Week in 5: Nov 10-16, 2024
Welcome to Week in 5. This week Trump’s appointments spark debate, global tensions rise, stem cell breakthroughs advance vision, and NFL and tech push boundaries.
🇺🇸 U.S.
Trump’s key appointments and potential picks were across the headlines throughout the week. Loyalty to Trump drives his administration picks, often featuring unconventional or divisive figures likely to face tough Senate confirmations. Potential appointees include Scott Bessent or Howard Lutnick for Treasury, Andrew Puzder or Johnny C. Taylor Jr. for Labor, Byron Donalds or Tiffany Justice for Education, and Sam or Garret Graves for Transportation. For CDC Director, Casey Means, known for unorthodox health views, is under consideration. Confirmed Appointments:
Vice President: JD Vance - A former Trump critic turned loyal ally and rising Republican star.
Secretary of State: Marco Rubio - Florida Senator and foreign policy hawk.
Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth - Fox News host and combat veteran with controversial views.
Attorney General: Matt Gaetz - Florida Congressman with a divisive reputation and ethical controversies.
Secretary of the Interior: Doug Burgum - North Dakota Governor focused on fossil fuel expansion.
Secretary of HHS: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - Anti-vaccine activist with unconventional health policies.
EPA Administrator: Lee Zeldin - Ex-NY Congressman, critical of environmental protections.
Homeland Security Secretary: Kristi Noem - South Dakota Governor with limited experience in security.
Unique Roles:
Energy Czar: Doug Burgum, also Interior Secretary, to lead energy deregulation and fossil fuel expansion.
Border Czar: Tom Homan, former ICE director, to oversee deportations and border security.
White House Roles:
Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles, Trump campaign manager and his first female in this role.
National Security Adviser: Michael Waltz, Congressman and retired Special Forces officer.
Press Secretary: Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign spokesperson with media critique expertise.
Live Updates: WP
Jack Teixeira, a former Massachusetts Air National Guard member, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for leaking classified military documents online. Teixeira, who had a top-secret clearance, shared sensitive information on Discord for over a year, including details on troop movements and military strategies. Prosecutors emphasized the severe damage his actions caused to U.S. security and international relations. NBC
Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Satya Nadella top Fortune’s 2024 list of the 100 Most Powerful People in Business. The list highlights leaders shaping global markets and innovation across industries, focusing on active disruptors and visionaries. Fortune
🌎 World
Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam during a game against Ajax, prompting Dutch authorities to tighten security around Jewish sites and investigate the incidents, which leaders condemned as antisemitic. The violence, which left five hospitalized and led to 62 arrests, occurred amid heightened tensions over the Gaza conflict, with Israeli citizens advised to evacuate. Amsterdam officials and Israel have criticized the attackers, while the incidents highlight rising antisemitism across Europe. WSJ
Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure and killing civilians in the largest assault in months. Ukrainian defenses intercepted 144 of 210 air targets, but key energy facilities, including a thermal power plant, were damaged, causing power outages and fatalities. The attack raised fears of further disruptions ahead of winter, while Ukrainian drones struck back, targeting Russian regions and military facilities. PBS
A 62-year-old man in Zhuhai, China, drove his car into a crowd at a sports complex, killing 35 people and injuring 43 others, reportedly due to anger over his divorce settlement. The attack occurred during the city’s aviation exhibition, prompting strict censorship of information and social media posts. Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for strict punishment and measures to prevent future incidents. AP
🧪 Tech & Science
Damaged corneas caused by limbal stem-cell deficiency (LSCD) were successfully treated using reprogrammed stem cells in a groundbreaking procedure. Four patients received corneal transplants made from induced pluripotent stem cells, with three experiencing lasting vision improvements over a year. This innovative approach avoids traditional risks like immune rejection and marks a major step forward in restoring vision, with clinical trials planned to further assess its effectiveness. Link
Amazon is developing smart eyeglasses, codenamed “Amelia,” for delivery drivers, aiming to enhance efficiency by providing turn-by-turn navigation and package delivery assistance via an embedded display. These glasses, which could streamline “last 100 yards” logistics, face challenges such as battery life, data collection, and user adoption. While the technology is still in development and may take years to perfect, it reflects Amazon’s push to reduce delivery costs and improve operational margins amidst growing competition. Reuters
More driverless taxis are now in Los Angeles as Alphabet’s Waymo expands its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo One, to all users in the city. This follows successful rollouts in Phoenix and San Francisco, with nearly 300,000 people joining the LA waitlist, highlighting strong demand for the technology. Waymo faces competition from Tesla, GM’s Cruise, and Amazon’s Zoox as companies race to dominate the growing autonomous vehicle market. Reuters
📺 Sports & Culture
Cities like Madrid, Dublin, and potentially Australia could soon host NFL games as Commissioner Roger Goodell plans to expand the league’s international schedule to 16 games within five years. This push aligns with his goal to increase the regular-season schedule to 18 games, which would facilitate more global games. However, expanding the season would require NFL Players Association approval, with changes unlikely before 2029. CBS
The trailer for Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is available, with early praise calling it one of the franchise’s best entries as it continues the story from Dead Reckoning - Part One. Link, Trailer
Jake Paul defeated 58-year-old Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in an eight-round heavyweight bout at AT&T Stadium, with judges scoring the fight 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73. Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, faced the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a match featuring 2-minute rounds and 14-ounce gloves, marking Paul’s fifth consecutive victory since his 2023 loss to Tommy Fury. ESPN
🏎️ Fast Five
Japan is building a conveyor belt road between Tokyo and Osaka to address driver shortages and reduce emissions, with the project estimated to cost ¥3.7 trillion ($24.8 billion USD). Link
Amazon’s new “Haul” section aims to compete with budget e-commerce apps like Temu. BI
Disney has reached a tentative settlement in a pay equity class action lawsuit involving 9,000 workers accusing the company of gender-based wage discrimination, with terms yet to be disclosed and court approval pending in January. Link
Scientists have used gene editing to “release a sugar brake” in tomatoes, boosting sweetness by up to 30% without reducing size or yield, paving the way for tastier crops without compromising productivity. Nature
Former U.S. presidents’ favorite restaurants reveal a mix of historic taverns, personal favorites, and regional connections, like George Washington’s love for Gadsby’s Tavern in Virginia and Grover Cleveland’s go-to French restaurant in Buffalo, showcasing their tastes and the evolution of American dining culture. Link
Thank you for reading. Have a great week!