Monday, January 19th
⏳ THE SPEED READ
🚨NATION
Pentagon orders troops to prepare for possible Minnesota deployment (NBC)
America’s top Catholic clerics denounce militaristic US foreign policy (THE HILL)
Josh Shapiro claims Kamala Harris’ team asked if he was a ‘double agent for Israel’ (FOX)
Woman died after riding Revenge of the Mummy coaster at Universal Orlando, report says (CBS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Death toll in Spanish train collision rises to 40 as authorities fear more bodies could be found (AP)
Prince Harry returns to UK for 1st day of tabloid court case (ABC)
Iran state TV hacked to show exiled Crown Prince Pahlavi (FOX)
China’s population falls again as birthrate drops 17% to record low (GUARDIAN)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
IMF warns of trade tension risk to global growth (BBC)
Chicken sold in seven states recalled for potential listeria contamination (CBS)
OpenAI aims to debut first device in 2026 (AXIOS)
Northern lights forecast: Aurora could reach as far south as Alabama Monday night (ACCU WEATHER)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
NFL adds more controversy to Super Bowl after Green Day — vocal critics of Trump administration — set to open show (NY POST)
‘Zootopia 2’ surpasses ‘Inside Out 2’ as Hollywood’s highest-grossing animated film of all time with $1.7 Billion (VARIETY)
Bruce Springsteen dedicates song to Renee Good, decries crackdown on immigrants in New Jersey performance (NBC)
Piers Morgan suffers broken leg after tripping at London restaurant (FOX)
Friday, January 16th
⏳ THE SPEED READ
🚨NATION
Republicans urge Trump not to invoke Insurrection Act in Minneapolis amid unrest after ICE-involved shooting (FOX)
21-year-old says he’s blind in left eye after federal agent shot him with less-lethal round at California protest (CBS)
Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson’s defense is set to argue to disqualify prosecutors from the case (CNN)
83-year-old man convicted of killing Uber driver who he wrongly thought was scamming him (AP)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Norwegian politicians react to Machado giving Nobel Peace Prize to Trump (GUARDIAN)
Canada turns to China as Trump’s tariffs and threats bring foes together (NBC)
South Korean court sentences former president to 5 years in prison (ABC)
Israel sees spike in PTSD and suicide among troops as war against Hamas, Hezbollah persists (REUTERS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Trump launches bid to tame electricity prices in the Northeast (POLITICO)
Mother of Elon Musk’s child sues xAI over Grok deepfake sexualized images (THE HILL)
Average US long-term mortgage rate hits the lowest point in more than 3 years (AP)
Hassett reveals Trump housing plan would let Americans tap 401(k)s for down payments (FOX)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Bad Bunny delivers defiant multi-cultural message in new Super Bowl trailer: ‘The World Will Dance’ (VARIETY)
BBC strikes deal to make TV shows for YouTube (TELEGRAPH)
Kathleen Kennedy steps down as Star Wars creator George Lucas’s protégé Takes Over (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Mets, Bo Bichette agree to 3-year, $126M contract (ESPN)
Thursday, January 15th
🚨NATION
Democrat blasts HHS for creating confusion in cutting, then reinstating grants for substance abuse and mental health programs (CNN)
Appeals court says judge had no jurisdiction to order Mahmoud Khalil’s release (ABC)
ICE deputy director resigns from agency to run for Congress (FOX)
Brazilian au pair testifies against former employer and lover who murdered wife and stranger in Virginia (CBS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Pro-regime protesters in Iran hold Trump assassination attempt photo, chant ‘death to America,’ state media shows (FOX)
British veterans aged 65 told to prepare for war (THE TELEGRAPH)
Another construction crane collapse in Thailand kills 2 people a day after deadly train derailment (NBC)
More than 4.7m social media accounts blocked after Australia’s under-16 ban came into force, PM says (GUARDIAN)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Wikipedia inks AI deals with Microsoft, Meta and Perplexity as it marks 25th birthday (AP)
Verizon to issue $20 credits to customers affected by cell service outage (NBC)
After a medical evacuation from space, NASA’s Crew-11 returns to Earth a month early (NPR)
OpenAI’s ‘ChatGPT Translate’ opens and challenges Google Translate (VERGE)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Many college players among 20 charged in point-shaving scheme (ESPN)
Harry Styles announces music return with fourth solo album ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’ (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Mattel partners with author Alex Aster Announces New Barbie YA Novel (PEOPLE)
Woman who claimed to be Freddie Mercury’s secret daughter dead at 48 (E!)
