October 19, 2023 - Thursday

[WORLD] The United States and Israel claim that a misfire by militant group Islamic Jihad caused the deadly blast at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza.

Israel has presented evidence supporting their claim, while Palestinian officials and Arab leaders accuse Israel of targeting the hospital. Protesters have taken to the streets across the region. The attack has become a focal point of discussions during US President Joe Biden's visit to the region. The exact cause of the blast and the number of casualties are still uncertain.

No sources available.

[NATION] Joran van der Sloot has confessed to the killing of Natalee Holloway, admitting to crushing her head with a cinderblock.

Joran van der Sloot has confessed to killing Natalee Holloway in a grisly account of the events. He stated that he crushed her head with a cinderblock and dragged her to the ocean after she refused his sexual advances. Van der Sloot made this confession during an extortion case in which he pleaded guilty. Natalee Holloway went missing in 2005 during a senior trip to Aruba. Van der Sloot apologized to Holloway's family in court and agreed to assist in the investigation of her disappearance.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Netflix is increasing prices for some of its customers after a significant increase in its subscriber count.

Netflix announced that it will be increasing prices for certain subscription plans in the US, UK, and France following a surge in subscriber numbers in the third quarter. The premium ad-free plan in the US will now cost $22.99 per month, while the basic plan will be priced at $11.99 per month. Other plans, including the ad-supported tier, will remain at the same cost. The company attributed its growth in subscribers to its successful efforts to crackdown on password sharing. Netflix reported 247 million paid global subscribers in the third quarter.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Apple will release a new Apple Pencil equipped with USB-C charging, priced at $79, offering more choices for iPad users.

Apple has announced the release of a new Apple Pencil that incorporates USB-C charging. The stylus, set to debut in early November, will be priced at $79. While it offers features such as magnetic attachment to the iPad and support for hover feature, it lacks pressure sensitivity and the double tap feature. This new addition provides more choice for iPad users, but also introduces compromises and caveats.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] ESPN's increased coverage of the WNBA is falling into familiar traps, with hosts biased or uninterested in the league.

ESPN's coverage of the WNBA Finals has garnered strong viewership, but the discussion and analysis provided by the hosts lack objectivity and genuine interest. Michael Wilbon used his prediction to criticize the New York Liberty's home arena, while Tony Kornheiser and Wilbon offered minimal coverage of the WNBA playoffs on Pardon the Interruption. First Take's Stephen A. Smith briefly discussed the Finals, but his monologue lacked depth. This highlights the need for unbiased coverage and genuine enthusiasm for women's sports.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Scientists were surprised to find that the largest quake detected on Mars was caused by tectonic activity rather than a meteorite impact.

Scientists were initially puzzled by the largest quake ever detected on Mars, which had a magnitude of 4.7. As Mars lacks plate tectonics, the common cause of earthquakes on Earth, scientists suspected that an impact from a meteorite had caused the quake. However, a search for an impact crater turned up empty, leading researchers to conclude that the quake was due to tectonic activity within Mars' interior. This discovery provides new insights into the geological processes on Mars.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] I learned the importance of getting checked for breast cancer despite not having a family history.

After discovering a lump on my breast while watching TV with my daughter, I was diagnosed with stage-one breast cancer. I had put off getting checked because I believed that without a family history, I was not at risk. This experience taught me that breast cancer can affect anyone, regardless of family history. It is crucial to prioritize regular check-ups and mammograms to detect and treat breast cancer early.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Travis and Jason Kelce joke about their father meeting Taylor Swift during the Chiefs game, while Travis denies claims of pushing a security guard.

Travis and Jason Kelce discussed their father's interaction with Taylor Swift during the Kansas City Chiefs game, joking about the conversation. Travis Kelce also talked about his weekend with Swift, including appearing on SNL and the rumors of him pushing a security guard. He expressed excitement about being on the show and thanked Lorne Michaels for the opportunity. Travis admitted that he couldn't remember what he said during the sketch and addressed the internet discourse about his role as a security guard.

No sources available.