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Electric aircraft makers Wisk and Archer end bitter legal dispute, agree to work together on August 10, 2023 at 9:05 pm

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Electric aircraft rivals Wisk and Archer Aviation have settled their trade secret legal dispute more than two years after the lawsuit was originally filed.

In a somewhat surprise twist — given how bitterly the legal battle had become — the two companies have agreed to collaborate. Archer also agreed to make Wisk its exclusive provider of autonomy technology to be integrated into a future autonomous variant of Archer’s Midnight aircraft, in addition to the collaboration, according to a source familiar with the settlement.

In a separate piece of news that broke Thursday, Archer said it had raised $215 million in new capital from its manufacturing partner Stellantis, Boeing, United Airlines, Ark Investment Management LLC and others, to accelerate its path to commercialization. Boeing’s portion of that new investment is going to support the collaboration between Wisk and Archer on autonomy, the source said.

The exact amount of Boeing’s investment was not disclosed. Boeing has poured hundreds of millions into Wisk, including a $450 million investment in January 2022. Wisk became a fully-owned subsidiary of Boeing this year.

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Under the terms of the settlement, Archer also agreed to give Wisk a certain number of warrants and shares. The new agreement settles all previous claims and suits, including Archer’s counter-suit against Wisk seeking $1 billion in damages.

“We are pleased to have reached a mutually agreeable settlement with Archer that resolves our concerns while also eliminating the need for a costly and distracting trial,” a Wisk spokesperson said. “Wisk is committed to working collaboratively within the industry and leading in autonomous passenger flight.”

Thus closes the bitter court battle between the two electric aircraft developers, a battle that’s dragged on for over two years, after Wisk accused Archer in April 2021 for “brazen theft” of confidential information and intellectual property. Those included over fifty trade secrets that Wisk alleged were stolen by a former employee who was later hired by Archer.

Despite multiple mediation attempts, the two companies had been unable to come to an agreement. The lawsuit was scheduled to go to trial on September 12, so the settlement came right at the last minute.

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As the lawsuit raged on, Archer continued on its path to commercializing its first electric aircraft, called Midnight. Along with the earnings and new investment, the company announced Thursday that it had received a key certification from regulators greenlighting Midnight for flight test operations. The certificate – called a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration – is a crucial step in certifying Midnight before it can start commercial service.

Archer has also landed a handful of other big wins this year, signaling that it is one of the unequivocal leaders in electric aviation: in June, the company announced that former FAA administrator Billy Nolen joined as chief safety officer; and last month, the U.S. Air Force agreed to purchase up to six electric aircraft from Archer, in a deal worth up to $142 million.

​ Electric aircraft rivals Wisk and Archer Aviation have settled their trade secret legal dispute more than two years after the lawsuit was originally filed. In a somewhat surprise twist — given how bitterly the legal battle had become — the two companies have agreed to collaborate. Archer also agreed to make Wisk its exclusive provider 

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News

Terror Attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas Linked

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The start of 2025 has been marred by two horrific terror attacks in the United States, one in New Orleans and another in Las Vegas, both occurring on New Year’s Day. These incidents have left communities reeling and have raised concerns about potential connections between the suspects involved.

In New Orleans, a truck driven by 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar plowed into a crowd celebrating on Bourbon Street, resulting in at least 15 deaths and over 30 injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran from Texas, deliberately targeted pedestrians while flying an ISIS flag from his vehicle. Following the attack, he exited the truck armed with an assault rifle and opened fire on police officers before being killed in the ensuing confrontation. Authorities discovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) within his vehicle and in the vicinity of the attack site, further confirming the premeditated nature of this act of terrorism.

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Simultaneously, a separate incident unfolded in Las Vegas when a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel. The driver, identified as Matthew Livelsberger, also had a military background and was reported to have detonated the vehicle packed with firework mortars and fuel, resulting in his death and injuring seven others. Investigators are exploring whether Livelsberger and Jabbar had any prior connection, as both men served at the same military base at different times.

While the FBI has confirmed that they are investigating both attacks as acts of terrorism, they have not established a definitive link between the two incidents. However, similarities in their execution—both suspects rented vehicles from the same company—have prompted further scrutiny into their backgrounds and any potential accomplices.

As investigations continue, authorities are urging anyone with information about either suspect to come forward. The tragic events have sparked discussions about security measures in public spaces, particularly as cities prepare for large gatherings in the coming months.

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Politics

Donald Trump Named TIME’s 2024 Person of the Year

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Donald Trump has been selected as TIME magazine’s Person of the Year for 2024, marking his second time receiving this distinction. The former president, who won a historic comeback victory in the 2024 election, was chosen for his significant impact on global affairs and American politics.

TIME editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs explained the decision, citing Trump’s “comeback of historic proportions,” his role in driving “a once-in-a-generation political realignment,” and his reshaping of both the American presidency and the country’s global role. This recognition comes after Trump’s unprecedented achievement of reclaiming the White House after losing reelection four years earlier.

The selection process involved an extensive interview with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November, covering a wide range of topics including the economy, foreign policy, and his plans for a second term. Notably, TIME took the unprecedented step of publishing a comprehensive fact-check alongside the interview transcript, examining 15 distinct assertions made by Trump.

Trump’s relationship with TIME has been tumultuous over the years. While he expressed honor at receiving the title in 2016, he has also criticized the magazine’s selections and even claimed he refused a potential Person of the Year offer in 2017. Despite this, Trump participated in the process this year, granting TIME access for an in-depth interview.

To commemorate the announcement, Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This event marked a significant moment in Trump’s career, as it was his first time participating in this Wall Street tradition.

Trump’s selection as Person of the Year reflects his continued influence on American politics and his ability to reshape the political landscape. As the country prepares for his return to the White House, all eyes will be on how Trump’s second term might further impact both domestic and international affairs.

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Film Industry

Jay-Z Denies Allegations Amid Lawsuit

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Jay-Z, the renowned rapper and music mogul, faces serious allegations in a recently amended civil lawsuit. According to ABC News and NBC News, the suit accuses him and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000.

The lawsuit, initially filed in October 2024, was updated on Sunday to include Jay-Z as a defendant alongside Combs. The plaintiff, identified only as “Jane Doe,” claims she was assaulted after being driven to the party following the awards show.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, vehemently denies the allegations. He released a statement on X calling the lawsuit a “blackmail attempt” and questioning why it was filed as a civil case rather than a criminal one. The rapper expressed concern about the impact on his family, stating he and his wife Beyoncé would need to discuss the situation with their children.

Combs, who is currently in federal custody on separate charges, has also denied the accusations through his attorneys. The lawsuit alleges that an unidentified female celebrity was present during the incident but did not intervene.

The case has garnered significant media attention, with both artists’ reputations at stake. As the legal process unfolds, the music industry and public await further developments in this high-profile case.

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