After a lengthy battle nominating Kevin McCarthy to serve as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Republicans are now looking ahead to their priorities in the 118th Congress.

Conservatives continue to be a problem for McCarthy

Intense storm spawning dozens of tornadoes stored through large swathes of territory in the southern parts of the United States. Heavy thunderstorms rolled from eastern Texas to Georgia and as far as Indiana and in Mississippi - tornadoes damaged numerous homes.

Tornado wreaks havoc in Alabama, kills at least six people

According to reports, officials have confirmed that at least nine people have been killed, after a major storm system-induced series of tornadoes barreled through parts of Georgia and Alabama in the United States, on Thursday. As search and rescue efforts are underway, on Friday, the death toll is expected to rise in the hardest-hit central Alabama, said the local officials. Meanwhile, at least tens of thousands of homes across the US Southeast region are left without power following the storm which has left a trail of widespread destruction in its wake.&nbsp;

The National Weather Service (NWS) &nbsp;said that the suspected tornado damage was reported across at least 14 counties in Alabama and 14 in Georgia where the temperatures were forecast to plunge below freezing overnight, reported Associated Press. At least seven people have been killed in central Alabama’s Autauga County and two others&nbsp;including a five-year-old boy&nbsp;in Georgia,&nbsp;said&nbsp;officials.&nbsp;

As of Friday morning, at least 40,000 homes and businesses are still out of power across the two aforementioned states, according to the tracking site PowerOutage.us. Visuals emerging from the affected areas show uprooted trees, damaged power lines, debris from nearby houses on the streets, and several structures reduced to rubble.&nbsp;

The weather agency, on Friday, also said that damage appears to be from at least two tornadoes rated EF-2 and EF-3 and that the total number of tornadoes is still being determined. The NWS also said that the twister in the hardest-hit central Alabama left damage which is consistent with an EF-3 tornado which can contain wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph. Notably, EF-5 damage is the most severe category on the scale.&nbsp;

The storms stretched from Mississippi to Georgia where Governor Brian Kemp, also confirmed the death of a state employee who was responding to the emergency. Additionally, officials also confirmed that four tornadoes touched down southeast of the state capital Atlanta but the damage was seen across several parts of the state. Meanwhile, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, on Thursday, declared a state of emergency across six counties.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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According to reports, officials have confirmed that at least nine people have been killed, after a major storm system-induced series of tornadoes barreled through parts of Georgia and Alabama in the United States, on Thursday.

According to reports, officials have confirmed that at least nine people have been killed, after a major storm system-induced series of tornadoes barreled through parts of Georgia and Alabama in the United States, on Thursday. As search and rescue efforts are underway, on Friday, the death toll is expected to rise in the hardest-hit central Alabama, said the local officials. Meanwhile, at least tens of thousands of homes across the US Southeast region are left without power following the storm which has left a trail of widespread destruction in its wake. The National Weather Service (NWS) said that the suspected tornado damage was reported across at least 14 counties in Alabama and 14 in Georgia where the temperatures were forecast to plunge below freezing overnight, reported Associated Press. At least seven people have been killed in central Alabama’s Autauga County and two others including a five-year-old boy in Georgia, said officials. As of Friday morning, at least 40,000 homes and businesses are still out of power across the two aforementioned states, according to the tracking site PowerOutage.us. Visuals emerging from the affected areas show uprooted trees, damaged power lines, debris from nearby houses on the streets, and several structures reduced to rubble. The weather agency, on Friday, also said that damage appears to be from at least two tornadoes rated EF-2 and EF-3 and that the total number of tornadoes is still being determined. The NWS also said that the twister in the hardest-hit central Alabama left damage which is consistent with an EF-3 tornado which can contain wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph. Notably, EF-5 damage is the most severe category on the scale. The storms stretched from Mississippi to Georgia where Governor Brian Kemp, also confirmed the death of a state employee who was responding to the emergency. Additionally, officials also confirmed that four tornadoes touched down southeast of the state capital Atlanta but the damage was seen across several parts of the state. Meanwhile, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, on Thursday, declared a state of emergency across six counties. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: At least nine killed after major storm sweeps through parts of Alabama, Georgia

A senior US lawmaker has opposed Biden administration's plans to sell USD 20 billion worth of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye, Reuters said quoting sources. US State Department has sent an informal notice to Congress about the sale.

Turkiye, a member of NATO, has requested purchase of 40 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighter jets and about 80 modernisation kits for its current warplanes.

The Biden administration has said it supports the sale and has been in touch for months with Congress on an informal basis to win its approval. However, it has failed so far to secure a green light.

"As I have repeatedly made clear, I strongly oppose the Biden administration’s proposed sale of new F-16 aircraft to Turkey," Senator Bob Menendez, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.

The sale is still in the informal review process. However, US Congress is unlikely to approve the sale as long as Turkiye remains opposed to Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.

The two countries ended decades of neutrality last May and applied to join NATO in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but Turkey objected and accused the countries of harboring militants, including from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and demanded steps be taken.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER HEADING TO WASHINGTON

The notification, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, comes as Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu prepares to visit Washington on Wednesday for talks as the two NATO allies struggle with a host of disagreements including over Syria and weapons purchases.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-opens-investigation-into-erdogan-effigy-burning-incident-sweden-calls-it-an-act-of-sabotage-552479">Türkiye opens investigation into Erdogan effigy burning incident in Sweden</a>

Following the informal review, a process during which committee leaders can ask questions or raise concerns about the sale, the administration can technically go ahead with a formal notification. But a senior U.S. official said he was "doubtful" the administration would be in a position to proceed unless Menendez dropped his objection.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A senior US lawmaker has opposed Biden administration's plans to sell USD 20 billion worth of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye, Reuters said quoting sources. US State Department has sent an informal notice to Congress about the sale.

