Boeing is ready to make another attempt to launch NASA astronauts for the first time following the completion of the latest round of repairs. The liftoff is scheduled for Wednesday morning from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This will be the third launch attempt for NASA test pilots aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, with the previous attempts being thwarted by rocket-related issues. NASA enlisted Boeing and SpaceX to transport astronauts to and from the space station after the retirement of the space shuttles. While SpaceX has successfully been ferrying astronauts since 2020, Boeing’s first attempt in 2019 was plagued by severe software issues that prevented it from reaching the space station.
eBay, a prominent online marketplace, has announced that it will no longer accept American Express due to what the company considers to be unacceptably high fees. eBay believes that customers have alternative payment options available to them for their online shopping needs. This move deals a blow to American Express, whose customers are often highly desirable for merchants due to their higher spending habits. However, this is not the first time a merchant has chosen to stop accepting American Express, with warehouse chain Costco doing so almost a decade ago.
A Russian cosmonaut has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first person to spend 1,000 days in space. Oleg Kononenko, a 59-year-old Russian cosmonaut, has set this cumulative space time record after making five journeys to the International Space Station since 2008. His current mission began on September 15, 2023, and if it concludes as scheduled on September 23, 2024, he will have spent a total of 1,110 days in orbit. Despite tensions between the United States and Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the International Space Station remains one of the few areas of close cooperation between the two countries.
As the Southwest experiences triple-digit temperatures, Phoenix firefighters are utilizing a new technique to treat heatstroke victims in hopes of saving more lives. Maricopa County reported 645 heat-related deaths last year, prompting the Phoenix Fire Department to immerse heatstroke victims in ice while transporting them to area hospitals. This cold water immersion technique has also been adopted by hospitals as a standard protocol. With experts warning of the hottest weather since last September, first responders and hospitals are increasingly embracing this method.
Adolescents are sharing their experiences and advice regarding social media, noting what they wish they had known earlier. Many young people find social media to be addictive and suggest taking periodic breaks to detox. They also emphasize the importance of setting boundaries and blocking individuals on social media when necessary. This insight comes as young people navigate the complexities of growing up in a digital age.
In Pennsylvania, a young black bear wandered into a suburban neighborhood and was tranquilized by officials. After being tranquilized, the bear took a dive from a tree into a waiting tarp held up by wildlife officials, police, and firefighters. The sedated bear was then moved to a bear trap for relocation to state-owned land. Meanwhile, Sean “Diddy” Combs has sold off his stake in Revolt, the media company he founded in 2013. This move comes as part of a broader mission for Revolt beyond any individual’s involvement.
New York lawmakers are in the process of finalizing legislation to give parents more control over their children’s social media feeds. The proposed bill would allow parents to block content curated by algorithms on social media platforms in an effort to moderate what their children see. However, critics warn that this measure could inadvertently lead internet companies to collect more data on users. With the legislative session ending soon, Albany lawmakers are pushing for the passage of this legislation.
Former Manhattan prosecutor Linda Fairstein has settled her defamation lawsuit against Netflix over her portrayal in the miniseries “When They See Us.” Fairstein alleged that the series depicted her as a racist and unethical figure, leading to a lawsuit against Netflix. The settlement, announced on Tuesday, includes a disclaimer during the show and a $1 million donation to the Innocence Project. Additionally, federal health advisers have rejected a proposal to use MDMA as a treatment for PTSD due to concerns about study data and potential safety risks.
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