Good morning readers. Google has hit pause on its chatbot's image generation feature due to controversies surrounding its depiction of race and ethnicity. Following user outcry over historical inaccuracies and perceived biases, Gemini's ability to create images of people is suspended indefinitely. Here’s what happened: when a user prompted the chatbot to generate images of a German soldier in 1943, it initially refused. But after making a slight adjustment to the prompt, Gemini produced images of people of color in German uniforms, highlighting the tool’s flaws. Google says its in the process of correcting these “historical inaccuracies”.

You can see the AI generated pics here.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Someone other than NASA makes an historic moon landing

• Headline Hustle: Navalny family meets with Biden, Supreme Court greenlights Boy Scouts abuse settlement, Reddit files for IPO

• Former journalist leaks confidential footage of Tucker Carlson

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

SPACE

Intuitive Machines' Lunar C makes historic moon landing

Like flared jeans and vinyl records in the age of streaming, the moon is back in style—and not just for government space agencies. In a leap that could make Neil Armstrong do a double-take, Intuitive Machines achieved a landmark success by orchestrating the first American lunar landing since the Apollo missions of 1972.

Houston, we made it

The spacecraft, christened "Odysseus," represents a significant leap forward, marking the inaugural lunar touchdown by a private entity, a feat previously exclusive to governmental space agencies.

The spacecraft embarked on its journey aboard a SpaceX rocket, carrying with it an assortment of 12 payloads, which included six missions for NASA, under a contract valued at $118 million. Despite a slight delay, the mission was deemed a success when signals from Odysseus confirmed its precise landing within the lunar Malapert A crater, situated approximately 300 kilometers from the moon's south pole.

But the company’s ambitions extend beyond merely reaching the lunar surface.

• Over an operational period of up to seven days, Odysseus is programmed to perform a series of tasks and experiments that aim to advance our understanding of the lunar environment.

• This groundbreaking achievement not only reaffirms the viability of lunar exploration but also significantly bolstered the company's stock value, reflecting the investment community's growing enthusiasm for space-related ventures.

NASA is on board

The agency’s perspective on this achievement is one of optimistic support, recognizing it as a crucial advancement in the world of lunar exploration. The IM-1 mission forms an integral component of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. This program is designed to facilitate regular deliveries of scientific projects and cargo to the moon, thereby supporting the objectives of the Artemis crew program.

The achievement also unfolds against the backdrop of a revitalized international competition in lunar exploration, with nations such as China, Russia, and Japan actively advancing their respective lunar programs. With NASA anticipating additional U.S. missions later this year and China scheduling its next lunar lander launch in May, the stage is set for an increasingly dynamic and collaborative era of space exploration.

Looking ahead…as the modern race to the moon accelerates, the contributions of missions like IM-1 will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the trajectory of humanity's celestial aspirations, paving the way for a future where the moon becomes an integral part of our extended domain.

IN THE KNOW

Headline Hustle

🇺🇸 Biden meets with Alexei Navalny’s family, raises pressure on Putin. The family of Alexei Navalny intensified their efforts to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable following Navalny's recent death. Navalny's wife and daughter, Yulia and Dasha, met President Biden in San Francisco, while his mother, Lyudmila, released a video alleging Russian officials wouldn't release Navalny's body and attempted to bury him secretly. The US plans to impose additional sanctions on Russia, targeting those responsible for Navalny's death, amid international condemnation. Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to holding Russia accountable during his meeting with Navalny's family. Meanwhile, former President Trump's comments likening his legal situation to Navalny's persecution drew criticism from Biden.

🫡 Supreme Court clears path for Boy Scouts abuse settlement despite challenges. The U.S. Supreme Court greenlights the Boy Scouts of America's $2.46 billion settlement with sexual abuse victims, overturning a temporary halt prompted by 144 former scouts' appeal. The decision overrides Justice Samuel Alito's freeze, enabling the Boy Scouts' bankruptcy resolution to proceed. Initially filed in 2020 due to historic abuse claims, the settlement, ratified in 2022, compensates over 82,000 survivors. While the majority backs the agreement, dissenting voices argue it impedes further litigation against non-bankrupt entities. The ruling allows progress in compensating survivors, yet the legal battle continues.

📈 Reddit officially files for IPO. Reddit files for IPO, aiming to trade on NYSE under the ticker symbol RDDT. The move follows years of anticipation, marking the first major tech IPO of 2024. With $804 million in annual sales for 2023 and a growing user base, Reddit plans to leverage AI and expand into search advertising. Despite potential market volatility and declining user metrics, Reddit's IPO, with three classes of stock, opens avenues for both retail and institutional investors, reshaping its trajectory in the social media landscape.

MEDIA

Former journalist indicted for leaking confidential footage of Tucker Carlson

Timothy Burke, former journalist for the sports blog Deadspin, now finds himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Charged with 14 federal crimes, the accusations against him paint a picture of alleged hacking and the unauthorized release of confidential footage featuring Tucker Carlson.

At 45, Burke's expected appearance in a federal court in Tampa, Florida, marks a significant pivot in his career trajectory, transitioning from observer to subject in the narrative of media scrutiny.

Here’s what happened

The charges stem from previously unaired videos from Carlson's former Fox News show, which surfaced online, including one where Kanye West made antisemitic remarks to Carlson. Additionally, embarrassing footage of Carlson joking with staff and criticizing the Fox Nation streaming service was leaked by progressive watchdog Media Matters after Carlson's dismissal from Fox News.

The leaks puzzled media observers, with former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly even suggesting a conspiracy theory implicating the right-wing network in an effort to discredit Carlson. But the grand jury indictment accuses Burke and another individual of using compromised credentials to gain unauthorized access to protected computers and obtaining the desired information.

While the indictment does not specifically name Carlson or Fox News, it refers to "Network #1" as a multinational media company headquartered in New York City. Nevertheless, a Justice Department letter to Fox News and confirmation from Burke's lawyer indicate the probe's connection to the leaked Carlson clips.

Yes, but: Burke's defense asserts a narrative of legality and public interest, framing their client's actions within the bounds of journalistic integrity. They challenge the premise of the indictment, arguing that the investigation was spurred by selective reporting on Carlson's dialogue with West. Carlson and Fox News have remained silent and did not respond to a request seeking comment.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman could earn millions from Reddit's IPO due to investments dating back to 2014, holding 9.2% of voting power, as revealed in the company's prospectus.

• The IRS reports that millionaires and billionaires avoiding over $150 billion in taxes annually contributes to increasing government deficits and undermines tax fairness.

• The judge in a $355 million civil fraud case has rejected Donald Trump's plea for a one-month delay in the judgment.

• Vice Media is halting website publications and will lay off hundreds of employees as part of major strategic revisions under new private equity ownership, according to CEO Bruce Dixon.

• Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, sold approximately $150 million of his bank shares for the first time since 2005, according to an SEC filing.

• The U.S. Justice Department appointed a Princeton University academic as its inaugural chief artificial intelligence officer and chief science and technology adviser.

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