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5.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes China Near Yellow River

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Qinghai province in China on Wednesday, with its epicentre near the Yellow River's source in Madoi county, Golog prefecture, at a depth of 14 km (8.7 miles). This tremor follows a series of seismic events in the region, including a deadly 6.8-magnitude quake in Tibet and a smaller 3.1-magnitude quake in Sichuan. The quake occurred at 3:44 p.m. local time and is situated approximately 200 km west of Madoi, a town primarily inhabited by Tibetan resettlers. The Qinghai-Tibetan plateau is known for its seismic activity, having recorded 102 quakes of magnitude 3 or higher in the past five years, with the most significant reaching 7.4 in 2021. Wednesday's earthquake is about 1,000 km northeast of the recent Tibetan quake, highlighting the area's ongoing geological volatility. sources

Published:
Jan 08 2025, 5 pm

Optimal Coffee Timing Linked to Lower Death Risk, Study Finds

A new study published in the *European Heart Journal* has revealed that drinking coffee in the morning may offer greater health benefits than consuming it throughout the day. Led by researchers from Tulane University, the study followed 40,725 participants over nearly a decade, identifying two primary coffee consumption patterns: morning-only drinkers and those who consumed coffee all day. Findings indicated that morning coffee drinkers were 16% less likely to die and 31% less likely to die from heart disease compared to non-drinkers, while no significant risk reduction was observed for all-day drinkers. Lead author Dr. Lu Qi suggested that the timing of coffee consumption could play a crucial role in its health impacts, potentially due to disruptions in circadian rhythms caused by afternoon or evening coffee, which may increase cardiovascular risks. The research underscores the need to consider timing in dietary recommendations related to coffee. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 9 am

Meta Eases Restrictions, Raising Concerns Over Hate Speech

Meta has significantly relaxed its restrictions on discussions surrounding gender and sexual identity, a decision that has raised alarms among advocacy groups concerned about potential increases in hate speech. This policy shift coincided with the company's announcement to end its third-party fact-checking program in the U.S., opting instead for a crowd-sourced model to address misinformation, akin to practices on the platform formerly known as Twitter. The updated community guidelines now allow users to make derogatory claims about mental health based on gender or sexual orientation and remove previous prohibitions against referring to women as "household objects" and other dehumanizing terms. Advocacy leaders, including GLAAD's Sarah Kate Ellis, argue that these changes jeopardize the safety of marginalized communities, while CEO Mark Zuckerberg contended that the prior restrictions were out of touch with mainstream discourse. Critics, including the nonprofit CyberWell, condemned the move as a dangerous lowering of standards against hate speech and harassment. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 10 am

Zuckerberg's Unexpected Shift on Trump: Strategy or Belief?

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook and Instagram, has made a surprising political shift to the right, accusing governments and legacy media of censorship and announcing the end of fact-checking in the US. In a video shared on social media, Zuckerberg declared a return to "free expression" on his platforms, a move that has puzzled observers given his previous efforts to enhance content moderation following scandals like the 2016 election interference and the Cambridge Analytica data breach. This pivot aligns him with right-wing sentiments and could be seen as a strategic effort to appease critics, including Donald Trump, who has accused Zuckerberg of liberal bias. Analysts suggest this shift may reflect Zuckerberg's long-standing libertarian influences and a desire to maintain his dominance in the tech landscape, particularly as he faces competition from Elon Musk. The implications of this change are significant as Zuckerberg navigates the complex intersection of politics and technology. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 10 am

US Astronauts Positive Seven Months Into Eight-Day Mission

Two US astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), have reassured that they are well-fed and not struggling with laundry issues despite an extended stay that was initially planned for just eight days. Arriving in June on Boeing's Starliner, their return has been delayed due to propulsion system problems, with a new timeline suggesting they may remain in orbit until late March 2025. Williams expressed high spirits, emphasizing the joy of working in space, while Wilmore noted the relaxed laundry conditions, as clothing can be worn for weeks without discomfort. NASA has adjusted plans, opting to return the astronauts with the incoming SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which arrived in September. The extended mission means Wilmore and Williams could spend over nine months in space, but both are looking forward to sharing their experiences upon their eventual return to Earth. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 10 am

