International
Plane Crash Kills Six in Haiti
Pilot is among six dead in a plane crash in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, on Thursday, April 20.
The aircraft had been in flight for 20 minutes on its way from the capital to Jacmel when it sent out a distress signal. Shortly after, it crashed in the Carrefour suburb.
Officials say engine failure caused the crash.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he felt for the victims’ families, “who have just been plunged into the greatest desolation by this new tragedy.”
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Russia Tests Nuclear-Capable Missile
According to the BBC, “Russian President Vladimir Putin said it (a new Sarmat super-heavy intercontinental ballistic missile) is food for thought for those who try to threaten Russia.”
The Russian defense ministry has released video of what it says is a successful launch of the nuclear-capable missile.
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Netflix Stock Plunges 35%
Netflix’s stock plunged 35% on April 20 after the company announced a loss in subscribers.
Netflix had anticipated a growth of 2.5 million users in 2022’s first quarter, a low bar for the company. However, the company said on Tuesday, April 19, that it instead lost 200,000 subscribers and expects to lose another 2 million in the current quarter.
Pulling their services from Russia reportedly cost Netflix 700,000 subscribers, meaning they could have gained half a million for the quarter otherwise. They also pointed to economic growth, inflation, competition and password sharing.
Part of Netflix’s plan to increase growth is to monetize password sharing, allowing those who share beyond their household to do so easily and securely, albeit for an increased cost.
However, Zak Shaikh, vice president of programming at research-based media firm Magid, said it will take more than that.
“I think it comes down — as it often does — to content,” Shaikh told CNN. “Netflix just has to remember what made it so special was that it had the type of content and volume of content you couldn’t get anywhere else. That’s the value proposition they need to return to.”
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National
SCOTUS Rules to Exclude Puerto Ricans from Federal Benefits
On Thursday, April 21, SCOTUS ruled to exclude residents of Puerto Rico from some federal disability benefits.
Puerto Rican-born Jose Luis Vaello-Madero suffered a stroke while living in New York in 2012, making him eligible for disability payments. Madero moved back to Puerto Rico in 2013 and continued to receive the payments until the government was made aware he was no longer in-state, at which point they discontinued the payments and said Madero owed over $28,000 in back pay. Madero’s lawyers sued.
Following the legal process, Justice Brett Kavanaugh penned the 8-1 opinion to exclude Puerto Ricans. Justice Sonia Sotomayor was the sole dissenter.
Steve Vladeck, a Supreme Court analyst and professor at the University of Texas School of Law, explained the effects of the ruling.
“(This) makes it far easier for Congress, a body in which the territories are not represented, to treat residents of those territories differently with those who live in the states, not just for Supplemental Security Income, but for all federal benefit programs, like Social Security, Medicare and other entitlements funded at least in part by taxes paid by those living in those territories,” Vladeck said.
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US Drone Company, Zipline, to Begin Delivering in Japan
Starting on Thursday, April 21, Zipline, an American company specialized in delivering medical supplies with autonomous drones, will begin operating in Japan.
Founded six years ago, the company already provides services in the U.S. and has partnered with Walmart.
The drones can conduct zero-emission flights as far as 186 miles, and they have successfully delivered blood supplies, insulin, cancer treatment and more. Zipline has also delivered medical items in Ghana and Rwanda.
Now, Zipline has partnered with Toyota Tsusho with plans to service Japan, which has a high elderly population and large medical needs in isolated rural areas.
“You can totally transform the way you react to pandemics, treat patients and deliver home health care,” Zipline Chief Executive Keller Rinaudo said.
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Local
“Tulsa King” Sylvester Stallone Visits OKC
On Wednesday, April 20, Sylvester Stallone stopped by Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Oklahoma City.
Stallone took pictures with fans, a deputy and staff at the restaurant.
The action-movie star was in town to continue shooting for “Tulsa King,” a new Paramount+ show about 75-year-old mobster Dwight “The General” Manfredi (Stallone), who is released home to New York after serving 25 years in prison for murder. Stallone’s character is banished to set up shop in Tulsa.
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