The Taliban announced it plans to close all non-governmental national and foreign groups in Afghanistan that employ women. This comes two years after the group told NGOs to stop employing Afghan women, allegedly because women weren’t wearing their Islamic headscarves correctly.
In a letter posted to X on Sunday, Dec. 29, the Taliban-run Economy Ministry reiterated its order saying, “In case of lack of cooperation, all activities of that institution will be canceled and the activity license of that institution, granted by the ministry, will also be canceled.”
وزارت اقتصاد منحیث مرجع ثبت و راجستر موسسات غیر امارتی، مسولیت انسجام، رهبری و نظارت تمامی فعالیت های انجو های داخلی و خارجی را به عهده دارد. بناً یکبار دیگر طی متحدالمال تعقیبی در مورد توقف کار طبقه اناث در موسسات غیر امارتی داخلی و خارجی هدایت داده شده است. در صورت عدم همکاری… pic.twitter.com/kqiW7Re3an
On Saturday, Dec. 28, the Taliban’s leader ordered buildings should not have windows looking into places where women might sit or stand, including homes.
Questions surround plane crash in Kazakhstan, 38 killed
Investigators are working to figure out why a plane crashed in Kazakhstan, leaving more than two dozen people dead. And what police say might have caused a taxicab to jump the curb and plow into pedestrians in New York City. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.
Questions surround plane crash in Kazakhstan, 38 killed
The Azerbaijan Airlines flight originated Wednesday morning, Dec. 25, from the capital city of Baku and was en route to Grozny in Russia when the plane, an Embraer 190 aircraft, attempted to make an emergency landing approximately two miles from Akta in western Kazakhstan. That’s when it did what appeared to be a figure-eight in the air then slammed into the ground, killing at least 38 people on board while 29 others survived.
According to Russia’s civil aviation authority, a bird strike led to the attempted emergency landing. Reuters reported that Russian news agencies said the flight had been re-routed due to fog in Grozny.
During a press conference, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said it was too soon to give a reason behind the crash. He also said the weather had forced the plane to change from its planned course.
The plane crash-landed in a field and burst into flames before making it to the destination.
On Wednesday evening, a Wall Street Journal story cited an aviation security firm’s take on the incident. It said Osprey Flight Solutions assessed footage of the crash, plane damage and recent military developments in the area between Russia and Ukraine. The U.K.-based firm said the flight was “likely shot down by a Russian military air-defense system.”
Just hours before the crash, Russia’s defense ministry downed 59 Ukrainian drones in the region.
Matt Borie, Osprey’s chief intelligence officer, said, “Video of the wreckage and the circumstances around the airspace security environment in southwest Russia indicates the possibility the aircraft was hit by some form of anti-aircraft fire.”
Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian national security official, gave a similar viewpoint on X, saying the plane “was shot down by a Russian air-defense system,” citing visible damage to the plane. Kovalenko said Russia should have closed the airspace over Grozny.
Though Russian President Vladimir Putin has given his condolences to the victims, Russian officials have not yet responded to these remarks and theories.
Reports said the cockpit recorder has been recovered as Azerbaijani and Kazakh authorities launch their investigation. There were 62 passengers and 5 crew members on the flight, including 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs and three Kyrgyzstan nationals, according to Kazakh officials.
Zelenskyy says Russia launched ‘inhumane’ attack on power grid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces launched an “inhumane” Christmas Day attack on Ukraine’s power grid. He said more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 drones targeted the energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted more than 50 missiles and most of the drones, but some facilities were still hit, causing power outages in various regions of Ukraine. The Russian attack on the power grid left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without heat in very cold temperatures.
Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice – not only of targets but also of timing and date.
Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles,… pic.twitter.com/GMD8rTomoX
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 25, 2024
Ukrainian forces said they launched an airstrike against a Russian command post in Lgov, part of the Ukrainian-occupied areas in the Kursk region. The acting Russian governor of Kursk said at least four people died and five more were hurt in the attack.
