Tuesday, October 22
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> New York Liberty defeats the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime of decisive Game 5 to win their first WNBA championship (More)
> Cher, Jimmy Buffett, and Mary J. Blige among 16 inductees into the 2024 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (More) | Aaron Kaufman, Emmy-nominated director, dies at age 51 of an apparent heart attack (More)
> Oregon leads AP Top 25 college football poll for first time since 2012; Georgia and Penn State round out the Top 3 (More)
Science & Technology
> SpaceX awarded $733M in launch contracts from the US Space Force, beating out United Launch Alliance (More) | Everything you need to know about SpaceX (More, w/video)
> Chinese scientists demonstrate the world's strongest resistive (made out of normal metals like copper or aluminum) magnet; the 42 Tesla field is roughly 800,000 times the Earth's magnetic field (More)
> Researchers discover protein to improve cardiovascular health in patients with progeria, a rare genetic disorder causing accelerated aging in children (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close higher Friday (S&P 500 +0.4%, Dow +0.1%, Nasdaq +0.6%), with the S&P 500 and Dow closing at record highs (More) | Netflix shares jump 11% after beating Q3 expectations (More) | Gold prices climb to all-time high amid uncertainty over US election, Middle East tensions (More)
> Boeing offers production workers a 35% raise over four years, up from 30% in bid to end strike; union workers to vote on deal Wednesday, when new CEO Kelly Ortberg is set to give first public comments (More) | CVS workers in Southern California begin strike at seven stores (More)
> Berkshire Hathaway invests additional $42M in Sirius XM last week, raising company's stake in the radio broadcasting firm to 32.5% (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> Israeli airstrikes kill at least 87 people in Gaza, per Hamas-run Health Ministry (More) | Lebanese drone targets home of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu; no one injured, per Israel (More) | US intelligence on Israeli preparations to retaliate against Iran exposed in pro-Iranian account online (More) | See war updates (More)
> Cuba power outage leaves entire population of 10 million people without energy following electrical grid collapse (More) | Collapse came as Hurricane Oscar, a Category 1 storm, approached the island (More)
> Indonesia inaugurates Prabowo Subianto as country's eighth president; the former defense minister was elected with close to 60% of the vote (More)
Wake Up America
We live in the greatest country in the world, mainly because of our FREEDOMS and OPPORTUNITIRES but also because of:
- our natural resources
- our education systems
- our businesses & industries
- research and inventions
- our landscape varieties
- our military strength
- our recreation
- our entertainment
Stopping Energy Loss
Preventing tungsten atoms from entering the plasma is one of the biggest challenges of modern nuclear fusion reactors, and researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) may have found a solution to fix it.
The discovery, which uses boron powder to shield tokamak walls from the extreme heat of fusion, presents a solid strategy for achieving sustainable fusion energy, per a PPPL, U.S. Department of Energy, press release published on Monday.
“We’ve developed a new way to understand how injected boron material behaves in a fusion plasma and how it interacts with the walls of fusion reactors to keep them in good condition while they are operating,” Florian Effenberg, a staff research physicist at PPPL, said in the press release. READ MORE...
Monday, October 21
The USA in Transition
The United States of America is the greatest country in the world and has been since 1945. The USA has had global dominance for 80 years, just two decades shy of a century.
That's quite an accomplishment for a country that is about only 250 years old.
HOWEVER... the elite status of the USA is about to change and is already in the process of that transition.
First Transition - our freedoms have put us into a position where the people are demanding more and more of the government. The more the government provides to the public, the more socialistic the government becomes. Our current national debt is an example of how we have already given too much, and it is going to be very difficult for our government to STOP THE GIVING.
Second Transition - during the last four years, our government has allowed illegal immigrants to enter this country in unprecedented numbers. It does not matter what the purpose is behind this decision, but what does matter is that these illegal immigrants bring NO SKILLS therefore all they will serve to do is INCREASE the POOR CLASS. Increasing the poor class will not strengthen the USA, it will weaken it because the poor class TAKES more than it GIVES.
Third Transition - the USA has an infrastructure problem in that its roads, highways, bridges, and tunnels NEED REFURBISHING because they are getting old and will start to have ongoing repair issues. Not only is our infrastructure need refurbishing but our military needs this as well. Does the government spend money on social programs, social security, infrastructure, or the military?
