July 14, 2023 - Friday

[WORLD] Biden expressed seriousness about pursuing a prisoner exchange for Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia.

During a press conference in Helsinki, President Biden stated that he is serious about working towards a prisoner exchange to secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Russia for over 100 days. The White House has confirmed discussions with the Kremlin regarding a potential prisoner swap. Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges while on a reporting trip, and the State Department has designated him as wrongfully detained.

No sources available.

[NATION] A professional butcher who attacked police officers during the U.S. Capitol riot has been sentenced to over seven years in prison.

Kyle Fitzsimons, the butcher whose bloody face became an iconic image of the Capitol riot, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for attacking police officers and throwing a bow at them. He was convicted of 11 charges related to the Jan. 6 riot, where he assaulted at least five officers. The federal judge handed down the sentence and described Fitzsimons' actions as part of a violent mob that threatened democracy.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] The International Agency for Research on Cancer will now list aspartame as a possible carcinogen, sparking controversy and urging the reduction of artificial sweeteners.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has announced that it will include aspartame as a "possible carcinogen" in its list. This decision has sparked controversy since many health agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consider aspartame safe. However, experts generally agree that it is advisable to reduce the consumption of both sugar and artificial sweeteners. This new scrutiny on aspartame calls for further examination of its safety in order to make informed choices about its use.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has asked an appeals court to halt Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard after a federal judge rejected a similar request.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has appealed to an appeals court to temporarily halt Microsoft's planned $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This comes after a federal judge ruled in favor of Microsoft, stating that the FTC had failed to prove that the deal would violate antitrust laws. The FTC has filed an emergency motion to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, asking for a temporary pause on the deal. If no agreement is reached, the deal may expire on July 18 without being completed.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Jon Gruden's leaked emails continue to create legal complications, potentially impacting Dan Snyder's $6 billion sale of the Washington Commanders.

NFL circles have been abuzz with ESPN's report on the leaked Jon Gruden emails, which cost him his job with the Las Vegas Raiders. The report suggests that the leak may have originated from Daniel Snyder, the disgraced owner of the Washington Commanders. Snyder's ongoing sale of the team, valued at $6 billion, is facing legal complications due to his alleged involvement in leaking the emails. The exact issue is unclear, but it is described as "significant" and may impact the NFL's approval of the sale next week.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered new evidence of organic molecules on Mars, potentially indicating the presence of life.

The latest findings from NASA's Perseverance rover reveal the presence of a variety of organic molecules in rocks at a location where a lake once existed on Mars. This evidence comes from the rover's SHERLOC instrument, which analyzes organic molecules and provides detailed mapping. The discovery suggests that organic molecules are not limited to a specific area, but may be found throughout the planet. While this is not direct evidence of life, it provides insight into Mars' potential to host life and its carbon cycle.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] The number of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships this year has reached a ten-year high, with 13 reported incidents according to the CDC.

Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that there have been 13 outbreaks of norovirus on cruise ships in the United States this year, the highest number in a single year since 2012. The increase in norovirus cases is believed to be due to more lenient travel restrictions and a higher number of cruise passengers following the Covid-19 pandemic. Norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus, causes acute gastrointestinal illness and spreads rapidly in close living quarters or due to poor hygiene practices.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Lisa Marie Presley's death was caused by a small bowel obstruction resulting from complications of weight-loss surgery.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that Lisa Marie Presley died from a small bowel obstruction, a known long-term complication of bariatric surgery, according to the autopsy report. The obstruction was attributed to scar tissue that developed after the surgery. Presley had been experiencing stomach pain and was transported to the hospital before her death. The autopsy report also revealed therapeutic levels of oxycodone in her blood, indicating medically helpful doses. Presley's death was ruled as natural causes.

No sources available.