A murder-for-hire plot by Iranians targets a U.S. journalist; the FDA is easing blood donor restrictions on gay men; and New York Uber and Lyft drivers will have to drive an electric vehicle by 2030. These stories and more highlight the daily afternoon rundown for Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.
Iranians arrested in journalist murder plot
Three Iranians have been arrested and charged in an assassination attempt against a U.S. journalist who resides in New York. The female target is an exiled journalist from Iran and an outspoken critic of the Iranian regime. She often writes about the government’s human rights abuses.
This is the second time the U.S. government has saved her life. In 2021, the FBI arrested four Iranians involved in a kidnapping plot.
New FDA blood donor guidance
The FDA has unveiled new guidance Friday to relax blood donor restrictions for gay and bisexual men.
The restrictions the agency is looking to ease were first put in place in the 1980s during the HIV/AIDS crisis. The new guidance involves an individual risk assessment said to be more “gender-inclusive.”
The agency says there is a nationwide blood shortage and that’s the main factor behind the changes.
New York City will require Lyft, Uber to use EVs by 2030
People who drive for Uber and Lyft will have to have an electric vehicle by the year 2030 if they want to work in New York City. New York City announced a new policy that will require Uber and Lyft to have a “zero-emission” fleet in just seven years.
Since the announcement was made, Uber and Lyft have both already applauded the city’s efforts, saying reducing emissions is an important goal they all share.
COVID-19 booster shot linked to stroke
The FDA continues to investigate a potential increased stroke risk in older adults who received a Pfizer booster shot. While the data isn’t overwhelming, officials still call it “statistically significant,” meaning “likely not by chance.”
Most of the confirmed cases had also received a flu vaccine at the same time, which officials say might be a factor. They also emphasized much more analysis of the data is needed.
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Mental health tops parental concerns
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of children as schools closed and families isolated from the public. Now, parents are concerned about how that may have taken a toll on their child’s mental health.
According to a Pew Research study, the mental health of their children tops the list of parental concerns.
Four out of every 10 parents who participated in the study say they are “extremely” or “very worried” that their children might struggle with anxiety or depression. Three out of every four parents say they are at least somewhat concerned over their child’s mental well-being.
Since the pandemic, there have been reports of a growing youth mental health crisis. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports 49.5% of adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives.
The second highest concern for parents surveyed was bullying.
Robot dog runs 10 feet per second
The next time you hit the beach, you could come face-to-face with a robotic, headless dog. Meet Raibo, the robot dog capable of running through the sand at nearly 10 feet per second.
The AI canine is a quadrupedal robot that makes real-time decisions to adapt to various types of ground surfaces without prior information.
The robot dog might be more obedient than some real pets. He can cozy up on his dog bed, and do it on command.
