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Robotic Dog Becomes Spotlight in Tragic Event
Will this new technology introduce greater methods for search and rescue?
By William Sagnella
In mid-April tragedy struck lower Manhattan when a parking garage collapsed, killing one person and injuring five. Currently the cause of the collapse is unknown, but officials believe it was a structural collapse. The garage, prior to the collapse, had already racked up six building violations, and half of them were classified as “hazardous.” The three hazardous violations date back to 2003, 2009, and 2013. The two earlier violations were described as “‘defective concrete with exposed rear cracks,’ and ‘broken & defective fire stairs,’ a ‘loose piece of concrete in danger of falling @ various locations’ and a ‘defective exit,’ in addition to other issues, according to the online violation summaries” (CNN).
The building was constructed in the 1920s, and became a parking garage in 1957. The owners have had to pay $2,200 in fines, as the building has had 64 violations charged against them since 1976. The building collapsed from the top and caved in all the way to the bottom.
The whole pile of rubble was too dangerous for any human to explore, so the Fire Department put a robot dog into play. The robot has four legs and a spotted torso to look like a Dalmatian, and it was given the name “Digidog.” The 70-pound robot dog is able to travel where humans cannot, making it perfect for this kind of situation.
The robot dog was live streaming while tunneling through the rubble, and using the thermal camera strapped on it to search for lost bodies. The robot is part of the New York fire and police departments. Many people had mixed reactions when finding out a robot was searching for signs of life. Some critics had concerns about using robots in this situation, some even going far enough to call them toys.
Despite the criticisms, Mayor Eric Adams pushed back with a statement of his own, “Some people call them toys,” Mr. Adams said at a news conference. “This is not playtime. This is real-time. And this is an administration that is not going to be fearful of using everything possible to save the lives of New Yorkers and to save the lives of first responders” (New York Times).
On April 11th, the Police Department announced the acquisition of these robotic dogs and several other high-tech tools. None of these new tools came without a price, the total cost being $750,000. Despite the robotic dog’s incredible work, many New Yorkers still did not approve of the idea of technology being used for public safety.
Despite all the criticisms, the robotic dog was still used in the search for missing people. With the help of its live streaming and thermal camera, the dog was able to complete its mission. Since the robotic dog was deployed, it has not found any other people in the rubble beyond the original 6 people known to be injured.
Iran and Saudi Arabia Resume Ties After Years of Tension and Animosity
Can long-term, peaceful co-existence lie ahead?
By Vianca Pham
Iran and Saudi Arabia have finally decided to rekindle diplomatic relations after years of enmity and conflict. Over a variety of topics, including regional power struggles, political and ideological disagreements, and religious disputes, the two countries have been at war with one another.
The Middle East's political landscape has recently changed significantly as a result of this recent development, which may assist reduce tensions and promote stability in the area. The action is viewed as a start in the right direction toward addressing long-standing problems and disagreements between the two countries.
Diplomatic efforts from several countries, notably Oman, Iraq, and Pakistan, led to the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The most recent round of meetings between the presidents of the two countries took place in Baghdad, where they discussed methods to defuse the situation and repair diplomatic ties.
Many countries throughout the world have applauded the decision to re-establish relations. The United States is among the many nations that have applauded the action, describing it as a step in the right direction for regional peace and stability.
The action can also benefit the economy of the two countries. The economies of Saudi Arabia and Iran might both gain a lot from the restart of commercial relations. Both nations stand to gain from a rise in oil output if commercial relations between the two main oil-producing nations are resumed.
The future of the two countries' ties is nevertheless a source of anxiety, despite the recent improvements. Regional disputes, backing for proxies, and Yemen's ongoing conflict are a few of the concerns that still need to be resolved.
In conclusion, the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia is a step in the right direction toward resolving the numerous problems and tensions that have existed between the two countries. The action may contribute to Middle East stability, and closer commercial links between the two countries may be very advantageous to their economies. Future ties between the two countries are still a source of worry, and it is unclear how things will turn out in the months and years to come.
Gender Pay Gap Increases As Time Goes On
Why are women still worth less in the workplace and how can society disrupt the inequitable trend?
By Sophia Vollono
Despite making progress towards gender equality, inequalities still remain in the workforce. A 2022 report conducted by Pew Research Center concluded that on average, women ranging all ages above 16 made 82 cents for every dollar men made. This is an 18% difference in wages compared to 32% 50 years ago. Even so, the pay gap has remained relatively stagnant over the past decade, with a 23% gap in 2010. The wage difference showed significant signs of improvement first in the early 1900s when women replaced men in the workforce during the war. Their efforts kept the U.S. economy afloat whilst supplying the soldiers with supplies.
By the end of World War II in 1945, many women were reluctant to give back their jobs. In addition, gender expectations prevented women from pursuing work or higher-paying jobs. These expectations, which have slowly changed over time, play a significant role in the gender pay gap.
