December 22, 2023 - Friday

[WORLD] A lone gunman opens fire in a Prague university, killing 14 people and injuring over 20 in Czech Republic's worst mass shooting.

A student opened fire in the philosophy department building of Charles University in Prague, resulting in the death of at least 14 people and injuring more than 20. The shooter, who was also a student, died as well. This incident is considered the Czech Republic's deadliest mass shooting. Gun violence is rare in the country, and the incident has shocked the nation.

No sources available.

[NATION] Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy after being ordered to pay $146 million in defamation damages.

Former New York City mayor and Donald Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after being ordered to pay $146 million in a defamation suit. The suit was brought by election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss in response to Giuliani's false claims about election fraud. Giuliani estimates his liabilities to be between $100 million and $500 million. This bankruptcy filing comes as no surprise and will not discharge Giuliani's debt to Freeman and Moss.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Joe Biden calls for investigation of Nippon St acquisition by US Steel and Democrats fear losing the win on US Steel deal.

The acquisition of US Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel has caused controversy in Washington, with some Democrats urging President Biden to block the deal on national security grounds. The deal, which could have been seen as a victory for Biden's industrial policy, has instead left Democrats stumbling for a coherent message. The acquisition highlights the success of Biden's policies in turning US Steel into an investable asset, but some Democrats are concerned about foreign ownership. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo suggests that the acquisition may face government scrutiny for national security purposes.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Apple plans to launch its mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, by February, marking the company's entry into the mixed reality market.

Apple is reportedly increasing production of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset in China, with a goal of having units ready for customers by the end of January and on store shelves in February. This move is significant as Apple ventures into the world of mixed reality, combining virtual and augmented reality. The rollout of the Vision Pro will be Apple's most complex product launch to date, requiring new sales strategies and equipment.

No sources available.

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

The early signing period for high school prospects began on National Signing Day 2023. Alabama made significant additions and climbed to third in the team rankings, while Auburn retained key players and landed defensive end Amaris Williams. Georgia made a surprising flip by acquiring five-star safety KJ Bolden, and Nebraska secured commitments from five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola and other talented recruits. Ohio State breathed a sigh of relief when five-star receiver Jeremiah Smith committed to the Buckeyes.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] The Ursid meteor shower, the last of 2023, will peak Thursday night through early Friday morning with around five to 10 meteors per hour.

The Ursid meteor shower, the last meteor shower of 2023, will peak on Thursday night through the early morning of Friday. Night owls may be able to see around five to ten meteors per hour. This year, the Ursids will be peaking on the same evening as the winter solstice, providing a unique opportunity to witness the meteor shower alongside the longest night of the year for the Northern Hemisphere.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] The U.S. is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases as a new variant, JN.1, emerges, but there are no signs of new or unusual symptoms.

The CDC has reported that respiratory illness has reached "high" or "very high" levels in several states and big cities. While the JN.1 variant is driving the current wave of infections, there have been no indications of new or unusual symptoms caused by the virus. Experts believe that the severity and types of symptoms are more dependent on a person's immunity and overall health rather than the specific variant. The World Health Organization has classified JN.1 as a variant of interest with low global risk.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's post-credits scene hints at the return of a major DCU character, setting up future storylines.

The post-credits scene in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom teases the return of a major character in the DCU, suggesting potential storylines for future films. The movie itself receives mixed reviews, with critics noting its lack of world-building and originality compared to the first film. Despite the criticisms, some reviewers find elements of enjoyment, such as the chemistry between Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson, and the film's entertaining nature. Overall, the post-credits scene carries more excitement for the future of the DCU than the film itself.

No sources available.