Russian forces also said they shot down a Ukrainian drone in the north Ossetia region. Debris from that air battle caused an explosion and a fire at a shopping center, leaving one person dead.
Body discovered in wheel well of United Airlines flight at Hawaii airport
A United Airlines spokesperson said, “the wheel well is only accessible from outside the aircraft.” The airline is working with law enforcement to figure out how the person was able to get in.
According to flight tracking website FlightAware, the plane had previously flown from São Paulo, Brazil on a direct flight to Chicago. The plane then had about a four-and-a-half-hour layover before the flight to Maui, which takes a little over nine hours on average.
So far, there is no identity on the person who died.
3 hospitalized after taxi hits 6 pedestrians in New York City
In New York City, paramedics rushed three people to the hospital after a taxicab struck six pedestrians, including a 9-year-old boy, on Christmas Day. Police said the cab veered onto the sidewalk on 6th Street near Herald Square in midtown Manhattan just after 4 p.m. ET.
They said the taxi driver might have suffered a medical episode, but that’s still under investigation. No charges or citations have been filed, as of yet.
Mega Millions jackpot soars to $1.15 billion after no Christmas Eve winner
If you were hoping for the $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot for Christmas, you did not get your Christmas wish. There were no jackpot-winning tickets in the Christmas Eve drawing on Tuesday, Dec. 24, which means the jackpot has now gone up to $1.15 billion.
Four people won $3 million apiece for matching five numbers.
The next drawing will be Friday night, Dec. 27.
Beyoncé performs during NFL’s Netflix debut
The Baltimore Ravens crushed the Houston Texans 31-2 in the second game of the NFL’s Christmas double-header Wednesday. However, according to social media and online reviews, the big winner of the day was Beyoncé.
The 32-time Grammy-award winner performed during halftime of the game, which was part of the NFL’s debut on Netflix. Dubbed the “Beyoncé Bowl” by the streaming service, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer was joined on the field by entertainers Post Malone and Shaboozey, as well as her daughter Blue Ivey.
This marked the first time Beyoncé sang songs off her country album “Cowboy Carter” in front of a live audience. The album has garnered 11 Grammy nominations.
Just to be clear, this was the halftime show of the Christmas Day game, not the Super Bowl. That one will be performed by Kendrick Lamar.
Social media could use facial recognition to root out underage users in UK
Social media platforms in the U.K. could be tasked with using facial recognition technology to “drive out” underage users. Ofcom, Britain’s communications regulator, will officially lay out plans next month to keep kids off social media, as research shows an increased number of young children on the sites.
“The sort of thing that we might look to in that space is some of this facial age estimation technology that we see companies bringing in now, which we think is really pretty good at determining who is a child and who is an adult,” Ofcom’s Online Safety Policy Director Jon Higham told The Telegraph.
“So we’re going to be looking to drive out the use of that sort of content, so platforms can determine who’s a child and who isn’t, and then put in place extra protections for kids to stop them seeing toxic content,” he added.
Ofcom researched the number of children using social media platforms across the U.K. It estimates 60% of 8 to 11-year-olds have social media accounts. That would mean platforms could lose as many as 1.6 million users once the rules are implemented.
Meanwhile, Higham says more than 20% of underage children, who have social media accounts, claim they are adults.
“It doesn’t take a genius to work out that children are going to lie about their age. So we think there’s a big issue there,” he told The Telegraph.
Scrutiny of social media’s effects on young children has ramped up in recent years. In response, platforms have rolled out more ways to verify a user’s age, including scanning IDs, facial age estimation and even having an adult confirm the child’s age.
Next month, Ofcom will officially lay out exactly what it expects from social media sites to do to make sure their users aren’t underage.
But Higham says the regulator will expect “the technology to be highly accurate and effective. We’re not going to let people use poor or substandard mechanisms to verify kids’ age.”
