July 28, 2023 - Friday

[WORLD] The Niger army has expressed support for the coup leaders who claim to have seized power, despite international condemnation.

The Nigerien military has endorsed the coup leaders who have taken control of the country, citing the need to prevent bloodshed and ensure the well-being of the population. The international community has condemned this action and warned against foreign military intervention. President Mohamed Bazoum's whereabouts remain unknown, but global leaders have spoken with him and called for his immediate release. Niger, a key ally of the United States and other Western governments, had been one of the few remaining democracies in a region plagued by Islamist insurgencies.

No sources available.

[NATION] Former President Trump faces additional charges, including obstruction and mishandling of classified documents, in the Mar-a-Lago case.

Special counsel Jack Smith has brought new charges against former President Donald Trump relating to the mishandling of classified documents from his time in the White House. The indictment alleges that two Trump employees attempted to delete security camera footage after the Justice Department issued a subpoena. Trump is charged with willful retention of national defense information and obstruction, including retaining a top-secret document on military activity in Iran. Additional charges were also filed against the two employees. Surveillance footage showed them moving document boxes at Mar-a-Lago prior to a search for classified documents.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] The Bank of Japan has loosened its yield curve control, allowing more flexibility in its market operations.

The Bank of Japan has decided to allow 10-year Japanese government bond yields to fluctuate within a range of plus and minus 0.5 percentage points from its 0% target level. The central bank will also purchase 10-year JGBs at 1% through fixed-rate operations, expanding its tolerance by 50 basis points. The move is aimed at addressing concerns about the impact of protracted monetary easing on financial markets and the real economy. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda emphasized that the change is not a step towards policy normalization but rather a move to enhance the sustainability of yield curve control.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Z Flip 5 with a bigger cover screen, bridging the gap with the Motorola Razr Plus.

Samsung has made a major advancement in its Flip lineup with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 by adding a larger cover screen. This brings it closer to the user experience offered by the Motorola Razr Plus, which has been hailed as the best clamshell foldable with its seamless usage without having to open the phone. The addition of a 3.4-inch cover display on the Z Flip 5 has resulted in a full comparison between the two flip phones.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The University of Colorado will leave the Pac-12 conference and join the Big 12 starting from the 2023-24 season.

After 13 seasons in the Pac-12, the University of Colorado has decided to return to the Big 12, the conference it helped found in 1996. The CU Board of Regents voted unanimously in favor of the move, citing the desire to create more opportunities for the university, its students, and student-athletes. Colorado's departure will coincide with the end of the Pac-12 television deal, and the university is expected to join the Big 12 at a pro rata basis in terms of television revenue. This decision raises concerns about the future of the Pac-12 and the potential for further realignment.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] A comet named 12P/Pons-Brooks has erupted after almost 70 years, growing horns and shining like a small star.

A cryovolcanic comet, 12P/Pons-Brooks, has erupted for the first time in 70 years, causing it to shine brightly and shoot supercold magma into space. This comet has shown unique features, with the gas and ice inside its nucleus building up significantly. The eruption has caused the comet to grow horns, resembling the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars. It was captured by the Comet Chasers team. The comet will also be visible during the April 2024 total solar eclipse.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] The CDC estimates that as many as 450,000 people in the US may have been affected by alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne red-meat allergy.

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), also known as the red-meat allergy or the tick-bite meat allergy, is an emerging and potentially life-threatening allergic condition caused by the bite of a lone star tick. The CDC estimates that between 2010 and 2022, there have been over 110,000 suspected cases of AGS, with the actual number of cases possibly reaching 450,000. The syndrome is triggered when people eat red meat or consume products containing alpha-gal, a sugar found in most mammals.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] The Eagles co-founder and bassist/vocalist Randy Meisner has died at the age of 77 due to complications from COPD.

Randy Meisner, co-founder and bassist/vocalist of the Eagles, has died at the age of 77. The band announced his death, stating that he passed away in Los Angeles due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD). Meisner was an integral part of the Eagles, contributing to their successful albums and co-writing and singing the hit single "Take It to the Limit." He left the band in 1977 and did not participate in their later reunions. Funeral arrangements for Meisner are pending.

No sources available.