Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, a 17-year-old accused of killing two people and injuring eight others during a Halloween shooting in Orlando, did not appear in court, sending his mother instead. The victims included 19-year-old Timothy Schmidt Jr., a University of Central Florida student, and 25-year-old Tyrek Hill. Edgar faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder. The incident occurred in downtown Orlando, causing chaos among Halloween revelers. Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith confirmed Edgar's arrest, and footage of the shooting has been released. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Schmidt Jr.'s family.

Nanyang Technological University in Singapore tops the QS ranking of the world's best universities under 50 years old, maintaining its lead for four years. The ranking evaluates academic and employer reputation, research citations, faculty-to-student ratio, and international faculty and student proportions. Asian universities, particularly from Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea, dominate the list, with six in the top 10. The US and UK have less presence, with George Mason University, the University of Texas, and Oxford Brookes University being the highest-ranked institutions from these countries, respectively. The rise of newer universities is attributed to their quality research and excellence in specific disciplines.

Ikigai, a Japanese concept meaning 'a reason to live' or having a purpose in life, is gaining popularity outside Japan for its potential to contribute to longevity and quality of life. It involves finding balance between what one loves, is good at, what the world needs, and what one can be paid for. In Japan, ikigai is often unrelated to work or income, with a 2010 survey showing only 31% of Japanese finding their ikigai in work. The concept is linked to the long lifespans of Okinawa residents, who combine ikigai with diet and social networks to find purpose. Experts like Dan Buettner suggest that knowing one's ikigai is not enough; it must be put into action and can evolve with age.

Britney Spears has shown a peculiar fondness for Birmingham, sharing a sketch of the city's Bullring shopping center. Despite not performing there since 2018, she has made notable references to the city, including a mix-up during a performance in Blackpool. Spears' connection to Birmingham dates back to her relationship with local paparazzo Adnan Ghalib in 2007. The article also touches on Ghalib's background and his brief marriage to AzLynn Berry.

Kyle Filipowski's NBA Summer League debut for the Utah Jazz was overshadowed by allegations that his fiancée, Caitlin Hutchison, groomed him when he was 15 and she was 22. Filipowski's performance was underwhelming, failing to score in 17 minutes. The controversy has led to estrangement from his family, who accuse Hutchison of coercive control. ESPN's Jonathan Givony suggested off-court issues influenced Filipowski's draft position. The families of both Filipowski and Hutchison were once close, adding complexity to the situation.

John Warren Reeb, a 41-year-old realtor from Archbold, Ohio, became viral after a video showed him in a heated argument on a golf course, leading to aggressive behavior including ripping off his shirt and challenging others to a fight. Reeb has a history of arrests for menacing behavior, drug possession, and other offenses. Incidents include threatening a neighbor in his underwear, chasing a vehicle, and spitting at a resident. He has faced multiple charges and was previously convicted of DUI, with a car crash in 2020 where he was ejected from his vehicle and hospitalized.

The article discusses the impact of Alzheimer's disease, particularly on women, who are disproportionately affected by dementia. Brenda Whittle, diagnosed with Alzheimer's, participates in research and drug trials, highlighting the growing number of people living with dementia. The article notes that while age is a significant risk factor, with women generally living longer than men, other factors such as depression and pregnancy complications also contribute to the higher incidence in women. Recent research suggests that public health campaigns targeting heart disease and smoking have reduced dementia cases in men. The Women's Brain Project has published a review calling for sex-stratified research to better understand and treat Alzheimer's. The article also touches on the underfunding of dementia research compared to other diseases and the need for more significant funding to make advances similar to those seen in cancer and heart disease research.

Ukrainian refugee students are adapting to new lives at various EU universities, facing challenges such as different education systems, visa applications, and accommodation issues. Universities across Europe, including the University of East Finland, Breda University of Applied Sciences, and Semmelweis University, are offering support through flexible start dates, language classes, and waived tuition fees. Organizations like the UN Refugee Agency and UAF are also involved in providing assistance. The article highlights the personal experiences of several students and the efforts of educational institutions to accommodate their needs amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The article discusses the challenges faced by independent Ukrainian news outlets Vchasno and Svoi City during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Vchasno, located in the Donbas region, had to evacuate its newsroom due to safety concerns and threats from pro-Russia militants. Despite the difficulties, Vchasno and Svoi City have continued to report on the war, focusing on the lives of ordinary people and the impact of the conflict on local communities. Both outlets have seen a significant increase in website traffic and have adapted by increasing their English-language content to reach international audiences. The article also touches on the financial struggles of these outlets, as they have lost commercial funding and now rely on non-profit foundations. The journalists remain committed to their work, with plans to expand their operations and continue providing in-depth coverage of the war and its aftermath.

The article discusses the burgeoning creator economy, valued at $104.2 billion, and its impact on journalists who are monetizing their content independently. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Google, Ghost, and Substack are investing in services to support these creators, offering tools like subscription models and grants. The article highlights the experiences of journalists from Brazil, Nigeria, and India who are part of these platforms' support programs. Gaia Passarelli, a former Buzzfeed Brazil editor, now runs a newsletter on Substack covering São Paulo's culture. David Hundeyin from Nigeria operates the West Africa Weekly newsletter, focusing on investigative journalism. Anubha Bhonsle, an Indian broadcast journalist, has launched NewsWorthy, a news channel on YouTube. The article explores the challenges these journalists face, such as setting subscription prices in economies with lower household incomes and the lack of legal and safety support from platforms. It also touches on the concentration of earnings among the top content creators and the different commercial goals of journalists in the creator economy.