The Daily Factum
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Breaking News
Mystery of Baltimore's Harbor: Power Outages on Container Ship Dali and Collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge Under Investigation
Broke On: Thursday, 16 May 2024Two major incidents occurred in Baltimore's harbor on March 26, 2024: the container ship Dali experienced power outages, and the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. The causes of both events remain under investigation by various authorities. Preliminary reports suggest no involvement of alcohol or drugs. The NTSB and FBI are investigating potential cybersecurity risks related to the Dali's power outages, while 21 crew members remain trapped on board due to ongoing investigations and visa restrictions. 
New Caledonia: Violent Protests Erupt Over French Voting Rights Reforms, Six Dead
Broke On: Thursday, 16 May 2024Violent protests engulfed New Caledonia this week as France approved voting rights for long-term residents, sparking fears of independence loss among the Indigenous Kanak community. Clashes resulted in six deaths, looting, arson and armed clashes. Authorities imposed a state of emergency, banned TikTok and deployed troops to quell unrest. 
Russia-China Alliance: Record $240.1 Billion Trade in 2023, Deepening Economic and Military Ties
Broke On: Wednesday, 15 May 2024In 2023, Russia's economic dependence on China reached new heights with record-breaking $240.1 billion in trade, making up 30% of Russia's exports and nearly 40% of its imports. Chinese yuan became the primary currency for trade between them, leading to Chinese dominance in Russian markets and popular brands. In May 2024, Putin and Xi Jinping met in Beijing to strengthen their strategic partnership, criticizing the US as a destabilizing aggressor and aligning on contentious issues like Taiwan, North Korea, and Gaza. They also pledged deeper military cooperation. 
Governor Youngkin Vetoes Bills on Contraceptives and Confederate Tax Exemptions, Sparking Controversy
Broke On: Saturday, 18 May 2024Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed bills on contraceptive access and Confederate tax exemptions, sparking political reactions. He cited religious freedoms and parents' rights for the former, and an inappropriate precedent for the latter. Seven bills were signed into law, while eight were vetoed or sent back with amendments. 
Two Top Executives Depart from OpenAI: Jan Leike and Ilya Sutskever Leave Amidst Resource Allocation Concerns and Prioritization Debates
Broke On: Friday, 17 May 2024Two top executives, Jan Leike and Ilya Sutskever, have departed from OpenAI, the leading AI research laboratory. Leike expressed concerns about under-resourcing and prioritization of safety culture in the company. Sutskever will work on a personal project after disagreements over priorities. Their departures follow those of several other researchers and come amidst changes at OpenAI, including the controversial firing and reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman. 
Two Individuals Show Signs of Reversing Early Alzheimer's Disease Through Lifestyle Changes and Medical Interventions
Broke On: Saturday, 18 May 2024Two individuals, Simon Nicholls and an unnamed patient, have shown signs of improvement or even reversal in their early Alzheimer's disease symptoms through lifestyle changes and medical interventions. After implementing diet, exercise, stress reduction, sleep optimization, prescribed supplements and medications due to carrying the APOE4 gene, Nicholls' Alzheimer's disease biomarkers disappeared. Another patient claimed reversal of symptoms after five years in a clinical trial focusing on intensive lifestyle changes. 
Unprecedented Solar Storm in May 2024: Eight X-class Flares and Global Auroras
Broke On: Tuesday, 07 May 2024An unprecedented solar storm in May 2024, marked by eight X-class solar flares and coronal mass ejections, caused a week-long barrage of space weather events. The strongest flare, an X8.7 on May 14, resulted in a G5 geomagnetic storm with auroras visible at low latitudes worldwide. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured images and provided valuable data for scientists to study the sun's behavior. While these solar events led to stunning auroras, they also posed risks for spacecraft and satellite operations. 
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk Face Off: Determining the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion on May 18, 2024
Broke On: Saturday, 18 May 2024Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to face off in a historic match on May 18, 2024, to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion. This fight marks the first time since April 2000 that there will be an undisputed heavyweight champion. Both fighters have a storied history and are known for their mental fortitude and physical prowess. 
Kinds of Kindness: Yorgos Lanthimos' Triptych Anthology Film Premieres at Cannes with Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, and Willem Dafoe
Broke On: Friday, 17 May 2024Yorgos Lanthimos' anthology film, Kinds of Kindness, premiered at Cannes 2024 with three distinct stories. A rebellious office worker, a suspicious husband, and cult members search for a young woman. Praise poured in with standing ovations and acclaimed cast including Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone & Willem Dafoe. Food imagery, doubles, and Lanthimos' signature themes recur. Nvidia Q1 Earnings Preview: Anticipated 400% EPS Growth, Upcoming GPU Releases, and Competition from Tech Giants
Broke On: Saturday, 18 May 2024Next week, Nvidia is projected to report Q1 earnings with a 400% increase in EPS to $5.52 and sales up 237% to $24.27 billion, surpassing estimates for the fifth consecutive quarter. Investors anticipate updates on upcoming high-performance AI chips, the Blackwell series, and potential competition from tech giants.
