Senate Confirms a Billionaire Entrepreneur as NASA Administrator

Senate Confirms a Billionaire Entrepreneur as NASA Administrator, with Jared Isaacman winning a 67–30 vote after an almost-comical detour in which Donald Trump yanked his nomination in May—citing Isaacman’s ties to Elon Musk right after Trump’s own falling-out with Musk—then renominated him in November once the political winds shifted. Isaacman’s comeback was greased by months of behind-the-scenes jockeying and support from big names in Trump’s circle, while he locked down senators by backing NASA’s Artemis moon program and promising to inject urgency into the agency, pointing to China’s accelerating space ambitions.

Apple’s App Tracking Transparency policy has caused significant revenue losses for small and medium-sized businesses.

Apple’s App Tracking Transparency policy has caused significant revenue losses for small and medium-sized businesses, as Apple’s privacy-first ATT opt-in rule makes it harder for e-commerce firms—especially SMEs—to track users and target ads effectively. A new study co-authored by Maximilian Kaiser at the University of Hamburg Business School, due to appear soon in *Management Science* and already available online ahead of print, finds the mandatory user opt-in is a key driver behind the revenue hit—another case of Silicon Valley selling “privacy” while smaller players eat the bill.

New interface engineering approach improves efficiency and stability in back-contact solar cells

New interface engineering approach improves efficiency and stability in back-contact solar cells, as researchers push to satisfy ballooning renewable-energy demand with devices that don’t just sparkle in a lab demo and then collapse like a politician’s principles. The focus is on back-contact perovskite solar cells—an emerging alternative to traditional front-contact designs—aimed at delivering high efficiency while staying scalable enough for real-world deployment.

Dan Bongino to Step Down as FBI Deputy Director

Dan Bongino is set to step down as FBI Deputy Director, after President Donald Trump said the former podcaster “wants to go back to his show”—because apparently the nation’s top law-enforcement bureaucracy is just another gig economy side quest before you return to the mic.

Noise and Flashing Lights: How to Prevent Christmas Disputes With Neighbours

Noise and Flashing Lights: How to Prevent Christmas Disputes With Neighbours is a timely reminder that nothing says “peace on earth” like a territorial skirmish over bass-heavy carols and a front-yard light display visible from space. As festive tempers rise, the best way to avoid a full-blown row is to head problems off early—keep the noise and decorations in check, communicate before resentment ferments, and deal with any fallouts calmly and directly, so Christmas doesn’t turn into a neighbourhood grievance Olympics.

Evening news broadcast for Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Evening news broadcast for Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. brings the latest local headlines from WHYY.

Sarah Vaughan Says TV Series Captures the Spirit of “Little Disasters”

Sarah Vaughan Says TV Series Captures the Spirit of “Little Disasters,” with the novelist telling UPI that the Paramount+ adaptation nails what matters most to her—so, against all odds, a screen version didn’t miss the point.

Welsh-language schools reportedly relax hiring rules by employing English-only-speaking teachers to address staff shortages

Welsh-language schools reportedly relax hiring rules by employing English-only-speaking teachers to address staff shortages, with a Gwynedd councillor telling Cyngor Gwynedd that some schools are “bending the rules” just to keep classes covered when staff are ill or posts can’t be filled. Cllr Dewi Owen said heads and governors are sometimes turning to local, qualified ex-teachers—even if they don’t speak Welsh—because the alternative is simply no teacher at all. The council’s head of education, Gwern ap Rhisiart, backed up the scale of the crisis, warning recruitment and retention problems are hitting standards across rural and urban areas alike, made worse by workload pressures, specialists being asked to teach multiple subjects, and a growing shortage of future school leaders, though he said non-Welsh-speaking recruits are expected to take courses to boost their Welsh and support the language.

Watch: Christoph Waltz hunts Caleb Landry Jones’ Dracula

Watch: Christoph Waltz hunts Caleb Landry Jones’ Dracula — because apparently immortality still can’t outrun a determined man with gravitas and a paycheck. Vertical has dropped the trailer for Luc Besson’s “Dracula,” starring Jones as the famed bloodsucker and Waltz on the hunt, with the film set to open in U.S. theaters on Feb. 8.

