Keeping up with America

US Completes Official Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO)

In a historic shift for global health policy, the Trump administration officially terminated US membership in the WHO yesterday. The joint statement from the Secretary of State and HHS highlights a move toward health “sovereignty.”

Trump Administration’s FCC Targets “Bona Fide News” Status for Late-Night TV

The FCC has released a statement suggesting that late-night comedy and daytime talk shows may no longer qualify for the “news interview” exemption, a move critics say is designed to limit critical political satire.

HHS Launches Record-Breaking Anti-Fraud Initiative Led by Former U.S. Attorneys Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a massive escalation in the fight against grant and program fraud, appointing former U.S. Attorney Scott Brady to dismantle “criminal networks” stealing billions from taxpayers.

US Army Dedicates “Barfoot” Supercomputer to Tackle National Security Challenges

A new supercomputing beast was unveiled in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Named after a Medal of Honor recipient, the system can perform more calculations in one second than the entire human population could in two weeks.

Winter Storm Warnings Issued Across Eastern Kansas as Arctic Blast Hits

The Midwest is bracing for dangerous conditions as local governments consider moving elections to even-numbered years to increase turnout amidst the freezing weather.

TikTok Receives 75-Day Grace Period from Potential US Ban

A reprieve for creators: the administration has confirmed a 75-day extension for TikTok to meet restructuring requirements under the new venture agreement with Oracle’s Larry Ellison.

Around the World

Trump Meets Zelensky in Davos to Discuss “Tariff-Free Zone” for Ukraine

In a high-profile meeting at the World Economic Forum, leaders discussed air defense and a potential economic boost for Ukraine via a specialized trade zone designed to bypass traditional European trade barriers.

France Seizes “Shadow Fleet” Russian Oil Tanker in the Mediterranean

President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the French Navy diverted a Russian tanker flying a false flag, signaling a tightening European grip on sanctioned energy exports and environmental safety in the Med.

UN Report: Global Ocean Temperatures Hit Record Highs in 2025

The economic toll of rising sea temperatures—from collapsing fisheries to coastal damage—is now estimated at nearly double the global cost of carbon emissions, prompting calls for new emergency maritime laws.

Russia to Deploy AI-Powered Internet Censorship System in 2026

The Kremlin is accelerating its “digital sovereignty” efforts, allocating billions to launch an AI-driven censorship infrastructure to clear the internet of information challenging its monopoly.

UNESCO Raises Alarm Over Global Surge in Government-Enforced Internet Shutdowns

At least 300 incidents across 54 countries have been reported recently, prompting UNESCO to urge governments to protect digital access as a fundamental human right.

Syrian Transition at Risk Following Renewed Clashes in Northeast

Senior UN officials warned the Security Council that a tense standoff between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces could ignite wider regional instability and collapse the fragile peace process.

Business & Tech

Gold Prices Surge Toward $5,000 as Investors Hedge Against Tariffs

Gold hit an all-time high of $4,831.80 per ounce this week. Some analysts now predict the precious metal could reach as high as $7,150 as global trade uncertainty and new tariffs linger.

Broadridge Financial Named to Fortune’s “Most Admired Companies” for 2026

For the 12th time, the financial data giant has been recognized for innovation and long-term investment value, standing out in the fintech and data services industry for its reliable processing power.

Pasadena Tech Hub Dominates “The Lists 2026” for Economic Vitality

From Tetra Tech to East West Bank, Pasadena-based firms swept top rankings in environmental engineering, philanthropy, and cybersecurity in the latest regional economic benchmarks released yesterday.

Singapore Leads Global Migration of Family-Owned Business Wealth

Governance experts report a growing trend of “quietly rethinking” where to park wealth, with many international families moving funds to Singapore to avoid upcoming trade wars and global volatility.

Apple to Revamp Siri with Generative AI Capabilities in 2026

New reports suggest Apple is overhauling its virtual assistant to integrate more native AI capabilities, moving away from simple voice commands toward complex, conversational reasoning.

Google Rules Out Ads in Gemini AI — For Now

Despite the push for monetization across other platforms, Google DeepMind’s CEO has pledged to keep its primary AI interface ad-free as it focuses on building trust and user acquisition.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

The Easiest Way to Reset Your Budget for the New Year

Financial experts recommend a 6-step reset: review real spending (not estimated), update fixed expenses, and automate your savings before you have a chance to spend it.

Why Most Financial New Year Resolutions Fail—And How to Fix Yours

Moving away from vague goals to SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) targets is the key to maintaining momentum past January.

How Helping Others Can Boost Your Personal Happiness in 2026

New research from Georgetown suggests that “altruistic activity” strengthens social connectedness, which is scientifically proven to be more essential for happiness than wealth.

Building a “Financial Wellness Routine” Regardless of Your Age

Whether you’re a teen learning about credit or a retiree managing distributions, a monthly “check-in” is as vital for your wallet as a physical is for your body.

Protecting Your “Holiday Cheer” from Post-Season Scammers

With record-high shopping traffic this month, financial institutions are warning of a surge in “click-fix” attacks and fraudulent charitable requests.

The Case for Ditching Your Daily Investment Monitoring

Specialists argue that constant price checking only adds stress. If you have a solid long-term plan, daily market fluctuations are just noise.

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

Former USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey Named CRO of Canucks Sports & Entertainment

A major front-office shakeup: Hinchey moves from the pool to the rink, taking over revenue operations for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.

PH Swimmers Dominate ASEAN Para Games with 4 More Gold Medals

Ernie Gawilan leads the charge in Thailand, securing his second gold of the games, while Gary Bejino sets a stunning new meet record in the pool.

Spotify’s “Prompted Playlist” AI Feature Finally Rolls Out to US Users

No more manual searching: the new feature allows users to generate custom soundtracks by simply typing a mood or a scenario into the search bar.

NUNS Routs La Salle in UAAP Girls Basketball Tournament

Sophomore guard Zaydhen Rosano put on a masterclass with 18 points and 11 assists, leading the National University Nazareth School to a 95-45 victory.

Where to Stream Every 2026 Oscar-Nominated Movie Before the Ceremony

As awards season heats up, here is the definitive guide to finding this year’s top contenders on Netflix, Max, and Disney+.

Asian Beach Games to Return After 10-Year Hiatus in Sanya

The games will feature 14 sports, including surfing and beach volleyball, highlighting China’s southern Hainan province as a rising sports tourism hub.

Filipino Surfers Optimistic for World Surf League (WSL) La Union Int’l Pro

World No. 8 Rogelio Esquievel Jr. headlines a strong local contingent looking to defend their home waves against international challengers.

Life Hack to Hack Your Life