Biden Exits Battling for His Legacy and Believing He Could Have Won - WSJ

As Antonio Brown would say, “This is a whole lotta money.”

The United States alone pledged about $45 billion in arms and military aid to Ukraine between Russia’s fullscale invasion in February 2022 and October 2023[15] and a total surpassing $174 billion by September 2024.[16] Most of this money goes to American companies who make weapons and military equipment.[17][7][18]

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Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President, Is Dead at 100 - The New York Times — Two thoughts: 1. Americans love their ex-presidents and 2. Look at the byline of this obit, one of the authors is dead himself.

Jimmy Carter, Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dies at 100 - WSJ

The World’s Best Chess Player Just Stormed Out of a Tournament—Over a Pair of Pants - WSJ — I feel like Magnus did the right thing here.

Trump Backers, Including Elon Musk, Clash With Far Right Over Immigrant Workers and H-1B Visas - The New York Times — Who would have thought that H1-B visas would divide the MAGA party?

Does Listening to a Book Count as Reading It? Debate Roils Literary World - WSJ — My view: No, listening to an audiobook does not count as reading it.

The Bald Eagle Is (Finally) the National Bird of the United States - The New York Times — Long overdue

Holiday Sales Reveal a Split in Consumer Spending - WSJ

Inflation-weary consumers were projected to splurge this year on holiday gifts, food and decorations—fueled by online purchases, according to industry estimates. But the gains were increasingly driven by higher-income households, those making more than $100,000 a year. Lower-income Americans were squeezed by higher prices for groceries, child care and other monthly expenses.

Duracell M250 Portable Charging Hub - Your Power Companion — I need this battery.

Elite Colleges Have a Looming Money Problem - WSJ

Insurance and Taxes Now Cost More Than Mortgages for Many Homeowners - WSJ

Presence of Perfluorohexanoic Acid in Fluoroelastomer Watch Bands | Environmental Science & Technology Letters

California’s Minimum-Wage Hike Has Actually Been Great - The Atlantic — A deeply flawed article but worth reading to understand why some people support minimum wage increases.

The Carry-On-Baggage Bubble Is About to Pop - The Atlantic

The Lions’ Fake Stumble Touchdown Is Ben Johnson’s Most Impressive Trick Play Yet

If You’re Checking That Bag, It Had Better Have an AirTag - WSJ

Iran’s Energy Crisis Hits ‘Dire’ Point as Industries Are Forced to Shut Down - The New York Times

Inside the Final Days of the Assad Regime in Syria - The New York Times

Lawsuit Reveals How Colleges Really Talk About Rich Applicants - WSJ

Here’s What Retirement on a Pension Looks Like in America - WSJ — Amazing stories. A pension is powerful.

Completed Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Now on to Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

The Unlikely Ingredient That Could End U.S. Dependence on Chinese Batteries - WSJ