Author: Gist It

  • Niger’s military announces a coup on national television

    The military in Niger, a key U.S. ally in West Africa, has announced a coup, imposing a curfew and closing borders. Coup announcement: Soldiers in Niger announced the coup on state television, dissolving the country’s constitution and suspending all institutions. * This move saw the imposition of a curfew and closure of all borders in […]

  • Singapore set to execute first woman in nearly 20 years, rights groups say

    Singapore is set to carry out its first execution of a woman in nearly 20 years for drug trafficking, amid fresh calls from human rights groups to end capital punishment. Recent executions: On Wednesday, Singapore hanged Mohammed Aziz Hussain for drug trafficking, and is set to execute Saridewi Djamani, a Singaporean woman, on Friday. * […]

  • Whales beached in Australia are euthanized after rescue efforts fail

    Dozens of pilot whales beached in Australia have been euthanized after rescue attempts were unsuccessful. Context: The whales stranded themselves on Cheynes Beach near Albany in Western Australia on Tuesday, and many died overnight. * Initial efforts by volunteers and officials were to push the surviving whales back into the water, but the pod ended […]

  • The three key moments in the U.S. tie with the Netherlands at the Women’s World Cup

    The U.S. and the Netherlands ended in a 1-1 draw in a highly anticipated Women’s World Cup game, with three key moments that stood out. Key moment 1: The U.S. team was caught off guard in the 17th minute of the match. * The U.S. team, which had controlled the early part of the match, […]

  • Irish singer Sinead O’Connor has died at 56

    Irish singer Sinead O’Connor, famous for her hit song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” has passed away at the age of 56. Sinead’s Journey: Sinead O’Connor led a life marked by musical triumphs and personal challenges. * O’Connor made an impact on alternative radio in the late 1980s with her inspiring defiance of commercial expectations for […]

  • A Mississippi law limits who can help mail-in voters. A federal court struck it down

    A U.S. District Court in Mississippi has temporarily halted a new voting law that would have brought in restrictions on who can assist someone in voting by mail. Context: The law, known as Senate Bill 2358, was planned to go into effect on July 1. * This law would limit who could collect and transmit […]

  • Prosecutors want disgraced crypto mogul Bankman-Fried in jail ahead of trial

    Prosecutors are moving to have Sam Bankman-Fried, a former cryptocurrency mogul, placed in jail ahead of his trial set for October. Courtroom Reactions: Prosecutors’ bid to detain Bankman-Fried in jail before his trial stirred surprise in the courtroom. * Bankman-Fried is currently living under house arrest in California, after being released on a $250 million […]

  • A Texas A&M professor was suspended for allegedly criticizing lieutenant governor

    A professor at Texas A&M University was suspended following allegations of criticizing Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, sparking concerns about political influence over academic freedom. The incident: Professor Joy Alonzo was suspended and investigated for alleged critical comments about Lt. Gov. Patrick during a lecture on the opioid crisis. * A student complaint, reportedly from […]

  • The Fed’s hot pause summer gets an ice bath: Interest rates rise again

    The Federal Reserve has increased interest rates by a quarter percentage point to a 22-year high, with the aim of countering inflation. The announcement: On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve revealed its decision to raise interest rates by 0.25 percentage points. * This concludes the period of stable interest rates, known as the Fed’s ‘Hot Pause […]

  • McConnell abruptly stops speaking at press conference

    Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell unexpectedly stopped speaking mid-conference, stood in silence for 30 seconds, then reassured reporters he’s alright. Event Details: McConnell unexpectedly ceased talking during a Capitol Hill press conference on Wednesday. * He stood silently at the microphone for more than 30 seconds while colleagues observed. Immediate Aftermath: McConnell was escorted away […]