Wednesday, January 14th
🚨NATION
US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran (FOX)
A Ford worker called out Trump. The president flipped him off. Now, he’s been suspended (YAHOO NEWS)
Democrat Elissa Slotkin says she is under investigation for video on illegal orders (NPR)
House Homeland Democrats launch investigation into Noem with eyes on impeachment (THE HILL)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
US military action in Iran appears increasingly likely, report says (GUARDIAN)
Costa Rica’s security director says plot to assassinate president uncovered (AP)
Construction crane falls on a passenger train in Thailand, killing at least 30 people (NBC)
Ukraine’s new defense chief reveals 200,000 soldiers have gone AWOL and 2 million are dodging draft (CNN)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Massive Verizon network outage across U.S; users stuck in SOS mode (MO NEWS)
California to investigate Elon Musk’s Grok over sexualized images (POLITICO)
NASA astronauts prepare to leave the space station due to a medical issue (NBC)
RFK Jr. selects new members, including self-described ‘anti-vaxxer,’ for advisory panel (THE HILL)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
‘West Wing’ actor Timothy Busfield due in court on child sex abuse charges in New Mexico (AP)
‘Euphoria’ sets return date, drops high-octane trailer for season 3 (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Ranger Suarez agrees to 5-year, $130M deal with Red Sox (ESPN)
Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey to star in ‘Sunday in the Park With George’ revival in London (VARIETY)
Tuesday, January 13th
🚨NATION
House Republicans move to hold Clintons in contempt after they refuse to testify on Jeffrey Epstein (MO NEWS)
DoJ officials quit in protest after division decided not to investigate ICE shooting (GUARDIAN)
Trump admin ends protected status for Somalis amid Minneapolis crackdown (POLITICO)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
China urges Canada to break from US influence as PM Carney visits Beijing (AP)
South Korean prosecutors demand death penalty for former president Yoon Suk Yeol (GUARDIAN)
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s political future is at stake as her appeal trial opens (LE MONDE)
Rampaging elephant kills at least 20 people, including children, in India, officials say (CBS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Inflation remained at 2.7% in December, as high prices continue to weigh on many Americans (CNN)
The Trevor Project, LGBT charity, receives $45M from MacKenzie Scott after difficult years and federal funding cuts (AP)
More people are living 5 years after cancer diagnosis, new data shows (ABC)
U.S. carbon pollution rose last year, new study shows (NBC)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Monday, January 12
🚨NATION
Around 1,000 more immigration officers headed to Minneapolis, sources say, as tensions flare after fatal ICE shooting (CNN)
Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals (NBC)
Donald Trump threatens to veto Obamacare subsidies bill (NEWSWEEK)
3 inmates dead, 12 hurt after “major fights” at Georgia prison, authorities say (CBS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Trump’s move to pull U.S. from key UN climate treaty may be illegal, experts say (GUARDIAN)
China says US shouldn’t use other countries as ‘pretext’ to pursue its interests (ABC)
Five severed heads found hanging on Ecuador beach amid escalating gang clashes (FOX)
Hong Kong court hears arguments on sentencing of former publisher Jimmy Lai; no decision yet (AP)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Malaysia and Indonesia become the first countries to block Musk’s Grok over sexualized AI images (AP)
Credit card stocks sink after Trump proposes interest rate cap (AXIOS)
Meta names Dina Powell McCormick, a former Trump adviser, as president and vice chairman (CBS)
Apple teams up with Google Gemini for AI-powered Siri (CNN)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
49ers down defending champion Eagles in NFC wild-card game (ESPN)
Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to doll line devoted to showcasing diversity and inclusion (AP)
Box office: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ continues winning streak with $21M (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
US bobsled driver Kris Horn survives scary ride in World Cup race as teammates fail to get into sled (USA TODAY)
Friday, January 9th
🚨NATION
Oregon launches investigation after Border Patrol agents shoot 2 in Portland (THE HILL)
U.S. seizes another tanker in campaign to control flow of Venezuelan oil (NBC)
