August 14, 2023 - Monday

[WORLD] The civilian death toll rises as Russia strikes Kherson in Ukraine, sparking condemnation and calls for action against Russia's aggression.

Ukraine has accused Russia of conducting a deliberate attack and act of piracy after Russian forces boarded a cargo vessel in the Black Sea. This incident follows the collapse of a key grain deal. In another violent incident, a couple, their infant child, and their 12-year-old son were killed in a Russian attack on the village of Shyroka Balka in Kherson, Ukraine. Local officials have declared a day of mourning and called for a forceful response to these acts of aggression.

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[NATION] Hawaii churches pray for the dead and missing after Maui wildfires, as communities face a long recovery.

In the aftermath of the devastating Maui wildfires, Hawaii churches held services to mourn the dead and pray for the missing. The Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, which was spared from the flames, hosted a Mass led by the Bishop of Honolulu. The community is concerned about the well-being of the children who have witnessed tragedy and are now anxious. Meanwhile, officials urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui and instead visit other islands. The state is working to provide housing for locals and workers from FEMA, as well as using Airbnb to offer rental homes for those displaced.

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[BUSINESS] China's property market woes caused shares to slide, while rising bond yields lifted the dollar.

Shares fell as concerns over China's property market and rising bond yields weighed on investor sentiment. China's reluctance to provide stimulus measures further exacerbated the worries. Meanwhile, the dollar gained strength against the yen, reaching above the 145 yen level. Geopolitical events, such as Argentina's primary election results and tensions in the Black Sea, also added to market uncertainty. The Russian rouble weakened past the 100 per U.S. dollar threshold for the first time since March. The MSCI world index was down 0.2%.

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[TECHNOLOGY] Apple is reportedly planning a major redesign of the Apple Watch for its 10th anniversary, including a thinner casing and a new band attachment system.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a significant redesign of the Apple Watch, tentatively called "Apple Watch X." The new version will feature a thinner casing and a different mechanism for attaching bands to the device. Gurman speculates that the Apple Watch X, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the original Apple Watch, may not be released until 2024 or 2025. The redesign aims to enhance the user experience and provide more internal space for components.

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[SPORTS] Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson showed poise despite a bad interception on his first NFL preseason drive.

Richardson threw an interception on his first drive but bounced back, leading the Colts on two impressive drives. Although they did not result in points, head coach Shane Steichen praised Richardson's poise and handling of the early setback. Richardson finished the game 7-of-12 for 67 yards and showed both positive and negative moments. The Colts are hoping Richardson can continue to develop and have a promising preseason before potentially starting in the regular season.

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[SCIENCE] A photographer captures stunning images of the Perseid meteor shower at the Peter Iredale Shipwreck on the Oregon coast.

Portland photographer Jay Shah visited the Peter Iredale Shipwreck at Fort Stevens State Park along the Oregon coast to capture the Perseid meteor shower at its peak. His images showcase shooting stars, the Milky Way, bioluminescence, and a ship on the horizon. Shah's photographs were taken using single long-exposure shots, and he mentions the sparkling bioluminescence around him during the shoot. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts clear skies for the meteor shower in Oregon.

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[HEALTH] Long COVID is a serious and potentially overlooked health problem, with emerging links to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

Long COVID, a condition where symptoms of COVID persist for extended periods, may be connected to neurodegenerative diseases. This highlights the importance of continued research on the long-term effects of COVID. However, the public seems to be downplaying the risks and disregarding the need for further investigation. The expiration of the public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 has made it harder to track and research the virus. This could lead to a secondary pandemic of chronic illness being overlooked. It is crucial to pay attention to the potential link between long COVID and neurological disorders to prevent a mass-disabling event.

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[ENTERTAINMENT] "The Last Voyage of the Demeter," a horror film based on Bram Stoker's "Dracula," flops at the box office with $6.5 million.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter, a loose adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula," follows the ill-fated journey of a merchant ship from Transylvania to London. Despite its potentially viral concept, the film failed to impress at the box office, earning only $6.5 million over its opening weekend. This marks Universal's second unsuccessful attempt at reviving the famous vampire this year, following the disappointing performance of "Renfield."

No sources available.