October 18, 2023 - Wednesday

[WORLD] Hundreds killed in blast at Gaza hospital, with Hamas and Israel blaming each other as tensions escalate in the region.

A massive explosion rocked a Gaza City hospital, resulting in the deaths of at least 500 people. While Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, the Israeli military pointed to a misfired rocket by Palestinian militants. The incident sparked outrage in the region, leading Jordan to cancel a scheduled summit with President Joe Biden. Video footage showed the horrific aftermath at the al-Ahli Hospital, with bodies scattered across the grounds. As the US attempted to deliver supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip, tensions between Hamas and Israel continued to escalate.

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[NATION] Jim Jordan's bid for Speaker of the House is in jeopardy after 20 GOP members voted against him, prompting him to scramble for more votes.

Representative Jim Jordan, a conservative Republican, called off a second speaker's vote as he attempts to secure the support of 20 Republicans who voted against him. Jordan has scheduled another vote for Wednesday in hopes of gaining more support. The opposition to Jordan includes centrist Republicans concerned about having a conservative hardliner as the face of the House GOP. Jordan can only afford to lose four GOP votes.

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[BUSINESS] United Airlines expects lower profits in Q4 due to higher fuel prices and suspension of Tel Aviv flights during Israel-Hamas war.

United Airlines predicts adjusted earnings of $1.50-$1.80 per share in Q4, below analysts' expectations, due to more expensive jet fuel and the suspension of Tel Aviv flights during the Israel-Hamas war. The airline's projection for the quarter is lower than its forecast in July. United also expects a 9-10.5% YoY increase in Q4 revenue but anticipates a rise in costs, excluding fuel, of 3.5-5%. The airline's shares fell by around 4% in after-hours trading.

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[TECHNOLOGY] Apple will release a new, more affordable Apple Pencil with USB-C charging for $79, offering a cheaper alternative to the previous models.

The new Apple Pencil, set to debut in early November, will incorporate USB-C charging and will be priced at $79, making it the most affordable model. It will lack some advanced features of previous models, such as pressure sensitivity and wireless charging, but will still support hover with certain iPad Pro models. The new stylus will have a sliding cap that reveals the USB-C port and will attach magnetically to the side of iPads for storage.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The Dallas Cowboys secure a 20-17 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers in a chaotic Monday Night Football game.

The Cowboys and Chargers faced off in a game filled with punts, penalties, and turnovers on downs. Ultimately, quarterback Dak Prescott led the Cowboys to a game-winning drive, setting up a field goal by rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey. The defense made crucial plays, including a sack by Micah Parsons and an interception by Stephon Gilmore. The victory was important for the Cowboys, who struggled when playing from behind in previous games.

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[SCIENCE] The "ring of fire" eclipse was observed in Chaco Culture National Park in New Mexico, where ancient sun-watchers once lived.

A "ring of fire" solar eclipse was observed above Chaco Culture National Park in New Mexico. The eclipse occurred for 4 minutes and 48 seconds and could be seen from the ancient kiva houses of the Puebelon people. Chaco Canyon has a long tradition of sun-watching, and even a petroglyph from 1097 may depict a total solar eclipse. The park was crowded with visitors who raced to witness the rare event.

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[HEALTH] Diabetes drug Mounjaro, containing tirzepatide, has been found effective in helping individuals lose 60 pounds on average in a study focused on weight loss.

A study conducted on Eli Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro, containing the active ingredient tirzepatide, found that individuals who added the medication to their diet and exercise routine experienced greater and longer-lasting weight reduction compared to those taking a placebo. Participants in the treatment group lost 25% of their baseline weight on average, which equates to approximately 60 pounds, over a 16-month period. Mounjaro targets two hormones, distinguishing it from other weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.

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[ENTERTAINMENT] Britney Spears reveals in her memoir that she had an abortion when she became pregnant with Justin Timberlake's baby.

In her memoir, Britney Spears shares the painful experience of having an abortion when she was dating Justin Timberlake. She expresses her love for him and her expectation of having a family together, but reveals that Timberlake wasn't happy about the pregnancy and didn't want to be a father. Spears describes the abortion as one of the most agonizing experiences of her life. The memoir is set to be released on October 24.

No sources available.