Good Morning, News Buddy! Dive into the stories defining today and shaping tomorrow. 📰✨
Passenger Jet and Army Helicopter Collide.
A tragic collision near Reagan National Airport between an American Airlines CRJ700 and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter has left at least 18 dead, with more bodies expected from the Potomac River.
The crash occurred around 9 p.m. Wednesday as the jet, carrying 64 people, approached the airport, while the helicopter was on a routine mission. Both aircraft fell into the river after impact. Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities searching for survivors and identifying victims.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause, and all flights were temporarily halted. This incident, one of the deadliest near the airport, has shocked the community, raising concerns over air traffic safety.
Tesla, Microsoft, and Meta Earnings.
Tesla, Microsoft, and Meta’s latest earnings reports reveal mixed outcomes. Tesla faced a disappointing Q4, with EPS of 73 cents below the expected 76 cents and revenue falling to $25.71 billion, an 8% drop in automotive revenue.
Net income plunged by 71%, and deliveries declined by 1.8% year-over-year. Microsoft reported $69.63 billion in revenue, a 12.3% increase, with EPS of $3.23 beating estimates.
However, Azure growth slowed to 31%, and its Q1 revenue forecast fell below expectations. Meta saw robust growth, posting $48.39 billion in revenue (+21% YoY) and $8.02 EPS, surpassing forecasts. Yet its Q1 guidance missed estimates, signaling concerns about ad market challenges.
Norovirus Cases Surge Nationwide.
Norovirus, a highly contagious virus causing stomach infections, is surging across the U.S., leading to a spike in gastrointestinal illnesses this winter. The CDC reports a rise in outbreaks, affecting millions annually.
Symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps, appear within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. The virus spreads through contaminated food, close contact, and surfaces, thriving in communal spaces like schools and hospitals.
Health experts urge frequent handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, and staying home when sick to prevent transmission. With hospitals seeing more cases, dehydration remains a major concern, especially for vulnerable populations.
China’s “Artificial Sun”
China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed the “artificial sun,” maintained high-confinement plasma for 1,066 seconds, nearly 18 minutes, surpassing its 2023 record of 403 seconds.
During the experiment, temperatures soared beyond 180 million degrees Fahrenheit (about 100 million degrees Celsius), with heating systems operating at the power equivalent of 140,000 microwave ovens.
Nuclear fusion, which replicates the sun’s energy generation, holds promise for limitless clean energy but currently consumes more energy than it generates.
Data from EAST will support the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in France, which aims to develop a sustainable fusion reaction.