A senior US lawmaker has opposed Biden administration's plans to sell USD 20 billion worth of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye, Reuters said quoting sources. US State Department has sent an informal notice to Congress about the sale. Turkiye, a member of NATO, has requested purchase of 40 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighter jets and about 80 modernisation kits for its current warplanes. The Biden administration has said it supports the sale and has been in touch for months with Congress on an informal basis to win its approval. However, it has failed so far to secure a green light. "As I have repeatedly made clear, I strongly oppose the Biden administration’s proposed sale of new F-16 aircraft to Turkey," Senator Bob Menendez, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. The sale is still in the informal review process. However, US Congress is unlikely to approve the sale as long as Turkiye remains opposed to Finland and Sweden's NATO membership. The two countries ended decades of neutrality last May and applied to join NATO in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but Turkey objected and accused the countries of harboring militants, including from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and demanded steps be taken. TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER HEADING TO WASHINGTON The notification, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, comes as Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu prepares to visit Washington on Wednesday for talks as the two NATO allies struggle with a host of disagreements including over Syria and weapons purchases. Also Read | Türkiye opens investigation into Erdogan effigy burning incident in Sweden Following the informal review, a process during which committee leaders can ask questions or raise concerns about the sale, the administration can technically go ahead with a formal notification. But a senior U.S. official said he was "doubtful" the administration would be in a position to proceed unless Menendez dropped his objection. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US lawmaker strongly objects to F-16 sale to Turkiye

Adidas has lost a legal battle to try to stop a luxury designer from using its signature stripes. The sportswear giant claimed that Thom Browne Inc.'s four stripes were strikingly similar to its three stripes, as reported by the BBC.&nbsp;Among other factors, Browne pointed out that his brand had a distinct number of stripes, making it unlikely that customers would confuse it with Adidas.

Browne told The Associated Press that he hopes the preservation of his striped pattern on luxury athletic clothing and accessories inspires others whose work is undermined&nbsp;by larger clothing brands.&nbsp;

“It was important to fight and tell my story," Browne told The Associated Press after a Manhattan federal court jury sided with him. Adidas had claimed that the striped designs used by Thom Browne Inc. were too similar to its own three stripes.

“And I think it’s more important and bigger than me because I think I was fighting for every designer that creates something and has a bigger company come after them later,” he said.

Adidas, who was pursuing close to $8 million in disgorgement and damages, made it known that it might challenge the rulings. Adidas spokesperson Rich Efrus told the Associated Press in an email that they are upset with the ruling and will continue to vigilantly protect their intellectual property, including filing any necessary appeals.

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<h2>What is the legal between Adidas and&nbsp;Thom Browne Inc? A brief timeline</h2>

2001: Thom Browne debuts his own made-to-measure menswear brand, four years after relocating to New York to pursue a career in fashion.&nbsp;He held positions as a designer for Club Monaco, a salesperson for Giorgio Armani, and a tailor before launching his own collection.

2003: Browne establishes his first storefront in New York City.

May 2007: Browne changed his jacket's three-stripe pattern to four stripes after Adidas objected that it was too similar to their own.

2018: The popularity of Browne's brand grows as it enters the sportswear market.&nbsp;Italian luxury fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna acquires an 85 per cent&nbsp;stake in the brand.&nbsp;

June 2021: Thom Browne is sued by Adidas, which claims “Despite Thom Browne’s knowledge of Adidas’s rights in the famous Three-Stripe Mark, Thom Browne has expanded its product offerings far beyond formal wear and business attire and is now offering for sale and selling athletic-style apparel and footwear featuring two, three, or four parallel stripes in a manner that is confusingly similar to Adidas’s Three-Stripe Mark.”

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Thom Browne's collection being&nbsp;taken inside the court. Photo credits: AP

<h2>What were Thom Browne’s winning arguments?</h2>

The premium brand Thom Browne Inc. caters to a very different demographic and operates at a totally different price range. For&nbsp;instance, a pair of women's compression tights sold by Browne retails for US$725, but the same item sold by Adidas costs less than US$100.

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Browne wearing socks with four stripes outside the courtroom. Photo credits: AP

The former competitive swimmer used his lifetime passion for sports to explain why he makes sportswear, adding that varsity sports at the collegiate level served as inspiration for his usage of stripes.&nbsp;His strongest argument being—Why Adidas waited an entire decade to contest Browne's stripes design?&nbsp;

<h2>Adidas's claim on stripes: Why does it keep suing brands over it?</h2>

The three stripes are now found on almost all Adidas products. Adolf Dassler, the company's founder, originally used them on shoes in the 1950s, when they first gained popularity. This isn't the first time that Adidas has taken legal action against another brand for copying it in any form.

Adidas sued Forever 21 several times between 2006 and 2017 before reaching settlements. Adidas sued Juicy Couture over its designs in 2009 and again in 2017. It filed a lawsuit against Marc Jacobs in 2015 over the four-stripe pattern. Beyond the sphere of fashion, it engaged in trademark conflicts.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2017, after being challenged by Adidas, Tesla withdrew its intended trademark for the Model 3 electric vehicle.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Adidas has lost a legal battle to try to stop a luxury designer from using its signature stripes. The sportswear giant claimed that Thom Browne Inc.'s four stripes were strikingly similar to its three stripes, as reported by the BBC.

