A Delaware judge upheld her previous ruling invalidating Elon Musk’s $56 billion Tesla compensation package, the largest in US history for a public company executive. The judge rejected Tesla’s argument that a subsequent shareholder vote ratified the plan, citing the potential for endless litigation if such actions were allowed. A $345 million attorney fee award was approved for the plaintiffs’ lawyers. Musk may appeal, but despite this setback, his net worth has recently increased significantly due to a surge in Tesla’s stock price following Donald Trump’s election.
Read More
Sarah Boone was sentenced to life imprisonment for the second-degree murder of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr. Boone was convicted of zipping Torres inside a suitcase, where he suffocated after hours of pleading to be released while Boone taunted him. The sentencing followed emotional victim impact statements from Torres’ family, who described devastating loss and ongoing trauma. Boone’s defense argued battered spouse syndrome, claiming abuse at Torres’ hands; however, this claim did not sway the jury or the judge. A motion for a new trial was denied prior to sentencing.
Read More
A Wisconsin judge’s ruling has reinstated collective bargaining rights for public sector workers, effectively overturning key provisions of Act 10, a 2011 law that severely restricted these rights. The decision restores bargaining power to pre-2011 levels for all public employees, eliminating a disparity that favored public safety unions. Republicans have pledged an immediate appeal, highlighting the critical upcoming state Supreme Court election which will determine the court’s ideological balance. This legal victory comes after years of challenges and follows the court’s shift to a liberal majority.
Read More
Pat Gelsinger resigned as Intel CEO after a challenging tenure marked by declining stock performance (down 61%) and missed opportunities in the AI boom, allowing competitors like Nvidia to surge ahead. His efforts to revitalize the company, including cost-cutting measures such as a 15% workforce reduction and a focus on foundry services, proved insufficient to reverse Intel’s fortunes. The company is now under interim leadership from co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus while searching for a permanent replacement, aiming to streamline operations and bolster investor confidence. This transition comes amidst ongoing struggles, including delays in government-funded manufacturing expansions.
Read More
In response to Elon Musk’s transformation of X into a platform for disinformation and propaganda, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), representing over 295,000 journalists, will cease publishing content on the platform starting January 20, 2025. This decision, mirroring actions by other European news outlets, cites concerns about Musk’s collaboration with Donald Trump and the platform’s promotion of harmful content. The EFJ emphasizes its commitment to press freedom and ethical journalism in making this choice. This action reflects the growing concerns about the erosion of public trust in social media platforms and the threat to democratic discourse.
Read More
A coyote attacked a four-year-old girl in northern Colorado Springs, causing serious injuries requiring hospitalization, after the child mistook it for a dog. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is actively searching for and plans to euthanize any coyotes in the area to ensure the attacking animal is removed. The incident highlights the dangers of coyotes adapting to urban environments and the importance of preventing human-wildlife interaction by avoiding the feeding of wild animals. CPW urges residents to remain vigilant and deter any approaching wildlife. The search for the coyote is expected to last several days.
Read More
The UN’s fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan failed to finalize a global treaty to curb plastic pollution due to significant disagreements among nations. Key divisions centered on capping plastic production, with over 100 countries advocating for it while several oil-producing nations resisted. Consequently, crucial decisions were postponed to a future INC 5.2 meeting. The unresolved issues highlight the challenges of achieving a globally binding agreement on plastic pollution, particularly concerning production limits and financial support for developing countries. The postponement raises concerns about the treaty’s effectiveness in addressing the rapidly growing plastic crisis.
Read More
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s transit through Hawaii, en route to a Pacific tour, has prompted a strong condemnation from China, which views Taiwan as its territory. Lai’s visit, framed as promoting democracy and peace, included a Pearl Harbor visit emphasizing the importance of preventing war. China’s defense ministry vowed to oppose any official interaction with Taiwan and to crush independence efforts. The trip continues to several Pacific island nations that recognize Taiwan’s independence.
Read More
Oxford University Press declared “brain rot” its Word of the Year, reflecting the perceived decline in mental acuity stemming from excessive consumption of low-value online content. The term, defined as a deterioration of mental state due to overconsumption of trivial material, experienced a 250% surge in usage this year, predominantly on social media platforms like TikTok. Oxford notes the term’s origins in Thoreau’s *Walden*, highlighting its enduring relevance in an era of readily available, often low-quality, online information. The selection underscores concerns about the impact of online content on cognitive well-being.
Read More
A Melbourne woman driving on the Monash Freeway encountered a tiger snake that slithered onto her leg. Despite the terrifying situation, she managed to safely pull over amidst heavy traffic before exiting the vehicle. Snake catcher Tim Nanninga was called to remove the venomous reptile, which was found under the car’s dashboard. The unharmed woman was taken to the hospital for observation, while the snake was released into a safe, remote location.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker