Mike Pence drops out, Matthew Perry dead, and America's biggest fears.

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US News, Politics, & Government

Mike Pence drops out of 2024 presidential race

Former Vice President Mike Pence ended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination during a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition gathering in Las Vegas. He cited difficulties raising money and gaining traction in the polls as reasons for suspending his campaign. Pence's decision makes him the first major candidate to withdraw from the race. The move spared Pence from potential embarrassment in failing to qualify for the third Republican primary debate. Pence had faced challenges, particularly due to his association with Trump and the fallout from the 2020 election. (More)

Halloween weekend sees at least 11 killed in mass shootings

Over Halloween weekend, at least 12 mass shootings occurred in the US, resulting in the deaths of least 11 people, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Some of the incidents included a shooting in Tampa, Florida, with two people dead and at least 18 injured, and a shooting in Chicago where 15 people were shot. Additional shootings took place in Texas, Indiana, Georgia, Maryland, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, resulting in numerous injuries and casualties. The incidents underscore the ongoing challenge of gun violence in the US, with over 500 mass shootings recorded in 2023 so far. (More)

Term limits for Congress are wildly popular. But most experts say they'd be a bad idea

Growing frustration with the US political system has renewed interest in establishing term limits for lawmakers, even though experts generally oppose this idea. A Pew Research Center survey found that 87% of Americans support congressional term limits, a rare issue that appeals to both Democrats and Republicans. While proponents argue that term limits could reduce the power of incumbency and increase accountability to constituents, critics contend that term limits don't address core political problems such as gerrymandering, polarization, and the influence of special interests. The debate continues, with congressional term limits requiring significant legal and political changes to become a reality. (More)

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World

Thousands break into aid warehouses in Gaza as deaths top 8,000 and Israel widens ground offensive

Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, thousands of people in Gaza broke into aid warehouses for essential supplies, reflecting growing desperation and a breakdown of public order. Meanwhile, Israel ramped up its offensive against Gaza, sending tanks and infantry into the enclave which resulted in intense bombardments. The death toll among Palestinians has surpassed 8,000, many of whom are children. Israel has promised to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza but has provided limited details. Hospitals and civilians continue to be impacted by the ongoing conflict. (More)

Sharp rise in bear attacks in Japan as they struggle to find food

Japan is experiencing a surge in bear attacks due to a combination of factors, including larger bear populations and food shortages in their natural habitat. At least 158 injuries and two deaths have been caused by bears in Japan since April. The abundance of acorns and beechnuts last year led to larger bear cubs, while this year's food scarcity has forced bears to venture into populated areas in search of sustenance. (More)

G7 calls for immediate repeal of bans on Japanese food, pressing China

The G7 countries called for an end to import restrictions on Japanese food products, referring to China's limits due to Japan releasing wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant. The G7 trade ministers criticized China's economic coercion and emphasized the importance of fair economic relationships. They also condemned Russia for damaging Ukraine's grain export infrastructure. However, they did not address the Middle East crisis but emphasized the need to improve humanitarian aid movement during emergencies. (More)

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Business & Economy

Daily stock market update

US stock markets closed mixed on Friday (S&P -0.48%, Nasdaq +0.38%, Dow -1.12%) ~ The three major averages suffered significant weekly losses. The Dow and S&P 500 saw decreases of 2.1% and 2.5%. And the Nasdaq dropped by 2.6% driven by sharp weekly downturns in Meta Platforms and Google’s parent company, Alphabet. (More)

Less boo for your buck: For the second Halloween in a row, US candy inflation hits double digits

US shoppers are facing a second consecutive year of double-digit inflation in candy prices, with candy and gum prices up an average of 13% in October compared to the previous year, according to Datasembly. Cocoa prices have hit a 44-year high due to adverse weather conditions in West Africa, a key cocoa producer. Global sugar prices are also at a 12-year high. These rising costs, along with increases in labor, packaging, and ingredient expenses, are causing candy prices to surge. (More)

UAW reaches tentative deal with Stellantis to end strike

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has reached a tentative contract agreement with Stellantis, potentially ending a six-week strike against the automaker known for Jeep SUVs and Ram trucks. The UAW managed to save 5,000 jobs that were slated for elimination and secured Stellantis' commitment to add another 5,000 jobs by April 2028. The agreement includes the construction of a mid-sized truck in a previously closed factory in Belvidere, Illinois, and the addition of 1,000 jobs at a new battery plant in the same location. (More)

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Sports & Entertainment

'Friends' star Matthew Perry dead at 54

Matthew Perry, famous for his role as Chandler Bing on "Friends," has passed away at the age of 54 in his Los Angeles home. The cause of death is reported as drowning in his hot tub with no foul play suspected. Perry had a successful career beyond "Friends," appearing in TV shows and movies, and he also released a memoir in which he candidly discussed his struggles with substance use and health issues. (More)

Kelly dominates as Diamondbacks rout Rangers 9-1 to tie World Series 1-all

35-year-old pitcher Merrill Kelly delivered an impressive performance in his World Series debut on Saturday. Kelly struck out nine, allowed only three hits, and helped Arizona win 9-1 against the Texas Rangers. The Diamondbacks quickly rebounded from Friday’s heartbreaking loss, outhitting Texas 16-4 in the game. Ketel Marte also extended his record-breaking postseason hitting streak to 18 games. The series now moves to Arizona for Game 3, marking the first World Series game in Phoenix since 2001. (More)

QB Kirk Cousins tears right Achilles in Vikings' victory

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is likely to be out for the rest of the season due to a torn right Achilles tendon. Cousins entered Week 8 leading the NFL in touchdown passes and ranking second in passing yards. The injury occurred Sunday during the Vikings victory against the Green Bay Packers. The injury further complicates his future in the league, as he was in the final year of his contract. (More)

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Science, Health, & Tech

See the wonders of two newfound deep-sea coral reefs off the Galápagos

Researchers have recently discovered thriving coral reefs in the Galápagos Islands, providing hope for marine conservation. In April, a team found a pristine deep coral reef called Cacho De Coral, covering 820 feet, and in October, they uncovered a larger 2,600-foot reef. These reefs are located in deeper, cooler waters up to 1,300 feet below the surface, making them less susceptible to the warming effects of climate change, unlike their shallow-water counterparts. Follow the link for photos/videos of the reef and marine life. (More)

8,000 steps a day to reduce the risk of premature death

New research led by the University of Granada suggests that walking 8,000 steps per day significantly reduces the risk of early death, with most of the benefits seen at around 7,000 steps. The study also highlights the importance of walking at a moderate pace. These findings dispel the common belief that 10,000 steps per day are necessary for health benefits, offering a more achievable and science-based goal of 7,000-9,000 steps. The research showed that even higher step counts, such as 16,000 steps, do not pose a risk and provide additional benefits. (More)

Mouse embryos grown in space for first time

Japanese scientists have successfully grown mouse embryos on the International Space Station (ISS), representing a significant step toward the possibility of human reproduction in space. The researchers sent frozen mouse embryos to the ISS in August 2021, where astronauts thawed and grew them for four days. The embryos developed normally into blastocysts, which are the cells that develop into the fetus and placenta. The experiment showed that gravity had no significant effect on their development, and there were no significant changes in DNA and gene conditions. (More)

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Bonus Material

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