Adidas has lost a legal battle to try to stop a luxury designer from using its signature stripes. The sportswear giant claimed that Thom Browne Inc.'s four stripes were strikingly similar to its three stripes, as reported by the BBC. Among other factors, Browne pointed out that his brand had a distinct number of stripes, making it unlikely that customers would confuse it with Adidas. Browne told The Associated Press that he hopes the preservation of his striped pattern on luxury athletic clothing and accessories inspires others whose work is undermined by larger clothing brands. “It was important to fight and tell my story," Browne told The Associated Press after a Manhattan federal court jury sided with him. Adidas had claimed that the striped designs used by Thom Browne Inc. were too similar to its own three stripes. “And I think it’s more important and bigger than me because I think I was fighting for every designer that creates something and has a bigger company come after them later,” he said. Adidas, who was pursuing close to $8 million in disgorgement and damages, made it known that it might challenge the rulings. Adidas spokesperson Rich Efrus told the Associated Press in an email that they are upset with the ruling and will continue to vigilantly protect their intellectual property, including filing any necessary appeals. What is the legal between Adidas and Thom Browne Inc? A brief timeline 2001: Thom Browne debuts his own made-to-measure menswear brand, four years after relocating to New York to pursue a career in fashion. He held positions as a designer for Club Monaco, a salesperson for Giorgio Armani, and a tailor before launching his own collection. 2003: Browne establishes his first storefront in New York City. May 2007: Browne changed his jacket's three-stripe pattern to four stripes after Adidas objected that it was too similar to their own. 2018: The popularity of Browne's brand grows as it enters the sportswear market. Italian luxury fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna acquires an 85 per cent stake in the brand. June 2021: Thom Browne is sued by Adidas, which claims “Despite Thom Browne’s knowledge of Adidas’s rights in the famous Three-Stripe Mark, Thom Browne has expanded its product offerings far beyond formal wear and business attire and is now offering for sale and selling athletic-style apparel and footwear featuring two, three, or four parallel stripes in a manner that is confusingly similar to Adidas’s Three-Stripe Mark.” Thom Browne's collection being taken inside the court. Photo credits: AP What were Thom Browne’s winning arguments? The premium brand Thom Browne Inc. caters to a very different demographic and operates at a totally different price range. For instance, a pair of women's compression tights sold by Browne retails for US$725, but the same item sold by Adidas costs less than US$100. Browne wearing socks with four stripes outside the courtroom. Photo credits: AP The former competitive swimmer used his lifetime passion for sports to explain why he makes sportswear, adding that varsity sports at the collegiate level served as inspiration for his usage of stripes. His strongest argument being—Why Adidas waited an entire decade to contest Browne's stripes design? Adidas's claim on stripes: Why does it keep suing brands over it? The three stripes are now found on almost all Adidas products. Adolf Dassler, the company's founder, originally used them on shoes in the 1950s, when they first gained popularity. This isn't the first time that Adidas has taken legal action against another brand for copying it in any form. Adidas sued Forever 21 several times between 2006 and 2017 before reaching settlements. Adidas sued Juicy Couture over its designs in 2009 and again in 2017. It filed a lawsuit against Marc Jacobs in 2015 over the four-stripe pattern. Beyond the sphere of fashion, it engaged in trademark conflicts. In 2017, after being challenged by Adidas, Tesla withdrew its intended trademark for the Model 3 electric vehicle. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Not all stripes are Adidas stripes: A look at the legal battle between luxury designer Thom Browne and Adidas

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration made an announcement about vaccine safety on Friday.

CDC's vaccine safety datalink flagged possible brain stroke risk

The U.S. justice department has appointed a special counsel to investigate Biden's mishandling of classified documents. The first batch of the documents contained UK intelligence briefings. Did Biden have a motive?

Gravitas: Biden in trouble for mishandling classified documents?

Over the past three decades (circa 1991-2023), the death rate from cancer in the US has declined by a startling 30 per cent. This amounts to about 3.8 million lives saved since 1991, according to research that was published in <a href="https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21763">CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians</a>. Even better, the studies show that the death rate from cancer decreased from 2019 to 2020 by 1.5 per cent, which contrasts sharply with other major illnesses.

Researchers have shown that cancer is not only a major issue affecting worldwide health but also the second-worst killer in the US, after heart disease. COVID-19 takes the third spot.

<h2>Decline in cancer cases: What exactly happened?</h2>

Over the course of the three decades (circa 1991-2023), researchers estimated that 2.6 million deaths in men and 1.2 million in women from cancer were averted. Men saw a 2.6 per cent&nbsp;annual decline in lung cancer incidence from 2015 to 2019 compared to women's 1.1 per cent&nbsp;yearly decline.

Young women's (20–24-year-olds) risk of developing cervical cancer has dramatically decreased, falling by 11.4 per cent between 2012 and 2019 and by a staggering 65 per cent&nbsp;overall within the same time frame.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-the-chocolaty-secret-to-chocolates-sweetness-552453">Scientists find the chocolaty secret to chocolate's sweetness</a>

Additionally, death rates for kidney cancer, melanoma, and leukemia decreased by two&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;year from 2016 to 2020.

<h2>How did the decline in cancer cases take place?</h2>

The study found that the death rate has dropped over the previous three decades as a result of a dip in smoking and advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The American Cancer Society's CEO, Karen Knudsen, told CNN that the drop in cancer mortality is "truly formidable."

“New revelations for prevention, for early detection, and for treatment have resulted in true, meaningful gains in many of the 200 diseases that we call cancer,” Knudsen added.

The first vaccination against the two strains of the human papillomavirus, according to researchers, is to credit for the drop in cervical cancer cases (which cause 70 per cent of such cancers).

The vaccination was originally permitted for use in females between the ages of 9 and 26 in 2006 by the US Food and Drug Administration, as per researchers.

“This totally follows the time when HPV vaccines were put into use,” Dr William Dahut, the society’s chief scientific officer, told&nbsp;CNN.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-a-first-scientists-use-artificial-dna-to-kill-cancer-cells-heres-what-you-need-to-know-547276">Explained: In a first, scientists use artificial DNA to kill cancer cells: Here’s what you need to know</a>

The report&nbsp;also stated that the first group who received these strains' immunisations are currently in their 20s.

Conclusively,&nbsp;these findings point to sharp future declines in HPV malignancies, the majority of which affect women.

“There are other cancers that are HPV-related – whether that’s head and neck cancers or anal cancers – so there’s optimism this will have importance beyond this,” Dahut added.

<h2>Some cancers are on the rise</h2>

The latest research points out that occurrences of breast, uterine, and prostate cancer have been "of concern" and growing in the US, despite the fact that the overall cancer mortality rate has been steadily declining.

Cancer among adults under 50 may be on the rise globally. The research states that since the middle of the 2000s, the incidence rates of breast cancer in women have been rising by roughly 0.5 per cent&nbsp;per year.

Incidence of uterine corpus cancer has increased around one per cent year since the mid-2000s among women 50 and older and roughly two&nbsp;per cent annually since at least the mid-1990s among younger women.

