Week in 5: Nov 24-30, 2024
This week Trump finalizes cabinet picks, election interference charges dismissed; Tesla faces environmental violations; Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreed; cat travels 900 miles to reunite with owners.
📰 Top 3 in…
🇺🇸 U.S. News
Trump has nominated Brooke Rollins, head of the America First Policy Institute, as Secretary of Agriculture, completing his cabinet appointments with a mix of loyalists and controversial figures. Some notable picks include Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, and Linda McMahon for Education Secretary. BBC
Election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump was dismissed after Special Counsel Jack Smith cited policy barring prosecution of sitting presidents. Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed the charges without prejudice, allowing for potential future prosecution, though the statute of limitations makes it unlikely. Related appeals involving Trump's co-defendants will continue, while final reports on these cases are expected before Inauguration Day. ABC
Tesla factory failed to comply with environmental regulations, including discharging untreated hazardous waste, air pollution violations, and workplace safety issues at its Texas Gigafactory. Whistleblowers allege the company prioritized production over compliance and misrepresented operations to regulators. Despite self-reporting some violations, Tesla faces ongoing scrutiny for significant breaches, raising questions about Elon Musk's commitment to environmental sustainability and his broader push to deregulate industries. WSJ
🌎 World News
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire, brokered by the U.S. and France, set to begin Wednesday, November 27. The agreement includes Israel withdrawing forces over 60 days as Lebanon deploys 5,000 troops to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding near the border. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned of decisive action against violations, while the deal is seen as a step toward lasting peace after a conflict that caused significant casualties. Both nations aim to restore stability, with civilians expected to return to affected areas. Reuters
A tourist boat carrying 44 people sank in the Red Sea near Marsa Alam, Egypt, early Monday after being hit by a large wave. Four people have been confirmed dead, five were found alive on Tuesday, and 33 were rescued, leaving seven still missing as of Tuesday evening, including two British nationals. The boat capsized within minutes during severe weather, with winds up to 43 mph and waves up to 13 feet. The passengers were international tourists, and authorities stated the vessel had no technical faults. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and survivors are being housed at a local hotel. BBC
China is suspected of sabotaging undersea data cables in the Baltic Sea using the Chinese-owned ship Yi Peng 3, which allegedly dragged its anchor to sever cables connecting Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, and Finland. European investigators believe Russian intelligence may have directed the act, though both nations deny involvement. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure amid escalating geopolitical tensions. WSJ
🧪 Tech & Science
Earth’s “mini moon” took its final lap around the planet this week as the asteroid 2024 PT5 prepares to be pulled away by the sun’s gravity. The 33-foot rock, which has been orbiting near Earth for two months, is believed to be a potential fragment of the moon. NASA plans to study it further during a close but safe flyby in January, when it will pass within 1.1 million miles of Earth. Afterward, the asteroid will vanish into the solar system, not to return until 2055. AP
Neuralink is announcing a new trial to expand the functionality of its N1 brain chip to control robotic arms. Already implanted in two human patients, the chip translates brain signals into Bluetooth commands, previously enabling a patient to control a mouse cursor on a PC. The new “CONVOY” study aims to help people with disabilities, particularly quadriplegics, regain physical autonomy through assistive robotic devices. Neuralink has also expanded its ongoing “PRIME” study to Canada, with patients eligible to join the new trial. The FDA has approved this feasibility study to explore broader applications of the N1 implant. Link
Researchers at Northeastern University, led by Professor Ning Wang, have found a new way to make pig heart valves safe for human use. They reprogrammed human skin cells directly into heart valve cells without using viruses or stem cells, which can cause health risks. These human cells were then added to pig heart valves that had been stripped of their original pig cells, making them less likely to be rejected by the body. The modified valves were tested successfully in rats, lasting the equivalent of five human years. This breakthrough could improve organ transplants in the future, with plans to test the method on larger animals and eventually in humans. Link
📺 Sports & Culture
Over Thanksgiving weekend, Wicked earned $112.5M domestically and $162.5M globally, while Gladiator II grossed $55M domestically and $220.5M worldwide. Combined, the box office hit $200M, a 70% increase from last year, with both films attracting diverse audiences. Moana 2 is expected to boost holiday earnings further. Link
Disney settled a $43.25M class-action lawsuit with 9,000 female employees alleging pay discrimination. The deal includes pay equity reviews and hiring experts to address disparities. A court hearing is set for January 2025. Link
Drake has accused Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify of artificially inflating the streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” alleging the use of bots, payola (illegal paid music promotion schemes), and reduced licensing rates to boost its popularity. Filed as a “pre-action” petition in Manhattan court, the claims also suggest UMG manipulated other platforms like Apple’s Siri to promote the track, violating the RICO Act and New York law. UMG denies the allegations, calling them baseless. This legal move reignites Drake and Lamar’s heated feud, which had escalated with Lamar’s personal accusations in his recent diss tracks. Link
🏎️ Fast Five
The global value of music copyright has surged to $45.5 billion in 2023, surpassing cinema's box office revenue, driven by streaming growth, vinyl resurgence, and shifting global markets, signaling music's dominance in the entertainment industry. Link
Macy's delayed its earnings report after discovering an employee misclassified $154 million in delivery expenses since 2021. The employee, now terminated, did not profit, raising concerns about internal controls and auditor oversight. Further details will be shared in Macy's upcoming earnings report. WSJ
Formula 1 has confirmed an agreement with General Motors to introduce an 11th team, branded as Cadillac, to the grid in 2026. ESPN
A lost cat named Rayne Beau mysteriously traveled 900 miles from Yellowstone National Park to California over two months, ultimately reuniting with its owners thanks to a microchip. AP
Credit: Unsplash.com A little girl thought she was getting a baby brother, but the plot twist revealed she was getting twins—a baby brother and sister. Video
Thank you for reading. Have a great week!