In a surprising turn of events at the Grammys, Taylor Swift dropped a bombshell announcement, revealing her latest musical endeavor, “The Tortured Poets Department.” Swift, basking in her 13th Grammy win for “Midnights,” expressed gratitude to her fans and disclosed the well-kept secret of her new album, scheduled for release on April 19. The album cover, featuring a black-and-white photo of Swift on a bed, sets the tone for her 11th record, which will comprise 16 tracks and a bonus titled “The Manuscript.”
The revelation came accompanied by a cryptic message shared on Swift’s Twitter account shortly after her acceptance speech. A photo showcased a folder open to a page bearing Swift’s handwritten verses:
“And so I enter into evidence / My tarnished coat of arms / My muses, acquired like bruises / My talismans and charms / The tick, tick, tick of love bombs / My veins of pitch black ink / All’s fair in love and poetry… Sincerely, The Chairman of The Tortured Poets Department.”
Ahead of the 66th annual Grammys, Swift’s website experienced technical difficulties, displaying an “Error 321 Backend fetch failed.” This code, resembling a fax communication error, added to the intrigue. The website also featured a bold, seemingly random line: “hneriergrd,” which clever online detectives unscrambled to reveal the term “red herring,” suggesting misleading or distracting information.
Swift’s artistic flair extended to her website’s coding, where enthusiasts deciphered words like “chairman,” “bruises,” “veins,” “cadence,” “apple cake,” “talisman,” “love bombs,” “muse,” “ink,” “evidence,” and “fake.” These linguistic clues hint at the album’s aesthetic, evoking the ambiance of a black-and-white 1950s police detective show.
As anticipation builds, fans are eagerly awaiting more Easter eggs and revelations as Swift embarks on the 2024 Eras Tour in Japan. Notably, the album is scheduled for release during Swift’s brief hiatus. The excitement surrounding “The Tortured Poets Department” continues to captivate Swifties worldwide.
Exxon Mobil Corp. has successfully concluded the construction of a pilot plant in Spring, aiming to significantly reduce the cost of direct air capture (DAC) for extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. During their fourth-quarter 2023 earnings call, Exxon officials expressed the ambition to cut DAC costs by half. CEO Darren Woods emphasized the importance of exploring cost-effective technologies to address emissions. Concurrently, the company plans to invest $20 billion in low-carbon technologies by 2027, with even distribution between reducing its own emissions and third-party emissions. Occidental Petroleum Corp. is also pursuing the world’s largest DAC plant, Stratos, in Texas, expected to be operational in 2025.
Exxon’s focus on lowering emissions aligns with its updated corporate plan, reflecting a $20 billion investment in low-carbon technologies, marking the third consecutive annual increase. Woods highlighted an anticipated 15% return on the low-carbon portfolio. This commitment to low-carbon initiatives contrasts with industry norms, where traditional oil and gas projects often generate higher returns. A Deloitte survey revealed that 60% of executives consider investments in low-carbon projects only if the internal rate of return surpasses 12% to 15%.
In terms of financial performance, Exxon reported Q4 revenue of $84.3 billion, down 11.6% from the previous year, contributing to a full-year revenue decline of 16.7%. Adjusted earnings for Q4 reached $10 billion, a 29% decrease compared to the same period in 2022, with exclusions related to a $2 billion writedown associated with regulatory challenges in its Santa Ynez field in California. Exxon faced setbacks due to a pipeline leak in 2015, leading to production suspension and regulatory challenges. The company generated $4.1 billion from non-core asset divestments, including the undisclosed sale of XTO Energy’s assets in East Texas to Hilcorp Energy Co.
In a recent financial milestone, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has climbed to the position of the fourth richest person globally, overtaking Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. This achievement follows a remarkable 22 percent surge in Meta’s stock price, catapulting Zuckerberg’s wealth by over $28 billion. According to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, his net worth now stands at an impressive $170 billion, outstripping Gates’ $145 billion net worth.
Zuckerberg finds himself trailing only Bernard Arnault, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Additionally, the Meta CEO is poised to receive approximately $174 million in cash as Meta prepares to distribute its inaugural dividend in March. With ownership of around 350 million Class A and B shares eligible for the dividend, Zuckerberg’s annual earnings could surpass $690 million if Meta continues its 50-cent quarterly dividend.
Beyond financial achievements, Zuckerberg recently marked Facebook’s 20th birthday through his WhatsApp Channels. In a celebratory video, he is depicted blowing out candles on cakes shaped like the number 20. On Instagram, he shared a montage chronicling the journey of Facebook from its inception as a college-level social media platform. The post serves as a reflection on the two-decade evolution of the popular social media giant.
