Your Weekly Brief: Politics, War & Business Updates
Headlines
President Trump Considers Deploying 10,000 More Ground Troops to the Middle East
President Trump may deploy an additional 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East as the odds of a ground invasion of Iran rise. Read More
Two pilots were killed when an Air Canada plane collided with a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Source
The black box from the Air Canada jetliner recorded the plane's final moments before the fatal crash at LaGuardia Airport. Read More
A New Mexico jury found Meta liable for creating addictive social media platforms that harmed children. The jury awarded $375 million in damages. See Details
A federal court of appeals handed the Trump administration a massive win when it handed down a ruling upholding the administration's illegal alien detention policy. Read More
The Supreme Court appears poised to strike down laws allowing states to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day. Source
Politics
Jack Smith's investigation into Kash Patel as part of the January 6 probe reportedly touched every aspect of his life. Link
The state of Florida warned the NFL that the league's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head-coaching vacancies, violates the state's anti-discrimination laws. Link
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) berated Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and other conservatives for refusing to support a clean extension of Section 702 of the FISA Law. The FBI used FISA to spy on President Trump's campaign during the Russia investigation. See Details
President Trump backs an extension of Section 702 of the FISA Law. Republicans sought reforms after the FBI used FISA to obtain warrants to spy on Trump's campaign during the Russia investigation. Read More
Trump administration Federal Housing Finance Administration head Bill Pulte filed two new criminal referrals against New York Attorney General Letitia James for insurance fraud. Read More
The Trump administration deployed ICE agents to airports across America. ICE agents will assist with security to alleviate long wait lines that are resulting from the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Link
U.S. News
Police arrested a 37-year-old woman for punching a pregnant woman in the face and biting an elderly bystander in a road rage incident. Source
Authorities charged a Utah mother with kidnapping an 11-year-old who bullied her autistic child. The woman allegedly held the bully until he apologized, then threatened to have her husband beat him up. Source
CBS News contributor Andrew Huberman says on Bill Maher's podcast that "it's so obvious" Jeffrey Epstein was murdered. Source
High-tech drones from an unknown source attacked Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, the headquarters for America's B52 nuclear bomber fleet. See Details
The Army raised the enlistment age to 42 amid growing fears among leadership of missing recruiting goals. Source
New York City school spends $350,000 on 1984-style digital hall pass that tracks students' movements, including bathroom trips. Read More
Authorities charged an illegal alien with murder after an 83-year-old veteran died from injuries suffered after the illegal alien allegedly shoved them onto a New York City subway track. See Details
Business
The Powerball jackpot rose to $147 million. Winning the jackpot carries a cash award of $66 million. Link
Anduril and Palantir are the companies developing the software for President Trump's proposed Golden Dome missile defense shield. Read More
Prediction market Poymarket adopts new rules to crack down on insider trading. See Details
Fallout spreads from a $375 million verdict against Meta and Google for failing to protect children from addictive social media platforms. Link
World News
Pope Leo hosted a Vatican summit on exorcisms due to fears of a worldwide increase in Satanism. Find out More
The Senate defeated a war powers resolution that would have limited President Trump's ability to wage war in Iran. See Details
A SECOND Sphinx detected in Egypt as scans hint at ‘underground megastructure’ Source
Polls show a majority of Americans oppose the war in Iran as President Trump seeks a quick victory to avoid a prolonged conflict. See Details
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for elections as wars in Lebanon and Iran could decide his political fate. Link
A trial for rail staff and officials in Greece over a February 2023 train crash that killed 57 passengers. Source
Entertainment
Video shows 'Reacher' star Alan Ritchson allegedly attacking a neighbor in front of his children after the two clashed over a motorbike riding incident. Find out More
'Superman' actress Valerie Perrine passed away at age 82 after a battle with Parkinson's. Link
The Oscars are moving from the Dolby Center in Hollywood, the ceremony's home since 2002, to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Read More
Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray celebrated the 20th anniversary of the hit Disney show 'Hannah Montana.' Find out More
Meghan Markle's co-star dishes on what it was like to work with the Duchess of Sussex on the set of their new movie. Source
Sports
Ninth-Seeded Iowa defeated defending national champion Florida 73-72 in the second round to notch the biggest upset of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. See Details
The Kansas City Chiefs signed star tight end Travis Kelce to a three-year, $57.5 million contract as the team tries to rebound from a disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014. See Details
The University of North Carolina fired men's basketball coach Hubert Davis after five seasons. Davis reached the NCAA title game in his first year but struggled with early tournament exits in recent seasons. Find out More
The NFL revealed that defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will open their season with a rare Wednesday night game. The champs' traditional Thursday night opener was pushed back by one day because the league is playing a game in Australia that day. Read More
Taylor Swift praises the effect her relationship with fiancé Travis Kelce has had on her life. Link
The International Olympic Committee banned biological males from competing in women's events at the Winter and Summer Games. See Details
Off the Wall
Cocaine fueled sharks are prowling the Caribbean after researchers discovered they are testing positive for drugs due to tourists dumping waste into the ocean. Find out More
A quadrouple amputee cornhole player arrested on murder charges following a fatal shooting had arm impressions taken by police in lieu of fingerprints. Find out More
A Florida hospital sues to evict a patient who won't leave their room five months after their discharge. Link
A quadruple amputee cornhole player with no arms or legs was charged with the murder in the shooting death of Bradrick Michael Wells before allegedly driving off in his car with Wells' body still inside. Source
