Category: USA

Big Asteroid Passing Earth, but No Need to Worry!
Today, an asteroid called 2024 XS3, which is about 84 feet long, is flying by Earth. NASA says there’s no danger of it hitting us! This asteroid will pass at a safe distance of 2,080,000 miles, which is more than 16 times the distance to the Moon. It’s moving really fast, at 23,423 miles per hour. The closest it will get to us is at 1:54 AM IST on December 18.

Asteroids like 2024 XS3 are leftovers from when our solar system was formed around 4.6 billion years ago. Scientists study these rocks to learn about Earth’s history. It’s important to track their paths because one big asteroid hitting Earth millions of years ago wiped out the dinosaurs!

How does NASA keep an eye on asteroids?
NASA uses special systems to track near-Earth objects (NEOs) like 2024 XS3. They have radar technology and tools from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Plus, NASA’s missions, like OSIRIS-REx, gather samples from asteroids to help scientists learn about our solar system’s beginnings.

The flyby of 2024 XS3 shows how important it is to watch for these objects. Even though it’s not a threat now, keeping track of them helps scientists be ready for any future dangers and helps us learn more about outer space.

Taylor Swift celebrated her 35th birthday recently, and her boyfriend Travis Kelce made it very special with gifts worth $175,000! Although she didn’t throw a big party, it sounds like she still had a great time. On Friday night, Travis left the Kansas City Chiefs’ holiday party early to join Taylor for a private birthday celebration.

Travis went all out for Taylor’s birthday, surprising her with lots of beautiful flowers and luxurious jewelry. Here’s a list of some amazing gifts he gave her:

– 10 boxes of neon rose gold roses ($5,800)
– 10 boxes of black and red roses ($8,800)
– 15 boxes of red roses ($4,725)
– A fancy rose gold Rolex watch ($60,350)
– A special gold cuff bracelet from Tiffany & Co. with a heart engraving ($22,000)
– An open-heart bracelet from Tiffany & Co. ($25,000)
– A long necklace from Van Cleef & Arpels ($35,500)
– An Alhambra pendant from Van Cleef & Arpels ($8,200)
– Vintage Alhambra earrings from Van Cleef & Arpels ($4,150)

Turning 35 is a big deal, and Travis wanted to make it truly memorable for Taylor. He planned these gifts to kick off their celebrations after a busy time with Taylor’s Eras Tour and his NFL season. Now, they have more free time to enjoy each other and celebrate Taylor’s special day!

Kamala Harris, the Vice President, spoke to DNC staff on Sunday in Washington, D.C., during a holiday party. This event was especially tough for many at the DNC because a number of them were recently let go without severance pay after the election.

Harris said that even during tough times, their spirit and hard work should not be defeated. She encouraged everyone to focus on their blessings and be proud of the time and effort they put into their jobs. President Biden, standing by her side, assured the staff that they are not leaving and will continue to fight for what’s right.

After the elections, many DNC workers were upset about being laid off. Usually, layoffs happen after elections in Washington, D.C., but this time, staff were angry about not receiving severance packages or any support when they lost their jobs. A union member expressed that it was unfair for DNC management to say layoffs were just part of the job.

With DNC Chair Jaime Harrison not planning to run again, there will be a competition for a new leader. The 450 members of the national party committee will choose the next chair in February in Maryland. Possible candidates are Martin O’Malley, Ben Wikler, and Ken Martin.

Disney Plus is getting ready to release Season 3 of “What If,” bringing fans new stories from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The first episode will air on December 22 at 9 PM ET.

Release Date and Time:
– The first episode starts on December 22 at 9 PM ET and 6 PM PT.
– Fans in Canada can watch at 9 PM, and in Brazil, it will be at 10 PM.
– Viewers in the UK and Portugal can watch on December 23 at 2 AM, in Spain and Central Europe at 3 AM, in India at 6:30 AM, in Australia at 11 AM, and in New Zealand at 1 PM.
– People outside the US might need to stay up late or wake up early to enjoy the episodes.

What to Expect in Season 3:
This season has eight episodes, which is one less than the nine episodes from Seasons 1 and 2. The reason for this change hasn’t been explained. Unlike before, episodes will come out daily during the holiday season instead of weekly. Here’s the release schedule:

– Episode 1: What If… The Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers? – December 22
– Episode 2: What If… Agatha Went to Hollywood? – December 23
– Episode 3: What If… The Red Guardian Stopped The Winter Soldier? – December 24
– Episode 4: What If… Howard The Duck Got Hitched? – December 25
– Episode 5: What If… The Emergence Destroyed the Earth? – December 26
– Episode 6: What If… 1872? – December 27
– Episode 7: What If… The Watcher Disappeared? – December 28
– Episode 8: What If… What If? – December 29

FAQs:
– When are new episodes available? They will come out daily from December 22 to 29, perfect for Christmas viewing!
– How many episodes are there in Season 3? This season has eight episodes, one fewer than the previous two seasons.

