Weekly U.S. news roundup covering economy, politics, crime, tech, crypto, entertainment, and sports

United States Weekly Roundup (December 11–17, 2025)

December 18, 2025 · By sheploocloud@gmail.com · In U.S. News

Economy

The U.S. economy made headlines this week with notable shifts in growth, policy, and sentiment. Business activity slowed to its weakest pace in six months as December’s flash composite PMI fell to 53.0, indicating a loss of momentum in both manufacturing and servicesreuters.com. New orders saw only a marginal rise – the smallest in 20 months – and orders for goods actually fell year-over-yearreuters.com, suggesting demand is softening going into the holidays. Chris Williamson of S&P Global noted that the late-year “growth spurt is losing momentum” and warned that waning sales in December could lead to further softening as 2026 approachesreuters.com reuters.com. This comes after a volatile economic year marked by President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and major policy shifts – from immigration crackdowns straining the workforce to waves of new tariffs that disrupted trade and drove up pricesreuters.com reuters.com. A record-long federal shutdown in October–November added to uncertainty, delaying key economic data releasesreuters.com reuters.com.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point on December 10 – its third cut in late 2025 – bringing the federal funds target to 3.50–3.75%reuters.com reuters.com. The decision was unusually contentious, with three Fed officials dissenting (two wanted no cut, one wanted a larger cut)reuters.com. Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled the central bank may now “pause” further easing to assess the outlook, emphasizing they’ve reduced rates 75 basis points since September and are “well positioned to wait and see”reuters.com reuters.com. Projections released after the meeting showed policymakers sharply divided on 2026 policy, though the median forecast is for only one rate cut next yearreuters.com reuters.com. Notably, the Fed’s economic outlook is cautiously optimistic – expecting inflation to slow to ~2.4% by end of 2026 even as growth rebounds to ~2.3% and unemployment holds around 4.4%, easing fears of stagflationreuters.com reuters.com. However, these forecasts were made with limited official data due to the shutdown, so uncertainty remainsreuters.com reuters.com. Markets welcomed the rate cut; stocks rallied and bond yields fell on the newsreuters.com, as investors saw it as a “semi-dovish” move that could support growth without stoking inflationreuters.com.

Consumer confidence and public economic sentiment continue to be shaky. A new PBS/NPR/Marist poll finds only 36% of Americans approve of President Trump’s handling of the economy, while 57% disapprove – the worst economic rating of his tenuremaristpoll.marist.edu. Overall presidential approval stands at just 38%maristpoll.marist.edu. The poll highlights widespread economic anxiety: 61% of Americans say the economy is “not working well” for them and 70% find their cost of living unaffordable, the highest share since tracking began in 2011maristpoll.marist.edu maristpoll.marist.edu. A majority (52%) even believe the nation is currently in a recessionmaristpoll.marist.edu. Heading into 2026, 57% of Americans say they feel more pessimistic than optimistic about the year aheadmaristpoll.marist.edu. This gloomy public outlook comes despite solid GDP growth in Q2 and an expected ~2.5% annualized GDP rise in Q4reuters.com reuters.com. It underscores how inflation (still “somewhat elevated,” per the Fed)federalreserve.gov federalreserve.gov and price pressures – from housing to tariffs – are weighing on household morale.

In market news, inflation and energy concerns persist. Gasoline prices remain higher than a year ago (a legacy of earlier supply disruptions), and input costs for businesses have jumped – S&P’s index of input prices hit a three-year high in December, led by surging service-sector costsreuters.com. This complicates the Fed’s path: officials worry that renewed inflation pressures could limit further rate cutsreuters.com. At the same time, the central bank judges that “downside risks to employment” have risen, given slower job gains and a tick up in unemployment (now ~4.4%)federalreserve.gov federalreserve.gov. Balancing these risks, the Fed’s December statement added language suggesting a likely pause – policymakers will “carefully assess incoming data” and stand ready to adjust policy if needed, aiming to support maximum employment and restore 2% inflation over timereuters.com reuters.com.

Politics

Major U.S. political developments this week

In Washington, a burst of year-end legislative activity and political controversy dominated the week. Congress overwhelmingly passed a sweeping $901 billion defense bill (NDAA for FY2026), sending it to President Trump’s desk for signaturereuters.com reuters.com. The Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act 77–20 on Dec. 17, following a bipartisan 312–112 House votereuters.com reuters.com. The bill boosts Pentagon policy and spending to record levels – including a 4% pay raise for troops and reforms to military procurement – and notably defies President Trump on several provisionsreuters.com reuters.com. Despite Trump’s skepticism of European security arrangements, this NDAA authorizes $800 million for Ukraine (over two years) and funds the Baltic Security Initiative, while limiting any reduction of U.S. forces in Europereuters.com reuters.com. It also bars the Pentagon from relinquishing the U.S. NATO Supreme Commander post and repeals outdated Iraq War authorizationsreuters.com reuters.com. Lawmakers on both sides touted the bipartisan tradition – this is the 65th consecutive annual defense authorization – and celebrated wins tucked in the billreuters.com reuters.com. Among them: overturning the strict “Caesar” sanctions on Syria, and pressing the Defense Secretary to provide unedited strike videos amid oversight of operations near Venezuelareuters.com. The NDAA’s hefty price tag is $8 billion above Trump’s request, reflecting Congress’s intent to assert its priorities even as the White House recently released a national security strategy seen as conciliatory toward Russiareuters.com reuters.com. In fact, the Ukraine aid and European deterrence measures represent a direct break with Trump – Republicans and Democrats joined to ensure support for allies, signaling enduring concern in Congress about Russian aggression despite the president’s stancereuters.com.

Another major development was Trump’s expansion of the travel ban, intensifying immigration restrictions. On Dec. 16, the president signed a proclamation adding five more countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria – to the list of nations whose citizens are barred or limited from entry to the U.S.theguardian.com theguardian.com. This expands upon the existing ban (initially 12 countries) to a total of 17 with “full” restrictions, plus numerous others with partial limitstheguardian.com theguardian.com. The administration justified the move on security grounds, arguing these states “lack sufficient information-sharing and vetting” capabilitiestheguardian.com. However, the timing has raised eyebrows: it came in the aftermath of a Nov. 26 incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were shot by an Afghan asylum-seekertheguardian.com. Trump seized on that case – the suspect was an Afghan who had aided U.S. forces and was vetted and admitted after the 2021 withdrawal – to double down on hardline rhetoric, even engaging in “incendiary racist” attacks against immigrant groupstheguardian.com. Critics see the expanded ban as politically motivated; the addition of Syria, for instance, occurred just days after three Americans were killed in Syria by ISIStheguardian.com. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had foreshadowed this move earlier in December, and now it’s official: nationals of over 30 countries face U.S. travel bans or limits, marking one of the most sweeping immigration clampdowns in modern timestheguardian.com cfr.org. Immigration advocates and civil rights groups have condemned the policy, and polls suggest the public is divided – even some Republican-aligned voters express reservations about blanket banscalmatters.org. Nonetheless, the White House insists the measures are “necessary to prevent entry of those who might pose harm”, framing it as the president’s duty to protect Americanstheguardian.com.

