Thursday's News Capsule
US NEWS
Euclid Mission Uncovers 1.5 Trillion Orphan Stars Drifting in Space: The Euclid space mission has discovered over 1.5 trillion orphan stars in the Perseus galaxy cluster. These findings shed light on the origins and structure of the cluster, contributing valuable insights into the universe's formation.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster Sued Over Monopoly: The Department of Justice, along with several states, has filed a lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, accusing them of operating an unlawful monopoly. This legal action follows years of consumer and competitor complaints about high ticket prices and limited competition.
Bird Flu Concerns Persist with New Case: Public health officials are monitoring a second case of bird flu, maintaining that the risk to the public remains low. This follows increased vigilance and precautionary measures across affected regions.
US Navy Ships Arrive in New York for Fleet Week: Fleet Week has commenced in New York City, welcoming US Navy ships and offering the public an opportunity to interact with service members from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. This annual event aims to foster community relations and showcase military capabilities.
FTC Holds Open Commission Meeting: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held an open meeting to discuss various consumer protection issues and deceptive business practices. Key topics included recent actions against unfair competition and the impact of new technologies on consumer rights.
US Prepares for Active Hurricane Season: NOAA has forecasted an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic, influenced by ocean heat and La Niña conditions. This prediction underscores the need for preparedness as communities brace for potential impacts.
GLOBAL NEWS AND WORLD EVENTS
UN Approves Resolution to Commemorate Srebrenica Genocide: The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution to commemorate the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, establishing a memorial day despite opposition from Bosnian Serbs and Serbia. This decision aims to honor the victims and promote global awareness about the genocide.
Israel's War on Gaza: Rights Groups Urge Biden to Oppose ICC Threats: Rights groups have called on President Biden to oppose threats against the International Criminal Court (ICC) by US lawmakers. The controversy arises as the ICC pushes to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Germany’s AfD Expelled from Far-Right EU Parliament Group: Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been expelled from the far-right Identity and Democracy group in the European Parliament. This move comes just weeks before the EU elections, following incidents involving AfD member Maximilian Krah.
Macron Delays New Caledonia Voting Reform After Protests: French President Emmanuel Macron has delayed implementing voting reforms in New Caledonia after facing protests. Macron met with political leaders from the French-ruled Pacific island and assured that changes would not be enforced "by force."
Families of Israeli Captives Show Video of Female Soldiers Taken by Hamas: Israeli families have released a video showing female soldiers captured by Hamas near the Gaza fence. The video depicts the soldiers in distress, adding to the tension between Israel and Hamas.
Toronto to Get First WNBA Team Outside the US: Toronto will be home to the first Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team outside the United States. The expansion team is set to begin playing in 2026, marking a significant milestone for the league.
Poverty in Lebanon More Than Tripled in the Past Decade: A World Bank report highlights that poverty in Lebanon has more than tripled over the past decade, exacerbated by a prolonged financial crisis. The Syrian refugee population in the country is particularly affected by the worsening economic conditions.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Lockheed Martin Secures $17 Billion Missile Defense Contract: Lockheed Martin has won a substantial $17 billion contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to supply missile defense systems. This contract highlights the ongoing investment in national security and defense technology amid global tensions.
Amazon's AWS to Invest $17 Billion in Spanish Data Centers: Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced plans to invest €15.7 billion ($17.02 billion) in new data centers in Spain's Aragon region. This expansion aims to enhance AWS's infrastructure and service capabilities in Europe.
Netflix Expands Gaming Division with New Acquisitions: Netflix continues to diversify its portfolio by acquiring several gaming studios. This move is part of the company's strategy to integrate gaming content into its platform, enhancing user engagement beyond traditional streaming.
FTC Open Commission Meeting Discusses Consumer Protection: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held an open meeting to address various consumer protection issues, including digital privacy and competition in the tech industry. This meeting aims to gather public input and refine regulatory approaches to emerging market challenges.
Wells Fargo Offers Higher Savings Rates Amid Stiff Competition: U.S. banks, including Wells Fargo, are increasing interest rates on savings accounts to retain depositors. This response comes as consumers seek better returns on their savings amid a high-interest-rate environment with no immediate rate cuts expected from the Federal Reserve.
