July 20, 2023 - Thursday

[WORLD] A gunman opened fire in the center of Auckland, New Zealand, killing two people before the Women's World Cup tournament. The shooter was also killed.

A shooting occurred in the central business district of Auckland just before the Women's World Cup, resulting in the death of two people, including the gunman. The shooter, armed with a pump-action shotgun, fired shots on a construction site and then contained himself in an elevator. Police quickly responded to the incident, and the area was cordoned off. The tournament will still proceed as planned.

No sources available.

[NATION] Former President Donald Trump is reportedly a target of the special counsel's criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Donald Trump revealed on social media that he has been informed by special counsel Jack Smith that he is a target of the criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump's attorneys received a target letter from Smith's team, indicating that Trump could face charges related to the investigation. The letter specifically cites three statutes that Trump could be charged with. Trump's legal team is expected to decline the invitation to testify before the grand jury. The announcement has already prompted dissent among potential 2024 GOP presidential candidates.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Tesla's profits have increased, surpassing expectations, despite a series of price cuts that reduced revenue per vehicle sold.

Tesla reported adjusted earnings of $3.1 billion, up 20% from last year, with a profit margin of 18.2%. Automotive revenue increased by 47%, but profit margins were still smaller due to price cuts. Tesla's success in driving demand through lower prices is evident from the 83% jump in the number of vehicles sold. The company faces competition in the EV market from established automakers and rising interest rates. Tesla's stock dipped after hours as Q3 production is expected to slightly decrease due to factory upgrades. Despite this, Q2 revenue and earnings beat expectations.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Apple is reportedly developing its own AI chatbot called "Apple GPT" to challenge OpenAI and Google, aiming for a significant AI-related announcement next year.

According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is working on developing its own artificial intelligence tools, including a chatbot known as "Apple GPT." The company has created its own framework called "Ajax" to build large language models, which are similar to the ones used by OpenAI and Google. Apple is aiming to make an AI-related announcement next year, although the strategy for releasing the technology to consumers has not been determined. The internal rollout of the chatbot has been halted temporarily due to security concerns but has since been made available to more Apple employees.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The 2023 Women's World Cup kicks off with 32 teams, and the USWNT aims to secure their third consecutive title.

As the Women's World Cup begins in Australia and New Zealand, the USWNT enters as the top-ranked team in the world. With their goal-scoring prowess, the USWNT aims to secure their fifth overall World Cup title. However, other teams such as England, Germany, Spain, France, and Australia are also strong contenders. Various experts have highlighted players who can push the USWNT closer to their goal of winning the tournament. The odds favor the US as the favorite to win, but some are predicting other countries like Norway and Argentina to surprise in the tournament.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] A rare fossil discovered in China shows a small mammal attacking a larger dinosaur, challenging the belief that dinosaurs always preyed on mammals.

A well-preserved fossil found in China reveals a rare instance of a small mammal attacking a larger dinosaur. The fossil shows Repenomamus robustus, a cat-sized mammal, in a fight with Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis, a beaked dinosaur. The two animals were buried alive by a volcanic mudflow during their clash. Scientists previously believed that dinosaurs always ate smaller mammals, but this discovery challenges that notion. The finding suggests that some mammals actively hunted and preyed upon larger dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Period, offering new insights into the interactions between mammals and dinosaurs in the ancient world.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] A new study suggests that people with a specific genetic variant are more likely to have asymptomatic COVID-19 infections.

A study published in the scientific journal Nature found that individuals with a specific version of a gene called the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) were more likely to have asymptomatic COVID-19 infections than those without the gene variant. The study, conducted by researchers at UC San Francisco, analyzed data from over 30,000 people and identified approximately 10% of individuals with European ancestry who had tested positive for the virus to be asymptomatic. This research provides evidence of a genetic basis for asymptomatic COVID-19 infections.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] "Barbie" receives positive reviews for its humor, casting, and craftsmanship, appealing to both fans and critics of the iconic doll.

The Barbie movie has received positive reviews, being described as smart, hilarious, and worth watching by critics. Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film is said to have laugh-out-loud moments and is a fun time at the movies. It is marketed as a movie for people who love the doll and also for people who hate the doll, aiming to appeal to a wide audience. The adaptation of the iconic toy is praised for its cast and affectionate crafting.

No sources available.