Wall Street experienced a strong start to 2026, with the S&P 500 reaching a record high, despite uncertainty from President Trump's Truth Social posts and the Venezuela intervention. Weaker-than-expected December job growth bolstered arguments for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Trump's announcements included banning large investors from buying homes and increasing the defense budget, alongside ordering mortgage bond purchases. Jim Cramer advised caution due to early-year market patterns, though the Club made small, calculated trades, including offloading BlackRock and Solstice Advanced Materials. Nvidia and CrowdStrike saw mixed reactions to company news, with Nvidia dipping despite positive developments. (not investment advice)

65/100

Two individuals, Tatiyanna Foster and Auriona Lewis, have been arrested in connection with a widespread counterfeit bill scam targeting numerous In-N-Out Burger restaurants throughout Southern California. The suspects allegedly used fake $100 bills to make small purchases, such as a $2.53 order of fries, at dozens of locations across Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. Lewis has been charged with felony counterfeiting and grand theft, though her public defender raised concerns about the disproportionate felony charges against Black individuals. In-N-Out's Chief Operations Officer praised law enforcement for their efforts in identifying and apprehending the suspects, underscoring the business's appreciation for their role in protecting communities from such fraudulent activities.

60/100

Residents in North St. Louis, Missouri, have reported sightings of multiple vervet monkeys freely roaming the city streets, prompting an investigation by the Department of Health. Justen Hauser, environmental health bureau chief, confirmed the presence of more than one monkey and stated that partner agencies equipped for safe capture are engaged. The St. Louis Zoo identified the primates as vervet monkeys, a species common in East Africa often viewed as pests due to their tendency to raid food sources. The origin of these monkeys remains unknown, but exotic animals are strictly prohibited as pets in St. Louis. Authorities have issued a warning to the public not to approach the intelligent but potentially unpredictable animals, instead advising them to report sightings to a designated hotline.

70/100

Morocco and Israel have significantly deepened their military cooperation, formalizing a joint "work plan" for 2026 at their third Joint Military Committee meeting in Tel Aviv. This strategic alliance, established five years ago under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, now extends beyond arms imports to include joint development of drones, air defense systems, and potential satellite technology. Morocco, a substantial global arms importer, has positioned Israel as its third-largest supplier, primarily for air defense and unmanned systems. This enhanced partnership carries notable regional implications, particularly exacerbating tensions with Algeria over the Western Sahara, while Israel also eyes substantial economic interests in Morocco's agricultural sector and phosphate deposits.

55/100

US Vice President JD Vance and UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy have reached a consensus, stating that sexualized AI-generated deepfakes, especially those produced via Elon Musk's Grok on X, are "entirely unacceptable." Lammy reported that Vance, an AI enthusiast, expressed significant concern during their Washington meeting about the proliferation of "hyper-pornographied slop" online, particularly the manipulation of images of women and children. This agreement underscores a growing transatlantic dispute, with the UK Prime Minister threatening to block X if it fails to adhere to British laws. Although X has reportedly implemented some changes to Grok's settings, the ongoing discussion highlights urgent global concerns regarding AI ethics, content moderation, and the protection of vulnerable individuals online.

55/100

Non-league Macclesfield achieved a stunning and historic 2-1 FA Cup upset against Premier League holders Crystal Palace, marking the greatest shock in the competition's long history by league difference. The victory was imbued with deep emotion, dedicated to their forward Ethan McLeod, who tragically died in a car accident in December, with his parents present at the game. Fans poured onto the pitch in celebration, hoisting captain Paul Dawson, whose bandaged head became an emblem of the team's resilience and fighting spirit. This triumph is particularly significant for Macclesfield, which reformed as a phoenix club in 2020 after ceasing trading and has since achieved three promotions, culminating in this unforgettable cup score.

90/100

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers has expressed concern that time-wasting by goalkeepers in the Women's Super League (WSL) negatively impacts the "attractiveness" of the sport. Her remarks came after a 0-0 draw against Manchester United, where United's goalkeeper, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, received medical attention after a sending-off, which Slegers implied was used to allow her team to regroup. Slegers contends that such interruptions disrupt game momentum and diminish the entertainment value for the growing audience, both in stadiums and on television. While recognizing that teams will always seek to "stretch the rules," she advocates for potential rule adjustments to ensure the game remains dynamic and engaging, rather than being bogged down by strategic delays.

75/100

A rare copy of Action Comics No. 1, the 1938 comic that first introduced Superman to the world, has been sold to an anonymous collector for a record-breaking $15 million in a private sale. This sale significantly exceeds the previous record for a comic book, which was $9.12 million for a pristine Superman No. 1. Graded nine out of a possible ten points, this particular copy is one of fewer than 100 believed to still exist. Its value was further enhanced by its unique history, including being stolen from actor Nicolas Cage's home in 2000 and subsequently recovered over a decade later. The broker likened its journey to that of the Mona Lisa, solidifying its status as an icon of American pop culture.

85/100

As the new year commences, many individuals are focused on breaking ingrained bad habits and establishing healthier routines, with experts providing actionable strategies for achieving lasting change. Margaret Moore, founder of Wellcoaches Corporation, suggests replacing undesirable behaviors with positive alternatives, while neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff advocates for "tiny experiments" to gradually integrate new habits. Common targets for improvement include reducing excessive screen time, particularly before sleep, and overcoming "revenge bedtime" procrastination. Other aspirations involve re-engaging with reading, maintaining workout consistency, and managing social FOMO. Experts emphasize the importance of self-compassion and recognizing one's readiness for change, highlighting that sustainable habit transformation often stems from small, consistent efforts rather than overwhelming, unrealistic goals.

80/100

Unprecedented global demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a critical component for artificial intelligence chips used by companies like Nvidia and Google, has led to severe supply shortages and soaring prices. The three dominant memory vendors—Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung—are struggling to keep pace, with average DRAM memory prices projected to increase by 50-55% this quarter, an "unprecedented" surge. HBM production is complex, requiring manufacturers to prioritize AI and server applications due to higher growth potential and less price-sensitive cloud providers. This "memory wall" bottleneck, where powerful GPUs await data, is driving chipmakers to innovate and expand production capacity, though Micron is already "sold out for 2026," indicating persistent shortages for the foreseeable future. (not investment advice)

60/100

As artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes the job market, both job candidates and existing workers must be prepared to articulate how they offer unique value beyond what AI can accomplish independently. Daniela Rus of MIT emphasizes that the fundamental question for roles is evolving from mere capability to how individuals can contribute distinct value that surpasses both AI and human-only efforts. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari observes that AI is slowing hiring at major corporations while simultaneously yielding "real productivity gains." While concerns about AI-driven job displacement persist, experts suggest the technology primarily augments human skills, with early adopters reportedly delivering superior work and receiving higher compensation. This transition highlights a shift towards human-AI collaboration and the evolving demands on the workforce.

70/100