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Bari Weiss defends decision to pull 60 Minutes episode on El Salvador prison
CBS News editor-in-chief argues in memo that network’s priority was ‘comprehensive and fair’ coverage
Lauren Gambino
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/26/bari-weiss-60-minutes-el-salvador-prison

Republican behind Epstein files act responds to Trump ‘lowlife’ taunt
Kentucky’s Thomas Massie used the president’s insult to raise funds to run against a Trump-endorsed candidate
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/27/kentucky-republican-thomas-massie-trump-epstein-files ( Read more... )

Happy Christmas!

From Lily Allen to six-seven: it’s the 2025 bumper pop culture quiz of the year
Did you watch KPop Demon Hunters? Have you listened to Rosalía? And do you know who ‘fedora guy’ is? If you answered yes to all these, this is the quiz for you
Sian Cain and Steph Harmon
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/dec/24/2025-pop-culture-quiz-of-the-year

Around the world in 50 countries: the globe-trotting Christmas travel quiz
From the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to Donald Trump’s territorial wishlist, test your travel knowledge. Every answer is the name of a country (Not automagical!)
Gavin McOwan
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/25/around-the-world-in-50-countries-globe-trotting-christmas-travel-quiz

‘Freedom is a city where you can breathe’: four experts on Europe’s most liveable capitals
From Copenhagen’s cycle lanes and Vienna’s shared parks to Barcelona and London’s unfulfilled potential, better living is close at hand
Ajit Niranjan
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2025/dec/24/four-experts-on-europe-most-livable-capitals

Why are drug prices so high in America? Trump doesn’t have the right answer
Susi Geiger and Théo Bourgeron
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/24/is-trump-lowering-drug-prices

Falling price of cocaine forces drug traffickers to reuse narco-submarines, say Spanish police
Previously vessels would be sunk once they had completed their cargo runs from South America to Europe
Sam Jones in Madrid
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/25/cocaine-forces-drug-traffickers-narco-submarines-spain

The 12 days of Trump-mas
What has Donald Trump given us in his second term? We look at some of the numbers
Adam Gabbatt
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/23/the-12-days-of-trump-mas

Into the void: how Trump killed international law
The rules-based global order, its institutions and value system face a crisis of legitimacy and credibility as the US turns away
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor
https://www.theguardian.com/law/ng-interactive/2025/dec/25/how-donald-trump-killed-international-law

How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very
From emancipation to women’s suffrage, civil rights and BLM, mass movement has shaped the arc of US history
Robin Buller
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/25/protests-effective-history-impact

Blood test could predict who is most at risk from common inherited heart condition
Exclusive: Scientists find a way to forecast hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which affects millions worldwide
Andrew Gregory Health editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/25/blood-test-predict-risk-inherited-heart-condition-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy

MinnPost’s Year in Photos 2025
The best photos of 2025 by MinnPost photojournalist Ellen Schmidt.
by Ellen Schmidt
https://www.minnpost.com/galleries/2025/12/minnposts-year-in-photos-2025/

It’s turkey time! The 12 worst films of 2025
This year has brought us some great movies – and also at least a dozen dire-one star disasters. Here are the Guardian’s critics on the pick of the year’s cinematic calamities
Guardian film
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/25/its-turkey-time-the-12-worst-films-of-2025

Just when the holiday travel season is upon us, flu cases have begun to surge, KSTP reports. “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported nearly 1,900 cases and 558 hospitalizations in its latest weekly update, with the highest cases among children aged 4 and younger and adults 65 and older. Seniors accounted for most hospitalizations.” Travelers should be aware if they are sick and need to fly, and handwashing and mask-wearing can help to stave off the virus as well as protect others. Via MinnPost
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/flu-cases-in-minnesota-spike-just-as-holiday-travel-begins/

Do you live on a property with a private well? If so, it might be worth testing it for safety. MPR News reports on a free water screening clinic that “are put on by the Minnesota Well Owners Organization, Mayo Clinic, Freshwater Society, the United State Geological Survey and the Minnesota Groundwater Association. … Recent research from Mayo Clinic shows a significant reliance on well water use in the Midwest and unanimous support for the need for further well water testing information and resources for patients and their clinicians.” Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/22/private-well-owners-in-minnesota-encouraged-to-test-for-arsenic-other-contaminants