Failure to comply with these rules could result in a big bill for tech giants. Under the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, Ofcom can fine tech companies that fail to protect children up to 10% of global revenue. That could run around $12 billion for a company like Facebook. For persistent failures to protect kids, executives could be jailed for up to 2 years.
Government shutdown looms as House votes against latest funding bill
A government shutdown looms nearer after the House rejected a bill that would have kept it funded into March. And drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey after a spate of mysterious sightings. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
House votes against latest stopgap bill aimed to avoid government shutdown
The House rejected a stopgap bill Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government running. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight Saturday, Dec. 21, when lawmakers head home for the holidays.
The bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority to speed up its passage. More than three dozen Republicans joined 197 Democrats in voting against it. Republicans split with each other on how the bill handles government spending.
“Three hundred and thirty billion dollars. Congratulations. You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on Nov. 5,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said.
Roy voted against the bill.
He added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday in certain respects. But to take this bill, to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion, is asinine.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on the House floor, “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party.”
She added, “We will not be going back to the table. This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
The latest spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a quickly amended bill tailored to the liking of President-elect Donald Trump and his top ally Elon Musk.
Musk postedrepeatedlyonX condemning the original bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., worked on it with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, when both Musk and Trump opposed the bill, that guaranteed most House Republicans would vote against it and forced Johnson to craft a new bill.
Now, there are two conflicting interests. Musk wants major government spending cuts, and while Trump agrees, he also wants to permanently suspend the debt ceiling.
The new plan lifts the debt limit, leading Trump to support the bill in a Truth Social post.
“Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump posted.
But Democrats attacked the bill over what spending Republicans chose to cut.
“The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious, it’s laughable,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”
The bill removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, studying genetic conditions like Down syndrome and treatment options for sickle cell disease as well as cancers.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill to secure votes from the majority of the House.
However, Johnson may not have the political leeway to rely on support from Democrats. He’ll need nearly every returning member of the House Republican caucus to vote for him next month to remain speaker.
The new Congress takes office in the new year.
New details of accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter’s plan emerge
Newly unsealed court documents put into perspective what led up to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal complaint shed light on 26-year-old Luigi Mangione’s “hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular.”
In a notebook found on Mangione when he was arrested, he allegedly wrote of his plans to “wack” an insurance company CEO at its investor conference. Federal prosecutors said he traveled from Georgia to New York to stalk and kill Thompson.
Magione appeared in a New York courtroom Thursday, and four new federal charges were levied against him. The charges included murder with a firearm, which is an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges against him Tuesday, Dec. 17, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
However, Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from protesters outside the courthouse. Thompson’s killing sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
FAA temporarily bans drones in parts of New York and New Jersey
Drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey — at least for the time being. It comes amid an investigation into multiple mysterious sightings over the last month that set off fear and speculation.
In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Federal Aviation Administration’s bans are “purely precautionary.” Meanwhile, the FAA’s restrictions in New Jersey are largely aimed at limiting drone flights over power stations and infrastructure.
The FAA implemented emergency flight restrictions across New Jersey, prohibiting drone operations until Jan. 17, 2025, for “special security reasons.” Unless operators obtain special government clearance, the directive bans uncrewed aircraft within a one-nautical-mile radius of designated areas and up to 400 feet in altitude.
The FAA designated areas such as Camden, Jersey City, Elizabeth and South Brunswick as “National Defense Airspace.”
Violators may face severe penalties, including interception, detention, certificate revocation and potential criminal charges. In extreme cases, authorities are authorized to use “deadly force” against drones posing an “imminent security threat.”
These restrictions follow a surge in unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and nearby states that began in mid-November. Federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Defense (DOD), received over 5,000 reports of drone activity.
Dow Jones snaps worst losing streak in 50 years
The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped its worst losing streak in 50 years Thursday. The losing streak lasted 10 days.
