Good evening, dear listeners. Welcome to “Good News Hour,” I’m Joy. What news is worth listening to today? Let’s get started! Stay tuned to learn about the latest updates!
Today’s Focus:
Arctic Blast Hits Southern U.S., Southern California Wildfire Threats Escalate! Trump Revisits Buyout of Greenland: Eldest Son Sets Off First, What’s the Intention? Meta Ceases Fact-Checking; New Virus HMPV Draws Global Attention, How is the U.S. Dealing with Winter Health Threats?
First, let’s take a look at the arctic blast wreaking havoc in the southern United States.
Just as the first winter storm passed through the central and eastern U.S., a new arctic blast has begun its attack on the south today. This time, it’s not just snow and ice; even typically warm Florida is facing rare freezing threats!
Today, the temperature in Dallas, Texas has dropped to minus 9 degrees Celsius, forcing residents to bundle up in heavy winter clothing.
Meteorologists say this arctic blast will continue moving south with a new low-pressure system, covering southern Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas starting from Wednesday, January 8th. By Thursday morning, the road surfaces in the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys may ice over, significantly increasing travel risks!
In terms of snowfall, northern Texas is expected to receive 5 to 13 centimeters, while some areas in Oklahoma and Arkansas could see over 10 centimeters.
This winter storm has already claimed 5 lives and at least 7 states have declared emergencies. Over 2,300 flights nationwide have been canceled, and nearly 220,000 households and businesses are without power. Not to mention the hundreds of accidents reported in Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky due to slippery roads in the past two days.
Furthermore, school closures are becoming common. For example, in Kentucky, Jefferson County Public Schools have directly canceled classes and activities for nearly 100,000 students.
Meanwhile, Southern California on the U.S. West Coast is facing its strongest storm threat in a decade. The strong winds combined with dry conditions are rapidly increasing the risk of wildfires. Parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties have already been designated as “extremely hazardous conditions,” with fire alerts raised to the red level.
Not only that, the strong winds could pose serious threats to trees, large vehicles, and coastal areas. As a result, major power companies in California are assessing proactive power cutoff measures that could affect up to 500,000 customers.
Experts warn that this arctic blast could be one of the most destructive weather events this year. The meteorological department advises the public to minimize unnecessary outings, stay warm, and closely monitor weather forecasts and alerts. Residents in Southern California need to be especially cautious of wildfire risks, take preventive measures in advance, and ensure safety.
Next, let’s focus on the latest development regarding Trump’s interest in Greenland.
Trump has recently mentioned his plan for the U.S. to “buy” Greenland again, and his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., has already set off, arriving in Greenland for a private visit today.
On the “Truth Social” platform, Trump stated that Greenland holds extraordinary significance for the U.S., and if it were to join the U.S., the people there would undoubtedly lead better lives.
The Greenland government confirmed that Donald Trump Jr.’s visit is for filming video content for his podcast, rather than for official political meetings.
Why is Trump so focused on Greenland? There are many reasons. Greenland is the world’s largest island, strategically located between the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, holding significant importance for U.S. national security. It hosts the crucial U.S. military base — Pituffik Space Base. This base not only is a vital legacy of the Cold War but also monitors missile activities from Russia, China, and even North Korea.
Apart from its military significance, Greenland boasts abundant rare earth resources, essential raw materials for manufacturing electronic products and defense equipment. Additionally, with the accelerated melting of glaciers in the Arctic due to global warming, new sea routes could be opened in the future, further elevating Greenland’s importance. The U.S. hopes to use this opportunity to expand influence and counter Russia and China’s expansion in the Arctic.
In fact, Trump floated the bold idea of “buying Greenland” back in 2019. He even called it a “large real estate deal,” sparking global discussions instantly. Recently, he has revisited this plan, stating that it is a significant step in enhancing U.S. strategic position. However, Denmark’s response was firm: “Not for sale!” but they also indicated a willingness to enhance cooperation.
Some Greenland residents think being “bought by the U.S.” might not be a bad idea. A recent video circulated online shows a Greenlandic man wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat shouting, “Buy us! We don’t want to be colonized by Denmark anymore.” He mentioned Greenland’s abundant resources that have not been utilized efficiently.
Even Elon Musk has stated on social media, “The people of Greenland should decide their own future. If they wish to be part of the U.S., then respect their choice.”
The U.S. aims to strengthen its strategic positioning through Greenland, but whether this plan can be realized is still an unknown variable. Let’s continue to keep an eye on it!
Now, let’s look at a piece of technology news: Meta is changing its rules!
