December 12, 2023 - Tuesday

[WORLD] A Japanese court has found three former soldiers guilty of sexually assaulting a female colleague in a landmark case challenging societal taboos.

Three ex-soldiers have been convicted of sexual assault in a Japanese court following a high-profile case that exposed a culture of harassment in the military. The victim, Rina Gonoi, a former member of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, pursued justice through the courts, highlighting a widespread problem. The court sentenced the three men to two years in prison, suspended for four years. This case represents a significant victory for survivors of assault and challenges prevailing taboos surrounding abuse in Japanese society.

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[NATION] The Texas Supreme Court has ruled against a woman seeking an emergency abortion after she left the state for the procedure.

A Texas woman who sought a legal medical exemption for an abortion has left the state after the Texas Supreme Court paused a lower court decision that would allow her to have the procedure. The woman, who is 20 weeks pregnant and whose baby suffers from a chromosomal disorder, left the state because she "couldn't wait any longer" to get the procedure. The court's decision raises questions about the state's ability to punish doctors for carrying out procedures explicitly allowed by court orders.

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[BUSINESS] Hasbro is cutting 1,100 jobs as weak toy sales continue, leading to declining stock prices.

Toy maker Hasbro is laying off 1,100 employees due to soft sales that have extended into the holiday shopping season. Hasbro had already warned of trouble and slashed its full-year outlook in October, projecting a significant revenue decline. Popular toy brand sales, including My Little Pony, Nerf, and Transformers, have dropped, contributing to the company's declining stock prices. Meanwhile, competitor Mattel has also experienced soft sales but has seen a boost from the success of the film "Barbie."

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[TECHNOLOGY] Apple's iOS 17.2 update introduces a new journaling app called "Journal" and other features such as spatial video recording and translation capabilities.

Apple's latest iOS 17.2 update brings the new "Journal" app, fittingly centered on journaling and capturing everyday moments. Users can write about their experiences and events in their lives, with prompts drawn from data on their iPhones. The update also includes features like spatial video recording and translation options. This update showcases Apple's focus on AI running on device itself, providing privacy advantages over cloud-based approaches. Apple continues to invest in new iPhone features to protect its market share and maintain loyalty among users.

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[SPORTS] The Titans pull off a stunning comeback win against the Dolphins, while the Giants shock the Packers with a last-second field goal.

In Week 14 of the NFL season, the Titans staged an improbable comeback to defeat the Dolphins, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the final three minutes. Titans quarterback Will Levis played a key role by leading two touchdown drives in the closing minutes. The Giants also pulled off a surprise victory over the Packers, winning with a last-second field goal. The games were part of a Monday night doubleheader and both went down to the wire, making it one of the best Monday doubleheaders in NFL history.

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[SCIENCE] SpaceX has delayed the launch of its Falcon Heavy rocket carrying the X-37B space plane due to a ground issue.

SpaceX has postponed the launch of its Falcon Heavy rocket, which was scheduled to carry the secretive X-37B space plane for the US military. The delay was caused by a ground issue and a new launch window has been set for Tuesday evening. The X-37B is a mysterious space plane operated by the US military and has been involved in several previous missions since 2010.

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[HEALTH] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning after several deaths related to Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Southern California.

The CDC has issued a warning about Rocky Mountain spotted fever after multiple cases, including three deaths, were reported in Southern California. The illness, caused by tick bites, can lead to serious complications if left untreated. The outbreak is believed to have originated from the city of Tecate in Mexico. Health officials are advising caution and appropriate preventive measures for those traveling to or living in affected areas.

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[ENTERTAINMENT] Reality TV star Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, daughter of Mama June Shannon, dies at 29 from complications of stage four adrenal carcinoma.

Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, the daughter of reality TV star Mama June Shannon, has passed away at the age of 29 due to complications from stage four adrenal carcinoma. Mama June announced the sad news on Instagram, expressing her heartbreak and sharing that Cardwell had passed away peacefully with her family by her side. Cardwell had been battling cancer for the past 10 months and had been undergoing treatment. This devastating loss comes after the family requested prayers for Cardwell's health just days before.

No sources available.