Luigi Mangione in court as he fights to block death penalty, murder charge and key evidence (AP)
U.S. payrolls rose 50,000 in December, less than expected; unemployment rate falls to 4.4% (CNBC)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Russia uses nuclear-capable missile in ‘massive strike’ on Ukraine (ABC)
Mound of garbage collapses at Philippine landfill, burying and trapping 38 people and killing 1 (NBC)
Co-owner of Swiss ski resort bar hit by deadly New Year party fire held in custody (CBS)
Pope Leo says ‘war is back in vogue’ in major address to global envoys (CNN)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Democrats ask Apple and Google to remove X’s undressing bot from their app stores (VERGE)
Massive iconic iceberg turns blue and is “on the verge of complete disintegration,” NASA says (CBS)
Meta unveils nuclear deals with Vistra, TerraPower, Oklo (AXIOS)
Elon Musk’s xAI to build $20 billion data center in Mississippi (ABC)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Bruno Mars announces The Romantic Tour, 1st-ever headlining stadium trek (ABC)
Miami outlasts Ole Miss 31-27 to advance to College Football Playoff national championship (NBC)
Bill Gates sends $8B to ex-wife Melinda’s charity in one of largest divorce-related payouts ever (NY POST)
Kate Middleton celebrates her 44th birthday with King Charles and Queen Camilla leading well wishes (PEOPLE)
Thursday, January 8th
🚨NATION
Five GOP Senators join Democrats on vote to limit Trump on Venezuela (MO NEWS)
Jury hears 911 call from Robb Elementary as teacher urged children to safety (CNN)
Former Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announces retirement after more than 40 years in Congress (ABC)
House poised to approve 3-year Affordable Care Act tax credit extension (CBS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Protests erupt in Iran’s capital after exiled prince’s call; internet cuts out soon after (AP)
French farmers stage protest in Paris to oppose EU-Mercosur trade deal (GUARDIAN)
Lebanon says first phase of plan to disarm Hezbollah completed, but Netanyahu warns progress ‘far from sufficient’ (CNN)
Russian winter strike leaves nearly 800K homes without power and heat in Ukraine’s Dnipro region (FOX)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to review your medical records (BBC)
Google, Character.AI to settle suits involving minor suicides and AI chatbots (CNBC)
Tech titans divided over whether to pay billionaire tax or flee California (GUARDIAN)
NASA may end ISS mission early due to medical situation (ABC)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Harvey Weinstein weighing guilty plea to resolve third-degree rape charge (ABC)
Taylor Swift leads the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award nominations, followed by Bad Bunny and more (AP)
Katy Perry posts holiday photos of both boyfriend Justin Trudeau and ex Orlando Bloom (INSTYLE)
Paramount refuses to back down in Warner Bros. Discovery takeover fight against Netflix (FOX)
Wednesday, January 7th
🚨NATION
California residents face brutal choice one year after Los Angeles fires destroyed their lives (FOX)
Brown University shooting suspect planned attack for a long time, offering no motive in video confession, officials say (CNN)
Democratic state officials erupt over Trump threat to child care funds (AXIOS)
Nick Reiner’s arraignment in parents’ killing is delayed after his attorney asks to be replaced (AP)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Trump administration demands Venezuela cut ties with US adversaries to resume oil production (CNN)
Iranian protesters rename Tehran street after Trump, plead ‘don’t let them kill us’ amid crackdown (FOX)
Bus driver rams into ultra-Orthodox protesters in Jerusalem, 14-year-old killed (JERUSALEM POST)
Pope Leo closes Holy Year with critique of consumerism and xenophobia (NBC)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Warner Bros. Discovery officially rejects Paramount’s revised offer, stands by Netflix deal (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Musk’s AI chatbot faces global backlash over sexualized images of women and children (AP)
Trump pushes to limit Wall Street’s footprint in housing (POLITICO)
Avelo Airlines to end ICE deportation charters as it cuts commercial flights, jobs (CNBC)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Brigitte Bardot’s funeral held in France, with hundreds coming out to honor the 1960s silver screen siren (CBS)
‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘The Studio’ lead Actor awards nominations (GUARDIAN)
