Maine shooter still at large, new Beatles song, and yearly cost of hot showers.

Happy Friday! Today’s edition is 1,424 words, a 4 ½ minute read.

First time reader? Sign up here!

🇺🇸 ⚖️ 

US News, Politics, & Government

What we know so far about the mass shooting in Maine

A U.S. Army Reservist, Robert Card, is wanted for a shooting in Lewiston, Maine, where at least 18 people were killed and 13 injured. The incident marks the 36th mass killing in the United States in 2023. Card, who remains at large, is considered armed and dangerous. Authorities became concerned about his behavior in July, leading to an evaluation. The shooting began at a local restaurant and continued in a nearby bowling alley. The aftermath includes shelter-in-place advisories, school closures, and President Biden ordering flags to fly at half-staff. (More)

Biden's approval rating among Dems drops 11 points in one month

President Biden's approval among Democrats dropped to a record low of 75%, down 11 percentage points in a month. This may be due to his strong support for Israel during the Gaza conflict, causing division in the party, especially among younger members. Despite his pro-Israel stance, it hasn't boosted his political support in national polls, with his approval rating reaching a low of 37% in October. Many Arab and Muslim American voters feel alienated by his position on the Israeli military campaign. (More)

Millions of American families struggle to get food on the table, report finds

Hunger in the United States sharply increased in 2022, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The study revealed that 44.2 million people faced food insecurity, up from 33.8 million the previous year, including over 13 million children, marking a nearly 45% increase from 2021. The rise in hunger can be attributed to the expiration of pandemic-era measures supporting the social safety net, increased food and housing costs, and unstable gig-economy jobs. Vulnerable populations, including households with children and communities of color, experienced higher rates of food insecurity. (More)

🌍️ 

World

Italian woman wins court case to evict her two sons, aged 40 and 42

A 75-year-old mother in Pavia, Italy, took her 40 and 42-year-old sons to court to evict them from the family home. Tired of supporting her adult sons who didn't contribute to expenses or chores, the mother received an eviction order from the judge. The judge noted that the parent's obligation to provide maintenance was no longer justifiable given the sons' age. In Italy, around 70% of people aged 18-34 still live with their parents, with economic conditions and job stability contributing to this trend. Some have nicknamed these adults "bamboccioni" or "big babies." (More)

Afghan girls' education advocate is freed from Taliban prison

The Taliban released Afghan activist Matiullah Wesa, who was advocating for girls' education. He spent 215 days in prison after his arrest seven months ago. Wesa had persistently called on the Taliban-led Afghan government to lift bans on female education. Since their takeover, the Taliban have restricted girls' schooling beyond the sixth grade and banned women from universities. Wesa vowed to continue his work after his release. (More)

27 confirmed dead, 4 missing after Hurricane Otis hits Mexico

Hurricane Otis, one of the most powerful storms to hit Mexico, has claimed at least 27 lives and left a trail of destruction in the beach resort of Acapulco. Acapulco's General Hospital was impacted, forcing the transfer of 200 patients to other medical facilities. Despite rescue efforts, some residents, remain cut off. Eighty percent of the hotels were impacted and many hotel guests are also being evacuated. The storm was initially a tropical depression before it rapidly intensified into a catastrophic hurricane, catching forecasters off guard. (More)

💵 📈 

Business & Economy

Daily stock market update

US stock markets closed lower on Thursday (S&P -1.18%, Nasdaq -1.76%, Dow -0.76%) ~ Wall Street hasn’t been impressed with big-tech earnings so far which has driven the Nasdaq down more than 10% from its high close for the year in July. And the surge in bond yields has continued to cause problems for the stock market. (More)

Ford, UAW reach a ‘balanced’ tentative deal after 6-week strike

Ford and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have reached a tentative labor deal after a six-week negotiation, pending approval by UAW's National Ford Council and ratification by its 57,000 workers. The agreement includes a 25% base wage increase through April 2028, raising the top wage to more than $40 per hour and the starting wage to over $28 per hour. It eliminates wage tiers, reinstates COLA provisions, and introduces a new three-year wage progression scale. Specifics about pension and 401(k) gains were not disclosed. (More)

