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Hey there, fearless adventurers of The Core,

Getting ready for another day of fresh stories, quirky drama, and rebellious denim? Here's everything you need to spice up your inbox, whether you're just looking for the headlines. Let's dive right in—and let the fun (and the intrigue) begin!

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Unpacking the day’s core stories for you:

Remember when we first warned about the stomach bug? Well, it's back—and then some. In early December, the CDC reported 91 norovirus outbreaks (compared with just 69 a week or two earlier). The virus causes 19 to 21 million illnesses annually, 900 deaths, and 109,000 hospitalizations. Norovirus hits like a truck—usually within 12 to 48 hours—causing vomiting, diarrhea, and widespread misery everywhere people share space.

So, how do we dodge it? Handwashing is your No. 1 shield (soap and water, 20 seconds; sanitizer alone isn't enough). Stay hydrated if you catch it—dehydration is the real danger. Call your doctor if you feel extra dizzy or barely urinate. Trust me: These cases have been rising for weeks, and you don't want a "Norovirus Grinch" to ruin your holiday plans. Stay safe, wash up, and keep those hands off your face!

Flying Blind

How do you land a Boeing 737-800 with no front gear, a 'bird strike' warning, and a concrete fence too close? 179 people died in South Korea's worst aviation disaster since 1997 when a fiery slide down Muan International Airport's runway. Birds, mechanical failures, or both? Investigators aren't sure.

Meanwhile, the political backdrop looks just as messy. Both recently impeached, Yoon Suk Yeol and Han Duck-soo left an acting president to handle grief counseling and Boeing inspections. A black-box analysis is underway, but the nation wonders: Did the leadership vacuum meet a mechanical meltdown? Or was it all about feathers on the runway? Either way, the result is heartbreak; no checklist can undo it.

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Moves in Denim

Who knew chess would be about pants instead of pawns? It was a wild turn of events when Magnus Carlsen walked out of the World Rapid Championship after being fined $200 for wearing jeans—and demanded an immediate change. That's when the denim-loving grandmaster called checkmate, saying it was a "matter of principle."

Carlsen is apparently planning to return for the blitz rounds, still wearing jeans due to the new dress code. Don't let your brilliant endgames stand in the way of casual Fridays!

Your New Crush Playlist

Whether it was Hozier's poetic yearning ("Too Sweet"), Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' powerhouse collab ("Die With A Smile"), or Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone ("Fortnight"), 2024 was filled with love songs. Want something more acoustic? Check out "Heather on the Hill" by Nathan Evans, or go full pop with Ariana Grande's playful “the boy is mine.”

The best part? Each song tackled romance differently—from resurrected Broadway heartbreak to country twang like Lainey Wilson's "4x4xU." And honestly, we're here for every single vibe. So whether you're daydreaming about your crush or dancing in the kitchen with your partner, these picks are for you. Let's face it, we could all use more swooning—and a fresh playlist doesn't hurt.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Time’s Top 100 Photos of 2024.

🧮 Core Count: 43

The percentage of U.S. adults who consider themselves overweight.

🗓️ Flashback:

1906 - The All-India Muslim League was founded in Dacca, East Bengal, British India, and later became Pakistan.

1922 - The USSR was officially proclaimed in Moscow at the Bolshoi Theatre. It was organized as a union (U) of the Russian, Ukrainian, Byelorussian, and Transcaucasian Soviet Socialist Republics (SSR).

1924 - Edwin Hubble announces other galactic systems at an American Astronomical Society meeting.

1950 - Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam become independent states within the French Union.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran