Daily News Podcast 2025-07-31

Following a 25% tariff imposition on Indian goods, President Trump declared that tariffs are revitalizing America. He claims that they have reversed the nation's decline, transforming it into the "hottest country" globally. Trump criticized past administrations for allowing foreign nations to exploit tariffs and decimate the U.S. economy. He sees his tariff policy as vital for national protection. He also criticized India's ties with Russia, dismissing both as "dead economies." Trump accused India of imposing high tariffs and limiting trade, while also criticizing Moscow and limiting business between the United States and Russia. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: World Title: Trump says tariffs are making America ‘great & rich again’ after slapping 25% duty on India Source: Moneycontrol Full_article: US President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry south west Scotland on July 28, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Furlong / POOL / AFP) A day after announcing a 25% tariff on Indian goods, US President Donald Trump doubled down on his protectionist agenda, claiming that tariffs have reversed America’s decline and turned it into the “hottest country anywhere in the world.” “ONE YEAR AGO, AMERICA WAS A DEAD COUNTRY, NOW IT IS THE HOTTEST COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” he wrote in all caps, blaming past administrations and “really dumb, pathetic, and crooked politicians” for allowing foreign nations to use tariffs to devastate the US economy. Trump claimed the tide had turned, crediting his tariff war with revitalizing American strength and wealth. Story continues below Advertisement Remove Ad He also linked his tariff strategy to a major legal battle, likely referencing one of the many court cases he or his team is involved in. “If our Country was not able to protect itself by using TARIFFS AGAINST TARIFFS, WE WOULD BE ‘DEAD,’” he wrote, cheering on his legal team “who have fought so hard to save our Country.” The timing of the posts is significant, coming just after the 25 per cent tariff announcement on India. His rhetoric suggests that he sees these tariffs not just as economic tools but as a defining feature of his vision for “America First.” Trump on Wednesday announced the imposition of a 25 per cent additional import duty plus penalty on goods imported from India. The duty will come into effect from August 1. The unspecified penalty was imposed on India for purchasing crude oil and military equipment from Russia. The announcement came as a surprise, as the two countries are negotiating a trade agreement. Earlier today, Trump lashed out at India's close ties with Russia, calling both countries “dead economies” and saying he “does not care” what India does with Moscow. Trump accused India of imposing “some of the highest tariffs in the world” and blamed New Delhi for the “very little business” between the two countries. Story continues below Advertisement Remove Ad “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together,” he wrote. He also took aim at Moscow, saying the US and Russia “do almost no business together—and it should stay that way.” --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: CNBC Moderna plans to cut 10% of its global workforce by year-end due to declining COVID-19 vaccine sales and market uncertainty. CEO Stephane Bancel anticipates having fewer than 5,000 employees, down from approximately 5,800 at the end of 2024. Moderna's stock has fallen over 20% this year, and first-quarter vaccine sales missed estimates. The company aims to reduce annual operating expenses by $1.5 billion by 2027, in addition to previous cuts. Moderna has scaled down R&D, renegotiated supplier agreements, and reduced manufacturing costs. Despite the cuts, Bancel highlights the company's three approved products and potential for up to eight more in the next three years. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Business Title: Moderna to slash 10% of workforce amid Covid vaccine sales Source: CNBC Full_article: Moderna on Thursday said it plans to slash roughly 10% of its global workforce by the end of the year, as Covid shot sales continue to dwindle and the company grapples with uncertainty in the vaccine market. In a memo to employees, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said the company expects to have fewer than 5,000 workers by the end of the year. Moderna had approximately 5,800 full-time employees in 18 countries as of Dec. 31, 2024, according to its 2024 annual report. Shares of Moderna have dropped more than 20% this year. In May, the company reported first-quarter vaccine sales that missed Wall Street's estimates. Moderna is also navigating policy hurdles under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has taken steps to change vaccine guidelines and potentially threaten access to shots in the U.S. Also in May, Moderna said it will reduce annual operating expenses by about $1.5 billion by 2027. That target adds to cuts that the company previously announced. Moderna will provide another update on its business when it posts quarterly results on Friday morning. In the memo, Bancel said Moderna has made significant progress towards cuts by scaling down research and development, especially as it concludes trials on respiratory products, renegotiates supplier agreements and reduces manufacturing costs. "Every effort was made to avoid affecting