In a recent announcement, Amazon has introduced its latest AI-powered shopping assistant named Rufus, sharing the moniker with the company’s beloved corgi mascot. Rufus is designed to enhance the shopping experience by providing users with information about products, comparisons, suggestions, and more.
Currently in its beta phase, Rufus is accessible to a select group of customers before its wider release in the coming weeks. Those granted beta access can engage with Rufus by initiating a chat within the Amazon mobile app. By typing or speaking questions into the search bar, users can interact with Rufus, who appears in a chat window at the bottom of the screen. This window can be expanded to view answers, select suggested questions, or pose additional inquiries.
Amazon initiated Rufus’ capabilities earlier this month, integrating the AI chatbot onto product pages for certain users. Rufus is equipped to address a variety of questions, ranging from inquiries about product differences to recommendations for occasions such as Valentine’s Day. Users can also seek information about specific products listed on Amazon, receiving responses based on product details, customer reviews, and community Q&As.
Despite potential concerns about increased screen clutter, as demonstrated in the embedded video, suggested questions for Rufus may appear during simple searches, such as “coffee maker.” While opinions about additional on-screen content vary, the effectiveness and utility of Rufus will ultimately be assessed as more users gain access to the beta version in the coming weeks.
In a highly anticipated move, senators have released the details of a bipartisan agreement aimed at imposing more stringent immigration and asylum laws. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for votes on the $118 billion package this week. The comprehensive legislation targets the surging numbers of migrants at the southern border and seeks to address challenges in the overwhelmed asylum system.
The agreement, brokered by Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), represents a significant attempt at a comprehensive overhaul of border security and migration laws. If passed, it would establish stricter criteria for asylum, streamline the asylum process, and expedite cases for qualified individuals.
Schumer expressed his support for the bipartisan deal, stating, “The Senate’s bipartisan agreement is a monumental step towards strengthening America’s national security abroad and along our borders. This is one of the most necessary and important pieces of legislation Congress has put forward in years to ensure America’s future prosperity and security.”
However, the fate of the legislation remains uncertain, facing potential challenges in the Senate where it needs at least 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Conservative senators, urged by former President Donald Trump, are mobilizing against the agreement, with Trump falsely suggesting that the bill would lead to 5,000 illegal border crossings per day.
House Republican leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson, has rejected the deal, indicating that it would be a non-starter in the House if it reaches that stage.
Key Provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Legislation
The $118 billion package includes measures to address the border crisis, tighten the asylum system, and allocate critical aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. The proposed emergency authority would allow the Department of Homeland Security to shut down the border in the face of a high number of migrant crossings.
Changes to asylum and immigration laws involve raising the standard for asylum, expediting cases, and introducing consequences for multiple illegal border crossings during emergencies. The legislation aims to end the practice of “catch and release” and mandates the detention of migrants attempting to enter outside official ports of entry.
The bill, however, does not address the situation of “Dreamers” or the children of undocumented individuals. It introduces provisions for work authorizations for the children of H-1B visa holders, affecting around 250,000 children in the U.S. Additionally, Afghan nationals admitted or paroled into the U.S. after July 2021 would have a pathway to conditional, lawful, permanent residency.
Challenges and Opposition
The legislation faces challenges from both ends of the political spectrum. While conservative senators criticize it for not going far enough, some progressive and Hispanic Caucus members express concerns about conceding too much. Notably, the bill has not addressed the situation of Dreamers, prompting criticism from several Democratic representatives.
Billions in Aid and Foreign Policy Implications
Aside from immigration reforms, the package could unlock billions in military and foreign aid, including support for Ukraine, Israel, and humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. The legislation reflects the U.S. decision to pause funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees amid allegations related to an attack.
President Biden has urged swift passage of the bipartisan agreement, emphasizing its potential to enhance national security, secure the border, and provide fair and humane treatment to individuals. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell praised the bill for offering direct solutions to the southern border crisis, emphasizing the testing of America’s sovereignty.
As the legislation moves forward, its fate in the House remains uncertain, with opposition from House Republican leaders and challenges in garnering support across party lines. The House is expected to vote on a stand-alone Israel aid bill, excluding border provisions and Ukraine funding, reflecting divisions on the immigration package.
The proposed legislation, marked by its ambitious scope and potential impact, will be a focal point of political debate and negotiations in the coming weeks.
