Monday, December 16, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1773, American colonists staged the Boston Tea Party, a pivotal event that fueled the American Revolution. Explore it through this virtual museum experience.

If you’ve ever received an unexpected gift from a friend, you know it can be awkward not having something to give in return. Our story below gives advice on that, but we’d like to know if you have thoughts on handling the situation. Let us know by replying to this email.

Stay Cozy, Stay Salty: Warm Up Your Winter with today’s sponsor, LMNT Chocolate Medley!

Some Democrats to Skip Trump Inauguration

Democrats are divided over whether to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. Some view skipping the event as a “first act of resistance,” while others see attendance as a duty to uphold tradition.

Notable Democrats, including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have stated they are undecided about attending.

Donald Trump Jr. posted on X that Democrats boycotting his father’s inauguration had his “complete and total endorsement to stay home.”

Several Democratic lawmakers announced plans to participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day events instead of attending the inauguration, while others cited Jan. 6 experiences as their reason for skipping.

Blinken Confirms Talks with Syrian Rebels

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed Saturday that the U.S. has engaged directly with Syria’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels, now in control of the country after the toppling of the Assad regime.

This marks the first U.S. acknowledgment of contact with HTS, a group still designated as a terrorist organization, as officials prioritize efforts to locate missing journalist Austin Tice in their discussions.

HTS leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in a bid to rebrand the group as a legitimate governing authority, has pledged rights for all Syrians, including minorities.

Meanwhile, striking images from this historic week capture the abandoned luxury palace of Bashar al-Assad.

List: Most Terrifying Attractions in the World

The world’s 30 most terrifying attractions range from natural wonders to human-made thrills designed to test visitors’ courage.

Toronto’s CN Tower EdgeWalk took the top spot, allowing tourists to circle the tower’s exterior ledge at a dizzying height of 116 stories.

For pure adrenaline, visitors can brave Spain’s Red Force roller coaster or hike China’s Mount Huashan on paths that narrow to just 11.8 inches wide. You can see the full list here.

➤ President-elect Donald Trump tapped TruthSocial CEO Devin Nunes as chair of the Intelligence Advisory Board. Nunes will lead the social media platform while serving on the advisory board. (See Details)

➤ Trump also selected his longtime foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell as an envoy for special missions, assigning him to work in key global regions to protect America’s interests. (More)

➤ Hamas made concessions to Israel last week in cease-fire and hostage-release talks due to pressure from Trump, according to a senior U.S. official. (See Details)

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➤ The Buffalo Bills beat the Detroit Lions 48-42, and the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-13 in Sunday’s top NFL matchups. (See NFL Scores)

➤ The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks will face off in the NBA Cup final in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. (More)

➤ NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss announced that he is being treated for cancer and recovering from major surgery. He was hospitalized for six days before being released on Friday. (More)

Today’s Holiday section is brought to you by:

Take a look at intricate holiday gingerbread creations of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, and American favorites like the Chrysler Building and Golden Gate Bridge. (See Photos)

Dozens of kids boarded a 45-minute Denver flight, circling near the city, before “landing” at a hangar transformed into a festive North Pole scene with Santa. (Watch Report)

Receiving an unexpected gift can feel awkward, but experts advise graciously accepting it, expressing gratitude, and focusing on the giver’s generosity rather than reciprocity. (More)

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➤ Macy’s announced the closure of 65 of its department store locations by the end of the year, up 15 additional closures from its original announcement in February. (More)

➤ The Social Security full retirement age will jump to 67 in 2025 after the annual incremental two-month increase to the retirement age takes effect. (See Details)

➤ This year’s final Federal Reserve meeting is set for this week, with a highly-anticipated interest rate decision expected on Wednesday. (More)

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^{This is a paid advertisement for Energous’ Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.energous.com for additional information on the company and the risks factors to the offering.}

Flying together with our sponsor

Warm up and stay hydrated this winter with LMNT’s limited-time Chocolate Medley! Enjoy Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Chai, and Chocolate Raspberry—each packed with essential electrolytes and zero sugar. LMNT supports hydration, energy, and recovery without the junk found in typical sports drinks.

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➤ MIT researchers have developed new noninvasive metabolic imaging technology that can penetrate more than twice as deep as traditional laser imaging. (More)

➤ NASA astronaut-photographer Don Pettit has captured new long-exposure images from the International Space Station of Magellanic clouds, dwarf galaxies, and the Milky Way. (See Photos)

➤ A new study found dogs use button boards intentionally, pressing combinations like “squeaker+car” for ambulances or “water+bone” for ice, and are not merely using matching training. (See Details)

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➤ South Korea’s parliament impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief martial law order and suspended his powers. The Constitutional Court will determine his fate. (More)

➤ Two Russian oil tankers sank in a Black Sea storm along a vital shipping route, spilling oil, killing one crew member, and prompting a criminal negligence investigation. (Watch Video)

➤ Six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish—among the largest and rarest freshwater fish—were caught and released in Cambodia, with only a few hundred remaining worldwide. (See Photos)

➤ A bar’s security camera in Scotts Valley, California, recorded footage of a big twister touching down. (Watch Video)

➤ Wyoming police stopped a driver whose Ford Mustang was fully decorated with colorful Christmas lights, creating a festive but illegal display. (See Photo)

➤ A UK woman discovered an 11-pound mushroom during a countryside walk and used it to prepare meals, including pizza and mushroom steaks, for a week. (See Photo)

Do you prefer to watch TV shows or full-length movies?

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you send a holiday card or letter?

Yes: 53.3%
No: 46.7%

Daily Quote

“The North Pole is fun because there’s games, food, and all the activities are really fun.”

— 6-year-old Bryce Bosley on his United Airline fantasy flight to the North Pole (by way of Denver)