Ex-Fox News employee sues over sexual abuse under survivors act
A former Fox News employee who said she was sexually abused by the network’s late chief executive Roger Ailes has fi led a lawsuit under New York State’s Adult Survivors Act. The suit fi led Jan. 25 in New York State Supreme Court also names 21st Century Fox, the previous moniker for Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Corp., and Bill Shine, a top lieutenant of Ailes and former Fox News president who now works for Nexstar Media Group’s NewsNation.
Holiday in China spreads virus but COVID-19 deaths decrease
China reported a sharp drop in new COVID-19-related deaths during the Lunar New Year holiday, even as a spike in travel increased the likelihood of more infections across the country. The Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 6,364 deaths were linked to COVID-19 at hospitals across the country between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26, almost half as many as the previous week.
Former NATO general wins Czech vote over former prime minister
A former NATO general pledging unwavering support for Ukraine will become the next Czech president after securing a convincing victory over a combative former- billionaire prime minister. Petr Pavel, who once served as NATO’s highest-ranking military officer, declared victory after winning 57.9% with 98% of polling districts counted, according to data published by the Czech Statistics Office. Andrej Babis, a chemicals, farming and media magnate known for his clashes with the European Union, had 42.1%.
U.S. president celebrates 20th anniversary of AIDS initiative
Jan. 28 marked a major milestone in the global fight to eliminate the AIDS epidemic, as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) celebrates its 20th anniversary as the largest commitment by a country to combat a disease. PEPFAR, launched under former President George W. Bush, has now spanned four administrations, operates in more than 50 countries, and has helped increase access to HIV prevention tools and treatment.
Interest rate has steepest hike in decades and is not improving
The U.S. economy expanded at a healthy pace in the fourth quarter, though signs of slowing underlying demand mounted as the steepest interest rate hikes in decades threaten growth this year. Gross domestic product increased at a 2.9% annualized rate in the fi nal three months of 2022 after a 3.2% gain in the third quarter, the Commerce Department’s initial estimate showed Jan. 26. Personal consumption, the biggest part of the economy, climbed at a below-forecast 2.1% pace. The latest Bloomberg monthly survey shows economists see the economy shrinking in the second and third quarters, putting 65% odds on a recession in the coming year.
