December 19, 2023 - Tuesday

[WORLD] A volcano erupted in Iceland on the Reykjanes peninsula, following weeks of seismic activity and the evacuation of a nearby town.

A volcano on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula erupted on Monday evening, accompanied by bursts of lava and smoke. The eruption followed weeks of seismic activity and an earlier earthquake, prompting the evacuation of the nearby town of Grindavík. The eruption, located close to Hagafell, is the fourth in the area since 2021 and the largest so far. While it does not pose a threat to life, the area is closed to all traffic, and people are strongly advised not to approach the area.

No sources available.

[NATION] A powerful storm raced up the East Coast, causing two deaths, widespread power outages, and flight cancellations.

A powerful storm system moved up the East Coast, resulting in two deaths, flooding, power outages, and flight cancellations. A 40-year-old man in Maine was killed by a falling tree while clearing debris from his roof, and an 89-year-old man in Massachusetts died when a tree struck his travel trailer. The storm caused power outages for nearly 750,000 utility customers and disrupted pre-holiday flights. The Northeast region experienced heavy rain, high winds, and coastal flooding, with wind gusts reaching 60 to 70 mph in some areas. Numerous reports of flooding and road closures were logged across several states.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] US Steel agrees to be bought by Japan's Nippon Steel in a $14.1 billion deal, marking a decline for the 122-year old company.

US Steel has agreed to sell itself to Nippon Steel, Japan's largest steelmaker, in a $14.1 billion deal. This marks a decline for the once-largest company in the world and a symbol of American industrial might. Under the deal, US Steel will retain its name and continue to have a headquarters in Pittsburgh. The United Steelworkers union, with 11,000 members at US Steel, has expressed disappointment and opposition to the deal.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] New leaks reveal design decisions for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24, including camera upgrades and storage options.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series is generating excitement as new leaks provide insight into its features. One major upgrade will be a camera resolution of 24MP, inspired by the iPhone 15 series. Additionally, leaked information confirms the storage options and color choices for the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra. While external design changes are expected to be minimal, significant improvements are anticipated in terms of performance and specifications.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The Seattle Seahawks defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-17 in a thrilling Monday Night Football game thanks to a game-winning drive led by quarterback Drew Lock.

Drew Lock, who was uncertain if he would start until just before kickoff, led the Seahawks on a 92-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to snap their four-game losing streak. Lock made crucial completions to DK Metcalf and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba, delivering a 34-yard pass on third-and-10 and a 29-yard touchdown pass, respectively. The Eagles had a chance to respond, but the Seahawks' defense held strong to secure the victory.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] A geomagnetic storm watch has been issued by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, predicting increased solar activity and a display of the northern lights.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a Geomagnetic Storm Watch for increased solar activity, including the possibility of a display of the northern lights. Multiple coronal mass ejections from the sun have been observed, which are sending plasma particles towards Earth. The event is expected to reach a value of 6 on the Kp index scale, and previous events of this magnitude have caused geomagnetic storm conditions. The watch is in effect until at least Sunday, December 17.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] Cases of RSV, flu, and COVID are increasing nationwide, leading to a rise in hospitalizations during this respiratory virus season.

According to the CDC, cases of RSV, flu, and COVID are surging across the US, resulting in a rise in hospitalizations. This respiratory virus season is currently underway and has not yet reached its peak. New York City, along with several other states, is experiencing high levels of respiratory illness activity. The CDC is urging healthcare providers to increase vaccination rates against these viruses to prevent more severe disease and strain on healthcare systems. The recent rise in COVID cases, including the emergence of the new JN.1 variant, is adding to the strain on hospitals.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Marvel and Disney have dropped actor Jonathan Majors after he was convicted of assault and harassment of his former girlfriend.

Jonathan Majors, known for his roles in the Marvel franchise and "Creed III," was found guilty of reckless assault and harassment in a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend. He was acquitted on other charges. Marvel and Disney have decided not to continue working with Majors. His lawyer stated that Majors still has faith in the legal process and hopes to clear his name fully. Majors played the character Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

No sources available.