After two decades of reduction, the incidence rate of prostate cancer increased by three per cent&nbsp;year from 2014 to 2019.

<h2>What did the White House say?</h2>

White House Cancer Moonshot Coordinator Dr&nbsp;Danielle Carnival stated in a statement issued on Thursday that the latest study "shows great progress."

President Biden renewed the White House's "Cancer Moonshot" project last year, pledging the country to aim toward cutting the death rate from cancer by at least 50 per cent over the following 25 years.

“The report showing the US&nbsp;has cut cancer deaths by one-third over the last 30 years is great progress, which we’ve achieved through driving smoking rates down, improving early detection, and delivering better treatments for many cancers. It means millions of American families have been spared the immeasurable loss of a loved one,” Carnival said in a&nbsp;statement quoted by CNN.&nbsp;

“The report also underscores that there’s more work to do to save more lives,” she said. “President Biden’s vision for ending cancer as we know it is building on the progress we’ve made with an all-hands-on-deck effort to develop new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer – and ensure that the tools we have and those we develop along the way reach all Americans.”

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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Over the past three decades (circa 1991-2023), the death rate from cancer in the US has declined by a startling 30 per cent. This amounts to about 3.8 million lives saved since 1991, according to research that was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Over the past three decades (circa 1991-2023), the death rate from cancer in the US has declined by a startling 30 per cent. This amounts to about 3.8 million lives saved since 1991, according to research that was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Even better, the studies show that the death rate from cancer decreased from 2019 to 2020 by 1.5 per cent, which contrasts sharply with other major illnesses. Researchers have shown that cancer is not only a major issue affecting worldwide health but also the second-worst killer in the US, after heart disease. COVID-19 takes the third spot. Decline in cancer cases: What exactly happened? Over the course of the three decades (circa 1991-2023), researchers estimated that 2.6 million deaths in men and 1.2 million in women from cancer were averted. Men saw a 2.6 per cent annual decline in lung cancer incidence from 2015 to 2019 compared to women's 1.1 per cent yearly decline. Young women's (20–24-year-olds) risk of developing cervical cancer has dramatically decreased, falling by 11.4 per cent between 2012 and 2019 and by a staggering 65 per cent overall within the same time frame. Also read | Scientists find the chocolaty secret to chocolate's sweetness Additionally, death rates for kidney cancer, melanoma, and leukemia decreased by two per cent year from 2016 to 2020. How did the decline in cancer cases take place? The study found that the death rate has dropped over the previous three decades as a result of a dip in smoking and advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The American Cancer Society's CEO, Karen Knudsen, told CNN that the drop in cancer mortality is "truly formidable." “New revelations for prevention, for early detection, and for treatment have resulted in true, meaningful gains in many of the 200 diseases that we call cancer,” Knudsen added. The first vaccination against the two strains of the human papillomavirus, according to researchers, is to credit for the drop in cervical cancer cases (which cause 70 per cent of such cancers). The vaccination was originally permitted for use in females between the ages of 9 and 26 in 2006 by the US Food and Drug Administration, as per researchers. “This totally follows the time when HPV vaccines were put into use,” Dr William Dahut, the society’s chief scientific officer, told CNN. Also read | Explained: In a first, scientists use artificial DNA to kill cancer cells: Here’s what you need to know The report also stated that the first group who received these strains' immunisations are currently in their 20s. Conclusively, these findings point to sharp future declines in HPV malignancies, the majority of which affect women. “There are other cancers that are HPV-related – whether that’s head and neck cancers or anal cancers – so there’s optimism this will have importance beyond this,” Dahut added. Some cancers are on the rise The latest research points out that occurrences of breast, uterine, and prostate cancer have been "of concern" and growing in the US, despite the fact that the overall cancer mortality rate has been steadily declining. Cancer among adults under 50 may be on the rise globally. The research states that since the middle of the 2000s, the incidence rates of breast cancer in women have been rising by roughly 0.5 per cent per year. Incidence of uterine corpus cancer has increased around one per cent year since the mid-2000s among women 50 and older and roughly two per cent annually since at least the mid-1990s among younger women. After two decades of reduction, the incidence rate of prostate cancer increased by three per cent year from 2014 to 2019. What did the White House say? White House Cancer Moonshot Coordinator Dr Danielle Carnival stated in a statement issued on Thursday that the latest study "shows great progress." President Biden renewed the White House's "Cancer Moonshot" project last year, pledging the country to aim toward cutting the death rate from cancer by at least 50 per cent over the following 25 years. “The report showing the US has cut cancer deaths by one-third over the last 30 years is great progress, which we’ve achieved through driving smoking rates down, improving early detection, and delivering better treatments for many cancers. It means millions of American families have been spared the immeasurable loss of a loved one,” Carnival said in a statement quoted by CNN. “The report also underscores that there’s more work to do to save more lives,” she said. “President Biden’s vision for ending cancer as we know it is building on the progress we’ve made with an all-hands-on-deck effort to develop new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer – and ensure that the tools we have and those we develop along the way reach all Americans.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: How did US cancer rates drop by 33% since 1991?

The United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) has dismissed more than half of 'UFO' sightings as&nbsp;they've been found to have ordinary explanations. This has ruled&nbsp;out any extra-terrestrial origin. The office of the DNI released a report on these examinations on Thursday (January 12). It mentions analysis of 366 incidents of 'Unknown Aerial Phenomena' (UAP) sighted or reported since the last report on such analysis of&nbsp;cases in the year 2021.

The report says that out of 366 incidents, 26 were drones, 163 were balloons and six were airborne clutter, like birds or trash. The report notes that 171 incidents remain unexplained.

Search for alien life has been a preoccupation of humankind for centuries. This has not only sparked serious scientific research and studies but also a frenzy in popular culture to scan the skies to attribute any unexplained object to an alien craft visiting Earth.

Official reports like the one released by the Director of National Intelligence are often aimed at quelling fears of doom and unnecessary speculation, but unexplained cases mentioned in these reports give rise to a fresh crop of conspiracy theories.

