The Daily Factum
Deprogramming the News
Breaking News
Five Climate Activists Disrupt PGA Tour's Travelers Championship, Delaying Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler's Final Rounds
Broke On: Sunday, 23 June 2024Five climate activists from Extinction Rebellion disrupted the final round of the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, on June 23, 2024. They ran onto the 18th green during a crucial moment in the tournament and left a powdery substance on the putting surface, delaying play for several minutes. The protest affected leaders Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler as they prepared to finish their rounds, with both players needing strong performances to make it into a playoff. Scheffler went on to win the tournament in a playoff against Kim, describing the experience as unsettling. 
Ray Kurzweil's Predictions for AI: Transforming Energy, Manufacturing, and Medicine
Broke On: Monday, 17 June 2024Renowned futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts AI will soon revolutionize the physical world, focusing on energy, manufacturing, and medicine. He envisions nanorobots extending human life by curing aging. 
Microsoft Copilot: The AI Assistant Revolutionizing Productivity in the Digital Age
Broke On: Tuesday, 18 June 2024Microsoft Copilot, an AI platform integrated into Windows 11, Microsoft 365, Bing Search, and Edge Browser, assists users with administrative tasks and enhances productivity. Popular among financial advisors for time-saving benefits. Continuously evolving with new features like a mobile app and integration into Outlook, Word, Excel, OneNote, and Teams. Criticized for enabling multiple meetings simultaneously but poised to streamline workflows. 
Zepto Raises $665M, Boosts Valuation to $3.6B: Ultra-Fast Delivery Startup Expands in Indian Market
Broke On: Friday, 21 June 2024Mumbai-based ultra-fast delivery startup Zepto secures $665 million in Series F funding, boosting its valuation to $3.6 billion. With a focus on 'dark stores' and swift order fulfillment, Zepto delivers a wide range of products within 10 minutes in urban Indian cities. The startup reports impressive growth figures and plans to expand its network of dark stores to over 700 by March 2025. 
NVIDIA's Dramatic Stock Drop and Amazon's Strategic Pricing: Tech Giants Adapt to Competition
Broke On: Sunday, 23 June 2024NVIDIA's stock price plummeted by approximately $405 billion due to irrational market enthusiasm around AI, while Amazon focuses on maintaining its competitive edge through strategic pricing moves. 
Germany's Scholz Concerned Over Far-Right Win in France: Implications for European Politics
Broke On: Saturday, 15 June 2024Vice President Harris unveils $1.5 billion in aid for Ukraine at a peace summit as the death toll from Russian bombing of a hypermarket in Kharkiv rises to 12, prompting calls for more air defense systems. French elections result in a significant gain for the far-right National Rally party, leading to concerns over its impact on European politics and upcoming legislative elections. Germany's Scholz expresses concern over the prospect of a far-right win in France. 
UN Chief Warns of Potential Escalation Between Israel and Hezbollah, Tensions Along Border Remain Volatile
Broke On: Friday, 21 June 2024UN Secretary-General António Guterres issues a dire warning about the risk of Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalating into a wider war, expressing deep concern over increasing tensions along their border. Months of violence, including strikes and civilian casualties, have heightened fears of a catastrophic conflict. Israeli officials meet with US counterparts to secure ceasefire agreements but continue to face resistance from Hamas in ongoing negotiations. 
FBI Offers Reward as Two Deadly Wildfires in Ruidoso, New Mexico, Destroy Over 1,400 Structures and Force Thousands to Evacuate: South Fork Fire and Salt Fire Update
Broke On: Friday, 21 June 2024Two wildfires, the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire, ravaged Ruidoso, New Mexico since June 17. Thousands evacuated as both fires reached over 38 square miles combined and destroyed approximately 1,400 structures. The FBI offers a $10,000 reward for information on the arsonists behind the fires which remain at partial containment. President Biden declared a disaster in affected areas, releasing funds for recovery efforts. Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford anticipates a five-year rebuilding process and advises returning residents to bring essentials due to potential gas, electricity, or water outages. Ukraine-Russia Conflict: At Least Five Killed in Sevastopol Beach Attack as Tensions Escalate
Broke On: Sunday, 23 June 2024Since June 23, 2024, Ukraine and Russia have engaged in a series of attacks on each other's infrastructure and civilian areas, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Ukraine fired a US-made ATACMS missile towards Crimea that exploded over a crowded beach in Sevastopol, killing at least five people. In response to ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, Russia launched 16 missiles and 13 Shahed drones at Ukrainian infrastructure. The conflict between these countries has been ongoing since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. 
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Delayed: Helium Leaks and Thruster Failure Extend NASA Astronauts' Stay at ISS
Broke On: Tuesday, 18 June 2024Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, scheduled for June 18 return with NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore, is delayed until June 26 due to helium leaks and thruster failure during test flight. The capsule, docked at ISS since May 19, will extend its mission for troubleshooting before landing in New Mexico.
