Inflation Sped Up in December, a Fresh Challenge for the Fed

Francisco Severo Torres, a 35-year-old Massachusetts man, was sentenced to time served after spending 26 months in prison for attempting to open a United Airlines emergency exit mid-flight and for stabbing a flight attendant with a broken spoon during the incident on March 5, 2023. He pleaded guilty to interference with flight crew and faces five years of supervised release, during which he cannot fly commercially. Want More Context? 🔎

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula at approximately 11:25 local time on Wednesday, prompting tsunami warnings and evacuation orders in various regions, including Japan, Ecuador, Hawaii, and the west coast of North America. The seismic event raised global concerns about potential tsunamis and safety measures in vulnerable areas. Want More Context? 🔎

US President Donald Trump stated he ended his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein "stole" young women from his Mar-a-Lago spa, including Virginia Giuffre, who has accused Epstein and Prince Andrew of abuse. Amid scrutiny, Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's accomplice, is seeking legal protections to testify before Congress as pressure mounts for disclosures related to Epstein's activities. Want More Context? 🔎

A 27-year-old man, Shane Devon Tamura, wearing body armor and armed with an M4 rifle, killed four people, including an off-duty police officer, in a Midtown Manhattan office building before taking his own life. The shooting occurred around 6:30 p.m. at 345 Park Ave., leaving a fifth person critically injured, with the motive under investigation. Want More Context? 🔎

More high-income Americans are struggling with credit card and auto loan delinquencies, which have more than doubled since 2023, indicating broader financial challenges despite previously weathering economic shifts better than lower-income households. This trend, driven by a weaker job market for white-collar workers and rising housing costs, raises concerns about potential impacts on consumer spending and the overall economy. Want More Context? 🔎

Hours after a gunman opened fire in a Manhattan office building, NYPD officer Didarul Islam, a father of two and an immigrant from Bangladesh, was killed while providing security. Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised Islam's sacrifice, emphasizing the emotional toll on law enforcement families facing such tragedies and the department's swift response to support his loved ones. Want More Context? 🔎