Author: Gist It

  • Defense Secretary Austin says U.S. won’t stand for ‘coercion and bullying’ from China

    U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the United States will stand against “coercion and bullying” from China, while maintaining status quo on Taiwan. Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue: Austin shared the United States’s vision of a ~~”free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific within a world of rules and rights.”~~ * He emphasized U.S. commitment to working with […]

  • Kaija Saariaho, the composer who explored color and light, has died at age 70

    Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, known for exploring color and light in her music, has died at age 70. Composer’s background: Saariaho faced early career obstacles due to sexism, with some professors refusing to teach her. * The composer’s drive to create music helped her overcome these challenges, and she became a prominent and influential figure […]

  • Hollywood writers still going strong, a month after strike began

    Hollywood writers’ strike against studios enters its second month, demanding higher wages, residuals, AI regulations, and more. The big picture: Writers on the picket lines remain determined and upbeat, with morale still high. * Teresa Huang, a writer and actor, says they are ready to continue striking “until we get a fair deal.” * Themed […]

  • Watch: President Biden will address the deal with Congress to avert debt default

    President Biden will address the nation on Friday evening regarding the deal with Congress to avert debt default. Significant agreement: The Senate passed legislation negotiated by Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to raise the debt ceiling for two years and cut federal spending. * The compromise would cut federal spending by $1.5 trillion over […]

  • YouTube will no longer take down false claims about U.S. elections

    YouTube has reversed a policy from December 2020 and will no longer remove videos falsely claiming the 2020 U.S. presidential election was stolen. The big picture: YouTube, owned by Google, has taken down tens of thousands of videos questioning the integrity of past U.S. presidential elections since creating the policy in 2020. * The platform […]

  • At least 50 people are killed, hundreds trapped in India passenger train derailment

    Two passenger trains derailed in India on Friday, killing at least 50 people and trapping hundreds of others inside damaged rail cars. The accident: The derailment occurred in eastern India, about 220 kilometers southwest of Kolkata, trapping hundreds of passengers and sending about 400 to hospitals. * The cause of the accident is under investigation. […]

  • South Korean pop culture is a hit worldwide. Now, video games are next

    South Korean video games are expected to gain worldwide attention, following the success of K-pop and other cultural exports. Meet the CEO: Jeonghee “JJ” Jin is the CEO of Pearl Abyss America, a branch of South Korean video game developer Pearl Abyss. * Jin grew up playing games at PC cafes in South Korea during […]

  • Mary Trump, E. Jean Carroll and Jennifer Taub launch romance novel on Substack

    Mary Trump, E. Jean Carroll, and Jennifer Taub collaborate on a romance novel to be published on Substack. Unexpected venture: Mary Trump, despite no prior experience in romance novels, is writing The Italian Lesson, her first romance novel. * Trump is joined by E. Jean Carroll and Jennifer Taub in this project. * All three […]

  • A lullaby really can work magic. Science tells us why and how

    Lullabies have a scientifically proven soothing effect on children, aiding sleep and reducing stress. The science: Research indicates that lullabies slow children’s thoughts, helping them fall asleep faster. * Lullabies have been found to soothe preterm infants, decreasing heart rate and respiration and reducing time spent in the neonatal intensive care unit. Cross-cultural phenomenon: Lullabies […]

  • Pence won’t be charged in DOJ classified documents investigation

    The Justice Department will not file charges against former Vice President Mike Pence in a classified documents investigation. Closing the investigation: The DOJ has concluded its investigation into classified documents found at Pence’s home without any finding of criminal wrongdoing. * Two sources confirm that the Justice Department sent a letter to Pence informing him […]