Mob of shoplifters, new sea monster, and the 3-3-3 method.

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Business & Economy

Daily stock market update

U.S. stock markets closed mixed on Friday (S&P -0.11%, Nasdaq -0.68%, Dow +0.03%) ~ The S&P and Nasdaq both registered their second straight losing week - the first of that length for the Nasdaq since 2022. (More)

Americans' 401(k) balances have grown in 2023 

The improving stock market is raising 401(k) account balances. The average 401(k) balance has risen by $7,250 on average – a gain of 9.6% – since the end of 2022. Additionally, participants in 401(k) plans are contributing an average of 6.5% of their income. While balances are on the rise, the number of workers taking hardship withdrawals from 401(k)s increased 36% over Q2 in 2022. (More)

US Steel rejects buyout offer

United States Steel Corp. has rejected a $7.25 billion takeover offer from rival Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. The offered amount was a 43% premium of US Steel’s closing stock price on Friday. The merger would have created one of the world’s biggest steelmakers. (More)

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US News, Politics, & Government

Hawaii Wildfire claims more lives

The wildfire death toll has risen to at least 93, making it the deadliest US wildfire in more than 100 years. The number is expected to rise as police dogs trained to detect bodies have only covered 3% of the search area. The cost to rebuild Lahaina was estimated at $5.5 billion by FEMA, with more than 2,200 structures damaged or destroyed and more than 2,100 acres burnt. (More)

Group of up to 50 people shoplift about $100K worth of luxury items from L.A. mall

Thirty to 50 people used bear spray to neutralize security guards as they stole $100,000 worth of luxury items from a L.A. mall on Saturday. The thieves wore hoods and masks while they tore down shelves and ran off with the goods. Mass retailer robberies are on the rise in California. A similar incident happened nearby in Glendale last week, resulting in a $300,000 loss for the store. (More)

Media giants raise First Amendment concerns over raid on Kansas paper

Police in Kansas were accused Sunday of violating First Amendment protections after officers raided a local paper and the home of its co-owner. The officers took a phone, computers, and an internet router during the search after a warrant was issued and signed by a local judge. Federal law states that authorities are allowed to subpoena materials from journalists but not search for and seize them. More than 30 major outlets wrote an open letter to police that said there “appears to be no justification for the breadth and intrusiveness of the search.” (More)

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World

Deadly mudslide in north-western China 

A mudslide powered by Typhoon Khanun in China’s north-western city of Xi’an has killed 21 people, with six still missing. It also destroyed two houses and cut power to 900 households. This is the second typhoon to impact the country in just a few weeks. Warmer temperatures have fueled weather that has caused abnormal flooding across China this summer. (More)

UN removes oil from ageing tanker to avert environmental catastrophe

The UN successfully removed 1 million barrels of oil from an old tanker off the coast of Yemen, avoiding a potentially monumental environmental catastrophe. The tanker had not been maintained and had damaged pipes and water in its engine compartment. It held four times as much oil in the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska, which remains one of the world’s worst ecological catastrophes. (More)

Miss Universe Organisation cuts Indonesia ties over sex abuse claims

The organization has cut ties with its Indonesian franchise after several contestants alleged sexual abuse before the final ceremony in Jakarta. Contestants said finalists were unexpectedly asked to strip for "a body check for scars and cellulite" and some said they were photographed topless. Jakarta police are investigating the claims. (More)

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Sports & Entertainment

Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Dwyane Wade enshrined in HOF

Global basketball was well represented this weekend as Nowitzki, Parker, and Gasol were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Nowitzki was the first European-born player to win the NBA MVP award in 2007. Parker's NBA Finals MVP award that year was the first for a European. And in 2002, Gasol was the NBA's first international rookie of the year. Dwyane Wade was also enshrined, along with Coach Gregg Popovich, and former NC State coach Jim Valvano. (More)

Anthony Joshua knocks out Robert Helenius

Anthony Joshua scored a seventh-round knockout of Robert Helenius in London on Saturday, setting up a potential fight with former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Joshua started the match slowly but gained confidence and let his hand fly, securing his first knockout since 2020. (More)

Australia’s magical World Cup run reaches semis

Australia beat France on Saturday to advance to the semifinals where they will face England. However, it took the host nation 20 penalties to put the French women away, the longest shootout in women’s or men’s World Cup history. (More)

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Science, Health, & Tech

Sea monster found in Antarctica’s dark waters

Scientists are calling the creepy new species the Antarctic strawberry feather since it resembles the shape of a strawberry. It has about 20 arms and the creature's color can range from "purplish" to "dark reddish". They can live anywhere from 220 feet to 3,800 feet underwater. (More)

Insurers won't cover new Alzheimer's treatment for some customers

Some private insurers are hesitating to pay for the first drug fully approved to slow mental decline in Alzheimer’s patients. The insurers say that they aren’t willing to cover the cost of Leqembi because they view the drug as experimental. Their decision contrasts with federal coverage programs like Medicare, who said it will cover the treatment while still tracking its safety and effectiveness. (More)

Russia's moon craft starts processing first data

Russian scientists began processing the first data from their Luna-25 mission spacecraft as it approaches the moon in a bid to be first to find ice on Earth’s satellite. Russia is racing against India to become the first to make a soft landing of the Moon’s south pole where scientists believe there are pockets of water ice. (More)

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Bonus Material

The difference between chicken tenders and chicken fingers.

Charted: The frequency of billion-dollar disasters in the U.S.

Productivity hack: Use the 3-3-3 method to get more done.

Up your herb game with the best indoor herb gardens.