December 23, 2023 - Saturday

[WORLD] The US accuses Iran of providing weapons and tactical intelligence to Houthi rebels, claiming Iranian involvement in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

The United States has accused Iran of being "deeply involved" in attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The White House presented newly declassified intelligence purporting to show Iranian support for the Yemeni rebel group, including weapons and tactical intelligence. Iran has denied involvement. The Houthi rebels have launched over 100 attacks in the past four weeks. The US claims that Iranian support has allowed the Houthis to attack Israel and maritime targets.

No sources available.

[NATION] The Supreme Court rejected special counsel Jack Smith's request to fast-track arguments on Trump's immunity from federal prosecution.

The Supreme Court rejected a request by special counsel Jack Smith to expedite arguments on whether Donald Trump has immunity from federal prosecution for alleged crimes committed while in office. The court's decision is a setback for Smith, who sought to skip a federal appeals court and speed up the resolution of the immunity issue in Trump's criminal case. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals is already reviewing the matter, with oral arguments scheduled for January 9. Trump's strategy of delay in the case received a boost from the Supreme Court's ruling.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] Some stores, including King Soopers and Safeway, will be open on Christmas Eve but closed on Christmas Day.

King Soopers and Safeway announced that their stores will be closing at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. However, many national grocery store chains like Walmart, Kroger, and Publix will remain open on Christmas Eve with adjusted hours. It is recommended to check with local stores for specific holiday operating hours. Additionally, some stores may have reduced hours or be closed on Christmas Day. It is advised to call ahead or check online for the most accurate information.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] British judge sentences 18-year-old hacker who leaked Grand Theft Auto VI footage to indefinite stay in secure hospital.

The hacker, Arion Kurtaj, was a member of the hacking group Lapsus$ and leaked 90 clips from Grand Theft Auto VI. He also launched cyberattacks on corporations including Uber and Nvidia. Kurtaj, who is autistic, was sentenced to indefinite hospital detention due to his skills and desire to commit cybercrimes, which were deemed a high risk to the public. The judge stated that Kurtaj will be kept in a secure hospital unless doctors determine he is no longer a danger.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] Florida State's recent lawsuit against the ACC is seen as bluster, with their eventual exit from the conference considered inevitable.

Florida State University has announced an unprecedented lawsuit against the ACC in an attempt to extricate itself from a grant of rights contract. This move highlights FSU's desire to leave the conference, but the process is expected to be messy, expensive, and time-consuming. The ACC quickly responded, stating that the lawsuit is in violation of FSU's legal commitments to the league, setting the stage for a lengthy legal battle. However, it was already anticipated that FSU would eventually leave the ACC.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Scientists have made significant discoveries in 2023, cracking mysteries about human history and the origins of life on Earth.

This year, scientists have made significant progress in unraveling mysteries of the past. They have identified the true identity of a prehistoric leader buried with precious artifacts, and discovered that giant volcanic eruptions may have played a role in the spark of early life on Earth. However, there is still one mystery that has researchers scratching their heads. Despite these advancements, scientists continue to unravel the secrets hidden in bones, ancient texts, and molecular residues left behind by our ancestors.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] The JN.1 variant of COVID-19 accounts for 44.1% of cases in the U.S., with higher prevalence in New York and New Jersey.

The CDC estimates that the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 now represents 44.1% of cases in the United States, showing a significant increase from the previous estimate of 21.3%. The variant is particularly prevalent in New York and New Jersey, where it accounts for 56.9% of cases. Experts suggest that JN.1 may be more transmissible or better at evading immune systems. Health officials are concerned about the potential impact of the variant during the holiday season, as it could contribute to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have shared the first photos of their newborn son, Rocky, on Instagram.

Reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian and musician Travis Barker have posted the first pictures of their newborn son, Rocky. The couple shared the photos on their Instagram accounts, featuring various shots of themselves cuddling and caring for their baby boy. The proud parents captioned their post, "ROCKY 🖤." The couple welcomed Rocky just a few weeks before Halloween. This is Kourtney Kardashian's fourth child and Travis Barker's third.

No sources available.