January 19, 2024 - Friday

[WORLD] Biden confirms that US strikes on Houthis in Yemen have not effectively deterred their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

President Joe Biden stated that American strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen have not deterred their campaign in the Red Sea, after a new missile attack was launched on a US-owned vessel. The Pentagon confirmed that no damage or injuries were reported. This attack followed the fifth round of US strikes in Yemen earlier that day. Despite the strikes, the Houthis continue to harass commercial and military vessels in the area.

No sources available.

[NATION] Congress passes a stopgap bill to prevent a government shutdown until March, sending it to President Biden.

Congress has successfully passed a bill that will prevent a partial government shutdown this weekend and keep federal funds flowing until March. The Senate voted 77-18 in favor of the bill, followed by the House passing it with a vote of 314-108. The bill now awaits President Biden's signature before the funding expires on Friday. This marks the third stopgap measure to prevent a government shutdown. The budget process in Congress has broken down over the years, making it challenging to address the growing U.S. national debt.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Nelson Peltz plans to launch a proxy fight against Disney, seeking to add himself and former Disney CFO Jay Rasulo to the board.

Activist investor Nelson Peltz, through Trian Fund Management, is launching a campaign to join Disney's board of directors. Peltz and former Disney CFO Jay Rasulo have stated their case in a proxy filing, highlighting initiatives they would pursue if elected. These include successfully completing a CEO succession plan, aligning management pay with performance, and targeting Netflix-like margins by 2027. Peltz believes that Netflix is Disney's biggest competition. The campaign comes as Disney CEO Bob Iger tries to streamline the company and make its Disney+ streaming platform profitable.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra introduces AI-powered features like real-time phone call translation and enhanced video editing capabilities.+

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S24 series, which includes the Galaxy S24 Ultra with AI features like real-time translation. The company believes that AI is crucial for the growth of premium devices. However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra disappoints with its lack of a 10x optical zoom camera, instead offering a 3x and 5x optical zoom with an AI-enhanced hybrid 10x mode. The phones also feature brighter displays, larger models, and a more durable titanium frame. Samsung's new video editing capabilities and impressive support policy are other noteworthy features.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Ohio State is hiring Bill O'Brien, a former NFL and Big Ten head coach, as their new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Ohio State has chosen Bill O'Brien, a former NFL head coach, to join their team as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. O'Brien has a wealth of experience, including successful stints as offensive coordinator at both the NFL and collegiate levels. He most recently served as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in 2023. This move signifies a significant change for Ohio State's head coach, Ryan Day, who will be giving up play calling duties in an effort to improve the team's performance in the Big Ten.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Peregrine One, an American spacecraft attempting to land on the Moon, suffered a propulsion fault and was commanded to destroy itself over the Pacific Ocean.

The Peregrine lander, launched by Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic, experienced a propulsion fault that prevented it from landing on the Moon. Instead, the spacecraft was directed into Earth's atmosphere to burn up. A tracking station in Canberra, Australia confirmed the loss of signal with Peregrine. The lander's remains were not expected to survive intact, and even if they did, they were projected to impact far away from any population areas.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] Colon cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in the US, with over 53,000 deaths in North Carolina in 2021.

A recent report from the American Cancer Society reveals that colon cancer is still the third-deadliest cancer in the US. In North Carolina alone, more than 53,000 people died from colon cancer in 2021. One survivor, Tristan Evans, emphasizes the importance of recognizing warning signs after experiencing sharp shooting pains in his abdomen and lower extremities. Evans was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer at the age of 42, which was three years before regular screenings are recommended for African Americans with his background. Evans advocates for increased screenings, particularly among minority populations.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] The Sundance Film Festival 2024 has commenced, attracting industry professionals and film enthusiasts in search of the next breakout indie films and potential Oscar contenders.

The 2024 Sundance Film Festival is underway, showcasing independent films that have the potential to become breakout hits or award contenders. The festival, celebrating its 40th year, has attracted industry executives, filmmakers, actors, and agents. However, the economics of independent filmmaking remain challenging, with not every highly anticipated film finding commercial success. Longtime sponsors like Acura and Adobe have expanded their marketing efforts during the festival. Despite the pandemic and a lack of star power, the festival is expected to generate some buzz and potential deals.

No sources available.