Another week has slipped by, and the top 10 important stories of 04/24/20 paint a vivid picture of a world still grappling with COVID‑19 while other dramatic events unfold.
Top 10 Important Stories You Can’t Miss
10 Nova Scotia Rampage Left 22 Dead
On Sunday, a man dressed to look like a police officer launched a 12‑plus‑hour shooting spree across Nova Scotia. The assault began in a single neighborhood and quickly spread province‑wide, with victims seemingly chosen at random. The gunman also camouflaged his vehicle to mimic one used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and among those killed was a serving police officer.
The tragedy, the deadliest mass shooting in Canada since the 1989 École Polytechnique tragedy that claimed 14 lives, prompted calls for stricter gun control. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted that new regulations may be on the horizon. The rampage resulted in 22 fatalities before police confronted and killed the shooter around noon the following day, with bodies discovered in Wentworth, Debert, Shubenacadie/Milford, and Enfield.
9 Large Companies Bled The Small Business Loan Fund Dry In Two Weeks
The U.S. government’s recent COVID‑19 stimulus package allocated $349 billion for small‑business loans, intended to keep payrolls afloat and bills paid. Yet within just two weeks, the fund was exhausted, leaving many genuine small enterprises empty‑handed.
Investigation revealed that several larger chains—Shake Shack, Potbelly, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House among others—had applied for and received sizable loans, with Ruth’s taking $20 million and Shake Shack half that amount. After public outcry, these firms promptly returned the money. Congress is now poised to approve an additional $310 billion to replenish the pool for truly needy businesses.
8 19 Infections
COVID‑19 is a zoonotic virus, capable of jumping between animals and humans. While the original spillover is thought to involve pangolins at a Wuhan market, two separate cases in New York City confirmed that domestic cats can contract the virus, marking the first U.S. pets to test positive.
Both felines exhibited mild respiratory symptoms and are expected to recover. The first cat was diagnosed after a veterinarian noted a slight infection, though the household’s human occupants had not been confirmed carriers. A second cat in a different home also tested positive, while a companion cat in the same residence remained negative. Researchers caution that, although cats can catch the virus, there is no current evidence they can transmit it back to humans.
7 In-place Orders
As infection rates began to dip under various “stay‑at‑home” mandates across the United States, crowds gathered nationwide to demand that state governments lift restrictions and let workers return. While some demonstrators wore masks and kept distance, many ignored public‑health guidance. President Trump even tweeted support, urging “liberation” of states like Michigan, Virginia, and Minnesota.
Media outlets framed the scene as “America on the brink” of unrest, noting rallies in Texas, Indiana, New Hampshire, Nevada, Maryland, Utah, Wisconsin, Washington, and Colorado. Though no armed insurrection materialized, the defiance raised concerns about a potential resurgence of COVID‑19. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick echoed the sentiment that “there are more important things than surviving,” emphasizing economic priorities over health.
6 Deal Extends Netanyahu’s Rule as Rival Accepts Israeli Unity Government
The political deadlock in Israel appears to be ending after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struck a unity‑government deal with rival Benny Gantz. The agreement, forged amid the COVID‑19 crisis, keeps Netanyahu as premier through 2021, after which Gantz is slated to assume the role.
Critics argue the pact advantages Netanyahu, who faces corruption charges, allowing him to fight legal battles from the highest office. Gantz defended the compromise, stating on Twitter that the coalition “prevented a fourth election, preserves democracy, and tackles the coronavirus for all Israelis.”
5 Oil Market Completely Crashes To Negative Territory
Monday marked an historic moment for oil traders when the price of a barrel of crude plunged to $0 and then slid into negative territory, hitting –$37.63 per barrel – the lowest level since NYMEX began futures trading in 1983. The collapse stemmed from a massive sell‑off as storage facilities worldwide filled up while pandemic‑induced lockdowns slashed demand.
Even a sweeping production cut of 9.7 million barrels per day in May and June could not stave off the plunge. President Trump ordered the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to absorb up to 75 million barrels in an effort to stabilize the market, but buyers were still being paid to take oil off producers’ hands.
4 Unconfirmed Study Finds Hydroxychloroquine Has No Benefit
Researchers worldwide have been testing hydroxychloroquine as a potential COVID‑19 treatment, but a recent study contradicts earlier optimism. An analysis of veteran medical records, posted on medrxiv.org and pending peer review, found the drug offered no therapeutic advantage and may actually increase harm.
The study examined 368 patients; 97 received hydroxychloroquine and experienced a 27.8 % mortality rate, while 158 who did not receive the drug saw an 11.4 % death rate. Conducted by teams at Columbia VA Health Care System, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Virginia, the researchers emphasized the need for randomized controlled trials before widespread adoption.
3 Something May Be Wrong With Kim Jong‑Un’s Health
Rumors swirl that North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un may be seriously ill after undergoing an unspecified cardiovascular procedure on April 12th, a detail that broke his usual media silence. He missed the traditional celebration of his grandfather, fueling speculation about his condition.
President Trump weighed in, stating, “We don’t know the reports, but I’ve had a good relationship with him… I wish him well.” He added that if the situation were different, the United States might be on the brink of war, yet it remains “nowhere close.”
2 Iran Successfully Launched Its First Military Satellite
Iran announced the successful launch of its inaugural military satellite, Noor 01, confirmed by U.S. Space Command at 4:03 PM via a tweet from the 18th Space Control Squadron, which also tracked the accompanying rocket body.
The two‑stage launch, broadcast by Iranian state television, placed the satellite 264 miles above Earth. Around the same time, President Trump threatened to order the U.S. Navy to neutralize any Iranian gunboats that harassed American vessels, underscoring rising tensions in the region.
1 YouTube Censoring Videos Not Supported By The WHO
In a CNN interview, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki outlined new policy changes that would see the removal of videos deemed “medically unsubstantiated.” Examples include claims that vitamin C or turmeric could cure COVID‑19. The platform now requires content to align with World Health Organization guidance, sparking concerns about potential Chinese influence over the WHO.
YouTube routinely enforces community‑guideline violations, but the pandemic accelerated the takedown of misinformation, including videos alleging that 5G towers spread the virus. Wojcicki noted that the policy rollout is faster than ever, aiming to curb harmful content.
Top 10 Ways Google Is Censoring Free Speech