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1. Israel: Uncomfortable Silence
A tragic incident in Gaza involving an Israeli sharpshooter has put the Pope in a sensitive spot. On Sunday, after an israeli sniper killed a mother and her daughter, Pope Francis expressed his concern over this surge of violence. He stated, "I continue to receive sad and painful news about Gaza." The statements came following international pressures on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to help mitigate the damage in the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Health Ministry, approximately 18,800 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza since October 7, with 70% of them being women and children.
1. Stormy Weather
Heavy storms and floods that hit the southeastern coast over the weekend are now impacting the Northeast, threatening morning commutes with wind gusts and heavy rain. Areas alongside I-95 in the East Coast's heavily trafficked region should brace for significant shutdowns due to flooding in low-lying areas. Around 58 million people across the East Coast from North Carolina to Maine are under flood warnings, while New Yorkers may see up to 30 inches of floodwater in certain areas. Last Sunday, approximately 45 million people from eastern Georgia to New England's North were under wind warnings.
1. Immigration Debate
With early voting polls in Iowa just around the corner, Former President Donald Trump is attempting to rally his base by sparking anti-immigration sentiments. During a campaign stop, he alleged that immigrants are poisoning America’s blood. The Russian President Vladimir Putin weighs in with a remark about the “frailty” of American democracy. In Nevada, which ranks third in the Republican nomination process and has a large Latino population, Trump accused illegal immigrants of infiltrating US prisons and asylums for the mentally ill, and vowed to carry out the largest round-ups of illegal immigrants in American history.
1. North Korea's Unseen Danger
North Korea may have launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), potentially reaching parts of the United States with its estimated range of more than 9,320 miles. Japanese Deputy Defense Minister Shingo Miyake chimed in on the situation, stating that should this prove to be true, such a missile would pose a direct threat to the US. Military and intelligence authorities are still assessing the exact operational range and warhead capabilities of North Korea's missile program.
1. Quaker Oats Recall
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall for various types of Quaker oat products and granola bars due to the possibility of salmonella contamination. The affected products include zesty oat cereal, protein-packed oatmeal, and cereal bars, and can be found in all 50 states, Guam, Saipan, and Puerto Rico. Despite no reported salmonella-related illness cases being linked to this recall, the FDA encourages consumers to thoroughly check their pantries and dispose of all impacted products.
The rest of the day...
Goodbye, Sandra Day O'Connor
Today marks the passing of former US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in Washington, D.C. The general public is invited for a private viewing of her remains. Two memorial services will be held in her honor.
Dislike these holiday tunes
Love them or hate them... We've handpicked some controversial holiday songs that will stick around in our minds this season.
Lotto Winners at Work
A group of co-workers at a Kentucky business struck it rich when a $50,000 scratchcard they received from their boss turned into a million-dollar lotto jackpot.
Wonka Dominates Box-Office
Hashtag 'Wonka' tops the opening weekend charts for a feature film titled after a classic children's candy bar. Mature audiences immediately hopped on the wonka-wagon despite the film being PG-rated.
Record Fine for Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines was handed a record-breaking $140 million fine by the US government in recognition of its poor performance during a devastating 2021 summer flight cancelation incident, affecting millions of travelers around the world.
NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Sidelined
Lakers basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suffered an injury to his hip following a fall, but his longtime confidant reports that he appears to be making a speedy recovery.
Today's Numbers
- 127 Billion US dollars: Uber's new stock valuation after a year of outstanding financials and record-breaking user growth.
Today's Quote
- "The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. is treating this crime as a hate crime or one motivated by prejudice." - The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., regarding an incident where a man sprayed a crowd with an unknown substance while shouting antisemitic slurs.
Weather Forecast
Before you head out for breakfast...
Christmas Prices Reach Record Highs
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Enrichment Data:
- Hwasong-19 Range and Capabilities: While North Korea does not officially confirm the exact specifications of its Hwasong-19 ballistic missile, experts estimate it has a range of more than 13,000 kilometers (9,000 miles). This means that the US mainland is potentially within reach, making it a direct threat. The missile's payload is likely sufficient to deliver a nuclear warhead. However, it's unclear whether North Korea can successfully deploy multiple warheads on the same missile, a capability known as multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV).
- US Response: To prepare for such threats, the United States is increasing its presence in the Pacific and is continuously working on developing countermeasures such as missile defense systems and advanced intelligence capabilities to monitor North Korea's military activity. The U.S. also encourages diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully.
[1] Fortune.com. (2023, October 26). What You Need to Know About North Korea's New Spherical ICBM Hitler and Trump Might Still Hate Each Other but One Thing Unites Them: Hate for Kim Jong-Un. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 Dec. 2023].
[2] Reuters.com. (2023). South Korea says North Korea's 'most capable' ICBM test 'reckless' threat. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 Dec. 2023].