Sean “Diddy” Combs and Ashton Kutcher were once great friends who loved going out and partying together. They often hit the clubs with Jamie Foxx and enjoyed life like a fun group from a movie, which they called a modern-day “rat pack.”

However, everything changed when Ashton started dating Demi Moore in 2003. That was when he told Diddy he had fallen in love, and after that, their fun nights out came to an end.

Even though they stopped partying, their friendship didn’t really fade away. In a 2010 essay, Diddy mentioned that Ashton was still a good friend and someone he could talk to about life and business. They both appreciate each other’s different views.

But now, Diddy is in big trouble. He is facing serious federal charges for sex trafficking, which he says aren’t true, and he is currently in jail without bail. People are also looking back at his past friendships, including with Ashton. Some things Ashton said about Diddy’s wild parties during a 2019 interview are being talked about again.

As for Ashton, he married Demi in 2005, but they divorced in 2011. He later married Mila Kunis in 2015, and together they have two kids. Since Diddy’s legal issues began, Ashton hasn’t talked about him in public.

The season finale of Yellowstone, titled “Life Is a Promise,” aired on December 15, 2024, and it was full of exciting and emotional moments. Here’s a quick look at what happened.

Key Moments:

– John Dutton’s Funeral: The episode begins with the funeral for John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, who was killed earlier in the season. This sad event brings the family together, and Beth Dutton (played by Kelly Reilly) gives a heartfelt speech, saying, “We won,” as she remembers her father’s hard work and the family’s battles.

– Kayce Dutton’s Big Decision: In an important scene, Kayce Dutton (played by Luke Grimes) chooses to sell the Yellowstone Ranch back to the Broken Rock Reservation. He makes this choice because the family is struggling with bills and taxes from the ranch. He suggests selling it for $1.25 per acre, but wants to make sure the land stays undeveloped and that East Camp is kept for their family.

– Beth’s Revenge on Jamie: The episode builds up to a shocking moment when Beth confronts her brother Jamie Dutton (played by Wes Bentley) and violently stabs him. This action brings closure to their long-running battles and hints at more drama in Yellowstone’s future.

– The Ranch’s Future: Selling the ranch represents a huge change for the Dutton family. Kayce’s choice to sell symbolizes a new start, allowing him to focus on his family instead of the heavy burden from their past. The episode concludes with Kayce finally finding peace within himself after dealing with the pressure from his father.

Character Themes:
This finale captures the key ideas of family loyalty, revenge, and the fight for land. Beth’s fierce actions show her dedication to her father’s memory, while Kayce’s decision shows he wants to protect his family from their troubled history. The loss of John Dutton heavily influences what the other characters do and how they feel throughout the episode.

In a big surprise, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government has fallen after 13 years of civil war. Armed rebels took over Damascus, and Assad has had to escape to Russia for safety. This shift changes the power balance in the Middle East, especially affecting Iran.

What This Means for Iran
– Loss of an Ally: Syria was Iran’s close friend and a base for its military allies, like Hezbollah. Without Syria, Iran might find it harder to influence the region.
– Nuclear Weapons Push: To protect itself and stay strong, Iran might speed up its nuclear weapons program. They may want to appear powerful to fend off threats, especially from Israel and the U.S.
– Power Changes in the Region: Other countries in the area will likely try to limit Iran’s influence, which could change the region’s power dynamics.

The Future of the Iranian Regime
The Iranian government has faced protests and economic issues, but it has been tough to take down. The regime might see its survival as tied to its military strength, including its nuclear program. If it loses allies like Hezbollah, people in Iran may demand change, especially if they face more economic struggles.

Wider Effects on Geopolitics
The fall of Assad’s government doesn’t just affect Iran:
– Turkey: May gain from a flow of Syrian refugees, which could help President Erdogan grow in popularity.
– Israel: Will remain watchful of threats from groups in Syria but may also find chances for stability in the region. They have already targeted Syria’s Navy and control the Golan Heights.
– Russia: Will face questions about being a reliable ally as it has weakened due to multiple conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.