Ravens fire John Harbaugh, increasing the total number of NFL coaching openings to 7 (AP)
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban finalize divorce after 19 years of marriage (ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY)
Tuesday, January 6th
🚨NATION
Sen. Kelly says Hegseth’s censure, demotion efforts are about ‘stifling free speech’ (MO NEWS)
Trump administration halting $10 billion in social service funding to 5 Democratic states (CBS)
DOJ says millions of Epstein files have yet to be released (POLITICO)
Trial underway for former Uvalde school police officer accused of slow response to shooting (FOX)
California GOP Congressman Doug LaMalfa dies at 65 (CNN)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
European leaders rally behind Greenland as US ramps up threats (GUARDIAN)
Swiss bar hit by deadly NYE fire had not been inspected in five years (CNN)
Tourists stranded on remote desert island in Yemen after rift between U.S. allies (NBC)
China bans exports to Japan of dual-use goods that could enhance Tokyo’s military power (AP)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
The mother of one of Elon Musk’s children says his AI bot won’t stop creating sexualized images of her (NBC)
Nvidia unveils self-driving car tech as it seeks to power more products with AI (BBC)
Hyundai plans 30,000 humanoid robots a year for factories by 2028 (AXIOS)
Lego introduces ‘smart bricks’ with sound and light effects to new Star Wars sets (GUARDIAN)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
A new Grammy category honors album covers, and the artists that make them (AP)
Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr — known for bleak, existential movies — has died (NPR)
Mickey Rourke’s latest crisis leads to crowdfunding campaign for alleged unpaid rent money (FOX)
Ruben Amorim fired as Manchester United head coach after 14 months (ESPN)
Monday, January 5th
🚨NATION
Minnesota Gov. Walz drops bid for third term as fraud scandal grows (MO NEWS)
Suspect arrested after damaging VP JD Vance’s Cincinnati home (MO NEWS)
Hegseth censures Sen. Mark Kelly over video about unlawful orders (ABC)
CDC overhauls childhood vaccine schedule to resemble Denmark in unprecedented move (NBC)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
All 116 people injured in Swiss resort fire identified, say police, while bodies still being identified (GUARDIAN)
Ten people found guilty of transphobic cyberbullying of Brigitte Macron (POLITICO)
Protest over AI, climate crisis leaves tens of thousands without power in Berlin (CNBC)
China and South Korea pledge to bolster ties as regional tensions rise (AP)
After warning civilians of strikes, IDF conducts attacks on Hezbollah, Hamas targets in Lebanon (JERUSALEM POST)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Starter dose of Wegovy now available as a daily pill instead of weekly injection (CNN)
New federal screening guidance expands cervical cancer testing with an at-home HPV option (ABC)
Chick-fil-A launches its biggest ever marketing campaign as restaurant industry traffic shrinks (CNBC)
Sushi chain owner pays $3.2M for massive bluefin tuna (FOX)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood starts 2026 with ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ No. 1, as James Cameron’s sci-fi epic crosses $1B (NBC)
‘Marvel’ star Evangeline Lilly says she has brain damage after hitting her head on rock (CNN)
Derek Hough, Hayley Erbert welcome baby 2 years after Erbert Hough’s health scare (ABC)
First round of 2026 NFL Draft slots are set, with the Raiders at No. 1 (ESPN)
Friday, January 2nd
🚨NATION
FBI thwarts ‘potential terrorist attack’ planned for New Year’s Eve in North Carolina (NBC)
Trump says if Iran “kills peaceful protesters,” the U.S. will “come to their rescue” (MO NEWS)
US cuts proposed tariffs on Italian pasta exporters (THE HILL)
A search is underway for whoever killed a dentist and his wife while they were home with 2 children (CNN)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Champagne sparklers likely caused tragic New Year’s fire at Swiss resort bar (MO NEWS)
Maduro “ready” to talk with U.S. on drug trafficking, won’t comment on dock strike (AXIOS)
Earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.5 rattles southern and central Mexico (AP)
Kim Jong Un appears with daughter at mausoleum, fueling speculation over succession (FOX)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Tesla loses its EV crown to Chinese BYD as sales keep dropping (WIRED)
Saks Global announces new CEO as it reportedly prepares for bankruptcy (CNBC)
Grok chatbot allowed users to create digitally altered photos of minors in “minimal clothing” (CBS)