jobs," he said. "But today, reshaping our operating structure and aligning our cost structure to the realities of our business are essential to remain focused and financially disciplined, while continuing to invest in our science on the path to 2027." He said the "future of Moderna is bright," noting that it now has three approved products and the potential for up to eight more in the next three years. In May, the Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna's third-ever product, a next-generation Covid shot. But Bancel said "this decision was not made lightly." "It impacts teammates and friends who have dedicated themselves to our mission and who have helped build Moderna," he said. "I want to express, on behalf of the entire Executive Committee and on behalf of patients you have served, our deepest thanks for everything you have contributed." --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: Podnews JAR Audio has rebranded to JAR Podcast Solutions, emphasizing the importance of results-driven branded podcasts. The shift reflects demands from CMOs for proof that podcasts drive more than just awareness, focusing on ROI. The company is launching the JAR System (Job. Audience. Result.) and offering structured podcast services for brand awareness, loyalty, and lead generation across audio, video, and live formats. Signal Hill Insights' 2024 Benchmark Report shows that 86% of branded podcasts tested demonstrated measurable brand affinity lift. JAR's clients include Amazon, Cirque du Soleil, and RBC. The new model structures podcast solutions into Engage, Lead, and Reach offerings. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Technology Title: JAR Audio becomes JAR Podcast Solutions as branded podcasts enter their 'results era' Source: Podnews Full_article: What started in a Vancouver bar is now one of North America’s most results-obsessed branded podcast studios. Today, JAR Audio announces its rebrand to JAR Podcast Solutions — with a sharper strategy, a new name, and a message to marketers: podcasts should perform. The shift reflects what today’s CMOs are demanding: proof that podcasts drive more than awareness. They want ROI. “This rebrand isn’t a vanity play,” said Roger Nairn, Co-Founder and CEO. “It’s a line in the sand. Branded podcasts must drive results—not just awareness. They need to earn attention and then do something with it.” The Rebrand, in Brief: New Name: From “JAR Audio” to JAR Podcast Solutions New System: Launch of the JAR System (Job. Audience. Result.) New Offering: Structured podcast services for brand awareness, loyalty, and lead gen—across audio, video, and even live podcasts New Look: Full visual identity overhaul and simplified client experience Get the free Podnews newsletter for more like this Get it free The relaunch comes at a time when branded podcasts are proving their impact in real numbers. According to Signal Hill Insights’ 2024 Benchmark Report, 86% of branded podcasts tested showed measurable brand affinity lift, including: +8 points average lift among listeners +4 points average lift in brand consideration 61% of participants felt more favorable toward the brand 64% would recommend the series 51% recalled the brand unprompted after one episode “This is the return on investment—and we can measure it,” the report notes. And recognition is catching up. The Cannes Lions has featured a Branded Audio & Podcasts category since 2022, and the Webby Awards and One Show consistently include branded podcast categories. But many shows still miss the mark. “Too many branded podcasts are being built like ads, not like shows audiences will care about,” said Nairn. “Our rebrand makes it clear: we don’t make branded podcasts. We make brand fans.” A New Model JAR’s new structure moves away from generic production and toward strategic podcast solutions: Engage (loyalty + brand affinity) Lead (thought leadership + demand gen) Reach (awareness + storytelling) Each offering is backed by strategy, analytics, and campaign integration — what most agencies still treat as optional. Trusted by Top Brands JAR’s clients include Amazon, Cirque du Soleil, Genome BC, The Wharton School, and RBC (and more) — brands already seeing measurable results from podcasting done right. “We think of every show as a business asset,” said Jennifer Moss, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer. “That means delivering a real, measurable result. Not just a wave of applause.” --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: Associated Press Birmingham honored Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse traveled through the city, with thousands of Black Sabbath fans paying their respects. Osbourne's hearse passed through Broad Street to the Black Sabbath bench, unveiled in 2019, with fans chanting "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy." His wife and children followed, visibly moved by the tributes. Birmingham, known as the "home of metal," embraced its reputation as the music played. Osbourne, who died at 76, was a native of Birmingham, where Black Sabbath formed in 1968. The band, credited with defining heavy metal, sold over 75 million albums. