January 9, 2024 - Tuesday

[WORLD] US Secretary of State Blinken asserts that Palestinians in Gaza should not be pressured to leave and have the right to return to their homes.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasized that Palestinians should not be pressured into leaving Gaza and should have the right to return to their homes when conditions permit. This comes in response to statements by Israeli ministers who called for the resettlement of Palestinians elsewhere. Blinken's comments follow reports of a significant number of casualties in the Jabalia refugee camp. President Joe Biden has also been working to persuade Israel to reduce its involvement in Gaza. Blinken is currently on a Middle East tour, during which he plans to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.

No sources available.

[NATION] Unsealed documents reveal a witness's claims that Jeffrey Epstein had "sex tapes" of Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Richard Branson.

Unsealed documents reveal that a witness in Jeffrey Epstein's case, Sarah Ransome, claimed that the billionaire had kept "sex tapes" involving prominent people, including Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Richard Branson. However, no proof of the existence of these tapes was provided. Epstein's defense team used these claims to question the credibility of the witness. Additionally, another set of court documents unveiled a claim by Ransome that Donald Trump had allegedly engaged in "sexual relations" with one of her friends at Epstein's home.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Bitcoin ETF approval expected soon, potential to drive massive price gains and inflows. Bears lose $100M as BTC surges.

Bitcoin surged over 9% and reached $47,000, its highest level since March 2022, as traders anticipated the approval of bitcoin spot ETFs. Standard Chartered predicts that bitcoin could reach $200,000 by the end of 2025 if ETF-related inflows materialize. The SEC is expected to approve the first bitcoin ETF by Wednesday, potentially causing demand to soar and pushing bitcoin to $100,000 by the end of 2024. This bullish forecast also takes into account supply falling and draws parallels with the impact of the first gold spot exchange-traded product on the gold price.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Apple shares a new "Get Ready" ad ahead of the launch of its Vision Pro headset, featuring notable characters from movies and TV shows.

Apple has released a new advertisement titled "Get Ready" to promote the upcoming launch of its Vision Pro headset. The ad showcases various movie and TV show characters wearing masks, glasses, and other accessories in a symbolic representation of users wearing the Vision Pro. The headset will be available for pre-order starting January 19th, with a launch date set for February 2nd. It is positioned as Apple's response to Meta's Quest headsets and features 256 GB of storage, prescription lens inserts for $149, and is powered by Apple's M2 chip.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Michigan football wins the 2023 national championship by defeating Washington 34-13 in a dominant performance.

Michigan Wolverines' tumultuous season culminates in a resounding victory over Washington, securing their first national championship since 1997. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and his team overcame off-field controversies, showcasing their dominance in a 34-13 win. Michigan's ground game excelled, rushing for 303 yards and four touchdowns, while Donovan Edwards solidified his status as a star player. The team's unwavering belief in their destiny as champions was evident throughout the season.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Astrobotic Technology abandons its moon landing mission after experiencing "critical" fuel loss due to a propellant leak.

Astrobotic Technology's attempt to land its Peregrine spacecraft on the moon has been halted due to a fuel leak causing critical propellant loss. The mission faced several issues, including a propulsion problem and the spacecraft's inability to charge its batteries. Although the battery issue was resolved, the problem with the propulsion system persisted. The company has announced the abandonment of the mission less than 24 hours after the spacecraft's launch.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] Studies reveal that bottled water can contain 10-100 times more plastic particles than previously estimated, including nanoplastics that can harm human health.

New research has discovered that bottled water sold in stores can contain an average of 240,000 plastic particles per liter, with 90% being identified as nanoplastics. Nanoplastics are so tiny that they can migrate through the body's tissues, distributing potentially harmful synthetic chemicals. This study reinforces the long-held advice to drink tap water from glass or stainless steel containers to reduce exposure. Additionally, other foods and drinks packaged in plastic should also be avoided.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] The Golden Globes 2024 saw a significant boost in ratings despite being considered dull, with an unfunny host and lack of entertainment factor.

The Golden Globes 2024, intended to reinvent the scandal-hit awards, disappointed with a lackluster show. The host, Jo Koy, was deemed unfunny and the acceptance speeches were sober and safe. There were no political statements or drunken rambling. The most notable moment was when Taylor Swift was caught scowling at the poor performance. Despite the controversies surrounding the event, it enjoyed a surge in ratings.

No sources available.