Office of the DNI has said in its latest report that a portion of 171 unexplained cases “demonstrate unusual flight characteristics” and a further analysis will be carried out. However, the report does not mention the exact number of how many such cases have been found.

In the age of drone warfare, it is becoming increasingly important to keep eye on unidentified crafts as it may be an espionage attempt by a rival country. For everything else, there's always a scary theory predicting the end of the Earth as we know it.

Legendary scientist Enrico Fermi had famously asked "Where is everyone?" in relation to his amazement at why aliens haven't visited Earth yet. The current report perhaps, gives, atleast for now,&nbsp;a chance to those against conspiracy&nbsp;theories to say, "There is everyone"

A (human) drone does not an alien craft make.

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The United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) has dismissed more than half of 'UFO' sightings as they've been found to have ordinary explanations. This has ruled out any extra-terrestrial origin.

The United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) has dismissed more than half of 'UFO' sightings as they've been found to have ordinary explanations. This has ruled out any extra-terrestrial origin. The office of the DNI released a report on these examinations on Thursday (January 12). It mentions analysis of 366 incidents of 'Unknown Aerial Phenomena' (UAP) sighted or reported since the last report on such analysis of cases in the year 2021. The report says that out of 366 incidents, 26 were drones, 163 were balloons and six were airborne clutter, like birds or trash. The report notes that 171 incidents remain unexplained. Search for alien life has been a preoccupation of humankind for centuries. This has not only sparked serious scientific research and studies but also a frenzy in popular culture to scan the skies to attribute any unexplained object to an alien craft visiting Earth. Official reports like the one released by the Director of National Intelligence are often aimed at quelling fears of doom and unnecessary speculation, but unexplained cases mentioned in these reports give rise to a fresh crop of conspiracy theories. Office of the DNI has said in its latest report that a portion of 171 unexplained cases “demonstrate unusual flight characteristics” and a further analysis will be carried out. However, the report does not mention the exact number of how many such cases have been found. In the age of drone warfare, it is becoming increasingly important to keep eye on unidentified crafts as it may be an espionage attempt by a rival country. For everything else, there's always a scary theory predicting the end of the Earth as we know it. Legendary scientist Enrico Fermi had famously asked "Where is everyone?" in relation to his amazement at why aliens haven't visited Earth yet. The current report perhaps, gives, atleast for now, a chance to those against conspiracy theories to say, "There is everyone" A (human) drone does not an alien craft make. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

THERE is everyone: US dismisses majority UFO sightings as ordinary

Wisconsin and North Carolina on Thursday banned the use of TikTok on government-owned devices over cyber security concerns.&nbsp;The ban on the use of the Chinese app&nbsp;in the United States has widened. A few days back, New Jersey, Arkansas and Ohio banned the app, adding their names along with over 20 more states.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signing the order of ban said, "In the digital age, defending our state’s technology and cybersecurity infrastructure and protecting digital privacy have to be a top priority for us as a state."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-fined-54-million-by-france-for-cookies-related-issues-552076">Also read |&nbsp;TikTok fined $5.4 million by France for 'cookies' related issues</a>

The state governor added that along with&nbsp;banning the Chinese social media app, he is also banning vendors, products, and services from nine companies, including Huawei Technologies, Tencent Holdings, and ZTE Corporation, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

While Roy Cooper, North Carolina's governor signed an order directing the officials to develop a policy with 14 days to prohibit the use of Chinese apps including TikTok, and WeChat.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Tiktokers 'rage applying' to new jobs

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The call to ban TikTok was fuelled after Christopher Wray, the FBI director in November last year said that the app poses a national security threat. Wray also said that through the app, the Chinese government can influence users or control their devices.&nbsp;

In response to this, the social media app said that it's "disappointed that so many states are jumping on the political bandwagon to enact policies that will do nothing to advance cybersecurity in their states and are based on unfounded falsehoods about TikTok."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-jersey-and-ohio-also-ban-tiktok-on-government-owned-devices-550886">Also read |&nbsp;New Jersey and Ohio also ban TikTok on government-owned devices</a>

For the last three years, the app has been trying to assure Washington that the private data of US citizens cannot be manipulated by the Chinese government or any other influence.&nbsp;

In December, US President Joe Biden signed into law a funding bill that includes banning the use or download of TikTok by government employees.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Wisconsin and North Carolina on Thursday banned the use of TikTok on government-owned devices over cyber security concerns. The ban on the use of the Chinese app in the United States has widened.

Wisconsin and North Carolina on Thursday banned the use of TikTok on government-owned devices over cyber security concerns. The ban on the use of the Chinese app in the United States has widened. A few days back, New Jersey, Arkansas and Ohio banned the app, adding their names along with over 20 more states. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signing the order of ban said, "In the digital age, defending our state’s technology and cybersecurity infrastructure and protecting digital privacy have to be a top priority for us as a state." Also read | TikTok fined $5.4 million by France for 'cookies' related issues The state governor added that along with banning the Chinese social media app, he is also banning vendors, products, and services from nine companies, including Huawei Technologies, Tencent Holdings, and ZTE Corporation, Reuters reported. While Roy Cooper, North Carolina's governor signed an order directing the officials to develop a policy with 14 days to prohibit the use of Chinese apps including TikTok, and WeChat. Watch | Gravitas: Tiktokers 'rage applying' to new jobs The call to ban TikTok was fuelled after Christopher Wray, the FBI director in November last year said that the app poses a national security threat. Wray also said that through the app, the Chinese government can influence users or control their devices. In response to this, the social media app said that it's "disappointed that so many states are jumping on the political bandwagon to enact policies that will do nothing to advance cybersecurity in their states and are based on unfounded falsehoods about TikTok." Also read | New Jersey and Ohio also ban TikTok on government-owned devices For the last three years, the app has been trying to assure Washington that the private data of US citizens cannot be manipulated by the Chinese government or any other influence. In December, US President Joe Biden signed into law a funding bill that includes banning the use or download of TikTok by government employees. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US: Wisconsin and North Carolina ban TikTok on government-owned devices

In a letter to US President Joe Biden on Thursday, 41 Democrats including some top members have demanded&nbsp;to cancel any US visa held by former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro in the wake of recent violence in the country by his supporters. The letter was led by Republicans Joaquin Ctaro of Texas, Ruben Gallego of Arizona Gregory Meeks from New York and Susan Wild of Pennsylvania.

