Iniaes

Guido’s Most-Read Stories This Week

Guido reported 756,526 visitors making 780,425 visits and viewing 854,935 pages this week. The most-read and most-shared items, in order, were: “Starmer Humiliated as Trump Suspends ‘Tech Prosperity’ Deal,” “Labour ‘Minded’ to Cancel More Local Elections,” “POLL: Starmer Hits Lowest Popularity Level Since Becoming Labour Leader,” and “Starmer: We’re Trying to Prevent Me Approving Crony Appointments…”.

Six councils, including five in London, allowed to raise council tax by more than 5% in 2026–27

Six councils, including five in London, have been given permission to increase council tax by more than 5% in 2026–27. Several of the councils have indicated they do not plan to use the full increase.

US Strikes 70 Islamic State Targets in Syria After Fatal Attack on US Personnel

The United States carried out strikes on 70 Islamic State targets in Syria on Friday, retaliating for an ambush that killed two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter.

Lyon Leaves Australia Close to Winning the Ashes

Nathan Lyon broke England’s late resistance on day four of the third Test in Adelaide, putting Australia on the verge of a match win and pushing England to the brink of losing the Ashes series.

Stephen Moore: Why Many Students Struggle to Read

In “STEPHEN MOORE: Why Johnny Can’t Read,” Moore argues that U.S. reading and math performance is deteriorating, citing national data showing the share of 16–24-year-olds at the lowest literacy levels rising from 16% in 2017 to 25% in 2023. He blames what he calls a “low expectations” approach in public education, pointing to Washington, D.C.’s Alice Deal Middle School removing full-length novels from the eighth-grade English curriculum in favor of excerpts. Moore contends this “dumbs down” standards, widens inequality, and threatens future prosperity, while praising states he says have improved scores by returning to phonics and basics.

Original gift ideas to help you shop successfully for Christmas

With Christmas approaching, Euronews Culture offers a set of gift ideas for anyone who still needs to shop—or wants to improve what they’ve already bought—aimed at helping you choose more original presents and earn extra appreciation.

Woman conspired with an accomplice to murder her husband

Masked gunmen and poisoned gravy frame the allegation that Michelle Mills plotted to kill her husband, Christopher Mills, conspiring with Geraint Berry to carry out the murder.

Preparedness Notes for Saturday, December 20, 2025

Preparedness Notes highlights notable events tied to December 20, including the 1917 creation of the Cheka under Felix Dzerzhinsky by decree of Vladimir Lenin—an organization later succeeded by agencies culminating in today’s FSB—along with the first jury trial in Delaware in 1669 and other historical milestones.

Why Christmas travel is rising in Europe

More Europeans are traveling for Christmas, shifting from traditional family gatherings and big holiday meals at home to trips abroad, including beach getaways and dining out, as they create new traditions and explore new destinations.

Prelude to World War, Part 2 (by 3AD Scout)

“Prelude to World War – Part 2” continues with a focus on the 1950 Defense Production Act, arguing it’s a key law to understand because pre–Pearl Harbor isolationism in Congress made funding and supplying allies difficult. The piece says the act was designed to give the president broader authority to ramp up war preparations without needing Congress’s direct approval, including powers related to directing production for defense needs.

AccuWeather: Cold air returns

AccuWeather reports that colder air is moving back in as gusty winds ease overnight, leading into a calm and quiet weekend.

A couple was injured when strong winds from severe weather knocked a tree onto their car. The wind followed heavy rain earlier in the day that caused flooding and slowed the morning commute.

During his annual public Q&A, Russian President Vladimir Putin, 73, briefly said he is “in love” but refused to identify anyone or provide details. The moment, described as prompted by state media, drew attention because Putin typically keeps his private life out of public view. The remark has renewed speculation about alleged relationships, including longstanding rumors involving former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, though Putin has never publicly confirmed any such claims.

Authorities are asking the public to help identify a person suspected of breaking into a beauty salon in Delaware County and stealing items.

Bucks County officials are warning residents about a mortgage assistance scam circulating through the mail during the holiday season.

A faux fur coat described as cosy and stylish comes in five colours and has received no negative reviews, with one customer saying, “I love this jacket, it makes me feel special.”