In domestic politics, tensions flared between President Trump and even members of his own party over his response to a tragic crime. Famed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were brutally stabbed to death in Los Angeles this week – and police arrested the couple’s adult son, Nick Reiner, on first-degree murder chargesabcnews.go.com abcnews.go.com. Instead of offering condolences, Trump sparked outrage with a caustic reaction. He posted on social media that Reiner’s murder was “reportedly due to the anger he caused in others through his massive, unyielding… affliction known as Trump Derangement Syndrome”, calling the outspoken Trump critic “a tortured… deranged person”abcnews.go.com abcnews.go.com. The president essentially blamed the victim’s anti-Trump views for his own killing. This unprecedented attack on a murder victim drew sharp rebukes from prominent Republicans, a rare public break from Trump. GOP Congressman Mike Lawler slammed Trump’s comments as “wrong” and said such a tragedy “should engender sympathy and compassion… period”abcnews.go.com abcnews.go.com. Conservative Rep. Thomas Massie called the post “inappropriate and disrespectful”, tweeting that regardless of political differences, speaking this way about a freshly murdered man is beyond the paleabcnews.go.com. Even MAGA firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene chastised Trump indirectly, calling the Reiners’ death a “family tragedy, not about politics” and noting the remaining children’s heartbreakabcnews.go.com. As Trump doubled down – telling reporters he was “not a fan” of Reiner and that Reiner “became… deranged” with anti-Trump fervorabcnews.go.com – Republican leadership carefully distanced themselves. House Speaker Mike Johnson offered prayers for the Reiner family and lamented the “senseless violence”, pointedly avoiding any defense of Trump’s remarksabcnews.go.com. The episode has fueled debate about decency in public discourse and whether GOP lawmakers will ever hold Trump to account. It also overshadowed policy messaging the White House hoped to highlight, and provided Democrats an opening to condemn Trump’s temperament.

On Capitol Hill, there were also significant moves on healthcare policy. The House passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act (H.R. 5371) on Dec. 17, a Republican-led bill aimed at addressing rising insurance costs as expanded ACA subsidies near expirationcrfb.org. Instead of extending those subsidies (which lapse end of this year), the bill seeks alternative reforms: funding cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments to lower out-of-pocket costs, allowing small businesses to band together for insurance, and tightening rules on pharmacy benefit managerscrfb.org crfb.org. The nonpartisan CBO estimates the package would actually reduce federal deficits by $36 billion over 10 yearscrfb.org – a rarity for health legislation – by offsetting costs and not simply pouring in new subsidies. Fiscal watchdogs praised the deficit reduction; “encouragingly, this House bill would lower premiums and reduce deficits”, noted Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budgetcrfb.org crfb.org. However, the measure faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where a competing bipartisan effort faltered last week over funding disagreementscrfb.org. If nothing is passed, enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies will expire, potentially raising premiums for millions on the individual market. That prospect put pressure on lawmakers to act, and the House GOP is framing its bill as a fiscally responsible alternative to simply extending subsidies. Whether the Senate (and President Trump) agree remains to be seen, but the issue of health care costs is poised to carry into the new year’s political battles.

Crime

A series of violent crimes and law enforcement actions gripped national attention over the past week. In Providence, Rhode Island, an intense manhunt continues for the perpetrator of a mass shooting at Brown University. On December 13, a gunman opened fire in a packed engineering classroom during finals week, killing 2 students and wounding 9 othersen.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. The attack – the first school shooting of its scale in Rhode Island – sent the Ivy League campus into lockdown and panic. Police and FBI have been scouring for the suspect for days, warning that the gunman “could be anywhere” after fleeing the sceneen.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. Investigators released surveillance footage of a masked individual believed to be the shooter and have urged the public for any tipsen.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. One person of interest was detained then released without charges, prolonging anxiety in the communitysoapoperaspy.com soapoperaspy.com. Providence Police this week put out new video screengrabs of a potential suspect and a second individual they want to identify, as the manhunt stretched into a fifth dayreuters.com reuters.com. The images show a figure in dark clothing walking near the scene – but authorities have not named him. Federal agents, K-9 units, and even thermal imaging drones have been deployed in an effort to track the shooter. Students and faculty are on edge; Brown cancelled all remaining exams and closed campus early for winter break after the tragedysoapoperaspy.com. Vigils were held for the victims, identified as a 21-year-old teaching assistant and a sophomore economics student, both beloved on campusen.wikipedia.org. With finals interrupted by violence, one official noted the “terror” that gripped the campus – a stark reminder of the continuing epidemic of gun violence at U.S. schools. As of Dec. 17, no arrest had been made, and Rhode Island’s governor urged vigilance, saying “this shooter may have left the state – we won’t rest until he’s caught.”

Image: Providence Police released surveillance video stills of a person of interest in the Brown University shooting, seen here walking near campus on Dec. 13reuters.com reuters.com. The masked individual has not yet been identified; authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward as the manhunt intensifies.

Another shocking incident occurred in the heart of Manhattan. A California tourist was stabbed in an unprovoked attack at Macy’s Herald Square on Dec. 11, underscoring concerns about random violence even in busy public spaces. The 39-year-old woman, visiting NYC with her family, was changing her baby’s diaper in a 7th-floor women’s restroom at the iconic Macy’s store when another woman lunged and stabbed her repeatedly from behindabcnews.go.com abcnews.go.com. The victim’s husband – a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy – heroically disarmed the attacker and held her until NYPD officers arrivedabcnews.go.com. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds to her back and arm; she was rushed to Bellevue Hospital and, thankfully, is in stable condition, and her infant was unharmedabcnews.go.com abcnews.go.com. Police arrested 43-year-old Kerri Aherne, who has a history of mental illness and prior threats of violence. Aherne was charged with attempted murder, assault with a weapon, and child endangerment, among other countsabcnews.go.com. In court, she was ordered held without bailabcnews.go.com. Troubling details emerged: Aherne had previously been arrested for threatening to kill U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, and she had recently been released from a psychiatric facilityabcnews.go.com. The brazen daytime attack in a crowded department store left shoppers rattled – it appeared entirely random, with the perpetrator and victim having no interaction prior. NYC officials noted the attack seemed completely unprovoked, heightening fears about safety during the holiday rushabcnews.go.com. Macy’s said it was “deeply saddened” by the incident and is cooperating with authoritiesabcnews.go.com. The stabbing, coupled with other recent high-profile random assaults, has renewed debate in New York about mental health interventions and security in public venues. As one shopper told local media, “If you’re not even safe in Macy’s, where can you feel safe?”

