8.8.2024

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Starliner Stalled

NASA is preparing contingency plans for Boeing's Starliner astronauts to potentially return from the International Space Station in February 2025. The announcement yesterday is the latest setback for Boeing over the capsule's inaugural crewed mission to space.

The Starliner took off June 5, carrying veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams after a series of delays for what was intended to be a nine-day mission. That mission has since extended past two months, with the capsule held for further testing amid concerns of helium leaks and thruster control. NASA’s latest announcement reportedly comes amid internal dissent with Boeing, which maintains its capsule is safe to fly.

NASA's contingency plans, not finalized, would see Wilmore and Williams returning via a capsule from Boeing competitor, SpaceX. The news is the latest blow to Boeing, reeling from a series of issues with its commercial planes.

UK Protests Swell

Thousands of counterprotesters turned out across the United Kingdom yesterday in response to the country's worst riots in over a decade. Over 400 rioters had been arrested amid expanded prosecution protocols, with three people already sentenced to several years in prison.

Demonstrations primarily against migrant and Islamic communities began last week amid online posts suggesting a Muslim immigrant was responsible for the stabbing deaths of three young girls in Southport, England. The posts came despite officials identifying the suspect as a 17-year-old male born in the UK to Rwandan parents. The day after the attack, groups gathered outside a mosque in Southport, confronting police and setting cars on fire; similar protests erupted in over 15 other cities since, from London to Belfast in Northern Ireland (see map). Dozens of officers have been injured.

The suspect was charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. New reports revealed 63-year-old bystander John Hayes was stabbed as he confronted the assailant. 

A Streaming World After All

Disney posted its first-ever streaming profit yesterday, with divisions including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ producing $47M in operating income in Q3 this year, compared to a loss of $512M in the same period last year. 

The news comes as Disney plans to hike prices for streaming subscriptions in October. Yesterday, CEO Bob Iger also revealed the company's plans to crack down on password sharing next month. Meanwhile, Disney Studios unit posted income of $254M—its first quarterly profit in over two years. Disney is the first studio this year to top $3B in worldwide ticket sales, driven by box office successes "Inside Out 2" and "Deadpool & Wolverine." The unit is expected to continue its box office streak with anticipated releases like "Moana 2" later this year. 

Disney's Experiences unit, however—including its theme parks and cruise line—saw domestic profit drop 6% from last year. The company lowered its revenue forecast for Q4, blaming softening tourist demand. Shares dropped over 3% on the news. 

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In partnership with Percent

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