Fourth Transition - the USA, for a variety of reasons, has become divided. While we have two political parties in this country, the political party that is not in power REFUSES to support the political party that is in power. To make matter worse, that division is an amazing 50%. Now, it might be 49%/51% so that one side wins, but that is the same as 50/50. NOTHING WILL EVER GET DONE, especially if a house of Congress is controlled by the other party.
Fifth Transition - this one is twofold and perhaps the most dangerous as it is in the first stages of development. I am talking about TECHNOLOGY and our SPACE PROGRAM. Fortunately, and unfortunately, these two programs will not be controlled by the government due to LACK OF MONEY. Technology is developing faster than it can be controlled or regulated by Congress and AI Humanoid Robots will replace jobs quicker than we can mentally imagine and when that happens it will be too late to act. When we begin to serious develop outer space (around 2030), private companies will no longer see the need to SAVE EARTH from all that plagues it.
Sixth Transition - this one revolves around climate change and what some have convinced others is our most serious threat. It will take a GOOD DECADE to fully transition into a 100% global green energy environment, if that is even possible. IF depends quite honestly on the rest of the world's participation. China, Russia, India, Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, DON'T HAVE THE MONEY to make that transition. China, Russia, India refuses to spend the money because it will weaken their economies. The more the USA moves into that direction, the more the POOR PEOPLE will resist because they do not have the money. Illegal Immigration makes the problem worse.
Seventh Transition - China has declared to the rest of the world that they want to take the global leadership role away from the USA. They want to do this both economically and militarily and educationally and scientifically which includes technology. The USA does not see CHINA as a THREAT.
The Democratic Party sees POWER and CONTROL over the citizens of the USA more important than protecting the USA from CHINA...
This position is a dangerous one to have...
Capitalism
- Companies don't care about the customers
- Companies don't care about the vendors/suppliers
- Companies don't care about the employees
- Companies don't care about the community
While a car labeled as "American" is assembled in the United States, a significant portion of its parts often come from other countries, with Mexico being the primary source for imported car parts used in American cars, followed by Canada, China, and other Asian nations; meaning that even a car assembled in the US may have a large percentage of parts manufactured overseas. SOURCE: Chicago Fed
Dark Oxygen Under the Sea
In a revolutionary study, researchers have found that oxygen may be generated in the deep ocean, challenging prolonged theories regarding its beginnings. This surprising fact, labelled dark oxygen, challenges traditional knowledge as well as raises substantial worries regarding the future of deep ocean environments as mining businesses observe the floor of the ocean for beneficial resources.
Ocean researcher finds oxygen generation in deep ocean mystery
Ocean scientist Andrew Sweetman, in 2013, initially noted a perplexing occurrence whilst carrying out a study in the isolated Clarion-Clipperton Zone, an extensive section of the Pacific Ocean. Sweetman’s sensors signaled that the generation of oxygen was occurring at a depth of approximately 4,000 m, where there is no penetration of sunlight.
Primarily, he thought that his gear was defective, as it was extensively understood that the generation of oxygen was completely the realm of photosynthetic organisms which depend on sunlight. But, after frequent analyses as well as authentication of his gear, Sweetman arrived at an astounding understanding. READ MORE...
Sunday, October 20
In The NEWS
Cuba plunges into darkness after island's power grid fails.
A power plant failure in Cuba has led to a nationwide blackout affecting roughly 10 million residents. The Antonio Guiteras power plant, which is the country's largest and provides about 20% of Cuba's electricity, went offline due to technical issues. The shutdown comes as the country already faces a fragile energy infrastructure coupled with fuel and food shortages. Residents and businesses have been experiencing rolling blackouts for months. See an overview of Cuba's crisis here.
CVS shares close down 5% after CEO is abruptly replaced.
The healthcare giant's chief executive officer, Karen Lynch, stepped down Friday after nearly four years at the helm. She will be replaced by David Joyner, an executive vice president at CVS who has led its pharmacy-benefit manager, CVS Caremark. CVS also announced its Q3 earnings would miss expectations for a third consecutive quarter. The company's shares have fallen roughly 25% this year.
Regulators open new probe into Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" system.
