The massive rocket at the heart of NASA’s mission to return humans to the moon is emerging from its hangar today. After a series of issues and bad weather prevented the first two launch attempts, the agency spent weeks troubleshooting and is now preparing for another attempt to get the rocket off the ground.
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Elon Musk will begin laying off Twitter employees this morning, according to a memo sent to staff, as several employees sued the billionaire alleging the layoffs violate labor laws. An email sent Thursday night notified workers that they would receive notice by 12 p.m. ET today that will update them on their employment status. The memo comes after earlier reports that Musk had planned to lay off up to half of the company’s staff following its acquisition last week for $44 billion. Twitter had about 7,500 employees before Musk’s acquisition. He began his tenure at Twitter by firing its CEO and two other executives, according to two people familiar with the decision. Musk also disbanded Twitter’s former board of directors.
Health officials are stepping up their recommendations for people to get flu shots as this year’s strain accelerates its pace across the US. There have been at least 880,000 flu cases, nearly 7,000 hospitalizations and 360 flu deaths so far this fall — including one pediatric death — according to data from the CDC. The numbers also show that there haven’t been this many cases of flu this early in the season since 2009. After getting recent Covid-19 shots and boosters, some people are waiting until later in the season to get the flu shot, CNN Medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen said. However, since it takes about two weeks to achieve optimal immune protection after receiving a flu shot, people who have not yet gotten a shot should do so now.
Triple threat emerging: flu, Covid, RSV 02:52 – Source: CNN
The House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol has interviewed more Secret Service witnesses, including former Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff. The committee is also expected to interview at least another half dozen Secret Service witnesses in the coming weeks, including current and former officials and agents, multiple sources told CNN. The committee’s efforts to secure testimony from an expanding list of current and former Secret Service agents in the final months of the investigation show the committee is stepping up its push to learn more about what the Secret Service knew about the impending threats against Pence and other government officials. of the attack.
Why the Jan. 6 panel is asking the Secret Service agent to testify again
President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program remains on hold while a federal appeals court considers a legal challenge brought by six Republican-led states. The Biden administration is still accepting applications for student loan forgiveness, worth up to $20,000 per borrower, but is currently not allowed to cancel student loan debt until the lien is lifted. The Biden administration is also facing lawsuits from an attorney general and conservative groups that claim it lacks the legal authority to generally cancel student loan debt. As for what happens next, an appeals court will decide whether to grant a preliminary injunction that the states are seeking. If granted, the student loan forgiveness program could be put on hold while the court hears from both parties. If not granted, debt cancellation can begin while the appeal is pending. The decision can come at any time.
College alum tells CNN: Only way to open door was to take on student loan debt
US embassy officials visited detained WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner in Russia on Thursday and “saw firsthand her tenacity and perseverance despite her current circumstances,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. They haven’t been able to visit Griner since early August, but spoke with her by phone last month. After months of internal debate, the Biden administration had previously offered to swap a convicted Russian arms dealer serving a 25-year prison sentence in the US as part of a possible deal to secure the release of Griner and Paul Whelan, who is being held in a remote prison . camp in Russia on espionage charges since 2018. US officials say they have continued to monitor their bid and have stressed that the Americans’ detention remains a top priority.
Kyrie Irving apologizes amid Twitter controversy and Brooklyn Nets ban
The NBA star apologized on Instagram late Thursday, hours after the Nets announced a five-game suspension for his “failure to renounce anti-Semitism.”
Netflix is launching a new plan with ads
After much anticipation, the platform’s cheapest ad-supported plan debuted in the US on Thursday. Here’s how it differs from existing plans.
Miller Lite sells a Christmas tree that doubles as a beer keg
Beer lovers are taking the ‘holidays’ to a new level… This product was designed to ‘look like beer is pouring from the tree’, said a company spokesperson.
Jay-Z and Jeff Bezos are interested in buying with the Washington Governors
The two billionaire businessmen already have strong sporting ties. Now, they are in discussions about a possible joint venture to buy an NFL team.
The Iranian artist’s paintings of women take on a new sense of urgency
These symbol-laden paintings are charged with emotion and refer to issues that have recently sparked protests across Iran.
What “extremely rare” item is expected to fetch $30 million at an upcoming auction?
A. George Washington’s Journal
B. Key to the White House
C. First Edition Copy of the US Constitution
D. Senate gavel
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36
That’s the typical age of a first-time home buyer in the U.S. in 2022, up from 33 last year. A new report from the National Association of Realtors shows that first-time buyers made up just 26% of all home buyers in the year ending in June – a nearly four-decade low. Financial analysts say many factors have made it a difficult environment for Millennials and Gen Zers to stay competitive in the market, including rising home prices, rising mortgage rates and the fact that younger generations have less cash to spend. save for a down payment.
“Violence has no place in politics.”
– White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, condemning Thursday’s reported assassination attempt on former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. The country’s former leader was shot in the leg at a political rally outside the city of Gujranwala in Punjab province, they said Pakistani officials. He was taken to Lahore for treatment and was in a stable condition. According to police, an unnamed man suspected of shooting at the rally has been arrested. Khan has repeatedly claimed, without any evidence, that the US was behind his loss of power after he was ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in April.
Risk of severe storms for the South 03:08 – Source: CNN
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This “inner ocean” can simulate the world’s worst wave conditions
Inland Ocean Simulator
The US Navy tests its equipment in a huge swimming pool that can replicate any wave condition in the world. Take a look inside. (Click here to view)