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 5th Fleet successfully tested a low-cost one-way attack drone system, LUCAS, launched from the USS Santa Barbara, in the Arabian Gulf. Commanders described the trial as a milestone in rapidly fielding affordable unmanned strike capabilities, following the activation of a one-way-attack drone squadron in the Middle East. The test reflects a wider shift toward cheaper, disposable drones that can deliver precision strikes and potentially overwhelm air defenses at a fraction of the cost of traditional missiles.

EasyJet passengers reported that an 89-year-old British woman was brought onto a Malaga-to-Gatwick flight in a wheelchair in a condition they believed suggested she had already died, with relatives reportedly telling staff she was unwell. Cabin crew later identified a medical emergency as the plane was taxiing, and the aircraft returned to stand, where emergency services and police attended and the woman was pronounced dead. EasyJet said she had a valid fit-to-fly certificate and was alive when she boarded, and the incident led to a delay of about 12 hours before the flight departed.

A woman was killed in a hit-and-run in Feltonville, and police are searching for the driver. The circumstances of the crash are still under investigation.

At a rally in North Carolina, President Trump claimed Democrats would force a government shutdown in January over health care, pointing to the upcoming expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits. He argued that Democrats would do so due to their ties to insurance companies.

How to Navigate the Christmas Break: Traffic, Opening Hours, and Planning Tips

This guide offers practical advice to help you stay organised and manage common Christmas break challenges, including avoiding heavy traffic and checking holiday opening hours.

A 70-Year Love Story That Began at Disneyland

A 70-year fairy tale traces Richard and Cynthia Borrud’s romance back to their 1955 honeymoon at Disneyland, when they visited roughly a month after the park first opened.

Massie says DOJ’s Epstein document release does not meet legal requirements

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a sponsor of a law requiring the Trump administration to release the full Jeffrey Epstein files, said the Justice Department is “grossly” failing to meet its legal obligations. In a social media post, Massie criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in connection with Friday’s document release.

Five early takeaways from the Justice Department’s release of Epstein documents

Five early takeaways emerged after the Justice Department on Friday released thousands of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including public court records, photographs, flight logs, and other materials. The disclosure followed a recently passed law with near-unanimous support in the House, with only one member voting against it.

Mayor Cherelle Parker Gives Philadelphia State of the City Address, Reflecting on Her Second Year in Office

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker delivered her State of the City address on Friday, reflecting on her second year in office and outlining priorities for the year ahead.

Ten Failures in Australian Telco Firewall Upgrade Contributed to Two Deaths

An independent review found that at least ten technical and process failures during a routine firewall upgrade at Optus disrupted emergency calling for about 14 hours, preventing 455 calls from reaching Australia’s Triple Zero service and contributing to two deaths. The report said Optus issued incorrect instructions to contractor Nokia, followed the wrong procedures, missed checks and alerts, and prioritized speed over correctness, with weak supervision and escalation. It also found the call center did not recognize it could be an early warning channel for Triple Zero problems, and noted that rerouting emergency calls during outages is complicated by inconsistent smartphone behavior and gaps in identifying untested “grey” devices bought overseas or online.

Multi-state manhunt underway for murder suspect with prior 2013 Philadelphia homicide conviction

Police across the U.S. East Coast are searching for 31-year-old Arkel Garcia in a multi-state manhunt. Authorities say he could be anywhere between Florida and Philadelphia and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Cherry Hill Mall Loses Power for About 30 Minutes on Friday

Cherry Hill Mall in South Jersey lost power on Friday, leaving the building dark as strong winds triggered outages across the Philadelphia region. The outage began Dec. 19 and was resolved after about 30 minutes, according to a mall spokesperson. Social media videos showed the mall in darkness with a bright white flashing light, and there was no immediate information on the cause or any injuries.

US Carries Out Retaliatory Strikes in Syria

The U.S. launched retaliatory strikes in Syria, framing the action as a targeted act of retribution rather than the start of a broader war, calling it “a declaration of vengeance.”

What’s happening with flu this winter?

Despite warnings of an unprecedented “superflu,” the available details raise the question of whether this season’s flu wave is truly exceptional.

Buffalo garbage truck crash ends in probation, teen remains severely injured

Sasiya Davis-Johnson, a former Buffalo Department of Public Works garbage truck driver, got three years of probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor third-degree assault and reckless driving for reversing the wrong way on a one-way street and hitting a 17-year-old on Oct. 2, 2024. The teen has been hospitalized for 14 months, is paralyzed from the waist down, has had an amputation, and has undergone more than 30 surgeries. The family is suing the city and others, and prosecutors say the victim consented to the reduced misdemeanor plea.

