Good Morning! On this date in 1843, Charles Dickens published “A Christmas Carol,” written in six weeks under financial pressure and sold out by Christmas Eve. First line: “Marley was dead, to begin with.” (See “Christmas Carol” Facts)
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The U.S. military is set to launch an expanded protection force in the Red Sea backed by an international alliance to combat growing attacks on shipping by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The attacks from the Yemen-based rebels have forced at least five major freight firms to sail around Africa to avoid the Suez Canal, causing delays for a significant portion of world shipping. The rebels’ goal is to cut off trade with Israel.
The new military alliance, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, was announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and will include the U.K., Canada, France, and other European nations.
Storm Knocks Out Power for 700,000
A major storm lashed the Atlantic coast Monday with heavy rain and thunderstorms, leaving almost 700,000 homes without power and 59 million people from Virginia to Maine under flood alerts.
More than 5 inches of rain hit New Jersey and Pennsylvania by Monday morning, and wind gusts reached nearly 70 mph along the southern New England shoreline. Most of the power outages were in Massachusetts and Maine.
Officials have reported at least four deaths so far. The storm was expected to abate by Monday evening, though the rain could turn to snow in some areas. School closings and flight cancellations were widespread, and it’s unclear when normal operations will resume.
Nippon Steel to Buy Iconic U.S. Steel
U.S. Steel, the company that helped build America into an industrial giant, is being acquired for nearly $15 billion by Nippon Steel, Japan’s largest steelmaker. The news brought immediate opposition from some members of Congress.
Nippon Steel said it would honor all union agreements at U.S. Steel, which will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, where it was founded in 1901 and later became the largest company on the planet.
Already lining up against the deal were Sens. J.D. Vance, John Fetterman, and Sherrod Brown, who oppose allowing foreign ownership of what is still a major U.S. manufacturer. The steelworkers union has also expressed its opposition.
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➤ Police arrested the driver who slammed into President Biden’s motorcade Sunday night on DUI charges. Biden was walking back to his armored car when the crash happened and no one was hurt. (See Video)
➤Nikki Haley released a new TV ad directly attacking President Biden’s candidacy over his age. “I’ll just say it: Biden’s too old,” she says in the commercial. (See Ad)
➤Maryland Democrat Sen. Ben Cardin has fired a staffer following news reports linking the assistant to a videotape of two men having sex in the Hart Senate Office. Capitol police are investigating. (More)
➤ Another automotive group has written a letter to three cabinet agencies and the White House asking for relief from proposed car emission rules that could “prematurely force abandonment” of gas-powered cars. (More)
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➤ The NFL suspended Pittsburgh Steeler Damontae Kazee for the rest of the season after a violent tackle on Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman. Kazee was ejected from the game, and Pittman left with a concussion. (See Video)
➤ The Kansas City Chiefs beat the New England Patriots Sunday, but not before receiver Kadarius Toney fumbled a pass into an interception. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes showed his frustration on the sidelines. (See Videos)
➤ Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry’s streak of making 3-point shots finally ended Sunday night when he went 0 for 8 from the 3-point range. The last time Curry missed every 3-point shot was Nov. 8, 2018. (More)
Market Report 12/18/23
▲
NASDAQ Natl. Assoc. of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
14,904.81
+0.61%
▲
SPX S&P 500
4,740.56
+0.45%
▼
DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average
37,305.95
–0.01%
▲
BTC Bitcoin
$42,612.0
+2.91%
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OCINF OCI N.V.
$29.00
+38.10%
➤ Big Stock Move: Shares of OCI, the Netherlands-based chemicals maker, soared 38% Monday on news the company was selling Iowa Fertilizer Co. to Koch Ag and Energy Solutions for $3.6 billion. (More)
➤ Southwest Airlines agreed to a record $140 million settlement with the government for its system-wide passenger delays a year ago. Passengers affected could get a $75 voucher as part of the deal. (See Details)
➤ The European Union opened “infringement” proceedings against Elon Musk’s X platform as part of an investigation into how well it’s controlling content “disinformation” on posts about the Gaza war. (More)
➤ A Chinese-made electric vehicle displayed a range of 650 miles thanks to a new battery that’s the largest in any passenger car. The battery will require a lease separate from the car. (See Photo)
➤ SpaceX’s powerful Falcon Heavy rocket is scheduled to launch on Dec. 28, carrying a U.S. Space Force plane into space. The flight was delayed from Dec. 11. (See Photo)
➤ The “Hunger Games” movies featured pairs of contestants battling for their districts, and a new artificial intelligence project has created a vision of what costumed teams from every U.S. state might look like. (See Images)
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➤ Can’t think of a good Christmas gift? Try this list!
➤ A survey of 27,000 travelers showed that half would enjoy a “mystery trip” where they don’t know the destination until they get there. Travel agencies now offer packages for surprise trips. (See Details)
➤ What happens to lost luggage that goes unclaimed? It’s sold to the public from a 50,000 sq. ft. retail store in Scottsboro, Ala. The store says 7,000 fresh items from lost suitcases are stocked every day. (See Photos)
➤ A new list offers the best dark sky parks for every U.S. state with the clearest nights for viewing the distant planets, the Milky Way, and other celestial sights. (See List)
➤ A jewelry store owner sent would-be smash-and-grab thieves scrambling for safety after he pointed a gun at them and warned them not to steal anything. (See Video)
➤ In other failed crime news, police captured three armed robbers because another robber stole their getaway car while they were holding up a check-cashing business. (More)
➤ Yet more villainy: People Magazine has compiled its list of the nine greatest Christmas movie villains. No. 1 is Mr. Potter from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but it also includes the Grinch, and yes, Hans Gruber from “Die Hard.” (See List)
U.S. to Protect Red Sea Shipping
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