January 7, 2024 - Sunday

[WORLD] The Pentagon waited three days to inform the White House that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized in the ICU.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized, including spending four days in the ICU, without the White House's knowledge. The Pentagon did not inform senior officials until three days after Austin arrived at the hospital. GOP senators are outraged and demanding an explanation for the delayed notification, especially given the tense situation in the Middle East. President Biden himself was not aware of Austin's hospitalization until several days later. This has raised concerns about the transparency and communication within the administration.

No sources available.

[NATION] A weekend storm ends a snow drought in parts of the Northeast, with a bigger storm on the way.

A winter storm brought snow to parts of the Northeast this weekend, ending a snow drought in some areas. New England is bracing for a larger storm that is forecast to bring heavy snowfall to several cities in the region. Central Pennsylvania saw a record 346-day snow drought end, with the town of Hollidaysburg receiving the most snowfall in the past 24 hours. Hazardous travel conditions were reported across the region, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation urged unnecessary travel to be postponed. The storm is expected to linger into Sunday before tapering off.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Global shipping delays caused by attacks in the Red Sea threaten to impact the strong December jobs report and US supply chain recovery.

The US Labor Department reported that employers added 216,000 jobs in December, exceeding expectations. However, Danish shipping company Maersk's decision to divert its fleet indefinitely due to Red Sea attacks threatens the momentum. The White House is concerned about the potential domino effect on the US supply chain. Despite concerns of a recession, the US labor market had a robust year in terms of job growth. The Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes did not have the anticipated negative impact, and the struggle to rehire workers after the pandemic created an economic rarity.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Leaked photos of the Galaxy S24 Ultra reveal similarities to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Leaked photos of the front and back of the Galaxy S24 Ultra show a design similar to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but with a resemblance to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Samsung enthusiasts await the release of the Galaxy S24 series, set to launch in two weeks. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is rumored to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in most markets, while the U.S. and China may have their own Exynos chipset.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The Houston Texans clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Indianapolis Colts, led by impressive performances from C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins.

The Houston Texans have secured a playoff spot after defeating the Indianapolis Colts 23-19. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, connecting frequently with receiver Nico Collins, who caught nine passes for 195 yards and one touchdown. The Colts relied on Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 188 yards and a touchdown, but a dropped pass in the fourth quarter ended their chances of a comeback. If the Jacksonville Jaguars lose, the Texans will also win their division. This marks the Texans' first playoff appearance since 2019.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced that its Vulcan rocket is ready for its maiden flight, scheduled for Monday, January 8th.

After nearly a decade of planning and testing, ULA's Vulcan rocket is set to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket, carrying Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander, will be the first mission under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services contract. The launch is highly anticipated, with hopes for success from ULA, NASA, and Astrobotic. Weather conditions are favorable for the scheduled launch window, but backup days are available if needed.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] The risk of coinfection with Covid and flu is increasing as both viruses surge simultaneously during the winter season.

The current respiratory virus season is different from the previous winter as both flu and Covid cases are surging together. Positive tests for both viruses are similar at NYU Langone Health. In Southern California, residents are dealing with a trio of viruses - Covid, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The spike in cases can be attributed to colder weather, holiday gatherings, and vaccine fatigue. While not as severe as the peak of the pandemic, emergency room visits have increased, putting pressure on hospitals.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Christian Oliver's ex-wife pays tribute to him and their two children who were killed in a plane crash.

Jessica Klepser, the ex-wife of actor Christian Oliver, expressed her deep sorrow over their tragic deaths in a plane crash. She described her daughters, Madita Maia and Annik Luna Klepser, as vibrant and talented, and stated that their deaths have deeply affected everyone who knew them. Klepser's heartfelt tribute to Oliver and their children was posted on Instagram by the pilates studio where she works.

No sources available.