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Entertainment Title: Birmingham, the home of metal, to honor Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse makes way through city - AP News Source: Associated Press Full_article: BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Ozzy Osbourne returned to the “home of metal” for the last time on Wednesday as an emotional Birmingham honored one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans paid their respects to the band’s frontman as his hearse made its way through the city center followed by his tearful wife and children. The hearse carrying Osbourne, who died last Tuesday at the age of 76, went down Broad Street, one of the city’s major thoroughfare, to the Black Sabbath bench, which was unveiled on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019. “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi,” fans screamed. Six vehicles carrying the Osbourne family followed the hearse, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car. The family emerged briefly to inspect the array of tributes, with his wife of 43 years, Sharon, visibly moved and wiping away tears. And long after the hearse had moved on for the private funeral, the city, which has embraced its reputation as the citadel of heavy metal, was pounding to the beat of Black Sabbath. It was in Birmingham, where he grew up, that the world-conquering heavy metal band was formed in 1968. Osbourne embraced the city in central England as much as it embraced him, as was evident on the streets. Long-time fan Antony Hunt said it has been an “emotional” day and that he wanted to be in the city to pay his respects. “What’s amazing is there’s so many, such a wide variety of age groups, from little, little children, teenagers to people in their 60s, 70s, so it’s great to see that,” he said. Katie Brazier, head of events at Birmingham City Council, said Osbourne meant “everything” to the city. “He never forgot where he came from,” she said. “You could still hear that Brummie accent wherever he was, you know, I think some people have hidden away from the fact that they are from Birmingham and they’ve got that accent but he kept it all the way through.” Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates — Terence Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward — were recently awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of their services to Birmingham. Black Sabbath’s story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Without doubt, the sound and fury of heavy metal had its roots in the city’s manufacturing heritage. Osbourne never forgot his working-class roots. The band has been widely credited with defining and popularizing the sound of heavy metal — aggressive, but full of melodies. Osbourne was Black Sabbath’s frontman during its peak period in the 1970s. His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fueled by drink and drugs. He was widely known as the “Prince of Darkness.” The band’s eponymous debut album in 1970 made the U.K. top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971’s “Master of Reality” and “Vol. 4” a year later. It went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. At the final show on July 5, 42,000 fans watched the band perform for the first time in 20 years at Villa Park, home of the city’s biggest soccer club, Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans in the early 2000s reality show “The Osbournes” in which he starred alongside Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. ___ Pylas contributed from London. --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: ESPN Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely will undergo surgery for a small foot fracture and is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks, according to coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens hope he will return early in the regular season and haven't ruled him out for the Sept. 7 season opener. Likely suffered the non-contact injury on Tuesday's practice. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Likely is scheduled to earn $3.4 million this season. With Likely potentially missing time, Charlie Kolar may have an increased role. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Sports Title: Sources: Ravens TE Likely has small foot fracture - ESPN Source: ESPN Full_article: Open Extended Reactions Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely will undergo surgery for a small fracture in his foot, which will sideline him for about six weeks, coach John Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday. If Likely's recovery goes well, the Ravens believe he will return early in the regular season. Baltimore hasn't ruled him out for the Sept. 7 season opener at the Buffalo Bills. "We got a shot to get him back there right away early," Harbaugh said. "We'll see. And so that's the good news. It was early in camp and it's not one of those major type of deals, but it's something. It's multiple weeks." Likely suffered the non-contact injury on the final play of Tuesday's practice in a one-on-one drill against safety Sanoussi Kane. He was carted off the field and then limped into the locker room. Likely, 25, is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to make $3.4 million this season. A fourth-round pick in 2022, Likely set career highs last season with 42 catches for 477 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The Ravens have one of the deepest tight end groups in the NFL with Likely, Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar. All three tight ends are scheduled to be free agents after this season. If Likely misses significant time, Kolar would likely have an increased role. Known more for his blocking, Kolar caught