Year: 2024

American travelers in Europe face phone outage

American travelers in Europe face phone outage

US mobile carriers AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile suffered an outage that impacted travelers in Europe. Many vacationers have lost access to essential phone functions such as data, calls and texts. Social media is full of frustrated travelers from Britain to Turkey, unable to connect for 24 hours. The cause of the outage remains unclear, but appears to be related to an issue with a third-party provider used for international roaming. Carriers have recognized the problem: AT&T says their network is operating normally, but some international customers may experience outages due to an external issue. They are working with a roaming…
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Middle East Crisis: Israel Orders Evacuation Amid Gaza City Attacks

Middle East Crisis: Israel Orders Evacuation Amid Gaza City Attacks

Israel ordered evacuations in eastern Gaza on Thursday as heavy attacks hit the region, causing numerous casualties, according to Palestinian officials and residents. Those in the area described a desperate scramble to escape amid the ongoing explosions. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strikes, which reportedly targeted the Shajaiye neighborhood, an area badly damaged by previous intense fighting. Israel's public broadcaster, Kan, noted that the military was conducting a ground operation to eliminate Hamas, based on intelligence suggesting the group was regaining control of the neighborhood. A witness from a human rights organization reported seeing Israeli tanks…
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Boeing in hot water again for sharing details of plane crash investigation

Boeing in hot water again for sharing details of plane crash investigation

Boeing is facing new criticism after the revelation of a January crash involving a 737 Max plane. During a factory tour, a Boeing executive revealed details about missing bolts that led to a panel coming off mid-flight . The information sharing has angered the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which called it a “blatant violation” of investigative rules. The NTSB is investigating the crash and says Boeing is not allowed to discuss details or speculate on the cause. As punishment, they will limit Boeing’s access to information about the investigation and bar it from questioning others at an upcoming hearing.…
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The emerald ash weevil strikes ash bats in Major League Baseball

The emerald ash weevil strikes ash bats in Major League Baseball

Imagine a baseball season without the iconic crack of an ash bat. This could become a reality thanks to the emerald ash borer, a tiny beetle that causes massive destruction of ash trees across North America. For decades, ash has reigned supreme in baseball bats. From legendary players like Babe Ruth to modern sluggers like Mark McGwire, ash has been the go-to material for feel and performance. Companies like Hillerich & Bradsby, maker of the Louisville Slugger, produced hundreds of thousands of ash bats each year. However, the ash beetle has changed the game. This invasive insect, about the size…
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Supreme Court sides with Biden administration in social media case

Supreme Court sides with Biden administration in social media case

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Biden administration in a case involving social media, scoring a significant practical victory. The ruling rejected a Republican challenge that sought to prevent the government from communicating with social media platforms to combat misinformation. In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that the plaintiffs, including states and individuals, had not suffered direct harm that would have entitled them to sue. The decision leaves unanswered broader questions about the First Amendment’s limits on government influence over tech companies, which control much of the flow of information online. The case arises from the government's…
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Colombia’s peace agreement creates a birdwatching paradise

Colombia’s peace agreement creates a birdwatching paradise

The 2016 peace treaty, which ended decades of civil conflict in Colombia, has transformed the country into a birdwatcher's paradise. This agreement has liberated vast swathes of forests previously dominated by armed groups, making them accessible to both wildlife enthusiasts and researchers. For years, Colombia's rich biodiversity has been hidden behind the barriers of a long-running civil war. The nation's forests, home to an astonishing variety of bird species, were largely off-limits due to the presence of guerrillas and associated dangers. However, the peace agreement has made these once inaccessible areas accessible, revealing a treasure trove of avian diversity. Birdwatchers…
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Iran’s presidential candidates are united on one thing: Trump’s return

Iran’s presidential candidates are united on one thing: Trump’s return

During the Iranian presidential campaign, a recurring theme dominated debates, rallies and speeches: the long-awaited return of Donald J. Trump. The six presidential candidates have repeatedly suggested that Trump's victory in the 2024 US presidential election is inevitable. The central question for Iranian voters as they go to the polls on Friday is determining which candidate is best equipped to handle Trump's presidency. Interestingly, President Biden is barely mentioned and the numerous polls indicating a close election in the United States are ignored. Instead, Trump's name is often invoked. “Wait and see what will happen when Trump comes,” said Mostafa…
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Anthony O’Reilly, the Irish tycoon who ran Heinz, has died at the age of 88

Anthony O’Reilly, the Irish tycoon who ran Heinz, has died at the age of 88

Anthony JF O'Reilly, a charming, ambitious, Irish-born former president of the HJ Heinz Company who also owned newspapers, luxury brands and trophy houses in France and the Bahamas, only to lose nearly everything in his eighth, has died. decade. on May 18 in Dublin. He was 88 years old. The Irish Times and other Irish newspapers, citing a family spokesman, said he died in hospital. No cause was given. From his earliest days, Mr O’Reilly, known as Tony, was shy about giving gifts. He was a top-flight rugby player in his teens: “the red-headed pin-up of Irish rugby,” as the…
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Julian Assange nears freedom after pleading guilty in leaked documents case

Julian Assange nears freedom after pleading guilty in leaked documents case

Concluding a years-long legal saga, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to return to Australia after pleading guilty to a single charge relating to the publication of classified US documents. The 52-year-old Australian citizen avoided a lengthy prison sentence by admitting guilt at a remote hearing in an American territory in the Pacific. This settlement marks a significant development in a case that has become a battleground for press freedom and national security concerns. From famous whistleblower to legal standoff Assange rose to prominence in the 2010s, when WikiLeaks published a series of sensitive documents exposing details of US military…
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Kenyan Parliament approves tax law amid controversy

Kenyan Parliament approves tax law amid controversy

Kenyan lawmakers passed a controversial finance bill on Tuesday, sparking outrage from thousands of people who marched on parliament in Nairobi. Protesters have called on the government to reject the proposed tax increases, arguing they would disproportionately burden Kenyan citizens. Clashes erupted as police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Footage captured by international media showed the chaotic scene, including the use of force against protesters. Reports also emerged of human rights activists being kidnapped ahead of the protest, raising concerns about freedom of expression. The proposed legislation has set off a firestorm across Kenya. The East African nation,…
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