December 21, 2023 - Thursday

[WORLD] Argentina's new president, Javier Milei, has unveiled a sweeping decree to deregulate the country's economy, implementing free-market policies influenced by the Austrian school of economics.

Javier Milei, the newly appointed chief executive of Argentina, has announced a sweeping decree aimed at deregulating the country's economy. As a devotee of free-market libertarianism, Milei's measures include reducing public spending, ending price controls, and curbing the money-printing machine. These policies are expected to have significant impacts, particularly on the middle classes and the poor in Argentina, as the devaluation of the currency has already started to take effect.

No sources available.

[NATION] Sen. Tuberville dropped his remaining holds on senior military promotions, allowing the U.S. Senate to approve 11 four-star level military promotions after months of delay.

Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville had previously blocked all military promotions since February over objections about the Pentagon's abortion policy. He dropped his holds for everyone nominated for promotions other than to four-star general, affecting a total of 11 promotions, including key senior leadership positions. The blockade had caused a backlog of over 450 nominees and faced criticism for damaging military readiness. Tuberville's decision follows bipartisan pressure to end his hold.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Toyota is recalling 1 million vehicles due to potential airbag defects that may cause them to fail to deploy properly.

Toyota is recalling approximately 1 million cars and SUVs in the US due to a potential defect in the front passenger airbag system. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors may experience a short circuit, resulting in the system's failure to detect the presence and weight of the passenger, leading to the airbag not deploying properly. This recall poses an additional risk of injury to riders in the event of a crash. The affected vehicles include various Toyota and Lexus models, with model years ranging from 2020 to 2022.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Apple is set to release its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset by February, with production already underway in China.

Apple has increased production of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset in China and aims to have units ready for customers by the end of January, with availability in stores by February. The headset is expected to be priced at $3,500. Apple's Vision Pro is speculated to be a popular product, although its success may depend on factors such as price and customer demand.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] National Signing Day 2023 saw Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Nebraska, and Ohio State emerge as winners in college football recruiting.

Alabama surged to third in the team rankings with several key recruits, while Auburn made a significant flip with defensive end Amaris Williams. Georgia added five-star safety KJ Bolden in a surprise move, and Nebraska secured commitments from quarterback Dylan Raiola and other talented players. Ohio State had a successful signing day, with coach Ryan Day expressing relief. Overall, these five programs had a successful early signing period.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] NASA successfully beamed a 15-second ultra-high definition video of a cat named Taters from deep space back to Earth.

NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications conducted an experiment by transmitting a video of Taters the cat from deep space to Earth. The video, which shows Taters lounging on a couch and chasing a laser, was loaded onto the Psyche asteroid probe and transmitted back to Earth on December 11. This experiment aims to demonstrate the ability to transmit broadband video from deep space, paving the way for future human missions beyond Earth's orbit.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] The JN.1 variant of Covid-19 is now the fastest growing strain in the US, accounting for 20% of new infections.

The JN.1 variant of COVID-19 is rapidly spreading in the US, making up 20% of new infections. In the Northeast, it has become the dominant strain. The CDC has issued an alert to increase flu immunizations as multiple respiratory illnesses surge. New York City and several states are experiencing high levels of respiratory illness activity. Meanwhile, hospitals are witnessing a rise in patients with respiratory illnesses, including flu, RSV, and COVID-19. Experts suggest getting vaccinated and taking precautions to stay protected.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] 'The Voice' winner, Huntley, receives congratulations from former contestant Tom Nitti on Instagram following the season 24 finale.

Tom Nitti, a contestant from earlier in the season of 'The Voice,' congratulated Huntley, the winner of season 24, on his Instagram page. The country singer expressed his pride in his friend and shared a video of the pair singing together. Huntley, a Virginia native and father of two, was surprised by his win and praised fellow contestant Ruby Leigh's talent. He also reflected on his journey and the impact it has had on his life.

No sources available.