The US auto safety regulator is investigating Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" software in 2.4 million vehicles after reports of four crashes in low-visibility conditions, including one that killed a pedestrian. The probe will assess the software's ability to detect and respond to reduced roadway visibility and examine any system updates that may have affected its performance in these conditions. The investigation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Tesla's autonomous driving technology.
Virginia men's basketball coach Tony Bennett retires.
Bennett, 55, announced his immediate retirement as head coach of the University of Virginia men's basketball team after 15 seasons. Bennett led the Cavaliers to a national championship in 2019 and became the program's winningest coach with a record of 364-136. His departure comes just weeks before the 2024-25 season, despite signing a contract extension in June that would have kept him at Virginia until at least 2030.
Former Olympic snowboarder wanted for running drug cartel.
Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, is accused of leading a drug trafficking organization responsible for transporting hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico, the US, and Canada. The FBI is offering a $50K reward for information leading to his capture. Wedding faces multiple felony charges, including murder and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, as part of a broader indictment involving 16 individuals in the alleged criminal network.
North Korea reportedly sending troops to help Russia.
South Korean intelligence reports North Korea has sent at least 1,500 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. If confirmed, the development would mark North Korea's first major participation in a foreign conflict since the 1950-53 Korean War. Analysts, however, question the effectiveness of North Korean troops due to outdated equipment and a lack of combat experience.
Not of This World
Extraterrestrial Life means life coming from or existing outside the earth or its atmosphere.
- a universe
- a solar system
- a galaxy
- somewhat like a cloud
- a puff of smoke
- a visible breath on a cold day
Using Nuclear Rockets to get to MARS
Scientists have long proposed nuclear fission-fueled rockets to get to Mars fast — but one is warning that making it happen will be an uphill battle.
In an explainer for The Conversation, nuclear engineering expert Dan Kotlyar noted that fueling rockets with nuclear fission, which results from the energy emanated from splitting atoms, will indeed cut the years-long journey to and from Mars by a wide margin.
One of the chemical compounds that goes into the production of nuclear fuel, however, makes those dreams difficult to achieve.
Kotlyar, a nuclear and radiological engineering assistant professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, pointed out that the United States government and major companies like General Electric funded development into nuclear thermal propulsion technology. READ MORE...
Saturday, October 19
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Netflix adds 5 million subscribers in Q3, bringing its total global subscriber base to 283 million (More) | Universal Orlando's fourth theme park, Epic Universe, to open May 2025 (More)
> Mitzi Gaynor, actress and singer best known for starring role in "South Pacific" film, dies at age 93 (More)
> Stage musical adaptation of "Dirty Dancing" set for late 2025 Broadway opening (More) | Famed music festival the Warped Tour returning to three cities in 2025 after a five-year hiatus (More)
Science & Technology
> Astronomers detect 13-billion-year-old quasars—extremely bright galactic cores powered by supermassive black holes—floating in relatively empty space; discovery challenges current theory about quasar formation (More)
> AI-powered model reveals how sperm cells stick to eggs across a range of vertebrate species; findings may help develop new fertility treatments in humans (More)
> Researchers develop "smart" insulin, which can turn itself on or off in response to varying blood sugar levels; therapy may eventually replace injections for diabetics (More) | Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes (More, w/video)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 -0.0%, Dow +0.4%, Nasdaq +0.0%); Nvidia shares close at new record (More) | TSMC shares close up 10% after chipmaker reports strong Q3 earnings (More, free w/email) | Lucid shares close down 18% after EV maker announces public stock offering to raise $1.67B (More)
> European Central Bank cuts interest rates for the third time in four months, lowering key rate by a quarter point to 3.25%; inflation rate in September slowed to 1.7%, falling below the 2% annual target for first time in three years (More)
> FBI arrest Alabama man in connection to January hacking of the US Securities and Exchange Commission's X account and a fake post that led to a spike in the value of Bitcoin (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> Independent panel investigating July assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump recommends Secret Service to undergo overhaul in findings released yesterday (More) | Read the report (More)
> Grand jury indicts father, son for September mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, which killed four people (More) | Archdiocese of Los Angeles agrees to pay $880M to settle sex abuse claims; settlement is the largest single payout by an archdiocese (More)
> Biden administration forgives $4.5B in federal student debt for 60,000 public service workers under fixes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (More)








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