Number of people in ICE detention hits record high, data shows
ICE held more than 68,400 people as of 14 December, breaking previous high set at beginning of December
Will Craft and Andrew Witherspoon in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/22/ice-detentions-record-immigration

US regulators approve Wegovy pill, first oral medication to treat obesity
Food and Drug Administration’s approval hands drugmaker Novo Nordisk an edge in the race to market an obesity pill
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/22/us-regulators-approve-wegovy-weight-loss-pill ( Read more... )

Danish postal service to stop delivering letters after 400 years
PostNord’s decision to end service on 30 December comes after fear over ‘increasing digitalisation’ of Danish society
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/21/denmark-postnord-postal-delivery-letters-society

NHS to trial potentially life-saving treatment for deadly liver disease
Acute-on-chronic liver failure will be treated with device that cleans patients’ blood corrupted by toxins
Denis Campbell Health policy editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/21/nhs-to-trial-potentially-life-saving-treatment-for-deadly-liver-disease

First wheelchair-using astronaut touches down after ride to edge of space
Michaela Benthaus from Germany soared 65 miles above the Earth’s surface in 10-minute Blue Origin flight
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/20/first-wheelchair-using-astronaut-blur-origin-rocket

The US healthcare system hurts poor Americans. It’s about to get worse
Eduardo Porter
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/21/us-healthcare-system-trump

The Trump administration is trying to legislate trans people out of existence
Judith Levine
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/21/trump-administration-trans-people

Thanks to Donald Trump, 2025 was a good year … for white-collar criminals
Casey Michel
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/dec/21/trump-white-collar-criminals

A tape measure, a metal detector and a spirit level: 25 surprisingly useful things you can do with your phone
While many use our phones predominantly to doomscroll, smartphones have a range of little-known functions that could make life better and easier – from heart monitoring to even developing camera film
Chris Stokel-Walker
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/21/a-tape-measure-a-metal-detector-and-a-spirit-level-25-surprisingly-useful-things-you-can-do-with-your-phone

‘I feel special, in my heart’: thousands gather at Stonehenge for winter solstice
People, including druids and pagans, come from across world to watch sunrise on shortest day of the year
Raphael Boyd
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/21/stonehenge-winter-solstice

Minnesota health officials urge flu shots as 35 schools report outbreaks this week, including at least one that switched to remote learning, the Star Tribune reports. The strain has a history of hitting children and the elderly particularly hard. Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/flu-strain-that-historically-hits-elderly-and-kids-hard-is-back-in-minnesota/601548805?utm_source=gift

Epstein files to be released after months of delays from Trump officials
Huge archive – set to shed fresh light on Epstein’s misdeeds – legally obliged to be released before midnight deadline
Robert Tait in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/19/epstein-files-release-doj-december-deadline

‘Like Maga disciples’: meet the Trump envoys raising eyebrows in Europe
US president has been blatant in his appointment of relatives, close friends and big donors – almost none of whom have diplomatic experience
Jon Henley in Paris, Helena Smith in Athens and Miranda Bryant
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/19/trump-european-envoys-charles-kushner-andrew-puzder-stacey-feinberg-kimberly-guilfoyle

Conservative legal group aims to export its rightwing Christian mission beyond US borders
Alliance Defending Freedom has ramped up its global spending on litigation and other campaigns to push its ultra conservative Christian values
Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/19/conservative-legal-christian-rightwing-group ( Read more... )

Gov. Tim Walz signed two executive orders on gun violence, MPR News reports. “One creates a statewide safety council to examine and help reduce the effects of gun violence. The other calls for tracking the cost of gun violence and adds funding to educate gun owners on safe storage.” The action comes after months of being unable to garner enough support in the legislature to pass gun-control laws. Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/16/lacking-minnesota-gun-regulation-votes-walz-tries-executive-orders

