Start your week smart: Rudy Giuliani fined, Israeli hostages, East Coast storm, Kuwaiti monarch, Matthew Perry's autopsy
Here's what you need to know to kickstart your week intelligently.
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This weekend sees:
• A federal jury in Washington D.C. fined Rudy Giuliani nearly $150 million to two Georgia election officials for damages caused by defamatory statements he made about them after the 2020 election. Giuliani, formerly a New York City mayor and Donald Trump's attorney, has announced an appeal.
• Israeli soldiers shot three Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip after mistaking them for a threat, according to Israeli Defense Forces. The hostages, reportedly unarmed and waving a white flag, were killed as they were shooting, Israeli defense officials said.
• A strengthening storm is ravaging Florida with torrential rain and strong winds as it moves eastward and threatens the East Coast with widespread flooding, dangerous surf, power outages, and travel disruptions. Forecasters expect the storm to hit Georgia's coast and cause damage to parts of North East Georgia.
• Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Jaber Al-Sabah died at 86, having ruled the Gulf state for three years. Sheikh Nawaf served as defense minister during one of Kuwait's largest crises in history, when Iraq invaded in 1990, spawning the Gulf War.
• "Friends" star Matthew Perry died from the "acute effects of Ketamine" and its subsequent complications, according to an autopsy report. The medical examiner's office found ketamine, a medication used to treat depression and anxiety, in Perry's blood.
Coming Week
Monday
Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman ever appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States, will be remembered at the Supreme Court**. O'Connor, who died this month at 93, will be honored in a private ceremony at the court. The public is invited to visit her memorial.
Wednesday
President Joe Biden will travel to Milwaukee to promote his Invest in America plan**. While in office, Americans have submitted over 14.6 million new business applications, including 178,000 from Wisconsin. Wisconsin is crucial to Biden's chances of securing a second term – it's one of the battleground states that could tip the balance in a close presidential election.
Deputy Sheriff Kyle Gould's pretrial hearing is scheduled, expected to end his case involving the death of Christian Glass last year in Colorado. The 22-year-old Glass died when officers shot him after he called 911 with a knife, claiming he needed help. His family said he suffered from a mental illness.
Thursday
The man accused of attempting to sabotage an Alaska Airlines plane's engine in October will face a federal trial**. Federal authorities charged Joseph Emerson with obstruction of a flight crew and are also preparing additional charges against him in Oregon on attempted murder charges. Emerson maintained he was under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms when he boarded the plane.
Winter Solstice greetings! It's the shortest day of the year and the official first day of winter in many parts of the world. Thursday brings the shortest daylight periods for 2023 – 9 hours, 26 minutes, 13 seconds – but who's counting, right? With this day comes several events, including Christmas and the Chinese Lunar New Year.
One Thing: The Turning Point in Ukraine
In this week's One Thing podcast from CNN, CNN's Nick Paton Walsh talks about Ukraine, where tensions over US aid could soon escalate into conflict on the battlefield.Listen here.
2023: The Year of Images
2023: The Year of Images from CNN Digital is an interactive photo gallery updated every week throughout December. Don't miss this chance to take another look.(Editor's Note: Some of the images contain graphic content. View discretion is advised.)
Entertainment News
TV & Streaming
The second season finale of The Gilded Age airs tonight at 9pm ET on HBO. In this meme-filled soap opera set in High Society, many questions remain about Oscar and the Van Rijn family's fortune.
The Season 2 finale of the spy comedy Archer: Intro the Cold airs tonight at 10pm ET on FX, before moving to Hulu. This animated series follows Sterling Archer in the world of espionage.
On Hollywood
After a long delay, Jason Momoa makes a comeback as DC's seafaring superhero Aquaman, this time with a child tagging along. "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" opens this Friday with a star-studded cast including Nicole Kidman and Patrick Wilson. In the Friday-released romantic comedy "Anyone But You," stars Sidney Sweeney ("Euphoria") and Glen Powell ("Top Gun: Maverick") play unlovable acquaintances who must pretend to be a couple at a friend's wedding away from home. Will it be love or a pretend marriage?
The romantic fantasy drama "We Are Strangers," releasing this Friday, follows a screenwriter (Andrew Scott) who begins a romance with his new neighbor (Paul Mescal) while being haunted by the ghost of his father. Elsewhere, he must confront his past as a single father.
Sports News
Sports Spotlight
Quarterback Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants face the New Orleans Saints at 1:05pm ET today**. Will rookie sensation DeVito lead the Giants to victory?
The Kansas City Chiefs face the New England Patriots at 1:05pm ET today. After a tough loss to the Buffalo Bills last week, the Chiefs are hoping to turn things around, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Tyreek Hill leading the way. Don't miss this highly anticipated match-up!
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James remains uncertain in his recovery from a groin injury, and will miss Thursday's home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. James is expected to return sometime next week, according to the team.
The College Football Bowl Season is underway, with 11 games scheduled for this weekend, including an intriguing matchup between Utah State and Northwestern. With world-class athletes and exciting competition, college football never disappoints.
Fun & Games
Quiz Challenge
Test your knowledge of the week's events with CNN's News Quiz! Currently, 59% of quiz enthusiasts have answered 8 or more questions correctly. How will you fare?
Play Along
Country Dance Party
Get moving to this upbeat country song – do the dance move next to which one?(Click here to watch)
More
Extending the verdict: Rudy Giuliani fined $148 million in Georgia election fraud case
Former mayor and attorney for Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, was recently fined by a federal jury for defaming two Georgia election officials who claimed he made false statements about them after the 2020 election. The jury found that Giuliani's accusations, which included claims of voter fraud and election rigging, had caused the two officials financial harm. Giuliani has since indicated his intent to appeal the decision.
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