Thursday, December 19, 2024
It is Thursday, December 19, 2024. Here are today’s top stories.
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Winter officially begins on Dec. 21
The first official day of winter is on Saturday, December 21. That is the day of the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. It is the opposite of the summer solstice in June, which is the longest day of the year. To be clear, the winter solstice is for us Americans and those who live in the Northern Hemisphere of Earth. For those who live in the Southern Hemisphere — those in Australia, Chile, or Botswana — it is the opposite, as they will generally be getting their longest day and the start of their summer season. An expert explained to CNN that many cultures and religions around the world, for centuries, have celebrated a holiday during the winter solstice and it’s one of the main reasons why Christmas happens near December 21.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/winter-solstice-shortest-day-year-scn/index.html
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“Murder hornets” eradicated from the U.S.
The federal government and Washington state announced they have eradicated “murder hornets” after spotting them for the first time five years ago in Washington state near the Canadian border. The insects’ official name is the Asian (or Northern) giant hornet. They are the world’s largest hornet and they have a dangerous sting and are capable of killing off an entire honey bee hive in a few hours by using their pincers to decapitate them. The hornets may have arrived in North America from plant pots or shipping containers. Scientists said one of their techniques in tracking down the hornets is by capturing a live hornet, attaching a tiny radio tracking tag to it, and following it to a nest in a tree. Scientists destroyed the nest and its young queens. Three other nests were destroyed in 2020 and 2021 and there have been no reports of these insects in Canada or Washington state for years.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/invasive-murder-hornets-are-wiped-out-in-the-us-officials-say
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Luigi Mangione back in New York City
Luigi Mangione, the accused shooter of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, is back in New York City two weeks after the incident after he waived extradition from Pennsylvania. He was flown to New York and then transferred to a police helicopter. He arrived at a Manhattan heliport surrounded by heavily armed law enforcement officers. Even the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, escorted him. He will appear in a federal court around the time I am now signing this news to face murder and terrorism charges and I will give a detailed update in tomorrow’s news.
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Oscars shortlist revealed
The Oscars revealed a shortlist of award contenders in ten categories. The film with the most nominations is the musical “Emilia Perez” with six nominations. Another musical, “Wicked,” has four nominations. The full list of nominations will be announced on January 17 and the Oscars ceremony will be on March 2.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/18/entertainment/oscars-shortlist-wicked-emilia-perez/index.html
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Wisconsin school shooting victims identified
The two victims who died in the Wisconsin school shooting have been identified as 42-year-old teacher Erin West and 14-year-old 9th grade student Rubi Vergara.
The Abundant Life Christian School said their hearts are heavy with these losses.
There are two students who are still in a hospital from serious injuries sustained in the shooting while four others who were less seriously injured have been discharged.
News reports said the shooter, a 15-year-old female student, Natalie Rupnow, was contacting a 20-year-old man in California who was himself planning to attack a government building. Police are now investigating the man and trying to understand what Natalie’s motive was.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wisconsin-school-shooting-victims-named-teacher-erin-west-rubi-vergara-rcna184803
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Dominique Pelicot found guilty in France rape trial
Dominique Pelicot, a French man who admitted to drugging his wife with sleeping pills to rape her and used the same method to invite many strangers on the internet to come to their home and sexually assault his unconscious wife, was convicted of aggravated rape and sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison. It is a conclusion to a long trial that has shocked many people in France and across the world.
Dominique’s wife and the main victim, Gisele, said she is grateful for the support she’s received from across France and beyond. She was brave for making the trial public and she said she doesn’t regret it.
50 others were convicted of rape charges in this case and most receive sentences of eight to 10 years. Police identified them through video clips and photos of the assaults that Dominique kept with him.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/19/world/france-rape-verdict-pelicot
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Fani Willis disqualified from prosecuting Trump’s Georgia case
Atlanta-area district attorney Fani Willis and her office were disqualified from continuing to pursue a criminal case against Donald Trump and his allies over their efforts to change the results of their 2020 election loss in Georgia.
The reason why? A Georgia appeals court said Willis created the appearance of a conflict of interest by using her office’s funds to hire an outside prosecutor that she was privately in a romantic relationship with. His name is Nathan Wade. This caused a major controversy that has continued into this disqualification of Willis.
Politico said what happens next is not clear because the case will probably be reassigned to another prosecutor, but because Trump is going to become president soon, the charges will be paused or dismissed.
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That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.