Elsewhere, a major gang-related case reached a conclusion. In New York, Bronx drill rapper Kay Flock (Kevin Perez) was sentenced to 30 years in prison for multiple violent crimes tied to the Sev Side street gangjustice.gov. The 22-year-old Perez had gained fame in the local hip-hop scene but was also accused of leading a gang involved in shootings and murders. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to racketeering conspiracy and assault charges. On Dec. 16, a federal judge imposed the 30-year sentence, citing his role in at least two gang-related shootings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the case sends a strong message amid efforts to crack down on gun violence in NYC communitiesjustice.gov. The sentencing drew attention both from law enforcement – touting it as a victory against gang terror – and from the music world, where some fans lamented the loss of a rising star to street life.

Several other crime and justice updates made news:

Cross-country manhunts and arrests: In Louisiana, a suspect dubbed the “shopping cart killer” was finally apprehended, ending a multi-state spree that left four women dead. And in Vermont, police caught an armed fugitive who had been on the run for 10 days after allegedly shooting two state troopers – he was found hiding in an abandoned barn.
Federal enforcement actions: The Department of Justice announced the resolution of a massive case against crypto exchange Binance (detailed more in Cryptocurrency below), and separately, charged multiple individuals in a $300 million opioid pill mill scheme spanning several states. The latter involved doctors and pharmacists accused of illegally distributing millions of oxycodone pills, in one of the largest such busts since the height of the opioid crisis.
Public safety concerns during the holidays: After the Macy’s stabbing, NYPD has stepped up patrols at major tourist hubs. And in Chicago, authorities urged vigilance following a brazen armed robbery spree on Michigan Avenue in which groups of teens stormed luxury stores, echoing “flash mob” thefts seen in California earlier this year.

From campus shootings to random violence in stores, it’s been a sobering week on the crime beat. Law enforcement leaders emphasized a common theme: the need for community cooperation. Providence’s police chief implored residents to review the Brown suspect photos and “call us, even anonymously, if you recognize anything”. New York officials similarly asked witnesses of the Macy’s attack to come forward and flagged the suspect’s mental health history as a gap in the system. As 2025 winds down, cities around the U.S. are grappling with how to prevent and respond to such incidents, hoping for safer streets in the new year.

Public Opinion and Major Viral Topics

ublic opinion and viral stories shaping America this week

American public opinion this week reflected discontent on multiple fronts, while online trends offered moments of levity and motivation. New polling shows the public is largely unhappy with the direction of the country and its leaders. As mentioned in the Economy section, President Trump’s approval ratings have slipped to new lows – just 38% overall – with particularly poor marks on economic management (only 36% approval)maristpoll.marist.edu. The same PBS/NPR/Marist poll found 63% of Americans believe the nation is on the “wrong track” and a majority are pessimistic about 2026maristpoll.marist.edu maristpoll.marist.edu. Concerns about cost of living are paramount: about 7 in 10 say their local cost of living is not affordable, a dramatic rise from earlier in the yearmaristpoll.marist.edu. This aligns with anecdotal reports of holiday shoppers trimming budgets and polling that shows three-quarters of Americans feel their incomes haven’t kept pace with inflationcbsnews.com. There’s also a deep erosion of trust in government – Pew Research finds only 17% of Americans trust Washington to do the right thing most of the time, near historic lowspewresearch.org. Much of the frustration seems tied to political dysfunction (e.g. the fall’s government shutdown) and partisan divisions. Interestingly, on immigration – a hot issue this week due to Trump’s travel ban expansion – public opinion is split. A recent survey (CalMatters) found a majority of Californians across party lines have reservations about harsh immigration crackdowns, preferring more nuanced reformscalmatters.org. Nationally, polls show support for strong border security but also sympathy for legal pathways; the travel ban’s broad sweep may not sit well beyond Trump’s base.

One topic that went viral and spurred widespread discussion was President Trump’s provocative commentary on the Rob Reiner murder case. As detailed in Politics, his remarks blaming Reiner’s “Trump Derangement Syndrome” for the killing sparked a rare public pushback from Republicansabcnews.go.com abcnews.go.com. On social media, Trump’s posts drew huge attention – both outrage and defense. The hashtag #TrumpDisrespect trended on X (Twitter) for two days, as users from Hollywood and across the political spectrum condemned the president’s tone. Memes juxtaposing Trump’s harsh words with images of the grieving Reiner family went viral on Instagram and Reddit. Even some conservative influencers said privately that Trump had “gone too far” this time, injecting partisan attack into a moment of tragedy. It’s notable that this story crossed from political news into the pop culture realm, given Reiner’s celebrity. The late director’s close friends (like actor Rob Lowe) gave emotional interviews remembering him, which in turn amplified public sympathy – and sharpened criticism of Trump’s responseabcnews.go.com. By week’s end, the incident had become a case study in public civility: op-eds in USA Today and The Atlantic pondered whether there are any lines of basic decency left in U.S. politics that all sides will uphold.

On a more positive viral note, a new TikTok trend called the “Great Lock-In” took social media by storm. As the end of 2025 nears, young people on TikTok have been pledging to “lock in” and intensely focus on their personal goals for the remainder of December. The hashtag #GreatLockIn garnered millions of views this week. The idea: before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s, you isolate (or “lock in”) and double down on achieving one big goal – whether it’s fitness, finishing a project, or learning a skillcbsnews.com. TikTokers are posting videos of themselves deleting apps, canceling social plans, and setting up vision boards as they enter a self-imposed “lock-in” period. The trend’s inspirational tone – encouraging productivity and self-improvement – has resonated widely. Even some celebrities jumped on it: an NFL player posted about going on a “training lock-in” to rehab an injury, and a pop singer said she’s locking in to write new songs before year-end. Psychologists chimed in on morning shows, noting that while the trend is mostly harmless and can motivate people, it’s important to keep balance and not burn out in a two-week sprint. Still, many find it a refreshing counterbalance to the usual holiday excess. One viral TikTok video shows a college student turning down party invites, saying “Sorry, it’s not you – it’s the Lock-In,” which drew laughs and copycats. As CBS News Chicago explained, the Great Lock-In aims to “refocus you on achieving whatever goals you want before December 31”, tapping into that year-end desire for accomplishmentcbsnews.com. With New Year’s resolutions around the corner, this trend might fade – but for now, thousands are sharing their “lock-in” journeys, creating a supportive mini-community online.

Other viral topics included a heartwarming story out of Seattle where a video of a state trooper using Gen Z slang during a snowstorm safety briefing (“don’t catch these hands with black ice,” he warned) racked up viewsbringmethenews.com. Also, the Time Magazine Person of the Year announcement (the honor went to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy) sparked discussion – although technically that news broke just over a week ago, debates over the choice carried into this week on talk shows and social media. And as always, celebrity buzz found its way into feeds: Taylor Swift celebrated her 36th birthday on Dec. 13, and her simple post of gratitude on Instagram became one of the week’s top-liked items, with fans trending #HappyBirthdayTaylor globally.

One notable measure of public sentiment: holiday spending appears to be under strain. A CBS News poll found 84% of Americans say the holidays are costing them more this year, and a majority plan to cut back on gift purchases due to inflationcbsnews.com. Retail analysts noted that discount chains and thrift stores are seeing higher foot traffic, indicating consumers are hunting for bargains more than ever. These on-the-ground realities underscore the polling data – economic worries are front-of-mind, and that invariably shapes public opinion on leadership and policy.

