The U.S. attacked three sites overseas after a drone attack injured three U.S. servicemembers in northern Iraq. President Joe Biden ordered the retaliatory strikes on the Iranian-backed militia, with the White House saying, "The President places no higher priority than the protection of American personnel serving in harm's way." |
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Today U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas head to Mexico to try to find new ways to stop the waves of migrants illegally crossing into the U.S. People are fleeing devastating conditions in their home countries, but local, state and federal governments in the U.S. are struggling to handle the migrant surge. |
Migrants walk along a highway in Huixtla, Mexico, on Christmas Day. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente) |
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The vicious winter storm that has pummeled the Plains states is expected to continue gradually winding down today. Yesterday, rescuers helped more than a dozen motorists who were stranded after ignoring a no-travel advisory in South Dakota, while blizzard conditions forced Denver International Airport to delay or cancel hundreds of flights. |
Tractor-trailers lost control on Christmas Day on Interstate 80 in Nebraska. (Nebraska State Patrol via AP) |
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Regulators in Maine were planning to hold an important vote last week in an effort to get more drivers to buy electric vehicles, but it was canceled due to the storm that caused significant flooding in New England. Now, the group won't be able to meet again until after the new year, which means any potential regulations, meant to ease the human impact on the climate, will have to be implemented on 2028 model cars, rather than 2027. |
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You may have read about the 6-year-old who ended up on the wrong Spirit Airlines flight last week. If you're trying to figure out how a child who is barely old enough to cross the street by himself ends up in an entirely wrong city, then you're just like us. We had so many questions ... so Michelle Castillo answered some of them for us. The kid accidentally ends up in Orlando and doesn't even get to go to Disney World? Just doesn't seem fair. |
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Fear not, economy-watchers! Americans broke out the cash and cards in a big way this holiday season. From a financial perspective, there was a fear that higher prices would scare consumers away, but that wasn't the case as spending actually increased this year. Still, experts say we're not out of the woods yet — once those credit card bills come due in January, we could see future spending drop off. We're expecting January's credit card bill to be as long as Santa's list … or at least as long as a CVS receipt. |
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Two things you can't buy in the U.S. right now: Apple Watch Series 9 and the Ultra 2 internet-connected watch. Apple has asked a judge to allow the smartwatches to go back on store shelves while a messy patent dispute over blood oxygen measurement technology winds its way through the court. The U.S. International Trade Commission is expected to make a decision shortly after the holidays. |
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8. AMERICAN DREAM, THE MALL |
Malls have been reinventing themselves to deal with changes to the spending economy. Michelle Castillo went to American Dream, the massive shopping center right outside of New York City, and heard about what shoppers can do in addition to buying stuff when they visit. Hint: Curling is coming to New Jersey. A water park in a mall is, indeed, the stuff of dreams. |
Employees fine tune the waterworks at the American Dream mall. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP via Getty Images) |
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9. FINE ART OF NEGOTIATION |
If the economy stabilizes in the new year, new salaries will be on many people's wish list. If your best negotiation skills involve the phrase, "Well, you see, if it's OK with you, maybe…" then we recommend you watch this interview with an actual professional who can help you sound more convincing when you ask for that raise. |
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10. WOOF! HAPPY RETIREMENT |
John, a former military explosives dog, is about to enjoy retirement with an old friend — his former handler who he hadn't seen in two years! When U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mike Alcala learned John was leaving active duty after eight years at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, American Humane provided funds to move John to Texas, where Alcala now lives with his wife and 10-month-old daughter, and will pay for his veterinary care. |
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Staff Sgt. Alcala introduces retiree John to his human family. (American Humane) |
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Happy dog double-header for you today! It was awfully quiet in Pennsylvania's Adams County SPCA this holiday. The shelter managed to get Every. Single. Dog. adopted in time for Christmas. The shelter says it will now take in dogs from other shelters in the state that are overcrowded. |
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