Finnish prime minister apologizes after controversy over “slanted eyes” comment and a post criticized as racist by a Miss Finland titleholder

Finnish prime minister apologizes after controversy over “slanted eyes” comment and a post criticized as racist by a Miss Finland titleholder, issuing an apology to Asian nations as backlash grows over the “slanted eyes” scandal—after members of parliament reportedly shared derogatory images that critics say crossed the line from tasteless to outright racist.

Watch: Sabrina Carpenter appears in a Muppet Show special featuring Seth Rogen

Watch: Sabrina Carpenter appears in a Muppet Show special featuring Seth Rogen — because if there’s one thing the world needed, it’s more chaos with felt. Disney+ announced a new “Muppet Show” special landing Feb. 4, featuring Carpenter, who also executive produces alongside Seth Rogen.

Chinese hackers used European networks to conduct espionage.

Chinese hackers used European networks to conduct espionage, with Check Point saying the China-linked group it tracks as “Ink Dragon” compromised European government IIS networks and turned them into relay nodes—routing command traffic and helping push ShadowPad malware to support wider espionage operations.

Buck Rogers Actor Dies at 82

Buck Rogers Actor Dies at 82 as Gil Gerard, the star of “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” died Tuesday at 82, according to multiple reports. His wife confirmed the news on Facebook.

A new, simpler way to watch local and national news while on the go

A new, simpler way to watch local and national news while on the go is rolling out on the NBC10 app with a new vertical video player. After updating—or deleting and reinstalling—the app, users can find daily-updated clips in the “Video Shorts” section, featuring stories from the Philadelphia region and across the country.

Amazon delivery driver accused in a fatal hit-and-run in Allentown was arrested in Philadelphia

**Amazon delivery driver accused in a fatal hit-and-run in Allentown was arrested in Philadelphia** after U.S. Marshals took 30-year-old Troy Johnson into custody at a family member’s home in Southwest Philadelphia on Wednesday. Investigators say Johnson, who was working as an Amazon delivery driver in Allentown on Nov. 21, got into a verbal road-rage confrontation with a 29-year-old man, then intentionally struck him with his car and fled; the victim later died at a hospital. Johnson was wanted on a Dec. 10 warrant charging him with third-degree murder, and the victim’s name has not been released.

Naval Strike Missile Raises Concerns Among Chinese and Russian Naval Planners

Naval Strike Missile Raises Concerns Among Chinese and Russian Naval Planners as the RGM-184A Naval Strike Missile spreads fast from its Norwegian roots into more navies’ arsenals—because nothing says “calm seas” like a stealthy, sea-skimming cruise missile designed to ruin a fleet’s afternoon. Built by Norway’s Kongsberg, NSM is a next-generation, subsonic weapon with 300+ km range, high maneuverability, and autonomous target recognition—meaning it can hunt ships, dodge modern air defenses, and also hit land targets, all while staying maddeningly hard to swat out of the sky. Originally fielded by Norway and Poland, it’s now proliferating, giving big-ticket naval planners in Beijing and Moscow one more reason to stare at their spreadsheets like they’ve just discovered gravity.

Man Charged With Killing His Parents to Appear in Court Wednesday

Man Charged With Killing His Parents to Appear in Court Wednesday: Nick Reiner was formally charged Tuesday in the murders of his parents, and after missing his initial court date because he wasn’t medically cleared, he’s now set to appear in court for his arraignment on Wednesday.

Woman files lawsuit seeking to have pets recognized as dependents for tax purposes

Woman files lawsuit seeking to have pets recognized as dependents for tax purposes, with attorney Amanda Reynolds arguing her golden retriever, Finnegan, is financially and medically dependent on her for everything from meals to vet care—essentially a four-legged freeloader she’d like the IRS to acknowledge on paper.

