September 15, 2023 - Friday

[WORLD] Venice avoids being added to UNESCO's endangered list despite the concerns over the impact of mass tourism and climate change.

Venice has avoided being added to UNESCO's endangered list at a meeting in Saudi Arabia. The decision comes despite concerns over the impact of mass tourism and rising water levels on the historic Italian city. Venice's conservation efforts, including a new entry fee, were praised by member states. However, civic groups continue to highlight the threat of mass tourism and the transformation of the city into a tourist destination. Venice previously avoided being added to the endangered list in 2019 after a ban on large cruise ships was announced.

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[NATION] Hunter Biden has been indicted on felony gun charges, including false statements in purchasing a firearm and illegally obtaining a firearm while addicted to drugs.

President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, has been charged with two counts of false statements in purchasing a firearm and one count of illegally obtaining a firearm while addicted to drugs. The charges carry maximum sentences of 10 years and 5 years, respectively, and he could face up to 10 years for the possession charge. This indictment follows a collapsed plea agreement that would have prevented a trial and potential distractions for President Biden.

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[BUSINESS] Arm's IPO on Nasdaq boosts its stock by 25% and gives the company a market cap of around $65 billion.

UK-based chip designer Arm had a successful Nasdaq debut, with its stock surging 25% and reaching a market cap of approximately $65 billion. The IPO marks the largest public offering since 2021 and the biggest in nearly two years. Arm opened trading at $56 per share, 10% above its initial offer price, and closed at $63.59. The strong performance signals a positive start to the IPO market, which has been quiet for the past 18 months in the US tech sector.

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[TECHNOLOGY] Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max is priced starting at $1,199 and offers new features and upgrades compared to previous models.

Apple has unveiled the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the most upgraded model in the Pro lineup. Priced at $1,199, it includes new features such as the Action button. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is anticipated to follow the success of its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Additionally, the standard iPhone 15 line offers impressive features for this year. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro were announced at Apple's Wonderlust event, giving consumers a choice between the regular model and the Pro model.

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[SPORTS] The Week 2 NFL schedule is predicted to have several close games, with the Buccaneers favored to cover the spread against the Bears.

Oddsmakers expect Week 2 of the NFL to be filled with tight matchups, with most games having a one-score spread. The Colts-Texans game has the tightest line at Colts (-1), while the Bills are heavily favored at -9.5 against the Raiders. In Week 1, underdogs like the Rams pulled off surprise victories, leading bettors to wonder if they should back the Rams again or consider other underdogs like the Titans. SportsLine's computer model, which has been successful in previous seasons, provides NFL betting advice and predictions for Week 2 matchups.

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[SCIENCE] NASA has appointed a secret Director of UAP research to investigate UFOs and analyze unidentified aerial phenomena.

NASA has created a new position to investigate UFOs, appointing a secret director of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) research. The decision is in response to a new report on UAPs and aims to destigmatize reporting and increase data collection. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the agency's commitment to transparency and collaboration with other agencies in analyzing UAPs. The secrecy surrounding the appointment is intended to protect the director from potential harassment. This announcement follows the Pentagon's creation of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) last year, highlighting the government's seriousness in addressing UAPs.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] Pharmacies in the US are now administering COVID booster shots to individuals 6 months and older, targeting new variants of the virus.

Pharmacies in the US have started administering new COVID-19 booster shots from Pfizer and Moderna. The FDA approved the revised mRNA vaccine shots, which target the latest variants of the virus. The CDC recommends the vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Officials advise getting the booster shot as soon as possible to maximize protection against the circulating strains of the virus. Weekly hospitalizations have tripled over the past two months, making the new vaccine crucial in combating the surge.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Netflix has renewed its live-action adaptation of "One Piece" for a second season, following the success of its first season.

Netflix's live-action adaptation of "One Piece" has been renewed for a second season, as confirmed by the manga creator Eiichiro Oda. The series debuted on August 31 and quickly became a fan-favorite, with 18.5 million views in its first few days. This renewal comes as a surprise given Netflix's previous track record with live-action adaptations of anime, such as "Cowboy Bebop" and "Bleach." Details about the second season, including the number of episodes and storyline, are yet to be revealed.

No sources available.