December 20, 2023 - Wednesday

[WORLD] Pollution from a volcano that erupted in Iceland could reach the capital city, Reykjavik, as fumes travel towards the area.

A volcano erupted on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland after weeks of intense earthquakes and tremors. The eruption has led to the evacuation of thousands of people and there are concerns about pollution reaching Reykjavik. The smell of smoke and ash can be detected up to 30km away from the eruption site, and there have been reports of occasional vibrations in the ground. The eruption, which started on Monday night, is still ongoing but has begun to diminish. However, there is still a possibility of more vents opening up.

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[NATION] Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was honored as a trailblazing jurist and role model for breaking down gender barriers at her funeral.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was honored at her funeral for her groundbreaking achievements as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Her role as a trailblazing jurist and her commitment to breaking down gender barriers in the legal profession was recognized by all nine sitting justices, retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, President Biden, and Chief Justice John Roberts. O'Connor's principles, dedication to civility, and trust in human institutions as agents of progress were commended. Her legacy of empowering generations of women in American life was celebrated, and she was hailed as an American pioneer.

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[BUSINESS] International companies have been buying up classic American brands, such as US Steel, GE appliances, and Budweiser.

US Steel, once the most valuable company in the world, has agreed to be acquired by Japanese firm Nippon Steel. This follows a trend of international companies buying iconic American brands, such as General Electric's appliance division now owned by China's Haier Group, and Budweiser's parent company, AB InBev, based in Belgium. This acquisition highlights the globalization of American brands, with these once "all-American" companies now having international ownership.

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[TECHNOLOGY] New leaks reveal design decisions for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24, including camera upgrades and AI-centric features.

As the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24 approaches, attention is being focused on the design decisions for the new flagship smartphone. Leaks indicate that there will be camera upgrades, with the possibility of a 24MP default camera resolution for the S24 Ultra. The S24 series is also expected to have AI-centric features, relying on Samsung's Gauss AI software for enhanced user experiences. While external design changes may be minimal, the S24 phones are anticipated to have significant improvements under the hood.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Ja Morant returns from suspension and hits a game-winning buzzer-beater to lead the Grizzlies to victory against the Pelicans.

Ja Morant made his highly anticipated return to the NBA court after serving a 25-game suspension for brandishing a gun in public. In a thrilling game against the Pelicans, Morant scored 34 points and sealed the victory with a game-winning floater at the buzzer. His return provided a much-needed boost for the struggling Grizzlies, who had lost five consecutive games. Morant's performance showcased his star power and his ability to make crucial plays in high-pressure situations.

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[SCIENCE] Nasa has streamed its first high-definition video from deep space featuring an orange tabby cat named Taters chasing a laser pointer dot.

Taters the cat, belonging to a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) staffer, stars in a video that was transmitted from the Psyche spacecraft to Earth, marking the first high-definition video streamed from deep space. The 15-second clip shows Taters chasing a laser pointer dot. The video was sent via laser and downloaded faster than most Internet connections on Earth. This milestone is significant for NASA's aim to increase bandwidth and enable future crewed missions beyond Earth's orbit to stream high-bandwidth video.

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[HEALTH] COVID-19 virus levels are increasing in North Carolina ahead of the holidays, according to wastewater analysis from the CDC.

Wastewater analysis conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that COVID-19 virus levels are on the rise in North Carolina. This increase in cases comes as the state prepares for the holiday season and raises concerns about potential transmission during gatherings. Health officials have noted an uptick in both COVID-19 and flu cases, with daily COVID-19 cases reaching around ten and flu cases even higher. Experts suggest that this increase may surpass the summer spike experienced in the region, indicating that there may be two spikes per year, one in August/September and another in December.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Holly Marie Combs claims Alyssa Milano had Shannen Doherty fired from the TV series Charmed.

Holly Marie Combs recently revealed in an interview that Alyssa Milano had Shannen Doherty fired from the hit TV series Charmed after its third season. Combs stated that she had a conversation with producer Jonathan Levin, who informed her that it was either Doherty or Milano. This claim follows years of speculation and rumors regarding tensions on the set of Charmed. Milano has not yet responded to these allegations. Recent discussions about the show's behind-the-scenes drama have sparked renewed interest in its history and cast dynamics.

No sources available.