10 things to know for Monday, Dec. 23

By The Associated Press

What’s everyone talking about today? Here’s a quick breakdown to keep you in the loop:

• 1. Crazy quilt of weather across the nation

  On the first full day of winter, the U.S. sees a wild mix of ice and snow, flooding and record warmth.

• 2. Why the U.S. is the juiciest target for credit card hackers

  Credit and debit cards in America still rely on an easy-to-copy magnetic strip on the back.

• 3. Glitch-filled rollout of “Obamacare” chosen as year’s top news story.

  The runner-up in the annual AP survey is the Boston Marathon bombing.

• 4. Who has issued a rare apology?

  Al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen says it’s sorry for an unauthorized attack by one of its fighters on a hospital that killed dozens of people.

• 5. In Sudan, fears of full-blown civil war

  Fighting between rebels and government troops continues to rage in the world’s newest country.

• 6. Where filling up may finally cost something

  As Venezuela’s economy struggles, the president hints at increases in the price of gas – a commodity that has been nearly free for years.

• 7. Apple seals deal with world’s biggest phone carrier

  The pact with China Mobile ends a lengthy courtship between the two companies and could boost sales of the iPhone in China.

• 8. Student’s backpacks a whole lot lighter

  Nearly all the texts used at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y., are part of a digital bookshelf kept on an Internet cloud.

• 9. Folks in Louisiana town stand by “Duck Dynasty” clan

  The AP’s Tamara Lush visits the Robertsons’ hometown of West Monroe, La., and finds lots of support for the reality TV family.

• 10. Dallas squeaks by Washington

  The Cowboys’ 24-23 victory sets up a winner-take-all, regular- season finale for the NFC East title next week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)