There was a spate of vehicle thefts in the early 2020s that exploited weaknesses in Hyundais and Kias. Now, “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Tuesday announced a settlement with Korean carmaker Hyundai-Kia, requiring the company to install a free hardware fix for every owner of a vehicle that did not come equipped with an immobilizer,” KARE 11 reports. “The fix involves the installation of a zinc sleeve that securely wraps around the ignition module of a Hyundai or Kia vehicle, making it extremely difficult to steal. Impacted vehicle owners should receive a notification in early 2026, but the AG says those consumers can be proactive and contact a local dealer. They will have one year from notification to get the zinc sleeve installed.” Via MinnPost
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/minnesota-settles-with-hyundai-and-kia-over-stolen-car-epidemic/89-f082aa80-154d-4380-86a4-2e88a15e2999

Hackers access Pornhub’s premium users’ viewing habits and search history
ShinyHunters group reportedly behind the hack affecting data of 200m users thought to be from before 2021
Dan Milmo. Global technology editor
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/17/hackers-access-pornhub-premium-users-viewing-habits-and-search-history

Review
Fallout season two review – this postapocalyptic thriller is absolutely hilarious
The video game-derived thriller series should be terrifying, but it’s often side-splitting. Its second outing adds excellent guest spots from Justin Theroux, Kumail Nanjiani and Macaulay Culkin
Graeme Virtue
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/17/fallout-season-two-review-prime-video

In a middling year for television, Pluribus is ending things on a high
Stuart Heritage
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/17/pluribus-apple-tv

Worried about winter? 10 ways to thrive – from socialising to Sad lamps to celebrating the new year in April
The temptation is to sit at home and hibernate, but beating the winter blues can be done. Here’s how to embrace the coldest and arguably most beautiful season
Rachel Dixon
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/17/beat-winter-blues-advice-socialising-sad-lamps-celebrating-new-year-april

MIT grieves shooting death of renowned director of plasma science center
Nuno FG Loureiro, 47, was shot multiple times at his home, and no details about a suspect or motive have been released
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/dec/17/mit-shooting-death-nuno-loureiro

New flu strain putting severe pressure on healthcare across Europe, says WHO
At least 27 of 38 countries in WHO’s European region are reporting high or very high influenza activity, body says
Jon Henley
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/17/new-flu-strain-sweeping-across-europe-is-putting-pressure-on-healthcare-says-who

Beans, beans, the more you eat, the more your … meals are healthier and cheaper
Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver launch ‘Bang in Some Beans’ campaign to highlight cost savings and health advantages
Magic beans: top chefs’ recipes for protein-rich superfood
Shane Hickey
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/dec/17/beans-beans-the-more-you-eat-the-more-your-meals-are-healthier-and-cheaper

Who gets bragging rights for the coldest temperatures on Sunday? According to Bring Me The News, Pine River had the coldest air temperature at -28, while the wind chill in Their River Falls dipped to -41. Minneapolis was a relatively balmy -10.  Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-weather/here-are-the-coldest-temps-and-wind-chills-sunday-in-minnesota

From Seinfeld to Shawshank, Rob Reiner changed Hollywood for ever
Reiner’s own films reshaped modern comedy and drama with their intelligence, empathy and range. But through his company, Castle Rock, he paved the way for Seinfeld, Sorkin and many more
Andrew Pulver
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/15/rob-reiner-director-this-is-spinal-tap-when-harry-met-sally

US librarians tackle ‘manufactured crisis’ of book bans to protect LGBTQ+ rights
In at least half a dozen states, librarians have joined forces with civil rights groups to oppose book bans, often facing personal and professional repercussions
Claire Wang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/15/us-librarianbook-bans-lgbtq-rights

‘Oysters are a risk, as is raw meat’: why you get food poisoning – and how to avoid it
Several kinds of bacteria can give you an upset stomach. Here is how to steer clear of the worst offenders, and what to do if they do make it through
Joel Snape
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/15/why-food-poisoning-how-to-avoid-oysters-raw-meat ( Read more... )

The great outdoor freezer has roared back to life! Stay warm!

