August 7, 2023 - Monday

[WORLD] Niger's airspace closes as deadline for military coup leaders to release power and reinstate the democratically-elected president passes.

Niger's airspace closed on Sunday as a deadline set by African countries for the military coup leaders to release power passed. The country's democratically-elected president still remains sidelined, raising the possibility of foreign intervention. President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has called for military intervention against the junta in Niger Republic. Tinubu's actions resemble those of warlords in the past, and historians point to the dangerous precedent set by such intervention in Africa's history.

No sources available.

[NATION] Pence says he'll comply with the law if called to testify in Trump's 2020 election trial.

Former Vice President Mike Pence stated that he would comply with the law and testify in former President Donald Trump's trial regarding the 2020 election if required. Pence emphasized that Trump is entitled to a presumption of innocence and the freedom to make his defense. Pence also disputed the characterization of his interactions with Trump made by some members of Trump's legal team regarding the events leading up to January 6th.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Elon Musk pledges to cover the legal expenses of X users facing workplace discrimination due to their activity on the platform.

Elon Musk, the billionaire who recently acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X, has offered to fund the legal bills for users of his social network who have faced discrimination from their employers due to their actions on the platform. Musk stated that there would be no limit on the costs and that X Corp. would not only pay the legal expenses but also take legal action against the companies' boards of directors. This announcement follows a series of major policy changes for the platform.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] 'Baldur's Gate 3' has surpassed 700,000 concurrent players, exceeding expectations and becoming one of the most played games on Steam.

Baldur's Gate 3, developed by Larian Studios, has exceeded expectations with over 700,000 concurrent players, making it one of the most played games on Steam. This number far surpasses the initial expectation of 100,000 concurrent players. The game has recently had peak numbers of 712,281 players, surpassing popular games like DOTA 2 and GTA 5. This unexpected success showcases the popularity and demand for the game.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami because he sees it as an opportunity to change the sport and snubbed offers from Europe and the Middle East.

Lionel Messi has chosen to join Inter Miami as a free agent, turning down offers from Europe and the Middle East. According to Jorge Mas, the co-owner of Inter Miami, Messi sees this move as an opportunity to change the sport and make an impact in American soccer. This decision comes after Messi's successful performance in the Leagues Cup game against FC Dallas, where he scored two goals, including the equalizer in the 85th minute. Inter Miami won the game on penalty kicks, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Facebook faces backlash as users express concerns over privacy and lack of control over personal data.

Facebook is under fire as user privacy concerns resurface following revelations of the company's mishandling of personal data. Users are expressing frustration and anger over the lack of control they have over their own information and the potential for data misuse. The social media giant is being criticized for its failure to provide transparent and effective privacy settings, leading to calls for stronger regulations and alternative platforms that prioritize user privacy.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] The FDA has approved the first pill for postpartum depression, providing a new treatment option for the commonly experienced yet undertreated condition.

The FDA has approved zuranolone, a pill for postpartum depression, providing a significant development in the treatment of the condition. Postpartum depression affects about half a million American women each year and is a leading cause of pregnancy-related death. Currently, there is only one treatment option, which requires an IV drip over 60 hours. Zuranolone, a fast-acting and short-course oral medication, has shown significant improvement in symptoms and will provide a beneficial option for women with postpartum depression.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] 'Barbie' has crossed $1 billion globally at the box office, making Greta Gerwig the first solo female director with a billion-dollar movie.

'Barbie,' directed by Greta Gerwig, has surpassed $1 billion in global box office revenue, making Gerwig the first solo female director to achieve this milestone. The film has grossed $459.4 million in North America and $572.1 million from the foreign box office. The success of 'Barbie' contributed to a strong weekend for the box office, with combined domestic revenue up 90% from the same period last year and 19% from 2019. It is also the second film this year to cross the $1 billion mark, following 'The Super Mario Bros.'

No sources available.