7.4 magnitude earthquake rocks Taiwan, several dead
Several people are dead in the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years, and the future of Disney will be decided today in a boardroom vote. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
Several dead after major earthquake rocks Taiwan
At least nine people have died and more than 800 are injured following the largest earthquake to strike Taiwan in 25 years, occurring Wednesday, April 3. The aftermath saw buildings tilting precariously, with rescuers employing ladders to reach those trapped inside. The event brought traffic to a halt and led to the suspension of train services throughout the island.
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Taiwan’s authorities recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.2, whereas the U.S. Geological Survey reported it as 7.4. The earthquake hit around 8 a.m. local time, prompting tsunami warnings for southern Japan and the Philippines, which were later lifted.
Chinese state media reported that the quake was felt across several of its provinces. The quake led to multiple aftershocks including a 6.5 magnitude.
This disaster marks Taiwan’s largest earthquake since a 7.7 magnitude quake in 1999, which resulted in over two thousand deaths.
Biden ‘outraged’ over Israeli airstrike that killed aid workers in Gaza
President Joe Biden said he was “outraged and heartbroken” by the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, caused by Israeli airstrikes on Monday, April 1. This marks his most forceful condemnation of Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Biden criticized Israel for not doing enough to safeguard humanitarian workers in the region. Following the incident, World Central Kitchen has temporarily halted its operations in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that the strikes inadvertently harmed civilians and committed to a prompt investigation into the airstrikes targeting the vehicles of aid workers.
Trump, Biden win primaries but voters express concern
In the latest round of primaries, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who have secured their party’s nominations, continued to gather delegates. Despite the expected victories in Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, both encountered considerable dissent within their ranks.
Among Democrats, a significant segment of voters opted for “Uncommitted,” with protest votes hitting as high as 15 percent in Rhode Island.
On the Republican front, Nikki Haley, who withdrew from the race last month, still received support, securing at least 10 percent of the vote in all four states.
Results of Disney boardroom vote to be announced
The outcome of a prolonged and intense boardroom dispute concerning Disney’s future direction will be disclosed today during its annual shareholder meeting, marking the culmination of months of internal conflict.
In a significant moment of contention within the boardroom, stakeholders have been divided over maintaining the company’s current strategic path. Nelson Peltz has been vocal in his criticism, asserting that Disney has diverged from its core values, leading to a significant depreciation in its market value.
Peltz’s primary complaints center around what he perceives as mismanagement and strategic errors by the current leadership, as he seeks to convince shareholders of the need for a new direction.
According to Reuters’ latest report this morning, Disney is anticipated to have garnered sufficient support from its shareholders to maintain its course, with official confirmation expected later today.
Estate of George Carlin settles with podcast over AI-generated special
The estate of the late comedian George Carlin has settled a lawsuit with the “Dudesy” podcast, which had allegedly used an AI-generated version of Carlin to comment on current events in an audio special earlier this year.
Filed in January, the lawsuit accused the podcast of infringing on the copyrights and publicity rights associated with Carlin’s name, image, and likeness. Carlin, who passed away in 2008, remains a significant figure in comedy.
Following the lawsuit, the podcast’s creators removed the special from their YouTube channel and, as part of the settlement, agreed not to re-upload the video or use Carlin’s image on any platform.
Carlin’s daughter expressed her satisfaction with the swift resolution of the case and emphasized its importance as a cautionary tale regarding the use of AI and the necessity for proper safeguards.
Tropicana Las Vegas closes its doors after 67 years
The iconic Tropicana Las Vegas casino on the Vegas Strip has officially shut its doors, marking the end of an era. The closure occurred on Tuesday, April 2, leading up to the demolition of the 67-year-old resort scheduled for October. The site is being cleared to make room for a $1.5 billion baseball stadium for the Oakland Athletics, who are relocating.
Throughout its history, the Tropicana has played host to numerous legendary figures, including the Rat Pack, and was the backdrop for the debuts of magicians Siegfried and Roy. It was also featured in the 1971 James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever,” starring Sean Connery.
The Tropicana expressed its gratitude to its employees, guests, and the city of Las Vegas for “67 years of unforgettable memories and unwavering support” in a farewell post on its official Instagram account.
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