Spanish woman known for botched fresco restoration dies at 94
December 30, 2025 General

Spanish woman known for botched fresco restoration dies at 94

Spanish artist Cecilia Giménez, famous for her botched restoration of a century-old painting of Jesus Christ in 2012 that led to the "Monkey Christ" meme, has passed away at 94. The artist, known for her love of painting since youth, had attempted to restore the fresco due to its poor condition, causing worldwide attention and humor with the resulting cartoonish transformation. Giménez maintained she had permission from the local priest to perform the restoration.

Sources: CBS News
More artists cancel Kennedy Center performances after board vote on name change
December 30, 2025 Politics

More artists cancel Kennedy Center performances after board vote on name change

Artists are canceling performances at the John F. Kennedy Center following the addition of President Trump's name to the building, with some citing freedom of expression as their reason. The center's board, appointed by Trump, voted to add his name earlier this month, but Congress approval is required for an official name change.

Sources: CBS News
Missing Texas teen Camila Mendoza Olmos' father speaks out amid search
December 30, 2025 General

Missing Texas teen Camila Mendoza Olmos' father speaks out amid search

A missing Texas teenager, Camila Mendoza Olmos, was last seen on Christmas Eve, and new video footage has been released by authorities that may show her. The footage, taken by a dashcam, shows a person walking near her home, wearing clothes matching those she wore at the time of her disappearance. Her family reports that she often goes for morning walks, and she left her phone at home.

Sources: CBS News
Stocks rally after Christmas holiday
December 30, 2025 World Economy

Stocks rally after Christmas holiday

The Santa Claus Rally, a post-holiday surge in the stock market, is causing optimism among investors as they approach 2026, according to Phil Luck, a director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He discusses this trend with CBS News, offering insights into its potential implications for the global economy.

Sources: CBS News
Drivers ignore "Slow Down, Move Over" laws, raising risks on the road
December 30, 2025 General

Drivers ignore "Slow Down, Move Over" laws, raising risks on the road

Despite U.S. laws requiring drivers to move over or slow down when passing emergency vehicles on the side of the road for safety reasons, a study by AAA found that nearly four in ten drivers fail to comply, leading to an increase in accidents causing the death of 77 emergency responders between 2024 and early 2025. The study also revealed worse compliance when passing tow trucks.

Sources: CBS News
How much can you sell a 100-ounce bar of gold for right now?
December 30, 2025 Economy

How much can you sell a 100-ounce bar of gold for right now?

Gold prices have hit record highs in 2025, driven by economic uncertainty, inflation concerns, geopolitical tensions, and a weakening dollar. Investors who bought larger gold bullion products like 100-ounce bars earlier at lower prices are seeing significant returns. With the recent Federal Reserve rate cuts and global central banks adding to their gold reserves, gold prices remain high and investors continue seeking its safety during volatile times.

Sources: CBS News
No sign of "broader terrorist cell" behind Bondi Beach attack, police say
December 30, 2025 Crime

No sign of "broader terrorist cell" behind Bondi Beach attack, police say

An investigation into the Sydney Jewish festival mass shooting suspects Sajid Akram (50) and his son Naveed (24) revealed no signs of a broader terrorist cell, as they spent most of November in the Philippines with no evidence of training or logistical preparation for their attack. The pair, who reportedly rarely left their hotel, returned to Australia from Manila on Nov. 29 and carried out the shooting two weeks later at Bondi Beach.

Sources: CBS News
Judge blocks White House from defunding CFPB as its funds were about to run out
December 30, 2025 Crime

Judge blocks White House from defunding CFPB as its funds were about to run out

A federal judge ruled that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can continue to receive funds from the Federal Reserve, despite the White House challenging the legality of the funding method. The dispute centers around whether Director Russell Vought, who also serves as acting director of the CFPB, has the authority to shut down the agency and dismiss its employees, with the National Treasury Employees Union successfully preventing mass layoffs in court so far.

Sources: CBS News
Cable car accident leaves 4 hurt, 100 stranded on mountain for hours
December 30, 2025 General

Cable car accident leaves 4 hurt, 100 stranded on mountain for hours

A cable car accident on a mountain in northwest Italy left four people injured and over 100 stranded. The incident occurred on the Macugnaga cable car, which travels to Moro Pass near the Swiss border. The cabins involved collided with the station structures, causing three passengers and an operator to be hurt.

Sources: CBS News
Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs charged with strangulation, assault and battery
December 30, 2025 Crime

Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs charged with strangulation, assault and battery

NFL star Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots is facing criminal charges including felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault following an incident in Massachusetts earlier this month. No further details have been disclosed yet. The Patriots are aware of the allegations but are withholding comment due to it being an ongoing legal matter.

Sources: CBS News
From chess to a medical mystery: Great global reads from 2025 you may have missed
December 30, 2025 Health

From chess to a medical mystery: Great global reads from 2025 you may have missed

The Goats and Soda blog shares stories about global health, poverty, and life in the Global South. Some stories resonate deeply with readers, while others are overlooked. In a roundup of underappreciated stories, a touching piece recounts a father's bittersweet memories as his son starts kindergarten, reflecting on his own school start in Uganda.

Sources: NPR
FIFA president defends World Cup ticket prices, saying demand is hitting records
December 30, 2025 Politics

FIFA president defends World Cup ticket prices, saying demand is hitting records

At the World Sports Summit in Dubai, FIFA President Gianni Infantino justified high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, stating an unprecedented level of demand with over 150 million ticket requests. He emphasized that most of the tournament's proceeds will be used to develop soccer globally, asserting FIFA's crucial role in the sport. Ticket costs range from $140 to $8,680, while a special tier of $60 tickets has been introduced for select games.

Sources: NPR
Federal appeals court judge is accused of bullying her clerks
December 30, 2025 Crime Politics

Federal appeals court judge is accused of bullying her clerks

A nonprofit group has filed a misconduct complaint against Judge Sarah Merriam of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, alleging repeated instances of bullying and mistreatment towards law clerks. The complaint, made by the Legal Accountability Project, is based on conversations with multiple former clerks who fear retaliation.

Sources: NPR
Policy relief for family caregivers seems stalled out. But there are signs of change
December 30, 2025 General

Policy relief for family caregivers seems stalled out. But there are signs of change

In a dramatic speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat from New Jersey, shared his personal struggle with the complexities and high costs of family caregiving after his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis. The Care Can't Wait coalition has been advocating for federal support for family caregivers, including in the Build Back Better bill of 2021.

Sources: NPR
China flexes blockade capabilities near Taiwan on second day of military drills
December 30, 2025 World

China flexes blockade capabilities near Taiwan on second day of military drills

On December 30, 2025, China conducted a second day of large-scale military drills around Taiwan, dubbed "Justice Mission 2025". This included live-fire exercises, sea-air coordination, and blockading maneuvers involving naval vessels, fighters, and bombers. Additionally, seven temporary "dangerous zones" were established in the Taiwan Strait, affecting civil aviation schedules at Taiwan's four international airports.

Sources: NPR
Trump, Netanyahu meet over ceasefire. And, Russia accuses Ukraine of attempted strike
December 30, 2025 Technology World

Trump, Netanyahu meet over ceasefire. And, Russia accuses Ukraine of attempted strike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump discussed the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan and warned Iran against rebuilding its nuclear or missile capacity after their meeting at Mar-a-Lago yesterday. Meanwhile, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting a drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin's residences, escalating tensions in the ongoing war between the two countries. The Department of Government Efficiency, a significant change by the Trump administration this year, has faced declining attention following Elon Musk's departure in May.

Sources: NPR
Israel says it will bar aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, from Gaza
December 30, 2025 World Health

Israel says it will bar aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, from Gaza

Israel has announced the suspension of more than two dozen humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, for failing to meet new vetting rules in Gaza. The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs accused these organizations, including MSF, of staff cooperation with Hamas and other militant groups. The international community claims Israel's rules are arbitrary and potentially harmful to staff.

Sources: NPR
What being around death taught this hospital chaplain about life
December 30, 2025 Health

What being around death taught this hospital chaplain about life

Hospital chaplain J.S. Park, author of As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve, discusses his experience with death anxiety in his role at Tampa General Hospital. Despite initial fear, he found that facing death led him to appreciate the present moment more deeply.

Sources: NPR
An escalation in Yemen threatens to reignite civil war and widen tensions in the Gulf
December 30, 2025 Politics

An escalation in Yemen threatens to reignite civil war and widen tensions in the Gulf

In a significant development, Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's port city of Mukalla on Tuesday, targeting weapons shipments for separatist forces backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which later announced its withdrawal from Yemen. The UAE's action follows the secessionist Southern Transitional Council's seizure of several provinces, including oil facilities, earlier this month. The conflict in Yemen, involving a complex interplay of sectarian grievances and regional powers, has resulted in a prolonged civil war that has caused a humanitarian crisis and devastated the economy.

Sources: NPR
Toddler crawls through White House fence, prompts Secret Service response
December 30, 2025 General

Toddler crawls through White House fence, prompts Secret Service response

A toddler infiltrated the White House grounds on Tuesday, triggering security alerts from the US Secret Service. The incident echoes a similar event in 2014 when a child also managed to crawl through the fence. Both incidents resulted in temporary lockdowns and brief delays in official business, underscoring the ongoing challenges of White House security.

Sources: CNN
Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Lee Curtis spent the Covid-19 lockdown together
December 30, 2025 Health

Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Lee Curtis spent the Covid-19 lockdown together

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jake Gyllenhaal and his girlfriend Jeanne Cadieu lived next door to Jamie Lee Curtis in a house she owns. The three developed a close bond during the quarantine, with Gyllenhaal taking up bread baking and entertaining the group with acting, singing, and handstands. Gyllenhaal's new film, "The Covenant," is a military thriller directed by Guy Ritchie, also starring Alexander Ludwig, Antony Starr, Bobby Schofield, and Jonny Lee Miller.

Sources: CNN
Newly released video shows scene of Jeremy Renner's snowplow accident
December 30, 2025 General

Newly released video shows scene of Jeremy Renner's snowplow accident

Actor Jeremy Renner, known for his role in "The Avengers," sustained over 30 broken bones and severe injuries in a snowplow accident in January. Newly released body camera footage shows first responders, including firefighters and sheriff's deputies, rushing to assist him at the scene.

Sources: CNN
Millions in the US could face massive consequences unless McCarthy can navigate out of a debt trap he set for Biden
December 30, 2025 Politics

Millions in the US could face massive consequences unless McCarthy can navigate out of a debt trap he set for Biden

Speaker Kevin McCarthy is warning of massive consequences for millions of Americans as he refuses to lift a debt cap unless President Joe Biden agrees to spending cuts, potentially undermining his domestic agenda and legacy. However, McCarthy assures that he will prevent a government default, which could lead to halts in Social Security payments, recession, and job losses. The risk lies in McCarthy navigating this delicate situation with his tiny majority and extremist House Republicans, as the debt limit crisis looms large amid returning lawmakers.

Sources: CNN
Judge in Fox News-Dominion defamation trial: 'The parties have resolved their case'
December 30, 2025 Business Crime

Judge in Fox News-Dominion defamation trial: 'The parties have resolved their case'

Fox News reached an unprecedented $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, marking the largest defamation settlement in US history for a media company. The deal was finalized just before trial proceedings were set to begin, following a three-hour delay in the Delaware Superior Court. Dominion's lawyer called the settlement a "vindication" for truth and democracy, while Fox News acknowledged that certain claims about Dominion were false.

Sources: CNN
Here are the 20 specific Fox broadcasts and tweets Dominion says were defamatory
December 30, 2025 Business World

Here are the 20 specific Fox broadcasts and tweets Dominion says were defamatory

A defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News centers around 20 specific broadcasts and tweets, spanning from November 2020 to January 2021. The statements, made by hosts like Jeanine Pirro and Lou Dobbs, and guests such as Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani, accused Dominion of election fraud, using algorithms to flip votes, having ties to Venezuela, and politicians receiving kickbacks for using the company. A judge has already ruled these allegations false, and a jury will determine if Fox showed "actual malice" in spreading these lies, potentially awarding Dominion $1.6 billion in damages.

Sources: CNN
November 14, 2025 Politics World

Progressive Victories Mark 2025 Midterms: A New Era of Social Justice, Climate Action, and Democratic Strengthening

Democrats secured a historic victory in the 2025 midterm elections, winning control of both chambers of Congress and several key state governorships. The results ushered in a new era of progressive policies aimed at addressing systemic issues in social justice, climate action, healthcare access, workers' rights, and democratic institutions.

Sources: Progressive Analysis
August 05, 2024 Politics Economy

Economic Inequality Persists Despite Progressive Policies - A Call for Strengthening Democratic Institutions and Protecting Workers' Rights

In August 2024, despite progressive economic policies aimed at addressing social justice, climate action, healthcare access, and workers rights, significant economic inequality remains. This article explores the ongoing challenges and proposes strengthening democratic institutions as a key solution.

Sources: Progressive Analysis