Sept. 15 News Quiz: What’s an Omega block?

This meteorological marvel, named for its resemblance to the Greek letter Omega (Ω), is essentially a high-pressure zone sandwiched between two low-pressure zones. This atmospheric arrangement was responsible for Storm Daniel’s birth and path around Sept. 4, 2023. Storm Daniel later wreaked havoc in Greece, Libya, and other surrounding countries, causing unprecedented damage. More than 5,000 people were reported dead in Libya, and as many as 10,000 more are believed to be missing.

Screenshot: NBC News – YouTube

The highest peak of the Atlas Mountains is located in Morocco. Specifically, roughly 40 miles south of Marrakesh. On Sept. 8, 2023, this region shook with a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, killing over 2,900 people. This was the deadliest earthquake in Morocco since 1960, when a quake killed more than 12,000. Marrakesh’s famous Koutoubia Mosque, the largest in the city and a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 12th century, was severely damaged, as were the famous red walls surrounding the old city.

On Sept. 12, 2023, Kim Jong-Un, North Korea’s supreme leader, didn’t just hop on a plane or drive to Russia. Instead, he chose his dark green, luxuriously decorated armored train for a 20-hour journey to Vladivostok, Russia. This slow-moving fortress comes complete with reddish-pink leather armchairs and an average 60 kph (around 37 mph) speed. The grand purpose? Meeting with Vladimir Putin to talk about sending a North Korean cosmonaut into space, building satellites, and cooperation on military-technical matters. Kim Jong-un took the opportunity to express his full support for Russia’s “just fight.”

Apple gave the iPhone 15 Pro models a little makeover, announced during their Sept. 12, 2023 event. Gone are the days when stainless steel was the talk of the town. Now, it’s all about the more durable and lighter titanium. And while the world waited for the iPhone 15, Apple sprinkled some more magic with iOS 17. The real party trick? Turning your iPhone into a bedside clock. Finally.

Walter Isaacson chose the straightforward title “Elon Musk” for his biography of the tech magnate. The book topped Amazon’s bestseller list before its Sept. 12, 2023, release. Isaacson’s “Elon Musk” delves into the real-life escapades of this visionary entrepreneur. One of the significant revelations in the book is about Musk’s alleged involvement in averting a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian ships. According to the biography, Musk turned off Starlink near Crimea, disrupting Ukraine’s strike against a Russian fleet. As a result, the drones, loaded with explosives, lost connectivity and washed ashore without causing damage.

Techno Mechanicus Musk, affectionately dubbed “Tau,” was born in June 2022. Tau made his grand debut not in a tweet or a press release but in the pages of Elon Musk’s new biography, as chronicled by Walter Isaacson. While X Æ A-13 might’ve been the talk of the town in 2020, and Starship continues to aim for the stars, it’s Techno “Tau” Mechanicus who’s the latest buzz in the Musk household.

In the 2023 US Open at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, Novak “Never-Stop” Djokovic carved his name alongside tennis royalty. On Sept. 10, 2023, Djokovic clinched his 24th Grand Slam title, tying Margaret Court’s legendary record. He surpassed Serena Williams’s 23 titles, Rafael Nadal’s 22 titles, and Roger Federer’s 20 titles. This victory saw Djokovic become the oldest US Open men’s champion in the Open Era at the ripe age of 36.

Screenshot: The New York Times YouTube Channel

Born in 1996 and announced in 1997, Dolly, the sheep, was the world’s first mammal cloned from an adult cell. Sir Ian Wilmut, the mastermind behind this groundbreaking achievement, died on Sept. 10, 2023. Wilmut was knighted in 2008 for his services to science. His research has paved the way for advances in stem cell treatments that could cure degenerative conditions in the future.

Fun Fact: Dolly was named after country singer Dolly Parton. We’re too embarrassed to say why.

In September 2023, while writers were picketing and actors were boycotting, Drew Barrymore announced the return of her talk show, “The Drew Barrymore Show.” She clarified that there would be no discussions or promotions of struck film and TV on her show. The show, a mix of lifestyle chats and product placements, kicks off its fourth season on Sept. 18, 2023. The Writers Guild of America and fellow actors harshly criticized Barrymore’s decision. On Sept. 17, one day before the scheduled show, Barrymore released a statement changing course, saying she’ll pause the show’s premiere until the strike ends. Meanwhile, other talk show hosts are busy with their new podcast, “Strike Force Five,” with proceeds supporting show staff.

In 2023, the Venice Film Festival was set ablaze by the film “Poor Things.” This gothic, sex-charged comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos stars Emma Stone as Bella Baxter, a woman reanimated after a tragic end. And who was the genius behind this resurrection? A mad doctor who gave her the brain of her unborn child. If that doesn’t scream “Frankenstein vibes,” what does? This electrifying performance helped “Poor Things” snatch the prestigious Golden Lion award.

At the star-studded VMAs held on Sept. 12, 2023, at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Taylor Swift not only danced away with a whopping nine awards. She also set a record by becoming the first artist to win the Video of the Year award two years in a row. This time, it was “Anti-Hero.” And if you’re counting, this was her fourth win in this category. With her wins this year, Swift’s career VMAs tally reached 23, making her the second-most awarded artist in the show’s history, right behind Beyoncé, who has won 30 VMAs.