New Look cuts 25% off a “shabby chic” faux fur coat described as feeling like a warm hug

New Look cuts 25% off a “shabby chic” faux fur coat described as feeling like a warm hug, with shoppers raving that “the fur is gorgeous,” looks strikingly authentic, and has a lovely, soft feel to it.

London council warns hackers may have copied potentially sensitive personal data

London council warns hackers may have copied potentially sensitive personal data, as Westminster City Council says it’s still trying to figure out exactly what was taken and what that could mean for residents—because nothing says “modern governance” like discovering your digital doors were open *after* someone strolls out with the filing cabinet.

Stowaway Rat Found on Flight from the Netherlands to Aruba

Stowaway Rat Found on Flight from the Netherlands to Aruba — a rat was spotted strolling through the passenger cabin on a KLM flight out of Amsterdam, and in a triumph of modern aviation logistics, the pilot had no choice but to keep going all the way to Aruba, apparently upgrading the onboard experience to “surprise wildlife safari at 30,000 feet.”

Illegal waste dumped at unlicensed landfill sites in Kent is being transported from Scotland and Wales.

Illegal waste dumped at unlicensed landfill sites in Kent is being transported from Scotland and Wales, with reports that organised crime groups are cashing in—apparently running a cross-border rubbish pipeline where the only thing being efficiently recycled is other people’s rules.

2026 Midterms, Less “Wave,” More “Pre-Rigged Pool Party”

Politico’s take, the 2026 House battlefield will not resemble 2018’s blue wave, because the map has been aggressively “engineered” since then. After two rounds of post-2018 gerrymandering, there are fewer competitive districts, fewer easy pickups, and more elections that feel like choosing between two preselected options, brought to you by the fine artisans of democracy cosplay.

Navy Finds a Mach 5 Job for the USS Zumwalt, Finally

The Navy is aiming to make the Zumwalt-class stealth destroyers useful by loading them with long-range hypersonic glide weapons under the Conventional Prompt Strike program. These Mach 5-plus missiles, shared with the Army’s Dark Eagle, are built to fly thousands of miles and be miserable to track or intercept, which is a nice upgrade for a ship that has spent years as an expensive proof that procurement can, in fact, be performance art.

China Reportedly Eyes a Nuclear Supercarrier, The Type 004 “Big Leagues” Flex

Reports say China is developing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, possibly starting Type 004 construction at the Dalian shipyard. The rumored specs are 110,000 to 120,000 tons and more than 90 aircraft, including J-15T and J-35 fighters, a clear attempt to challenge the US Navy’s Ford-class and a reminder that global status competitions are basically gym-bro logic with shipyards.

The Air Force’s 2035 Shopping Cart, NGAD, B-21, Juiced F-35s, and the Immortal B-52

A force-mix proposal asks how many next-generation fighters the Air Force needs by 2035, with the F-47 NGAD as the centerpiece, the B-21 Raider as the stealth bomber backbone, upgraded F-22s, higher-performance F-35s, and the B-52J because that airframe will apparently outlive several continents. The pitch is overwhelming first-strike and follow-on punch against peers like China, assuming Washington can go ten minutes without turning budgets into a reality show where everyone loses.

South Wales Police Arrest 86-Year-Old in 1993 Llanharry Double Murder Case

An 86-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the 1993 killings of Harry and Megan Tooze, who were found shot dead in a cowshed at their Ty Ar y Waun farmhouse in Llanharry. A forensic review launched in 2023 helped renew the investigation, and police say enquiries are continuing while urging anyone with information to come forward.

Philadelphia Forecast, Warm-Up, Then a Rain Punch, Then Cold Again

Philadelphia is set to warm into the 50s midweek and reach the 60s Friday before showers and a heavier band of rain, most intense from around midnight to 8 a.m., move through. Temperatures are expected to drop back into the 30s by late Friday, with sunshine and near-50 weekend highs, then colder air returning Monday with highs barely above freezing.

Australia begins funerals for Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting victims

Sydney has started laying victims of the antisemitic Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack to rest under heavy police guard, as investigations continue.