During the losing streak, the market wiped out all of its post-election gains. The Dow ended Wednesday down 2.5% from when Trump won the election.
Also on Wednesday, Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index, had its second-biggest percentage spike in history. The VIX shot up 74% after the Federal Reserve shared its outlook for the coming year.
On Wednesday, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate for a third time in 2024, which was widely predicted.
Feeling the holiday blues?
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann said the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann said it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommended several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. She suggested getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advised getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick the brain and improve mood.
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encouraged reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommended incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggested engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
Nick Jonas receives backlash for seemingly supporting Elon Musk
Nick Jonas is facing online criticism after a social media exchange with Elon Musk went viral. The unexpected interaction has left the internet buzzing with opinions.
It all began when Musk replied to a post by Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, celebrating Tesla’s stock up 100% since President-elect Donald Trump’s election win. Musk responded with a GIF of the Jonas Brothers moving a table, captioned, “My how the tables have turned.”
Jonas tweeted back with a playful reply. He posted a photo of Musk pointing, accompanied by the text, “Take us to the year 3000,” referencing the Jonas Brothers’ iconic hit song.
Social media backlash
The exchange quickly went viral, garnering nearly 30 million views. While some fans praised the humor, others criticized Jonas for engaging with Musk, a controversial figure in recent months.
Jonas isn’t the first celebrity to spark backlash for appearing to support Musk. Last month, Kim Kardashian posted a video featuring Tesla’s humanoid robot. The next day, she followed it with a series of Instagram photos posing with her Tesla, which also drew mixed reactions online.
Jonas’s tweet remains online, but its timing has raised eyebrows. In June 2024, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Jonas would return to Broadway in spring 2025 for a revival of “The Last Five Years.”
With the entertainment industry still recovering from the Hollywood strikes, some commenters have speculated whether Jonas’s viral moment could affect his box office appeal. The heightened scrutiny of public figures’ political views only adds to the ongoing debate.
Hashtags may no longer be the golden ticket for boosting social media engagement. Many reports suggest they don’t work as effectively across platforms as they used to.
On Tuesday, X owner Elon Musk weighed in on the conversation.
“Please stop using hashtags. The system doesn’t need them anymore, and they look ugly,” Musk posted.
Musk responded to an X user who asked Grok, the platform’s AI chatbot, if hashtags were still useful.
Grok replied, “If you really want to watch your engagement plummet like a stone into the abyss, go ahead—fill your posts with hashtags.”
Why hashtags may not work as well
The effectiveness of hashtags declined for several reasons. Social media algorithms, constantly evolving, now prioritize content differently. Posts overloaded with irrelevant or excessive hashtags are often flagged as spam.
In August, the American Marketing Association explained how platforms like Instagram identify spammy content, removing it from feeds and searches. This shift forces creators to rethink their strategies for visibility and engagement.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is also replacing hashtags as a tool for finding content. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram now operate more like traditional search engines, enabling users to see posts without hashtags.
“People go to TikTok and they’re like, ‘I want to fry an egg. I want to know how to make a soufflé,’” said Jason McDonald, director of JM Internet Group. “These search-generated queries are impacting, especially TikTok, also YouTube.”
How to adjust
Instead of spamming hashtags, integrate key terms naturally into captions. Those still wanting to use hashtags, should focus on niche and relevant tags. Generic ones like “#Love” or “#FYP” are unlikely to help with engagement.
Hashtags may not be completely dead, but they’re evolving. Adapting to new trends and experimenting with strategies could help content creators stay ahead in the ever-changing world of social media.
However, according to market intelligence firm Similarweb, Bluesky could catch up to Threads in time if its current rate of growth holds up.
One question remains though: how is the company going to make money if it stays ad-free?
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber has said she doesn’t want a bunch of ads taking over the platform to instead focus on the user experience, but tells TechCrunch, she isn’t ruling ads out all together.