Disney Wins Boardroom Battle Against Activist Investor: Disney has successfully defended its board against activist investor Trian Partners' attempt to gain seats. This victory reinforces Disney's current leadership and strategic direction amidst challenges in the entertainment industry.
Boeing 737 Production Faces Delays Due to Quality Checks: Boeing's production of the 737 model has slowed due to extensive quality inspections and additional audits by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These delays are part of ongoing efforts to address safety and compliance issues within the aerospace industry.
POLITICS
Biden Administration's Approach to Crime: The White House has taken a firmer stance on crime, with President Biden advocating for balanced and sensible policies. This shift comes amid criticisms that some progressive crime policies have gone too far.
Biden Hits Trump Over Controversial Video: President Biden criticized Donald Trump over a video that referenced a "unified Reich," calling it another example of Trump's divisive rhetoric. The criticism came during a fundraiser as Biden continues to campaign for re-election.
Senator Rick Scott's Leadership Ambitions: Senator Rick Scott of Florida is positioning himself as a potential successor to Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader. This move is causing a stir within Republican ranks as leadership dynamics shift ahead of the 2024 elections.
Congress Passes Sweeping Crypto Bill: In a rare show of bipartisan cooperation, the House passed a significant bill to establish a federal regulatory framework for digital asset trading. The bill saw support from both Democrats and Republicans, highlighting the growing importance of cryptocurrency regulation.
Florida's New Election Rule Controversy: A proposed rule in Florida to create a uniform method for disposing of "spoiled" ballots has sparked controversy among election officials. Critics argue that the rule could lead to job losses and undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
SPORTS
NFL OTA Highlights: Saquon Barkley Shines in Eagles Workouts: Saquon Barkley has impressed during the Philadelphia Eagles' organized team activities (OTAs), stating he feels "like a rookie again." His performance is generating excitement among Eagles fans as they look forward to the upcoming season.
MLB: Cole Ragans Dominates for Royals: Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans delivered a standout performance, striking out 12 batters over six scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers. His impressive outing highlights his potential as a rising star in Major League Baseball.
NFL Free Agency: Dalvin Cook Seeks New Team: Free-agent running back Dalvin Cook is actively looking to join a new team before training camp. Cook, a four-time Pro Bowler, is optimistic about finding a fit that will allow him to showcase his talents in the upcoming NFL season.
MLB: Xander Bogaerts Out with Shoulder Fracture: San Diego Padres' shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a fractured left shoulder. The injury occurred during a dive in a recent game, and Bogaerts is expected to miss at least two months.
ENTERTAINMENT
Jerry Seinfeld's Unfrosted Premieres on Netflix: Jerry Seinfeld's latest comedy, Unfrosted, has premiered on Netflix. The film, which humorously explores the origin story of Pop-Tarts, stars an ensemble cast including Melissa McCarthy, Hugh Grant, and Amy Schumer. Despite its star power, the film has received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences.
Cannes Film Festival Highlights: The Cannes Film Festival is currently underway, with several notable films premiering. The Seed of the Sacred Fig by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, who fled Iran, is competing for the Palme d'Or. Another standout is the Spanish film The Other Way Around, which won the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Europa Cinemas prize.
Upcoming Netflix Releases for 2024: Netflix has announced a slate of new movies for 2024, including Atlas starring Jennifer Lopez, set for release on May 24. Other anticipated releases include In Good Hands 2 and My Oni Girl later this month, and the sci-fi epic Trigger Warning in June.
Beetlejuice 2 Gets a Release Date: The sequel to the cult classic Beetlejuice has been slated for release on September 6, 2024. The film will see Michael Keaton reprising his iconic role alongside Jenna Ortega. Fans are eagerly anticipating this continuation of the beloved supernatural comedy.
Gravitas Ventures Acquires Canadian Comedy: Gravitas Ventures has acquired the US distribution rights for the Canadian dark musical comedy "Mother Of All Shows." The film stars Melissa D’Agostino and Wendy Malick and has been praised for its unique blend of humor and musical elements.
