Impending Government Shutdown

Hey there scroller 🤳

Ready for another day’s headstart with some fresh news?

What’s Hot? The Powerball drama intensifies! $835 million jackpot, which is now 4th largest in history is up for grabs after 29 suspense-filled draws without a champion since July. Fancy your luck against 1 in 292.2 million odds? Remember the magic numbers: 10, 12, 22, 36, 50, and 4. Wednesday's tempting cash option? A cool $390.4 million.🎟️

If your pal sent this to you, then subscribe to stay the most informed person in the room😉

🚧 Impending Government Shutdown: No Agreement in Sight

Congress faces a looming government shutdown as conservative demands for more spending cuts derail an agreement between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Biden. McCarthy stressed that "everyone loses" in a shutdown. The Senate is working on a temporary funding plan, but obstacles remain as Pressure from former President Trump and conservatives adds to the complexity.

🏡 Homeowners face a $1,000 Surge in Monthly Mortgage Payments since the Pandemic as the Fed continues to hike rates.

Mortgage payments for U.S. families nearly doubled since the pandemic's onset, jumping from $1,191 in January 2020 to $2,161 in July 2023. This surge resulted from 11 consecutive bank rate hikes, squeezing household budgets. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized, "we need to see more progress" before settling on rates. Escalating housing costs and record credit card debt add to economic woes, with potential ramifications for millions trapped in unaffordable homes.

🇵🇭 Philippines clears Chinese obstacle at contentious shoal

The Philippines removed a Chinese barrier at the contentious Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, deeming it a "hazard to navigation" and a violation of international law. This move underscores the rising tension between the two nations, especially as the Philippines strengthens ties with Washington. Despite a 2016 ruling dismissing China's broad claim over the sea, Beijing maintains its stance on sovereignty.

🔥 Karabakh Blast: 20 Dead, 300 Injured Amid "Ethnic Cleansing" Claims

An explosion in Nagorno-Karabakh killed 20 and injured 300 as ethnic Armenian refugees fled following Azerbaijan's military takeover. Armenia's PM termed it "ethnic cleansing." Thousands are relocating to Armenia, with fears that the enclave's entire 130,000 population might evacuate. The U.S. dispatched diplomat Samantha Power to Armenia, with President Biden conveying support for "a dignified and durable regional peace."

🌊 Antarctica Hits Historic Record Low Sea Ice

Antarctica's sea ice reached a record low, prompting concerns at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). With a peak coverage 13 days early and dropping 398,000 square miles below the 1986 low, NSIDC's Twila Moon notes, "Now we’re also seeing this sea ice loss... influenced by warming ocean temperatures." This suggests profound changes affecting Antarctic sea ice year-round, signaling heightened climate change concerns.

🛰️ First-ever asteroid sample lands on Earth

NASA's OSIRIS-REx delivered its asteroid Bennu sample to Houston's Johnson Space Center (JSC) for analysis, with JSC noting, "The information collected could help scientists... investigate planetary formation and the origins of life." The 8.8-ounce sample will offer insights into the solar system, while parts are allocated to international agencies and 70% preserved for future exploration.

🗣️ ChatGPT Now Supports Image and Voice Conversations!

OpenAI's ChatGPT now offers voice conversation features akin to Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri. Using a new text-to-speech model, it produces human-like audio and interacts verbally with users. Additionally, ChatGPT can now respond to image-based prompts, suggesting ideas like meal plans from fridge photos. These enhancements, indicative of the tech sector's AI race, will soon be available for ChatGPT's paying subscribers.

📺 David McCallum of 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' & 'NCIS' passes away at 90.

David McCallum, famed for roles in “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and “NCIS,” has died at 90. His son described him as "the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father." Spanning six decades, McCallum's multifaceted career included acting, voiceovers, music, and writing. He leaves behind his wife Katherine, four children, and eight grandchildren.

🎮 SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Video Game Strike Authorization

SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly voted for a potential strike against top video game firms like Activision and Electronic Arts. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the national executive director and chief negotiator of SAG-AFTRA warned, "Our members are done being exploited... our next stop will be the picket lines." The vote highlights disputes over AI exploitation and insufficient pay in the gaming industry.

🌒Solar Eclipse Graces Saturday's October Sky!

On October 14, an annular solar eclipse will cast a "ring of fire" across the Americas, including Big Bend and South Georgia. As the moon's distant position causes it to appear smaller than the sun, it will obscure 50-60% of the sun at its peak. NASA advises using eclipse glasses for safe viewing unless it's 100% totality.

🔥 Lahaina locals face devastation upon return after Maui wildfires.

For the first time since the devastating Aug. 8 wildfire, Lahaina residents will revisit their homes on coming Monday. Over 2,200 structures were damaged and at least 97 people died. Darryl Oliveira stated, "Some people will have a hard time saying 'this is my property. I can't recognize it anymore.'" West Maui reopens Oct. 8, causing concern for displaced residents.

🩸 New research hints at a blood test for long Covid

Scientists have identified distinct blood markers in long Covid patients, validating it as a "biological illness," says Dr. David Putrino. Published in Nature, the study highlights "irregular" T cell and B cell activity and notably lower cortisol levels, suggesting brain hormonal regulation issues. Dr. David Putrino of the Icahn School of Medicine stated, "long Covid is, in fact, a biological illness. The findings offer hope for millions, but more research is needed.

🇺🇸 Most Americans support abandoning the Electoral College.

A Pew Research Center survey found that 65% of U.S. adults favor electing presidents based on the nationwide popular vote over the Electoral College. Notably, this system affected the 2000 and 2016 outcomes. While 82% of Democrats back the popular vote, Republicans are divided with 52% for the Electoral College and 47% for the popular vote, a significant increase from 37% in 2021.

On September 26, 1960, the first televised U.S. presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon took place at WBBM-TV, Chicago. Moderated by Howard K. Smith, it captivated 60-70 million viewers, for which questions were restricted to internal or domestic American matters.

Thanks for scrolling with us🤳

Want to share Daily Scroll with a Pal? Forward this email and invite them to join our community of savvy scroll-ers.

We'd love to hear your feedback on today's issue of Daily Scroll! Simply reply to this email and share your thoughts on how we can improve our content and format.

Have a great day and see you tomorrow🕺