Capitol Hill’s year-end scramble (hits, misses, and holiday-grade chaos)

A “Take 2025” look at Congress captures lawmakers racing to finish last-minute business before the holiday recess. Some manage bipartisan civility; others air grievances in public like it’s a competitive sport, all while the legislative clock runs out and everyone pretends this is a normal way to govern.

NATO attack sub showdown, UK Astute-class vs US Virginia-class

A comparison frames the UK’s Astute-class and the US Virginia-class as NATO’s premier nuclear-powered attack submarines, crucial for tracking and engaging ships and subs. The breakdown covers displacement, speed, operating depth, sensors, stealth, and payload, highlighting Astute’s quieting measures, including anechoic tiling, plus Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles. Virginia is noted for larger production numbers and a fleet-scale design.

Indianapolis man accused of killing father, injuring mother, and fleeing in truck

Police say Bryan Pedigo, 54, fatally beat his 81-year-old father, John Lloyd Pedigo, poured candle wax on his face, and wrapped the body in a rug at a home on South Catherwood Avenue. Officers also found Pedigo’s 79-year-old mother injured and later treated for a brain bleed. Investigators say the father died from multiple blunt-force injuries, and Pedigo allegedly took a 2006 Ford F-150 before being arrested about 90 miles away after license-plate camera tracking. Court records describe shifting accounts followed by an admission. He faces charges including attempted murder, aggravated battery, and auto theft, is held without bond, and has a trial set for March 2026.

ATM “jackpotting” case grows, Ploutus malware tied to Tren de Aragua indictments

Prosecutors added new charges against an alleged ATM jackpotting gang accused of deploying Ploutus malware across the US to compromise ATMs and siphon millions. Officials link the defendants to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, which US authorities describe as a ruthless terrorist organization, and the indictment pile keeps getting taller.

Romney to fellow rich people, yes, pay more taxes

Mitt Romney argues in a New York Times op-ed that wealthy Americans, including him, should pay higher taxes to help avert the Social Security benefit cut projected for 2034. He nods to the 2012 campaign-era attack ads that painted him as the patron saint of the rich, which is one way to do character growth—and to do it in print.

Democrats warn DOJ on Epstein records deadline under transparency law

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democrats said the Trump-era Justice Department would violate the Epstein Files Transparency Act if it failed to release all documents and records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by Friday’s deadline. They argue the law requires full public disclosure of the materials.

Angels and Tyler Skaggs family reach settlement in wrongful death civil case

The Los Angeles Angels and the family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs agreed to a settlement in a civil case examining whether the team should be held responsible for Skaggs’ fatal overdose.

South Korea’s K3 tank concept goes electric, and yes, it wants to sneak up on you

South Korea’s K3 is a next-generation main battle tank concept, developed with Hyundai Rotem as a potential successor to the K2 Black Panther. It ditches the traditional tank layout and uses a hydrogen fuel cell with a hybrid-electric drive to move quieter, cut signatures, and stay agile in Korea’s mountainous and urban terrain.

Biodegradable “artificial synapse” uses shells, beans, and plant fibers to cut e-waste

A UNIST-affiliated research team reports in Nature Communications an energy-efficient artificial synapse made entirely from biodegradable, nature-derived materials like shells, beans, and plant fibers. The device shows record memory performance and could make neuromorphic computing more sustainable while reducing electronic waste and energy use.

Philadelphia region gets flooded roads, because weather loves a traffic jam

Heavy rain Friday morning left standing water on interstates and local roads across the Philadelphia region, causing flooding and ongoing traffic delays.

Rocky the shelter dog, stubbornly refusing to quit, unlike some politicians

“Shelter Me” introduces Rocky at the Pennsylvania SPCA, a resilient survivor whose determination echoes his famous namesake.

China sentences 27 for antimony smuggling as export controls tighten

A Chinese court sentenced 27 people for smuggling 166 tons of antimony ingots out of the country, highlighting tougher enforcement of Beijing’s export controls on dual-use minerals. Authorities say the group used falsified customs declarations and overseas partners. The alleged ringleader received 12 years in prison and a 1 million yuan fine.