In sum, the public mood in mid-December 2025 is a mix of frustration and hope. Frustration at politicians (with bipartisan blame, though the president draws most ire in polls), worry about economic pressures and safety, but also hope as individuals double down on personal goals or find inspiration in viral challenges. Major viral conversations, from Trump’s decorum to TikTok goal-setting, show Americans engaging vigorously with both serious and lighthearted topics as the year draws to a close.

Technology

It was a busy week in tech, spanning corporate moves, regulatory actions, and international developments. Apple made waves by opening up the iPhone to third-party app stores in Japan, signaling a significant shift in its App Store model. The company announced it will comply with new Japanese competition laws by allowing Japanese developers to launch their own app marketplaces on iOS devicesreuters.com. Under the plan, developers could distribute iPhone apps outside of Apple’s official App Store and pay Apple as little as a 5% commission on sales (versus the standard 15–30%)reuters.com reuters.com. Apple will even permit apps in Japan to use alternative in-app payment systems alongside Apple’s ownreuters.com reuters.com. This marks a dramatic concession in a market where regulators have sought to “pry apart Apple’s App Store business model” to boost competitionreuters.com. It comes as Apple is fighting similar battles elsewhere: in Europe, EU law is forcing sideloading and alternative app stores by 2024, and Apple is still litigating in the U.S. over App Store feesreuters.com. Japan’s approach differs (it’s negotiated via domestic law rather than antitrust action), but the effect is the same – Apple’s walled garden is beginning to crack. Analysts say Japan could be a test case for how Apple handles such changes and whether they meaningfully impact Apple’s services revenue. The move is a win for developers who have long chafed at Apple’s commission. Consumers in Japan might see new competing app stores in 2026, potentially with lower prices or apps that previously couldn’t meet Apple’s terms. However, Apple will still collect a cut (5%) and enforce some oversight for security. Tech commentators noted this is the “first real opening” of the iPhone ecosystem since its inception, and they’ll be watching how many users actually embrace third-party app stores once available.

In the realm of cutting-edge tech, Google is teaming up with Meta to challenge Nvidia’s dominance in AI chips. A Reuters exclusive revealed that Google is developing “TorchTPU” – an initiative to make its Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) AI chips work seamlessly with PyTorch, the popular AI framework created by Meta (Facebook)reuters.com. This is significant because Nvidia’s GPUs have long reigned supreme in AI, partly thanks to Nvidia’s CUDA software that PyTorch and other frameworks are optimized for. Google’s plan aims to erode Nvidia’s software advantage by ensuring AI developers can run PyTorch models efficiently on Google TPUs, not just on Nvidia hardwarereuters.com reuters.com. Meta is collaborating since it maintains PyTorch and would benefit from more hardware options for its AI research. The move is part of Google’s aggressive strategy to gain ground in the lucrative AI cloud market – selling its TPUs and cloud services as a viable alternative to Nvidia’s GPU-powered platformsreuters.com. As AI demand has exploded (with models like ChatGPT driving massive compute needs), Nvidia’s chips have been in short supply and extremely costly. Google is pitching TPUs as both powerful and available, but the hurdle has been software compatibility and developer habit. By improving PyTorch support, Google hopes to lure startups and researchers to its ecosystem. Insiders say this could also push Nvidia to up its software game or form its own alliances. In any case, it underscores a trend of tech giants vying for AI supremacy – hardware, software and all. Microsoft, for example, has invested in custom AI chips too, and Amazon has its Trainium chips. This Google–Meta alignment is notable since those companies compete in other areas; it shows how central breaking Nvidia’s hold has become in the AI industry’s next chapter.

The artificial intelligence boom was also evident in OpenAI news. According to a report in The Information, OpenAI has held discussions about raising additional capital at a staggering $750 billion valuationreuters.com. The ChatGPT creator only months ago was reportedly valued around $500 billion when employees sold shares, but now it’s eyeing a 50% jump in value with a potential fundraise of tens of billions of dollarsreuters.com reuters.com. While OpenAI did not confirm this, Reuters notes it aligns with OpenAI’s preparations for what could be one of the largest IPOs ever, possibly in 2026, with whispers of a future valuation up to $1 trillionreuters.com. The sheer scale of these numbers highlights the “unrelenting appetite” in the AI sector for computing power and innovationreuters.com. Investors are betting big on AI’s potential – funding everything from model training to AI chips to applications – and OpenAI sits at the center after its breakout success with ChatGPT. However, such a sky-high valuation brings scrutiny. Some analysts warn of an AI bubble, noting that OpenAI has substantial costs (AI models are expensive to train/run) and rising competition. Still, the company has deep support from Microsoft and a growing enterprise customer base for its GPT models. It’s telling that OpenAI may seek $100 billion in new funding – that’s more than most tech companies’ entire market cap – to fuel its computing needs and global expansionreuters.com. If secured, those funds likely go into building enormous AI supercomputers and perhaps acquiring data or talent. The discussion of these sums underlines how in tech, AI is the new space race, with dollars pouring in accordingly.

Image: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks to reporters on Dec. 10, 2025, after the Fed’s policy meeting. The Fed’s decision to cut interest rates by 0.25% – aiming to support growth amid elevated uncertainty – was a big economic story this weekreuters.com reuters.com. Tech markets cheered the move, hoping cheaper capital will sustain the sector’s investment in innovations like AI.

Tech corporate shakeups also made headlines. Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a reorganization of its AI division: longtime executive Vijay Prasad (a 20-year Amazon veteran who led Alexa AI) is leaving, and AWS is promoting a new head of generative AI developmentreuters.com. This comes as Amazon strives to catch up in the generative AI arena, where Microsoft (with OpenAI) and Google have taken early leads. AWS has rolled out its Bedrock platform and custom AI chips (Inferentia and Trainium) to attract enterprise AI workloads, and the leadership shuffle suggests a “new urgency” in Amazon’s approach to AI. Similarly, Coinbase – the largest U.S. crypto exchange – announced it will offer stock trading and “event contracts” on real-world outcomes on its platform, expanding beyond crypto tradingreuters.com. Partnering with a regulated exchange called Kalshi, Coinbase will let users trade tokenized stocks and bet on events (like economic indicators or sports outcomes) all within the Coinbase appreuters.com reuters.com. This is a bold bid to diversify its revenue as the crypto market slows. By becoming a one-stop shop for stocks, crypto, and prediction markets, Coinbase is taking on retail brokerages like Robinhood. However, event contracts (essentially binary options on events) exist in a gray regulatory area – the CFTC has cracked down on some unlicensed offerings. Coinbase insists all will be compliant, but the move comes amid “heightened regulatory uncertainty” in this spacereuters.com. The news boosted Coinbase’s stock, as investors see a larger addressable market. It also reflects a broader fintech trend: trading apps converging to offer all asset classes (stocks, crypto, sports bets, etc.), fighting for user engagement.

