Keeping up with America

Senate advances war powers measure to curb Trump’s Venezuela actions

A rare pushback vote — and a warning shot about who gets to authorize the next move.

AP: Senate pushes back on Trump’s Venezuela escalation with war powers vote

Same vote, more context: the politics, the alliances, and why it’s not “just procedural.”

House passes health subsidy renewal — over Republican objections

A surprising win for Democrats and a signal that “affordability” is the new megaphone issue.

AP live: House votes to extend health care subsidies, defying GOP leaders

The floor math got weird — and leadership had to watch it happen in real time.

Market risk mounts as Supreme Court weighs Trump’s emergency tariff powers

This isn’t just legal theory — traders are bracing for a decision that could move real money.

Importers brace for a $150B tariff refund fight if Trump loses at Supreme Court

If the court goes the other way, the “who pays who back” battle could get ugly fast.

AP: Rep. Steny Hoyer retiring at end of term

A major institutional figure exits — and it quietly reshuffles House power lanes.

Exclusive: Trump, Congress move to undo Biden-era mining ban in northern Minnesota

The fight isn’t just environment vs. jobs — it’s also about supply chains and the “critical minerals” race.

Around the World

Israeli strikes kill 11 in Gaza after failed rocket launch, Reuters reports

Ceasefire talk keeps wobbling while the ground reality stays brutal.

Syria declares ceasefire in Aleppo after fresh clashes with Kurdish fighters

A “pause” with a timer — and a city holding its breath.

AP: Brazil’s Lula vetoes bill that could reduce Bolsonaro’s prison time

The legal aftermath of a coup attempt keeps shaping Brazilian politics.

Yemen’s presidential council sacks defence minister, according to Saba

Another shake-up in a conflict that never really leaves the headlines — it just changes names.

AP video: Top stories Jan. 8 (includes Iran internet cut + other global headlines)

A quick global scan if you want the “what just happened?” version.

Reuters Pictures of the Day: January 8, 2026

If you prefer news in images: protest scenes, geopolitics, and the moments that explain the mood.

Business & Tech

S&P, Nasdaq fall as tech weighs; defense stocks jump on Trump budget talk

AI names wobble while defense names party — the rotation is getting real.

Most of Wall Street drifts as defense companies rally, AP says

Same market day, clearer takeaway: “under the hood” mattered more than the headline indexes.

CrowdStrike to buy identity security startup SGNL for $740M

Cybersecurity is racing to keep up with AI-powered threats — and acquisitions are speeding up.

Haveli to buy majority stake in AI contract software firm Sirion

Translation: the boring back-office stuff is getting automated — and investors love that.

Tariffs + low stocks push U.S. aluminum costs to records for consumers

This is the kind of “quiet inflation” story that shows up later in everything you buy.

CES 2026 highlights: climbing vacuums, cyber pets, and AI everywhere

It’s fun… until you realize half of it is also a data-collection machine.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Gold could hit $5,000/oz in early 2026, HSBC says

If you’ve been ignoring gold: the case is “debt + geopolitics + volatility,” not vibes.

Gold, silver risk big swings as indexes rebalance — here’s what to watch

This is the kind of technical event that can punch prices around even when “nothing happened.”

How major U.S. stock indexes fared on Jan. 8 (and why defense led)

If your portfolio felt weird today: you weren’t imagining it.

Stocks mixed, yields rise ahead of U.S. jobs data

Bond yields creeping up = markets bracing for “what the labor data implies next.”

Current price of gold (Jan. 8, 2026) — quick daily snapshot

Useful if you like tracking the “safe-haven temperature” day by day.

Aluminum costs hit records — why it matters for household budgets

Appliances, cars, cans — this is a sneaky input cost story that can keep leaking into prices.

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

Jazz rally past Mavericks 116–114 as Markkanen drops 33

A “snap the streak” win — and the Mavericks had a late-night scare.

Timberwolves beat Cavaliers 131–122 behind Randle’s 28

Minnesota’s offense was humming — season-best shooting numbers kind of night.

Pacers end 13-game skid; Carlisle gets win No. 1,000

A milestone night that looked like it might slip away… until it didn’t.

Chloe Kim dislocates shoulder, ‘trying to stay optimistic’ for Olympics

One awkward fall can threaten an entire Olympic storyline.

Disney promotes Jimmy Zasowski to President of Platform Distribution

Translation: distribution power is the chessboard right now — streaming wars aren’t cooling off.

Fetty Wap released from prison early, Billboard reports

A headline that’s going to ricochet across music culture fast.

RodeoHouston 2026 lineup adds major stars

Country + pop + global names = a very intentional “wide-net” booking strategy.

Conan O’Brien calls out comedians who only do anti-Trump riffs

A spicy take that’s already fueling the “is comedy allowed to be fun again?” debate.

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