July 15, 2023 - Saturday

[WORLD] India successfully launches Chandrayaan-3 mission to attempt a controlled landing on the moon, becoming the fourth country to do so.

India has launched its Chandrayaan-3 mission in an attempt to achieve a controlled landing on the moon. This marks India's second attempt after the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019 failed. The spacecraft, which has entered a "precise orbit," is expected to land on the moon on August 23. The successful launch has been hailed as a significant achievement for India's space program and has garnered tremendous public support, with crowds gathering to witness the historic event and over a million people watching the launch on YouTube.

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[NATION] The Long Island serial killer suspect, Rex Heuermann, has been charged with murder in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case, facing six charges in total.

Rex Heuermann, a New York architect, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the Gilgo Beach serial killer case. He pleaded not guilty to six charges, including three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. Heuermann is suspected of being the infamous Long Island serial killer responsible for the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. Police are now searching Heuermann's home in Massapequa Park and his Manhattan office. This arrest marks a significant development in a case that has remained unsolved for over a decade.

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[BUSINESS] No tickets won the $560 million Mega Millions jackpot in Friday's drawing, increasing the prize for the next draw.

The Mega Millions jackpot of $560 million went unclaimed in Friday's drawing. The jackpot will now grow even larger, making it one of the top 10 highest Mega Millions jackpots. The Powerball jackpot is also climbing, reaching $875 million for the next drawing. The combined jackpots for Mega Millions, Powerball, and Super Lotto in California total more than $1.5 billion. The Mega Millions jackpot for the next drawing is $640 million, while the Powerball jackpot stands at $875 million.

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[TECHNOLOGY] The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denies the FTC's request for emergency relief to stop Microsoft from purchasing Activision Blizzard.

The FTC's last-ditch attempt to block Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard has been denied by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. This comes after a federal judge also denied the FTC's previous request for a preliminary injunction. Microsoft is now one step closer to closing the $68.7 billion deal, although it still needs to resolve concerns from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. The acquisition could have a significant impact on Activision's gaming franchises, such as Call of Duty, potentially leading to improvements in gameplay and player experience.

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[SPORTS] Sabrina Ionescu sets a new record in the WNBA three-point contest, making 25 out of 27 shots, including 20 in a row.

Sabrina Ionescu made history by winning the WNBA three-point contest with a total of 37 points, a new record for the contest. She made 25 out of 27 shots, including 20 in a row. Ionescu's performance surpassed the previous records in both the WNBA and NBA. She demonstrated outstanding accuracy and skill in the competition, solidifying her position as one of the top three-point shooters in the league.

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[SCIENCE] The James Webb Space Telescope has revolutionized astronomy in its first year, allowing scientists to see further back in time and uncovering new scientific discoveries.

Since its first images were released to the public in July 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has had a significant impact on science. It has opened up new avenues of research and revolutionized the field of astronomy. The JWST has allowed astronomers to see light that has been traveling for 13.4 billion years, giving them glimpses of the earliest galaxies in the universe. By focusing on infrared light, the JWST can visualize these early galaxies in unprecedented detail. The telescope's success has prompted excitement about what discoveries and breakthroughs the second year of operations will bring.

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[HEALTH] There has been a 128% rise in syphilis cases in the Houston area, with pregnant women being identified as the main source of transmission.

The Houston Health Department has reported a significant increase in syphilis cases in Houston and Harris County, with a 128% increase in cases among women and a nine-fold rise in congenital syphilis. There were over 2,900 cases reported in 2022, a 57% increase from 2019. Pregnant women are being urged to get tested for syphilis during their pregnancy to prevent transmission to their babies. The health department is implementing a rapid outreach response to address the outbreak and is waiving clinical fees for testing and expanding mobile clinics.

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[ENTERTAINMENT] SAG-AFTRA has gone on strike against studios and streamers, with actors hitting picket lines for the first time since 1980.

The national board of SAG-AFTRA has unanimously voted to issue a strike order, due to changes in the entertainment industry and the rise of streaming services. The union argues that these changes have made it difficult for many actors to earn a living. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher emphasized that the strike is a result of employers prioritizing Wall Street and greed over the essential contributors of the industry. Actors like Jason Sudeikis have joined the picket lines, demanding fair contracts and better working conditions.

No sources available.