Keeping up with America

Trump says one of the two West Virginia National Guard members shot near White House has died

A targeted ambush just blocks from the White House leaves one young Guard member dead, another fighting for life, and Washington arguing over security, migration, and what “safe streets” even means anymore. 

What we know about the Afghan national suspected of shooting two Guardsmen near the White House

Reuters walks through the suspect’s journey from U.S. ally to alleged attacker — including asylum, cross-country travel, and the timeline leading up to the DC ambush. 

Alleged gunman in National Guard attack ‘drove across US’ to ambush troops, officials say

Investigators say he traveled thousands of miles with the specific intent to target the Guard — turning this from a “random shooting” into a case study in premeditated domestic terror. 

Lake-effect snow piles up in Great Lakes region, impacting Thanksgiving travel

As if TSA lines weren’t enough, blizzard conditions and thundersnow are hammering parts of Michigan and the Great Lakes just as Americans try to get home. 

Post-Thanksgiving storm could blanket Chicago with 6 inches of snow

Chicago and the lower Great Lakes brace for a weekend system that could dump half a foot of snow onto one of the busiest travel windows of the year. 

Around the World

Hong Kong fire may end city’s iconic bamboo scaffolding 

After a high-rise blaze kills dozens and leaves hundreds missing, Hong Kong confronts whether its traditional bamboo scaffolding can survive a modern safety reckoning.

Hong Kong’s deadly fire will have lasting impact on its property market 

Breakingviews argues the catastrophe at a subsidized housing complex could reshape one of the world’s priciest real-estate markets and deepen scrutiny of governance.

Floods receding in southern Thailand as death toll tops 80 

Days of monsoon flooding leave dozens dead and thousands displaced, highlighting how climate-fueled extremes keep turning “once-in-a-century” events into regular news.

Landslide kills seven on French Pacific island of Tahiti 

Heavy rain triggers a deadly slide that buries homes, underscoring how Pacific islands juggle tourism dreams with increasingly dangerous weather.

Putin says US–Ukraine draft could form basis for future peace agreement 

Moscow signals some openness to a Trump-era text even as fighting continues — raising questions about what “peace” would cost Ukraine and Europe.

Israeli forces kill Palestinian men in West Bank after attack, as Gaza war grinds on 

New clashes in the West Bank and ongoing devastation in Gaza show how far a durable cease-fire still is from reality.

Trump says US will ‘very soon’ take action on Venezuelan drug traffickers on land 

From sea patrols to land operations, Washington is gearing up for a bigger confrontation with Venezuela’s trafficking networks, with regional politics in the background.

Business and Tech

Black Friday arrives with solid momentum despite tariffs and economic uncertainty

AP says shoppers are still lining up, but they’re hunting harder for deals as tariffs, inflation, and a weird post-shutdown mood push everyone to stretch each dollar. 

What’s open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores prepare for Black Friday

The era of dawn-patrol Thanksgiving shopping is basically over — big chains are dark, betting that goodwill (and online carts) matter more than keeping the doors open all day. 

World shares are mixed, tracking Wall Street’s winning streak as US markets close for Thanksgiving

While U.S. markets nap for the holiday, global investors mark time, watching whether the recent Wall Street rally has legs or is just another sugar high. 

Black Friday shoppers scale back spending amid economic concerns

A Las Vegas snapshot of the national mood: people still show up for the deals, but many say they literally “can’t afford” to splurge this year.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

US stocks rise for a fifth straight day to close out a volatile month

The S&P 500 extends its winning streak, but analysts keep asking: are we climbing a wall of worry, or just whistling past some very real risks? 

World shares are mixed, tracking Wall Street’s winning streak, as US markets close for Thanksgiving

Holiday-thinned trading hides a bigger story: investors are still betting on a soft landing, even as rates stay high and politics gets louder. 

Black Friday arrives with solid momentum despite tariffs and economic uncertainty

Retail is basically a live poll of consumer confidence; strong early traffic + cautious baskets = “I’m worried, but my kids are still getting gifts.” 

Black Friday shoppers scale back spending amid economic concerns

If you freelance, consult, or run a small business: this is your cue to watch clients’ budgets closely and assume “value for money” will matter more than ever in 2026. 

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

Lake-effect snow piles up in Great Lakes region, impacting Thanksgiving travel — and football

Blizzard conditions and howling winds set the backdrop for cold-weather games and cozy-on-the-couch viewing. 

Top photos of the day: Thanksgiving in America and beyond

From NFL sidelines to Thanksgiving parades and late-night concerts, AP’s photo round-up doubles as a mood board for the country right now. 

Life Hack to Hack Your Life

Food safety tips for Thanksgiving leftovers

Exactly how long that turkey, stuffing, and gravy can sit before your fridge turns into a science experiment. 

Holiday food safety: Experts share tips for before, during and after your Thanksgiving meal

From thawing to cross-contamination, this is the “don’t poison your family” checklist no one gives you at the grocery store. 

How to avoid foodborne illness while celebrating this Thanksgiving

Local but practical: simple kitchen habits that dramatically cut your risk of holiday food poisoning. 

Read before you reheat: The real deadline for eating, storing Thanksgiving leftovers

A TV-style explainer on when to freeze, when to toss, and when that third-day turkey casserole is officially “living dangerously.” 

How long Thanksgiving leftovers really last, according to food safety experts

A national-level guide that breaks it down by dish — turkey, sides, desserts — with fridge vs. freezer timelines. 

Money, scams & digital life

How to stay vigilant during end-of-year online scams this holiday season

From fake shipping notices to too-good-to-be-true deals, this is your playbook for not getting phished while you shop. 

Holiday scams target communities as festive season begins

Police across the U.S. warn that fake charities, bogus holiday markets, and sketchy “pop-up” vendors are on the rise — plus what to double-check before you donate. 

Travel & planet

Thanksgiving leftovers are harming the planet. There are ways to shop and cook smarter

Food waste = methane. This one gives you simple ways to plan, portion, and repurpose so your holiday doesn’t literally go up in gas. 

Thanksgiving travel tips 2025

Video segment updated Nov 27 with a quick rundown on surviving packed airports, crowded roads, and weather-related chaos. 

How snow and rain could hamper post-Thanksgiving travel for millions

Storm track + “best/worst” windows if you still need to get back home this weekend.