Nearly 25,000 tech workers were laid in the first weeks of 2024. What’s going on? Silicon Valley executives have said the cuts are a result of pandemic overhiring and still-historically-high inflation. But others say something else may be behind the mass layoffs. Read more on NPR

The Pro Volleyball Federation for women debuts and draws a record crowd. It’s a new league and a new era for women’s volleyball. The Pro Volleyball Federation held its first match in Nebraska. The seven team league will add three more teams in 2025. Read more on NPR

House Democratic candidates make abortion access top focus of ’24 campaigns Democrats are targeting seats with first-term GOP incumbents in states where access to abortion rights could resonate with swing voters. Read more on NPR

Finns go to polls to elect new president, at unprecedented time for NATO newcomer Voters in Finland were electing a new president Sunday at an unprecedented time for the Nordic nation that is now a NATO member with its eastern border with Russia closed. Read more on NPR

Iran launches three satellites into space as tensions rise Iran says it successfully launched three satellites into space with a rocket that had multiple failures in the past, the latest for a program that the West says improves Tehran’s ballistic missiles. Read more on NPR

Ukraine says corrupt officials stole $40 million meant to buy arms for the war Employees from a Ukrainian arms firm conspired with defense ministry officials to embezzle almost $40 million earmarked to buy shells for the war with Russia, Ukraine’s security service reported. Read more on NPR