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14h

Renaming the Department of Defense the ‘Department of War’ could cost up to $125 million

A Congressional Budget Office analysis estimates that renaming the Department of Defense the Department of War could cost U.S. taxpayers up to $125 million. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in September authorizing the Department of War as a secondary title for the Pentagon. However, Congress has to formally approve the new name, and it has shown no serious interest in doing so. The budget office report estimates a modest implementation could cost about $10 million, but a broad and rapid change could reach $125 million.

/podcasts

16h

What are your favorite podcasts?

Welcome to /podcasts everybody! I thought I'd get the ball rolling by sharing some of the podcasts I listen to most often. I'd love to hear what you're all listening to as well, so feel free to share a few of your favorites below. Please try to include a brief description of the

18h

California Gov. Newsom says he's blocking Louisiana's push to extradite doctor accused of mailing abortion pills

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he is blocking Louisiana's attempt to extradite a doctor accused of mailing abortion pills. Louisiana, which has strict anti-abortion laws, wants to prosecute the doctor, but Newsom cited an executive order that prevents state agencies from assisting in such prosecutions.

'F**k You': Trump Drops F-Bomb Before Flipping Off Autoworker at a Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan

President Donald Trump flipped off an autoworker at a Ford plant in Michigan after being called a 'pedophile protector', likely referencing his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The incident, captured on video, shows Trump mouthing 'Fuck you!' and flipping off the worker before walking away.

/music

Grammy-nominated musician John Forté found dead at 50 in Massachusetts home

John Forté, a Grammy-nominated musician known for his work with the Fugees, was found dead at 50 in his Massachusetts home. Police report no signs of foul play, and the cause of death is under investigation by the state medical examiner’s office.

Mike Tomlin stepping down as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach

Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach since 2007, has announced his departure after a 30-6 playoff loss to the Houston Texans. This marks his seventh consecutive postseason defeat, dating back to 2016. Despite never finishing with a losing record in his 19 seasons, Tomlin's playoff success has been limited, with a 5-11 record in the last 16 postseason games.

/entertainment

U.S. Marshals Service joins search for actor Timothy Busfield after child sex abuse allegations

The U.S. Marshals Service is assisting in the search for actor Timothy Busfield, who is wanted in connection with child sex abuse allegations in New Mexico. Authorities have been unable to locate Busfield since an arrest warrant was issued last week. The warrant was issued after two children reported that Busfield allegedly touched them inappropriately on the set of the Fox series 'The Cleaning Lady' in which he directed and acted. Warner Bros. conducted an independent investigation but did not find evidence to corroborate the allegations.

/science

A new milestone in the cancer fight: 7 in 10 patients now survive five-plus years

A new milestone in the cancer fight: 7 in 10 patients now survive five-plus years. According to the latest annual report from the American Cancer Society, the U.S. has reached a significant milestone in the fight against cancer, with seven in 10 people surviving five years or more after diagnosis. This is a substantial improvement from the 1970s, when only half of those diagnosed lived at least five years. The 70% survival rate is based on diagnoses from 2015 to 2021 and is attributed to better treatment options, earlier detection methods, and reductions in smoking.

Trump Asks 'When Did I Do That?' When Asked About His Promise to Send Americans $2K Tariff Checks

In a recent interview with The New York Times, President Donald Trump appeared to momentarily forget about his previous promise to send Americans $2,000 tariff rebate checks. When asked about the timeline for these checks, Trump responded, 'When did I do that?' He later clarified that the checks would be issued towards the end of 2026.

Cheating scandal hits Winter Olympics skeleton qualifier

An international sports governing body is investigating after a Canadian coach was accused of manipulating an event, depriving racers of qualifying points ahead of February's Winter Olympics.

/books

'There's nothing like boredom to make you write': A rare interview with the elusive Agatha Christie

A rarely heard BBC interview from 1955 reveals some of the secrets of a writer who was as complex as her plots.

/offbeat

Monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis, and AI images are complicating the search

The Vervet monkeys were first spotted Thursday near a park in the northern part of the city, prompting “rumor after rumor,” said city Department of Health spokesperson Willie Springer. It's unclear who owns the monkeys, how they got loose, or exactly how many there are.

/technology

Developer writes script to throw AI out of Windows

Software developers have created a PowerShell script to remove AI features from Windows, available on GitHub. The script aims to improve user experience, privacy, and security by removing AI components from Windows 11 builds. The project has garnered attention and support from individuals concerned about the integration of AI in the operating system.

