ZWF: They aren't perfect, but EVs are still better than gas
Zander's Weekend Facts #120: Sunday, May 26, 2024
Inside this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts, and a look at what Zander’s been reading this past week. Plus, a compilation of the top headlines you need to know about from the last seven days.
Also, go listen to the latest episodes of the Zander’s Facts Podcast! Episode 137 features a preview of the NBA Playoffs with Zander’s Facts senior NBA analyst Hill Billy. Download the Zander’s Facts podcast wherever you get your podcasts!
Here are Zander’s Weekend Facts for Sunday, May 26, 2024:
What Zander’s been reading
Electric vehicles do not have a perfect environmental track record. The process for mining materials needed to create the batteries that power EVs has been found to be anything but zero-emission. However, when compared to vehicles that are fueled by gasoline, there is a still clear winner for the environment.
Check out this week’s featured article on NPR - Their batteries hurt the environment, but EVs still beat gas cars. Here's why - (Apple News link)
Zander’s Facts Sporting Club
Here are the top headlines from the sports world in the Sporting Club:
NBA Playoffs: One team has won every game played so far in both of the Conference Finals series in the NBA Playoffs. The Boston Celtics lead the Indiana Pacers 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals after coming back to win Game Three on Saturday night. Game Four airs Monday night at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN. In the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavericks lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 2-0. Game Three takes place tonight at 8:00 pm ET on TNT.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Both of the Conference Finals series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are tied up at one game apiece. In the East, the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers each won one of the first two games, with Game Three taking place later today at 3:00 pm ET on ABC and ESPN+. The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are 1-1 through two games in the Western Conference Final. Game Three of that series will begin at 8:30 pm ET on Monday on TNT, truTV, and Max.
NCAA Settlement: The NCAA and the five power collegiate athletic conferences agreed to move forward with a plan that will allow schools to directly pay athletes for the first time. After settling three antitrust lawsuits, the NCAA will pay out $2.7 billion over 10 years to current and past athletes, with schools being able to pay up to $20 million per year directly to athletes. The settlements must be approved by a judge, with revenue sharing likely to begin in 2025.
Grayson Murray: Professional golfer Grayson Murray died on Saturday morning less than one day after withdrawing from a PGA Tour event. Murray had withdrawn from the Charles Schwab Challenge on Friday due to an illness. The 30-year-old had won two PGA Tour events, the 2017 Barbasol Championship and 2024 Sony Open, along with three Korn Ferry Tour tournaments. Murray had battled alcohol addiction, anxiety, and depression earlier in this life. No cause of death was given.
Continental Soccer Finals: Two continental club soccer tournament finals are taking place on Saturday. In Europe, the UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid will be played at Wembley Stadium in London. The match will begin at 3:00 pm ET and air on CBS, Paramount+, and Univision. In North America, the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup will take place later Saturday at 9:15 pm ET. C.F. Pachuca will host Columbus Crew in Pachuca, Mexico, with the match airing on FS1 and UniMás. The winners of each match will be guaranteed a spot in next summer’s newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States.
Rapid-fire Facts
These are top news headlines from the past week in rapid-fire fashion:
U.K. Elections: United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday that the next general elections in the country will be held on July 4. Sunak’s Conversative Party have held the prime minister position in the country for the last 14 years, however recent polls show the opposition Labour Party is favored. All 650 seats of the House of Commons in Parliament will be up for grabs, each with a five-year term.
Trump Hush Money Trial: Both the prosecution and defense rested their cases last week in the hush money trial involving former President Donald Trump. Trump himself did not testify in the case after previously saying he wanted to do so. The jury will return to the Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday to hear closing arguments before beginning deliberations.
Live Nation Lawsuit: The Department of Justice announced last week that it is suing entertainment company Live Nation to break up an alleged monopoly. Live Nation owns ticket provider Ticketmaster, which the DOJ accuses of “unlawful, anticompetitive conduct” in order to maintain a monopoly over the live events industry. The DOJ says in the lawsuit that Ticketmaster controls 80% of all major concert venues’ ticketing, while Live Nation controls 60% of promotions at major venues. Live Nation and Ticketmaster merged in 2010 to create Live Nation Entertainment. The lawsuit is joined by 29 states, including California and Texas, and the District of Columbia.
Louisiana Abortion: Louisiana became the first state in the U.S. to classify abortion pills as a controlled substance last week. Republican Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill designating mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV drugs, putting them in the same category as anti-anxiety medications Xanax and Valium. The two abortion-inducing pills were approved by the Food and Drug Administration over two decades ago. A special license will now be needed for doctors to prescribe the drugs, with those prescriptions entered into a state database that law enforcement can access with no warrant.
Iran President: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was among those killed in a helicopter crash that took place last week in northwest Iran. A preliminary report released on Friday found no criminal evidence in the crash, which occurred in the fog. Iran First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has become interim president and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced a presidential election will be held on June 28. Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also among the eight that died in the crash.
Wrapping up the Facts
Before this edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts wraps up, here’s another reminder to check out the latest episodes of the Zander’s Facts podcast. Download and listen to the latest episode of the podcast, along with every episode of Zander’s Facts, wherever you get your podcasts.
You can also listen to every episode of the podcast on this very website. All Zander’s Facts podcast episodes are now available on zandersfacts.com under the “Zander’s Facts” tab for your enjoyment!
That’s a wrap on this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts. The facts in print return next Sunday, June 2, 2024.
