Week in 5: Oct 27-Nov 2, 2024
The U.S. presidential election nears, Spain focuses on recovery efforts after deadly flooding, Comcast considers restructuring its cable division to focus more on streaming, and more…
Top 3
🗳️ The U.S. Presidential Election Now Just Days Away
It’s still a tight race and swing states will be crucial in determining the outcome this week.
Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, including a 10-20% tax on imports, aim to boost U.S. manufacturing but risk raising consumer prices, disrupting supply chains, and fueling inflation. Kamala Harris’s plans, like boosting home construction, target cost-of-living issues, but both candidates' policies could prevent further inflation reduction, with Trump’s posing a higher risk. Neither candidate is expected to significantly reduce the deficit. NYT, WSJ
Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise cameo on SNL alongside Maya Rudolph. The sketch featured a playful pep talk and humor aimed at both Harris and Trump. NYT
In a three-hour interview with Joe Rogan, Trump reflected on his presidency, shared views on North Korea and Russia, and repeated unproven claims about the 2020 election. JD Vance also appeared in a separate interview of similar length. Despite Rogan’s claims of YouTube suppressing the video, the interviews have garnered nearly 55 million combined views, with YouTube confirming a glitch that was later resolved. Forbes
🌧️ Spain Suffers From Record Floods, Thousands Rally to Aid Recovery
Devastating floods in Valencia, Spain, brought a year's worth of rain in just eight hours, causing rivers to overflow and wreaking havoc across the region. With at least 211 people dead, the disaster has become one of the deadliest in Spain’s history. Entire neighborhoods were buried in mud, homes and businesses destroyed, and critical infrastructure severely damaged. Public outrage has mounted, as many citizens feel the government’s response was too slow, with warnings issued too late to prevent the widespread loss of life and property.
In response, thousands of volunteers, many arriving on foot or by tractor, have flooded into Valencia to assist in recovery efforts. Civilians have been sweeping streets, donating supplies, and offering shelter to displaced families and pets. Soccer clubs and public venues have become emergency aid centers, while volunteers coordinated on social media to organize cleanup efforts and provide essential goods. Despite the tragedy, the massive outpouring of solidarity has helped restore hope to flood survivors. NYT
🎬 Comcast Considers Cable Spinoff to Strengthen Streaming Focus
Comcast is considering creating a separate company for its U.S. cable channels, including MSNBC, USA, and CNBC, while also exploring streaming partnerships to adapt to the industry’s shift away from traditional TV. This potential spinoff would allow Comcast to focus on growing its Peacock streaming platform, where its original content efforts are increasingly concentrated. Bravo may remain part of Comcast due to its popularity on Peacock, but separating MSNBC from NBC News could be challenging. Comcast also envisions that the new entity could acquire additional networks as competitors exit the cable business, consolidating assets to potentially stabilize the struggling cable sector.
This restructuring is significant as it reflects the larger trend of media companies responding to cord-cutting and shifting viewership toward digital platforms. By focusing on streaming and possibly acquiring other cable assets, Comcast is balancing between maintaining profitable legacy channels and positioning itself for future growth. The move could set a precedent for competitors like Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount, who face similar challenges. Financially, the new structure could attract investors by segmenting profitable cable channels, leveraging long-term subscriber contracts, and aiming for growth through digital content on Peacock, thus adapting Comcast’s revenue model to an evolving media landscape. WSJ
🇺🇸 U.S.
The U.S. Navy issued formal apologies to Lingít communities in Alaska for historical attacks, including a 19th-century bombardment of the village of Angoon. This followed an incident in 1882 where the Navy destroyed the village, killing at least six children, after a dispute over compensation for the accidental death of a community member. Angoon leaders have long sought an apology, which was finally given during a commemorative event, acknowledging the harm and generational trauma inflicted. NPR
Delta Air Lines and CrowdStrike are suing each other after a July software update caused a global IT outage, leading to 7,000 flight cancellations. Delta blames CrowdStrike for over $500 million in damages, while CrowdStrike claims Delta's response worsened the disruption. The U.S. Transportation Department is investigating the incident. Reuters
JPMorgan Chase has filed lawsuits against customers who exploited a technical glitch allowing them to deposit counterfeit checks and withdraw funds before verification, resulting in significant losses for the bank. The lawsuits, filed in multiple federal courts, seek the return of the stolen funds, interest, overdraft fees, and, in some cases, punitive damages. CBS News
🌎 World
Captagon, a $5.7 billion drug trade, is fueling conflict in the Middle East by funding Syrian President Assad's regime and Hezbollah. Despite U.S. sanctions and Jordan's attempts to curb smuggling, the production and distribution of the drug continues, raising concerns that it could spread to Europe and destabilize the region further. WSJ
Temu is being investigated by the EU for selling illegal products and using potentially addictive design features. The probe, under the Digital Services Act, could lead to fines unless Temu takes action to comply with EU consumer protection rules. Fortune
North Korea hailed its recent Hwasong-19 missile test as the "world’s strongest," but experts argue it's too large for effective wartime use. Despite its record flight, analysts say North Korea still lacks key technologies for a functional long-range missile capable of striking the U.S. AP
🧪 Tech & Science
Google is reportedly developing an AI system, codenamed "Project Jarvis," that can take over a web browser to perform tasks like gathering research or booking flights on users' behalf. The system, which works with Chrome and is powered by a future version of Google's Gemini, aims to automate web-based tasks by interpreting screenshots and performing actions like clicking buttons or entering text. The Verge
OpenAI has added real-time web search to ChatGPT for paid users, with broader access coming soon, allowing more accurate and up-to-date responses to compete with rivals like Microsoft and Google.
Cicadas evolved faster and more efficient flight abilities over 160 million years, likely in response to predatory birds emerging during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. New research suggests these changes in body and wing shape helped the insects outmaneuver their aerial predators, driving their rapid evolutionary development. Link
📺 Sports & Culture
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series, their eighth time doing so. Highlights
Jon Stewart extends deal to continue hosting Monday edition of "The Daily Show" through December 2025.
Gladiator II and Wicked are set to release on the same weekend, drawing comparisons to last summer's "Barbenheimer" phenomenon. However, recreating that cultural moment might be difficult, and a catchy combined name hasn’t caught on yet. CNN
🏎️ Fast Five
The Taliban has imposed new restrictions on Afghan women, prohibiting them from praying loudly or reciting the Quran in front of other women. AP
Autism diagnoses have significantly increased from 2011 to 2022, especially among young adults, women, and specific racial or ethnic groups, likely due to improved screening and awareness. Link
In Belgium’s largest drug trial, dozens were sentenced for cocaine and cannabis trafficking, with ringleaders receiving up to 17 years, following evidence from cracked encrypted messaging apps. CBS News
Jacob Bell, after spending 20 years in prison, saved two lives within weeks—rescuing a drowning swimmer in August and pulling a man from a burning car in October—transforming his life and becoming a hero. Link
At 7 feet, 9 inches, Olivier Rioux, the world’s tallest teenager, is making basketball history as a freshman at the University of Florida, where he has become a fan favorite and an intriguing prospect despite his unique challenges. AP
Thank you for reading. Have a great week!