Where people are mourning…

Libya. Yesterday, officials said the death toll in the country topped 11,300. Earlier this week, heavy rains from storm Daniel caused two dams to collapse and flooded nearby towns. More than 20,000 people are feared to be dead. 30,000 others have been displaced. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing. Unfortunately, humanitarian aid efforts have been limited because of destroyed roads and the lack of electricity has made it harder for responders to reach certain parts of the country. The country also has two clashing governments — one that’s internationally recognized and one that isn’t — making things even more difficult. Global officials have criticized Libya and said the large death toll could’ve been avoided if people were properly warned. Some families say their only warning was the sound of the dams bursting. 

Which job title is literally out of this world…

UFO research director. Yesterday, NASA announced it has a new director of research to focus on “unidentified anomalous phenomenon,” (read: UFOs). As far as who got the job, NASA decided to not share that tiny detail. The organization also put out a 33-page report that covers a year of research that it said is part of an effort to destigmatize UFOs and to be transparent about their knowledge of life beyond. NASA made it clear that they did not find any evidence of life beyond Earth, but NASA admin Bill Nelson said he personally believes there is. The report also calls on the American public to use their smartphones to send in pics of anything that could be a UFO. Because nothing could possibly go wrong with that. 

Who people are talking about…

Jaahnavi Kandula.  Earlier this week, the Seattle Police Department released bodycam footage of an officer making jokes about Kandula’s death. Earlier this year, Kandula — an Indian graduate student at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus — was at a crosswalk when the officer hit her with his car and killed her. In the video, the officer can be heard saying Kandula’s life had “limited value” and the city should “just write a check.” A Seattle police accountability office is investigating the incident. A separate police oversight agency called the comments “heartbreaking and shockingly insensitive.” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said “this is exactly what happens when we normalize xenophobia and racism.”

Who’s hitting the brakes…

Autoworkers. Today, about 13,000 autoworkers from GM, Ford, and Stellantis walked out on the job. United Auto Workers and the Big Three failed to reach an agreement on contract negotiations, including wage raises. Meanwhile, celebrities like Natasha Lyonne and Adam Scott are auctioning things off like dog walks and more to help support another striking industry: Hollywood.

Who’s not doing so well…

Gen Z. Yesterday, a new study found that 47% of Gen Z Americans are thriving in their lives, the lowest among all generations. When millennials were their age, that number was 59%. Their number one stressor? Money.

Who’ll be in the states soon…

Volodymyr Zelensky.

Who’s saying Hi-Hi-Hi...

*NSYNC.