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US NEWS
FAA Grounds Boeing 737-9s After Emergency Landing: The FAA ordered inspections and temporary grounding of Boeing 737-9 Max airplanes following an emergency landing by an Alaska Airlines flight due to fuselage damage and rapid cabin decompression. No injuries were reported. The FAA's decision affects numerous airlines and highlights ongoing safety concerns with this aircraft model.
Severe Winter Weather Across the US: The U.S. is experiencing widespread winter storms, affecting both coasts and central areas. The East Coast is dealing with storm and snow warnings, while the Sierra Nevada faces heavy snowfall. The weather pattern is causing blizzard-like conditions, flooding, and potential tornadoes, affecting over 10 million people under advisories.
World’s Largest Cruise Ship Prepares for Maiden Voyage: The "Icon of the Seas," the world's largest cruise ship, arrived in Puerto Rico for final inspections before its maiden voyage from Miami on January 27. The ship, boasting features like a waterpark and numerous dining options, represents a significant achievement in cruise ship design and capacity.
Vulcan Rocket Set for Debut Launch with First US Moon Lander in Decades: United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket, developed jointly by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, is set for its debut launch. This mission features the Peregrine lunar lander and aims to achieve the first U.S. soft landing on the moon since the Apollo program. The launch represents a significant advancement in the private space industry and is crucial for ULA's future missions, including national security payloads.
GLOBAL NEWS AND WORLD EVENTS
Israeli Strike Kills Palestinian Journalists: In Gaza, an Israeli airstrike resulted in the deaths of two Palestinian journalists, Hamza Al-Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuraya. The journalists were in Rafah, southern Gaza, when their vehicle was hit. This incident is part of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has seen significant journalist casualties.
Italian Foreign Minister Advocates for EU Army: Antonio Tajani, Italy's foreign minister, called for the creation of a European Union army to aid in peacekeeping across the continent. Tajani, also deputy prime minister, emphasized this as a priority for his Forza Italia party, stating that a unified military force is essential for an effective European foreign policy.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Investors Shift $123 Billion to Cash in Record Start to 2024: Investors moved a record $123.1 billion into cash in the first week of 2024, surpassing the previous record set in March 2023. This follows a trend from 2023, where there was a record yearly inflow to cash of $1.3 trillion. Meanwhile, global equities face a potential end to a nine-week winning streak, with the S&P 500 experiencing a slight decline. Energy stocks have seen significant outflows, while U.S. small-cap stocks gained popularity.
Trump Businesses Received $7.8 Million in Foreign Payments During Presidency: A report by the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee Democrats revealed that businesses tied to former U.S. President Donald Trump received at least $7.8 million in foreign payments from 20 countries during his presidency. Trump did not divest from his businesses while in office, leading to investigations into potential conflicts of interest and violations of the U.S. Constitution's emoluments clause.
Federal Reserve Considers Policy Shift Amid Lower Inflation Risks: The Federal Reserve officials are debating a change in U.S. monetary policy due to concerns about the sustainability of the economy under current high interest rates. Inflation has been falling faster than expected, leading to hopes of a “soft landing” from high inflation. Despite uncertainties, most Fed officials foresee a decrease in the benchmark policy rate by the end of 2024. Traders anticipate rate cuts to start as early as March.
U.S. Beneficial Ownership Information Registry Now Accepting Reports: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has started accepting beneficial ownership information reports, as mandated by the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act of 2021. This act requires many U.S. companies to report information about individuals who ultimately own or control them. The filing process is straightforward, secure, and free. Existing companies must file by January 1, 2025, while new companies have 90 days to file after registration. This reporting is not annual but a one-time requirement unless there are updates or corrections to be made.
U.S. Public Debt Exceeds $34 Trillion: The total public debt of the U.S. federal government has surpassed $34 trillion for the first time, as reported by the U.S. Treasury Department. This milestone comes amid rising federal deficits, which have been fueled by decreased tax revenues and increased federal expenditures. Congress faces upcoming deadlines for federal funding, with the potential for government agency shutdowns if spending bills are not approved. The debt figure has sparked criticism from fiscal watchdog groups and political debates over spending and tax policies.
POLITICS
White House Unaware of Defense Secretary’s Hospitalization: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization for an elective procedure on New Year's Day was not communicated to the White House for over three days. This oversight caused significant concern within the federal government, given Austin's crucial role. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and potentially President Biden were kept in the dark until January 4. Austin acknowledged the communication lapse and expressed regret for not informing the public appropriately.
Biden's State of the Union Address Scheduled: President Joe Biden is set to deliver his State of the Union address on March 7, a notable deviation from the traditional February schedule. This will be Biden's third State of the Union address. House Speaker Mike Johnson formally invited Biden, highlighting the significance of this event during challenging times for the country. The speech comes after key governmental funding deadlines.
Special Counsel Finds New Details on Trump’s Inaction on Jan. 6: Special Counsel Jack Smith revealed new insights into former President Donald Trump's inaction during the January 6 Capitol riot. Information provided by Trump's former deputy chief of staff, Dan Scavino, indicated Trump's reluctance to intervene during the violence. Scavino's account suggests that Trump dismissed concerns even when informed about Vice President Mike Pence's safety.
