X's Advertiser Lawsuit

X has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against GARM and major advertisers, alleging a conspiracy to withhold funds following Elon Musk's acquisition. The lawsuit claims that GARM encouraged a boycott, leading to significant revenue losses for the platform.

CEO Linda Yaccarino stated that the alleged coordinated boycott threatens the company's future and undermines free expression. The decline in advertising revenue has been attributed to concerns about ads appearing next to harmful content, particularly amid rising antisemitic posts.

Musk has publicly declared "now it is war" against advertisers who withdraw from the platform. Legal experts suggest the lawsuit may face challenges, as politically motivated boycotts are generally protected under the First Amendment.

The Guardian + 28 • Tech

'Hobbit' Evolution Surprise

New fossils discovered in Mata Menge suggest Homo floresiensis, or 'Hobbits,' were shorter than previously thought, standing around 100 cm tall. This discovery, led by Professor Yousuke Kaifu, provides significant evolutionary insights and emphasizes the role of island dwarfism in human evolution.

The findings challenge existing theories about the development of these ancient hominids on Flores Island. The fossils, estimated to be 700,000 years old, include the first postcranial element, a distal shaft of an adult humerus.

Researchers believe this new information could reshape our understanding of human adaptation and diversity in prehistoric times. The rapid emergence of a new body type highlights the varied pathways of human evolution, suggesting alternative developmental outcomes beyond intelligence.

NYTimes + 17 • Science

Hamas Leadership Change

Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar as its new political leader following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran. Sinwar, accused of orchestrating the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, now controls the fate of over 120 hostages.

Israeli authorities have marked Sinwar as a primary target, indicating potential escalations in military actions against him. He is currently hiding in an undisclosed location within the Gaza Strip, likely in the organization's tunnel system.

Regional diplomats suggest that Sinwar's leadership marks a tough and uncompromising approach in negotiations for a ceasefire. His appointment is expected to shift Hamas further towards a more aggressive stance in both military and political domains.

BBC News + 17 • World News

Sports, Entertainment & Culture

• Chicago White Sox tie AL record for consecutive losses at 21. (More)

• Disney announces price hikes for streaming services, with Disney+ and Hulu Bundle rising to $10.99 per month. (More)

• Billy Bean, former MLB player and LGBTQ advocate, dies at 60 after battling acute myeloid leukemia. (More)

Science & Technology

• Google patches critical Android kernel vulnerability, addressing 47 issues in August update. (More)

  2. OpenAI-backed startup Figure unveils humanoid robot for factory and household tasks. (More)

  3. Chinese scientists discover graphene flakes and water molecules in lunar soil samples. (More)

Business & Markets

• SAIA Inc. tops Validea rankings; Meta surges 41% YTD amid strong Q2 earnings. (More)

• Saudi Aramco reports Q2 2024 net profit of $29.07 billion, down 3.4% from last year. (More)

• Intel's stock hits 10-year low, with 29% drop amid $7 billion in 2023 losses. (More)

Politics & World Affairs

• Canada defies expectations with C$638 million trade surplus in June. (More)

  2. Germany tops list of world's most advanced countries, investing $134.45 billion in R&D. (More)

  3. EU to reinstate 100-milliliter liquid limit for carry-on luggage starting September 1. (More)