The US economy grew at a blistering rate despite high interest rates

Gross domestic product, a measure of all goods and services produced in the economy, grew at an annualized 4.9% rate in the third quarter outperforming economists' predictions of 4.3%. Strong consumer spending, including on goods, services, and entertainment, drove the growth. Housing market conditions improved, and business spending showed slight decline. Despite the strength, it's unlikely to continue due to challenges like rising bond yields and the resumption of student loan repayments. (More)

🏈 🎬️ 

Sports & Entertainment

First ever Florida Man Games to feature ‘evading arrest’ obstacle course

The Florida Man Games, inspired by the crazy antics associated with the 'Florida Man' social media phenomenon, will be held in St. Augustine, Florida, next February. It will feature events such as an Evading Arrest Obstacle Course, Category 5 Cash Grab, and beer-belly wrestling, designed to humorously reflect Florida's reputation for bizarre news stories. Created by St. Augustine resident Pete Melfi, the event aims to provide a unique and wild Florida experience for attendees, with general admission tickets priced at $45. (More)

The last new Beatles song, ‘Now And Then,’ will be released next week

Artificial intelligence has enabled the release of a "new" Beatles song, titled "Now And Then," which was created using unreleased demos by John Lennon. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison worked on the song in the past, but technological limitations stalled its completion. With the help of AI, director Peter Jackson separated Lennon's original vocals from a piano track, allowing McCartney and Starr to finish the song. "Now And Then" will be released on Nov. 2 alongside "Love Me Do." It is expected to be the last "new" Beatles song. (More)

Ottawa Senators’ Shane Pinto hit with 41-game suspension for gambling

The NHL suspended Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto for 41 games due to his involvement in sports gambling. Pinto is the first modern-day player banned for the offense. Pinto apologized for his actions, emphasizing his responsibility. Pinto's suspension is part of a trend among professional athletes since the US Supreme Court legalized sports wagering in 2018. The NHL/NHLPA collective bargaining agreement strictly prohibits gambling on NHL games. (More)

🔬💊 💻️ 

Science, Health, & Tech

Adults With ADHD at Greater Risk of Dementia

A new study suggests that adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are nearly three times more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, compared to those without ADHD. Researchers analyzed data from 109,218 adults over 17 years in the study. It's unclear if ADHD directly causes dementia, but the findings emphasize the need for monitoring and addressing ADHD symptoms in older adults. (More)

Scientists discover why dozens of endangered elephants dropped dead

In 2020, a mysterious mass die-off of hundreds of elephants in Botswana and Zimbabwe left experts baffled. Recent tests have revealed that the cause of death was Pasteurella Bisgaard taxon 45, a little-known bacterium resulting in septicaemia (blood poisoning). The discovery poses a new threat to elephant conservation, alongside existing challenges such as poaching. Researchers believe this bacterium may also be responsible for deaths in neighboring regions. The drought conditions at the time likely exacerbated the outbreak. (More)

Bubble of Toxic Coolant Abruptly Ends Russian ISS Spacewalk

A coolant leak from the International Space Station's (ISS) backup radiator interrupted a spacewalk by Russian cosmonauts. The cosmonauts were inspecting the radiator on the Nauka laboratory module during their nearly eight-hour spacewalk when coolant spewed from a leak site. Although the coolant did not contact their suits, they were instructed to leave the area. This marks the third coolant leak incident related to Russian hardware on the ISS. NASA plans to continue spacewalks, including one rescheduled for October 30. (More)

🎁 

Bonus Material

Browse an online museum of the early internet.

Eight tricks to help you feel refreshed after a long flight.

Why you should start every day by accomplishing one small task.

The yearly cost of taking a hot shower around the world.