Nonetheless, due to the expected roles of both men and women, men are two times more likely to work a full-time job. Data recorded in the early 2000s exhibits that women complete the majority of housework and childcare. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that men typically spend 141 minutes of their day doing housework, compared to women at 245 minutes. This is the main reason women are unlikely to pursue a full-time job. According to the American Association of University Women, the pay gap eventually adds up.
By the time of retirement, women will have just 70% of what men have in their Social Security. On the other hand, efforts are being made to further decrease this gap. One of the most significant steps toward decreasing the gap was The Equal Pay Act of 1963. The act made any pay differentiation based on gender illegal. More recent steps towards this decrease include: ensuring women have access to higher-paying jobs, promoting gender equality, and making childcare resources more available.
Post-Pandemic Continues to Impact Air Travel
When will air travel return to normalcy?
By Olivia Coish
The Covid-19 pandemic affected air travel tremendously, implementing various restrictions and mandates that slowed transportation of both people and products. Post-pandemic, airlines expected to bounce back, but a 2023 North American Airline Satisfaction Study supports the idea that passengers are still not happy. The survey found that North American airline passenger satisfaction is 791 out of 1,000 - seven points lower than last year's numbers.
The reasoning behind passenger frustration derives from high ticket prices, reduced routes, and staffing shortages. According to Michael Taylor, travel intelligence leader at J.D. Power spoke with CNN and concluded that, “‘continued high prices for travel is the biggest factor in passengers dissatisfaction.”’ Those who travel first or business class, however, have access to food and beverage services, and therefore have more positive feedback. Taylor adds, “‘In-flight services (food, beverage, entertainment) is the biggest factor for these upper-class cabins. It means more than the price they’re paying for the ticket. The ability to ‘get what is expected’ is sort of a rising tide that lifts all factors for these passengers.”’
Within the survey was a questionnaire given to 7,774 North America airline travelers who had flown between March 2022 and March 2023. They were quizzed regarding ticket cost, baggage, boarding, check-in, and most notably, flight crew experience. Rather than criticism, Taylor was surprised to find that the result was overall positive in terms of flight crew satisfaction. It can be difficult to maintain calm and friendly when trying to accommodate a packed plane, but numbers show that staff and crew were able to manage. Taylor also commented on the high demand of staff.
Nationwide, there is a server pilot shortage with more than half of pilots today reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 in the next 15 years and younger generations not filling in for the missing spots. Furthermore, service cuts made during the pandemic have made it difficult to fully restore staff, causing 136 airports to have lost one quarter of their service.
Flying, with the expectation of making a comeback post-pandemic, has not reached the level of satisfaction airlines have hoped for, nor anticipated. With summer just around the corner, airlines work towards ensuring their travelers are receiving the service they deserve.
Mortgage Rates Rise Faster Than in the Past Two Generations: What Lies Ahead?
Everyday luxuries cost less but cost of homes and college education skyrocket out of reach for many
By Chandler Morris
For the past decade, mortgage rates have been constantly fluctuating. As of April, the mortgage rates are finally spiraling down as a result of the “homebuying season.” However, as the struggles of housing affordability and employment continue to worsen, most individuals are wondering when these extreme rates are going to be rectified.
A mortgage rate is “part of what it costs to borrow money from a lender” (Chase). Instead of paying a huge sum of money, interest is paid to represent your monthly payment. Since lenders have to consider their overhead costs (ex: employee wages and office space costs) and most borrowers have different financial situations, the mortgage rates vary by lender.
In recent months, these mortgage rates have been extremely high. The main cause for this rise concerns the indirect relationship between raising interest rates and slowing down the economy and inflation. By raising mortgage rates, and other financial loans or debt, people have less money to spend on other interests. By reducing the amount of money people have to spend on products, services, holidays, clothing, or video games, company revenues begin to fall. As the company revenues begin to fall, there are fewer wage increases and spending, resulting in there will be no need to keep up with demand and/or increase the prices of those services.
Many new homebuyers are reluctant to invest in property. According to Forbes, “At the start of 2022 the average 30 year mortgage rate was around 3%...now, average mortgage rates have risen to over 7%.” This increase in mortgage rates has dissuaded many new homebuyers from attaining property. To put these percentage points into perspective, on a mortgage for $300,000, a 3% interest payment would be roughly $1,265 a month. However, a 7% interest payment would raise that monthly payment to $1,996. With the absence of hundreds of dollars—and the current high prices—many people are struggling to afford basic necessities. Although most new home buyers are aware of the high mortgage rates, many do not know how to overcome them.
Waiting for the rates to lessen and saving up a large down payment is necessary to overcome the high mortgage rates as a new homebuyer. In response to most individuals concluding that the mortgage rates will never return to their previous state, many potential homeowners are trying to determine where they should place their investments.
Strategic investments are very effective. According to Forbes, it is recommended that you “probably shouldn’t consider traditional stock market investments if you have less than three years until you want to access your cash, and a five-year timeframe is preferable.” Also, you should consider investing in more large-scale companies because they are strong and don’t rely on new customers to maintain their revenues.
