5 things to know for November 4: Twitter, flu, January 6, student loans, Brittney Griner

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The massive rocket at the heart of NASA’s mission to bring humans back to the moon is being out of its shed today. After a series of problems and bad weather thwarted the first two launch attempts, the agency spent weeks troubleshooting and is now preparing for another attempt to get the rocket off the ground.

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Elon Musk will start fire Twitter employees this morning, according to a memo sent to staff, as several employees are suing the billionaire alleging the layoffs violate employment law. An email sent Thursday evening informed employees that they will receive a notice by 12 p.m. ET today advising them of their employment status. The memo comes after previous reports said Musk planned to lay off up to half of the company’s staff after acquiring it last week for $44 billion. Twitter had around 7,500 employees before the Musk takeover. He began his tenure at Twitter in fire its CEO and two other executives, according to two people familiar with the decision. Musk also disbanded Twitter’s former board.

Health officials are strengthening their recommendations for people to get flu shots as this year’s strain gathers pace across the United States. There have been at least 880,000 flu cases, nearly 7,000 hospitalizations and 360 flu deaths so far this fall – including one pediatric death – according to CDC data. The figures also show that there have not been so many flu cases this early in the season since 2009. After recently receiving Covid-19 shots and boosters, some people have been wait later in the season to get a flu shot, said CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen. However, since it takes about two weeks to achieve peak immune protection after receiving a flu shot, people who have not yet received it should do so now.

The House Select Committee Investigating the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol Uprising Interviewed More Secret Service witnesses, including former Vice President Mike Pence’s retail chief. The committee is also expected to interview at least half a dozen Secret Service witnesses in the coming weeks, including current and former officials and agents, multiple sources told CNN. The group’s efforts to obtain testimonies from a growing list current and former Secret Service agents in the final months of its investigation shows that the committee is stepping up its efforts to learn more about what the Secret Service knew about imminent threats against Pence and other government officials before the attack.

President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program remains on hold while a federal appeals court considers a legal challenge brought by six Republican-led states. The Biden administration is still accepting applications for student loan forgiveness, which is worth up to $20,000 per borrower, but it is currently not permitted to forgive student loan debt until the hold is lifted. The Biden administration is also facing legal action from an attorney general and conservative groups who say he lacks the legal authority to write off student loan debt broadly. As for what happens next, an appeals court will decide whether to grant a preliminary injunction requested by the states. If granted, the Student Loan Forgiveness Program could be put on hold while the court hears both parties. If it is not granted, the cancellation of the debt can begin for the duration of the appeal. The decision could come at any time.

U.S. Embassy officials visited WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner in Russia on Thursday and “got to see firsthand her tenacity and perseverance despite her current situation,” the door said. -State Department spokesman Ned Price in a statement. They had could not visit Griner since early August but spoke to him by phone last month. After months of internal debate, the Biden administration had previously offered to trade a Russian arms dealer convicted serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States as part of a potential deal to secure Griner’s release and Paul Whelanwho has been held in a remote prison camp in Russia for espionage since 2018. US officials say they have continued to follow through on their offer and stressed that the detentions of Americans remain a top priority.

Kyrie Irving apologizes amid Twitter controversy and suspension by Brooklyn Nets

The NBA star apologized on Instagram Thursday night, hours after the Nets announced a five-game suspension for his “failure to disavow anti-Semitism”.

Netflix launches new plan with ads

After much anticipation, the platform’s cheaper plan with ads debuted in the US on Thursday. Here’s how it differs from existing plans.

Miller Lite sells a Christmas tree stand that doubles as a beer keg

Beer lovers are taking “holiday cheering” to a new level… This product was designed to “give the impression that beer is poured from the tree“said a company spokesperson.

Jay-Z and Jeff Bezos are interested in buying the Washington Commanders together

The two billionaire businessmen already have significant sporting ties. Now they are in talks about a possible joint venture to buy an NFL team.

An Iranian artist’s paintings of women take on a new sense of urgencycy

These paintings loaded with symbols are emotionally charged and allude to issues that have recently sparked protests across Iran.

Which “extremely rare” item is expected to fetch up to $30 million at an upcoming auction?

The diary of A. george washington

B. White House Key

C. Copy of the first edition of the United States Constitution

D. Original Senate Gavel

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36

That’s the typical age of a first-time home buyer in the United States in 2022, up from 33 last year. A new report from the National Association of Realtors shows that first-time buyers accounted for only 26% of all homebuyers in the year ending June – a historic low for about four decades. Financial analysts say many factors have made it difficult for Millennials and Gen Zs to compete in the market, including rising house prices, rising mortgage rates and younger generations having less money. money saved for a down payment.

“Violence has no place in politics.”

– White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, condemning Thursday’s reported assassination attempt on former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. The ex-ruler of the country was bullet in the leg at a political rally outside the town of Gujranwala in Punjab province, Pakistani officials said. He was transported to Lahore for treatment and was in stable condition. An unnamed man suspected of shooting at the rally has been arrested, police say. Khan repeatedly claimed, without any evidence, that the United States was behind his loss of power after being ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in April.

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Indoor Ocean Simulator

The US Navy tests its equipment in a massive pool that can replicate any wave situation in the world. Take a look inside. (Click here to see)