Michigan Republicans Oust Controversial Chairwoman: Michigan's Republican Party voted to remove Kristina Karamo as the state party chair. Approximately 88% of the 45 participating members voted for her removal via secret ballots. Karamo, facing criticism for the party's electoral losses and financial troubles, refused to accept the vote's outcome, indicating deepening divisions within the party.
U.S. Congressional Spending Deal: Congressional leaders in the United States have agreed to a $1.6 trillion spending deal for the fiscal year 2024, a significant bipartisan effort to prevent a government shutdown. This agreement, reached on Sunday, involves top-line federal spending and is crucial for maintaining government operations and funding various federal programs. The deal marks a key moment in U.S. politics, reflecting both the complexities of budget negotiations and the importance of bipartisan cooperation in addressing national fiscal responsibilities.
SPORTS
Miami Dolphins Fall to Buffalo Bills: The Miami Dolphins suffered a defeat to the Buffalo Bills, with a final score of 21-14. This loss prevented the Dolphins from clinching the AFC East title and altered their playoff positioning, leading them to head to Kansas City for their next game while avoiding a rematch.
Sam LaPorta's Injury Update: Detroit Lions' tight end Sam LaPorta sustained a knee injury during the game against the Minnesota Vikings. LaPorta, a key player for the Lions, was forced to exit the game after his knee appeared to buckle and hyperextend. He walked off the field on his own but was later ruled out for the remainder of the game. The injury has raised concerns about his availability for the upcoming playoffs.
Travis Kelce's 1,000 Yard Season Streak Ends: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce's historic streak of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons came to an end. Kelce was ruled out for the Week 18 season finale to rest, finishing just shy of the 1,000-yard mark. This marks the end of an impressive run for Kelce, one of the NFL's top tight ends.
2024 NFL Draft Order - Patriots' Position: The New England Patriots will have the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. This follows their loss to the New York Jets in the Week 18 finale, resulting in a 4-13 record. The draft position offers the Patriots an opportunity to select a top prospect, potentially a quarterback or wide receiver, to bolster their roster.
Eagles' Running Back D'Andre Swift Out with Illness: The Philadelphia Eagles were without their top running back, D'Andre Swift, for their regular-season finale against the New York Giants. Swift was sidelined due to an illness, impacting the team's offensive lineup in a crucial game.
Zach Wilson's Future with New York Jets in Doubt: Zach Wilson, the quarterback for the New York Jets, is likely to see his time with the team come to an end. Following a season with underwhelming performances and being in concussion protocol, the Jets have indicated plans to trade Wilson in the off-season. This development comes after Wilson was reinserted into the starting lineup following a benching earlier in the season.
ENTERTAINMENT
Audacy Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: American radio and podcasting giant Audacy has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This decision comes after years of declining advertising spending, indicating significant shifts in the media and broadcasting landscape. The bankruptcy filing highlights the financial challenges faced by traditional media companies in the digital era.
81st Golden Globe Awards: The 81st Golden Globe Awards ceremony, hosted by Jo Koy, took place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. This prestigious event annually honors the best in film and television, drawing attention from audiences worldwide. The night was filled with glamour, surprises, and memorable moments that were not all captured on camera. This year's ceremony continued the tradition of recognizing outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the entertainment industry, with a range of films and television shows vying for the coveted awards.
Halle Bailey Welcomes First Child: Halle Bailey, celebrated for her role as Ariel in Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, has welcomed her first child, a son. The birth of her child marks a personal milestone for Bailey, adding to her successful career as an actress and singer. Her portrayal of Ariel has been highly anticipated and is expected to introduce her to a broader audience. This joyous occasion in her personal life comes as she prepares for the significant professional milestone of the film's release.
Box Office Success for 'Wonka': The film Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet, has secured the number one spot at the box office for the third time in four weeks. This adaptation brings a new perspective to the beloved story of Willy Wonka, with Chalamet's performance earning praise. The film's success demonstrates its appeal to both fans of the original story and new audiences. Its continued dominance at the box office is a testament to the film's compelling storytelling, imaginative visuals, and strong performances.
Celebrity Birthdays: January 7th marks the birthdays of several notable personalities in the entertainment industry. Among them is acclaimed actor Nicolas Cage, known for his versatile roles in a wide range of films spanning decades. Also celebrating her birthday is Sofia Wylie, a rising star recognized for her acting and dancing talents. These artists have significantly contributed to the film and television industry, earning them recognition and admiration from fans worldwide.
Disney+ Top Movies: Disney+, a major streaming platform known for its family-friendly content, has its current top five movies listed, as reported by FlixPatrol. This list reflects the platform's diverse offerings, ranging from animated classics to modern blockbusters. Disney+ continues to attract a wide audience with its mix of nostalgic titles and new releases, cementing its place as a key player in the streaming landscape. The popularity of these films among subscribers indicates their enduring appeal and the platform's success in curating content that resonates with viewers of all ages.
