August 27, 2023 - Sunday

[WORLD] The reported death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin highlights Russia's lack of rule of law.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed to have warned Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, about threats to his life. Prigozhin is believed to have died in a plane wreck in Russia. The plane, carrying Prigozhin and nine other passengers, crashed in the Tver region. Prigozhin, known as "Putin's chef," founded Wagner in 2014, despite mercenary forces being illegal in Russia. Dmitry Utkin, a former officer in Russia's Special Forces, was also on the plane and was Prigozhin's right-hand man in the group.

No sources available.

[NATION] A white man in Jacksonville, Florida, killed three Black people at a Dollar General store in a racially motivated shooting before shooting himself.

A white man armed with a high-powered rifle and a handgun opened fire at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, killing three Black people before taking his own life. The local sheriff described the shooting as racially motivated, stating that the shooter "hated Black people." The suspect, who was wearing a tactical vest, has not been publicly identified. Authorities believe he acted alone and had left three manifestos outlining his hateful ideology. The victims were two men and a woman.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] The Federal Reserve chair warns that the battle against inflation in the US is not over and hints at the possibility of further rate rises.

In a speech at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's annual gathering, Powell stated that inflation was still too high and that interest rates may need to rise further to address it. Despite a decline in the annual rate of inflation, prices of essential goods remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. Powell emphasized the Fed's commitment to achieving a "soft landing" for the economy and bringing down inflation without causing significant job losses. However, he acknowledged the challenges of navigating uncertain economic conditions and hinted at the possibility of further rate increases if needed.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] GTA 6 hacker, an 18-year-old member of Lapsus$ cyber-crime group, leaked game footage using an Amazon Fire Stick in a hotel room.

An 18-year-old hacker from Oxford, a member of the Lapsus$ cyber-crime group, has been identified as the individual responsible for leaking footage of Grand Theft Auto 6. The hacker, Arion Kurtaj, used an Amazon Fire Stick in a Travelodge hotel room while out on bail. Kurtaj's involvement in the cyber-crime collective included breaches targeting major tech corporations, such as Rockstar Games, Uber, and Nvidia. Psychiatrists have deemed Kurtaj unfit to stand trial.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Aaron Rodgers made his preseason debut with the New York Jets, throwing a touchdown pass in a victory against the Giants.

Aaron Rodgers made his highly anticipated debut with the New York Jets in the preseason finale against the Giants. Rodgers, who spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, received a warm welcome from both Jets and Giants fans. He played nine snaps and threw a touchdown pass to Jets receiver Garrett Wilson. Rodgers completed 5 of 8 passes for 47 yards and looked comfortable in his new team's offense. The Jets secured a 32-24 victory, and Rodgers expressed satisfaction with his performance and staying healthy.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Four astronauts from four different nations launched aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft on a mission to the International Space Station.

Four astronauts representing NASA, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Roscosmos have launched on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft for a mission to the International Space Station. The mission, known as Crew-7, is expected to last over six months. This launch marks the eighth flight of NASA and SpaceX's commercial crew program, and the Crew-7 mission is the most internationally diverse crew to date. The astronauts will join the seven astronauts already aboard the space station and take over operations from the previous Crew-6 mission.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] The Pirola variant, a highly mutated strain of COVID-19, has been spreading in the US with new cases confirmed in Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio.

The Pirola variant, also known as the BA.2.86 strain, has been identified in three states in the US. It is considered part of the Omicron variant family but could be classified differently if it spreads more widely. The BA.2.86 strain has more than 30 mutations and has raised concerns about its potential to evade vaccines or natural immunity. Data on the strain is expected to be available within a week. In addition, a new variant called EG.5 or "Eris" is dominating COVID-19 infections in the US, accounting for more than 17% of cases nationwide.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Game show host and animal advocate Bob Barker has died at the age of 99.

Bob Barker, the beloved host of game shows "Truth or Consequences" and "The Price Is Right," as well as a passionate animal rights activist, has passed away at the age of 99. Barker, known for his charm and humor, hosted "The Price Is Right" for over 35 years, revitalizing the show and becoming a television legend. His advocacy for animal welfare was a significant part of his legacy, and he dedicated much of his life to raising awareness about the mistreatment of animals in the entertainment industry and beyond.

No sources available.