More than 2,000 measles cases reported in the US in 2025 as ongoing outbreaks threaten elimination status (CNN)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ series finale earns more than $25 million in movie theaters (VARIETY)
George Clooney pushes back after Trump attacks him over French citizenship (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
South Park writer buys ‘Trump Kennedy Center’ domain name (GUARDIAN)
Venus Williams, 45, set to make Australian Open history after receiving wild-card entry (CNN)
Tuesday, December 10th
🚨NATION
Millions of Americans closing out 2025 with brutal winter weather (NBC)
Alleged DC pipe bomber to appear at detention hearing as his attorneys argue he should be released from jail (CNN)
State officials and daycare manager push back on viral video fraud allegations in Minnesota (FOX)
Family, friends intensify search for missing Texas 19-year-old last seen on Christmas Eve (KRCG)
Tatiana Schlossberg, a granddaughter of JFK, is dead at 35 after cancer diagnosis (NBC)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Russian official threatens Zelenskyy as Moscow claims Kyiv attacked Putin residence (ABC)
UAE says it will withdraw from Yemen after Saudi strike on separatist-held port (BBC)
Turkish police detain 357 suspects in raids against the Islamic State group (AP)
Khaleda Zia, first female Bangladesh prime minister, dies aged 80 (GUARDIAN)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Oil prices steady as Russia-Ukraine peace hopes fade, Yemen tensions rise (REUTERS)
Ground beef recalled in multiple states over possible E. coli contamination (NY POST)
NASA to preview US spacewalks at Space Station in January (NASA)
AI showing signs of self-preservation and humans should be ready to pull plug, says pioneer (GUARDIAN)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Patriots’ Stefon Diggs faces strangulation, assault charges (ESPN)
Artists cancel New Year’s Eve shows following ‘Trump–Kennedy Center’ rebrand (FOX)
Taylor Swift surprises Arrowhead Stadium employee with hefty Christmas tip (ABC)
George and Amal Clooney granted French citizenship after concerns of raising children in Hollywood (CNN)
Monday, December 29th
🚨NATION
Heavy snow, strong winds and extreme chill sweep from the Midwest to the East Coast (NPR)
Two pilots killed after helicopters collided in New Jersey are identified (AP)
Nancy Pelosi predicts Democrats will win back House in 2026 (THE HILL)
Federal judge dismisses indictment against TikToker shot by ICE (ABC)
Trump’s Justice Department probes Google, Verizon over DEI policies, citing fraud law (NY POST)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
UN Security Council to convene emergency meeting after Israel becomes first country to recognize Somaliland (TIMES OF ISRAEL)
Thailand accuses Cambodia of breaking newly signed ceasefire deal (BBC)
China announces war games around Taiwan after hitting out at major US arms deal (CNN)
Mexican president says 13 people died in the Interoceanic Train derailment in southern Mexico (AP)
Winter rain floods Gaza camps as Netanyahu heads for U.S. meeting (NBC)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Bankruptcy success rate for student loan borrowers jumps to 87%, study finds (CNBC)
OpenAI is looking for a new Head of Preparedness (TECHCRUNCH)
Tech billionaires threaten to flee California over proposed 5% wealth tax (FOX)
Bottled water drinkers ingest 90,000 more microplastic particles each year, study finds (INDEPENDENT)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
French split over Brigitte Bardot tribute due to her far right views (CBS)
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ ignites box office for second straight weekend (CNN)
Bears’ heartbreaking loss to 49ers costs them chance at top seed in NFC playoffs (AP)
Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston return for more chaos in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ revival trailer (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Tuesday, December 23rd
🚨NATION
Former Sen. Ben Sasse announces he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and is ‘gonna die’ (CNN)
Missing Melodee Buzzard’s body found, girl’s mother taken into custody: report (FOX)
Trump administration investigates Brown’s security after shooting (NBC)
U.S. military hits alleged “low-profile” drug vessel in Pacific, killing 1 (CBS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Russia hits Ukraine with ‘massive’ attack, says Zelensky, after he warned of Christmas strikes (BBC)
Yemen’s sides agree to release 2,900 detainees in war’s largest exchange (AP)
