US Troops Killed in Syria, Brown University Shooting, and Holiday Drinks - December 14

International and Domestic Incidents

• 🇺🇸 Two US Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush by an Islamic State group gunman near Palmyra, Syria.
• 🏥 Police responded to an active shooting incident near Brown University, with multiple gunshot victims reported; a suspect arrest was initially announced but later retracted as the search continued.

Holiday Traditions and Trends

• ☕ Hot chocolate and apple cider are the most popular holiday beverages in the US, with hot cocoa leading in 13 states.
• 🍸 Espresso martinis and other cocktails are also popular, while traditional eggnog did not rank as a top choice in a recent survey.

Business and Market Updates

• 🏦 President Trump indicated Kevin Worsh is a top candidate for Federal Reserve chair, with other contenders still in consideration.
• 💡 Intel is in advanced talks to acquire AI chip startup Samanova Systems for approximately $1.6 billion.
• 🚗 Rivian has developed its first in-house chip for next-generation self-driving technology in its electric vehicles.
• 📈 Last week, the Nasdaq fell 1.87%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.70%, and the Dow rose 1.01%, while Bitcoin dipped and gold climbed.

Additional News and Stories

• 🕊️ US special envoy Steve Wickoff is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky and European leaders to discuss negotiations to end the war with Russia.
• 📺 The average US household streaming bill is approaching $70 per month due to rising prices from major services, leading to increased subscriber churn.
• ❤️ A restaurant chef in Pensacola, Florida, likely saved the life of a regular customer by checking on him after he missed his daily gumbo ritual.

Sports and Trivia

• 🏈 Navy defeated Army 17-16 in the 126th Army-Navy game.
• 🏒 The Vancouver Canucks traded captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild.
• ⚾ A rare 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card is up for auction with a potential sale price exceeding $1.5 million.
• 🏞️ An ancient lake has reappeared in Death Valley after record rainfall flooded Badwater Basin.
• 🎬 The highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time is the 2018 animated film "The Grinch," which earned approximately $540 million worldwide.