February 1, 2024 - Thursday

[WORLD] The United States blames the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed umbrella group, for the drone attack in Jordan that killed three American service members.

The U.S. has attributed the drone attack in Jordan to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group of Iran-backed militias. The attack killed three U.S. service members and injured over 40 troops. President Joe Biden is considering options for a response, while Iran has threatened to retaliate if the U.S. attacks. The National Security Council believes the attack was planned, resourced, and facilitated by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The U.S. is preparing for potential retaliatory strikes in the Middle East.

No sources available.

[NATION] Zuckerberg apologized to families of kids harmed online as Senate grilled tech CEOs, who faced accusations of failing to protect kids from exploitation and abuse.

The CEOs of Meta, TikTok, Snap, Discord, and X testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the risks their platforms pose to young people. Families of victims played a major role in the hearing, expressing their grievances and attracting bipartisan support. The CEOs acknowledged shortcomings and apologized for the harm caused, while pushing back on some criticism. The hearing raised the question of whether Congress will impose new regulations on these platforms.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] A Delaware judge has voided Tesla CEO Elon Musk's $55.8 billion pay package, calling it unfair to shareholders.

A Delaware judge has ruled that Tesla's board of directors failed to show that Elon Musk's $55.8 billion pay package was fair to shareholders, calling it an "unfathomable sum." The judge found that the board breached their fiduciary duty and that there was a lack of public disclosure about Musk's relationships with those who approved the deal. This decision could have implications for CEO compensation at companies across America.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus impress with their exceptional battery life, making them a compelling choice for consumers.

The standout feature of the Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus is their impressive battery life, which outlasts a full day of use, with the S24 Plus even lasting two days. While the phones offer other notable features like brighter screens and solid cameras, the extended battery life sets them apart. However, the higher-end Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a hefty price tag of $1,300, despite its cutting-edge AI features not being exclusive to the Ultra model. The Ultra still boasts a bright display, excellent camera quality, and a built-in stylus.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to sell the team to a group led by private equity billionaires David Rubenstein and Mike Arougheti for $1.725 billion.

The Baltimore Orioles are set to be sold to a group led by private equity billionaires David Rubenstein and Mike Arougheti. The deal values the team at $1.725 billion, with Rubenstein becoming the "control person" for the team. The rest of the league's owners still need to approve the sale, and there may be some additional steps to complete before it is finalized. Cal Ripken Jr. is also expected to have a role in the new ownership group. The sale comes after ongoing discussions and will bring a transition of ownership over an unspecified time period.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Insects are not drawn to light but are confused by artificial lights, which scramble their navigational systems, according to a new study.

Scientists have long assumed that insects are attracted to bright lights, like moths to a flame. However, a recent study suggests that artificial lights may actually disrupt insects' innate navigational systems, rather than attract them. The rapid acceleration experienced by flying insects makes their gravity sensing unreliable, so they rely on the sky to discern which way is up. When artificial lights disrupt their perception of the sky, insects may flutter and crash into them. This study provides a new explanation for the age-old mystery of why insects are attracted to light.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] Syphilis cases in the US have reached their highest level in 70 years, with a staggering 207,000 cases reported in 2022.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that syphilis cases in the US have reached their highest level since 1950, with 207,000 cases reported in 2022. This marks an 80% increase since 2018. Additionally, the number of syphilis cases in women has risen by 19.5%, with nearly a quarter of all cases diagnosed in women. While gonorrhea cases have decreased for the first time in a decade, it is unclear why there is a discrepancy between the two sexually transmitted infections. The US Department of Health and Human Services is taking action to address the syphilis epidemic.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on a film set.

Alec Baldwin has entered a plea of not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the shooting of a cinematographer during a rehearsal on a movie set in New Mexico. Baldwin, who is the lead actor and co-producer of the film Rust, was pointing a gun at the cinematographer when it went off, killing her and wounding the director. He waived his arraignment and filed court documents pleading not guilty.

No sources available.