World

Satellites find “Fairy Circles” around the world

Mysterious ground rings pop up all over the world. Strange patches of earth encircled by vegetation have been found via satellite across the world. Researchers found these “fairy circles” in 263 different places across 15 countries and three continents.

Researchers trained a pattern recognition model with images of previously known fairy circles and applied the model across satellite imagery, dispersing their attention to 575,000 different two-and-a-half acre plots.

The natural phenomena were believed to be confined within parts of southern Africa and the Australian outback. However, these new findings have shaken up the tightly-knit community of scientists that study them, prompting new questions about their existence and implications regarding their environment.

NASA astronaut sets record for time spent in space

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio broke the record for the single longest space flight by an American in history. Rubio spent 371 days aboard the International Space Station, but not on purpose.

The record-breaking space vacation was extended by almost 200 days due to space debris piercing a radiator aboard the ISS. On his trip, he logged 157 million miles and orbited the Earth nearly 6,000 times.

At a press conference after his landing, Rubio stated he would’ve never agreed to a year-long space trip, as he ended up missing the end of his eldest daughter’s first year at the U.S. Naval Academy and her departure to West Point.

Spending such an extended period of time in microgravity can have repercussions: Muscle and bone mass can deteriorate as much as 30% over three to six months, half as long as the team in the ISS experienced.

Politics

Kevin McCarthy voted out as Speaker of the House

For the first time in U.S. history, an incumbent House Speaker has been removed from office. McCarthy was warned by a contingent of hard-right conservatives that if he didn’t pass the spending bills they desired, he would be voted out. And that’s exactly what happened.

This came after McCarthy avoided a government shutdown at the 11th hour, with the help of House Democrats. Rep. Mat Gaetz acted the day after, forcing a vote to vacate the office of the speaker, following through on his threat to McCarthy.

What happens now?

The path ahead is unclear, as this marks uncharted territory for the U.S. government. The rules of the 188th Congress state that “in the case of a vacancy of the office of speaker, the next member” named on a list submitted by McCarthy will be the interim Speaker of the House.

• Patrick McHenry of North Carolina was the first name on McCarthy’s list, so he will be appointed speaker for the time being

McCarthy told his Republican colleagues Tuesday night he wouldn’t run again. House Republicans will have to decide on his successor soon if they don't want major dysfunction in the House.

Why is this such a huge deal?

Until someone is chosen for the position, the House will be without a leader and “essentially paralyzed”, said Rep McClintock, a California Republican (why are there so many Mc-somethings?). Without an appointed speaker, it will be impossible to advance legislation.

This means Republicans will need to elect a new one before they can finish their crucial to-do lists, which include funding the government to avoid another potential shutdown within the next 43 days.

False (fire) alarm?

Hooray for even more madness in the legislative branch. Democratic Rep. Jaamal Bowman pulled a fire alarm in the House Office Building on Saturday, seemingly in hopes of delaying a crucial vote to keep the government from shutting down.

Rep. Bowman stated that he was trying to open a door and as a result, the fire alarm went off. New images were released showing Bowman clearly not trying to open a door and instead going straight to an actual fire alarm.

Here is the image.

How, in any way, anyone, even a second grader, could possibly think that was a door handle, is beyond my scope of comprehension.

Rep. Bowman reportedly has had no punishment handed down for his actions as of this week, but if it’s determined he set off the alarm in order to delay a Congressional vote, it would mean serious consequences.

Bowman responded to Republicans looking for an investigation into the matter, saying, “Republicans need to instead focus their energy on the Nazi members of their party before anything else.” in a Google document released by his office.

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Grab Bag

Netflix used to sell DVDs?

In the era of Blockbuster, Netflix was once known as DVD.com. After 25 years of sending out discs to loyal DVD drive owners, Netflix sent out its last DVD on Friday of last week.

Although it’s not a huge surprise, as streaming has become the premier way to watch your favorite shows and movies, it’s still a little sad to see Netflix phase out what grew it into the entertainment empire it is now.

As a parting gift, the fewer than 1 million people who still subscribed to their DVD service will get to keep their final discs.

Fun facts about Netflix’s start:

• At its peak, Netflix was the U.S. Postal Service’s 5th largest customer, processing 1.2 million DVDs weekly, according to the NYT

• They shipped over 5.2 billion DVDs in total

• They had over 40 million unique subscribers

• The most popular title was The Blind Side

• Their first DVD ever shipped was Beetlejuice on March 10th, 1998

SCOTUS to decide if laws regulating social media are unconstitutional

To censor or not to censor: The Supreme Court will decide if Florida and Texas state laws that regulate social media companies from taking down posts violate the First Amendment.

The two states say banning or censoring users and posts based on their viewpoints shouldn’t be allowed. The Supreme Court has to play catch-up as laws written at the start of the digital age continue to become invalid or even applicable.

Tech giants argue that the laws infringe them from countering extremism and hate speech, while others say it doesn’t allow users to enact their First Amendment rights.

A ruling should be expected sometime in June, so possibly right in the middle of election season.

Snippets

Traitor Joes: Trader Joe’s had to recall some of their cookies and soups after it was found they contained rocks and insects, respectively.

That’s Beast: MrBeast, the most subscribed individual YouTuber, is now sponsoring the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. He is the first influencer to sponsor a major sports team.

Brutally Honest: A bishop in Sicily had to apologize after he told children Santa wasn’t real. Sorry if we spoiled it.

Mouse Money: Target is closing stores in San Fransico, Seattle, New York, and Portland because of a surge in organized retail crime.

Road Rage: A woman drove 500 miles to take the UK’s “easiest driving test” and failed.

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