Good morning readers. Coinbase, the go-to platform for crypto enthusiasts, hit a rough patch amidst Bitcoin's meteoric rise yesterday. Users logging in were greeted with a heart-stopping zero balance, sending panic waves across the community. Despite assurances that assets were secure, frustration mounted as the company's tech support seemed stuck in an automated loop dishing out standard troubleshooting tips to the dismay of its users. With Bitcoin soaring to $61,448, Coinbase buckled under the pressure of heightened traffic. The timing couldn't be worse for the company, facing a backlash just as casual investors return to the crypto market.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Schools are rolling out ‘no-loan’ policies for students

• Headline Hustle: FAA gives Boeing 90 days to come up with quality control plan, Supreme Court to decide if Trump will criminally charged for interference in election, Tim Cook says Apple is investing heavily in generative AI

• The myth around airplane mode on airplanes

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

EDUCATION

Colleges are embracing no-loan policies to combat student debt

In the world of academia, the only thing rising faster than our collective IQs is the cost of college tuition. That's the monumental challenge facing students today, as the cost of higher education soars to dizzying heights, leaving many gasping for financial air.

But some schools across the nation may have found the solution to our problems. And they’re called ‘no-loan’ policies.

What are no-loan policies?

It’s a trend among roughly two dozen colleges to rewrite the narrative on student loans. These institutions have boldly removed loans from their financial aid equations, opting instead to meet students' financial needs through grants and scholarships. The movement, highlighted by the Princeton Review's recognition of 23 colleges committed to this cause, aims to dismantle the barriers that student loans cause for learners from less affluent backgrounds.

Colleges like Lafayette and Colby are leading the charge, opening their doors wider to students from low- and moderate-income families. This shift is not just about making headlines but addressing a critical pain point in the American education system: the daunting cost of a college degree. With tuition fees on the rise, the dream of higher education has slipped from the grasp of many, replaced by the nightmare of decades-long debt.

The drive behind this no-loan policy wave is multifaceted.

• Primarily, it's a response to the escalating costs of education and the burgeoning student loan crisis, which collectively threaten the accessibility of higher education.

• Institutions with significant endowments, like Princeton, have set a precedent, demonstrating a viable pathway for others to follow.

Their message is clear: education should be a right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.

Just don’t mistake ‘no-loan’ for free. Even if students don't take out loans, they might still need to cover expenses like the expected family contribution, along with additional costs such as books and fees. It's also important to note that even if a school implements a no-loan policy, students and families might still consider borrowing to bridge any financial gaps.

Looking ahead…this policy not only alleviates the immediate financial strain on students but also lays the groundwork for a future where college education is universally accessible, fostering a society where one's background does not dictate their educational opportunities or outcomes.

IN THE KNOW

Headline Hustle

✈️ FAA gives Boeing 90 days to come up with a quality control plan. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a 90-day ultimatum to Boeing following an incident where a door plug blew out of a 737 Max mid-flight. The preliminary investigation revealed missing bolts securing the door panel, highlighting ongoing production issues. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker emphasized the need for substantial improvements, demanding Boeing's commitment to change. Boeing pledged a comprehensive action plan, amid an ongoing FAA audit and recent expert panel findings highlighting safety culture discrepancies. Boeing's production lines now include periodic work pauses to address safety concerns.

🧑‍⚖️ Supreme Court to rule on Trump's immunity in election interference case. The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether former President Donald Trump can be charged criminally for his alleged interference in the 2020 election. Trump asserts immunity from prosecution for actions taken while in office, a claim the Court will now consider. The case's progression will depend on the Court's ruling: if against Trump, it proceeds to trial; if in his favor, it's dismissed. With Trump's briefs due soon and oral arguments in April, a decision could impact the upcoming presidential campaign.

🤖 Apple is investing significantly in generative AI. Apple CEO Tim Cook announces significant investment in artificial intelligence (AI) at the company’s shareholder meeting, highlighting its potential to revolutionize user experiences. Cook hints at upcoming groundbreaking AI developments, reinforcing Apple's commitment to innovation. He emphasizes AI's integration into existing products, from Apple Watch fitness tracking to MacBooks' AI capabilities. Despite shareholder rejection of a proposal for an AI risk report, Cook stresses Apple's focus on ethical AI deployment. The meeting also confirmed changes to Apple's board of directors.

TRAVEL

You can stop turning on airplane mode on airplanes

Believing your phone can bring down a 747 might just be the modern version of fearing you'll fall off the edge of the Earth.

Since the beginning of time, or maybe air travel, the moment you boarded a plane was the moment you turned on airplane mode. Most of us were under the assumption that our cell phones, if left on, would interfere with the airplane’s systems. But the real turbulence behind the airplane mode requirement on flights is a measure less about technical interference and more about keeping the peace in the passenger cabin.

Demystifying a myth

In 2022, Europe took a bold step by allowing phone calls and data usage during flights, provided planes were equipped with "pico-cells" to manage signals without disturbing the aircraft's navigation. This move, however, only highlighted the long-standing myth: the primary reason airlines insist on airplane mode isn't about technical interference but about minimizing social disturbances and curtailing the phenomena of "air rage."

The crux of maintaining the airplane mode protocol revolves around concerns over passenger comfort and safety. With incidents of air rage on the rise, airlines and regulators are doubling down on efforts to preserve a peaceful cabin environment. The decision to limit phone usage stems from a desire to avoid conflicts and ensure a tranquil travel experience for all onboard, rather than from direct threats to the aircraft's operational integrity.

Zoom out: Understanding the underlying reasons for the airplane mode requirement demystifies flight safety concerns and shifts the focus to the importance of managing passenger behavior. It's a reminder that, in the confined space of an aircraft, communal harmony takes precedence, ensuring that the journey is as smooth as the destination is welcoming.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

• Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has entered a multiyear partnership to become the official naming partner of the ATP Rankings and to partner with ATP Tour tennis events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing, and the Nitto ATP Finals.

• Anheuser-Busch and the Teamsters union have reached a tentative agreement, preventing a strike by 5,000 union members set for midnight Thursday.

• Disney has announced an $8.5 billion joint venture agreement to merge its Star India business with Indian media company Viacom18.

• An Illinois judge has unexpectedly removed former President Donald Trump from the state's ballot, citing the 14th Amendment's "insurrectionist ban."

• Alphabet's Google faces a €2.1 billion ($2.28 billion) lawsuit from European media organizations claiming harm to their business due to Google's advertising market dominance.

• Comedian and actor Richard Lewis, known for his roles in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Anything but Love," has died at 76, confirmed by his publicist Jeff Abraham.

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