Author: David Miller

The Senate has overwhelmingly voted in favor of a bill that could lead to the banning of popular social media app TikTok or the sale of its China-based parent company ByteDance within a year. The bill, which received 79 votes in favor and only 18 against, is now awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after successfully passing the House. The legislation is part of a foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and has sparked a fierce debate over data privacy and content censorship. ByteDance has vowed to challenge the bill in court, arguing that it infringes on the first…

Apple has announced a new virtual event titled “Let Loose” scheduled for May 7, marking a return to online-only presentations amid the ongoing pandemic. The tech giant has recently dabbled in in-person events but seems to be saving more significant news for its upcoming developer conference in June. Sources speculate that the “Let Loose” event will focus on the unveiling of new iPads featuring the highly anticipated M2 and M3 chips. The event’s promotional artwork prominently features an Apple Pencil, hinting at possible upgrades and features such as a “squeeze” function and enhancements to the Magic Keyboard case. Set to…

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has been making its way through US dairy cows, causing alarm among researchers across the globe. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported outbreaks in 32 herds spread across 8 states, with unclear connections between the affected herds and states. Experts believe that the virus is spreading through cattle movements, indicating possible cow-to-cow transmission, potentially through contaminated milking equipment. A worrying development was seen in North Carolina, where an infected herd showed no symptoms, sparking concerns about the possibility of asymptomatic spread. To combat the spread of H5N1, the USDA is urging…

Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, was finally released on Friday, sending fans into a frenzy. The album has already shattered records and continues to soar in popularity among music lovers worldwide. Swift, known for her honest and raw lyrics, took to social media to respond to critics’ reviews of the album. She quoted lines from the album in her posts, subtly defending her work. Positive reviews from notable publications such as Rolling Stone, The Sunday Times, iNews, and The Independent were proudly shared by the singer. However, not all reviews were glowing. One negative review…

In a recent poll conducted by NBC News, third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is making waves in the political landscape by affecting the support for both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. According to the poll, Trump currently leads Biden by a slim 2 percentage points in a head-to-head matchup. However, when Kennedy is added to the ballot along with three other named candidates, Biden takes a 2-point advantage. Interestingly, the poll shows that a larger proportion of Trump supporters in the head-to-head matchup are backing Kennedy in the expanded ballot. Additionally, Republican voters have a more…

SpaceX’s Starship program is forging ahead with exciting developments in the pipeline. The next big milestone, the In-Flight Test 4 (IFT-4), is set to feature Ship 29 and Booster 11, with a potential launch date in May. Ship 29 has already completed a successful static test firing and is now undergoing final preparations for the upcoming mission. Booster 11 has also completed its static test firing and is now readying for flight. The IFT-4 mission will see Ship 29 reenter the atmosphere and test all systems under maximum heating conditions. This test will be crucial for further refining the Starship’s…

Oil prices surged over 3% following Israel’s limited military strike against Iran, sparking concerns of an escalating conflict in the Middle East. The price of global benchmark Brent reached $88.62 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose to $84.10 per barrel. As tensions in the region mounted, safe haven assets such as spot gold reached a record high of $2,411.09 per ounce, and the Japanese yen strengthened 0.45% against the U.S. dollar. Iran’s Fars news agency reported explosions near Isfahan airport, leading to the suspension of flights to Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz airports. Flight Radar 24 showed numerous flights…

The 2024 Venice Biennale, a revered event in the art world, is set to open its doors to the public this Saturday. With over 330 artists from 90 countries showcasing their work, the city of Venice is abuzz with anticipation for the prestigious event. Visitors from around the globe are expected to flock to Venice for the Biennale, known for pushing boundaries and showcasing cutting-edge artwork. Pre-opening celebrations and early viewing opportunities are already underway, building excitement for the official opening. Renowned photographer Gus Powell from The New York Times is on the scene, capturing the essence of the Biennale…

UnitedHealth Group Beats Expectations Despite Cyberattack Costs UnitedHealth Group has managed to exceed first-quarter expectations despite facing costs from a recent cyberattack that targeted its Change Healthcare business. The company reported that care patterns in the first quarter met expectations, following a period of soaring medical costs in the previous year. Shares of UnitedHealth jumped during midday trading after the earnings report was released, signaling investor confidence in the company’s ability to weather the challenges posed by the cyberattack. The attack on Change Healthcare disrupted payment and claims processing across the country, leading federal investigators to look into whether protected…

Israel is grappling with a difficult decision following Iran’s recent attack, as Prime Minister Netanyahu weighs international pressure for restraint against the need to respond effectively. The US anticipates a limited response from Israel, potentially with a targeted strike on an Iranian facility to signal disapproval without causing casualties. Netanyahu must also navigate his coalition’s push for a strong reaction while considering the risk of further isolation for Israel. Despite increased support from Western allies after the attack, some Israeli politicians are pushing for a more aggressive response, including potential ground offensives in Gaza. Domestic political considerations are likely to…