Israel and Hamas agreed to extend their cease-fire to a seventh day just minutes before fighting was set to resume Thursday morning. Of the 240 people taken hostage in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, 97 have been freed in the truce's first six days. Israel has been releasing 30 Palestinian prisoners for each 10 hostages freed. Qatar, which has led the negotiations, is pushing for a permanent cease-fire. |
|
|
The secretary of state and national security adviser to Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford died at 100. While Kissinger was praised for helping to establish relations with China and for extricating the U.S. from the Vietnam War, he was vilified for authorizing a secret bombing campaign in Cambodia that killed thousands of civilians. Kissinger remained an influential voice on foreign affairs — informally advising presidents in both parties — to the end of his life. |
Kissinger was a polarizing figure in U.S. foreign policy. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) |
| |
The U.S. life expectancy in 2022 rose by more than a year to 77 years and 6 months, according to the CDC, which said the jump is mostly due to the waning Covid-19 pandemic. We're still below the peak life expectancy of 78 years, 10 months, the U.S. reached in 2019. Heading in the right direction. We'll take it. |
|
|
General Motors said the six-week United Auto Workers strike cost the company $1.1 billion because it couldn't build about 95,000 cars while workers walked off the job at some of its factories and warehouses. Announcing stock buybacks and greater dividend payments, CEO Mary Barra insisted GM can handle the 33% increase in wages for UAW members over a five-year contract, which will add up to $575 in costs per vehicle. |
|
|
The Biden administration listed wolverines as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act because climate change is expected to keep melting more of the snowpack wolverines use to dig dens. The act's protections can be used to prevent development and recreational activities in parts of the Rocky Mountains. A few hundred of the large members of the weasel family live in the contiguous U.S.; most are found in the far northern reaches of North America and Eurasia. |
This wolverine is at home in Glacier National Park in Montana. (Jeff Copeland/Glacier National Park/The Missoulian via AP, File) |
| |
Taylor Swift was Spotify's most-streamed artist this year. Her more than 26 billion streams pushed Bad Bunny to second place after a three-year streak on top. The Weeknd, Drake and Peso Pluma came in third, fourth and fifth. She's in her Spotify-topping era. |
|
|
A Virgin Atlantic 787 made the first trans-Atlantic jetliner flight without fossil fuels Tuesday. The London-to-New York trip used fuel made of "waste fats" including animal fats as well as kerosene made from plants. The Biden administration set a goal in 2021 for the U.S. to make 3 billion gallons per year of sustainable aviation fuel, which emits 70% less greenhouse gases. |
|
|
8. THE MUSEUM OF BROADWAY |
It sounds as if it's been around a long time, but this shrine to the Great White Way only just celebrated its first 525,600 minutes (that's one year for you non-Rent fans). Co-founder Julie Boardman led us through nearly 300 years of history, explained how shows get made and even introduced us to the original Cats costumes, which are as weird as you'd expect. We do believe we have been changed for the better. Wicked! |
| |
Stay hydrated with LMNT, whether you're on an outdoor adventure, traveling, or just need a little help with those holiday hangovers. LMNT's science-backed electrolyte ratio of sodium, potassium, and magnesium has no sugar or artificial ingredients. Plus, they taste great — try all 8 refreshing flavors today! Free Gift With Any Purchase |
|
|
Forget the expensive eco-friendly sprays — you can do everything from cleaning your pots and pans to polishing chrome with stuff you already have in your fridge, kitchen cupboard and next to your toothbrush, says Robin Wilson of Clean Design Home. |
|
|
10. GIFT BUDGET FOR COUPLES |
How much should you spend on your partner's holiday gift? Pattie Ehsaei, host of the podcast No Romance Without Finance, tells couples to agree on a budget: It sets expectations and prevents overspending. She also didn't hesitate to throw out some suggestions: $50 for couples together less than a year and $100 for long-term partners. So … that rules out a Lexus with a big red bow on top. |
|
|
The 91st annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit last night. |
|
|
|
