GOP debate, Damian Lillard trade, and best U.S. airports.

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US News, Politics, & Government

Takeaways from second GOP presidential debate

Republican presidential candidates gathered on Wednesday for the second GOP primary debate of the 2024 election cycle. Most of the debate was combative, with lots of cross talk, making it difficult to select a clear winner who could be a viable alternative to Trump. However, the candidates took the opportunity to call out the former President for not attending the debate. Vivek Ramaswamy, who emerged as a strong debater and showman during the last debate, was attacked for his business ties with China by the other candidates who didn’t want him to build on previous momentum. (More)

Manhunt underway for ‘extremely dangerous’ convicted felon suspected of killing a 26-year-old female tech CEO in Baltimore

Police are searching for 32-year-old Jason Dean Billingsley, who is suspected of murdering 26-year-old tech CEO Pava LaPere in her Baltimore apartment. LaPere was featured in this year’s Forbes 30 under 30 list for social impact and was devoted to supporting those around her. Billingsley, a lifelong criminal, was convicted of a first-degree sex offense in 2015 and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was released in 2022 on mandatory supervision and is a suspect in at least one other case, according to Baltimore’s police chief. (More)

American soldier who crossed into North Korea in U.S. custody

U.S. Army Private Travis King is on a flight back to the U.S. after being returned to American custody. King crossed into North Korea illegally and was detained while on a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area that straddles the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. North Korea’s news outlet said he crossed the border because he felt there was racial discrimination in the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.” However, he is reportedly in good spirits and looking forward to being home. (More)

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World

Iraq fire: At least 93 killed in blaze at wedding party in Qaraqosh

A fire killed at least 93 people and injured 101 others at a wedding in Iraq. Witnesses say the fire was sparked by fireworks set off during the bride and groom’s dance. Highly flammable plastic and metal panels that covered the hall fueled the blaze. Initial reports said that the bride and groom died in the fire, but officials later confirmed their survival. Authorities are investigating the incident and have arrested the venue staff and its owner. (More)

U.S. allows Israelis visa-free entry as Israel opens travel to Palestinian Americans

The U.S. will begin allowing Israeli tourists and businesspeople to enter the country without visas. Under the agreement, Israel must end its bans and other restrictions on the entry of Palestinian Americans and other Arab Americans. On Nov. 30 Israelis will be able to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without needing to wait months for a visa. Forty other countries already have the same privilege. (More)

Young climate activists take on European nations in a landmark court case

Six young people from Portugal are suing 32 European governments for failing to adequately address global warming and, therefore, violating some of their fundamental rights. The activists claim they have evidence that the states have the power to adjust their emissions but are choosing not to. Because the case is being brought in the European Court of Human Rights, the court’s decision will be legally binding for all the member countries, and each will be liable for hefty fines if they fail to comply with the eventual rulings. (More)

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Business & Economy

Daily stock market update

U.S. stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday (S&P +0.02%, Nasdaq +0.22%, Dow -0.20%). (More)

Mortgage demand shrinks as interest rates hit the highest level in nearly 23 years

The average rate for a 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage increased last week to 7.41%, the highest level since 2000. As a result, mortgage demand is now nearing a 27-year low. Mortgage application volume is currently 25.5% lower than it was at this time last year. And applications to refinance a home loan are 21% lower compared a year ago. (More)

Costco is selling gold bars and they are selling out within a few hours

Costco is selling 1-ounce gold PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Veriscan bars for a little under $1,900. The bars are only available online to Costco members and are being limited to two per customer. The company seems to have accelerated its offerings of dried foods and other survivalist goods, such as a 150-serving emergency food preparedness kit. Gold aligns with that type of product, and Costco is cleverly marketing it to groups who may be concerned about the strength of the U.S. dollar. (More)

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Sports & Entertainment

Blazers trading Damian Lillard to Bucks in 3-team deal

The Portland Trail Blazers are trading guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team deal that includes the Phoenix Suns. Portland will receive Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, and a slew of draft picks, while Phoenix will receive Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson. Lillard had a career year last year, averaging 32.2 points and 7.3 assists. (More)

Bruce Springsteen postpones rest of shows this year due to illness

Bruce Springsteen called off the rest of his shows this year to deal with peptic ulcer disease. He had already canceled a string of September shows in hopes of continuing the tour with a eight-gig Canadian swing starting in November. Rescheduled dates for each of the 2023 shows will be announced next week. (More)

Late night shows return as WGA strike ends

Late night television is back after nearly five months of writers’ strikes. Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel will be back on the air Monday Night. John Oliver’s show will return on Sunday, and Bill Maher will premiere a new episode on Friday. (More)

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Science, Health, & Tech

Meta unveils AI assistant, Facebook-streaming glasses

Meta introduced its updated smart glasses that have AI assistant integration and are capable of live-streaming what the user is seeing directly to Facebook and Instagram. The new software also allows the glasses to identify places and objects that people are seeing, as well as translate languages. The glasses will start shipping on Oct. 17 and cost $299. (More)

This week's harvest moon will be the last supermoon of the year

Starting tonight the last supermoon of the year will be visible in the sky. The moon will appear full this evening but will reach the peak of its full phase around 6 a.m. ET Friday. It is known as the harvest moon because historically the bright moonlight helped farmers finish harvesting their summer-grown crops after the sun had set, according the the Old Farmer’s Almanac. (More)

Gene therapy helps paralyzed mice walk again

Gene therapy has restored mobility in mice with completely severed spinal cords. Up until now, scientists could regrow severed spinal cord nerves but weren’t able to restore motor function. During their research, they discovered that specific axons - thin fibers that connect neurons - not only must regenerate, but must also reconnect with their natural targets to restore movement. This breakthrough led them to use guidance molecules to attract the regenerating nerve fibers to their natural targets, allowing the mice to move again. (More)

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Bonus Material

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The top 10 large airports in the U.S.