“I think the ways we would explore advertising, if we did, would be much more user intent-driven,” Graber said. “We want to keep our incentives aligned with users and make sure that we’re not turning into a model where the user’s attention is the product.”
Graber said the company has raised $15 million so far with other investors also taking interest.
Bluesky mentioned a few other potential revenue streams including subscriptions, a marketplace of algorithms, and selling domain names.
Graber is ruling out AI licensing since the company already vowed to not train AI on Bluesky posts.
Trump to travel to Paris for reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral
President-elect Donald Trump announces plans to travel to Paris, his first trip overseas since winning the election. And a judge rejects Elon Musk’s bid to restore his $56 billion pay package. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
Trump to travel to Paris for reopening of Notre Dame cathedral
Trump posted his travel plans to his Truth Social platform Monday night, Dec. 2, saying in part, “President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!”
A massive fire broke out at the cathedral in April 2019 and although it is not yet fully restored, visitors will be allowed back beginning Dec. 7. According to Paris police, Saturday’s reopening is expected to draw some 50 heads of state. Sources told CNN Trump was invited to the event by the French government.
https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1yoJMyjEyQXJQ
Macron is slated to deliver remarks at the ceremony. The French president was the first foreign leader to congratulate Trump on his victory last month, posting on X that he was ready to work with Trump again for peace and prosperity.
The news of Trump’s trip to Paris comes just days after the president-elect selected real estate mogul Charles Kushner, his son-in-law’s father, to serve as the ambassador of France during his second administration.
In 2020, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, who had pleaded guilty in 2005 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations. He served 14 months in prison.
Trump’s visit to Paris would be his first known trip outside of the U.S. since he visited his golf courses in Ireland and Scotland in May 2023.
Biden makes history as first US president to visit Angola
Biden’s visit is centered on the U.S.-backed Lobito corridor railway redevelopment project in Angola, Zambia and Congo. It’s meant to counter China’s influence on the continent.
This morning, I met with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva of the Republic of Cabo Verde to discuss our growing relationship, the vibrant Cabo Verdean diaspora in the U.S., and ways we can work together to support democratic freedoms and climate resilience. pic.twitter.com/gMQQDKphsD
The goal is to increase the U.S.’ presence in the region which is rich in the critical minerals used to make things like electric vehicle batteries and other electronic devices, as well as clean energy technologies.
On his way to Angola, Biden stopped in the island nation of Cape Verde for a short, closed-door meeting with that country’s prime minister.
Raskin challenges Nadler for top Democratic House Judiciary Committee spot
Raskin is a former constitutional law professor who served as the Democrats’ lead prosecutor in the Trump impeachment trial after the Jan. 6 attack. Nadler has held the top job on the committee since 2019 and is currently serving in his 17th term in Congress.
Raskin, who is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement Monday that come next year, the Judiciary under his leadership would become “the headquarters of congressional opposition to authoritarianism.”
Judge rules Elon Musk’s $56B Tesla pay package can’t be reinstated
On Monday, a Delaware judge ruled Tesla failed to prove its fiscal plan for the CEO was fair, saying the board was under too much influence from Musk when it approved the massive payout in the form of stock options. The package was the largest compensation plan in U.S. history for a public company executive.
In a post on X, which Musk also owns, Tesla said it plans to appeal the decision.
A Delaware judge just overruled a supermajority of shareholders who own Tesla and who voted twice to pay @elonmusk what he’s worth.
The court’s decision is wrong, and we’re going to appeal.
This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs’ lawyers run Delaware…
2,500 giant panda sculptures on display in Hong Kong
It was “panda-monium” at the Hong Kong International Airport on Monday as 2,500 giant panda sculptures were on display. It was all part of a launch ceremony for the panda-themed exhibition called “PANDA GO! FEST HK.”
Starting Saturday, the sculptures will be on the move throughout Hong Kong visiting various landmarks. The designs of six special editions were inspired by the half-dozen giant pandas currently living in Hong Kong.
