The Daily Factum
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Apple's iMessage May Be Exempt from EU's Interoperability Regulation
Broke On: Wednesday, 06 December 2023The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) may not apply to Apple's iMessage due to its lack of popularity among business users. Apple plans to adopt the Rich Messaging Service (RCS) next year, allowing interoperability with Android. Other Apple services such as the App Store, Safari browser, and iOS mobile operating system are already covered by the DMA. SpaceX Valuation Could Reach $175 Billion in Latest Tender Offer
Broke On: Thursday, 07 December 2023SpaceX is in discussions to sell insider shares in a tender offer that values the company at $175 billion or more. The company dominates the market for commercial space launch services and operates its Starlink internet-from-space service. Billionaire investor Ron Baron predicts that SpaceX will be worth around $500 billion by 2030. U.S. Considers Naval Task Force in Red Sea Following Houthi Attacks
Broke On: Friday, 01 December 2023The U.S. is considering the establishment of a naval task force to protect Red Sea shipping following recent attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The Navy destroyer USS Carney shot down three drones launched by the Houthi rebels during ballistic missile attacks on three commercial ships in the Red Sea. The attacks took place in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, an important shipping route. Nevada GOP Leaders Indicted in 2020 Election Fraud Scheme
Broke On: Wednesday, 06 December 2023Six Nevada Republicans, including the state party chair and vice chair, have been indicted on charges related to a scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. The charges include offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument, carrying potential penalties of between one and five years in prison and maximum fines of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. This is the third state, following Michigan and Georgia, where criminal charges have been brought against individuals for posing as false electors. President Biden's Use of Email Aliases for Communication with Son and Associates Revealed
Broke On: Wednesday, 06 December 2023President Joe Biden used multiple email aliases to communicate with his son, Hunter Biden, and key business associates. The majority of these communications were exclusively with Eric Schwerin, a pivotal figure described as 'the architect of the Biden family's shell companies.' The records indicate that Joe and Schwerin communicated extensively before Biden's trips to Ukraine, coinciding with Hunter's appointment to the board of Burisma Holdings. US Provides $175M Security Assistance to Ukraine Amid Funding Concerns
Broke On: Wednesday, 06 December 2023The Biden Administration has announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine, valued at $175 million. The United States, along with 50 Allies and partners, has been supporting Ukraine in retaking more than 50% of its sovereign territory that was seized by Russia. The United States has committed more than $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022. The Biden administration has warned that funding for Ukraine is running out, with negotiations for additional funding stalled due to concerns over border security. Enhancing Safety in mRNA Therapeutics: Addressing Unintended Immune Responses
Broke On: Friday, 01 December 2023Nucleotide modifications in mRNA-based therapeutics can cause +1 ribosomal frameshifting, leading to the production of unintended proteins and potential immune responses. Researchers have redesigned mRNA sequences to avoid these off-target effects, enhancing the safety of future mRNA-based therapeutics. An unintended immune response occurred in one third of the patients who received the mRNA Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19, but with no ill-effects. Flu Prevalence in New York Triggers Masking Requirements for Unvaccinated Health Care Workers
Broke On: Wednesday, 06 December 2023The New York State Department of Health has declared the flu prevalent in the state, triggering masking requirements for unvaccinated health care workers in facility settings. Unvaccinated healthcare workers in specific settings must wear surgical or procedure masks during times when the flu is deemed prevalent. Lab-confirmed influenza cases have been increasing across the state, with a 34% increase outside of New York City and a 21% increase in the five boroughs over the previous week. Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module Returns to Earth's Orbit in Significant Step for Lunar Missions
Broke On: Tuesday, 05 December 2023The Propulsion Module of the Chandrayaan-3 mission has successfully returned to Earth's orbit. The return of the PM to Earth's orbit involved an orbit-raising maneuver and a Trans-Earth injection maneuver. The module is now orbiting about 96,000 miles above Earth, where it will make one lap of the planet approximately every 13 days. International Space Station Celebrates 25 Years of Global Cooperation and Research
Broke On: Tuesday, 05 December 2023The International Space Station (ISS) marked its 25th anniversary on December 6, 2023. The ISS has been home to astronauts from 21 countries and has been continuously inhabited for 23 years. The ISS has facilitated over 3,300 research and educational investigations from 108 countries and areas. Plans are underway to operate the ISS until at least 2030.