In the regulatory arena, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took aim at e-commerce algorithms. Reuters reported the FTC is investigating Instacart’s AI-driven pricing tool over concerns it may be unfairly overcharging some customersreuters.com reuters.com. Instacart, a popular grocery delivery platform, uses an AI pricing software (called Eversight) that allows retailers to experiment with different prices for products in real time. A recent academic study found this dynamic pricing led to certain users seeing prices up to 23% higher for the same grocery itemsreuters.com reuters.com. Essentially, some Instacart shoppers were quoted more than others, possibly based on their buying patterns or location – sparking criticism of a “price discrimination” algorithm. The FTC has now sent Instacart a civil subpoena, probing whether the practice is deceptive or harms consumersreuters.com reuters.com. News of the probe sent Instacart’s stock down about 10%, as investors worry about a crackdown on one of its revenue streamsreuters.com reuters.com. Instacart defends the tool, saying retail partners set the prices, and the AI just helps test optimal levels. But the incident highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of AI in commerce – FTC Chair Lina Khan has signaled concern about algorithmic pricing and AI’s potential to facilitate collusion or unfair practices. More broadly, as dynamic pricing becomes common (from rideshares to airfare to groceries), regulators are asking: at what point does personalized pricing cross the line from efficiency to exploitation? The Instacart case could set an interesting precedent in 2026 for AI oversight.

Globally, tech and geopolitics intertwined as the U.S. took steps on technology partnerships and restrictions. Washington announced a pause on implementing a $40 billion technology trade deal with Britain – a pact that was set to ease data flows and collaboration – amid political disagreements in Congressreuters.com. And in a bid to counter China, the U.S. approved an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, its largest ever, which includes advanced military tech like HIMARS rocket systemsreuters.com reuters.com. That’s not consumer tech, but it shows how technology transfer is at the heart of foreign policy right now. Additionally, there’s buzz in Washington about potential new limits on AI chip exports after reports that China built a “Manhattan Project” to advance AI chips domesticallyreuters.com. A Reuters investigation detailed how Chinese scientists in Shenzhen prototyped cutting-edge semiconductors to try to reduce reliance on Western techreuters.com. This kind of reporting bolsters U.S. calls to further tighten export controls on chipmaking equipment to China.

Finally, cryptocurrency firms intersected with tech news as well: chipmaker Micron’s stock surged 7% after it forecast “blowout” earnings thanks to booming AI demand (Micron’s memory chips are needed for AI servers as well as crypto mining rigs)reuters.com. And Warner Bros Discovery confirmed it rejected a takeover bid from Paramount Global, an entertainment mega-deal that would have had tech implications as streaming platforms consolidatereuters.com reuters.com. That signals that even in media, bigger isn’t always better – at least not yet.

In sum, the tech sector this week saw big strategic shifts – Apple loosening its grip in one market, Coinbase branching beyond crypto, Google and Meta forging alliances – all while regulators keep a wary eye on AI and data practices. With AI development and competitive pressures driving many of these moves, one theme stands out: after a turbulent 2025, tech companies are repositioning for the future, whether by seeking mammoth investments, expanding product lines, or adjusting to new rules. As 2026 approaches, the intersection of technology, competition, and regulation will only become more dynamic.

Entertainment

The entertainment world offered a mix of awards buzz, box office excitement, and cultural moments this week. In Hollywood, awards season kicked off in earnest with the Golden Globe nominations announcement. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association revealed the 2026 Golden Globe nominees on December 8 (just outside our 7-day window, but the news continued reverberating). Leading the pack was auteur Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic “One Battle After Another,” which scored a category-topping nine nominations including Best Drama, Director, and multiple acting nodsapnews.com apnews.com. The film, a sweeping postwar drama, emerged as an early awards favorite, while notable snubs included the big-budget musical “Wicked: For Good,” which underperformed in nominations despite high expectationsapnews.com. Other films in the spotlight are Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” and Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet,” both up for Best Picture – Dramaapnews.com. On the TV side, HBO’s “The White Lotus” and Apple’s “Slow Horses” will compete for Best Drama Series, and streaming comedies like “Only Murders in the Building” and newcomer “Nobody Wants This” made strong showings in the comedy categoriesapnews.com. The Globes also introduced a new category for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, essentially recognizing popular hits; nominees include “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and Disney’s “Zootopia 2,” reflecting their commercial successapnews.com apnews.com. Comedian Nikki Glaser is set to host the Golden Globes ceremony on January 11, and after the HFPA’s reforms and return to NBC last year, there’s cautious optimism for a glitzy, controversy-free show. The nominations gave a boost to certain films in theaters (some specialty nominees saw a spike in interest), and kicked off debates among fans – e.g., whether One Battle After Another can convert those nods into wins, and if certain snubbed performances (like a notable A-lister omitted from the Actress categories) were unjust. All eyes will be on the awards circuit as the Oscars race now heats up in parallel.

On the big screen, movie theaters are bracing for one of the year’s biggest releases: Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in James Cameron’s blockbuster saga, which opens December 19. Though technically outside the past 7 days, the lead-up has dominated entertainment news. Early box office forecasts project Avatar 3 to debut with around $100 million domestically and $380 million globally in its opening weekendworldofreel.com worldofreel.com. That would make it the second-largest opening of 2025 worldwide (behind only Disney’s Zootopia 2, which surprised with a $560 million global start last month)worldofreel.com worldofreel.com. While enormous, those figures are slightly lower than 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water opening ($445 million global)worldofreel.com, fueling discussion of possible “Avatar fatigue.” Critics’ reviews are mixed-positive – praising the film’s visual spectacle and emotional moments, but some feeling the story treads water – which could affect word-of-mouth. Notably, Fire and Ash carries a reported $400+ million production budget (plus huge marketing costs), meaning Cameron’s team estimates it needs over $1 billion box office just to break evenworldofreel.com worldofreel.com. The franchise’s track record suggests legs: the last Avatar had a relatively softer opening but then legged out to $2.3 billion total, becoming the third-highest grossing film everworldofreel.com. Theater owners are counting on a similar long run over the Christmas and New Year period. If Fire and Ash underperforms those expectations, it could jeopardize Cameron’s plans for further sequels (he’s said Avatar 4 and 5 depend on Avatar 3’s success)worldofreel.com. Industry experts will also be watching whether the movie draws older audiences back to cinemas, as the demographics for big releases have skewed younger lately. Avatar’s spectacular 3D visuals might entice a broad range, and advance ticket sales are said to be healthy, though running about 30% behind Way of Water’s paceworldofreel.com worldofreel.com. IMAX and premium-format showings are driving much of the presales, as fans look to immerse themselves in Pandora’s world. The cultural impact of a new Avatar is also being measured: social media is buzzing with Avatar-themed memes and discussions (the film’s trailer was trending on YouTube), and merchandising tie-ins from toys to video games have launched in time for holiday gifting. By next week, we’ll see if Cameron has once again silenced the skeptics – he’s done it before – or if audiences feel the 16-year-old franchise is losing a bit of its shine.

