Keeping Up With America

Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil was detained without an arrest warrant, Trump administration says: Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student who faces deportation, was detained without an arrest warrant last month, according to court documents released Thursday.

Texas mother arrested after bringing Jell-O shots to 5th-grade classroom party: A Texas mother who officials say took alcoholic Jell-O shots to her child’s elementary school Christmas party has been arrested.

Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to federal murder and stalking charges: Luigi Mangione on Friday pleaded not guilty to federal stalking and murder charges in connection with the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Hegseth trying to show Trump he’s a fighter amid chaos in Pentagon: Pete Hegseth wants Donald Trump to see him as a fighter amid the negative stories swirling around the defense secretary, two U.S. officials told NBC News, and has been focusing more on public and television appearances — including on his old network, Fox News — in which he can speak directly to the president.

Former Rep. George Santos sentenced to more than 7 years in prison: George Santos, whose surprise political ascent to winning a New York congressional seat ended in what prosecutors called “a mountain of lies, theft, and fraud,” was sentenced Friday to more than seven years in prison.

Around the World

Canadians put off by Trump’s bluster and border arrests are booking far fewer U.S. visits: Trump’s attacks on Canada’s economy and threats to make it the 51st state have infuriated Canadians, who are canceling trips to the U.S. in big numbers

China to lend moon rocks to NASA-funded U.S. universities: The announcement highlights how U.S.-China cooperation in some areas like space has not completely ended, despite tensions between the two countries over geopolitics and tariffs.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Private jet demand declines as tariffs spook would-be buyers

California overhauling self-driving vehicle regulations governing Waymo, Tesla, Zoox and others

Buy now, stock up or delay: Here’s what consumers are snapping up or putting off in face of tariffs

Richer, Wiser, Happier

What happens if you just pay the minimum on your credit card?: When money is tight, it can be tempting to make only the minimum payment on your credit card each month. After all, paying just a small fraction of your balance helps you avoid late fees and keep your account in good standing — at least in the short term. But while minimum payments can help you stay afloat temporarily, they come with major long-term costs that could keep you stuck in debt for years.

I’m Not Counting on Social Security COLAs to Carry Me Through Retirement. Here’s What I’m Doing to Combat Inflation Instead. | Bram Berkowitz, Fool. For a majority of American retirees, Social Security provides more than half of their income. Some live on the program’s benefits alone. But most U.S. seniors supplement those benefits with their retirement savings. Built into the program is a regulation that boosts the size of beneficiaries’ payments every year via a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) that is intended to help Social Security benefits maintain their purchasing power in the face of inflation.

Trump tariffs will hurt lower income Americans more than the rich, study says: Tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump are expected to raise costs on products for U.S. consumers. However, tariffs would hurt lower income households with a minimal impact on the top one percent of earners in 2026, according to an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Warriors star Draymond Green wins NBA’s Hustle Award | Poirier’s retirement fight set for UFC 318 vs. Holloway

Conan O’Brien on Why He’s Returning to the Oscars and Filming His Travel Show Overseas as America Loses Favor: ‘They Can Take Out Their Rage at Me’ | Warner Bros. Wins Dismissal of ‘Superman’ Foreign Copyright Suit

Martha Stewart addresses Duchess Meghan’s ‘With Love’ Netflix show: ‘Has it started?’ | ‘Call it swingers’: A preview of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ defense as lawyer describes lifestyle

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

14 Things Every Home Gym Needs

castor oil does THIS to your liver (weight-loss hack)

Should You Unplug Your Toaster When You’re Not Using It?

How to Plant a Leftover Pineapple Top for an Endless Supply of Delicious Fruit