Author: Gist It

  • Last month was the hottest June ever recorded on Earth

    June 2023 was the warmest June ever recorded, surpassing the previous record from 2020, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Driving the news: NOAA reported the global temperature in June 2023 setting a new record in its database, which spans 174 years. * The El Niño weather pattern and human-caused climate change have […]

  • Special counsel calls for a speedy trial in Trump’s documents case

    Special counsel Jack Smith pushes for a speedy trial in federal case against former President Donald Trump, rejecting arguments for delay until after the 2024 presidential election. Overview of the case: Trump faces felony charges for allegedly retaining national security information, including classified papers in his Florida resort. * The special counsel asserts that postponing […]

  • WHO says aspartame is a ‘possible carcinogen.’ The FDA disagrees

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, as a “possible carcinogen,” drawing disagreement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The big picture: The WHO’s announcement is based on a review of “limited evidence” and does not alter the recommended daily intake of aspartame. * The WHO advises that […]

  • America doesn’t really care about cricket. Can Major League Cricket change that?

    Major League Cricket (MLC), a new professional cricket league in the United States, aims to popularize the sport, which has struggled to capture American interest. Breakthrough Endeavour: The inaugural tournament of MLC starts on July 13, featuring six teams over 19 matches. * The tournament kicks off with a match between the Texas Super Kings […]

  • ‘The Beast You Are’ is smart, self-aware, fun, creepy, and strange

    Author Paul Tremblay releases a new short story collection, “The Beast You Are,” offering a mix of horror, suspense, and science fiction narratives. What they’re saying: The collection showcases Tremblay’s knack for blending traditional and unique storytelling techniques. * The 15 stories range a spectrum of genres, with several different narrative voices and techniques utilized. […]

  • Why the crack cocaine epidemic hit Black communities ‘first and worst’

    Author Donovan X. Ramsey provides insights into the impact of the crack cocaine epidemic on Black communities in the 1980s and early ’90s in his new book “When Crack Was King: A People’s History of A Misunderstood Era.” Historical overview: The advent of Crack cocaine was traced back to a group of chemistry students at […]

  • FDA approves Opill, the first daily birth control pill without a prescription

    The FDA has approved Opill, the first daily birth control pill that can be used without a prescription, paving the way for it to be sold in drug stores, convenience stores, and online. The big move: This FDA approval of a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive significantly increases options for birth control in the United States. […]

  • Key takeaways from this week’s NATO summit, according to the group’s leader

    The recent NATO summit concluded with an expanding alliance, active discussions on Ukraine, and increased defense spending commitments. Driving the news: Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg cites NATO’s expanding eastward as a direct reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. * Russia’s actions compelled Finland, Sweden, and Ukraine to apply for membership last year, with Finland joining in […]

  • A big question during the NATO summit: Who’s in the alliance and who’s not?

    Given the lack of detailed content in the provided article, it is impossible to create a comprehensive summary. The available text essentially reiterates the title and doesn’t delve into the discussed breakthroughs or comments from NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. View original article on NPR This summary was created by an AI system. The use of […]

  • A top Guatemalan party is barred, throwing the presidential election into the unknown

    Guatemala’s presidential elections hang in uncertainty due to the barring of a major party allegedly for fraud. Election confusion: Despite certification of the first-round elections, the political future remains murky after a court accused the Semilla party of fraud and ordered it to be excluded from politics. * The country’s top electoral body, late Wednesday, […]