01.11.2023

California Storms

At least 17 people have been killed, and one child remains missing, as record rainfall continues to drench California, prompting flash floods and widespread damage with more storms expected through Friday. Rainfall amounts of up to 7 inches are expected in northern California and the Pacific Northwest, exasperating areas that have already forced tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes.

The conditions were aided by a weather phenomenon known as an atmospheric river—a plume of deep tropical moisture that stretches across the Pacific. The rain offers some reprieve to a drought-stricken area, appearing to have lifted 7% of California out of exceptional drought conditions. However, drought conditions can increase the threat of flooding and mudslides (see 101). The storms come five years after mudslides killed 23 people in the Montecito community.

San Francisco has seen nearly 13 inches of rain, marking the third-wettest 15-day stretch since 1849. See photos of the storms here.

Battle for Bakhmut

Russian forces are poised to capture the Ukrainian town of Soledar, a suburb several miles north of Bakhmut on the eastern front lines of the war, in Russia's first significant advance since August. Some of the war's deadliest fighting has raged for months in the Donetsk region, one of four Russia annexed in September.

The Wagner Group, a private mercenary force of 50,000 soldiers led by Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, has led the monthslong fight around Bakhmut, with reports of elevated fatality rates. Intelligence officials believe Russia seeks control of Soledar to cut off Ukrainian supply lines and encircle Bakhmut. Battles have been reported near entrances to a network of over 100 miles of salt mine tunnels in the area where it is possible to conceal troops and infiltrate enemy lines.

A leaked video suggests Prigozhin recruited many mercenaries from prisons, offering to commute their sentences in exchange for service. See more war updates here.

Golden Globes

The 80th Golden Globes kicked off awards season last night, returning to television a year after NBC temporarily pulled 2022's telecast amid scrutiny over the lack of diversity within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Emmy award-winning stand-up comedian Jerrod Carmichael hosted last night's event live from the Beverly Hilton hotel. See red carpet photos here.

Steven Spielberg’s "The Fabelmans" won the coveted Drama category, with Spielberg also taking home Best Director. Austin Butler, who portrayed Elvis Presley in "Elvis," and Cate Blanchett, who played composer Lydia Tár in "Tár," nabbed awards for Best Actor and Best Actress in a drama, respectively. Notable winners include Angela Bassett, who became the first actor to earn an award for starring in a superhero film, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." 

See a full list of the winners here, and the biggest snubs and surprises of the night here.

Science & Technology

Business & Markets

Politics & World Affairs

World's most and least powerful passports in 2023 (so far).

Ideas for faster deep space travel, including a flying boat. 

... and the first-ever flying motorcycle is in the works. 

Ranking the most expensive appliances on your electricity bill.

Watch zoo animals enjoy the rain. (via Twitter)

Peek inside a Super Mario Bros.-themed cafe.

Dance your way into a Doritos Super Bowl commercial.

Ryan Reynolds lets ChatGPT write a Mint Mobile ad.

Clickbait: Ice bath business meetings are now a thing.

Historybook: Alexander Hamilton born (1755 or 1757); Grand Canyon becomes a national monument (1908); First use of insulin to treat diabetes in humans (1922); Mary J. Blige born (1971); Sir Edmund Hillary, one of the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest, dies (2008).