Libya’s military chief and 4 others are killed in a plane crash after takeoff from Turkey (NBC)
Greta Thunberg arrested supporting Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike during London protest (FOX)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
U.S. economy grows by 4.3% in third quarter, much more than expected, delayed report shows (CNBC)
Powerball jackpot rises to $1.7B, fourth-largest in US lottery history (FOX)
Chicago dog tests positive for rabies for 1st time in decades (ABC)
Northern lights may delight this Christmas — here’s what you need to know (SPACE)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Vince Zampella, video game pioneer behind megahit Call of Duty, dies at 55 (AP)
Comedian Russell Brand charged with new offenses of rape and sexual assault (BBC)
Steelers’ DK Metcalf suspended two games for fan altercation (ESPN)
Chiefs announce move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to new $3 billion domed stadium in Kansas (YAHOO SPORTS)
Monday, December 22nd
🚨NATION
Epstein survivors criticize DOJ for failure to release all files (AXIOS)
Denmark ‘deeply upset’ by Trump’s appointment of Greenland envoy who wants island to be part of US (CNN)
Trump administration halts offshore wind projects from Virginia to New England, in major blow to clean power (POLITICO)
1 killed in California as heavy rain and flooding threaten parts of the state over the holidays (NBC)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Car bomb kills Russian general in Moscow (AP)
Bondi Beach attackers threw undetonated bombs and plotted for months, police say (TIME)
Freed Nigerian schoolchildren to be reunited with families (GUARDIAN)
Trump administration removes dozens of career diplomats from overseas posts (CNN)
‘Extremely cunning’ suspect in deadly Taiwan knife attack planned it for over a year (ABC)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Alphabet to acquire data center and energy infrastructure company Intersect (CNBC)
Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.6 billion ahead of Monday night’s drawing (ABC)
Vince Zampella, video game developer behind ‘Call of Duty’ franchise, killed in car crash (NBC LA)
Activist group says it has scraped 86m music files from Spotify (GUARDIAN)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Nicki Minaj praises JD Vance as assassin, realizes gaffe (MO NEWS)
First footage of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey released online (GUARDIAN)
Heated Rivalry’s fifth episode ties for best-rated TV episode of all time (PINKNEWS)
Barry Manilow reveals he has lung cancer and will reschedule shows to undergo surgery (NBC)
Fan denies using slur during incident with Steelers’ wide receiver DK Metcalf (ESPN)
Friday, December 19th
🚨NATION
Trump suspends U.S. green card lottery after Brown University shooting (CNBC)
Milwaukee judge found guilty of felony obstruction in helping undocumented man evade arrest (ABC)
U.S. strikes 2 more alleged drug boats in Pacific, bringing total death count to over 100 (CBS)
Trump administration moves to dismantle national climate research lab in Colorado (AP)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Putin vows no more wars if West treats Russia with respect (BBC)
At least four people killed in mass stabbing in Taipei (GUARDIAN)
Gaza no longer in famine, says global hunger watchdog, after influx of aid following ceasefire (CNN)
South Africa defiant after US threatens ‘consequences’ over refugee centre raid (BBC)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
TikTok signs deal to sell US entity to American investors (MO NEWS)
HHS to announce overhaul to child vaccine schedule, aligning with Denmark (THE HILL)
Sony nabs control of Snoopy and the Peanuts in $450M deal (NY POST)
Instagram introduces limits on hashtags to prevent spam (THE VERGE)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Bowen Yang to exit cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’ after Saturday’s episode (VARIETY)
Grammy-nominated artist Jelly Roll granted pardon by Tennessee governor in Christmas season clemency decision (FOX)
Majority of bets on underdog Jake Paul over Anthony Joshua ahead of Friday’s match (ESPN)
Paul King to direct Labubu movie for Sony (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Thursday, December 18th
🚨NATION
Trump signs executive order to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug (CBS)
Trump-appointed board renames Kennedy Center to Trump-Kennedy Center (MO NEWS)
Airplane linked to former NASCAR star Greg Biffle crashes in North Carolina (FOX)
Brian Walshe is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, whose body was never found (AP)