Diabetes screening at Oklahoma City’s Mexican Consulate highlights gaps in care

A monthly health fair at the Mexican Consulate in Oklahoma City offers free screenings—BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose—to catch type 2 diabetes early, focusing on why Latino communities can be especially vulnerable. Organizers cite language barriers, limited time, and transportation hurdles that can delay diagnosis and treatment. Physician Carmen Romo warns official data likely undercounts prevalence, notes more cases in younger people (including children), and says most visitors screened showed signs of diabetes or prediabetes.

Perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells get a durability upgrade via vapor deposition

NUS researchers report a vapor-deposition method that delivers unprecedented durability for perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells, with major improvements in long-term performance and high-temperature stability. The results were published in Science.

Disney+ and Hulu build a giant gingerbread “Home Alone” house, capitalism meets frosting

Disney+ and Hulu unveiled what they call the world’s largest gingerbread house, designed to resemble the “Home Alone” film set, marking the movie’s 35th anniversary.

Obama’s favorite books of 2025 arrive, Trump’s list remains a mystery

Barack Obama shared his favorite books of 2025, including Beth Macy’s “Paper Girl,” Susan Choi’s “Flashlight,” Jill Lepore’s “We the People,” plus works by Andrew Ross Sorkin, Kiran Desai, Zadie Smith, Ian McEwan, and “The Look” by Michelle Obama. No list has been released for Donald Trump.

2026 price outlook, groceries and gas may ease, electricity still looks grim

Some households may see relief on certain everyday costs in 2026, but electricity bills are expected to remain a problem.

Trump’s “Patriot Games” pitch

Donald Trump says a new “Patriot Games” event is planned for next year, bringing two top high school athletes from each state into a nationwide contest tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding. It is nationalism as a sports bracket, which is very on brand for America’s current everything.

Julie Chrisley’s post-prison comeback, now with recipes

Julie Chrisley is set to star in a new cooking show after her release from prison, saying she wants it to feel authentic and focus on recipes viewers can realistically make at home. Reality TV remains the one industry where “authentic” is always prominently labeled, like a supermarket tomato.

East London stabbing case, family says justice achieved

A young man was stabbed to death on an East London street following a dispute involving a girl. His family said they feel relieved that justice has been achieved.

Wales tourism bill, committee says timetable risks shaky rollout

A Senedd committee warns the Welsh Government’s accelerated timetable for the Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation Bill leaves too little time for proper scrutiny, risking confidence in Wales’ hospitality and tourism sector. While backing the goals, including promoting tourism and creating a licensing scheme for visitor accommodation, the committee says key operational details remain unclear, including enforcement, licence processing, training requirements, and complaints handling. It also cautions the scheme could raise costs, add administrative burden, and potentially reduce accommodation supply, calling for implementation only with approval from the next Senedd and a formal review by April 2034.

Instagram’s 2025 plan, more Reels, more DMs, now on your TV too

Instagram head Adam Mosseri appears on Mixed Signals to explain what Instagram aims to be in 2025, including a push onto TV screens and continued reliance on Reels and direct messages. He talks about video increasingly becoming “television,” how Instagram is competing with TikTok and YouTube, and concerns about low-quality “AI slop” spreading through social media feeds. Humanity asked for connection and got an algorithmic firehose of nonsense, in 4K.

Argument against suppressing research on gender-affirming care

A headline argues that attempts to suppress research and open scientific debate on gender-affirming care should stop, warning that restricting discussion does not protect young people with gender dysphoria and may instead put them at greater risk.

Affair murder plot, both sentenced

A woman and her lover have each been sentenced to 19 years in prison after plotting to kill her husband so they could continue their affair. In the annals of bad relationship problem-solving, this one is impressively catastrophic.

Broadcast the Lobby Briefings

Westminster is in a flap after Downing Street signalled changes to its closed-door “lobby” briefings for a select group of political journalists. Number 10 plans to reduce the briefings from twice daily to once a day, with further reductions on some days still under discussion. Nothing says “confidence” like tightening access to the room where the unofficial official story gets workshopped.

Commonwealth Games TV rights, TNT Sports replaces the BBC

TNT Sports will become the new live broadcaster for the Commonwealth Games, taking over from the BBC. The BBC had been the principal broadcast partner since 1954 and had provided free-to-air coverage.

White House pauses diversity visa lottery after Brown shooting

The White House has paused the diversity visa lottery, which allocates up to 50,000 immigrant visas to applicants from under-represented countries. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem ordered the suspension following the Brown shooting.

