Gov. Tim Walz signed two executive orders on gun violence, MPR News reports. “One creates a statewide safety council to examine and help reduce the effects of gun violence. The other calls for tracking the cost of gun violence and adds funding to educate gun owners on safe storage.” The action comes after months of being unable to garner enough support in the legislature to pass gun-control laws. Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/16/lacking-minnesota-gun-regulation-votes-walz-tries-executive-orders

There was a spate of vehicle thefts in the early 2020s that exploited weaknesses in Hyundais and Kias. Now, “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Tuesday announced a settlement with Korean carmaker Hyundai-Kia, requiring the company to install a free hardware fix for every owner of a vehicle that did not come equipped with an immobilizer,” KARE 11 reports. “The fix involves the installation of a zinc sleeve that securely wraps around the ignition module of a Hyundai or Kia vehicle, making it extremely difficult to steal. Impacted vehicle owners should receive a notification in early 2026, but the AG says those consumers can be proactive and contact a local dealer. They will have one year from notification to get the zinc sleeve installed.” Via MinnPost
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/minnesota-settles-with-hyundai-and-kia-over-stolen-car-epidemic/89-f082aa80-154d-4380-86a4-2e88a15e2999

Hackers access Pornhub’s premium users’ viewing habits and search history
ShinyHunters group reportedly behind the hack affecting data of 200m users thought to be from before 2021
Dan Milmo. Global technology editor
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/17/hackers-access-pornhub-premium-users-viewing-habits-and-search-history

Review
Fallout season two review – this postapocalyptic thriller is absolutely hilarious
The video game-derived thriller series should be terrifying, but it’s often side-splitting. Its second outing adds excellent guest spots from Justin Theroux, Kumail Nanjiani and Macaulay Culkin
Graeme Virtue
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/17/fallout-season-two-review-prime-video

In a middling year for television, Pluribus is ending things on a high
Stuart Heritage
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/17/pluribus-apple-tv

Worried about winter? 10 ways to thrive – from socialising to Sad lamps to celebrating the new year in April
The temptation is to sit at home and hibernate, but beating the winter blues can be done. Here’s how to embrace the coldest and arguably most beautiful season
Rachel Dixon
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/17/beat-winter-blues-advice-socialising-sad-lamps-celebrating-new-year-april

MIT grieves shooting death of renowned director of plasma science center
Nuno FG Loureiro, 47, was shot multiple times at his home, and no details about a suspect or motive have been released
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/dec/17/mit-shooting-death-nuno-loureiro

New flu strain putting severe pressure on healthcare across Europe, says WHO
At least 27 of 38 countries in WHO’s European region are reporting high or very high influenza activity, body says
Jon Henley
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/17/new-flu-strain-sweeping-across-europe-is-putting-pressure-on-healthcare-says-who

Beans, beans, the more you eat, the more your … meals are healthier and cheaper
Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver launch ‘Bang in Some Beans’ campaign to highlight cost savings and health advantages
Magic beans: top chefs’ recipes for protein-rich superfood
Shane Hickey
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/dec/17/beans-beans-the-more-you-eat-the-more-your-meals-are-healthier-and-cheaper