Author: Gist It

  • Biden proposes a ban on ‘junk fees’ — from concert tickets to hotel rooms

    President Biden’s administration is taking aim at ‘junk fees’, hidden charges added to products and services, through a combination of proposed rules and directives to provide greater transparency for consumers. The proposal: The Federal Trade Commission proposes a new rule forcing companies to cease hidden and ‘bogus’ fees and instead disclose all mandatory costs upfront. […]

  • How to talk to children about the violence in Israel and Gaza

    This article provides guidance on how to discuss with children the violence in Israel and Gaza. Context: The recent Hamas attacks on Israel have had devastating effects on both Israelis and Palestinians, stimulating complex questions particularly among children. * Children deserve a conversation about the conflict, regardless of their connection to the region. * Parents […]

  • Families of hostages taken by Hamas militants are desperate amid threats of execution

    Families of hostages taken amid a militant Hamas attack in Israel are desperate for information, amidst threats of execution of the captives. Heart of the crisis: Several Israeli civilians were taken hostage last Saturday after Hamas militants stormed their towns. * Images and videos have started to surface on social media showing civilians being forcefully […]

  • Death toll from Israel-Hamas war climbs, hostages lives hang in the balance

    The death toll in the Israel-Hamas conflict is rising, with some hostages’ lives hanging in the balance. Key insight: Individual experiences underline the tense situation as Israeli man Ido Dan is missing five family members and hopes they are being kept alive because they have value to their captors. NPR’s Leila Fadel spoke to Dan, […]

  • Formula 1 weighs changes after drivers vomit, pass out due to heat during Qatar race

    Formula 1 is considering making changes after drivers suffered heat-related ailments during the Qatar Grand Prix. The incident: Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll reported dizziness and near loss of consciousness, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon vomited during the race, and Williams’ drivers Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant suffered from acute heat exposure and intense dehydration, respectively. * High […]

  • Walmart heir wants museums to attract more people and donates $40 million to help

    Alice Walton, Walmart heir, through her foundation Art Bridges, is donating $40 million to 64 museums across the United States to help attract more visitors. Driving the news: The donations, each ranging from $56,000 to over $2 million over a three-year period, are part of an initiative called “Access for All”, aimed at funding programs […]

  • South Carolina redistricting case could add Democratic House seats

    A South Carolina redistricting case could result in an additional Democratic seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Understanding the case: The Republican-dominated state legislature of South Carolina is currently under scrutiny by the US Supreme Court for its redistricting practices. * The state legislature decided to equalize the population of its congressional districts, specifically […]

  • ‘Too dangerous:’ Why even Google was afraid to release this technology

    PimEyes, a potent facial recognition tool developed by hackers in Poland, is being widely used on platforms like TikTok, raising concerns about privacy and misuse of technology. The tool in focus: PimEyes, a facial recognition engine, enables users to scan a person’s face from a photo and find other images of them from across the […]

  • Canadian auto workers and General Motors reach a tentative contract agreement

    General Motors and Canadian auto workers’ union, Unifor, have reached a tentative contract agreement, marking an end to a strike and setting a template for future negotiations. The strike’s end: Approximately 4,300 workers at two GM factories and a parts warehouse initiated a strike, which was called off once the tentative contract was agreed. * […]

  • Migrant mothers arriving in New York find support, hope — and lots of challenges

    Over 100,000 migrants, many of whom are pregnant mothers, have arrived in New York City in the past year, facing a myriad of challenges despite support from various groups and services. Background: Many women, like Roukhaya who fled Chad due to the prevalent practice of female genital mutilation, arrive pregnant and are looking for shelter […]