Bondi funeral snub for PM as leaders feud over antisemitism response and tougher laws

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was not invited to the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of the first victims farewelled after the Bondi massacre, while NSW Premier Chris Minns and multiple federal and state figures attended. Josh Frydenberg used the moment to demand accountability, a royal commission, and a ban on “hate preachers,” naming the Al Madina Dawah Centre and preacher Wissam Haddad. Minns says NSW parliament will be recalled to fast-track tougher gun laws and is floating protest restrictions during a terror alert, while the federal government weighs hate-speech changes and what to do with antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal’s recommendations, as the opposition pushes its own counter-terror and antisemitism taskforce.

Eurovision host ORF says no ban on Palestinian flags and no “booing” blackout

Austria’s broadcaster ORF, hosting the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, says it will not prohibit Palestinian flags in the crowd and will not try to silence booing aimed at Israel’s performance, arguing its role is to show events as they are.

Welsh Senedd poll puts Plaid Cymru ahead as Labour and Conservatives crater

A YouGov and Cardiff University poll for next May’s Senedd election puts Plaid Cymru on 33% and Reform UK on 30%, with Labour and the Conservatives both on 10% (Greens 9%, Lib Dems 6%). Plaid claims momentum after a Caerphilly by-election win and frames 2026 as Wales-first versus a “billionaire-backed” Reform, while the Greens say they are on track for representation. Analysts describe a Wales-specific realignment, with former Labour voters consolidating around Plaid and former Conservative voters shifting to Reform, setting up coalition-heavy post-election maths.

Medford residents oppose the township’s affordable housing plan

Medford residents oppose the township’s affordable housing plan as New Jersey kicks off its 2025 round of state-mandated housing obligations—requirements recalculated every 10 years based on a town’s population, income, and land capacity. In other words: the state runs the numbers again, and Medford is loudly arguing about what those numbers should mean on the ground.

Police are searching for suspects accused of breaking into 20 storage units in Philadelphia.

Police are searching for suspects accused of breaking into 20 storage units in Philadelphia, after investigators said four men in dark clothing and masks hit the facility and stole an unknown number of items from multiple units.

Avian flu suspected after hundreds of snow geese die at a quarry in Northampton County

Avian flu suspected after hundreds of snow geese die at a quarry in Northampton County, as the Pennsylvania Game Commission says avian influenza is believed to be behind the mass die-off discovered at the site.

Broadcaster reports from outside a rabbi’s funeral as mourners pay tribute

Broadcaster reports from outside a rabbi’s funeral as mourners pay tribute, with a service at the Chabad of Bondi describing his death as an “unspeakable loss.”

Fleeing suspect arrested after North Philadelphia crash that killed an Uber passenger

Fleeing suspect arrested after a North Philadelphia crash that killed an Uber passenger, after authorities say Cini ran from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department and slammed into 51-year-old Stephen Thompson and his passenger, 63-year-old Angela Cooper—turning a reckless escape into a fatal collision.

Khawaja falls short of a century as Jacks takes his first Ashes wicket

**Khawaja falls short of a century as Jacks takes his first Ashes wicket** — and yes, England will absolutely be framing it like a spiritual victory. Will Jacks grabbed his first Ashes scalp by removing Usman Khawaja for 82, caught by Josh Tongue in the deep, as Australia slipped to 185-5 on day one of the third Test in Adelaide.

Trump orders a “total and complete” naval blockade of Venezuela

Trump orders a “total and complete” naval blockade of Venezuela, with President Donald Trump on Tuesday directing a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to or from the country—because nothing says calm, measured statecraft like flipping the big red maritime switch.

Order issued to block sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela

Order issued to block sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela as Trump ramps up the pressure—fresh off U.S. forces seizing an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast in a rare, headline-hungry move that came after a conspicuous buildup of military muscle in the region.

