6.17.2024

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Tactical Pause in Gaza

The Israeli military has announced a limited "tactical pause" in fighting in a portion of Gaza until further notice. The daily pause, from 8 am to 7 pm local time, is scheduled to occur along a 7.4-mile-long road in Rafah to better facilitate the flow of aid trucks from Israel's main crossing to Gaza's north-south highway. 

The UN warns over 1 million Palestinians could face famine next month without a significant increase in aid deliveries. Israel says more than 200 trucks deliver aid to its Kerem Shalom crossing every day but the aid has built up at the crossing, with limited trucks to bring the aid to and from recipients in the south. Israel accuses the UN of logistical failures in facilitating the aid deliveries, while the UN blames Israeli shelling for an insecure route.

The unilateral pause is independent of a broader US-proposed cease-fire. Hamas last week responded to the plan with proposed changes the US says are not workable. Israel has yet to submit a formal response. See updates on the war here.

Anti-Sinovac Campaign

A new report suggests the US military targeted Filipinos with anti-vaccine messages on social media, part of a broader campaign to discourage people in the Philippines from adopting China's vaccine against COVID-19.

The campaign in 2020 and 2021—an effort to counter Chinese influence in the South China Sea—involved more than 300 accounts, with tens of thousands of followers, across platforms like X (then Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Florida-based accounts promoted messages suggesting China's vaccine included pork gelatin, an ingredient Muslim communities generally forbid but one many religious figures find permissible in instances like vaccines. An estimated 6.4% of Filipinos are Muslim. China's Sinovac—the company behind its vaccine—denied using pig derivatives. 

Sinovac, which uses a whole inactivated virus in its vaccines, has proved less effective at combating COVID-19 than US-made vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which rely on mRNA technology. See a comparison of the vaccines here.

Barkley Bounces

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley announced he would retire from television following the 2024-25 NBA season, citing a looming deal that could see the critically acclaimed analysis show "Inside the NBA" depart TNT. The program has won 19 Sports Emmy Awards and is known for its loose style and camaraderie between Barkley, cohost Ernie Johnson, and former players Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal.

Barkley's announcement comes as the league moves to finalize a TV rights deal worth an estimated $76B over the next decade (despite a downward trend in ratings). Reports suggest the package is likely to be split between NBC, Amazon, and ESPN—excluding TNT-owner Warner Bros. Discovery.

Barkley has repeatedly (and publicly) expressed displeasure at the prospect of leaving TNT. See the best moments from the show here.

On the court, the Boston Celtics look to capture the franchise's 18th title tonight at home against the Dallas Mavericks (8:30 pm ET, ABC). Boston leads the series 3-1.  

In partnership with Pendulum

Meet this 'Un-Hunger Hormone'

In partnership with Pendulum

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*Disclosure: Based on preclinical studies

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