BEGIN NEWS BRIEF #494
NOTE(P): Bolded headlines will have a corresponding AI-generated synopsis included in a summary section. For more, see our methodology and symbology.
HEADLINES
Finally headed to Washington, Netanyahu is flying into a political tempest (TOI).
Israel kills dozens as it steps up Gaza bombardment (Reuters).
Israel army says signs increasing that Hamas Chief Deif killed (AFP).
Israel conducts airstrikes on Yemeni port in retaliation for Houthi drone attack (WAPO).*5
January 6th and the Butler shooting: Parallels, comparisons and beneficiaries (The Bias@).
Mayorkas stacks 45-day independent panel probing Butler shooting with ex-senior DHS officials (AP).
Post-RNC, Trump's favorability surges to 40% from low 30% range (ABC).*
Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton reveals Biden didn't recognize him (NYP).*1
Musk says time and date of Biden’s announcement has been well-known for a week (raw).
CrowdStrike glitch exposes fragility of global tech systems and calls for new safeguards (CNBC).*2
Fake CrowdStrike fixes target companies with malware, data wipers (BleepingComputer).
Corporate America retreats from social activism amid right-wing backlash (CNN).*3
Security fears escalate amid pre-Olympics violence and plots (ABC-Australia).*4
SUMMARIES1
ICJ Declares Israeli Settlements in West Bank and East Jerusalem Illegal, Calls for Rapid Withdrawal —> Semafor (0)
The International Court of Justice has issued a significant opinion declaring Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal, calling for an expedited withdrawal. This marks the first clear stance by the court on the contentious issue. The ruling, while advisory, underscores Israel's "de-facto annexation" and control over Gaza, potentially impacting international relations and trade deals. The decision may enhance Palestinian boycott efforts and provoke reevaluation of ties with Israel by countries committed to international law.
Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton Reveals Biden Didn't Recognize Him —> NYP (1)
In a Boston Globe op-ed, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) disclosed that President Biden failed to recognize him at a Normandy event, prompting Moulton to call for Biden to end his re-election campaign. Moulton, who has long admired Biden, cited the president's apparent mental decline and confusion at recent public events as reasons for his stance.
CrowdStrike Glitch Exposes Fragility of Global Tech Systems and Calls for New Safeguards — CNBC (2)
The CrowdStrike bug causing a global IT collapse reveals the overlooked peril of single-point failures in software systems, separate from hacking threats. Experts call for improved competitive practices and likely new regulations as the market and government seek solutions. Previous outages at AT&T and the FAA underscore the urgency to bolster safeguards against these pervasive risks.
Corporate America Retreats from Social Activism Amid Right-Wing Backlash —> CNN (3)
The wave of corporate activism that surged between 2020 and 2023 is receding in 2024. Companies are scaling back their commitments to social issues under pressure from conservative backlash and economic challenges. Brands like Bud Light and Target, which once championed diversity and inclusion, are now reverting to traditional profit-focused strategies, illustrating the cyclical nature of corporate engagement with social causes.
Security Fears Escalate Amid Pre-Olympics Violence and Plots —> ABC-Australia (4)
With the 2024 Olympics approaching, Paris is on high alert following a series of violent incidents, including a deadly car attack, a soldier stabbing, and the arrest of a right-wing plotter targeting the Games. Enhanced security measures include deploying 35,000 police officers and 18,000 soldiers, along with international support. The city has established an anti-terror perimeter around the Seine, but tensions persist as locals adapt to stringent security protocols in the lead-up to the event.
GRAPHICS
Grok appears to have a mind of his own, Musk be damned.
Interesting week for RFK Jr.
Starbase at sunset.
A look at some recent memetic warfare. FLAG1: Satire
SECONDARY
Conservative pundits start providing Trump cover for potentially skipping debate (Zeteo@).
Meta chief Zuckerberg won't endorse Trump or Biden in elections, Bloomberg News reports (Reuters).
New leadership at the US National Counterterrorism Center (VOA@).
Sphere escapes CrowdStrike glitch, fake BSOD image goes viral (TechCrunch).*9
Mathematicians prove geometric Langlands conjecture, a milestone in modern mathematics (Quanta).*10
Russians plead guilty to involvement in LockBit ransomware attacks(BleepingComputer).
Odd activity at Chinese submarine shipyard draws interest (TWZ).
Bangladesh’s top court rolls back some job quotas after deadly protests, local media report (CNN).
SUMMARIES2
Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Yemeni Port in Retaliation for Houthi Drone Attack —> WAPO (5)
Israel launched airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida in Yemen on Saturday, causing massive fires and damaging critical infrastructure. The attack was in direct response to a Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv that killed one person and struck near the U.S. Embassy. The destruction at Hodeida port is expected to worsen fuel shortages and humanitarian conditions in Yemen.