Plan approved to merge four New Castle County school districts into one

Plan approved to merge four New Castle County school districts into one as Delaware’s Redding Consortium voted to advance a proposal folding Brandywine, Red Clay Consolidated, Christina, and Colonial into a single Northern New Castle School District. The 24-member task force—educators, elected officials, and youth advocates—says consolidation could be designed to deliver more equitable resources, but it’s already splitting the community, with some parents warning it could disrupt districts that are working and arguing the focus should be on practical supports like job training. A Wilmington public meeting was also derailed when a Zoom chatbot blasted racial slurs, forcing a pause to address the harm. The merger isn’t final: the consortium still has to draft a detailed plan, then win approval from the State Board of Education and the General Assembly.

BBC declines to playlist “Fairytale of New York” live version over slur

The public broadcaster reportedly will not playlist a new live version of the Pogues classic because it includes a homophobic slur, which could dull a fan push for a Christmas number one. It is the same annual ritual as mince pies and family arguments, the song surges every December, the BBC flinches, everyone acts shocked, and we do it all again next year.

30 years since the Dayton Accords, peace that stopped the war and froze the politics

This week marks three decades since the Dayton Accords were signed in Paris, ending the Bosnian war after negotiations at a U.S. air base in Dayton, Ohio. The deal did its core job, it stopped the shooting and preserved Bosnia as a single state with protections, but it also entrenched a complicated power-sharing system that still enables nationalist obstruction and periodic secession threats, especially as outside attention has waned. The lessons are not subtle, major powers have to act together and on time, justice is foundational (the UN tribunal indicted 160-plus people and helped pave the way for the ICC), displacement reshapes lives for generations, and complacency is how nationalism crawls back out of the basement.

Bruce Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me from Nowhere” set for digital and 4K/Blu-ray release

The film is slated for digital release on Dec. 23, followed by 4K and Blu-ray on Jan. 20, because apparently the Boss is not done materializing in your living room in ever-sharper resolution. Rock mythology, now in ultra-high definition, so you can see every pore of the American Dream.

AI-designed dual-PCB Linux computer with 843 components boots on first try

LA startup Quilter says its AI-assisted workflow produced “Project Speedrun,” a complex dual-board Linux single-board computer with 843 components, in about a week, and it booted Debian on the first power-up. That “Holy crap, it’s working” reaction is less a quote and more the global hardware engineering mission statement. If the claim holds up, this could lower barriers for new hardware makers, or usher in an exciting new era of “move fast and accidentally ship a motherboard.”

White House hosts Hanukkah celebration with former president participating

A Hanukkah event at the White House is set to take place with President Trump participating, amid heightened security concerns after an attack during a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney. The celebration also draws attention to a notable, history-linked menorah connected to the occasion.

Measles outbreaks increasing, clusters reported in Utah–Arizona border area and South Carolina

Health officials report growing measles clusters along the Utah–Arizona border and in South Carolina, with hundreds of people in quarantine. Measles is not a quirky throwback disease, it is highly contagious, preventable, and still perfectly capable of wrecking communities when public health gets treated like optional software updates.

Hegseth Declines to Release Video of Strike on Alleged Boat Survivors

“Hegseth Declines to Release Video of Strike on Alleged Boat Survivors” as the Pentagon refuses to release the full footage of a U.S. military operation that involved repeated strikes on a suspected drug-running boat in the Caribbean Sea, an attack that left 11 people dead—because nothing says accountability like keeping the receipts locked in a drawer.

Congo rebels agree to withdraw from Uvira following a U.S. demand

Congo rebels agree to withdraw from Uvira following a U.S. demand, as a rebel leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo says he and his forces will pull out of the city after the United States requested it—apparently discovering that, on rare occasions, armed groups can take “please leave” as an actual agenda item.

Travel ban expanded to include Syria, South Sudan, and other countries

Travel ban expanded to include Syria, South Sudan, and other countries, as President Trump on Tuesday signed a proclamation widening the administration’s restrictions on entry into the United States—adding “full restrictions and entry limitations” for travelers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan, while also targeting Syria and people from the Palestinian territory.