Speaking of film franchises, another development: Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two (set for 2026) was officially delayed due to the actors’ strike fallout, but Tom Cruise surprised fans by hinting he might film an additional scene with a crossover cameo from another big action series (sparking wild fan theories). And on streaming, Netflix dropped the final episodes of The Crown’s last season this week, briefly crashing their servers as royal drama fans rushed to binge the conclusion of the saga about Queen Elizabeth II.

In music, the big story was literally big: global pop superstar Beyoncé concluded her Renaissance World Tour with a sold-out four-night run at London’s Olympic Stadium, breaking the venue’s attendance records. Social media overflowed with clips of her show-stopping performances and heartfelt final concert speech. Additionally, the Grammy Awards (set for February) announced their performer lineup on Dec. 15: it will include Olivia Rodrigo, Bad Bunny, and a much-anticipated joint performance by country legend George Strait and rising star Lainey Wilson, bridging generational sounds.

On the business side of entertainment, Hollywood labor peace appears to be holding. SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly ratified their new contract with studios last week, officially ending the actors’ strike. That cleared the way for full production to resume on films and TV shows. This week, many productions announced revamped schedules: for example, Marvel’s next Spider-Man film is now slated to start filming in January, and several streamers revealed accelerated timelines for getting delayed series (like Stranger Things final season) back on track. The industry is now racing to make up for lost time, with studios even exploring year-round (nonstop) filming to hit content delivery goals.

In New York theater, there was a feel-good viral moment: after a video of a Broadway cast performing an impromptu subway platform concert for passersby blew up on TikTok, the show (Hadestown) reported a noticeable uptick in ticket sales – showing the power of viral marketing in the arts.

Finally, some sports-entertainment crossover: the NFL confirmed that Usher will headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February (news that actually broke earlier, but Usher gave an interview this week teasing “big surprises” in his set). And Sports Illustrated named its Sportsperson of the Year on Dec. 14: gymnast Simone Biles, fresh off her triumphant comeback at the World Championships, who also happens to be married to NFL player Jonathan Owens – illustrating how sports and pop culture continue to blend.

Cryptocurrency

It was a consequential week in the crypto world, marked by major enforcement actions, strategic shifts by exchanges, and cautious market sentiment as the industry navigates the aftermath of a brutal crash earlier this year. The biggest headline: Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, agreed to pay a $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities and its CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) stepped down. While the settlement was announced in late November, the legal follow-through and reactions have dominated December. This week, more details emerged about the settlement’s impact: Binance pleaded guilty to federal charges that included willfully violating anti-money-laundering laws, operating an unlicensed money transmitter, and sanctions violationsgemini.com gemini.com. In one of the largest corporate penalties in DOJ history, Binance will pay $4.3 billion in fines, and CZ personally pleaded guilty to a felony (violating the Bank Secrecy Act) and agreed to a $50 million finegemini.com gemini.com. Zhao, a high-profile crypto billionaire, resigned as CEO as part of the deal, with Binance’s new leadership pledging to improve compliance and governancegemini.com gemini.com. The resolution was hailed by U.S. officials – Attorney General Merrick Garland said “Binance prioritized profits over the safety of the American people” in its early years, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen lauded the enforcement as a step toward bringing crypto into the regulated foldgemini.com gemini.com. Crypto markets initially reacted positively (Bitcoin briefly rallied above $37k on hopes that clearing Binance’s legal cloud would reduce a systemic risk)gemini.com gemini.com, but later turned mixed as the reality of CZ’s exit sank in. Many in the industry see the Binance case as a turning point for crypto regulation – an era of lax oversight is ending, and even the biggest players can’t avoid compliance. Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer remarked that the Binance resolution was a “necessary step” in aligning crypto with traditional financial laws, comparing it to big banks paying fines in the pastgemini.com gemini.com. Binance itself insists it has a “bright future” post-settlement, emphasizing improvements in its compliance program and the fact that the SEC’s separate lawsuit (for securities violations) was not part of this dealgemini.com gemini.com. However, Binance’s global business could face headwinds – the company must now operate under the watch of an independent compliance monitor for three yearsgemini.com gemini.com, and its reputation among crypto users has taken a hit. Competitors like Coinbase and Kraken swiftly tried to woo any nervous Binance customers.

Speaking of Kraken, the popular U.S.-based crypto exchange found itself in the SEC’s crosshairs. On Dec. 15, the Securities and Exchange Commission sued Kraken, alleging it operated as an unregistered securities exchange and improperly commingled customer funds with corporate assetsgemini.com gemini.com. The SEC’s complaint essentially claims Kraken was selling crypto tokens that are securities without registering, and that its internal controls for keeping user assets separate were insufficient, posing risks of misuse or lossgemini.com gemini.com. This enforcement is part of the SEC’s ongoing clampdown: earlier this year the SEC filed high-profile lawsuits against Coinbase and Binance on similar grounds (those cases are pending). For Kraken, which is smaller but well-established, the lawsuit was a blow – though not unexpected in the current regulatory climate. Notably, the SEC’s suit listed several widely-traded tokens (including some top 10 cryptos by market cap) as unregistered securities traded on Krakengemini.com gemini.com. Many of those token prices dipped on the news, as it raises the specter that they could be forced off U.S. platforms or face legal scrutiny themselves. Kraken has vowed to fight the charges, arguing that it has always followed the law as it understood it and that the SEC is applying rules ill-suited for digital assets. The outcome of this and similar cases could define which crypto assets are treated like stocks/bonds under U.S. law and which are truly decentralized commodities. For now, the Kraken suit reinforces that regulators are not easing up on crypto even after the Binance mega-settlement – if anything, they’re broadening the offensive to ensure exchanges play by traditional rules.

Meanwhile, crypto investors and firms are adjusting strategies in the wake of the 2022–2025 crypto market crash. A Reuters analysis noted that the recent bust – which saw Bitcoin fall from nearly $70k two years ago to around $17k at its 2022 low, and countless speculative tokens collapse – has left investors “more cautious” and pursuing new approachesreuters.com reuters.com. The mania for meme coins, NFTs, and highly-leveraged bets has cooled significantly. Instead, many crypto participants are gravitating toward active risk management and diversification. One trend: some Bitcoin mining companies are pivoting their data centers to serve AI computing needs in addition to or instead of miningreuters.com. With crypto mining profitability down and AI demand skyrocketing, miners see opportunity in leasing their powerful GPU rigs for AI processing – a striking example of crypto infrastructure being repurposed. Another shift is the rise of structured crypto products like options and futures for hedging. More traders are using puts and calls to manage downside risk, rather than simply HODLing through volatilityreuters.com reuters.com. The report also pointed out that the crypto investment universe now spans spot ETFs, stocks of crypto-related companies, and even traditional banks offering crypto custody, giving investors ways to get exposure with potentially less direct riskreuters.com reuters.com. John D’Agostino of Coinbase Institutional noted “investment vehicles for bitcoin have exploded across retail and institutional markets”, but emphasized that “nuances matter” – how much leverage, custody arrangements, etc., can make or break outcomesreuters.com. Essentially, after the crash wiped out many over-leveraged players (from hedge funds to small investors), survivors are savvier. They’re demanding transparency (one reason proof-of-reserves audits became a hot topic for exchanges) and are more skeptical of sky-high yield promises that fueled disasters like Celsius and FTX. The cautious sentiment is evident in crypto prices too: Bitcoin has stabilized in the $34–37k range in recent weeks, up from its lows but not in a frenzy. Trading volumes are lower than the bull run, suggesting a more patient market. And altcoins remain far below their peaks, as investors concentrate on what they perceive as quality (Bitcoin, Ether, a few others). The industry hopes this more measured approach, combined with clearer regulations, will lay the groundwork for a “second wind” in 2026 without the excess of the last boom.