What is “brain rot?” According to Oxford, the definition is the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material — particularly online content — considered to be trivial or unchallenging.”
Oxford says it selected “brain rot” after a vote of 37,000 people, public discussion, and analysis. The publisher said “brain rot” has gained new prominence this year as a term used to reference the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content.
What do you mean Enron is ‘back’? Parody post confuses the internet
Twenty-three years to the day after filing for bankruptcy, energy company Enron claimed to be “back” in a cryptic X post on Monday, Dec. 2. Enron became infamous for an accounting fraud scandal that cost shareholders tens of billions of dollars and lost thousands of employees their hard-earned pensions.
“In the modern world you must accept change is the only constant,” the post narrated. “We understand this better than anyone and we’re here to lead by example.”
The X post titled, “We’re back. Can we talk?” directs people to Enron.com, a website that claims the company is still an energy company, with the acronym of values: Energy, Nurture, Repentant, Opportunity and Nice.
A press release reads, “In 2024, Enron begins a new chapter, dedicated to solving the world’s energy challenges with innovation, adaptability, and a commitment to a brighter future.”
A parody or a grift?
A closer look at the recruitment page shows the so-called employees are actually stock photos. There’s a company store selling Enron merchandise, like a $118 black hooded sweatshirt.
The fine print on the website’s terms of use and conditions of sale page gives the answer many have been looking for since the company’s resurfacing.
“THE INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE IS FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTED PARODY, REPRESENTS PERFORMANCE ART, AND IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY,” it reads.
The video reached millions Monday morning before Community Notes pointed out the parody language.
It sparked reactions on X like this one: “My grandparents were school teachers who lost $50k of their retirement savings to the Enron collapse. Absolutely thrilled that my children will be able to be scammed by Enron as well.”
Others speculated the company’s resurfacing tied back to a cryptocurrency venture.
The move is reminiscent of two years ago, when RadioShack relaunched as a crypto company, with wild tweets coming from the former electronics store account.
It hasn’t gone so well for them. RadioShack the crypto coin is down more than 99% today, about as relevant as a store selling VHS players.
Mexico’s president refutes Trump’s claim she promised to close the border
President-elect Donald Trump said Mexico has agreed to stem the tide of migrants flowing into the United States, but Mexico’s president is now saying that’s not quite accurate. And Amazon workers are using Black Friday to make a statement about their labor situation. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.
Mexico’s president refutes Trump’s claim she promised to close the border
As President-elect Donald Trump gets ready to return to office, he’s already making moves to follow through on some of his biggest campaign promises. After announcing this week his plans to impose tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico, he turned his attention to another hot-button issue: immigration.
It’s a bit of a case of “he said, she said” after Trump had a call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday, Nov. 27. President-elect Trump posted on his Truth Social platform after the call saying Sheinbaum agreed to stop migration into the U.S. through Mexico, “effectively closing our southern border.”
Sheinbaum appeared to contradict Trump in a post of her own on X, saying in part, “Mexico’s position is not to close borders…”
She did, however, lay out Mexico’s “comprehensive strategy” for addressing the migration issue. In a separate post on X, Sheinbaum said during the call, she told President-elect Trump, “No caravans are arriving at the border because they are being attended to in Mexico.”
En nuestra conversación con el presidente Trump, le expuse la estrategia integral que ha seguido México para atender el fenómeno migratorio, respetando los derechos humanos. Gracias a ello se atiende a las personas migrantes y a las caravanas previo a que lleguen a la frontera.…
The two leaders also talked about how they’re addressing the U.S. fentanyl crisis.
The call was scheduled after Trump unveiled plans to slap 25% tariffs on all imports from Mexico to the U.S. as part of the effort to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. through Mexico.
Not only would that impact the prices of avocados and agave — both very popular in the U.S. — Mexico’s economy secretary said Wednesday 88% of all North American pickup trucks come from Mexico. Sheinbaum then suggested Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own.
