February 21, 2024 - Wednesday

[WORLD] Julian Assange's final appeal to avoid US extradition is underway in the UK High Court amidst global support for his release.

Julian Assange's legal team returns to London's High Court for potentially his last attempt to avoid extradition to the US, facing life imprisonment if convicted on espionage charges. The two-day hearing will determine if he can appeal the 2022 extradition decision, with the European Court of Human Rights as a possible next step. Supporters rally globally for Assange's release as the intricate legal battle unfolds.

No sources available.

[NATION] Justice Alito criticizes Supreme Court's decision not to hear a case challenging high school admissions policy, mirroring George W. Bush's program.

The Supreme Court declined to review a lawsuit concerning a school admissions policy reminiscent of a program supported by George W. Bush, ultimately upholding the program's constitutionality. Justice Alito expressed dissent over the policy's similarity to Bush's racial justice program, which aimed at fostering diversity through admissions criteria. The case, known as Coalition for TJ v. Fairfax County School Board, centered on allegations of discrimination against Asian American students tied to changes in admissions criteria at a prominent magnet high school in Virginia.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Capital One intends to acquire Discover in a $35.3 billion deal, potentially creating the largest US credit card company, but faces regulatory scrutiny.

Capital One plans to purchase Discover Financial Services in a $35.3 billion all-stock transaction, aiming to become the leading US credit card company pending regulatory and shareholder approval by late 2024 or early 2025. Although immediate impacts are unlikely, the deal could prompt changes in the credit card market and raise concerns about market concentration and consumer impacts. Analysts foresee regulatory challenges due to the current climate's anti-merger sentiments.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] OnePlus introduces a new smartwatch with a 100-hour battery life and aims to compete with industry leaders at the Mobile World Congress 2024.

OnePlus is making a return to the smartwatch industry with its Watch 2, set to be launched at Mobile World Congress. The new device boasts an astonishing 100-hour battery life in Smart Mode, potentially challenging competitors like the Apple Watch. With a sleek design featuring a stainless steel chassis and sapphire crystal watch face, OnePlus aims to solidify its position in the wearable tech market.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Daniel Jeremiah's 2024 NFL mock draft features four QBs in top eight, while other predictions show top prospects with first-round grades.

The 2024 NFL draft features a notable focus on quarterbacks, with Daniel Jeremiah's mock draft highlighting four QBs in the first eight picks. While the draft is rich in talent across various positions, with a mix of elite and second-tier prospects, the quarterback position seems to dominate the early selections. The mock draft prediction also sets the theme for this year's draft by spotlighting top prospects like USC's Caleb Williams and projecting the unique value assigned to different positions based on Jeremiah's grading system.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] European satellite ERS-2, launched in 1995, will plummet back to Earth on Wednesday, most of it expected to burn up upon reentry.

ERS-2, a European satellite launched in 1995, is set to fall to Earth after 16 years of operation and will likely burn up upon reentry, though some debris may survive. The European Space Agency is monitoring the situation, with potential impact areas spanning worldwide, but significant damage is unlikely. The satellite was utilized for observing polar ice, land shifts, sea levels, and environmental changes post-retirement.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] 'Everything has a potential risk': Large COVID-19 study shows link between vaccines and heart, brain disorders.

A recent study involving 99 million individuals across multiple countries has revealed a correlation between COVID-19 vaccines, including those from Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca, and a small rise in heart, brain, and blood-related disorders. Adverse reactions like Guillain Barre Syndrome, myocarditis, pericarditis, and CVST were reported more than expected post-vaccination. The risks associated with these disorders, while present, are still considered minimal compared to the dangers posed by contracting COVID-19.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Sam Mendes will direct four fictional films about each member of the Beatles, telling interconnected stories, to be released in 2027.

Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes will tackle a project involving four separate fictional films, each focusing on one member of the Beatles. With the approval of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison, Mendes aims to deliver interconnected stories from each band member's perspective. This ambitious project, set for release in 2027, will push boundaries in storytelling within the music industry.

No sources available.