme temperatures are affecting infrastructure like roads and train systems, causing disruptions.
Key Facts
Tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under a heat advisory due to a heat wave.
The heat is so intense that it is causing asphalt roads to buckle.
Rail services, such as Amtrak and public transit in Washington and Philadelphia, are slowing down their trains because of the heat.
Mikhail Chester, a professor at Arizona State University, discusses how extreme heat affects transportation.
NPR correspondent Julia Simon gives tips on staying cool in the heat.
The report was produced by a team, including Jeffrey Pierre, Mia Venkat, and Connor Donevan, and edited by several others.
Bumble, a dating app company, is cutting nearly one-third of its workforce to address growth challenges and declining investor interest. The company aims to save money and focus on other areas like technology development to improve its future prospects.
Key Facts
Bumble plans to cut around 240 jobs, which is about one-third of its workforce.
The job cuts aim to save the company $40 million per year.
Bumble was valued at over $13 billion when it went public in 2021.
Bumble’s shares have dropped sharply and are now worth less than $7 each.
The dating app industry is seeing less investor interest and similar struggles are faced by companies like Match and Tinder.
Bumble has 4.1 million paying users, with a minor revenue increase of less than 2% and overall financial losses.
Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd returned as CEO in March to help improve the company's situation.
A new panel chosen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will review the vaccine schedule for children in the U.S. This group will focus on vaccine safety and aims to rebuild public trust in health authorities.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced the entire previous panel with new members to form a committee to advise on vaccine policies.
The panel's new chair is Martin Kulldorff, an epidemiologist who previously worked at Harvard Medical School.
The committee plans to examine the complete vaccine schedule given to children and how different vaccines interact with each other.
A separate group will review older vaccines to see if their recommendations need updating.
This review includes vaccines for hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
The changes have sparked concerns among some experts about reopening debates on vaccine safety that were previously considered settled.
Kennedy claims conflicts of interest influenced the previous committee, although sources have questioned the validity of these claims.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez arrived in Venice for their weekend wedding, drawing protests from local and international activist groups. The protests highlight concerns about wealth inequality and the impact of tourism on Venice, with various demonstrations planned around the event.
Key Facts
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez arrived in Venice for their wedding.
Activist groups are protesting the wedding, criticizing wealth inequality and tourism's impact.
Protests include banners, floats, and planned marches in Venice.
Greenpeace and "Everyone Hates Elon" joined by unfurling a banner in St. Mark's Square.
A mannequin of Bezos was displayed on a float in the Grand Canal.
Activists plan a march from the train station on Saturday.
The wedding venue was changed to the Arsenale after pressure from protestors.
Famous guests include Mick Jagger, Ivanka Trump, and Katy Perry.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that security forces stopped a coup attempt led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan of Armenia’s national church. Authorities charged Galstanyan and others with planning to destabilize the government, arresting 14 people in connection with the case.
Key Facts
Armenian security officials stopped a coup plot involving Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan.
Bagrat Galstanyan leads an opposition movement called Holy Struggle.
Authorities arrested 14 people suspected of involvement in the coup plot.
The accused were allegedly preparing for actions like blocking roads and using explosives.
There is tension between Prime Minister Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church, especially since Armenia's military loss to Azerbaijan in 2020.
The Armenian Investigative Committee says the group had recruited around 1,000 former soldiers and police officers.
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is a dual Armenian-Canadian citizen, making him ineligible to become Armenia's prime minister.
Russian officials view the situation as an internal matter but express a desire for stability in Armenia.
Morgan Wallen's album "I'm the Problem" is at the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart for the fifth week in a row. New albums by K-pop group ATEEZ, rapper Lil Tecca, and Christian singer Brandon Lake have recently joined the top 10. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, Alex Warren's "Ordinary" has returned to the No. 1 position.
Key Facts
Morgan Wallen’s album "I'm the Problem" is number one on the Billboard 200 for the fifth straight week.
The album has 37 songs and continues to perform well due to high streaming numbers.
Several new albums entered the top 10 last week but quickly fell off the list.
ATEEZ’s album "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Rapper Lil Tecca’s album "DOPAMINE" debuted at No. 3.
Brandon Lake’s album "King of Hearts" reached No. 7 on the chart.
On the Hot 100 singles chart, Alex Warren's song "Ordinary" is back at number one.
Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild" dropped to the second spot on the Hot 100.
Workers found a Revolutionary War-era boat buried at the World Trade Center site in Manhattan. The New York State Museum is now rebuilding this boat from over 600 pieces. The team is putting the pieces together so visitors can watch the process and learn about its history, although some details about its past remain unclear.
Key Facts
Workers found the boat buried 22 feet underground at the World Trade Center site in 2010.
The boat is about 50 feet long and was built during the Revolutionary War, around 1775.
Researchers believe the boat was a gunboat used to defend Philadelphia, but details about its journeys and abandonment are unknown.
The recovered pieces were sent to Texas A&M for preservation and three-dimensional scanning before being moved to the New York State Museum.
The museum is located 130 miles up the Hudson River from Manhattan and has enough space for the reconstruction.
The reconstruction takes place on the museum floor, allowing visitors to see the process.
The project is expected to finish by the end of the month.
The boat’s wood came from trees cut in the Philadelphia area in the early 1770s.
