China’s population has declined for the first time in decades; a former candidate has been arrested in shootings at New Mexico elected officials’ homes; and Elon Musk’s trial over a tweet he posted about Tesla begins today. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Tuesday morning, Jan. 17, 2023.
Trial over Musk Tesla tweet begins
Jury selection will be underway this morning in a trial between Tesla investors and the head of Tesla, Elon Musk. Investors are suing Musk in a civil trial for a tweet Musk sent in 2018, saying he could take Tesla “private” and had “funding secured.” That tweet previously landed Musk in hot water with the SEC.
Now investors are wanting compensation, after Tesla stock swung by as much as $14 billion in the days following his tweet.
The jury will decide whether Musk was reckless in sending such a tweet and if he’s responsible for financial loss of the investors.
China’s population decreases
China’s population has declined for the first time in six decades. The world’s most populous country shrunk by about 850,000 people in 2022 compared to the previous year.
It’s bad news for China who some consider to be in a “population crisis.”
China’s economy growth slows
And the bad news keeps coming. A new report on China’s economy showed a near-historic slowing of growth largely a side effect of its COVID-19 restrictions.
China’s economy grew just 3% in 2022. For reference, the year before, their economic growth was 8.1%.
Midterm candidate arrested in shootings
Solomon Pena has been arrested in connection to several shootings said to be politically motivated. Pena was a Republican running for a House seat this past November. He lost his election.
Authorities say he was the mastermind behind shootings at the homes of two state legislators and two county commissioners.
No one was injured in the shootings, but three bullets were shot into the bedroom of a state senator’s daughter. Pena claimed his election loss was rigged.
Insurance providers bolt from Louisiana
From flooding in the west, blizzards in the north, and tornadoes in the south, Straight Arrow News covered it all within just a month’s time. While it’s the residents who have been left to pick up the pieces, insurance companies are footing the costs of recovery. And it’s getting to be too much for some of these providers to bear.
More insurance companies have pulled out of Louisiana following 21 tornadoes that touched down in the state near Christmas. The costs of natural disasters, too much for some insurance companies to cover year after year.
Some call it a “crisis” that is leaving residents without home insurance. Some 20 providers have either gone under or are withdrawing from the region because it’s become too costly.
Premiums in Louisiana are more than $2,000 a year, which is approximately 46% higher than the national average.
Alcoholic liver disease on the rise
Since the pandemic, doctors have seen an increase in the number of Americans dying from alcoholic liver disease. Doctors say awareness needs to happen to slow down the trends they’re seeing.
According to the CDC, 22,000 people die every year from alcoholic liver disease. Now, nearly a quarter of those deaths are people in their 20’s, 30’s or 40’s.
Doctors say within the past three years, more young people, particularly women, are contracting liver disease. Heavy drinking for men is considered 15 drinks or more per week. For women, it’s eight or more.
Doctors directly correlate the rise in alcoholic liver disease to the stresses of the pandemic.
Scientists steer lightning with laser
Scientists have steered lightning bolts with the point of a laser. It’s the first time ever that a laser has been pointed at thunder clouds and drawn in strikes of lightning.
Metal rods are used to deter lightning but on a much smaller scale than this. The study was conducted in Switzerland during a storm, and it wasn’t just for show. The technology could lead to protecting airports or even the launchpads of rocket ships from lightning strikes.