Hunter Biden Drops Fox Lawsuit Following President Biden's Withdrawal from 2024 Race —> CNN (6)
Hunter Biden has abruptly dropped his lawsuit against Fox News over a miniseries that allegedly included sexually explicit images of him without consent. The decision came just hours after his father announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, though the connection between the two events is unclear. The lawsuit, filed last month, claimed that Fox News unlawfully published intimate images in a dramatized miniseries about Hunter's legal troubles. Despite the lawsuit’s withdrawal, Hunter Biden continues to face significant legal challenges, including a federal tax evasion trial set for September.
Former President Trump’s Injury 'Superficial,' Says Fauci; Calls for Psychological Assessment —> NYP (7)
Dr. Anthony Fauci has characterized former President Donald Trump's injuries from last weekend’s assassination attempt as "superficial," noting that the bullet merely grazed Trump's ear. Despite the visible wound and bandage, Fauci asserted that there was no significant damage. However, CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta suggested that Trump might be experiencing psychological trauma and called for a full public assessment to inform voters about his condition.
Political Concerns and 'Fast and Furious' Scandal Shut Down DEA Probe into López Obrador’s Alleged Drug Money —> ProPublica (8)
A 2011 decision by the U.S. Justice Department to halt a DEA investigation into allegations that Mexican drug cartels funded Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s 2006 presidential campaign was driven by political concerns and the fallout from the "Fast and Furious" scandal. Despite evidence from multiple informants, the probe was stopped to prevent further diplomatic strain with Mexico. The investigation’s closure highlights the complex balance between law enforcement and foreign policy considerations.
Sphere Escapes CrowdStrike Glitch, Fake BSOD Image Goes Viral —> TechCrunch (9)
A digitally altered image of Las Vegas' Sphere showing a blue screen of death went viral during an IT disruption caused by a faulty CrowdStrike update, highlighting how misinformation can spread in times of global confusion. Despite erroneous reports, the Sphere remained unaffected. The viral image underscores the challenge of discerning truth in a digitally connected world, with searches for “cyberattack” spiking and false claims circulating.
Mathematicians Prove Geometric Langlands Conjecture, A Milestone in Modern Mathematics —> Quanta (10)
A team of nine mathematicians has successfully proved the geometric Langlands conjecture, a key element of the Langlands program, likened to mathematics' Rosetta stone. The proof, spread over 800 pages and five papers, marks the end of a three-decade effort. This achievement, hailed by experts, promises significant implications across number theory, geometry, and function fields. The research team, led by Dennis Gaitsgory and Sam Raskin, developed extensive foundational work and multiple approaches, ensuring the robustness of their proof.
TERTIARY
Trump shooter flew drone over venue hours before attempted assassination, source says (NBC).
Trump wins round in libel suit against Pulitzer Prize Board over Russia stories (Politico).
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) dead at 74 after cancer battle (raw).
Historic Dallas church largely collapsed in massive fire (ABC).
Blood transfusions, lithium, meth: Can biohackers rejuvenate aging leaders like Biden (Semafor)?
Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years in Russian prison (WSJ).
Nippon Steel hires Mike Pompeo to advise on US Steel deal (Reuters).
Argentina’s economy is growing beyond expectations (Semafor).
World Economic Forum opens board probe of workplace culture (WSJ).
SUMMARIES3
Twitch Reinstates Trump's Account, Citing Value in Direct Communication from Nominees —> The Verge (11)
Twitch has restored former President Donald Trump's account, suspended indefinitely after the January 6th Capitol riots, as he becomes the GOP's 2024 presidential nominee. A Twitch representative highlighted the equal enforcement of their Community Guidelines for all users, with no exceptions for public figures. This follows Meta's recent decision to lift restrictions on Trump's social media accounts, reflecting a trend of reinstating Trump's online presence ahead of the election.
BONUS
Thank you for reading this far. Here are a few extra things that weren’t necessarily newsy, but interesting nonetheless:
NOTE(P): AI-generated headlines and summaries may have been edited by a human for accuracy, clarity or density.
NOTE(T): News Brief #494, published by The Bias on the morning of 07/22/24, is based upon articles, posts and other content forms published during the week (approximately) prior to publication. Useful context for the content in News Brief #494 may be found in News Brief #493 or earlier briefings.
NOTE(T): The image immediately succeeding “FLAG1: Satire” is really a composite of five separate images. Those five images are all satirical memes and should be interpreted as such.
NOTE(T): Reference MARKER0#494 & MARKER1#494 for more cycle coverage.