Ex-Trump lawyer pleads guilty, travel caution alert, and a grizzly fight.

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US News, Politics, & Government

Ex-Trump attorney takes plea deal in Georgia election interference case

Donald Trump’s former attorney Sidney Powell has pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor charges related to her efforts to interfere with the 2020 election in Georgia. She is the first from Trump's inner circle to admit to crimes linked to subverting the election results. As part of her plea deal, she will cooperate with prosecutors, testify against her co-defendants, and write an apology letter to the citizens of Georgia. This case also involves former President Trump and 17 others. (More)

US State Department issues ‘worldwide caution’ alert as tensions in the Middle East soar

The US State Department issued a global alert advising increased caution for US citizens worldwide due to escalating tensions, potential terrorist attacks, and violent actions against US interests. This move follows protests in the Middle East related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some demonstrations targeting US diplomatic compounds. The State Department’s notice also encourages US citizens to enroll in its “Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.” (More)

Prepare for a turbulent El Niño winter

A strong El Niño in the Pacific Ocean and record high global ocean temperatures will likely influence the winter season in the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). While there's an expectation of above-average temperatures, the presence of El Niño typically results in an active southern branch of the jet stream, bringing above-average precipitation and a higher likelihood of major snowstorms. Whether this winter will be rainy or snowy will depend on air temperatures. It is also not yet clear how record-warm global air and sea temperatures will affect winter weather. (More)

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World

What to know about Hamas' tunnel system beneath Gaza

Hamas’ extensive tunnel system, known as the "Gaza Metro," serves both offensive and defensive purposes for the militant group. They are used for smuggling weapons, storing supplies, and hiding from Israeli intelligence and airstrikes. The tunnels complicate any potential ground operation, as they can be booby-trapped, making Israeli soldiers vulnerable to ambushes. The exact size of this tunnel network is not known, but it has grown in sophistication over the years. The tunnels in Gaza have a history dating back to the early 1980s, when they were initially used for communication and smuggling before militants took over. (More)

Russian-American journalist detained in Russia for violating foreign agents law

Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist working in Prague, was detained in Russia and faces charges after a visit to her family in Kazan. She was first detained in June and arrested again on Wednesday, then charged with failing to register as a foreign agent. She could potentially get a five-year jail term. She is the second US journalist held in Russia this year. Concerns have been raised over repressive laws used to harass journalists and impede independent reporting in Russia. (More)

Javier Milei leads Argentina’s polls ahead of Sunday election

A former rocker named Javier Milei is leading in the polls heading into Argentina’s presidential election on Sunday. Milei, a self-described "anarcho-capitalist," advocates adopting the US dollar to combat inflation, privatizing state companies, and abolishing the nation's Central Bank. His proposals on issues such as abortion, sex education, and climate change have stirred controversy. Milei's unexpected rise reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the country's current government. However, even if he wins the presidency, Milei may struggle to gain the legislative support needed for his policies. (More)

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Business & Economy

Daily stock market update

US stock markets closed lower on Thursday (S&P -0.85%, Nasdaq -0.96%, Dow -0.75%) ~ Stocks responded negatively to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments saying that inflation was still to high and would likely require lower economic growth. (More)

Netflix stock surges 16%

Netflix's shares rose by 16% after a strong quarterly earnings report. The streaming service saw a 70% increase in its new ad-supported subscription tier. Additionally, they gained 8.76 million subscribers during the third quarter, beating Wall Street estimates. This is a big win for Netflix, especially after reporting their first net subscriber loss in over a decade in April 2022. Analysts are optimistic about continued growth, with some firms upgrading their ratings and increasing price targets for the company. (More)

Americans got richer during the pandemic

The Federal Reserve's recent Survey of Consumer Finances showed improved household finances thanks in part to government initiatives during the pandemic. The median U.S. household's net worth increased from $141,100 in 2019 to nearly $193,000 in 2022. This success came through massive government efforts, including nearly $5 trillion in pandemic spending and near-zero interest rates. However, it led to higher inflation, increased debt levels, and debt service costs, which could affect other national priorities. (More)

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Sports & Entertainment

D-backs win game 3 of NLCS

The Arizona Diamondbacks earned their first win of the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. With the bases loaded in the 9th inning, and the score tied, second baseman Ketel Marte hit a single to center field to score the winning run. The series stands at 2-1. (More)

NCAA investigating Michigan football for alleged rule violations related to sign stealing

The NCAA is investigating the University of Michigan football program for allegedly going off-campus to scout future opponents in person, which is against the rules. Michigan allegedly sent people to interpret opponents' play signs. The investigation also questions Coach Jim Harbaugh's involvement. Michigan is currently undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the country. (More)

Lebron enters this season as the NBA’s oldest player

LeBron James is now the NBA's oldest player at 38. He's entering his 21st season, poised to be the first player to average 20 points in their 21st season in years. James has 19 All-Star selections, the most in NBA history, and is nearing the 40,000-point mark for his career. (More)

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Science, Health, & Tech

Google is tweaking Chrome’s search bar to make it easier to navigate the web

Google is making changes to its Chrome browser's omnibox (search and address bar) to improve web navigation. It will now correct URL typos, provide smarter autocompletes based on keywords, and search within bookmarks. Additionally, when typing the name of a popular website, the omnibox will display the site's URL for direct access. These changes will make web navigation more user-friendly and personalized, but they might reduce the number of Google searches. (More)

Major solar panel plant opens in US

South Korean company Qcells has opened a solar panel factory in Georgia with the capacity to produce 5.1 gigawatts of solar panels yearly, almost 40% of the entire US solar panel capacity. The factory is expected to help make the US a global leader in solar manufacturing and will create many jobs in the area. However, there are concerns that a flood of cheap solar panels from overseas could dampen the industry in the US, and market leaders are urging officials to investigate whether solar panels are being dumped into the US market at unfairly low prices. (More)

More than 10 billion snow crabs starved to death off the coast of Alaska. But why?

Over 10 billion snow crabs in the Bering Sea disappeared due to a massive marine heatwave between Alaska and Siberia in 2018-2020. This heatwave didn't directly kill the crabs but rather caused them to starve because the warmer waters increased their metabolic rate and caloric needs. Simultaneously the crab population boomed in the Bering Sea. The combination of more crabs and higher caloric needs proved deadly. The snow crab's future in the Bering Sea remains uncertain. (More)

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Bonus Material

Hitting the snooze button may be good for you.

What you need to earn to own a home in 50 US cities.

Which fast food chain has the fastest drive-thru.

Watch: An up close grizzly bear fight.