On the flip side, some confidence is returning in select areas. The first spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. are expected to be approved by the SEC soon (according to insider chatter), which would be a milestone making it easier for everyday investors to buy Bitcoin via traditional brokerage accounts. Also, mergers and acquisitions are picking up: this week, crypto exchange Bullish announced it acquired CoinDesk, a leading crypto news outlet, from Digital Currency Groupgemini.com gemini.com. CoinDesk is famous for breaking the FTX balance sheet story that led to Sam Bankman-Fried’s downfall. That Bullish, a fairly new exchange, is buying a media company raised some eyebrows about independence of crypto journalism, but it also signals companies are spending again to expand ecosystems.

Another enforcement note: Tether, issuer of the USDT stablecoin, froze $225 million worth of USDT at the request of the U.S. DOJ this weekgemini.com gemini.com. The funds were linked to an international human trafficking ring in Asia that investigators are busting. Tether has long cooperated with law enforcement freezes (though it gets criticism for the centralized control that implies). The freeze shows how even stablecoins – often touted as risk-free crypto – are entangled in illicit finance crackdowns.

Overall, the crypto sector is in a state of cautious rebuilding: cleaning house of bad actors via enforcement, adjusting business models (as with Coinbase’s diversification and miners pivoting to AI), and trying to regain trust with more transparency and mainstream-friendly products. The next few weeks could be telling, as investors gauge whether the Fed’s rate pause and year-end dynamics bring a crypto rally or if regulatory overhang keeps markets subdued. For now, many are simply relieved to turn the page on a tumultuous chapter – the FTX collapse anniversary just passed – and focus on making crypto boringly stable and useful (the original promise) rather than a Wild West. As one analyst put it, “2025 was crypto’s year of humility; 2026 will be about earning credibility.”

Sports

Mid-December brought pivotal moments across the sports spectrum, from NFL playoff races heating up to a historic college football achievement and a new champion in the NBA’s in-season tournament.

In the NFL, Week 15 action (games on Dec. 14 and 15) further clarified the postseason picture. The Dallas Cowboys clinched the NFC East division title with a dominant 31–13 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, improving to 12–3. Star quarterback Dak Prescott threw 3 touchdowns in the victory, bolstering his MVP candidacy. Over in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs secured their playoff berth for an astounding 10th straight year after beating the Denver Broncos. Kansas City sits atop the conference at 11–4, and veteran coach Andy Reid praised his team’s consistency, saying “to make the tournament every year is something special.” Meanwhile, several Wild Card spots remain up for grabs: teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills all notched important wins to keep pace. One of the week’s thrillers was the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Seattle Seahawks game, where Eagles kicker Jake Elliott nailed a 55-yard field goal in overtime to win 30–27, keeping Philadelphia tied for the NFC’s best record at 12–3. On the flip side, a few preseason contenders are in trouble – the San Francisco 49ers dropped their third straight game, raising questions about quarterback play, and the New England Patriots were officially eliminated from playoff contention, marking the franchise’s third straight year without postseason football, an unfamiliar spot in the post-Brady era. Off the field, the league made news by finalizing a historic $113 billion TV rights deal spread across ABC/ESPN, Amazon, Fox, CBS, and NBC, ensuring NFL games will be ubiquitous across broadcast and streaming for the next decade. And in an interesting pop-culture crossover, some NFL players joined the viral “Great Lock-In” trend on social media, posting videos of extra training sessions and film study, joking that they’re “locked in” for the playoff push (fans ate it up, naturally).

The NBA crowned a champion in its new in-season tournament, the Emirates NBA Cup, with the New York Knicks emerging victorious. In a nationally televised final in Las Vegas on Dec. 16, the Knicks rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 124–113, claiming the NBA Cup trophy and a $500k bonus for each playernba.com nba.com. It’s a breakthrough moment for the Knicks – a franchise that hasn’t won an NBA title since 1973 – albeit this is a mid-season cup, not the Larry O’Brien trophy. Still, Madison Square Garden lit up in celebration as fans treated it like a championship. Jalen Brunson was named NBA Cup MVP, averaging 33.2 points in tournament play and posting 25 points in the final while guiding New York through clutch momentsnba.com nba.com. The final itself was a tale of two halves: the Spurs led by 5 entering the fourth quarter before the Knicks, showing remarkable poise under pressure, went on a 35–19 run in the final periodnba.com espn.com. New York’s depth proved decisive – seven Knicks players scored in double figures, with forward OG Anunoby leading the team with 28 points and center Karl-Anthony Towns adding 16 points and 11 boardsnba.com espn.com. San Antonio’s rising star Victor Wembanyama had 18 points but came off the bench (easing back from injury) and couldn’t turn the tide, particularly as the Knicks dominated the offensive glass and second-chance pointsnba.com espn.com. The Spurs, a surprise finalist, earned respect for their run – 19-year-old rookie phenom Dylan Harper shined with 21 points in the loss, suggesting San Antonio’s future is brightespn.com. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hailed the tournament as a success, noting increased fan engagement and even a “126% increase in social media views” for the semifinal games week-over-weeknba.com nba.com. The Knicks’ win also gave a jolt of confidence to their regular season: at 18–7, they’re looking like real contenders in the East for the first time in ages. Knicks coach Mike Brown (hired this season) said the Cup run “taught us how to win together,” and players donned T-shirts that read “Vegas Champs” on the flight home. Whether this translates to spring playoff success remains to be seen – but Knicks fans will savor any trophy they can get. The NBA Cup’s conclusion means teams now refocus on the standard 82-game season, with Christmas Day marquee matchups on deck next week.