In a letter calling on the government to support the democracy and rule of law in Brazil, it read, "Furthermore, we must not allow Mr. Bolsonaro or any other former Brazilian officials to take refuge in the United States to escape justice for any crimes they may have committed when in office," Reuters quoted.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mega-protest-brazil-government-gears-up-for-fresh-pro-bolsonaro-demonstrations-security-beefed-up-551751">Also read |&nbsp;‘Mega-protest’: Brazil government gears up for fresh pro-Bolsonaro demonstrations, security beefed up</a>

Bolsonaro flew to the US on December 30, two days before his presidential term ended. After his departure, leftist President Lula da Silva took office, prompting his&nbsp;supporters to ransack Brazil's Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court on Sunday.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro on his social media said that he soon will be leaving for Brazil but couldn't due to medical reasons. he also denied any role in the violence and said that the rioters "crossed the line."

US President Joe Biden along with other world leaders condemned the violence in Brazil.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-brazil-lawmakers-to-join-forces-to-investigate-brasilia-riots-report-551722">Also read |&nbsp;US and Brazil lawmakers to join forces to investigate Brasilia riots: Report</a>

Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that the administration has not yet received specific requests from Brazil on Bolsonaro.&nbsp;

Till now no response from US State Department or even the White House has been made on the visa.&nbsp;The State Department, however, has repeatedly said that it does not discuss specific visa cases.

](With inputs from agencies)

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In a letter to US President Joe Biden on Thursday, 41 Democrats including some top members have demanded to cancel any US visa held by former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro in the wake of recent violence in the country by his supporters.

In a letter to US President Joe Biden on Thursday, 41 Democrats including some top members have demanded to cancel any US visa held by former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro in the wake of recent violence in the country by his supporters. The letter was led by Republicans Joaquin Ctaro of Texas, Ruben Gallego of Arizona Gregory Meeks from New York and Susan Wild of Pennsylvania. In a letter calling on the government to support the democracy and rule of law in Brazil, it read, "Furthermore, we must not allow Mr. Bolsonaro or any other former Brazilian officials to take refuge in the United States to escape justice for any crimes they may have committed when in office," Reuters quoted. Also read | ‘Mega-protest’: Brazil government gears up for fresh pro-Bolsonaro demonstrations, security beefed up Bolsonaro flew to the US on December 30, two days before his presidential term ended. After his departure, leftist President Lula da Silva took office, prompting his supporters to ransack Brazil's Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court on Sunday. Bolsonaro on his social media said that he soon will be leaving for Brazil but couldn't due to medical reasons. he also denied any role in the violence and said that the rioters "crossed the line." US President Joe Biden along with other world leaders condemned the violence in Brazil. Also read | US and Brazil lawmakers to join forces to investigate Brasilia riots: Report Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that the administration has not yet received specific requests from Brazil on Bolsonaro. Till now no response from US State Department or even the White House has been made on the visa. The State Department, however, has repeatedly said that it does not discuss specific visa cases. ](With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

41 US Democrats urge Biden administration to cancel Bolsonaro's visa amid Brazil riot 

The Republicans had promised for a long time if they take over the house The House Republicans are ready for another blow to the Biden Administration.

US: Afghanistan withdrawal investigation launched by top Republican

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill with a big majority banning oil release from the US strategic petroleum reserve. The bill was passed with 331 votes in favor and only 97 against in the Republican-controlled house. All of the no votes reportedly came from Democrats.

US House approves bill to ban emergency oil sales to China

Why do both Australia and China want to boost ties with the pacific nation of Papua New Guinea? Why are U.S and Japan expanding their security alliance? Molly Gambhir tells you what's brewing.

Gravitas: New U.S-Japan plan to counter China

A second batch of classified documents has been found at a location linked to U.S. President Joe Biden. The first one was discovered in Biden's old office in November. The discovery has fuelled criticism from Republicans. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Classified documents found in Biden's possession

Computer outage grounded flights all over the United States and disrupted more than 11,000 flights. The Federal Aviation Administration said that the outage was caused by a procedural error related to the data file.

Over 11, 300 flights delayed, cancelled in U.S. due to system outage

The theme park division of media behemoth NBCUniversal, Universal Parks &amp; Resorts, has purchased land on the Dallas North Tollway for a brand-new, family-friendly park and hotel. The theme park will be in Frisco, a city in Collin and Denton counties in the US state of Texas. The Universal theme will have a lot in store, making the theme park and hotel unique for kids. It will have a sizable cast of superheroes, television icons, and legendary movie actors in Collin County. So when will the place be opened and what can you expect from it? Will it be as big as the sprawling parks of Orlando and Los Angeles? Scroll on to know everything about the theme park and the hotel.&nbsp;

<h2>Location of Frisco theme park, and hotel project</h2>

The Frisco theme park and hotel project will be located in Fields, a construction site for the real-estate development company Fields development. Fields development is a $10 billion mega-development project and this theme park and hotel will be a part of it. Universal Parks &amp; Resorts, an Orlando-based company bought a site in Fields for the project in December using a shell company based in Delaware. The company announced the plans for the Frisco project on Wednesday.&nbsp;

<h2>What all the Frisco theme park have?&nbsp;</h2>

In addition to a 300-room hotel, the park will have four or five interactive attractions with Universal themes. According to Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts, the project would have immersive activities that will make it a one or two-day destination that will appeal to families.

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Though it is not going to be as big as Universal Studio's Orlando and Los Angeles theme parks, the Frisco theme park development will be a charming small attraction for young families. Woodbury also added that the park attractions will be built around a lush landscaped environment.