“I hope he rethinks it,” Biden said. “I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do. You know, one of the things you’ve heard me say before is that we are – we have an unusual situation in America. We’re surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and two allies: Mexico and Canada. The last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships.”
Economists forecast Trump’s planned tariffs would increase prices for American shoppers, costing the average U.S. household about $2,600 per year, according to an estimate from the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
Israel and Hezbollah both claim ceasefire violations
Barely three days into a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, both sides are claiming violations.
Yesterday, Hezbollah had a precision-guided missile manufacturing site—today, they don’t.
Hezbollah’s largest precision-guided missiles manufacturing site, 1.4km wide and 70m underground, was struck and dismantled by IAF fighter jets yesterday.
Lebanese authorities also said two people, who were trying to return to southern Lebanon, were shot and wounded by Israeli forces. Lebanon’s health ministry said they were civilians, but the IDF claimed they were suspected of violating terms of the truce.
The agreement, brokered by the United States and France, includes an initial two-month ceasefire during which Hezbollah militants will withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces are to return to their side of the border.
Thousands of Amazon workers to strike from Black Friday to Cyber Monday
Amazon workers in more than 20 countries, including the U.S., are on strike on some of the busiest pre-Christmas shopping days across the world. It started on Black Friday, Nov. 29, a day for bargain hunters to score some of the biggest discounts from stores across the country as holiday shopping kicks into high gear.
Organizers told the United Nations the so-called “days of resistance” are to hold Amazon accountable for alleged labor abuses, as well as “environmental degradation and threats to democracy.” According to ABC News, the strike could delay holiday deliveries.
The organizers said this is their fifth year of labor action against Amazon during the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
In a statement, Amazon said the group that organized the strikes is being “intentionally misleading” and promoting a “false narrative.” Management said the company offers great pay and benefits.
Canada sues Google over control of online ads
Canada’s antitrust watchdog said it is suing Google over alleged anti-competitive conduct in the company’s online advertising business. They’re calling for Google to sell off two of its ad tech services and pay a penalty.
The Competition Bureau said it’s necessary because an investigation into Google found the company “unlawfully” tied together its ad tech tools to maintain its dominant market position. Google insists the online advertising market is a highly competitive sector and is fighting the allegations.
This comes just a week after the U.S. Department of Justice asked a federal judge to force Google to sell its Chrome web browser, saying it continues to crush the competition through its dominant search engine.
America facing a live Christmas tree shortage again
As millions of Americans get ready to begin their search for the perfect Christmas tree, growers are having historic challenges getting them to sale lots, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The day after Thanksgiving is usually the biggest day for live tree sales, but since Thanksgiving came so late this year, it’s a very short selling season. On top of that, a nationwide shortage is expected thanks to severe weather across the country this year, such as a northeastern drought and North Carolina floods caused by Hurricane Helene. North Carolina is the second-biggest supplier of Christmas trees in the country.
Shoppers bought roughly 21.6 million real Christmas trees in the U.S. last year, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. The Department of Agriculture said the number of trees harvested in the U.S. has declined 30% since 2002, while the American population has grown 16% over the same period.
Alaska native air drops Thanksgiving turkeys to families in remote areas
In the most remote parts of Alaska a Thanksgiving turkey is hard to come by. So, one woman made sure families in roadless parts of the state had their holiday feast.
Pilot Esther Keim calls it “Alaska Turkey Bomb.” She flies in a small plane to off-the-grid homes and air drops frozen turkeys for families to enjoy for Thanksgiving.
Keim said it’s a tribute to a family friend who did the same thing for her family when she was growing up.
She started the tradition in 2022 after somebody that she knew told her they did not have much of a holiday dinner — and no turkey at all. Since then, she has delivered 30 to 40 turkeys every year to families living in remote areas of Alaska.