Subzero temperatures are on their way to the Twin Cities this weekend, and it could be the coldest December day in decades. If “the temperature drops to -11 or colder Saturday night, that will be the earliest we’ve seen that kind of reading or colder since 1996. If we can slip to -12 or colder, that bar is even farther back, 1989,” according to Bring Me The News. And while that’s cold, it’s also worth noting that we had much colder Decembers in decades past: “December as a whole has warmed an eye-popping 5.5 degrees in just 50 years, our fastest warming winter month.” 
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-weather/deep-freeze-could-bring-cold-the-twin-cities-hasnt-felt-this-early-in-30-years

There’s finally a plan for George Floyd Square. The Minneapolis City Council approved the “flexible-open” option for the intersection of 38th and Chicago, KSTP reports. This option “will keep Chicago Avenue open to traffic — including buses — but will allow for temporary closures for special events.” 
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/minneapolis-city-council-finalizes-plan-for-george-floyd-square-that-allows-through-traffic/

If you’re willing to brave the cold, Racket offered their weekly compendium of free things to do this weekend. You’ll find plenty of holiday-related activities to do gratis. Via MinnPost
https://racketmn.com/freeloader-friday-163-free-things-to-do-this-weekend

The level of disfunction in Twin Lakes has grown such that many townsfolk are calling for the city government to be dissolved, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. “The shouting, threats and sarcastic barbs have been flying for months at city meetings in this town of 130 near the Iowa border. There are complaints about tap water running black, fights over city hiring and multiple allegations of misdeeds. … In a small-town smackdown, 34 residents have signed a petition to take Twin Lakes off the map by dissolving the city government.” This piece reads with all the intrigue and tension of a reality TV drama. Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/twin-lakes-minnesota-dissolve-city-township/601536850?utm_source=gift

Counterpoint: Ranked-choice voting didn’t fail Minneapolis
RCV has ensured majority winners, given voters more meaningful choices, eliminated low-turnout primaries and opened the political process to a broader, more diverse field of candidates.
by Michael Minta
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2025/12/counterpoint-ranked-choice-voting-didnt-fail-minneapolis/

Trump attacks old foe Biden – but presidential parallels hard to avoid
US president finds himself shouldering same burdens of affordability crisis and the inexorable march of time
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/13/trump-biden-rivals

Epstein Pr0n
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gallery/2025/dec/12/jeffrey-epstein-released-photos

Our 25 favourite European travel discoveries of 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/13/travel-writers-top-25-favourite-travel-discoveries-europe-2025

Not automagical and quite hard:
Dorothy Parker ‘fwowed up’ in a 1928 review of which children’s classic? The Saturday quiz
From demon, equal and encyclopedia to The Tour of Life and Before the Dawn, test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz
Thomas Eaton
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/13/dorothy-parker-fwowed-1928-childrens-classic-book-review-saturday-quiz

A Quiz for the Rest o' Us
Why do moths eat clothes and how old is the universe? The kids’ quiz
Five multiple-choice questions – set by children – to test your knowledge, and a chance to submit your own junior brainteasers for future quizzes
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/13/why-moths-eat-clothes-how-old-universe-kids-quiz

Automagical Quiz and hard:
Weekly quiz: Which countries said they would boycott Eurovision?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1j9867wppxo

After weeks of debate, Minneapolis City Council approves $2B budget
Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne called it “the hardest budget season that I think I’ve been in.”
by Trevor Mitchell
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2025/12/minneapolis-city-council-approves-2b-budget/

‘Somalis are the scapegoat’: fear rises as Trump targets Minneapolis community
Residents have had to adjust how they’re living – staying home, carrying passports – since Trump launched his attack
Rachel Leingang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/11/somali-minneapolis-fear-trump-ice-deportation

That time a bunch of radical artists got under the hood at Mia – and stayed there
Fifty years on, the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program continues to provide an experimental, artist-curated space inside one of the region’s premier museums.
by Sheila Regan
https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2025/12/that-time-a-bunch-of-radical-artists-got-under-the-hood-at-mia-and-stayed-there/

The Trump administration’s fight against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has reached Minneapolis Public Schools. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed suit against the state’s third-largest school district, accusing it “of providing discriminatory protections to teachers of color in layoff and reassignment decisions,” specially “the district’s efforts to bolster its minority teaching ranks,” The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/trump-administration-accuses-minneapolis-schools-of-racism-in-protecting-minority-teachers/601543618?utm_source=gift

It’s cold outside. But what should you do if it’s cold indoors? If you have drafty windows or a sputtering furnace, MPR News offers “five things to know about making improvements to your home to save energy and cut heating costs this winter.” Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/10/reducing-home-heating-costs-5-things-to-know