<img alt="Frisco" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="872db4dd-5f5a-4a59-b873-10281946bb87" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-12T125210.923.png" />

According to the agreement with Fields developers, the project at the northeast corner of the tollway and Panther Creek Parkway would also contain shops and dining arrangements. When inviting media to the news conference on Wednesday, Frisco authorities termed the project as a significant economic and tourism development.

<h2>When will Frisco theme park be opened?</h2>

The Frisco project's timeline was not provided by Universal officials however, as per the property transaction documents, the company intends to open the park in the next four years.

 
&nbsp;

The theme park division of media behemoth NBCUniversal, Universal Parks & Resorts, has purchased land on the Dallas North Tollway for a brand-new, family-friendly park and hotel.

The theme park division of media behemoth NBCUniversal, Universal Parks & Resorts, has purchased land on the Dallas North Tollway for a brand-new, family-friendly park and hotel. The theme park will be in Frisco, a city in Collin and Denton counties in the US state of Texas. The Universal theme will have a lot in store, making the theme park and hotel unique for kids. It will have a sizable cast of superheroes, television icons, and legendary movie actors in Collin County. So when will the place be opened and what can you expect from it? Will it be as big as the sprawling parks of Orlando and Los Angeles? Scroll on to know everything about the theme park and the hotel. Location of Frisco theme park, and hotel project The Frisco theme park and hotel project will be located in Fields, a construction site for the real-estate development company Fields development. Fields development is a $10 billion mega-development project and this theme park and hotel will be a part of it. Universal Parks & Resorts, an Orlando-based company bought a site in Fields for the project in December using a shell company based in Delaware. The company announced the plans for the Frisco project on Wednesday. What all the Frisco theme park have? In addition to a 300-room hotel, the park will have four or five interactive attractions with Universal themes. According to Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts, the project would have immersive activities that will make it a one or two-day destination that will appeal to families. Though it is not going to be as big as Universal Studio's Orlando and Los Angeles theme parks, the Frisco theme park development will be a charming small attraction for young families. Woodbury also added that the park attractions will be built around a lush landscaped environment. According to the agreement with Fields developers, the project at the northeast corner of the tollway and Panther Creek Parkway would also contain shops and dining arrangements. When inviting media to the news conference on Wednesday, Frisco authorities termed the project as a significant economic and tourism development. When will Frisco theme park be opened? The Frisco project's timeline was not provided by Universal officials however, as per the property transaction documents, the company intends to open the park in the next four years.

US: Frisco city to get a Universal Theme Park soon, check what's in store for kids, families

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a "damaged database" file was likely to blame for a computer system outage that halted domestic departures on Wednesday and led to thousands of delayed and cancelled flights throughout the day.

'Damaged database' file behind US aviation mess

Embattled US representative George Santos has clearly defied the call of top Republicans to step down from his position as he said that he has no plans whatsoever to resign.

US: George Santos rejects calls to resign, refuses to step down

US and Brazil lawmakers are looking to join forces to investigate the storming of the capital Brasilia by former president Jair Bolsonaro supporters, according to an exclusive report by Reuters.

US and Brazil lawmakers are looking to join forces to investigate the storming of the capital Brasilia by former president Jair Bolsonaro supporters, according to an exclusive report by Reuters. The recently dissolved US House of Representatives select committee that released a report indicting Donald Trump of the January 6 Capitol Hill riots could help the Brazilian lawmakers investigate the events of Brasilia from earlier this week, according to the publication's sources. Bennie Thompson, the committee chairman said the report compiled by his panel could serve as a model for such investigations. "I am extremely proud of the January 6 Select Committee's work and final report. If (it) serves as a model for similar investigations, I will help out in anyway possible." In pictures | A 'sad day' for Brazil as rioters storm government buildings Moreover, Brazil's Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco has held talks with a senior US diplomat in Brasilia to discuss the possibility of such a collaboration. The riots by Bolsonaro's supporters from earlier this week has drawn eerie similarities to the January 6 insurrection attempt by Trump supporters in 2021. Over 1,000 rioters were arrested initially for storming the Supreme Court of Brazil, the National Congress of Brazil and the Planalto Presidential Palace. WATCH | Supporters of Brazil's Bolsonaro storm Presidential palace × The January 6 committee report After 18 months of investigation, the January 6 committee released its report last month and held Trump responsible for the riots. The 800-page report was published after conducting 1,000-plus interviews and examination of a large number of documents, phone records, texts and more. The committee in the report called for Trump to never be allowed to hold office again. To substantiate the claims, the report cited at least 200 acts where Trump and his allies attempted to overturn the presidential election. Read more: January 6 panel's final report sets out case to try Donald Trump (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US and Brazil lawmakers to join forces to investigate Brasilia riots: Report

In the face of their shared concerns about increasingly assertive China; Japan and the United States on Wednesday (January 11) announced stepped-up security co-operation. Washington strongly endorsed a major military build-up announced by Japan last month. Foreign and defence ministers of the two countries met in Washington.

A joint statement issued after the meetings said that both countries "provided a vision of a modernized Alliance postured to prevail in a new era of strategic competition."

"We agree that the PRC is the greatest shared strategic challenge that we and our allies and partners face," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a joint news conference after the meeting, referring to the People's Republic of China.

At the briefing, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced plans to introduce a Marine Littoral Regiment in Japan, which would bring significant capabilities, including anti-ship missiles. Blinken said that two sides also agreed to extend the terms of their common defense treaty to cover space.

The joint statement said that given "a severely contested environment," the forward posture of U.S. forces in Japan should be upgraded "by positioning more versatile, resilient, and mobile forces with increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, anti-ship, and transportation capabilities."

Austin is to meet Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada again on Thursday at the Pentagon ahead of a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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In the face of their shared concerns about increasingly assertive China; Japan and the United States on Wednesday (January 11) announced stepped-up security co-operation.