Over the past few generations, mortgage rates have rapidly increased as an attempt to fix the weak economy and high inflation. These high prices have discouraged potential homebuyers and have damaged many bank accounts. In order to overcome the high mortgage rates, most investors recommend investing in larger-scale companies. Despite this current financial situation, many specialists believe that these high mortgage rates will soon begin to lessen with time.
1000 People Arrested For Storming of the Capitol
Investigation brings closure to an unprecedented attack
By Alison Palmieri
Following the January 6 attack on the nation's capital in 2021, over 1000 individuals have been arrested for their involvement in the insurrection. Throughout the last two years, the justice department has conducted wide-range investigations in an attempt to identify guilty individuals and groups. Just recently, the arrest count reached 1000, but prosecutors and officials believe there are many more who have not yet been identified.
The investigation has been very demanding, and required a significant amount of resources. Due to the large number of rioters, it is difficult to determine faces in the crowd and tie them to a name. The investigation often relies on other sources who recognize the people and can provide a name and other crucial information. Every U.S. Attorney's office has been involved, as well as every FBI field office. Financially, this investigation has required around 2.6 billion dollars, given to the U.S Attorney’s office to support the January Sixth Prosecutions.
The FBI has received an abundance of evidence, including text messages, video files and more. Currently, investigators are still sifting through almost four million files, including 30,000 video files. According to NPR, “ Those include police body-worn camera footage from five different law enforcement agencies, surveillance footage from the building, as well as the many videos on seized cell phones and posted online.”
On the attack's second anniversary, the FBI reported that at the current state of the size of data, it would take about 361 days to view continuously. The sheer abundance of material needed to review is one of the overwhelming reasons for the pause in time, according to the FBI.
The defendants are from almost all of the fifty states, and most appear to be white men, although not all. About 15% of the defendants have a background in the military or law enforcement. One in four defendants are facing assault or other violent charges. Despite this, nearly 85% of individuals are not connected to any known extremist groups. Jon Lewis, a research fellow at George Washington University's Program on Extremism, says "It's not like they all had previous convictions for violence or this kind of long running history of violent assault against political individuals or law enforcement. They were just willing to commit violence on that day."
Fast Facts- An Overview of the Cases So Far:
Number of people charged, federal: 994
Number of people charged, D.C.: 24
Number of people who have pleaded guilty: 541
Number of individuals who have had jury or bench trials: 67
The number convicted on all charges: 42
The number acquitted on all charges: 1
The number with mixed verdicts: 24
Number of people sentenced: 445
The percentage of people sentenced who have received prison time: 58
The median sentence for those who received prison time, in days: 60
The prison sentence range: 7 days to 10 years
The number of cases dismissed: 5 federal; 8 D.C. Superior Court
Dwayne Johnson Embroiled in Lawsuit
Controversial case makes a crack in "The Rock"
By Olivia Coish
We all know Dwayne Douglas Johnson as being one of the most remarkable figures in Hollywood and as the, “The Rock,” a third generation wrestler in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). So why is Johnson facing a three billion dollar lawsuit of alleged kidnapping?
As the star transitioned from wrestling full time into acting, he in turn, made millions of dollars. Johnson starred in various blockbusters such as, The Mummy Returns, The Scorpion, the Fast & Furious franchise, Moana, Jumanji alongside well-known comedian, Kevin Hart, and in 2022, Black Adam. Just last month, Disney made an announcement that Johnson will be reviving his role as Maui in a live-action version of Moana.
The announcement met a mixed response with some applauding the return to the ocean and for bringing Johnson back. Others heard that Johnson was not only going to be acting, but also producing the film and questioned whether it is a good idea for the star to endure such a commitment considering the legal issue at hand.
Trenesha Biggers, former TNA and WWE wrestler, recently filed court documents that confirm her motion of a three billion dollar lawsuit, Dwayne Johnson being among one of the defendants in the alleged kidnapping. Biggers claims that Johnson and his business partner, Dany Garcia, sent three men who violently evicted her from her house in Tampa, Florida, then took her to a hotel in Miami where she was mentally and physically abused. Biggers said that both Johnson and Garcia threatened to hurt her if she failed to adhere to their demands. Others involved in the lawsuit include The State of Texas, The NYPD, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, New York ACS, Shirley Police Department, Suffolk County NY, Bank of America, Home Depot, the FBI, and more.
Texas court records reveal that Trenesha Biggers failed to appear for the criminal trial in December 2022. The lawsuit was stale for months after her absence until Biggers paid the court fees in full. This allowed the case to move forward, regardless of the statement released by Johnson and Garcia’s council stating that they “categorically deny any involvement in the alleged incident and look forward to clearing their names in court.”
In 2019, Biggers was placed on El Paso’s most wanted fugitive list for child custody charges and is now on the El Paso Police Department’s wanted list. As of now, a court date has yet to be established and no other statements from either side have been announced. It is predicted that the public will be provided with further updates after the legal council has prepared their arguments.
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