August 25, 2023 - Friday

[WORLD] The BRICS bloc of emerging economies has invited Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to join as new members in January 2024.

The BRICS bloc of emerging economies, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has announced the invitation of six new members: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The bloc aims to expand its reach and influence to better represent the interests of the Global South. The six new members will join the existing BRICS members from January 1, 2024, forming an 11-nation bloc. This move also reflects a strengthening China-Russia coalition amid rising tensions with the West.

No sources available.

[NATION] The first Republican presidential debate was marked by an absence of Donald Trump and a heated exchange between Vivek Ramaswamy and other candidates.

The first Republican presidential debate took place with Donald Trump skipping the event. Vivek Ramaswamy was a prominent figure, engaging in clashes with the likes of Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, and Chris Christie. However, the absence of Trump made the debate feel like an undercard, as Trump maintains a significant lead in the polls. The two-hour showdown was filled with fireworks, but it is unlikely to shake up the race.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Nvidia's strong earnings report and outlook, driven by demand for new AI chips, have caused shares to surge and analyst estimates to increase significantly.

Nvidia reported a 101% increase in net sales and a 429% increase in earnings per share compared to the previous year. The company's forecast for the October quarter, with expected sales of $16 billion, is significantly higher than analyst estimates. This news has led to an 8% pre-market trading increase in Nvidia shares and a raised price target. Analysts believe that Nvidia's success is due to its dominance in AI and generative AI, although it may not translate to success for the entire tech sector.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Sony Interactive Entertainment, the gaming division of Sony, is acquiring Audeze, a high-end headphone manufacturer, to enhance the audio experience of PlayStation games.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is purchasing Audeze, known for its premium headphones, in a move to improve the audio quality of PlayStation games. Audeze, based in California, develops headphones for gamers and audio professionals and is highly regarded for its products. The acquisition will allow Audeze to continue operating independently while benefiting from Sony's PlayStation ecosystem. Sony Interactive Entertainment aims to strengthen its innovation in audio technology through this acquisition.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani sustains UCL tear, ending his pitching season but leaving possibility to continue hitting.

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels has been diagnosed with a UCL tear and will not pitch for the rest of the MLB season. It is uncertain if he will require surgery. Ohtani, who had previously undergone Tommy John surgery in 2018, has been dealing with various minor ailments and arm fatigue recently. Despite his pitching setback, he hopes to return as a designated hitter. The Angels also lost star player Mike Trout to an injured list.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] The next full Moon on August 30, 2023 will be a supermoon, a blue moon, and coincide with the Hindu festival Rakhi Purnima.

The upcoming full Moon on August 30, 2023 will be a special celestial event. It will be a supermoon, appearing near the planet Saturn, and also a blue moon, being the second full Moon in August. Additionally, this full Moon will coincide with the Hindu festival Rakhi Purnima, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. This convergence of lunar phenomena and cultural celebration makes this full Moon a unique and significant event.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] Groundbreaking AI implants enable a stroke victim to regain the ability to speak after 18 years.

A 48-year-old woman who lost her speech due to a stroke has regained her ability to communicate thanks to artificial intelligence. Researchers at the University of California implanted electrode implants into her brain, allowing her to "talk" for the first time in nearly two decades. The technology sampled the woman's voice from a video of her speaking at her wedding in order to model her vocal tone. This breakthrough provides hope for restoring speech to those who have lost it due to various causes.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Kim Cattrall improvised a key moment in her cameo appearance in the season 2 finale of "And Just Like That."

Kim Cattrall made a cameo appearance as Samantha Jones in the season 2 finale of "And Just Like That." She improvised a key moment during her scene, surprising viewers. Her return to the show had been highly anticipated and had generated controversy due to reported conflicts with her former castmates and pay disparity issues. Despite expectations, Cattrall's cameo was brief and may have left some fans disappointed.

No sources available.