Keeping up with America

Most people think the U.S. crime rate is rising. They’re wrong: Almost 80 percent of Americans, and 92 percent of Republicans, think crime has gone up. It actually fell in 2023. An expert blames a familiar culprit for the mistaken impression.

U.S. says its destroyer shot down 14 drones in Red Sea launched from Yemen: An American destroyer on Saturday shot down more than a dozen drones in the Red Sea launched from Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the U.S. Central Command said.

Alex Jones offers to pay Newtown families at least $55 million over school shooting hoax conspiracy.

California drug trafficking ring hid cocaine in car parts and instant noodles: Four men face a life sentence after packaging up to $160m worth of illegal substances to export to Australia and New Zealand.

Congress is leaving town without solving two major debates: A look at the unfinished business.

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Around the World

Vatican court convicts former Pope adviser of financial crimes: A Vatican court has sentenced Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a former adviser to Pope Francis, to five-and-a-half years in jail for financial crimes.

Finland reports a rush of migrant crossings hours before the reclosure of 2 border posts with Russia: Dozens of migrants crossed into Finland on Friday, hours before the reclosure of two southern crossing points on the border with Russia as the Nordic country experiences an influx of asylum-seekers.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

5 IoT Business Ideas that Will Skyrocket Your Profit in 2024

What does it mean to trust a technology? A survey published in October 2023 revealed what seemed to be a paradox.

My One Big Tech-Fueled Prediction for 2024 – AI ‘Vanishes’: Artificial intelligence will become ever more pervasive — behind the scenes.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

27 Side Hustle Ideas to Earn Extra Cash: Want to make extra cash? Side hustles are a great way to use your skills and talents to crush your money goals—faster than ever.

Is Technology Bad Now or Has the Magic Just Gone for Me? | Andrew Lanxon, CNet. I’ve been a passionate tech nerd for pretty much all of my life. But in recent years things have changed, and technology has gone from being a point of genuine excitement in my life to a cause of real frustration that’s made me less excited when new innovations come along. So I’m left wondering: Has technology changed or have I?

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

NBA DFS: DraftKings, FanDuel daily Fantasy basketball picks for Saturday, Dec. 16 include Jonathan Kuminga | Are there NFL football games this Saturday? What you need to know to catch them all

AU grad works on faith-based dystopian film | ‘Home Alone,’ ’12 Years a Slave’ join National Film Registry

‘Wonka’ Star Calah Lane on Swimming in Chocolate With Timothée Chalamet and Teaching Him Dance Moves | What to know about ketamine, the drug linked to Matthew Perry’s death

 Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Use your voice to help you write on your tech devices

Why Does Snow Squeak When You Step On It?

Critics discuss their favorite books of 2023

20 Traditional Italian Christmas Desserts That Anyone Can Make