January 16, 2024 - Tuesday

[WORLD] A Houthi missile struck a US-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, causing minor damage and no injuries.

A US-owned and operated cargo ship was hit by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel, M/V Gibraltar Eagle, sustained minor damage and no injuries were reported. This marks the first successful strike on a US-owned or operated ship by the Houthi rebels, increasing tensions in the Red Sea. The attack comes days after a US-led coalition carried out strikes against the Iranian-backed rebel group in Yemen.

No sources available.

[NATION] Former President Donald Trump expresses optimism about his performance in the Iowa caucuses, while Fox News predicts Ron DeSantis will take second place.

Former President Donald Trump is hopeful about his chances in the Iowa caucuses, stating that the people are fantastic and he has never seen such spirit. Trump is currently leading in the polls in Iowa and nationally. Meanwhile, Fox News' Decision Desk predicts that Ron DeSantis will secure second place. Iowa caucuses, a significant event in the Republican presidential nomination process, will see voters gather despite life-threatening weather conditions in the state. The caucuses have a long history, with Iowa accidentally becoming the center of the nominating process in the 1970s.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Washington's Attorney General has filed a lawsuit to block the merger between Kroger and Albertsons, claiming it would lead to higher prices and reduced competition.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a lawsuit seeking to permanently block the $25 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons. Ferguson argues that the merger would result in higher prices for consumers and reduce competition. He cited internal chat communications from Albertsons executives admitting they were "basically creating a monopoly." Kroger has announced a delay in completing the takeover, citing ongoing discussions with antitrust regulators. The merger is now expected to close by August 17.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Microsoft is expanding access to its Copilot virtual assistant, allowing small businesses to subscribe and individuals to sign up for a premium tier.

Microsoft is making its Copilot virtual assistant available to small businesses through a subscription model, as well as introducing a new paid version for consumers who use Microsoft 365 software. The move is part of Microsoft's efforts to expose more customers to generative artificial intelligence. It also aims to help the company offset the costs of building data center infrastructure for AI. The Copilot assistant offers AI-powered features within Office apps, such as generating PowerPoint slide decks and analyzing data in Excel.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The Dallas Cowboys suffered a disappointing loss in the wild card round, continuing their struggles in the playoffs.

The Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs in the wild card round for the second time in three years, losing to the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys have now gone 13 consecutive postseasons without reaching the conference championship game, the longest streak in NFL history. On the other hand, the Packers became the first No. 7 seed to win a playoff game in the expanded playoff format. The Detroit Lions also won their first playoff game since 1991. The Cowboys' performance against winning teams has been underwhelming, while their record against losing teams has been much better.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] The Peregrine lunar lander is expected to make a fiery reentry after a failed moon landing attempt due to a fuel leak.

The Peregrine lunar lander, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, is being disposed of after a failed moon landing attempt. Astrobotic Technology, the company behind the lander, decided to allow it to disintegrate midair during reentry to Earth due to an anomalous state of the propulsion system. The company does not anticipate any safety risks, and the spacecraft is expected to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. This setback affects NASA's plans to return humans to the moon in the future.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] The circulation of flu, COVID-19, and RSV viruses is expected to increase during the winter months, causing severe infections and hospitalizations.

Health experts warn that the circulation of flu, COVID-19, and RSV viruses is still on the rise, with several weeks until they reach their peak. The H1N1 strain of flu is rated "very high" in Ohio, while the ongoing COVID-19 surge is fueled by the JN.1 variant. RSV is hitting older people harder than infants, causing respiratory tract infections and hospitalizations. Low vaccination rates for these viruses have prompted an urgent alert from the CDC. The non-seasonal nature of COVID-19 makes it more challenging to control its spread.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] The 75th Emmy Awards honored the best series and performances in television, with "The Bear" and "Succession" sweeping multiple awards.

The 75th Emmy Awards took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrating excellence in television. The Bear won Outstanding Comedy Series and nine other awards, while Succession triumphed with Outstanding Drama Series and five other wins. The ceremony, originally scheduled for September 2023, was delayed due to strikes. Hosted by Anthony Anderson, the awards honored shows released between June 2022 and May 2023.

No sources available.