nine passes last season for 131 yards and one touchdown. "For sure, it's a big opportunity for Charlie," Harbaugh said. "We have all the confidence in the world in Charlie." Likely and Andrews combined for 17 touchdown catches last season, which were the most by any tight end teammates in the NFL, according to ESPN Research. Andrews caught 11 touchdown passes, and Likely had six. --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: Universe Today NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP) has outlined 17 scientific goals for the next 3-5 years to support the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). These goals focus on precursor science, including estimating the occurrence rates of temperate rocky planets and understanding detectable exoplanet types. Understanding exoplanet atmospheres and their spectroscopic properties is crucial. The report also emphasizes interpreting spectroscopic results and defining planet and host star formation patterns. Mitigation strategies and links to efforts like the Exoplanet Opacity Database are provided. Despite budget cuts to the Science Mission Directorate, this paper serves as a guide for the search for habitable worlds. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Science Title: NASA Defines Gaps In Exoplanet Science Source: Universe Today Full_article: Science is driven by our desire to understand things. In some cases, where it requires significant effort and investment to develop systems that can understand new things, science benefits from a game plan that the community of researchers focused on a particular niche can rally around, even if they don’t necessarily agree on the details. In astronomy and space science, those game plans typically take the form of Decadal Surveys, produced by the National Academies to define the path forward in a specialization or sub-field. However, there are almost always follow-up reports that break down the suggestions from the Decadal Surveys into actionable plans that experts in the field then spend the next ten years executing on. One of those “tactical” plans was recently released on arXiv by the two lead scientists of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP), though it was listed as Rev H and released at least internally back in January 2025. In it, Drs. Karl Stapelfeldt and Eric Mamajek lay out 17 scientific goals that ExEP plans to work on over the next 3-5 years. Many of those goals focus on “precursor science”, as the paper calls it, for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). HWO, a combination of LUVOIR and HabEx, two previously suggested large-scale space-based missions, was a key recommendation from the 2020 Decadal Survey, with a stated goal of characterizing 25 potentially habitable exoplanets during its lifetime. The Decadal Survey also suggested a “Technology Maturation Program” for great observatories that would work on de-risking technologies used in these massive telescopes to speed up their development cycle time. Fraser discusses the future of exoplanet research. But in order to understand the mission's requirements for HWO to complete it’s goal of characterizing 25 potentially habitable exoplanets, some basic understanding of its targets must come first. Things like estimating the occurrence rates of temperate rocky planets (Gap #5) and understanding how many types of exoplanets different architectures will be able to detect (Gap #6). That yield estimation is also affected by other gaps in our knowledge, such as exozodiacal dust levels (Gap #11). Understanding exoplanet atmospheres even before HWO begins its work is critical to its mission success, as three of the gaps show, though the first one (Spectroscopic observations of the atmospheres of small exoplanets) is specifically what HWO is designed to address. Modeling those atmospheres (Gap #2) and understanding the spectrographic properties of those atoms (Gap #13) will also play a key role in HWO’s success. Interpreting the spectroscopic results and defining the formation patterns of both the planets and their host stars comprise many of the other goals. Whether that’s uncovering physical parameters of the planets (Gap #3) or determining the specific properties of their host stars (Gap #7), understanding what HWO is looking at before it even starts to look will be critical in correctly analyzing the data it produces. HWO isn't the only spacecraft tasks with searching for exoplanets, as Fraser explains. Helpfully, the report lists out current mitigation strategies, and even links to different efforts to work on closing these gaps, such as the Exoplanet Opacity Database (Gap #2) and a challenge for data analysis of high-contrast ground-based imaging (Gap #3). If you’re interested in contributing to any of these efforts, this study provides multiple places to start. Gaps in our knowledge are only one part of the bigger picture of space exploration. WIth a 47% cut to the Science Mission Directorate, such a drastic reduction in funds will obviously affect missions like the HWO. Though, it does seem like the paper’s two authors hadn’t joined the exodus of 4,000 NASA employees who opted to take the deferred resignation program in the last three months. As these budgeting and personnel changes play out, those who have a vested interest in the search for other habitable worlds will continue to keep a close eye on them, and hopefully use this paper as a guidebook to continue moving forward to finding their holy grail of a potentially habitable world. Learn More: K. Stapelfeldt & E Mamajek - NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP) Science Gap List UT - Is the Habitable Worlds Observatory a Good Idea? UT - Research Work Begins on the Habitable Worlds Observatory UT - HWO Could Find Irrefutable Signs Of Life On Exoplanets --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: News-Medical Researchers have discovered that metformin, a common type 2 diabetes medication, lowers blood sugar by acting on brain pathways. