October 15, 2023 - Sunday

[WORLD] Russian forces continue relentless assaults on the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, as emergency crews struggle to recover the dead from the wreckage.

Russia's military has been carrying out sustained attacks on Avdiivka for five consecutive days, with intense shelling preventing emergency crews from retrieving bodies. City leader Vitalii Barabash reported that additional Russian forces were being deployed to encircle the strategically important town in the Donetsk region. The aim of the Russian offensive is to create a "cauldron" around the Ukrainian defenders and shift the narrative of the war in Russia's favor. The fighting in Avdiivka is growing increasingly heated, with the situation deteriorating in other parts of northeastern Ukraine as well.

No sources available.

[NATION] Jordan faces uphill battle in fight for speaker's position as House GOP struggles to govern.

Republicans have faced internal divisions and setbacks in their efforts to elect a new speaker of the House. Rep. Jim Jordan has been nominated to be the new GOP speaker, but he lacks the necessary votes to win. The House remains paralyzed without a speaker and is facing upcoming government funding deadlines and international crises. The GOP conference is frustrated and questioning if anyone can reach the required 217 votes. Jordan has the weekend to gain support, but his prospects are grim.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Medicare costs are set to rise in 2024, with the monthly Part B premium increasing by $9.80 to reach $174.70.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have announced that Medicare costs will be increasing in 2024. The monthly Part B premium will rise by $9.80 to reach $174.70, and the annual deductible for Medicare Part B beneficiaries will increase by $14 to $240. While this increase is in line with earlier estimates, it is lower than some experts had predicted. The rising costs of Medicare will impact millions of Americans who rely on the program for their healthcare coverage.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Google has blocked Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro reviewers from accessing popular benchmarks in an attempt to suppress unfavorable test results.

Google has blocked reviewers of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro from accessing popular chip testing benchmarks through its Play Store. This restriction has also been extended to all new customers of the Pixel 8 phones. The move is seen as an attempt by Google to suppress the widespread distribution of benchmark results. The company's decision is highly unusual and has surprised reviewers of the smartphones.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Michael Penix Jr. leads Washington to a thrilling win over Oregon, showcasing his skills on and off the field.

Michael Penix Jr. navigated through a sea of cheering purple-clad fans after Washington's victory over Oregon, receiving praise and adoration from the crowd. He embraced his family, including his tearful mother, in a heartfelt reunion. The game between Washington and Oregon was an important and emotional showdown, bringing an end to one era and marking the last meeting between the two teams as Pac-12 members.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] NASA's Psyche spacecraft has begun its journey to the asteroid Psyche, utilizing solar-powered propulsion and advanced optical communication.

NASA's Psyche spacecraft has successfully initiated its solar-powered propulsion and is on its way to the asteroid Psyche. The spacecraft will utilize advanced optical communication via NASA's DSOC during its six-year journey. It will orbit the asteroid by 2029. The solar arrays on the spacecraft, with 800 square feet of solar collecting surface, will generate more than 20 kilowatts of power near Earth and over 2 kilowatts of power near the asteroid. The solar propulsion system will use electromagnetic fields to propel the spacecraft through space, reaching speeds of up to 124,000 mph.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] An atlas of human brain cells has been created, offering insight into disorders such as autism and ADHD.

A newly created atlas of human brain cells will provide researchers with a deeper understanding of disorders like autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia. The atlas catalogs over 170 billion brain cells and maps out their location, structure, and function. This information will help researchers study various conditions and identify vulnerable or affected cells. The atlas, although still incomplete, is expected to uncover even more types of brain cells and contribute to advancements in brain research and disorder treatment.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Taylor Swift's concert film "The Eras Tour" is expected to become the top-grossing concert movie of all time.

Taylor Swift's concert film "The Eras Tour" is receiving rave reviews and is expected to set box office records. The film, directed by Sam Wrench, effectively captures the experience of Swift's blockbuster tour and translates it to the big screen. The film is organized by different eras in Swift's career, allowing for a seamless transition between performances of each album. "The Eras Tour" serves as a fan service and offers viewers the opportunity to relive the concert experience or watch it for the first time. It features footage from three separate concerts held at SoFi Stadium in California.

No sources available.