October 13, 2023 - Friday

[WORLD] The US and Qatar have agreed not to allow Iran access to $6 billion in transferred funds following Hamas' attack on Israel.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo has informed House Democrats that the funds will not be touched for the time being, following the recent Hamas attack on Israel. Although the agreement is largely symbolic, as the funds were already subject to strict restrictions, it is seen as a message of support to Israel. The US and Qatar had previously reached a deal to transfer the funds as part of securing the release of Americans wrongfully detained in Iran. There is no direct evidence linking Iran to the recent attack, but the country is believed to be supportive of Hamas.

No sources available.

[NATION] A New York family fears their son may have been kidnapped by Hamas, as he is believed to be missing since last Friday.

An American family in Long Island, New York, is anxiously awaiting news about their son, Omer Neutra, whom they suspect may have been kidnapped by Hamas. Neutra, who grew up on Long Island and had joined the Israeli military after a gap year in Israel, last spoke to his parents on Friday. The family's concerns come amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has left hundreds of Americans stranded in the Gaza Strip. International aid groups have warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel has restricted the delivery of essential supplies.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] The Social Security Administration has announced a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2024, but inflation is expected to outpace this increase.

The Social Security Administration has announced that beneficiaries will receive a 3.2% COLA increase starting in January 2024. However, inflation is predicted to surpass this adjustment, with the headline inflation figure for September coming in at 3.7%. This means that the prices of goods and services are likely to rise more than the increase in Social Security benefits, causing concern for senior citizens and potentially impacting Joe Biden's re-election campaign.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] The Google Pixel 8 Pro receives mixed reviews, with some praising its improvements while others highlight various issues and missing features.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is being praised for addressing long-standing complaints about phone designs and software support. However, reviews also highlight significant problems with the camera's performance, including artifacts and compatibility issues with raw images. Additionally, key features such as night time video optimization and certain AI tools are not available at launch. Overall, opinions on the Google Pixel 8 Pro are divided, with some seeing it as a polished and improved Android phone, while others find it lacking and unfinished.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The Kansas City Chiefs extend their winning streak against the Denver Broncos to 16 games with a 19-8 victory in "Thursday Night Football."

The Kansas City Chiefs earned their 16th consecutive victory over the Denver Broncos in a 19-8 win on "Thursday Night Football." Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a solid performance, completing 30 of 40 passes for 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Travis Kelce stood out with nine catches for 124 yards, while rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice impressed with four catches for 72 yards. The Broncos' offense struggled, with quarterback Russell Wilson throwing two interceptions and finishing with only 95 passing yards. Despite the Chiefs' win, Denver's defense held them to just 19 points and 389 total yards.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Scientists are excited about the initial analysis of asteroid samples returned by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which showed evidence of water and high levels of carbon.

Scientists are thrilled with the preliminary analysis of asteroid samples collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. The materials from the asteroid Bennu contained evidence of water in the form of hydrated minerals and a high carbon abundance. This discovery is significant as it could indicate the presence of the building blocks of life on Earth. Further analysis of these samples will help scientists understand the formation of the solar system and life's origins.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] Over 7 million Americans have received updated Covid-19 vaccines, although uptake appears slower compared to last year.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that more than 7 million Americans have received the updated Covid-19 vaccines. However, data shows that the uptake of the updated vaccines is slower compared to last year's bivalent Covid-19 booster. Community health centers across the country are experiencing delays in receiving the new doses, preventing vulnerable adults and children from getting vaccinated. Experts highlight how these delays further highlight health disparities based on race and class in the US.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Taylor Swift's concert film, "The Eras Tour," is being hailed as a groundbreaking event in cinema history.

IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond praised Taylor Swift's concert film, "The Eras Tour," as an unprecedented milestone in cinema history. The film, which has received rave reviews, is being released on at least 625 IMAX screens in 45 markets worldwide, with over $100 million in advance ticket sales. Swift's film is seen as a unique and immersive concert experience that has generated immense demand, making it a significant moment for theater chains.

No sources available.