NASA's UFO report, MDMA for PTSD, and 100 best pizzerias.

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US News, Politics, & Government

DACA struck down again, but protections remain for current recipients

A federal judge once again deemed illegal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that protects undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children. DACA’s protections will remain in effect for people already approved, but no new applications will be allowed. The program has remained in place since 2012 despite litigation and multiple attempts by former President Trump to end it. It will likely be taken to the Supreme Court next. (More)

Hunter Biden indicted on firearms charges

Hunter Biden has been indicted on felony gun charges weeks after his plea deal with prosecutors fell apart. The charges include two counts of false statements in purchasing the firearm and a third count of illegally obtaining a firearm while addicted to drugs. If all three counts stick, he could face up to a 25-year sentence. (More)

Tech CEOs tell senators it’s time to regulate AI

Twenty tech leaders, including Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg joined over 60 senators for the AI Insight Forum in D.C. this week to discuss whether Washington must play a role in governing AI. Every person in attendance raised their hand when asked if the government needs to regulate the industry. However, the lawmakers have virtually no understanding of the technology, so they must rely heavily on the expertise of the tech CEOs to create the new laws. (More)

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World

Indian authorities rush to contain a deadly Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala

India is trying to contain an outbreak of the Nipah virus that has killed two people by shutting schools and testing hundreds. Nipah is a zoonotic virus transmitted from animals to humans, according to the WHO. It can also be passed directly between people or through contaminated food. The infection can cause disease ranging from mild to deadly. There is no vaccine, and treatment is limited to supportive care. Nipah is on the WHO’s list of epidemic threats in need of urgent research and development. (More)

Death toll soars to 11,300 from flooding in Libyan coastal city of Derna

The death toll in Libya doubled to 11,300 as search efforts continue following a flood fueled by the failure of two dams during heavy rains. Additionally, 10,100 people have been reported missing. Storm Daniel hit the area on Sunday night and caused two dams outside the city of Derna to collapse, sending water down a valley that cuts through the city. The floodwaters crashed through buildings and washed people out to sea. UN officials said that if the country had a normal operating meteorological service, most of the casualties could have been avoided. (More)

One of the world’s largest refugee camps is getting a groundbreaking new arts center

Architects are building a performance and arts space in a refugee camp known as Bidi Bidi which is located in Uganda. The center’s roof will also function like a funnel to collect rainwater for the local community, and a tree nursery with a vegetable garden will grow outside. The goal of the center is to ease tensions between displaced members of different tribes by providing a space where they can exchange their cultural dances and look to the future together. Almost 200,000 refugees who have fled South Sudan’s civil war call the camp home. (More)

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Business & Economy

Daily stock market update

US stock markets closed higher on Thursday (S&P +0.84%, Nasdaq +0.81%, Dow +0.96%) ~ The Dow rallied the most in over a month and broke a two-day losing streak as traders celebrated a strong Wall Street IPO and August retail sales that increased more than economists expected. (More)

Arm shares jump in Nasdaq IPO

Chip maker Arm Holdings jumped over 16% during intraday trading on Thursday after selling shares at $51 a piece in its IPO. At the start of trading, Arm was valued at almost $60 billion. The strong debut could open the market for technology IPOs, which have been stagnant for nearly two years. (More)

Mortgage rates inch up while demand stalls

The average interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances — $726,200 or less — increased to 7.27%. Applications for mortgages decreased for the seventh time in eight weeks, reaching the lowest level since 1996. The high rates are discouraging refinance activity and reducing the incentive for homeowners to sell and buy a new home at a higher rate. (More)

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Sports & Entertainment

Red Sox fire chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom after almost 4 seasons

The Boston Red Sox have fired chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom after four seasons. The team has finished in last place twice during his tenure and are on pace to miss this year’s playoffs as well. Despite Boston’s poor performance this year, Bloom has helped set the stage for a bright future for the team but it wasn’t enough to save his job. (More)

Reunited NSYNC reveals first new song in 22 years

NSYNC appeared onstage together for the first time in 10 years at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards but didn’t perform, much to the disappointment of fans. However, the group’s first new song since 2001 debuted a night later in the new trailer for Trolls Band Together. The full song will be released on Sept. 29 from RCA Records. (More)

Bill Maher to resume show despite ongoing Hollywood strikes

“Real Time with Bill Maher” will resume on HBO despite the ongoing strikes in Hollywood. Maher said that the writers have important issues that he sympathizes with, but he’s not prepared to lose an entire year waiting for a resolution. His show will honor the strike and cut out pre-written portions, including his monologue, but will forge ahead with off-the-cuff panel discussion. (More)

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Science, Health, & Tech

MDMA as psychiatric treatment moves closer to US approval

The psychedelic drug MDMA is moving closer to US approval as a treatment for mental illness. A second clinical trial has found that the drug — in combination with psychotherapy — is effective at treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If the FDA approves the drug, it will become available as a PTSD treatment for the general public as early as next year. Neurologists say that MDMA doesn’t make the therapy process more “fun,” but it helps people recall traumatizing events and talk to their therapists without experiencing shame or horror. (More)

Nasa's UFO report: What we learned from UAP study

NASA’s probe into hundreds of UFO sightings found that there was no evidence that aliens were behind the incidents, but also didn’t rule out that possibility. The agency plans to further investigate what it calls UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) with its vast sensor network and artificial intelligence. It also said it will share data with more transparency. In summary, if aliens are out there, NASA doesn’t have conclusive evidence…yet! (More)

Cruise unveils a wheelchair-accessible robotaxi

Cruise, the self-driving vehicle company, announced a wheelchair-accessible robotaxi that could begin picking up disabled passengers next year. The vehicles have retractable ramps as well as added space inside and floor clamps for wheelchair users. However, it can only accommodate people with specific brands of wheelchairs, and people who use manual wheelchairs may need help securing the straps. Cruise will begin closed-course testing next month and could hit the streets for pilot testing in 2024. (More)

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Bonus Material

Two 1,000-year-old alien corpses were shown to Mexico’s Congress.

Photographer catches a monkey hitching a ride on the back of a deer.

Ranked: The happiest states in the US.

New Year’s resolution: Visit the world’s 100 best pizzerias.