Trump defends Susie Wiles and praises his chief of staff amid a controversy.

**Trump defends Susie Wiles and praises his chief of staff amid a controversy**, brushing off backlash over her Vanity Fair remark that he has an “alcoholic’s personality.” Trump said he understood the comment as a nod to his own longtime claim that, because he doesn’t drink, he’s “fortunate” he hasn’t tested what he called his “possessive and addictive” personality. He insisted he has “full confidence” in Wiles, calling her “fantastic,” while swiping at Vanity Fair as misleading, poorly sourced, and “lost,” and suggesting the interviewer deceived her during a couple of short interviews.

EU drops the planned ban on internal combustion engines but tightens emissions limits

EU drops the planned ban on internal combustion engines but tightens emissions limits, scrapping the outright prohibition on making gas and diesel vehicles and swapping it for a carbon dioxide mandate instead—because nothing says “decisive policy” like replacing a blunt ban with a spreadsheet of emissions targets and calling it progress.

Most searched holiday gifts, based on Google search data

“Most searched holiday gifts, based on Google search data” rounds up the Christmas gift ideas everyone’s frantically typing into the search bar, serving as a shop-now guide to help you grab popular picks and look impressively prepared for the big day—whether or not you actually are.

Minnesota attorney general reaches multi-state settlement with Hyundai and Kia

Minnesota attorney general reaches multi-state settlement with Hyundai and Kia, as AG Keith Ellison joined a 35-state agreement targeting the automakers over millions of vehicles sold without standard anti-theft technology—because apparently “please don’t steal this” was an optional upgrade.

Trump Compared to Jesus

**“Trump Compared to Jesus”** arrives as the premise of a newly published book, *Trump vs. Jesus: The Unparallel Sayings* by Keith Giles, pitching an “eye-opening” side-by-side contrast between the teachings of Jesus Christ and the public statements of Donald J. Trump—apparently for anyone who enjoys theological comparisons with a side of modern political noise.

Police increase armed security checks amid concerns about a higher terror threat during the holiday season

Police increase armed security checks amid concerns about a higher terror threat during the holiday season, with UK forces ramping up armed patrols and visible security across the transport network and other crowded public spaces ahead of Christmas and New Year. Counter Terror Policing and British Transport Police are urging the public to stay alert after recent attacks in Manchester and Australia, alongside reports of foiled plots targeting a German Christmas market and New Year celebrations in Los Angeles. With MI5 warning of near-record terror investigations and the UK threat level sitting at SUBSTANTIAL—meaning an attack is considered likely—officers say mass festive gatherings remain tempting targets and are asking people to report anything that feels off.

A Second Set of Anonymous Gossip Claims Revealed

A Second Set of Anonymous Gossip Claims Revealed, and it’s serving freshly microwaved “romance” energy: the actress offspring and the foreign-born former boy bander are allegedly rolling out a next-level staged photo package—hand-holding, hand-kissing, head-on-shoulder, the whole carefully curated couple’s-menu. The names floating with the chatter: Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles.

Russia designates Germany’s Deutsche Welle broadcaster as an “undesirable organization”

Russia designates Germany’s Deutsche Welle broadcaster as an “undesirable organization,” and Deutsche Welle’s director general says it’s yet another flashing neon sign that the Kremlin wants to quash any freedom of opinion in the country—because nothing screams “confident superpower” like treating journalism as a contagious disease.

Defense Department increases the level of its investigation into a U.S. senator as scrutiny intensifies over boat strike incidents

Defense Department increases the level of its investigation into a U.S. senator as scrutiny intensifies over boat strike incidents, with the Pentagon upgrading its review of Sen. Mark Kelly’s role in a video urging service members to refuse unlawful orders into an “official Command Investigation” involving the general counsel’s office and potential disciplinary action.

Kelly, a retired Navy officer and outspoken Trump critic, says the probe is intimidation; his lawyer calls any punishment unconstitutional overreach. The investigation—unusually aimed at a political figure and enabled by Kelly’s retiree status under the Uniform Code of Military Justice—lands as Congress demands answers about a lethal campaign targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific, where the military says recent strikes killed eight and the broader operation has killed at least 95 people in 25 strikes since September.