‘The whole thing disgusts me’: Australians ditch US travel as new rules require social media to be declared
Visitors will have to reveal at the border all social media activity over the past five years
Daisy Dumas and Ben Doherty
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/11/australia-us-tourism-new-visa-rules-social-media-history

Trump launches $1m ‘gold card’ visa scheme amid immigration crackdown
Wealthy immigrants will be able to buy residency, and $5m ‘platinum card’ will exempt holders from some US taxes
Marina Dunbar in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/10/trump-us-gold-card-visa-launch

The town on the banks of the Nile that turned floods into fortune
After record flooding submerged Bor in South Sudan in 2020, the emergency response ended up turning it into a beacon of climate crisis adaptation
Florence Miettaux in Bor
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/dec/11/the-town-on-the-banks-of-the-nile-that-turned-floods-into-fortune

How monogamous are humans? Scientists compile 'league table' of pairing up
Helen Briggs
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpvx3exglo

Jacinda Ardern once auditioned to be a Hobbit
The former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tells Graham Norton she auditioned for Lord of the Rings but fell short on a specific requirement.
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0mlyy58/jacinda-ardern-once-auditioned-to-be-a-hobbit

Anybody heard of a rehearsal? Mangling nominees’ names may be traditional – but it’s still embarrassing
Yesterday’s Golden Globes announcement was a masterclass in mispronunciation that threatens to undo every effort to internationalise awards. Why can’t producers just make their presenters practise?
Stuart Heritage
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/09/anybody-heard-of-a-rehearsal-mangling-nominees-names-may-be-traditional-but-its-still-embarrassing

Review
Heated Rivalry: this horny gay ice hockey drama has everyone talking – but is it any good?
HBO’s new show is part of a wave of gay-themed romance – from Heartstopper to Red, White and Royal Blue – that desexes gay men just enough to make them palatable, like pets for young women
Tim Byrne
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/08/heated-rivalry-ice-hockey-tv-show-review

Pluribus to Alien: Earth: The 25 best TV shows of 2025
Caryn James and Hugh Montgomery
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250417-the-best-tv-shows-of-2025

‘This is the real Santa’s workshop’: a trip to Germany’s toy village
You don’t have to be a child to enjoy Seiffen, the magical ‘home of Christmas’ where they’ve been making traditional wooden toys for hundreds of years
Rebecca Smith
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/09/germanys-toy-village-seiffen-home-christmas

A new start after 60: I moved on to a boat, fell in love – then opened my own restaurant
After a lifetime of working for others, Rich Baker threw caution to the wind. The result was a national award for his pizza and a surprising surge in confidence
Paula Cocozza
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/08/new-start-after-60-moved-to-boat-fell-in-love-opened-restaurant

‘When the church door opens, it’s like a miracle’: the phone app that’s a key to Italy’s religious art
A cultural initiative in Piedmont is unlocking a trove of priceless medieval frescoes in rural churches
Lavinia Nocelli
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/08/new-app-helped-me-discover-beautiful-art-churches-chapels-piedmont-italy

We asked activists from authoritarian regimes what they wish they’d known sooner. Here’s what they said
Activists from Hungary, El Salvador and Turkey offer advice to the US about what they’ve learned about authoritarians
Danielle Renwick
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/09/experts-authoritarian-regimes-trump

Minnesota’s budget is headed for an imbalance, but who or what’s to blame? We asked economists to weigh in
Spending on health and human services is growing, but so is economic volatility from tariffs and other federal policies.
by Shadi Bushra
https://www.minnpost.com/economy/2025/12/minnesotas-budget-is-headed-for-an-imbalance-but-who-or-whats-to-blame-we-asked-economists-to-weigh-in/

The anti-materialist Christmas: Rituals around the world that swap gifts for meaning
Laura Hall
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251208-the-anti-materialist-christmas-rituals-around-the-world-that-swap-gifts-for-meaning

Pioneering new treatment reverses incurable blood cancer in some patients
James Gallagher
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj38ymeyg4mo

New mpox strain identified in England
Philippa Roxby
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2087g0z9po