LA Residents Panic as Fireballs Cause Destruction

Dozens of residents evacuated from the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles are grappling with the devastating wildfires that erupted earlier this week, blanketing the area in thick black smoke. The flames, which have already claimed two lives, spread rapidly, fueled by intense 80- to 100-mile-per-hour winds and a dry winter, prompting tens of thousands to flee their homes. Many, like 69-year-old Sarahlee Stevens-Shippen, returned briefly to salvage belongings, while others, such as television producer Martin Sansing, expressed disbelief that their urban neighborhood could be so severely impacted. The situation remains precarious, with authorities warning of ongoing dangers as firefighters battle multiple blazes. Residents are left in a state of shock, fearing for their homes and livelihoods, as they confront the grim reality of increasingly frequent and intense wildfires linked to climate change. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 10 am

Pregnant Teacher Dies After Falling 164 Feet in Greece

A tragic accident occurred on December 23 when Clara Thomann, a 33-year-old science teacher from Santa Barbara, fell to her death while hiking on the Greek island of Crete. Six months pregnant, Ms. Thomann and her partner, Elliot Finn, were trekking near the Preveli Monastery when she slipped and fell approximately 164 feet into a gorge. Despite immediate rescue efforts, which included first responders and construction workers, she sustained severe injuries and was declared brain-dead shortly after being rushed to the hospital. Ms. Thomann passed away on December 29, with her family opting for organ donation. Her remains were cremated on January 3, and her ashes will be scattered across Greece and Turkey, reflecting her travel aspirations. The principal of Dos Pueblos High School, where she taught, paid tribute, expressing profound sadness at the loss of a beloved teacher who inspired her students. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 8 am

McDonald's Abandons Diversity Goals for Profit Focus?

McDonald's has announced a significant rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, becoming one of the largest U.S. companies to do so amid conservative backlash. The fast-food giant will eliminate its targets for diverse representation in senior roles and rebrand its diversity team as the Global Inclusion Team, citing a "shifting legal landscape." In an open letter to employees, McDonald's stated it would focus on integrating inclusion practices into everyday operations rather than setting aspirational goals. Additionally, the company will pause external diversity surveys and scrap DEI compliance requirements for suppliers. This pivot follows a Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action at universities and comes after a notable decline in global sales, prompting McDonald's to adopt new strategies, including fresh menu items, to revive its business. Other major corporations, such as Walmart and Boeing, have also recently abandoned similar progressive initiatives. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 9 am

Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles Area

At least five people have died as devastating wildfires swept through Los Angeles, with over 100,000 residents forced to evacuate and up to 1,500 buildings destroyed. The blazes, fueled by hurricane-force winds, have ravaged areas including the upscale Pacific Palisades, where flames consumed approximately 16,000 acres and incinerated numerous multimillion-dollar homes. Fire officials reported being overwhelmed by the speed and intensity of the fires, with Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone admitting a lack of personnel to combat the disasters. As firefighters battled the flames, President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom assessed the situation, with Biden vowing to do everything possible to contain the fires. The region, experiencing extreme dryness exacerbated by climate change, is facing unprecedented challenges, with estimates of damage reaching up to $57 billion. Residents have been urged to conserve water as hydrants ran dry amidst the crisis. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 7 am

Indian-Origin Wedding Scammer Defrauds 17 Couples in South Africa

A 53-year-old Indian-origin South African attorney, Prelyn Mohanlall, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding 17 couples by accepting payments for the same wedding venue on the same day. The scam was uncovered by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), which tracked her down after victims sought help. Mohanlall, who has a history of fraud and was disbarred for misappropriating client funds, reportedly promised to repay her victims, potentially avoiding jail time. Couples who arrived at the venue found it deserted, ruining their wedding plans. One victim described the emotional turmoil of having to cancel their wedding, stating it drastically affected their financial planning. Mohanlall claims her business faced difficulties, leading to cancellations, and insists she intends to refund the couples. Despite her assertions, RUSA confirmed she was already wanted for multiple fraud cases in Gauteng province. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 7 am

Passenger Opens JetBlue Emergency Door After Argument with Girlfriend

A JetBlue flight at Logan Airport was thrown into chaos on Tuesday night when a Puerto Rican passenger, identified as Morales Torres, allegedly opened the emergency exit door while the plane was taxiing. Witnesses reported that Torres was engaged in a heated argument with his girlfriend when he suddenly ripped open the door of Flight 161, bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico, prompting the emergency slide to deploy. Fellow passengers swiftly intervened, restraining him until authorities arrived. Massachusetts State Police detained Torres around 7:25 PM, and he was later released on bail, ordered to live with his parents and restricted from travel except for court appearances. His attorney described the situation as a medical issue rather than a criminal one, emphasizing the need for Torres to receive help. The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the incident, while the flight was eventually switched to another aircraft and departed for San Juan. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 7 am

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