With the administration claiming conflict authority and “unlawful combatant” designations backed by a classified Justice Department finding, lawmakers are slated for briefings from top national security officials and to view strike footage this week, while Kelly’s command investigation is expected to run about 30 days.

Cyderes Invests in Lucidum to Expand AI-Enabled Identity Security

Cyderes Invests in Lucidum to Expand AI-Enabled Identity Security, acquiring Lucidum to beef up identity threat detection and stop threats earlier—because apparently “waiting until everything’s on fire” is no longer a strategy. Lucidum’s tagging and data-integration chops will feed Cyderes’ AI engine, fusing identity data with off-SIEM telemetry and risk signals into a single platform so teams can spot trouble sooner and respond based on actual human risk, not just dashboard panic.

Philadelphia Mourns Officer Andy Chan

Funeral services for Philadelphia Highway Patrol Officer Andy Chan are being held Tuesday at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City. A solemn goodbye for a public servant, no punchlines necessary.

Merriam-Webster Taps Slop as 2025 Word of the Year

Merriam-Webster crowned slop as the year’s defining word, a neat label for the creepy, zany, proudly fake content clogging our feeds, much of it juiced by generative AI. Consider it the dictionary’s way of noting that the internet served an all-you-can-eat buffet of digital mush and we kept going back for refills, then asked the algorithm for seconds.

Kent Under 21-Hour Weather Warning

Kent faces heavy rain and strong winds with gusts up to 46 mph, so secure the bins and retire the flimsy umbrella before it retires itself. Forecast: sideways rain, canceled plans, and one heroic wheelie bin rolling toward the Channel.

Wales and Europe’s Stateless Movements Compare Notes

ICEC spokesperson Geraint Thomas frames Wales as part of a wider uptick among stateless European nations, from Catalunya and the Basque Country to Flanders, Brittany, Scotland, and Veneto, with each win emboldening the next. Recent signals include 5,000 marching in Iruñea under the banner Askatasunaren Haizea, Flemish frustration amid Belgium’s political paralysis, Brittany’s push for devolved rights, and cross-border solidarity at the March for Independence in Barry. To knit efforts together, YesCymru and ICEC launched Letters from Friends, a bi-monthly newsletter sharing lessons and missteps. The pitch for Wales is blunt, a stagnant economy and structural underfunding mean decline, so coordinated strategies could make independence look less fringe and more like a calendar item London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome would rather not add.

North Wales Fire Service Issues Christmas Safety Checklist

After months of outreach, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service offers seasonal common sense, buy lights and chargers with the British Standard mark, use an RCD outdoors, do not overload or daisy-chain extensions, charge gadgets on hard surfaces and not overnight, keep air fryers off the hob, never disable smoke alarms, switch off tree and outdoor lights at bedtime, blow out candles or use battery ones, keep escape routes clear, and do not charge e-bikes or e-scooters on those routes. Fireworks require proper storage and no heroics with duds, and please check on vulnerable neighbours. The only thing that should be lit this Christmas is the pudding, and even that needs supervision.

Why You Do Not Scrap the Marine Corps

Arguing against abolishing the Marines, proponents note that U.S. interests straddle two oceans and crises do not book appointments. The Army is built for sustained heavy occupation and often cannot push a brigade out the door in under a month, while the Marines are designed to move within 24 hours. You do not shut down the fire brigade because the moving company owns more trucks.

Susie Wiles on Prosecutions and Payback

Trump aide Susie Wiles says the administration’s push for prosecutions had a dose of score-settling, and that she tried to get him to drop the vendetta tour after 90 days, resulting in a loose agreement with all the durability of a campaign promise. She insists he is not obsessed, merely opportunistic, which is a bit like saying the fox is not fixated on the henhouse, just curious. Wiles also acknowledged Trump was not telling the truth when he claimed Bill Clinton visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island.