MORNING NEWS UPDATE: DECEMBER 10, 2025
- Federal Government Shutdown Enters 10th Day: The U.S. federal shutdown, triggered by disputes over funding and Trump's demands to cut Democratic-led programs, has furloughed workers and delayed payments, including for military personnel. Democrats introduced bills to block foreign aid like Argentina's bailout amid domestic cuts.
- Supreme Court to Hear Case on Presidential Powers: The court will review a case that could expand executive authority, including over independent agencies, amid Trump's push to remove limits on political influence.
- ICEBlock App Sues Trump Administration: The app, designed to alert users to ICE raids, filed a lawsuit alleging censorship and unlawful threats from the government.
- Florida Executes 18th Death Sentence of 2025: The state carried out another execution, highlighting ongoing debates over capital punishment amid legal challenges.
Controversial Testimony in State Investigation: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is scheduled to testify before a Georgia State Senate committee investigating her conduct.
Immigration Grievances and Rhetoric: Reports highlight President Donald Trump's speech where he directed grievances toward immigrants from "filthy" countries, continuing a contentious political debate.
Federal Reserve Rate Decision Anticipation: Markets are keenly awaiting the Federal Reserve's final interest rate decision of the year, with a strong expectation for another rate cut.
Miami Mayoral Race Shift: A Democrat won the Miami mayor's race for the first time in nearly 30 years, signaling a political shift in the area.
- Grand Jury Indicts NY AG Letitia James: A Trump-appointed U.S. attorney charged James with crimes, following similar actions against James Comey, as part of efforts targeting political opponents.
- Trump Threatens Insurrection Act Invocation: The president clashed with states over deploying ICE and National Guard troops, prompting a federal judge to block moves in Illinois.
- Democrats Push Back on ACA Funds Expiration: Senate Republicans proposed alternatives to expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, which could spike premiums for millions.
- Miami Mayoral Runoff Tests Party Momentum: The race, with Democratic candidates leading, signals Democrats' efforts to build toward 2026 midterms.
Supreme Court Hears Campaign Finance Challenge: The Supreme Court considered a major challenge to a federal law limiting the amount of money political parties can spend in coordination with a candidate.
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Markup: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment is holding a markup of seven bills aimed at reforming permitting under the Clean Air Act.
New 'America First' National Security Strategy: The White House released its new National Security Strategy, which reportedly reiterates the "America First" approach from the Trump administration.
- Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to MarÃa Corina Machado: The Venezuelan opposition leader received the 2025 prize for her democracy efforts, amid ongoing U.S. support for regime change.
- Ukraine's Zelenskyy Open to Elections Amid War: Zelenskyy stated readiness for polls in 60-90 days if security guarantees are provided, as Russia proposes extending New START treaty.
- U.S. Fighter Jets Fly Near Venezuelan Airspace: Amid strikes on drug vessels, U.S. jets conducted "routine training" over the Gulf of Venezuela, escalating tensions.
- Thai-Cambodian Border Clashes Escalate: Thai airstrikes killed nine civilians, with three Thai soldiers dead in retaliatory fighting.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed his refusal to cede land to Russia as he continues to rally European support.
Sudan Civil War Atrocity: A massive drone attack targeted a kindergarten and a hospital in Sudan, reportedly killing dozens of people, including children.
Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict: Skirmishes flared up again between Thai and Cambodian forces along their disputed border, breaking a recent truce.
Lithuania Declares Emergency: Lithuania declared a state of emergency following repeated instances of balloons carrying contraband flying into its airspace from neighboring Belarus.
- Biden's SAVE Student Loan Plan Ends in Settlement: A proposed deal with Missouri would terminate the plan, affecting millions of borrowers and shifting repayment structures.
- Trump Administration Targets Department of Education: Steps toward eliminating the agency include deep federal cuts, impacting grants and programs like Pell Grants facing a $61B shortfall.
- International Enrollment Declines Due to Immigration Crackdown: U.S. universities, especially in Maryland, report drops in foreign students amid stricter policies.
- First-Generation College Applications Surge in Texas: More low-income students apply, driven by outreach, but face barriers from federal funding uncertainties.
College Earnings Indicator Launch: The U.S. Department of Education launched a new earnings indicator drawn from data to help students and families make informed college decisions about post-graduate earnings.