North Carolina plane crash, regulators to examine wreckage

Federal regulators are set to examine the wreckage from a plane crash in North Carolina that occurred Thursday and killed all seven people on board, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family.

Minister Confirms Hack Exposed Government Data

Government data was accessed in a hack, the trade minister confirmed. The minister said an investigation has been launched to determine what was taken and how the breach occurred.

Head scores an unbeaten century as England near defeat in the Ashes Test

Travis Head made an unbeaten 142 and Alex Carey finished 52 not out as Australia reached 271 for 4 at stumps on day three of the third Ashes Test. Australia’s lead stretched to 356, leaving England close to losing and facing the prospect of their fastest Ashes series defeat in more than a century.

UK says Germany could join future fighter programme

The UK says it remains open to new partners joining the Global Combat Air Programme, the UK–Italy–Japan effort to develop a sixth-generation combat aircraft for service around 2035. In a parliamentary response on 18 December, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the three partners are focused on delivering the programme quickly while keeping the door open to expansion, amid uncertainty over the rival European FCAS project and Germany’s long-term position on a next-generation fighter.

The Game Awards 2025 Reaches an Estimated 171 Million Global Livestreams

The Game Awards 2025 set a new viewership record, drawing an estimated 171 million global livestreams across its full broadcast last week.

US suspends green card lottery after Brown University shooting

The US has suspended the green card lottery program after reports that the suspect in the Brown University shooting, and the murder of an MIT professor, entered the country through the scheme.

Russian airstrikes hit Zaporizhzhia, injuring 35 as fighting intensifies along the front line

Russian strikes hit Zaporizhzhia on 18 December, wounding 35 people and adding to intensified fighting along the front line. In Odesa, attacks on power infrastructure triggered the city’s longest blackout of the war.

Spectacle and serious risks surround a potential Paul vs Joshua fight

Spectacle and serious risk loom over a potential Paul v Joshua matchup, one of the decade’s most controversial prospective fights, with Britain’s Anthony Joshua insisting he has “no fear” and saying he won’t carry Jake Paul for a second longer than necessary.

Anthony Joshua outweighs Jake Paul by nearly two stone at weigh-in ahead of Miami fight

Anthony Joshua outweighed Jake Paul by nearly two stone at Thursday’s weigh-in for their eight-round heavyweight bout in Miami, coming in at 243.4lb to Paul’s 216.6lb. Joshua made the unusual 245lb limit set for him, while the pair traded heated words and throat-slitting gestures during the face-off. The fight will use 10oz gloves, with ongoing debate about the mismatch in experience and attention focused on the expected Netflix audience.

Jury convicts Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan of obstructing federal agents

A 12-person jury convicted Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan of obstructing federal agents who were attempting to carry out an immigration arrest near her courtroom in April.

Hormone pill linked to a rare, life-threatening condition in a 26-year-old woman

A hormone pill was linked to a rare condition that left Emily, 26, fighting for her life after a sudden onset of extreme pain. She was hospitalized for two weeks.

A user tried to dispute a tech support diagnosis with three incorrect arguments

“User found three reasons – all of them wrong – to dispute tech support's diagnosis” is teased as an entry in On Call, The Register’s reader-submitted column about tech support encounters, hinting at a case involving a teacher and tampered-with cabling.

Walthamstow Restaurant Banned from Playing Loud Music After Repeated Noise Complaints

A Walthamstow restaurant has been prohibited from playing loud music following sustained disruption to nearby residents. The venue has attracted up to 30 noise complaints over the past two years, with locals reporting they are exhausted by the ongoing disturbance.

EU Rejects Starmer’s Ukraine Funding Proposal as Brussels Approves €90 Billion Support Fund

Keir Starmer’s preferred approach to funding Ukraine—using frozen Russian assets—failed to win EU backing, as Brussels instead agreed on a €90 billion interest-free loan funded by member states. The UK had urged repurposing immobilised Russian money, much of it held in Belgium, raising concerns about legal risk and potential retaliation from Russia. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said he had previously been threatened over the assets, while the UK says it wants the frozen funds used to support Ukraine and signal continued resolve against Vladimir Putin.

Suspect in Brown University shooting found dead, police say

Police say the suspect in last week’s mass shooting at Brown University has been found dead. Investigators also say the suspect is linked to the murder of an MIT professor on Monday.