Today, Meta announced the cessation of its fact-checking program in the U.S. and introduced a new “Community Notes” system. This new system, similar to what Musk’s social platform X utilizes, relies on users to provide background information on posts to minimize political biases.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, mentioned that the previous fact-checking program had its issues, being too strict and potentially biased, causing dissatisfaction among many users. He stated that this change aims to enable everyone to freely share their perspectives while returning to the platform’s original intention of “freedom of expression.”
The new rules no longer proactively combat controversial content but empower users to report which content needs attention. Additionally, Zuckerberg announced a gradual resumption of political content recommendations in response to users’ demand for more information. Will this practice truly make Meta more “down-to-earth”? We have to wait and see the results.
Besides content adjustments, Meta has relocated its content moderation team from California to Texas. Zuckerberg stated that this was done to boost the team’s confidence and promote further reform within Meta. Furthermore, he revealed that Meta will collaborate with Trump to collectively combat foreign governments’ speech censorship actions and ensure the platform better upholds freedom of speech during the new administration.
The U.S. Department of Defense recently updated its blacklist of companies cooperating with the Chinese military. Let’s delve into it.
The blacklist has added several Chinese companies including Tencent and CATL. This swift adjustment to the list has garnered attention and poses significant impacts on the involved businesses.
According to the latest list, multiple Chinese companies such as Tencent, CATL, Changxin Storage, Shanghai Yitu Communication, and DJI have been identified as entities collaborating with the Chinese military.
The U.S. Department of Defense carried out this routine update based on the provision of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, Section 1260H. Currently, the list comprises 134 companies.
The Pentagon states that China is advancing military modernization through its “civil-military fusion” strategy, utilizing seemingly civilian companies, universities, and research projects to bolster its military with technological support and expertise. The inclusion of these companies in the blacklist aims to counteract the strategic influence of this tactic.
However, being listed on the blacklist does not immediately result in sanctions, but it can still be a significant blow to these companies. This may not only damage their reputation but also signal U.S. companies to avoid business dealings with them. Moreover, these companies might face risks such as delisting from U.S. exchanges or removal from global benchmark indices.
Following the announcement, Tencent’s stock price plummeted over 7% in U.S. trading, marking the largest single-day drop in nearly three months.
Will this update to the list trigger larger chain reactions? It’s something worth continuing to monitor!
Lastly, let’s focus on a health-related piece of news. Everyone, pay attention!
Recently, a respiratory virus called Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) circulating in China has garnered international attention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. states that they are closely monitoring the dynamics of this virus. So, what is this virus, and what impact could it potentially have? Let’s take a closer look.
According to the CDC, Human Metapneumovirus is a virus that causes respiratory infections, exhibiting symptoms such as cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. For severe cases, this virus may lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. The primary at-risk groups are children under 5, the elderly above 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
While the recent Human Metapneumovirus cases in China have sparked international concern, the CDC mentions that infection rates in the U.S. remain manageable, nearing pre-pandemic normal levels.
As of December last year, the virus’s positive detection rate in the U.S. was 1.94%, significantly lower than the flu’s 18.71%. However, with the winter respiratory virus transmission season approaching, the risks of Human Metapneumovirus, the flu, and COVID-19 transmission are all on the rise.
However, this is not a new virus. Experts indicate that Human Metapneumovirus was identified as early as 2001. Today, advanced diagnostic technologies enable healthcare facilities to swiftly and accurately detect cases of infection.
Dr. Peter Hong, a medical professor at the University of California, San Francisco, mentions that most individuals may have been exposed to this virus before the age of 5. While some may experience reinfection, symptoms are generally milder. However, the risk of infection could be more severe for individuals with weaker immune functions.
Reports of Human Metapneumovirus cases surging in China have sparked discussions on social media, with images and videos of overcrowded hospitals intensifying public concerns. Some neighboring countries such as India, Malaysia, and Cambodia have also shown a high level of interest in this virus.
The CDC emphasizes that there are currently no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines for Human Metapneumovirus, emphasizing preventive measures as crucial. Experts recommend frequent handwashing, avoiding contact with infected individuals, and staying home if symptoms occur. For high-risk individuals, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing in crowded places are advised.
Moreover, U.S. experts caution that holiday travel and family gatherings during the winter respiratory virus high season could increase the risk of virus transmission. Particularly for the elderly or those with chronic conditions, extra caution should be taken during social gatherings, implementing additional protective measures if necessary.
In conclusion, everyone must pay attention to personal hygiene, protect themselves and their families, and navigate this winter in good health and safety!
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