January 6, 2024 - Saturday

[WORLD] Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized due to complications from an elective medical procedure and is unable to perform his duties.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized since New Year's Day due to complications following an elective medical procedure. The specific details about his condition are unknown, but he is said to be recovering well. Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks has taken over his duties. It is unclear when Austin will be released from the hospital and able to resume his responsibilities.

No sources available.

[NATION] 4 new batches of documents naming Jeffrey Epstein's associates released, including famous and influential people.

Four new batches of court documents have been unsealed in the defamation lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, naming associates of Jeffrey Epstein. The released documents include over 1,300 pages and are expected to reveal nearly 200 names, potentially including Epstein's accusers and high-profile individuals. While those named are not accused of legal wrongdoing, questions about their moral conduct and societal implications are being raised. This release follows previous unsealed documents and ongoing efforts by the media to make them public.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Global shipping delays caused by attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea are threatening to overshadow the strong December jobs report in the US.

The December jobs report exceeded expectations with the addition of 216,000 jobs and a steady unemployment rate. However, shipping company Maersk's decision to divert its fleet from the Red Sea indefinitely due to attacks by Houthi rebels raises concerns for the US supply chain. The Biden administration is aware of the risk of shipping holdups triggering a domino effect. This comes after the US labor market had a strong year, adding nearly 2.7 million jobs in 2023. Economists attribute the job growth to the resilience of the labor market and businesses' focus on talent acquisition.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Microsoft is adding a dedicated AI button to Windows keyboards, calling 2024 "the year of the AI PC."

Microsoft plans to introduce a dedicated AI button on Windows keyboards, the first major change to keyboards in almost 30 years. The button, known as the Copilot key, will allow users to access Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot. Additionally, Microsoft seems to be working on integrating Copilot with File Explorer, although the exact functionality is unclear. This move is part of Microsoft's mission to make AI more accessible to consumers and follows the release of Copilot on Microsoft Edge, Windows 11, and Microsoft 365.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The Denver Nuggets shocked the Golden State Warriors with a 39-foot buzzer-beater from Nikola Jokic, capping a 25-4 run to win 130-127.

The Denver Nuggets made a stunning comeback against the Golden State Warriors, securing a victory with a buzzer-beater from Nikola Jokic. Jokic's 39-foot shot, banked in at the last second, completed a 25-4 run by the Nuggets in the final minutes of the game. The win is a significant moment for the reigning champion Nuggets, while the Warriors continue to struggle with close losses. This is the toughest defeat for the Warriors this season and leaves them with a 13-14 record in clutch games.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Neptune and Uranus, previously believed to be blue and green respectively, are actually similar shades of greenish blue, according to new research.

New research led by UK astronomers has challenged our understanding of the colors of Neptune and Uranus. Previous images from a space mission in the 1980s showed Neptune as blue and Uranus as green. However, a recent study has discovered that both ice giant planets are actually shades of greenish blue. It turns out that the earlier images of Neptune were enhanced to show atmospheric details, altering its true color. This finding has corrected our perception of the true colors of these planets.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] Florida's state surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, calls for a halt to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, despite the FDA refuting the alleged health risks.

State surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, posted a bulletin on the Florida Department of Health's website raising concerns about "nucleic acid contaminants" in Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, claiming they could deliver "contaminant DNA" and pose a cancer risk. However, the FDA has dismissed these claims as baseless. Critics argue that Ladapo's positions are disconnected from expert medical authorities and accuse him of spreading fearmongering.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] British-American actor David Soul, best known for his role in the 1970s television series "Starsky & Hutch," has passed away at the age of 80.

David Soul, known for his rugged appearance and portrayal of Detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in "Starsky & Hutch," has died at the age of 80. The popular 1970s television series showcased the detective bromance between Soul and his co-star, Paul Michael Glaser. Soul's wife announced his passing, expressing that he was loved for his various talents and infectious passion for life. His role in "Starsky & Hutch" made crime-fighting cool and garnered a dedicated fanbase.

No sources available.