Tuesday, July 26th, 2022
Trump Returns, Pope’s Apology & NFL+ is Here
All the news in about 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by Indeed.com/newsworthy and Zocdoc.com/newsworthy
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want to read the latest happenings...
New Jan. 6th Panel Evidence
Lawmakers on the January 6th committee are not done releasing evidence about former President Trump’s alleged role in the Capitol riot. Newly-released video footage shows a screenshot of Trump’s January 7th speech with notes in Trump’s handwriting and lines crossed out. For example, one crossed-out line said those who became violent and destructive “do not represent me”. It’s not clear who wrote the original draft of the statement. Over the weekend, Trump called the House committee’s investigation a “hoax”. For now, that investigation continues.
Read More: Rep. Luria, WaPo, AP, NY Post, Fox News, The Hill
Pope Apologizes in Canada
In Canada this week, Pope Francis gave a historic apology. He said he was “deeply sorry” for the Catholic church’s role in boarding schools, where indigenous children were abused for decades. The pope spoke about how the schools forced native people to assimilate into Christian society, destroyed their cultures, and split families. He also expressed sorrow over the abuse and called for more investigation and healing. This is the first time the pope has framed an entire trip around an apology.
Read More: Vatican, Politico, Reuters, WSJ, NY Times, AP
Ukraine Fighting Latest
Ukrainian military leaders say new equipment from the U.S. is making a big difference. They say that equipment has helped the Ukrainians destroy dozens of ammunition depots, and there has been a “turning point” in southern Ukraine. They say western weapons will help them liberate the Kherson region from the Russians by September. Still, Russia has been stepping up attacks in eastern and northern Ukraine, and Russia’s top diplomat confirmed his country is expanding its military goals. He says Russia wants to take down Ukraine’s government.
Read More: BBC, NY Times, Reuters, The Guardian, USA Today
Russia Gas Cuts to Europe
Russia says it will cut natural gas deliveries through a key pipeline to Europe. Starting this week, the government-owned energy supplier in Russia will only send over about 20% of what the pipeline is equipped to handle. Germany’s government says there is no technical reason for that to happen. However, it could mean Europe may have to shut down factories and leave homes cold this winter. European officials and analysts think Russia is cutting back in retaliation for the economic sanctions it’s facing over its Ukraine invasion. Russian officials say that’s not true.
Read More: WSJ, Axios, Politico, WaPo
New Tiger Assessment
Tigers seem to be doing much better than previously thought. That’s according to a new assessment from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The IUCN says up to 5,500 tigers are now living in the wild around the world. That’s up 40% from 2015. Conservation workers say the increase reflects the fact that people have gotten better at counting tigers. Governments have also stepped up conservation efforts. Experts say tigers are considered endangered because of poaching, habitat loss, and more. Still, they say recovery is possible, and the latest report is a good sign.
Read More: WCS, NPR, The Guardian, Daily Mail
Animal Named After Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough has become an inspiration for scientists in the UK. They identified a 560 million-year-old fossil. Researchers think it came from the first animal predator and the earliest-known creature to have a skeleton. They just decided to name that animal auroralumina attenboroughii after the famous broadcaster David Attenborough. They say the animal likely comes from a group of species that today includes jellyfish. The fossil was found in a forest near Leicester, England where Attenborough used to go fossil hunting.
Read More: Science, Nature, AP, BBC, The Guardian
NFL+ Launch
The NFL has launched a new streaming service called NFL+. For the first time, all NFL games, including local ones, will be available through on-the-go streaming. However, live local and primetime games, including the playoffs and Super Bowl, won’t be available on your TV. They will only stream on phones and tablets. That’s because the league has live TV contracts with various networks and other streaming platforms. The basic NFL+ costs $4.99 a month. You can also choose a premium option with some extras, like replays and coaches’ films, for $9.99 a month. That option will replace NFL Game Pass in the U.S.
Read More: NFL, TechCrunch, Axios, AP, CNBC, The Verge
Best Buy New Small Digital-First Store
Best Buy is opening a new digital-first store today in Monroe, North Carolina. It’s said to be about 15% of the size of a typical Best Buy store. There will be humans there to help, but the shopping experience will be different. Customers can shop, get advice, and check out using screens. For example, you can use the Best Buy app to scan the QR code to notify an employee you’re ready for checkout. There will also be grab-and-go items that you can scan and buy without assistance.
Read More: Best Buy, WCNC, The Verge, Charlotte Observer
New Target Delivery Hub
Target is expanding its efforts to offer home deliveries that are faster for the customer and cheaper for the company. Target will open three new package-sorting centers during the next year. Two are planned for the greater Chicago area, and one will be near Denver. That brings the total to nine across the country. The delivery hubs get goods from Target stores, then forward them to customers. Gig workers using their personal cars help with the process. The company is hoping to cut down on shipping costs as more Americans shop online.
Read More: Target, CNBC, Bloomberg, PYMNTS
Buzz Aldrin Auction
Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin is putting some of his famous space gear up for auction today. That includes the jacket he wore during the Apollo 11 mission to the moon and back. Other highlights of the auction today include the broken circuit breaker switch that could have stranded the Apollo 11 crew in space, as well as the felt-tip pen Aldrin used to ignite the engine. That saved astronauts’ lives and let them complete the mission that put the first man on the moon. Sotheby’s auction house will be taking bids from the saleroom, by phone, and online starting today at noon eastern time.
Read More: Sotheby’s, USA Today, NY Post, Forbes, Fox Business
Mega Millions Jackpot Now $810M
The Mega Millions jackpot is up again. No one has won the jackpot since mid-April, so it has grown to $810 million. That’s the fourth-largest lottery prize of all time and the third-largest Mega Millions prize. The next drawing is tonight.
Read More: Mega Millions, CBS News, CNBC, AP
Trivia Tuesday
Who was the world’s first cloned animal, a sheep, named after in 1996?
Play along on today’s Instagram Stories quiz. We’ll also have the answer right here next week.
Last Week’s Trivia
Q: What country has the national language with the longest alphabet?
A: Cambodia (Khmer)
Read More: Guinness World Records, World Atlas, Britannica, Kiddle