Keeping up with America

TikTok cracks down on posts about Osama bin Laden's "Letter to America" amid apparent viral trend: TikTok on Thursday cracked down on posts about Osama bin Laden's "Letter to America," which the al Qaeda leader wrote after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Mortgage rates are slipping after a rapid rise: More people are applying for mortgages as rates start to decrease, thanks to signs inflation is cooling off.

Los Angeles freeway closed after fire will reopen by Tuesday, ahead of schedule, governor says: Repairs to an elevated Los Angeles freeway closed because of an arson fire are moving faster than expected and all lanes are scheduled to reopen by next Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday.

Stock of British electric moped brand Zapp hits skids months after US listing: The company has lost much of its value after market scepticism about startups’ prospects.

Florida flooding closes schools, knocks out power: Public schools in Florida's Broward County are closed Thursday.

Around the World

Israel Gaza - Al-Shifa Hospital director says no water or oxygen left: The director of the Gaza Strip's main hospital raided by Israeli soldiers says the facility has now run out of oxygen and water, and patients "are screaming from thirst."

China’s Xi is courting Indo-Pacific leaders in a flurry of talks at a summit in San Francisco: Chinese President Xi Jinping, fresh off his meeting with President Joe Biden, courted Indo-Pacific leaders in a flurry of meetings Thursday at a time of intensifying competition with the United States.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Hearing on Artificial Intelligence & Scams: The Senate Aging Committee held a hearing to examine how scammers are using artificial intelligence to create voice clones and deepfakes to target older Americans.

Shein and Amazon Are Both Good for the Ad Business: If you're a fashion plate on a budget, you're probably a fan of Shein, known for selling ultracheap and trendy clothes.

The Government Is Now the Hottest Tech Employer in Town: Meta, Google, Amazon, and other major tech firms have laid off thousands of people.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Save, invest, or pay off debt: What should you do with your idle money? If you have extra cash sitting around, such as from a tax refund or bonus, what should you do with it?

Inside the Psychology of Overspending and How to Stop | Jessica Walrack, US News. Overspending has become a common problem for Americans – about six in 10 currently live paycheck to paycheck, according to a May 2023 Lending Club report. But what’s causing the majority to live beyond their means? Experts say it’s about more than a person’s budgeting skills.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Netflix reportedly interested in NBA In-Season Tournament | How Baker Mayfield became one of the NFL's best passers under pressure

What to know about grand jury evidence on actor Alec Baldwin and the 2021 fatal film set shooting | Utherverse Metaverse Platform Collaborates With Legacy Inspired Films To Bring Film, Television And Other Entertainment Content To Web3 Venues

Snoop Dogg shocks fans with announcement that he's 'giving up smoke' | Google’s Bard Expands Chatbot Access to Teens as ChatGPT Usage Surges

 Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

15 Fascinating Facts About Hieronymus Bosch’s ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’

Discover Everyday Tech Hacks: Save Time and Stay Safe with these Smart Tips

5 Easy Breakfast Recipes With Bread

This Was the Most Popular Christmas Movie the Year You Were Born