December 24, 2023 - Sunday

[WORLD] Independent candidate Yekaterina Duntsova has been blocked from running in the Russian presidential election against Vladimir Putin due to alleged errors in her nomination documents.

Russian independent candidate Yekaterina Duntsova has been disqualified from appearing on the ballot in the upcoming presidential election after the Central Election Commission (CEC) rejected her nomination papers. Duntsova, a journalist and local politician, had planned to run on a platform to end the war with Ukraine. The CEC cited numerous errors in her nomination documents, including spelling mistakes and alleged manipulation of meeting minutes. Critics view her disqualification as evidence of a controlled and predetermined election process, with Putin expected to secure his fifth term with strong poll ratings.

No sources available.

[NATION] Donald Trump is urging a federal appeals court to grant him immunity from criminal prosecution in an election subversion case.

Donald Trump is seeking to have the federal election subversion criminal case against him thrown out by a federal appeals court in Washington, DC. He continues to assert his claim of presidential immunity, arguing that he was working in his official capacity as president. The Supreme Court recently refused to expedite the consideration of Trump's request. This case has put Trump's criminal trial on pause until the issue of immunity is resolved.

No sources available.

[BUSINESS] 700 Airbus employees in France fell sick after a Christmas dinner, with health authorities investigating the cause.

Health authorities in France are investigating an outbreak of sickness among 700 Airbus employees after a Christmas dinner. The dinner took place on December 14 and was attended by 2,600 people. The employees started experiencing symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea within 24 to 48 hours after the event. The dinner was held at a restaurant on the company's site in Montoir-de-Bretagne, western France.

No sources available.

[TECHNOLOGY] Apple quietly released an open-source multimodal LLM called Ferret, while also making significant advancements in AI research.

Apple, in collaboration with Columbia University, released an open-source multimodal LLM called Ferret. The release went relatively unnoticed, but with recent attention on open-source models, there is increasing buzz about the potential of local LLMs on small devices. Additionally, Apple has made advancements in AI research, including techniques for 3D avatars and efficient language model inference, which could enhance visual experiences and allow complex AI systems to run on consumer devices like the iPhone and iPad.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The Buffalo Bills narrowly escape with a 24-22 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

The Buffalo Bills secured a close victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, with quarterback Josh Allen leading the team to a crucial win. Allen threw for 237 yards and a touchdown, while also adding two rushing touchdowns. Kicker Tyler Bass sealed the win with a 29-yard field goal in the final seconds. The Chargers had a chance to win but failed to convert. The Bills' playoff hopes remain alive as they continue their late-season surge.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] The James Webb Space Telescope has made significant discoveries in 2023, including new insights into our solar system and the universe.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revealed fascinating details about our solar system and the universe in 2023. It has captured images of distant planets with unique features, such as floating quartz crystals and puffy atmospheres. Furthermore, the JWST has provided breathtaking and scientifically valuable images of the cosmos, offering a fresh perspective on our understanding of the universe. The observatory has been operating full-time, delivering unexpected scientific discoveries that have amazed researchers and space enthusiasts alike.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] Flu and COVID-19 infections are expected to increase due to holiday gatherings, low vaccination rates, and a new variant.

Health officials warn of an increase in flu and COVID-19 infections in the coming weeks, fueled by holiday gatherings, low vaccination rates, and the emergence of a new coronavirus variant. Last week, 17 states reported high levels of flu-like illnesses. Experts predict a potential triple threat of COVID-19, flu, and RSV this winter, urging increased vaccinations. However, healthcare systems are not yet in crisis mode, and a repeat of previous winter surges is unlikely.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] 'Aquaman 2' dominates the box office with a $13.7 million opening day, leading the holiday newcomers.

The highly anticipated 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' takes the top spot at the box office with a strong opening day of $13.7 million. The film is projected to earn around $30 million for the three-day weekend and $43 million for the four-day holiday weekend. Despite strong competition from other films like 'Migration,' 'Iron Claw,' and 'Anyone but You,' 'Aquaman 2' remains the clear box office leader.

No sources available.