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Your Daily BriefMarch 10th, 2023 |
Good morning, and happy Friday! Before we get into today’s email, we’d like to remind you that tomorrow, March 11th, you will see an email from us in your inbox! You guys have long asked for Saturday newsletters, and we’re excited to start delivering on that promise this weekend! In the meantime, check out the hardest optical puzzle we’ve come across and see if you can spot the three tiny hearts in this drawing of roses.
In Today’s Brief
- Georgia: Drops foreign agents bill
- Mitch McConnell: Suffers concussion
- Oscars: Reject Zelensky speech request
- GM: Buying out some workers
...and more
Top Tips
Twitter files hearing
The House Judiciary Committee yesterday held a hearing on alleged suppression of the First Amendment on Twitter in coordination with the federal government.
The hearing focused on the “Twitter Files,” which refers to Twitter threads that journalists including Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger began publishing in December 2022 after Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company. After Musk provided them with internal communications files, Taibbi and Shellenberger published threads that contained information about the company’s alleged censorship operations. Taibbi and Shellenberger testified that the files they received from Twitter revealed collusion between the company and the federal government and that Twitter received $3.4M from the FBI.
According to Taibbi and Shellenberger, the Twitter Files show that the FBI allegedly monitored Twitter accounts and alerted the company when the agency came across what they believed to be violations of the company’s terms of service–a process that members of Congress argued was a suppression of the First Amendment.
Hypersonic missile barrage
At least nine people lost their lives in a wave of strikes across Ukraine yesterday in which Russia reportedly used drones and hypersonic missiles.
Russia fired a total of 81 missiles including six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, per reports from Ukrainian officials. Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant– Europe’s biggest–was cut from the grid due to power lines that were damaged in the strike, though power was restored by yesterday evening. In a Telegram post, Ukraine’s air force claimed it had shot down 34 of the 81 missiles. The barrage comes one day after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut may fall “in the coming days” following seven months of fighting.
Translated to “daggers,” Kinzhals can fly at up to five times the speed of sound, according to Russian claims, and cannot be intercepted by Ukraine’s air defense. Yesterday’s strike marks the most Kinzhals that Russia has fired in a single attack.
Another Norfolk Southern derailment
Another Norfolk Southern train derailed in Alabama yesterday morning hours before the CEO of the rail company was scheduled to testify before Congress.
According to a statement that the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency uploaded to Facebook, yesterday’s derailment occurred around 6:45 AM local time in the Quad Cities area of White Plains. Approximately 30 train cars came off the tracks, per Calhoun County, which said that “there are no injuries and no reports of leaks of hazmat” and added that there are “no road blockages.”
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw was called to testify yesterday in front of the Senate after the company has come under scrutiny for the February 3rd derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that spilled hazardous materials into the environment. After returning to their homes, East Palestine residents reported developing symptoms such as rashes, sore throats, nausea, and headaches. Including East Palestine, yesterday’s derailment marks Norfolk Southern’s third such incident since February.
Pacific Northwest craft coffee at your door
Water Avenue Coffee is a small independent micro-roastery on the eastern bank of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Since 2009, the brand has committed to roasting and selling excellent coffees at a fair price, and their beans are a favorite for coffee lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
There’s a reason why Water Avenue has quickly become a standout roastery in one of the nation’s most saturated coffee markets.
With its mix of high-quality single origins ranging from Ethiopia, Guatemala, El Salvador, and more, Water Avenue’s beans are ethically sourced and roasted in a vintage, French-built 1974 Samiac roaster to lock in the fullest amount of body and flavor in every bag.
If you missed the 12-month coffee adventure, you can still try Water Avenue's delicious craft coffee at a discount. Tip News readers get 20% off coffee, subscriptions, and merch by using the code "TipNews" at checkout.
