News Summary Archives

Biden Signs Bill Requiring the Sale or Ban of TikTok

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024 by Tod Lock

President Biden signed a bill mandating TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app to a U.S. company within nine months, extending a previous deadline by three months with an option for a further 90-day extension. This move is part of a $95 billion aid package and stems from concerns that ByteDance could share user data with the Chinese government or use the app to influence elections. Potential buyers like Microsoft and Google face antitrust challenges, while others might be hindered by Chinese regulations on algorithm export.

Israel Strike Against Iran Inside Syria Prompts Counterattack

April 19, 2024April 16, 2024 by Tod Lock

On April 1, Israeli F-35 jets struck near the Iranian embassy in Damascus, killing an IRGC general and others. Iran’s April 13 counterattack with 300+ missiles and drones, mostly intercepted, seemed more symbolic to avoid escalation. Israel showcased its advanced anti-missile systems, highlighting their technological edge and strategic defense layers like Iron Dome and Arrow. The counterattack underscored regional tensions without intending a full-scale escalation.

What Happened in March 2024?

April 13, 2024 by Tod Lock

The biggest news of March, 2024 included the US House of Representative passing legislation saying the Chinese owner of TikTok must sell to a US entity or face a ban. Beyoncé released a country album with enormous press coverage, tensions escalated in Gaza with Israel intensifying military actions, Ukraine suffered from arms and ammo shortages amid US Congress gridlock over more aid, wildfires scorched the panhandle of Texas, Donald Trump’s legal troubles continued with no impact on his presidential campaign, and gangs overran police in Haiti.

What Happened in December 2023?

January 25, 2024January 4, 2024 by Tod Lock

December 2023’s biggest news includes tech layoffs post-COVID hiring spree, with Spotify, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google’s Alphabet cutting thousands of jobs. Wastewater analysis indicates rising COVID-19 JN.1 variant infections, but current vaccines offer protection. Words like “rizz,” “authentic,” and “AI” dominate the year’s lexicon, while US school shootings see a significant uptick. Dive into the full details and implications of these stories in the complete article.

What Happened in November 2023?

January 4, 2024November 30, 2023 by Tod Lock

The Biggest News in November, 2023 In November 2023 the Texas Rangers won the “world” series, Elon Musk nailed Twitter’s coffin, Israel flooded Hamas tunnels in Gaza, Russia’s war in Ukraine stalled as US and EU support waned, a new Speaker of the House was elected, and AI capabilities advanced as Americans traveled for Thanksgiving … Read more

What Happened In October 2023?

November 6, 2023 by Tod Lock

In October 2023, tensions escalated as Hamas attacked Israel, leading to severe retaliation. The U.S. saw political upheaval with a far-right Speaker elected after McCarthy’s ousting. Popularity soared for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, while Joran van der Sloot’s confession and Tupac’s case saw major developments. The UAW ended a massive strike, and healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente initiated one. Advances in AI deepfakes and the ongoing Russian-Ukraine conflict were notable, with U.S. support wavering and Ukraine receiving Abrams tanks. STI crises and a new COVID-19 vaccine marked healthcare news. U.S. culture wars intensified with McCarthy’s removal and Mike Johnson’s election as Speaker. A federal judge overturned California’s assault weapons ban, climate catastrophes struck globally, and surprise Hurricane Otis hit Acapulco.

New COVID-19 Vaccine Targets XBB Variant in October 2023

November 4, 2023 by Tod Lock

CDC’s new COVID vaccine targets the XBB variant. With safety debates ongoing, uptake is low. Texas bans mandates, while Novavax promises milder side effects and effective protection.

Hamas Launches Surprise Attacks Against Israel from Gaza on October 7

January 4, 2024October 31, 2023 by Tod Lock

1,400 Hamas Fighters Cross the Border and Terrorize Israel as Rockets Fly In a stunning failure of Israeli intelligence, one thousand Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants stormed into southern Israel on foot, by motorcycle, boats, and even paragliders, killing 1,400 and taking more than 200 hostages. Hamas drones bombed guard towers along the Gaza border … Read more

Lewiston, Maine Mass Shooting Kills 18 and Wounds 13 More, Shuts Down Portland Area

February 1, 2024October 31, 2023 by Tod Lock

Robert Card, a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserves, committed this year’s worst mass shooting in Lewiston, ME, located 35 miles north of Portland. Armed with a scoped AR-style rifle, he killed 18 people and wounded at least a dozen more at two locations: a bar and grille, and a … Read more

What Happened in September 2023?

October 9, 2023October 7, 2023 by Tod Lock

a photo of a glass dome. inside the dome are men watching TVs and above the dome are laptops

Writers win against ChatGPT, Trump faces 91 criminal charges, government shutdown narrowly avoided, autoworkers strike, earthquake in Morocco, floods in Libya, and the Mississippi river nearly runs dry.