December 30, 2023 - Saturday

[WORLD] Russia launches biggest air attack on Ukraine since invasion, using drones and missiles to hit multiple cities, resulting in casualties and condemnation.

Russia unleashed its largest air attack on Ukraine since the start of its invasion, using drones and missiles to strike multiple cities across the country. The attacks resulted in at least 31 deaths and over 150 injuries. The strikes targeted various locations, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv. The Ukrainian air force reported the use of 158 drones and missiles, including hypersonic Kinzhal missiles. The attack has drawn condemnation from Western nations and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Polish military also reported an unidentified object entering its airspace from Ukraine.

No sources available.

[NATION] Maine's top election official has removed Donald Trump from the state's 2024 primary ballot based on the 14th Amendment's "insurrectionist ban."

Maine's secretary of state has removed Donald Trump from the state's 2024 primary ballot, citing the 14th Amendment's "insurrectionist ban." This decision comes after the Colorado Supreme Court also disqualified Trump from the ballot earlier in the month. The move is seen as a victory for Trump's critics and adds to the growing uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election. Trump's team intends to appeal the decision. The situation may prompt the US Supreme Court to get involved and could further divide the nation.

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[BUSINESS] The S&P 500 closed out 2023 with a surprising gain of 24% despite a slight dip at the end of the year.

The S&P 500 ended 2023 with a bang, gaining 24% for the year despite a 0.28% dip on its last day of trading. This marked its ninth-straight weekly gain and the longest streak since January 2004. The stock market surpassed expectations by avoiding a feared recession and rising unemployment, instead experiencing a surge driven by a resilient job market, robust consumer spending, and easing inflation. The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index saw the highest gain, with over 40% for the year.

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[TECHNOLOGY] LG has developed an AI-powered bipedal robot that can monitor homes and pets, providing various functionalities such as home climate control and medication reminders.

LG has unveiled a new compact two-legged AI-powered robot that can roam freely around the house. This robot, known as "LG's smart home AI agent," will be showcased at CES 2024 and offers a range of capabilities, including monitoring pets, notifying homeowners about temperature settings, providing weather updates, and reminding users to take their medications. The robot moves on two motorized wheels and uses multi-modal technologies for autonomous mobility. LG aims to revolutionize the home robot space with its AI-powered assistant.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] No. 9 Missouri defeats No. 7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl with a 14-3 victory, finishing their season with an 11-2 record.

The No. 9 Missouri Tigers defeated the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl with a score of 14-3, earning themselves an 11-2 record for the season. Despite being held scoreless in the first half, Missouri rallied in the second half with back-to-back touchdown drives, securing the victory. Missouri's sixth-year senior running back Cody Schrader broke the team's single-season rushing record in the game. Quarterback Brady Cook was named the offensive MVP of the game.

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[SCIENCE] SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket successfully launched the secretive U.S. Space Force's X-37B spaceplane on a classified mission, marking the beginning of its seventh mission.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket successfully launched the U.S. Space Force's X-37B spaceplane on a classified mission. The X-37B, a reusable vehicle that serves as a testbed for experiments in space, was the sole payload on the massive rocket. This marks the seventh mission for the X-37B, and its launch follows a record-breaking 908-day sixth mission. Little information about the details of the mission has been released to the public.

No sources available.

[HEALTH] A pediatric flu death has been reported in Tennessee, amidst an outbreak in the Nashville area.

A pediatric death associated with influenza has been reported in Tennessee. The death occurred during a flu outbreak in the Nashville area. Details about the location of the child's death have not been provided. This comes as hospitals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are experiencing a high number of respiratory illnesses, particularly among infants and elderly adults. Health officials encourage vaccination and frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of illness. In Ohio, a 9-year-old girl has died from the flu, marking the state's first pediatric flu death of the season.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] Austin Swift dressed as Father Christmas and gave Travis Kelce a thoughtful gift, making him feel like a child.

Taylor Swift's brother, Austin Swift, dressed as Father Christmas for a football game in which Travis Kelce played. Austin gave him a thoughtful gift that made Kelce feel like a child. The Kansas City Chiefs player shared this on a podcast episode. Kelce's wife also praised Austin's commitment to the Santa suit. The Christmas celebrations also included Taylor Swift and her parents at Kelce's house, bringing joy to the singer.

No sources available.