Jogye Temple Lights Christmas Tree as Interfaith Leaders Meet

A Christmas tree was lit at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul during a ceremony hosted by South Korea’s largest Buddhist order, bringing together leaders from multiple faiths.

Democrats Release Additional Epstein Estate Photos Ahead of Friday Deadline

Democrats released 68 more photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate on Thursday ahead of a Friday deadline, bringing the total provided to the House Oversight Committee to more than 95,000.

Mother dies from injuries weeks after Chester house fire that killed her son

Officials confirmed Thursday that a mother seriously injured in a Chester house fire last month has died from her injuries. Her son also died in the fire.

EU Agrees to a €90 Billion Loan for Ukraine Without Using Frozen Russian Assets

The EU has agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan, but will not fund it by tapping frozen Russian assets. Ukraine had pushed for the use of roughly €200 billion in immobilized Russian funds, while Belgium opposed that approach.

Unification Ministry Supports DMZ Legislation and Disputes UN Command Armistice Objections

The Unification Ministry endorsed a bill related to the Demilitarized Zone, arguing that the Korean War armistice is military in nature and does not prohibit peaceful use of the DMZ. The ministry’s position challenges objections from the United Nations Command, which claims the bill conflicts with armistice terms.

Three Arrested in Sri Lanka Over Alleged Burning of Wild Elephant

Three people have been arrested in Sri Lanka after police said villagers used flaming torches to drive away a wild elephant, which later died.

UK Actors Vote to Refuse Digital Scanning in Pushback Against AI

UK actors in the Equity union voted overwhelmingly to refuse on-set digital scanning to stop their likeness being reused by AI, with 99% backing the move in an indicative ballot of more than 7,000 members on a 75% turnout. Equity plans to press producers’ group Pact for new minimum pay and stronger terms for film and TV work, and may call a formal ballot that could provide legal protection for actors who refuse scanning during negotiations.

Japan raises interest rate to its highest level since 1995 as inflation rises

Japan has raised its interest rate to the highest level since 1995 as inflation intensifies. The move comes as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wants inflation to cool while also trying to keep government borrowing costs low.

Milwaukee County judge convicted of obstructing federal immigration agents in courthouse incident

A jury found Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan guilty of felony obstruction for interfering with federal immigration agents attempting to serve a warrant at a courthouse. Prosecutors said Dugan helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his attorney leave the courtroom through a back door after she learned plainclothes ICE agents were in the building. She faces up to five years in prison and was acquitted on a separate misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Her defense team said it plans to continue challenging the case.

Chinese State-Linked Hackers Target Cisco Email Security Gateways

Chinese state-linked hackers, tracked by Cisco Talos as UAT-9686, are exploiting an unpatched zero-day vulnerability in Cisco Secure Email Gateway and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager. The campaign has been active since mid-November and is aimed at gaining persistent access to affected systems.

Breach roundup: Coupang breach triggers leadership changes

A Coupang breach prompted leadership changes as attackers exploited critical Fortinet SSO vulnerabilities. Other developments included a reported Pornhub data hack, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton suing smart TV manufacturers, auto finance provider 700Credit disclosing a breach affecting millions, and a revived pro-Russia ransomware group faltering.

MedStar Health Notifies Patients After Data Theft Breach

MedStar Health, a Maryland-based system operating 10 hospitals, is notifying patients about a data theft incident involving their personal information. The ransomware group Rhysida claims it has leaked 3.7TB of stolen MedStar data on a dark web site, including what it describes as more than 7 million pieces of patient data.

Investigators explore possible link between Brown University shooting and MIT professor’s killing

Authorities are investigating whether a mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island—where two students were killed and nine people were wounded—may be connected to the fatal shooting of MIT professor Nuno Loureiro at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, two days later. Sources say investigators are pursuing a person of interest in both incidents, though no suspect has been publicly named, and the FBI previously said it was unaware of any connection. The Brown shooter remains at large, with limited surveillance footage showing only a masked figure, and officials say the motive is still unknown.

B-52s, B-1B Lancers, and F/A-18 Super Hornets Continue Flying Near Venezuela

B-52 and B-1B bomber flights near Venezuela are now being joined by U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets, reflecting increased U.S. air and naval activity in the Caribbean. The moves coincide with the Trump administration urging a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned oil tankers to intensify pressure on Nicolás Maduro, while flight trackers also reported an EA-18G Growler operating near the Gulf of Venezuela.