In an exciting revelation on Sunday, the official match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was unveiled, detailing host city allocations and key match locations. The upcoming tournament, set to feature a total of 104 matches, will be held across 16 stadiums in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Mexico City will kick off the festivities on June 11, 2026, hosting the inaugural game. Canada’s opening match is scheduled for June 12 in Toronto, while the United States will commence its World Cup journey in Los Angeles on the same day.
Houston, one of the designated host cities, is poised to play a significant role by hosting five group stage matches at NRG Stadium on June 14, 17, 20, 23, and 26. Additionally, the city will host a Round of 32 match on June 29 and a Round of 10 match on July 4.
The tournament’s pinnacle, the World Cup final, is set to take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Miami will host the bronze medal final.
The host cities have been assigned specific match categories:
Atlanta: 5 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, 1 Round of 10 match, 1 Semifinals match
Boston: 5 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, 1 Quarterfinals match
Dallas: 5 group stage matches, 2 Round of 32 matches, 1 Round of 10 match, 1 Semifinals match
Guadalajara: 4 group stage matches
Houston: 5 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, 1 Round of 10 match
Kansas City: 4 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, 1 Quarterfinals match
Los Angeles: 5 group stage matches, 2 Round of 32 matches, 1 Quarterfinals match
Mexico City: 3 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, 1 Round of 10 match
Miami: 4 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, 1 Quarterfinals match, Bronze medal final
Monterrey: 3 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match
New York/New Jersey: 5 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, 1 Round of 10 match, Final match
Philadelphia: 5 group stage matches, 1 Round of 10 match
San Francisco Bay Area: 5 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match
Seattle: 4 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, 1 Round of 10 match
Toronto: 5 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match
Vancouver: 5 group stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, 1 Round of 10 match
Notably, the 2026 World Cup introduces a new format with 12 groups of four teams, an increase from the previous 16 groups of three teams. This alteration results in a total of 104 matches, offering more content for television broadcasters and increased revenue for FIFA. Nations aspiring to claim the coveted World Cup will now face the challenge of playing eight games, up from the traditional seven since 1974.
A substantial cluster of showers and thunderstorms swept through southeast Texas in the early hours of Saturday, leaving a notable impact on Houston’s rainfall records. Between midnight and 11 a.m., Bush Intercontinental Airport, the official weather observation site in Houston, recorded 1.67 inches of rain. This marked Houston’s second-highest rainfall total ever for February 3, with the record daily rainfall of 1.82 inches set on the same date in 1992.
Houston Hobby reported slightly lower rainfall totals, with 1.27 inches falling on Saturday. Surrounding areas experienced varying amounts of rainfall, with Huntsville recording 2.68 inches and Galveston registering 2.35 inches on the same day.
The year 2024 has seen an exceptionally rainy start for Southeast Texas, with Houston accumulating 10.50 inches of rain through February 3. This makes it the rainiest start to a year in over 120 years, surpassing the previous record set in 1891 when 13.12 inches were recorded by the same date.
Sunday’s Forecast and Beyond
Drier conditions are expected to prevail in Houston on Sunday as dry air moves in. The forecast anticipates bright sunshine throughout the morning and much of the afternoon, with temperatures hovering around the average for early February. Morning lows are projected to drop into the upper 40s, gradually rising through the day.
By 11 a.m., temperatures are expected to reach close to 60 degrees, with highs reaching the mid-60s in the afternoon. Breezy winds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts exceeding 30 mph, are anticipated throughout the day. Although there is a low chance of isolated showers on Sunday evening, the presence of dry air suggests any rain would likely be minimal, with most of Southeast Texas staying dry.
Looking ahead to the new workweek, high pressure building across the middle of the country will bring several dry days to Southeast Texas. Monday and Tuesday are forecasted to have mostly sunny skies, with temperatures close to average for early February. Morning lows will range from the upper 40s to low 50s, and afternoon highs will reach the mid-60s.
Despite a break from wet weather during the first half of the week, changes are expected by the end of the week. Low pressure developing in the western United States could bring increasing clouds by Wednesday and Thursday, with rain chances staying close to zero. However, a potential shift occurs by the weekend and early next week, with increasing rain chances as low pressure combines with higher atmospheric moisture levels. Severe thunderstorms are not currently anticipated.
In an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures” with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, former President Donald Trump disclosed his criteria for selecting a running mate but emphasized that he won’t be announcing his vice presidential pick “for a little while.”
During the interview, Bartiromo asked Trump about the factors he considers when identifying a potential running mate. Trump responded, stating that the primary criterion is assessing the individual’s capability to step into the role of president in case of an emergency.