U.S. admits fault in DC midair crash as families push for safer skies (NBC)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Australian PM announces crackdown on hate speech after Bondi shooting (BBC)
Finland apologizes to Asian countries over beauty queen racism scandal (NBC)
Brazilian president vows to veto bill cutting Jair Bolsonaro’s prison term (GUARDIAN)
Doctor described as “star anesthetist” gets life sentence in France for poisoning 30 patients, killing 12 (CBS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
US says price increases eased last month but data may be distorted and Americans aren’t feeling it (AP)
Chipotle chases the protein craze with new menu items — including meat in a cup (CNBC)
Tesla faces 30-day car sale ban for misleading use of ‘Autopilot’ branding, CA DMV warns (ABC)
Hacker busts startup running huge web of AI-Generated “influencers” on Instagram (FUTURISM)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, Greg Peters visit Warner Bros. studio lot with David Zaslav (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
William and Catherine release annual Christmas card portrait (BBC)
Texas singer Aiden Ross wins season 28 of ‘The Voice’ (KBTX)
Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua prepare for Netflix fight (AP)
Wednesday, December 17th
🚨NATION
Nick Reiner’s attorney urges ‘restraint’ as client charged with killing his parents (MO NEWS)
Police want to speak to person who was near person of interest in Brown shooting (WJAR)
Former DOJ special counsel Jack Smith tells lawmakers his team developed ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt’ against Trump (AP)
Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth to release boat strike video to Congress (NPR)
MIT professor’s fatal shooting has police still searching for a suspect (PBS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Alleged Bondi Beach gunman charged with 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist act, police say (ABC NEWS)
UK PM Starmer calls doctors’ strike ‘dangerous’ as five-day walkout begins (BBC)
Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado has left Oslo after ceremony, her spokesman says (CNN)
Ukraine says it carried out first-ever underwater drone strike on Russian submarine in Novorossiysk (FOX)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Billionaire Ray Dalio backs Trump admin investment accounts for kids, joining Michael Dell (FOX)
Jared Kushner pulls out of Paramount’s hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (AP)
FDA announces recall of nondairy ice cream because it may contain “small stones” (CBS)
CDC formally stops recommending hepatitis B vaccines for all newborns (NBC)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Oscars heading for YouTube after more than 50 years on ABC (AXIOS)
Knicks win NBA Cup after rallying to beat Spurs; Jalen Brunson named tournament MVP (NBC NEWS)
Melania: first trailer released for Amazon’s documentary on the first lady (GUARDIAN)
FIFA slashes price of some World Cup tickets to $60 after global fan backlash (AP)
Tuesday, December 16th
🚨NATION
Trump sues the BBC for billions for defamation over editing of January 6 speech (CNN)
U.S. hits 3 more alleged drug boats in Pacific, killing 8, military says (CBS)
MIT professor killed in shooting at his Brookline home (NBC)
White River breach forces evacuations, Flash Flood Warning in Pacific (KOMO)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Driver who hit Liverpool parade said to have had history of explosive violence (GUARDIAN)
Rebels say they will withdraw from key DR Congo city at US request (BBC)
Australian police say Bondi Beach mass shooting was inspired by Islamic State group (AP)
Zelensky says “very workable” peace plan to end Ukraine war could be presented to Russia within days (CBS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Jobless rate rises, adding to Trump’s economic messaging woes (POLITICO)
Europe poised to water down landmark 2035 ban on new diesel and gasoline cars (CNBC)
Ford cuts electric F-150 Lightning production, takes $19.5B charge in strategic shift (FOX)
Retailers didn’t pull ByHeart baby formula fast enough after botulism recall, FDA says (NPR)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Fans celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in Britain and beyond (AP)
Lizzo celebrates as fat-shaming claims dismissed (BBC)
Joe Ely, singer-songwriter whose legacy touched rock and punk, dies at 78 (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Brown, USC cancel men’s basketball game in wake of deadly shooting (ESPN)