Keeping up with America

With Fed independence in crosshairs, will Supreme Court back Trump again?
A looming Supreme Court case and Trump’s push to reshape the Fed raise the stakes for who really calls the shots on interest rates and inflation. 

Police search Brown University after shooter kills 2, wounds 9 on campus – A deadly nighttime shooting in Providence turns an Ivy League campus into the latest flashpoint in the U.S. gun-violence crisis.

Two US soldiers and an interpreter killed in suspected Islamic State attack in Syria – A U.S. patrol comes under fire in central Syria, killing American troops and an interpreter and forcing the White House to weigh how hard to hit back.

Arctic air sweeps south as Pacific Northwest stays on flood alert – A brutal cold blast follows days of flooding, stressing power grids, travel plans, and local emergency systems just before the holidays.

Pinched by higher prices, many Trump voters say don’t blame the president – Inflation frustration is real in Trump country, but loyalty is holding — for now — as voters decide who they think should get the blame. 

Around the World

Belarus frees Nobel winner Bialiatski and other opposition figures in US-brokered deal
A surprise prisoner release swaps 123 detainees — including a Nobel laureate — for U.S. sanctions relief, testing just how far Minsk is willing to drift from Moscow. 

Rwanda’s actions in eastern Congo ‘clearly violate’ Washington peace accords, Rubio says 
Washington publicly calls out Kigali over renewed tensions in eastern DRC, warning that broken promises could carry consequences.

UN chief visits Iraq to mark end of assistance mission set up after 2003 invasion
After 22 years, the UN’s political mission in Iraq winds down, symbolizing a slow pivot from war footing toward “normal” diplomacy.

Israel says it has killed a top Hamas commander in Gaza
Israel touts a major strike while Gaza residents pick through another hit car and rising civilian tolls.

Business & Tech

Think of this section as your “quiet room” away from the noise — big themes and practical money moves drawn from this weekend’s stories.

9 Winter Money Moves Retirees Can Make to Protect Savings
From moving idle cash into better-yield accounts to trimming stealth subscriptions, the message is simple: winter is for tightening the leaks.

6 Ways Seniors Can Prepare for January Price Surges
Build a short-term “bill buffer,” schedule rate-comparison calls now, and lock in essentials before New Year price hikes roll through.

Midwest Seniors Are Reporting Higher Grocery Prices Than the National Average
Regional inflation is real; if your area is running hot, it’s time to lean harder on lists, discount chains, and freezer-meal planning.

The Role of Colour in Office Spaces: Create Productivity Through Design
Even tiny tweaks to your workspace palette can shift focus, calm, and creativity — useful if markets, politics, or life stress are eating your bandwidth. 

Richer, Wiser, Happier

‘Zootopia 2’ reclaims top spot at US box office, crosses $1B worldwid
Disney’s animated sequel claws back the No. 1 slot, proving that cute animals plus nostalgia still print money in a crowded holiday slate. 

Thunder fall to 24–2 after loss to Spurs in NBA Cup semifinals
Even the league’s hottest team can get humbled; OKC’s first real stumble adds drama to the in-season tournament narrative.

LA Bowl Winners
West Coast college football caps bowl season with big plays under SoFi’s lights and a showcase for next year’s draft sleepers.

Every major update from the first two episodes of Taylor Swift’s Disney+ Eras Tour docuseries
Swift’s tour-turned-myth keeps expanding, with new Easter eggs and behind-the-scenes bits for fans who still aren’t tired of the era of Eras.

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

Thompson nearly posts a triple-double as Rockets edge Clippers 115–113

Houston’s young core steals a statement win and reminds everyone that the West’s middle class is getting dangerous fast. 

Jokić drops 36 and 12 as Nuggets rout Kings 136–105 for fourth straight win

Denver flips the “they’re coasting” narrative with a demolition that looks a lot like a spring preview. 

Netflix’s ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series unveils main cast

Gamers get nervous and excited at the same time as a beloved franchise heads into the high-pressure streaming spotlight. 

Here’s what’s new on Netflix in December 2025

From comfort rewatches to buzzy premieres, your holiday binge queue is about to get unmanageable. 

Live-action ‘Street Fighter’ movie drops its first trailer

Hadouken nostalgia meets modern CGI — and fans instantly start arguing about casting, costumes, and canon. 

Life Hack to Hack Your Life

9 Winter Money Moves Retirees Can Make to Protect Savings
Great checklist even if you’re not retired: rebalance, re-shop bills, and put every lazy dollar to work.

6 Ways Seniors Can Prepare for January Price Surges
Think: stock up on staples now, renegotiate recurring charges, and time big purchases around known hikes.

Midwest Seniors Are Reporting Higher Grocery Prices Than the National Average
Use their pain as your prompt: build a “price book” for your go-to items and chase unit-price, not brand loyalty.

The Christmas Tree Tradition That Helps Me Count My Blessings Each Year
A simple ornament ritual doubles as a gratitude practice — low-cost, high-impact mental health hack for the holidays.

10 Holiday Travel Essentials from Amazon for Under $30
Neck pillow, tech organizer, emergency stain stick: small things that save a trip when delays and lost bags strike.

Here’s How All-Inclusive Resorts Are Celebrating the Holiday Season
Peek at what “stress-free holidays” look like if you’re tempted to swap family cooking marathons for a beach buffet.

What Is “Airport Theory” — and Why the Holiday Travel Season Is a Terrible Time to Test It
A very online idea about relationships meets real-world crowds, delays, and missed connections.

The Role of Colour in Office Spaces: Create Productivity Through Design
If you work from home, this is your permission slip to finally fix that workspace wall you hate.

Garden Trivia: Christmas Cactus History
A fun little rabbit hole on a classic holiday plant — plus why it might outlive half your decor.

Brutal Arctic Air Arrives Tonight: Is Your Home Ready for What’s Coming?
A homeowner checklist for freezing temps: insulation, pipes, and drafts that can cost you real money if you ignore them.