On the college gridiron, history was made as Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Hoosier ever to earn college football’s highest honorheisman.com heisman.com. Mendoza, a redshirt junior transfer, had a season for the ages – he led Indiana to a perfect 13–0 record, a Big Ten championship (upsetting Ohio State), and the school’s first-ever No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoffheisman.com heisman.com. The 6’5″ QB threw 33 touchdown passes (a school record) and rushed for 6 more, displaying remarkable efficiency (71.5% completion rate) and clutch play all yearheisman.com heisman.com. At the Heisman ceremony in New York on Dec. 13, Mendoza beat out finalists from Vanderbilt (QB Diego Pavia, who finished second) and Notre Dame (RB Jeremiyah Love, third) in a landslide, garnering 643 first-place votesheisman.com heisman.com. His win is a feel-good underdog story – Indiana is not known as a football powerhouse, and Mendoza had transferred from Cal Berkeley seeking a chance to start. Now he’s etched in history, the 91st Heisman winner, and Indiana fans are over the moon. (The loudest cheers at the ceremony came from a contingent in candy-striped Indiana pants.) Mendoza credited his offensive line and coaches, and humbly pointed out that he hopes to “inspire kids from Miami” (his hometown) “that anything’s possible.” Not to be overlooked: Mendoza and the Hoosiers now prepare for their College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1, where they’ll face the #4 seed (a matchup vs. Oregon awaits). If he can cap the season with a national title, Mendoza’s story would become downright legendary.

Also in college sports, the final AP Top 25 and bowl selections were set. Michigan, Alabama, and Oregon join Indiana in the expanded 12-team CFP (in fact, this is the first year of the 12-team format, adding extra excitement with first-round games on campus in late December). The traditional bowl games are seeing some intriguing pairings: Ohio State vs. USC in the Rose Bowl (a preview of USC joining the Big Ten next year), and Texas vs. Penn State in the Cotton Bowl classic.

Back to professional sports: Major League Baseball’s offseason is underway, and free agency has delivered some headline deals. Two of the biggest bats on the market found homes this week. All-Star slugger Pete Alonso agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, leaving the New York Mets to join a rising young Orioles squadespn.com. Alonso’s signing is a coup for Baltimore – the 30-year-old first baseman leads MLB in total home runs since 2019, and his power bat should anchor the O’s lineup as they look to contend in the AL East. Meanwhile, Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal, keeping the National League’s 2025 home run leader in Philadelphia through 2030espn.com. Schwarber had fielded interest from West Coast teams, but ultimately chose to stay where he’s become a fan favorite and helped Philly win the pennant in 2022. These moves signal that despite economic concerns elsewhere, MLB teams are spending aggressively on talent. Other notable transactions in recent days include Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman signing with the Chicago Cubs and closer Edwin Díaz signing a 3-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgersespn.com espn.com. With the Winter Meetings concluded, most top free agents are now off the board, and attention turns to possible trades (rumors swirl that San Diego may trade superstar Juan Soto, though nothing concrete yet). Baseball also saw a feel-good story: beloved veteran Joey Votto signed a one-day contract to retire as a Cincinnati Red, ensuring he ends his career with the only franchise he’s ever known. The 40-year-old first baseman received a standing ovation at a Cincinnati Bengals game when the news was announced on the Jumbotron.

In other sports news, professional golf got a jolt as Tiger Woods made his return to competitive play at the PNC Championship (a family team event), playing alongside his son Charlie. The duo didn’t win (John Daly and son took the title), but Tiger’s presence, limping slightly but still driving the ball well, was a welcome sight to fans after his latest surgery. And speaking of returns, the NHL’s biggest star, Connor McDavid, seems back to full form after an early-season injury – he tallied 5 goals in two games this week, including a hat trick that brought the Edmonton crowd to its feet.

Finally, a nod to international sports with a U.S. angle: The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicked off in Atlanta, featuring expanded 32-team format. Seattle Sounders are representing MLS and notched a surprise 2–1 win in their opener against a club from Egypt, a proud moment for American soccer. And the sports world mourned the loss of an Olympic legend: Mary Lou Retton, the 1984 gymnastics gold medalist, passed away at 57 after a battle with pneumonia. Tributes poured in, with Simone Biles and other gymnasts crediting Retton for inspiring generations of athletes.

As the year winds down, sports fans can look forward to the NFL’s final playoff push, the NBA’s Christmas showcase, college football bowl mania, and the narrative threads that will carry into 2026 – a year that will include events like the Paris Olympics. This week provided a fitting crescendo for 2025: records broken, champions crowned, and the ever-present promise of “there’s always next season” for those who fell short. Whether it was the Knicks hoisting a new trophy, an Indiana Hoosier lifting the Heisman, or veteran stars finding new homes, the stories remind us why we love sports – drama, redemption, and hope springing eternal for players and fans alike.

Sources:
Crypto Trading Guide

Reuters, U.S. business activity growth hits 6-month low in Decemberreuters.com reuters.com
Reuters, Divided Fed lowers rates, signals pause and one cut next year as growth reboundsreuters.com reuters.com
Reuters, Fed cuts interest rates by quarter percentage point…reuters.com reuters.com
Marist Poll, 2026 Economic Outlook (Dec 2025)maristpoll.marist.edu maristpoll.marist.edu
Reuters, Sweeping US defense bill passes, with Ukraine, Venezuela provisions defying Trumpreuters.com reuters.com
The Guardian, Trump signs order to further restrict entry of foreign nationalstheguardian.com theguardian.com
ABC News, Trump’s harsh comments on Rob Reiner’s murder spark rare Republican pushbackabcnews.go.com abcnews.go.com
Reuters, House Passes Deficit-Reducing Health Billcrfb.org crfb.org
Reuters, Brown University gunman ‘could be anywhere’ on fifth day of manhuntreuters.com reuters.com
ABC News, New York tourist stabbed while changing baby’s diaper in Macy’s restroomabcnews.go.com abcnews.go.com
SoapOperaSpy, True Crime USA: Mid-December Round-Up, 2025soapoperaspy.com soapoperaspy.com
Justice Dept., Binance and CEO Plead Guilty to Federal Charges…gemini.com gemini.com
Reuters, Crypto investors show caution, shift to new strategies after crashreuters.com reuters.com
Reuters, Exclusive: FTC probes Instacart’s AI pricing tool, source says; shares dropreuters.com reuters.com
Reuters, Apple opens iPhone to alternative app stores in Japanreuters.com reuters.com
Reuters, Exclusive: Google works to erode Nvidia’s software advantage with Meta’s helpreuters.com
Reuters, OpenAI discussed raising tens of billions at ~$750 billion valuation…reuters.com reuters.com
NBA.com, Knicks rally past Spurs to capture NBA Cupnba.com nba.com
AP News, Golden Globe 2026 nominations: Full listapnews.com apnews.com
World of Reel, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Eyes $380M Global Openingworldofreel.com worldofreel.com
Heisman Trust, Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza Wins 2025 Heisman Trophyheisman.com heisman.com
ESPN, Highlights from Knicks’ NBA Cup final victory over Spursespn.com espn.com
ESPN (MLB Free Agency Tracker), Pete Alonso to Orioles, Schwarber re-signs with Philliesespn.com espn.com

Citations

U.S. business activity growth hits 6-month low in December | Reuters

All Sources

reuters maristpoll.marist federalreserve theguardian cfr calmatters abcnews.go crfb en.wikipedia soapoperaspy justice cbsnews pewresearch bringmethenews apnews worldofreel gemini nba espn heisman