May 3 News Quiz: Is TikTok Banned in the US?

During the early hours of April 14, 2024, Iran launched a significant aerial assault on Israel, deploying over 300 drones and missiles. In response, Israel’s sophisticated air defense systems, along with critical assistance from international allies, intercepted about 99% of these threats. Specifically, the United States, United Kingdom, and France provided substantial support, contributing their advanced military capabilities to mitigate the attack’s impact. Additionally, Jordanian forces also played a role in defensive efforts.

In April 2024, under immense national security pressure and bipartisan concern, President Joe Biden signed a law that required TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either sell TikTok to a US owner or shut down its operations in the US. This drastic measure reflects worries about Chinese government interference and data privacy issues. Although TikTok has expressed intentions to challenge this in court, citing First Amendment rights and a lack of concrete evidence from the government, the clock is now ticking.

In April 2024, the iconic red windmill sails of Paris’s famed Moulin Rouge unexpectedly fell off overnight – the first such event in the cabaret’s 135-year history. The incident, which did not result in injuries, was due to a technical issue. While the venue continued to host its shows without interruption, the absence of the sails left a visual void in the Paris skyline. New blades were installed on July 5, 2024.

In April 2024, Giorgio Armani Operations was placed under judicial administration as part of an ongoing investigation by Italian authorities. This action was taken when it was uncovered that the company had employed unauthorized Chinese subcontractors who exploited workers by paying below-standard wages and ignoring health and safety regulations. These subcontractors also hired workers under the table, some of whom were in Italy illegally. This move by the courts ensured the company adhered to legal operations while the investigation continued. This decision coincides with broader efforts to clean up labor practices within the Milan and Bergamo fashion sectors and enforce ethical labor standards across the industry.

Roberto Cavalli, an Italian fashion designer born on November 15, 1940, in Florence, was renowned for his glamorous and flamboyant style, which included the innovative use of animal prints on leather and textiles. Cavalli contributed significantly to fashion with the patented leather printing techniques he introduced in the 1970s. His pioneering efforts also extended to creating sand-blasted jeans and unique patchwork designs on denim. These distinctive styles became synonymous with his brand, cementing his status as a fashion icon until his death on April 12, 2024, aged 83, at his home in Florence.

OJ Simpson became famous as a standout football player in the National Football League (NFL). He was one of the most celebrated running backs of his time. During his illustrious career, he set numerous records, including being the first NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season, a feat he achieved in 1973 with the Buffalo Bills. His sports legacy was firmly established long before his highly publicized 1995 murder trial and subsequent legal troubles. Simpson died on April 10, 2024, at 76, after a battle with cancer.

According to Guinness World Records, John Alfred Tinniswood, hailing from England, reached the grand age of 111 years in April 2024, earning him the title of the world’s oldest living man. His long life journey began in Liverpool in 1912, a year marked by the Titanic’s tragic sinking. Throughout his life, Tinniswood witnessed monumental events, including two world wars. He served in the British Army Pay Corps during WWII. Known for his moderation and weekly fish and chips treat, Tinniswood’s life is a testament to genetic fortune, lifestyle choices, and historical endurance. Living in Southport, he enjoys a tranquil life filled with reading and listening to the radio, proving that sometimes, the simplest things can be the secret to longevity.

The image shows the gold pocket watch of John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest passenger on the ill-fated RMS Titanic. The watch was among Astor’s items recovered after the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912. It recently sold at auction for a staggering £1.175 million, a world record for Titanic memorabilia.

On March 27, 2024, Elon Musk made a strategic move by awarding free blue checkmarks to users with more than 2,500 verified subscriber followers, granting them Premium features, and to those with over 5,000, providing Premium+ features at no cost. The blue checkmark, once a symbol of paid subscription, now also nods to users who wield considerable influence in the X sphere, all without opening their digital wallets.

Instagram has introduced a series of new features aimed at enhancing the safety of its younger users, particularly to combat sexual extortion. One significant feature is the automatic blurring of images that contain nudity in direct messages. This tool protects recipients from unsolicited explicit content. It is part of a broader effort by Instagram to implement protective measures that encourage responsible behavior among senders. The feature will be enabled by default for users under 18, with adults receiving a prompt to activate it for their accounts.

On its release day, April 19, 2024, Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” shattered Spotify’s streaming records. The album amassed over 300 million streams in a single day, setting a new high for the most-streamed album ever on its release day on Spotify. This record-breaking event occurred amidst the buzz of her releasing a staggering 31 tracks, including everything from heartbreak tales to anthems of resilience.

Fun Facts: Swift sold 859,000 copies of “The Tortured Poets Department” on vinyl in its first week, marking the largest sales week for a vinyl album in the modern era. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, tying up Swift with Jay-Z for the second-most No. 1 albums by a recording artist.

In her continued commitment to sustainability, Billie Eilish has chosen to minimize the environmental impact of her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft” by adopting eco-friendly production practices. Set to be released on May 17, 2024, the album’s vinyl editions are pressed onto recycled or eco-vinyl, and all the album packaging is made from recycled materials. Additionally, she uses plant-based inks and water-based varnish for further environmental benefits.

Blue Ivy Carter, the daughter of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Jay-Z, voices Kiara in Disney’s 2024 prequel, “Mufasa: The Lion King.” This film serves as both a backstory to the iconic character Mufasa and a star-studded family affair, with Blue Ivy making her film debut alongside her mother, who voices ahm… her mother. Set to premiere in theaters on December 20, this movie explores Mufasa’s early days, showing the origins of many beloved characters.

“Primrose Hill” is the first song written jointly by James McCartney and Sean Ono Lennon, sons of Paul and John. Released in April 2024, this song focuses on an individual’s perspective on life.

In the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” series finale, Larry David is initially found guilty at his trial. However, a surprising turn of events occurs when Jerry Seinfeld, making a key cameo, observes a juror breaking the jury segregation rule. This observation leads to a mistrial being declared, resulting in Larry’s freedom. This conclusion serves as a nod to the “Seinfeld” series finale and maintains the thematic consistency of Larry David’s character, who, true to form, doesn’t learn any life lessons through his experiences.

Emma Stone publicly prefers to revert to her birth name, Emily Stone. She initially had to change her name because another actor had already used “Emily Stone” when registering with the Screen Actors Guild. Despite her fame as “Emma,” Emily Stone wishes to reconnect with her original name.