Quick Tips
Around the Globe
- Georgia’s ruling party said it was withdrawing its “foreign agents” bill after two nights of protests against the proposed legislation; the bill stipulated that organizations such as media outlets could be classified as “foreign agents” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad (More)
- The Taliban governor of Afghanistan’s Balkh province was killed in his office in a suicide bombing attack for which ISIS claimed responsibility (More)
- At least 14 people from different African countries drowned off the coast of Tunisia during a reported attempt to travel to Europe by boat; 54 individuals on the boat were rescued, per a statement from Tunisia’s coast guard (More)
On the Homefront
- The Mexican drug cartel blamed for the recent kidnapping of four Americans in Tamaulipas reportedly issued a letter condemning the actions and said the gang turned over its responsible members to authorities, according to multiple reports (More)
- Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell was hospitalized after falling and suffering a concussion at a hotel in Washington, D.C. late Wednesday evening, according to a statement from his spokesperson (More)
- Cincinnati Zoo takes in a wild African serval found to have cocaine in its system when authorities captured the cat earlier this year after it was spotted in a tree in the city of Oakley (More)
Glitz & Games
- Daniel Bruhl has signed on to play late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld in a new series from Disney+ titled Kaiser Karl (More)
- Retired six-time NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp was arrested and booked on a drive-by shooting charge in Tacoma, WA, according to multiple reports (More)
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences denies Ukrainian President Zelensky from delivering a cameo speech during this Sunday’s Oscars ceremony for the second year in a row (More)
Business & Markets
- Major indexes in the stock market closed lower, with the Dow losing over 500 points (Dow -1.66%, Nasdaq -2.05%, S&P 500 -1.85%)
- Apple is launching a new music streaming service called Apple Music Classical focused on classical music, based on the company’s 2021 acquisition of Amsterdam-based streamer Primephonic (More)
- General Motors will offer voluntary buyouts to some of its salaried employees in the U.S. as part of the company’s effort to cut $2B in structural costs over the next two years, according to a letter CEO Mary Barra sent to workers yesterday (More)
Tips & Tricks
- Feel Good: Meet Chelsey Brown, a Manhattan interior designer and amateur genealogist who spends her free time trawling flea markets and thrift shops to help reunite families with their lost heirlooms (she claims to have returned more than 500 objects to their owners and seeks no profit whatsoever)
- Sneak Peek: Marvel at the graphics quality in the official story trailer for the upcoming game The Lord of the Rings: Gollum that lets users experience Middle Earth from Gollum’s perspective
- Bump This: Get lifted with the dancehall vibes in the new single “NANA” from Ugandan artist Joshua Baraka - listen on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube
- Nerd Out: Read about what an atmospheric river is in layman’s terms…and why we may hear about even more of these types of weather events in the future
- Go Deep: See how much post-tax income it now takes to live comfortably in the 25-largest metropolitan areas of the United States
- Hot Goss: Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend Erica Herman has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the golfer seeking $30M in damages after she accused Woods of locking her out of the home they shared together in Florida during their five-year relationship
- Life Hack: Eating can be a source of relief when we’re stressed, but we don’t have to rely on the decadent meals that come to mind when we think of comfort food - next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try out this anxiety-busting chocolate cherry smoothie that you can whip up with just six ingredients
Tip-Offs
Surviving a blizzard on nothing but croissants and candy.
The history of U.S. homeowners’ obsession with lawns.
Inside Germany’s tradition of treating burnt-out parents.
…and the problems with how America recalls products.
A flawless reflection of rocks in California’s Mono Lake.
…and an untouched winter wonderland in the Austrian Alps.
How AI helped Microsoft bring Bing back to life.
The science of how bees communicate through dancing.
Looking Back…
On March 10th: The Red River Campaign begins in the American Civil War (1864); NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter enters Mars’ orbit (2006); the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer premieres on television (1997); actor Jon Hamm is born (1971).
Step up your coffee game
Great coffee and great people - that's what sets Water Avenue Coffee apart, even in a city with over 800 independent craft coffee shops. Since opening in 2009, the brand has committed to roasting and selling excellent coffees at a fair price.
Unlike other roasters, the owners of Water Avenue travel to the countries where they source their beans and meet the growers themselves. By building direct relationships with coffee farms, Water Avenue is able to ethically source their beans and invest in communities at the same time.
Question of the Day
Would you accept a buyout from your employer to stop working?
Yes - a buyout and a break sound nice
No - that’s just a fancy word for severance
Yesterday's Results
Have recent events shifted your view on train transportation?
Yes - they seem less safe to me now (52%)
No - there have always been crashes (48%)
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