Today’s newsletter in 2 lines:
A rare Supreme Court “not so fast” moment hits the White House as immigration and enforcement fights keep escalating. Markets digest fresh growth + confidence data, while sports and showbiz serve the perfect pre-Christmas distraction.
Hey there, American Centrist friends! I hope your Christmas celebration is happy. If not, don’t worry… life may not always be on the upside, but it’s still a roller coaster ride anyways. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Joke of the day:
Why did the politician bring a broom to the press briefing?
Because the “messaging cleanup” was overdue.😅
LET’S MAKE THIS EASY FOR YOU
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🇺🇸 Keeping up with America – Latest news on what happening in America
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Around the 🌎 in 80 Seconds – Yeah we are fast at getting you the latest global news.
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Lets Talk Business 💼 and Tech 🤖 – No AI is not taking over (YET)!
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Rich, Wiser, Happier – This is a must read if you want any of that!
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Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans – Trust me this will keep you entertained
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Life Hack to Hack Your Life – What kinda tips and tricks do you have?
Keeping up with America
US Supreme Court blocks Trump’s military deployment in the Chicago area — for now
A rare judicial speed bump raises a bigger question: how far can a president go domestically before courts slam the brakes?
Trump administration seeks to cancel thousands of asylum cases, CBS News reports
A paperwork strategy with massive stakes: who gets heard, who gets removed, and how fast.
US judge tosses Trump challenge to New York immigration-related law
The legal tug-of-war over state cooperation just got sharper — and louder.
New Epstein documents released as DOJ drops fresh tranche
New material hits the public record — and it’s already rippling through politics, media, and the legal world.
Consumer confidence drops to lowest since tariff rollout in April
Prices, tariffs, and job nerves collide — right as holiday spending pressure peaks.
Around the World
Major Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine kills at least 3 and cuts power
A winter strike that hits where it hurts most: heat, lights, and morale.
Trump warns Venezuela’s Maduro at UN
Diplomacy goes blunt: pressure is the policy — and Latin America is watching closely.
UK-France-Ukraine draft peace plan raises questions
A “plan” lands… but the hard part is always the receipts: funding, security, enforcement.
Pope calls for a Christmas ceasefire in Gaza and Ukraine
A moral push in a week where symbolism matters — even if reality resists.
Ukraine says it downed Iranian-made drones overnight
The drone war keeps evolving — and the supply chains behind it are part of the story.
Business & Tech
How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 12/23/2025
Stocks push higher as traders cling to “strong growth, soft landing” vibes — for now.
Resilient US consumers drive strongest economic expansion in 2 years
A growth print that looks great on paper… but the fine print is where the arguments start.
Wall Street is buying potential Trump tariff refunds for pennies on the dollar
A weird new trade: investors betting on court outcomes like it’s a secondary market for lawsuits.
US judge rejects business lobby challenge to Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee
Talent pipelines meet immigration politics — and the price tag is doing the talking.
UPS-owned Happy Returns tests AI to spot fake returns amid holiday surge
Returns season is here — and AI is now the bouncer at the door.
Richer, Wiser, Happier
Consumer confidence sinks — but future personal finances optimism ticks up
Translation: people feel squeezed now… but still believe they can out-earn or out-maneuver 2026.
GDP surprises to the upside — strongest expansion in two years
If you’re budgeting: don’t confuse strong GDP with your household reality — keep cash buffers anyway.
Companies selling tariff refund rights = a new kind of cashflow move
If you run a business: this is the grown-up version of “I’ll take guaranteed money now.”
The market mood is “risk-on with one eye open.” Don’t overextend right before year-end bills hit.
H-1B fee fight signals higher cost of hiring skilled talent
If you’re job-hunting: expect more “must be local” language — or higher bar for sponsorship.
Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans
NBA roundup: Spurs knock off Thunder in matchup of West’s best
A statement night — and a reminder that the West doesn’t do “quiet contenders.”
Stephen Curry, Warriors blow out Magic to avenge earlier loss
Revenge game energy: when stars decide the score early, it gets ugly fast.
Al Michaels hits 40 years calling primetime NFL games
The voice behind decades of “did that really just happen?” moments is still going.
Timothée Chalamet wants to be great. ‘Marty Supreme’ might get him there
An A-list ambition story — and Hollywood’s next “is this the performance?” debate.
A daring Broadway scene has audiences talking — in more ways than one
The kind of theater moment that turns into a group chat argument by intermission.
Amazon Prime members: See what you could get, no strings attached
If you spend a good amount on Amazon, this card could easily be worth $100s in cash back every year. And — even better — you could get approved extremely fast. If approved, you’ll receive an insanely valuable welcome bonus deposited straight into your Amazon account, ready to use immediately.
You also don’t have to jump through any hoops to get this bonus. No extra work or special spending requirements. Get approved, and it’s yours.
This might be one of the most powerful cash back cards available, especially considering how much most people spend on Amazon each month. It gives you the chance to earn cash back on the purchases you’re already making, turning your routine shopping into something that actually pays you back.
If you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods, this card could help you earn meaningful cash back on every purchase you make. But this offer won’t last forever — and if you’re an Amazon Prime member, this card is as close to a no-brainer as it gets.
Amazon Prime members: See what you could get, no strings attached
Life Hack to Hack Your Life
14 instant holiday gifts for last-minute shoppers
When shipping is a lost cause: send-now gifts that still feel thoughtful.
25 last-minute gifts for mom that’ll ship overnight
The “I refuse to show up empty-handed” list.
50 last-minute gifts for teens who have everything
Translation: TikTok-proof presents that don’t scream “panic buy.”
60 New Year’s quotes to inspire a cheerful 2026
For your captions, cards, speeches, and “new year, new me” texts.
Emergency conversation starter when dinner gets tense.
Sports on TV for Tuesday, Dec. 23
A simple win: stop doomscrolling and just pick a game.
Christmas Day sports — here’s what to watch
If you need a break from family politics: here’s your legal escape route.
How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday
Quick money sanity check: see what moved today before you make any “new year investing” decisions.
Consumer confidence drops again
Budget hack: if confidence is falling, lock in your essentials first — then gifts.
Resilient consumers drive strong GDP
Use this as your “big picture” context — not permission to overspend.
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