North Carolina’s Longest-Serving Governor, Jim Hunt, Dies at 88

Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, a Democrat and the state’s longest-serving governor, died Thursday at age 88. His daughter, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, announced his death in a statement on X, calling him her “beloved daddy and hero” and praising his lifetime of public service.

U.S. Air Force Deploys B-1B Lancer Bombers to the Indo-Pacific Near China

A Dyess Air Force Base B-1B bomber task force completed an Indo-Pacific deployment from Misawa Air Base in Japan. The bombers flew 14 higher-headquarters missions and 10 local sorties, integrating with forces from Japan, India, the Philippines, and Canada—signaling that U.S. long-range strike capability can deploy quickly and operate with regional partners.

MoU Strengthens Latin American Collaboration Against Digital Piracy

Mexico’s Institute of Industrial Property, or IMPI, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Motion Picture Association and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment to deepen public–private cooperation against illegal streaming and other forms of digital piracy across Latin America, reinforcing coordinated enforcement efforts.

Ed Boyd appointed to Technetix Strategic Advisory Board

Technetix has appointed entrepreneur and technology leader Ed Boyd to its Strategic Advisory Board, effective January 1, 2026. Boyd brings more than 30 years of experience in communications and application-specific integrated circuits, including work on custom silicon for data communications and access networks.

Democrats move to avoid another government shutdown fight

Democrats are steering away from another shutdown fight after the record-long 43-day closure, even though Congress still lacks a deal on expiring health care subsidies and faces looming funding deadlines. Party leaders and progressives say there’s little talk of forcing a shutdown, preferring to push bipartisan appropriations bills while keeping some leverage if talks on premium tax credits or spending stall. With an election year underway and some moderates aligning with their health care messaging, Democrats appear focused on extending subsidies and passing regular funding bills rather than replaying the shutdown strategy.

White House says Kennedy Center will be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center

The White House says the Kennedy Center’s board, appointed by Donald Trump, voted to rename the performing arts venue the Trump-Kennedy Center in his honor.

Blind Item #6 Revealed

A blind-item claim alleges that the Broadway girlfriend of a foreign-born A-list actor has a history of mocking Black singers on Broadway, later pretending not to understand the criticism and never apologizing. The item identifies the pair as Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman.

Wiz Khalifa Sentenced to Nine Months in Jail in Romania for Smoking Cannabis on Stage

Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced in absentia to nine months in jail in Romania after admitting he smoked a cannabis joint on stage during a festival last year.

Runcrate offers affordable, pay-as-you-go GPU cloud for AI workloads

Runcrate is a GPU cloud platform aimed at AI developers and startups, providing instant access to high-performance GPUs with simple pay-as-you-go pricing and no contracts or quotas. It also includes a one-click, browser-based VS Code setup with a custom Jupyter extension to help users start building and training models quickly.

Review Finds Unacceptable Waiting Times for Adult Gender Clinic Appointments

A review warns that waiting times for adult gender clinic appointments are unacceptable and could reach up to 15 years for some patients unless significant improvements are made.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Found Not Guilty on All Child Abuse Charges

A jury acquitted Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. of all charges in his child abuse trial after more than two days of deliberations. Prosecutors alleged that Small and his wife, Atlantic City schools superintendent La’Quetta Small, attacked their teenage daughter in incidents in December 2023 and January 2024, with the daughter’s boyfriend reporting what he said happened. Small had faced charges including endangering the welfare of a child, terroristic threats, and aggravated assault, and was later indicted on felony counts. He also faced allegations of urging his daughter to recant. After the verdict, Small thanked the jury, his supporters, and God, while La’Quetta Small’s trial is scheduled for next year.

RFK Jr. calls for a review of the childhood vaccine schedule, despite decades of safety evidence

RFK Jr. has said he wants to scrutinize the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, a national standard built over decades of research, clinical trials involving millions of participants, and ongoing safety monitoring. The unified schedule has existed since 1995 and has expanded as new vaccines proved safe and effective, helping make many once-common childhood diseases rare. In December 2025, the CDC under Kennedy accepted an advisory vote to drop the long-standing recommendation for routine hepatitis B vaccination at birth despite no new evidence undermining its safety. Medical groups have opposed the change, and some states say they will continue following established evidence-based guidelines.