Airplane safety, whole-eye transplant, and dirty hotel rooms.

Happy Friday! Today’s edition is 1,350 words, a 4 ½ minute read.

First time reader? Sign up here!

🇺🇸 ⚖️ 

US News, Politics, & Government

A shortage of air traffic controllers is hurting safety, aviation experts warn Senate

A shortage of air traffic controllers in the US is causing fatigue and distraction, leading to a rise in near-collisions at major airports, according to safety experts and union leaders testifying at a Senate Commerce subcommittee. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working to hire and train more controllers, but senators express skepticism about the FAA's ability to address the staffing crisis promptly. In the meantime, air traffic controllers are facing mandatory overtime and potentially jeopardizing the safety of airline passengers and crews. The aviation safety system is also under strain, as near-collisions become more frequent. (More)

Election offices are sent envelopes with fentanyl or other substances. Authorities are investigating

Suspicious letters containing fentanyl or other substances were sent to election offices in multiple states, including California, Georgia, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Letters in four cases contained fentanyl. The Pierce County auditor's office in Tacoma, Washington, released an image of a letter postmarked in Portland, Oregon, with the message "End elections now." Similar incidents occurred in other states, prompting evacuations and safety measures. The FBI is investigating, and officials condemn the acts as "domestic terrorism." (More)

Joe Manchin says he won't seek re-election in 2024

Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) announced he won't seek re-election in West Virginia, dealing a blow to Democrats facing a challenging 2024 election map. Manchin, a conservative Democrat, is seen as the party's only candidate with a chance in the solidly red state. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee remains optimistic about maintaining the Senate majority, while Republicans express confidence in winning West Virginia and potentially taking back control of the upper house. (More)

🌍️ 

World

Israel agrees to 4-hour daily pauses in Gaza fighting to allow civilians to flee

Israel has agreed to daily four-hour humanitarian pauses in the fighting in northern Gaza to facilitate negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas. The Israeli prime minister's office emphasized that there would be no ceasefire without the release of hostages. Talks for a three-day humanitarian ceasefire are ongoing, and CIA Director William Burns and Mossad Director David Barnea are engaged in trilateral talks to achieve this in Qatar. Israel continues to face pressure to improve humanitarian conditions for Palestinian civilians in Gaza amid the conflict with Hamas. (More)

Pentagon confirms four new attacks on US bases after defensive airstrike

Iranian-backed groups have targeted American troops four times in the Middle East after the US struck an Iranian facility in Syria on Wednesday. US military personnel and facilities have been attacked 46 times since Oct. 17, with 24 in Iraq and 22 in Syria. A total of 56 troops have been injured in the attacks, but most are minor injuries and every service member has since returned to duty, according to the Pentagon. (More)

Father of Liverpool striker Luis Díaz released after his kidnapping in Colombia by ELN guerrillas

Liverpool striker Luis Díaz's father, Luis Manuel Díaz, was released by the National Liberation Army (ELN) in Colombia after a 12-day kidnapping. The ELN called the kidnapping a mistake and released him as a government delegation engaged in peace negotiations with the guerrilla group. The release was facilitated by the United Nations and the Catholic Church. Luis Díaz returned to play for Liverpool hours after his father's release, and the ELN has been urged to end its practice of kidnappings. (More)

💵 📈 

Business & Economy

Daily stock market update

US stock markets closed lower on Thursday (S&P -0.81%, Nasdaq -0.94%, Dow -0.65%) ~ Stocks fell after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that more work may need to be done to bring down inflation. Treasury bond yields also jumped higher, putting more downward pressure on the market . (More)

IRS announces new income tax brackets for 2024

The IRS has announced increased federal income tax brackets and standard deductions for 2024, affecting returns filed in 2025. The top rate of 37% for 2024 applies to individuals with taxable income exceeding $609,350 and couples earning over $731,200. Standard deductions will rise, reaching $29,200 for married couples and $14,600 for singles. Various other provisions, including the alternative minimum tax, estate tax exemption, and earned income tax credit, have also been adjusted, along with an increase in the health flexible spending account contribution to $3,200. Full bracket breakdown can be found here.

McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme are in talks to expand partnership

Krispy Kreme is in discussions to expand its partnership with McDonald's, following successful tests at McDonald's locations in Kentucky. During the pilot, Krispy Kreme doughnuts were available at around 160 McDonald's restaurants. McDonald's has been focusing on coffee and trimming bakery items, so it hopes to attract customers by offering Krispy Kreme doughnuts instead. The deal hinges on Krispy Kreme’s ability to deliver its doughnuts fresh and on time, and whether they can scale to expand the service beyond Kentucky. (More)

🏈 🎬️ 

Sports & Entertainment

NWSL inks record-breaking broadcast deal, a potential game-changer for U.S. women's soccer

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has secured groundbreaking broadcast deals worth $240 million over four years with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and Scripps. The agreement is reportedly the richest in North American women's sports and includes 118 nationally broadcasted games, a substantial increase from the previous CBS-exclusive deal. The lucrative deals are expected to elevate the league's financial standing and potentially lead to salary cap increases, which could attract elite players from higher-paying European leagues. (More)

TV Series To Restart Production After SAG-AFTRA Strike

Following the resolution of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, TV studios are swiftly resuming production, with a focus on returning broadcast shows. Casts and crews have received notifications for tentative start dates in late November and early December. The list includes returning shows like Netflix's Stranger Things, Max's The Penguin, Welcome To Derry, Hacks, and Paramount Network's Yellowstone. (More)

G/O Media shutters Jezebel, lays off 23 people

G/O Media is suspending the female-focused brand Jezebel and laying off 23 editorial staffers. This move is part of G/O Media's ongoing adjustments to its portfolio in response to digital media industry volatility. The decision to suspend Jezebel comes after unsuccessful attempts to sell the brand. G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller emphasized that the decision is not a reflection on Jezebel's editorial team but is due to misalignment with the company's business model and audience. (More)

🔬💊 💻️ 

Science, Health, & Tech

Former Apple designers launch $700 Humane AI Pin as smartphone replacement

Humane, an AI startup founded by former Apple designers , unveiled its first product, the $699 Humane AI Pin. Intended as a smartphone replacement, the wearable device enables voice-controlled calls, texts, and information lookup, and features a laser display that turns the palm of your hand into a mini screen. The device is not always listening or recording like many other devices and requires user engagement through voice, touch, gesture, or the laser display. (More)

Doctors perform 1st-ever whole eye, partial face transplant

Surgeons at NYU Langone Health have accomplished the world's first whole-eye transplant combined with a partial face transplant. The 21-hour procedure, performed on Aaron James, a man injured in a workplace accident, involved injecting stem cells into the transplanted eye's optic nerve. While the success of vision restoration remains uncertain, the surgery has provided major cosmetic benefits, and has improved speech and eating for James. (More)

Scientists build yeast with artificial DNA in a major synthetic biology advance

Scientists have created synthetic versions of the 16 chromosomes in a yeast cell and successfully combined some of them in one cell. The breakthrough, part of the Synthetic Yeast Genome Project, offers insights into fundamental cellular processes and paves the way for creating programmable cellular factories for producing biofuels, materials, and medicines. (More)

🎁 

Bonus Material

A new round-the-world luxury train will debut next year. 

Over 100 national parks will be free to visit on Saturday.

A volcano eruption has created a new island off Japan’s coast.

The truth about how dirty hotel rooms actually are.