/books

Adelaide Writers Week canceled as 180 speakers withdraw after the exclusion of a Palestinian writer

Organizers of Australia’s largest free literary festival canceled the event Tuesday after more than 180 writers and speakers withdrew over the scrapping of an appearance by an Australian-Palestinian writer and academic.

Australian teen charged with making hoax mass shooting calls to U.S. institutions

Australian police and the FBI said the suspect was linked to the “swatting” of major U.S. education institutions and retailers by an anonymous online crime network.

Former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola launches Alaska Senate run

Former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola has launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate in Alaska, challenging two-term GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola, who previously served as Alaska's lone House member, is seen as a key Democratic recruit in a state that President Trump won by 13 points in 2020. The race is expected to be competitive, with Democrats aiming to flip at least four Republican-held seats to gain the Senate majority.

Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals

Nurses were to start walking off the job at 6 a.m. at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses. The other affected hospitals are NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to New Yor

US bobsledder Kris Horn survives solo ride in St. Moritz, after teammates fail to get into sled

U.S. bobsledder Kris Horn survived a frightening ride down the track in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on Sunday, after his three teammates failed to make it into the four-man sled at the start of a World Cup race.

/music

Bob Weir, Grateful Dead Co-Founder, Dead at 78

Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead and later a member of Dead & Company, has passed away at 78. His unique artistry significantly influenced American music, creating a community and feeling of family among fans. Despite challenges, including battling cancer and addiction, Weir remained a guiding force in the music world.

PBS News Confirms Weekend Team Will Air Final Broadcast on Sunday

President Donald Trump targeted National Public Radio and PBS following the 2024 election, when he formally called on Congress to cancel public broadcaster funding. By mid-July, Congress had approved the taking back of $1.1 billion, which had been set aside for public broadcaster

/food

Inside scoop: the 2,500-year history of ice-cream

This article traces the 2,500-year history of ice-cream, from its origins in Persian 'ice pits' to its evolution into the creamy treats enjoyed today. The Persians developed yakhchals, large stone structures that stored ice year-round, enabling the creation of frozen desserts. The technology spread across the Middle East and into Europe, where innovations in freezing techniques led to the development of the first recognizable ice-cream recipes in the late 17th century in Italy and France.

/food

Another California resident dies of death cap mushroom poisoning

The state has recorded an unusual spate of poisonings from foraged mushrooms. There have been 35 since November, whereas fewer than five would be expected in an average year.

Police chief’s lit cigarette set nursing home on fire, report finds

An official report found that a Missouri police chief’s lit cigarette caused a fire that destroyed a local nursing home in August 2025. Security footage revealed the police chief smoking and placing the lit cigarette in a planter outside the building, which led to the blaze. Although the facility was destroyed, no lives were lost or injuries reported.

NHL Winter Classic fails to reach one million viewers for second-consecutive year

For the second-consecutive year, the Winter Classic failed to crack the seven-figure audience threshold after having surpasses one million viewers every year since its debut in 2008.

/entertainment

BBC Director General Race Heats Up As Frontrunners Emerge For Biggest Job In British Media

The BBC is in the process of selecting a new director general, with frontrunners including Jay Hunt, Charlotte Moore, and Alex Mahon. The selection process is a top priority for BBC chair Samir Shah, and formal interviews are expected in the coming weeks. The new director general will face challenges such as navigating the media ecosystem dominated by overseas tech giants and dealing with the fallout from a recent editorial scandal.

Minneapolis schools cancel classes after ICE raid at high school the same day Renee Nicole Good was killed

Minneapolis schools canceled classes after a chaotic incident at Roosevelt High School, where U.S. Border Patrol agents clashed with teachers and protesters. The Department of Homeland Security pursued a suspect to the school, leading to a confrontation between agents and local residents. The Minneapolis Public School system closed all schools until Monday due to safety concerns.

Federal Agents Shoot Man and Woman in Portland

U.S. federal agents shot two people in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon. Both individuals were transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds, and their conditions remain unknown. This incident follows a similar shooting in Minneapolis where an ICE agent killed a woman. Portland Police Chief Bob Day and Mayor Keith Wilson have both commented on the incident, calling for calm and an investigation.