“Always it’s gotta be who is going to be a good president. Obviously, you always have to think that because, in case of emergency, things happen, right? No matter who you are, things happen. That’s gotta be number one,” Trump explained.
When pressed by Bartiromo on specific candidates, Trump mentioned having numerous options and ideas, highlighting that he engages in discussions with various individuals. He shared an example, recounting a conversation with South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, praising him for his recent defense and support.
“I called [South Carolina Sen.] Tim Scott and people like Tim Scott, and I said you’re a much better candidate for me than you are for yourself,” Trump remarked, commending Scott’s recent efforts in advocating for him.
Trump also lauded South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, noting her public statement that she would never run against him, asserting, “because I could never beat him.”
Addressing rumors about his campaign reaching out to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for a potential ticket, Trump categorically denied such interactions, stating that it “never happened.” The former president remains tight-lipped about his eventual running mate, indicating a deliberate delay in making any official announcements.
Renowned actor Carl Weathers, best known for his iconic portrayal of Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 76 on February 1, as announced by his family on February 2. The news left fans, friends, and former Hollywood costars grieving the loss of a versatile talent who had left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
The family’s statement, released to multiple outlets, expressed deep sorrow over Weathers’ passing, describing him as an exceptional human being who led an extraordinary life. While the cause of death was not immediately disclosed, tributes poured in on social media, celebrating his contributions to film, television, arts, and sports throughout his five-decade career.
Weathers’ recent role as Greef Karga in The Mandalorian from 2019 to 2023 earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2021. Reflecting on his career in 2018, Weathers highlighted his ability to reinvent himself and connect with evolving audiences over the decades.
Apart from his Star Wars series stint, Weathers appeared in Chicago Justice, Chicago P.D., and featured prominently in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore, Little Nicky, and Eight Crazy Nights. Tributes from Sandler and others emphasized Weathers’ multifaceted talent, describing him as a great man, father, actor, and athlete.
Before making a name for himself in Hollywood, Weathers had a successful stint in the NFL, signing with the Oakland Raiders in 1970 and leading them to the AFC West Division title. Despite being released in 1971, his passion for acting took center stage, and he went on to raise a family.
Survived by his two sons, Jason and Matthew, from his marriage to ex-wife Mary Ann Castle, Carl Weathers leaves behind a legacy that spans the realms of sports and entertainment. The news of his passing has resonated deeply within the industry, marking the end of an era for a true legend.
In the South Carolina Democratic primary held on Saturday, President Biden secured an overwhelming victory against two long-shot candidates, capturing approximately 96% of the vote with 97% of precincts reporting. However, the Palmetto State experienced a notably low turnout, with only around 131,000 voters participating in the 2024 Democratic primary, accounting for just about 4% of registered voters statewide.
Comparing 2024 South Carolina Democrat Turnout to Previous Years
This year’s Democratic primary turnout fell significantly below previous contests. In 2020, approximately 540,000 people, constituting around 16% of voters, participated in the Democratic primary. In 2016, more than 373,000, or over 12%, took part in the same process. In 2012, when former President Barack Obama ran unopposed, and in 2008, with 532,151 turning out, the participation rate stood at around 23% of registered voters, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
President Biden’s Delegate Count in South Carolina
CBS News projects that President Biden will secure all 55 pledged delegates at stake in South Carolina’s primary, defeating Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and self-help author Marianne Williamson, as expected for an incumbent president facing limited opposition from long-shot candidates. Despite the anticipated outcome, the South Carolina primary was seen as a crucial indicator of the president’s support among Black voters, who played a pivotal role in revitalizing Biden’s 2020 campaign after initial setbacks in earlier state primaries.
Reasons Behind the Early South Carolina Democratic Primary
In a departure from previous years when South Carolina ranked fourth among nominating contests, the Democratic National Committee moved the state’s primary to the forefront of the calendar in 2024. The decision was based on the Palmetto State’s more racially diverse electorate, deemed more representative of the country as a whole. Notwithstanding this shift, New Hampshire adhered to tradition by holding its first-in-the-nation primary last month, where President Biden did not appear on the ballot.
Upcoming Republican South Carolina Primary
The state’s GOP primary is scheduled for February 24, following the traditional order of state primaries. The contest is considered a significant test for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who served as the state’s governor from 2011 to 2017, as she attempts to make headway amid former President Donald Trump’s prevailing influence in the race. Early voting for the Republican primary begins on February 12 and concludes on February 22, with polls open on February 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additionally, polling places will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of the primary.
