News in :90 – Dec. 15, 2023

A NASA telescope yesterday captured the biggest solar flare in years, temporarily knocking out radio communication on Earth.

The flare resulted in two hours of radio interference in parts of the U.S. and other sunlit parts of the world. It was the largest flare since 2017.

Prince Harry has won his case against Mirror Group Newspaper over illegal phone hacking, a huge victory in efforts to fix British tabloid misconduct.

Judge Timothy Fancourt ruled that Mirror newspapers had hired private investigators to snoop for personal information and engaged in illegal phone hacking for well over a decade.

Xcel Energy has been fined $14,000 after leaks of radioactive tritium were found at their power plant in Monticello, Minnesota.

The fine is not for the leaks themselves, but because Xcel Energy lacked the permits to start pumping the contaminated groundwater into storage containers.

The Minnesota Department of Health says that there is no risk to public health and that drinking water and private wells are safe.

Anita Alvardo can be reached at alva7428@stthomas.edu.