In the face of their shared concerns about increasingly assertive China; Japan and the United States on Wednesday (January 11) announced stepped-up security co-operation. Washington strongly endorsed a major military build-up announced by Japan last month. Foreign and defence ministers of the two countries met in Washington. A joint statement issued after the meetings said that both countries "provided a vision of a modernized Alliance postured to prevail in a new era of strategic competition." "We agree that the PRC is the greatest shared strategic challenge that we and our allies and partners face," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a joint news conference after the meeting, referring to the People's Republic of China. At the briefing, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced plans to introduce a Marine Littoral Regiment in Japan, which would bring significant capabilities, including anti-ship missiles. Blinken said that two sides also agreed to extend the terms of their common defense treaty to cover space. The joint statement said that given "a severely contested environment," the forward posture of U.S. forces in Japan should be upgraded "by positioning more versatile, resilient, and mobile forces with increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, anti-ship, and transportation capabilities." Austin is to meet Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada again on Thursday at the Pentagon ahead of a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US, Japan come closer amid worries over assertive China

On Wednesday, thousands of flights in the United States were grounded due to what was earlier believed to be a 'technical snag' but further investigation "traced the outage to a damaged database file". As per the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) normal operations were being restored, however, the early morning halt affected the plans of thousands of travellers looking to travel in about 9,000 plus flights.&nbsp;

Here's what happened:

Airlines across the country reported an error that caused them to ground and/or delay domestic flights due to an outage of the NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) system.

In a tweet, on Wednesday the FAA said that their "preliminary work has traced the outage to a damaged database file."

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Update 6: We are continuing a thorough review to determine the root cause of the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system outage. Our preliminary work has traced the outage to a damaged database file. At this time, there is no evidence of a cyber attack. (1/2)
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) <a href="https://twitter.com/FAANews/status/1613317775132336129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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After a while, the authority switched to a backup, however, the corrupt file was found to be present there as well.

Watch |&nbsp;US flights resume after FAA system outage, over 4300 flights delayed

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Was it a malicious attack?

Talking to CNN, the aviation authority said that it was still trying to determine the cause; whether it was a person or a "routine entry" into the database was responsible for the corrupted file.

Was it a cyberattack?

US officials have denied reports that a cyberattack could be behind the massive outage. As per Reuters, they claim to have found no evidence of such an attack.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-400-flights-affected-across-us-after-faa-experiences-major-outage-551578">FAA says system restored after more than 4,300 flights grounded due to technical snag</a>

Talking to MSNBC, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that there was no evidence of any "nefarious" causes of the outage. However, he said that at this time it could not be completely ruled out.

What is NOTAM?

The NOTAM system keeps flight crews abreast with information about any changes to airport facilities, hazards and other essential procedures. However, on Wednesday the processing of NOTAM was reportedly "impaired".

How many flights were affected?

As per estimates by flight tracking website Flight Aware, by 7 am US Eastern time (or 12 pm GMT) at least 1,230 flights were delayed. As per the website's data, by the time the system was reset around 2 am on Thursday, more than 9,800 flights had been delayed and around 900 cancelled.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/which-computer-glitch-led-to-us-flights-cancellations-notam-failure-explained-airlines-updates-so-far-551641">Which computer glitch led to US flights cancellations? NOTAM failure explained &amp; Airlines' updates so far</a>

What steps did the FAA take?

Initially, the Federal Aviation Administration said it was working to restore the NOTAM system, however, later, the authority ordered to pause of all domestic flights till 9 am.

Is this the first time such an order was announced?

As per AFP, previously such a broad command was issued during the horrendous 9/11 attacks.

 
(With inputs from agencies)

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On Wednesday, thousands of flights in the United States were grounded due to what was earlier believed to be a 'technical snag' but further investigation "traced the outage to a damaged database file".

On Wednesday, thousands of flights in the United States were grounded due to what was earlier believed to be a 'technical snag' but further investigation "traced the outage to a damaged database file". As per the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) normal operations were being restored, however, the early morning halt affected the plans of thousands of travellers looking to travel in about 9,000 plus flights. Here's what happened: Airlines across the country reported an error that caused them to ground and/or delay domestic flights due to an outage of the NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) system. In a tweet, on Wednesday the FAA said that their "preliminary work has traced the outage to a damaged database file." Update 6: We are continuing a thorough review to determine the root cause of the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system outage. Our preliminary work has traced the outage to a damaged database file. At this time, there is no evidence of a cyber attack. (1/2) — The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) January 11, 2023 × After a while, the authority switched to a backup, however, the corrupt file was found to be present there as well. Watch | US flights resume after FAA system outage, over 4300 flights delayed Was it a malicious attack? Talking to CNN, the aviation authority said that it was still trying to determine the cause; whether it was a person or a "routine entry" into the database was responsible for the corrupted file. Was it a cyberattack? US officials have denied reports that a cyberattack could be behind the massive outage. As per Reuters, they claim to have found no evidence of such an attack. Also read | FAA says system restored after more than 4,300 flights grounded due to technical snag Talking to MSNBC, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that there was no evidence of any "nefarious" causes of the outage. However, he said that at this time it could not be completely ruled out. What is NOTAM? The NOTAM system keeps flight crews abreast with information about any changes to airport facilities, hazards and other essential procedures. However, on Wednesday the processing of NOTAM was reportedly "impaired". How many flights were affected? As per estimates by flight tracking website Flight Aware, by 7 am US Eastern time (or 12 pm GMT) at least 1,230 flights were delayed. As per the website's data, by the time the system was reset around 2 am on Thursday, more than 9,800 flights had been delayed and around 900 cancelled. Also read | Which computer glitch led to US flights cancellations? NOTAM failure explained & Airlines' updates so far What steps did the FAA take? Initially, the Federal Aviation Administration said it was working to restore the NOTAM system, however, later, the authority ordered to pause of all domestic flights till 9 am. Is this the first time such an order was announced? As per AFP, previously such a broad command was issued during the horrendous 9/11 attacks. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: How a corrupted file brought US aviation to its knees

A tumultuous start to the year for California continues as floods create havoc in parts of US state of California, where the death toll from the floods has reached 18.

WION Climate Tracker: Floods cause havoc in California; death toll rises to 18

A new study shows that Canada and the United States were not perceived as top study destinations for many international students in 2022 while destinations like Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, witnessed an increase. Watch this to know more.

Number of students picking US, Canada as study destinations drops

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