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that metformin's anti-diabetic action involves turning off the Rap1 protein in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) region of the brain. Mice lacking Rap1 in their VMH did not respond to metformin, while direct injection of small amounts of metformin into the brain significantly lowered blood sugar. Metformin activates SF1 neurons in the VMH, but only when Rap1 is present. This discovery suggests new avenues for developing more effective and precise diabetes treatments targeting this brain pathway. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Health Title: Metformin lowers blood sugar by acting on brain pathways Source: News-Medical Full_article: Although metformin has been the go-to medication to manage type 2 diabetes for more than 60 years, researchers still do not have a complete picture of how it works. Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine and international collaborators have discovered a previously unrecognized new player mediating clinically relevant effects of metformin: the brain. By uncovering a brain pathway involved in metformin's anti-diabetic action, researchers have discovered new possibilities for treating diabetes more effectively and precisely. The study appeared in Science Advances. "It's been widely accepted that metformin lowers blood glucose primarily by reducing glucose output in the liver. Other studies have found that it acts through the gut," said corresponding author Dr. Makoto Fukuda, associate professor of pediatrics – nutrition at Baylor. "We looked into the brain as it is widely recognized as a key regulator of whole-body glucose metabolism. We investigated whether and how the brain contributes to the anti-diabetic effects of metformin." The team focused on a small protein called Rap1, found in a specific part of the brain known as the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). The researchers discovered that metformin's ability to lower blood sugar at clinically relevant doses depends on turning off Rap1 in this brain region. To test this, the Fukuda lab and his colleagues used genetically modified mice that lacked Rap1 in their VMH. These mice were fed a high-fat diet to mimic type 2 diabetes. When given low doses of metformin, the drug failed to lower their blood sugar. However, other diabetes medications like insulin and GLP-1 agonists still worked. To further show that the brain is a key player, the researchers injected tiny amounts of metformin directly into the brains of diabetic mice. The result was a significant drop in blood sugar, even with doses thousands of times smaller than what's typically given by mouth. "We also investigated which cells in the VMH were involved in mediating metformin's effects," Fukuda said. "We found that SF1 neurons are activated when metformin is introduced into the brain, suggesting they're directly involved in the drug's action." Using brain slices, the scientists recorded the electrical activity of these neurons. Metformin made most of them more active, but only if Rap1 was present. In mice lacking Rap1 in these neurons, metformin had no effect, showing that Rap1 is essential for metformin to "switch on" these brain cells and lower blood sugar. "This discovery changes how we think about metformin," Fukuda said. "It's not just working in the liver or the gut, it's also acting in the brain. We found that while the liver and intestines need high concentrations of the drug to respond, the brain reacts to much lower levels." Although few anti-diabetic drugs act on the brain, this study shows that widely used metformin has been doing so all along. "These findings open the door to developing new diabetes treatments that directly target this pathway in the brain," Fukuda said. "In addition, metformin is known for other health benefits, such as slowing brain aging. We plan to investigate whether this same brain Rap1 signaling is responsible for other well-documented effects of the drug on the brain." Other contributors to this work include Hsiao-Yun Lin, Weisheng Lu, Yanlin He, Yukiko Fu, Kentaro Kaneko, Peimeng Huang, Ana B De la Puente-Gomez, Chunmei Wang, Yongjie Yang, Feng Li and Yong Xu. The authors are affiliated with one or more of the following institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, Louisiana State University, Nagoya University – Japan and Meiji University – Japan. This work was supported by grants from: National Institutes of Health (R01DK136627, R01DK121970, R01DK093587, R01DK101379, P30-DK079638, R01DK104901, R01DK126655), USDA/ARS (6250-51000-055), American Heart Association (14BGIA20460080, 15POST22500012) and American Diabetes Association (1-17-PDF-138). Further support was provided by the Uehara Memorial Foundation, Takeda Science Foundation, Japan Foundation for Applied Enzymology and the NMR and Drug Metabolism Core at Baylor College of Medicine. --- END ARTICLE TEXT ---