Outrage After Gaza Aid Disaster

Good morning and happy Friday. Talk about a big thing in a small package: The male Danionella cerebrum, a half-inch-long translucent fish, can generate noises of over 140 decibels. That is about as loud as a firecracker or an airplane taking off. Have a great weekend!

In Today’s Brief

• Texas: Border bill blocked for now

• North Korea: Spy satellite success

• Michigan: Trump critic returns

• OpenAI: Under SEC investigation

• Caitlin Clark: Headed to WNBA

... and more

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Top Tips

1) ‘A nightmare’

An incident near a Gaza aid convoy could be an inflection point in Israel's war against Hamas after over 100 Palestinians were killed.

• What happened: A chaotic scene broke out in Gaza City when almost 20 food trucks arrived early yesterday morning. Civilians were swarmed around the trucks and Israeli forces were said to have opened fire. The trucks then apparently tried to leave, hitting each other and people. Palestinian officials said 112 were killed and close to 800 injured.

• The claims: Israel denied a strike on the convoy and said its troops opened fire separate from the stampede, but tanks fired warning shots to disperse a crowd after recognizing people were being trampled. But witnesses contradicted that timeline and Palestinians said Israel opened fire on the crowd.

• Big picture: Many countries expressed alarm after the incident; The White House called for an investigation, Turkey accused Israel of a crime against humanity and Canada said the incident was "a nightmare." President Joe Biden conceded the incident could complicate ongoing ceasefire talks.

2) Alabama’s IVF fix

Legislators in Alabama voted to protect in-vitro fertilization treatments yesterday following a controversial ruling by the state's high court.

• What happened: The Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos are children, a decision that sparked confusion and outcry nationwide. IVF clinics in the state said they would have to pause treatment due to the ruling, leaving families hoping to have children in limbo.

• The response: Health care entities that provide IVF services were granted legal protections by the bill, which passed Alabama's House and Senate with overwhelming support. The state's attorney general previously said he would not prosecute any IVF families or providers.

• Big picture: The court ruling emerged as a political issue for the GOP, with many party members voicing their support for IVF. This state ruling could mitigate the electoral impact, but more debate is expected.

3) Murky waters

Paris' plan for Olympic swimming events this summer is causing a stink.

• The issue: The city has pledged to hold open-water swimming in the River Seine. But organizers are concerned it will not be safe. Last year's test events were canceled due to pollution; there is little defense against heavy rains introducing sewage once the Games begin.

• Political plunge: Swimming in the Seine has been mostly banned for 100 years. A long line of Parisian mayors have vowed to clean the waters and lift the prohibition, but none have been successful. French President Emmanuel Macron vowed he will swim the river before the Games, but did not set a date.

• Big picture: The French insist the water will be ready. This concern is also nothing new for open-water swimming at the Olympics -- there were complaints about conditions in previous events in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

Quick Tips

U.S. News

• A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction temporarily halting Texas' new state immigration law. The bill granting enhanced law enforcement powers for local and state agencies at the border was set to take effect next week (More)

• The FBI raided the home of one of New York Mayor Eric Adams' top aides. Several people in Adams' orbit are currently being probed by law enforcement as the mayor's fundraising is investigated (More)

• Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized to legislators for concealing recent health issues. Austin was questioned on his lack of transparency during a House Armed Services Committee hearing (More)

World News

• North Korea's first spy satellite appears to be operational. The satellite's orbit changes indicate the country can control it, but its capabilities remain unknown (More)

• Chadian opposition leader Yaya Dillo died in a shootout with security forces. Dillo was a top contender in the Central African nation's upcoming presidential election (More)

• Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro denied he harassed a humpback whale while boating last summer. Bolsonaro claims he gave the animal space and said the accusation was politically motivated (More)

Campaign News

• Former Michigan Rep. Justin Amash has entered the state's GOP Senate primary. A fierce critic of former President Donald Trump, Amash previously left the party in 2019 and ended his 10-year House tenure as a Libertarian (More)

• Trump swept President Biden in seven general election swing state polls conducted by Bloomberg and Morning Consult. Five of the surveys have Trump winning by more than the margin of error (More)

• Tennessee Rep. Mark Green will seek re-election after announcing his retirement. Trump reportedly pressured the House Homeland Security Chairman to reconsider (More)

Business & Markets

• Major indexes closed higher yesterday. January's inflation numbers aligned with expectations; the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closed at record highs (Dow +0.04%, Nasdaq +0.84%, S&P 500 +0.54%).

• The SEC is investigating whether OpenAI misled investors during last year's boardroom crisis. The agency has requested internal communications from CEO Sam Altman and others (More)

• The co-founders of former President Trump's social media company accused him of diluting the value of shares in a lawsuit. Trump could make up to $3B if a planned SPAC merger is successful (More)

Entertainment & Sports

• Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark will enter the WNBA draft after this season. The reigning national player of the year is expected to go No. 1 to the Indiana Fever (More)

• The House passed legislation allowing the District of Columbia to redevelop the RFK Stadium site. The Senate still must approve the bill, which could lead to the NFL’s Washington Commanders returning to the city (More)

• Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba received a four-year doping ban. The French soccer star said he did not knowingly take performance-enhancing drugs and would appeal the decision (More)

Quick Hitters

• Real Hero: A quick-thinking garbage collector in England saved lives. Steve Whitehouse spotted a blaze on his rounds in Birmingham and scaled a balcony three times to save a couple and their dog.

• Be Safe: We have some bad news if you hoard Polynesian Sauce from Chick-fil-A. The company said undisclosed allergens may be in packets produced over the last two weeks.

• Take Note: The CDC recommends that senior citizens get another COVID-19 jab. People 65 years and older should get a new booster.

• Go Deep: Billions of gallons of stormwater falls out of the sky each year. How do U.S. cities better take advantage of the valuable -- and free -- resource?

• Cooking Hack: It is tricky to get an avocado ripe and then even trickier to use it before it goes bad. Here is how to properly store and preserve the leftovers.

• OPTIMIZE ME: Researchers “found convincing evidence that higher intake of ultra-processed foods was associated with 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease-related death, a 48% to 53% higher risk of anxiety and common mental disorders, and a 12% greater risk of type 2 diabetes”

Want more health and wellness news? Subscribe to our brand new newsletter, Optimize Me, and start living a healthier life through diet, exercise, sleep, and mindfulness:

Watch This

It's called a "firefall." Every February, the setting sun's reflection makes Yosemite National Park's Horsetail Fall look like a flowing flame.

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Looking Ahead …

Pro-Russian rebels in Moldova have asked Russia to protect the separatist Transnistria region, renewing fears the Kremlin could try to move into another former Soviet satellite state by force. Moldova borders Ukraine and Romania; its pro-Western government was invited to enter European Union membership negotiations last year.

Question of the Day — Friday Trivia

Yesterday’s results:

What is your favorite hot beverage?

• Yes (56%)

• No (38%)

• I use someone’s password (6%)