AI and Civil Discourse Funding Priorities: The Department of Education unveiled priorities for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), with key funding areas focused on expanding the use of AI and promoting civil discourse on campuses.
- Federal Reserve Expected to Cut Rates by 25 Basis Points: In its final 2025 meeting, the Fed is poised to lower rates amid moderate growth, though inflation concerns linger.
- CFOs Optimistic on Growth but Lukewarm on Trump: 73% of executives see no recession in 2026, but only 16% rate Trump's economic handling positively.
- AI Firms' Debt Issuance Hits $120B, Raising Systemic Risks: Top companies like Nvidia and Meta's borrowing for infrastructure booms could threaten financial stability if innovation falters.
- Global GDP Growth to Ease to 2.9% in 2026: OECD forecasts resilient but fragile expansion, with trade barriers and fiscal concerns weighing on outlook.
Federal Reserve Rate Cut Expected: Investors are poised for the Federal Reserve's final FOMC meeting of the year, with a 25-basis-point interest rate cut widely anticipated.
Stock Futures Decline: Stock futures fell as investors awaited the Fed's decision and new economic projections that are expected to reflect a tempered pace of inflation.
China's Economic Imbalances: The IMF urged China to address its economic imbalances as its trade surplus reportedly hit $1 trillion.
Amazon's India Investment: Amazon announced plans to invest $35 billion across its businesses in India over a five-year period.
- EU Probes Google Over AI Content Use: Regulators investigate if Google unfairly uses publisher data for AI without compensation, risking 10% of global revenue in fines.
- U.S. Shuts Down China-Linked AI Smuggling Network: Operation Gatekeeper seized $50M in Nvidia GPUs destined for restricted areas, with arrests for export violations.
- AI Boom Differs from Dot-Com Era: Backed by trillion-dollar firms like Microsoft, current investments focus on infrastructure, reducing bust risks but raising debt concerns.
- AWS Unveils Nova Forge for Custom AI Models: The service lets users fine-tune pre-trained models with proprietary data, emphasizing enterprise AI agents.
Major Tech Layoffs Continue: Several major tech companies, including Intel, Accenture, Microsoft, and Salesforce, have carried out large-scale layoffs throughout 2025 as they restructure and shift resources toward Artificial Intelligence capabilities.
AI Investment in India: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a historic $17.5 billion investment to boost India's Artificial Intelligence capabilities and build necessary infrastructure.
AI-Generated Ad Labeling: South Korea announced it will require advertisers to label all AI-generated ads to ensure transparency.
- CDC Panel Delays Dropping Hepatitis B Newborn Vaccine Recommendation: Advisers under RFK Jr. paused a shift away from birth doses, amid concerns over disease risks.
- Polyphenol-Rich Foods Linked to Better Heart Health: Regular intake of tea, berries, and nuts may reduce cardiovascular risks long-term, per new studies.
- Environmental Toxins Implicated in Parkinson's Surge: Only 10-15% of cases are genetic; industrial chemicals and contaminated water are major culprits.
- Shingles Vaccine Tied to Lower Dementia Risk: A Welsh study shows significant reductions in dementia among vaccinated seniors.
Brain Cancer Research Breakthrough: New research is challenging conventional treatment by showing remarkable tumor reductions in glioblastoma patients using a simple supplement mix of resveratrol and copper.
Transgender Inmate Hormone Therapy Ruling: A judge ordered Georgia to continue providing hormone therapy for transgender inmates.
Zero-Sugar Cookies Introduced: Oreo is reportedly bringing zero-sugar cookies to the US market.
- IPL 2026 Auction Set for December 16: 350 players, including Venkatesh Iyer and Cameron Green, go under the hammer in Abu Dhabi.
- Rajasthan Royals Seeks Majority Stake Sale: The IPL franchise aims to offload control amid strong investor interest in the league.
- AFCON 2025 Kicks Off in Morocco: Nigeria opens against Tanzania on December 23, with the tournament running through the month.
- Pacers Upset Kings 116-105: Andrew Nembhard's 28 points and 12 assists lead Indiana over Sacramento, snapping the Kings' streak.
WNBA MVP Wins AP Award: A'ja Wilson was named AP Female Athlete of the Year following her historic fourth WNBA MVP award.
College Basketball Action: The University of Wyoming Men's Basketball team won a home game against South Dakota, improving their season record to 8-2.
NHL News: The Colorado Avalanche lost an away game against Nashville.
