Keeping up with America

Mississippi sheriff changes policies after violent abuse. Victims say it’s to escape accountability: Attorneys for the victims of a racist episode of police torture say new policies unveiled by a Mississippi sheriff’s department this week were introduced so the sheriff can escape liability in a civil lawsuit and forestall a new federal probe.

Long-awaited ban on menthol cigarettes could be delayed into 2024, public health groups fear: A ban on menthol cigarettes has been in the works for more than a decade. Further delay means more harm to vulnerable groups including Black smokers, experts say.

Did embarrassment of losing a home to foreclosure lead to murder? For years, relatives and friends of 25-year-old Heidi Firkus have been puzzled by her death in 2010 at the home she shared with her husband, Nick, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

‘We can’t trust them’: workers decry alleged union busting at Amazon air hub: Employees at facility in Kentucky allege Amazon is retaliating against them as they push for union representation

Felicity Huffman breaks silence on ‘Varsity Blues’ college admission scandal, arrest: Felicity Huffman is breaking her silence about her role in the “Varsity Blues” national college admissions scandal.

Around the World

UN court bars Venezuela from altering Guyana’s control over disputed territory: The United Nations’ top court on Friday ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over a disputed territory, but did not specifically ban Venezuela from holding its planned referendum Sunday on the territory’s future.

Putin orders the Russian military to add 170,000 troops for a total of 1.32 million: Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to increase the number of troops by nearly 170,000 to a total of 1.32 million.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

8 ‘Doctor Who’ Aliens That Used Surprisingly Realistic Technology: ‘Doctor Who’ has featured hostile aliens using advanced technology to attack Earth since the BBC show premiered back in 1963.

Red Lobster raises price of unlimited shrimp promotion because it’s too popular

Sports Illustrated found publishing AI generated stories, photos and authors: The magazine denied claims that some articles themselves were AI-assisted, but has cut ties with a vendor it hired to produce the articles.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Elon Musk Tried To Sell Tesla To Apple — But CEO Tim Cook Refused To Even Meet With Him

3 Keys to a ‘Winning’ Investment Performance in 2024 | Bret Jensen, The Street. The economy has managed to stay afloat nicely in 2023 despite the most aggressive monetary policy since the early 1980s. However, investors need to remember that changes to the fed funds rate always act with a considerable lag.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Don’t look now, but Timberwolves had best monthly record for NBA, NHL or MLB team in Minnesota sports history | NFL bold predictions and best bets for Week 13, plus breaking down Cowboys’ wild win over Seahawks

Are video games the ‘new comic book movies’ for Hollywood? One producer thinks so | The 43 Best Date Night Movies to Set the Mood

Adam Driver on ‘Star Wars’ Scene He’ll Never Live Down | Macaulay Culkin receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

 Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

The Best Gifts for Cat Lovers

7 best Claymation Christmas movies

16 Brilliant Backyard Lighting Ideas to Illuminate Your Outdoor Space

Writing Exercises for Greater Meaning and Purpose