Apple's Vision Pro Headsets Sold Out

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

🚢 Trade Experts Caution Congress, Houthi Red Sea Turmoil Could Cripple Economy

MSC executives and experts warned Congress about the grave impact of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea on global consumer prices and supply chains. Highlighting the threat to seafarers and cargo, they emphasized, “No shipping, no shopping.” The crisis, affecting 30% of global container traffic, has doubled freight prices, impacting businesses and leading to widespread supply chain disruptions and manufacturing halts.

📈 Consumer Confidence Reaches 2-Year Peak Amid Slowing Inflation and Economic Growth

U.S. consumer confidence soared to a three-year high of 114.8 in January, spurred by slowing inflation and a strong stock market, though still below pre-pandemic levels. This increase, reported by the Conference Board, is slightly under the Wall Street Journal's 115.0 prediction. A similar rise in consumer sentiment marks the highest since summer 2021, indicating economic recovery trends.

WORLD

🔒 Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan gets a 14-year jail term, following a 10-year sentence.

Imran Khan, Pakistan's former Prime Minister and cricket icon, received a 14-year jail sentence for graft, adding to an earlier 10-year sentence for leaking state secrets. His wife, Bushra Bibi, was similarly sentenced. The charges relate to the illegal sale of state gifts. Khan, alleging a politically motivated conspiracy involving current PM Shehbaz Sharif and the U.S., describes it as “another sad day in our judicial system.”

🚨 Iran on High Alert as Biden Considers Action After US Servicemen Killed

Iran has warned the US of retaliation against American Middle East assets if Iran is struck, escalating tensions following the death of US servicemen linked to a Tehran-backed militia. Amid internal unrest and a plummeting currency, Iran navigates regional crises and internal challenges, insisting on a political solution while both nations seek to avoid open war. 

🌟 Northern Ireland Set to Restart Power-Sharing After Two-Year Break

Ending its two-year government boycott, Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, has agreed to a deal with the UK government, potentially enabling a Sinn Féin first minister. The deal, announced by DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, aims to restore devolved government, disrupted since the DUP's protest against post-Brexit trade checks. UK and Irish leaders express hope for the Northern Ireland Executive's restoration.

SCIENCE & TECH

🌐 Google May Rename Assistant from Bard to Gemini

Google is exploring renaming its "Assistant with Bard" to "Gemini," streamlining branding across its AI tools. Initially showcased at the Pixel 8 event, this shift from "Assistant with Bard" to "Gemini" aims to clearly differentiate it from the legacy Assistant and align more closely with its underlying AI technology, mirroring OpenAI's GPT-ChatGPT relationship, while avoiding complex branding like "Gemini Advanced powered by Gemini Ultra."

🔔 Google Chrome Updates Android Version to Simplify Unsubscribing from Website Notifications

Google Chrome for Android is introducing a "one tap notification unsubscribe" feature to simplify unsubscribing from website notifications. Highlighted by Windows Report, this update, currently available in Chrome Canary, allows users to unsubscribe with a single tap and offers an "undo" option for accidental actions. This development enhances user control and addresses the misuse of web notifications.

🍏 Apple's Vision Pro Headsets Sold Out Following 200K Pre-Orders

Apple's Vision Pro VR headset sold out its initial 200,000 units in 10 days, surpassing analyst Min-Chi Kuo's estimate. Priced at $3,500 and compatible with over a million iPhone and iPad apps, it's seen as a "niche product" but could attract dedicated Apple users. Despite its high price compared to Meta's Quest 3, it marks Apple's venture into VR since the smartwatch.

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

🎭 Broadway Legend Chita Rivera Passes Away at 91

Broadway icon Chita Rivera, known for seminal roles in "West Side Story" and "Chicago," has died at 91. Laurence Maslon described her as "everything Broadway was meant to be," highlighting her six-decade career and three Tony Awards. Rivera, who transitioned from ballet to Broadway, remained a stage devotee, earning accolades like the Presidential Medal of Freedom but seldom appeared in film or TV.

🎵 Universal Music Group Plans Immediate Removal of Songs from TikTok, Issues Scathing Open Letter

Universal Music Group (UMG) plans to pull its catalog from TikTok on Jan. 31, affecting stars like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, over disputes on artist compensation, AI impact, and user safety. UMG's open letter cites TikTok's inadequate payment proposals and concerns over AI music diluting human artist royalties. TikTok counters, accusing UMG of greed and overlooking artist and user interests.

🎤 Trump Allies Intensify Criticism of Taylor Swift Before Super Bowl

Taylor Swift, amid political turbulence, faces intensified scrutiny from Trump allies due to her potential endorsement of President Biden's reelection. Criticized as a political tool, her influence spans from boosting voter registrations to impacting the economy. Trump's campaign sarcastically notes voters saying, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"

OTHER NEWS

🔥 Ohio Man Gets 18-Year Jail Term for Attempting to Torch Church During Drag Story Hour

Ohio's Aimenn D. Penny, 20, was sentenced to 18 years for attempting to burn down a church hosting drag shows. Linked to neo-Nazi group White Lives Matter, he aimed to "protect children." Despite the attack, the church continued its LGBTQ+ events. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen stated, “Such acts of extremist violence have no place in our communities.” The church’s Rev. Jess Peacock noted the incident strengthened their community.

🗳️ House Committee Moves Mayorkas Impeachment Articles to Floor Vote for Historic Decision

The House Homeland Security Committee advanced impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over handling the U.S.-Mexico border crisis. GOP Rep. Mark Green stated, "We cannot allow this man to remain in office any longer." Democrats label it a "sham," citing a lack of high crime evidence. Impeachment is unlikely to lead to conviction in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

🔍 U.S. Loses $73 Billion Annually to Health Issues from Excessive Screen Time

A Deloitte Economics Institute and American Optometric Association report reveals over 70% of U.S. office workers, face health issues from over seven hours of daily screen time, costing $73 billion annually. Symptoms like digital eye strain lead to productivity loss. The study also found that managing screen time symptoms could save up to $1,920 per person.

THIS DAY THAT YEAR

On 31 Jan, 1606, British provocateur Guy Fawkes, one of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators aiming to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I for his repression of Roman Catholics, was executed in London.

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