In fact, those making $200,000 or more have resorted to financial tactics that are often associated with less wealthy consumers. For example, 64% said they’ve used rewards points to pay for essentials, 50% have used “buy now, pay later” plans for purchases under $100, and 46% rely on credit cards to make ends meet.
The Harris Poll report also revealed how those top earners are avoiding expenses. 49% skipped a social event so they wouldn’t have to split a check, 48% have pretended an app like Venmo or Zelle wasn’t working to dodge a payment, and 45% held off on medical care because of the cost.
“The illusion of wealth is exhausting! Many top earners say people assume they can afford it all, yet behind the image of success are quiet sacrifices: skipped purchases, delayed plans, and a fragile sense of security,” the report said.
The statue – which was installed in the car park of a retail megastore – measured around 110 ft, but store officials said that only the upper section of the statue, which measured around 78ft, was damaged.
The original Statue of Liberty in New York City stands at around 305ft.
One striking finding was that instances of violent conversations with companion bots peaked at an extremely young age. The group most likely to engage in this kind of content were 11-year-olds, for whom a staggering 44 percent of interactions took violent turns.
Brigitte Macron is the wife of Emmanuel Macron, who is the President of France. She is known as the First Lady and often supports causes like women’s rights. On December 7, 2025, she went to a theater in Paris with her daughter to watch a comedy show by Ary Abittan, a French actor and comedian. Abittan had faced a serious accusation in 2021 when a woman he was dating said he raped her. After a long investigation lasting three years, judges decided in January 2025 not to charge him, meaning the case was dropped. This event happened backstage, away from the main audience, but someone recorded it on video.
The night before, on December 6, 2025, four women from a feminist group called Nous Toutes interrupted Abittan’s show. Nous Toutes means “all of us” in French and is a group that fights against sexual violence toward women. These activists wore masks with Abittan’s face printed on them, and the word “rapist” written on the foreheads of the masks. They shouted “Abittan rapist!” to protest his return to performing on stage. They believed his shows ignored the pain of the woman who accused him and made her story seem less important. This kind of protest is called a disruption, where people stop an event to draw attention to a problem.
In the video from December 7, Abittan told Brigitte Macron that he felt scared about possible more protests. She replied with a laugh, saying in French “If there are any stupid bitches, we’ll kick them out, especially the masked bandits.” The French words she used, “sales connes,” are rude and mean something like “dirty stupid women” or “stupid bitches” in English. She was joking about removing the protesters if they showed up again. The video was shared by a French magazine called Public on December 8, 2025, and quickly spread online, leading to strong reactions.
Many feminists and public figures reacted with anger to Brigitte Macron’s words. An actress named Judith Godrèche, who spoke out about being abused as a child in the film industry, posted on Instagram: “I too am a stupid bitch.” This was her way of standing with the protesters and criticizing the insult. Clémence Guetté, a leader in France’s parliament, wrote on social media that calling activists “stupid bitches” went against the government’s promises to fight violence against women. Another politician, Manon Aubry, said it showed how the Macron family had failed on women’s rights. An activist from Nous Toutes, using the fake name Gwen to stay safe, called the words a deep insult to victims of sexual violence.
A person from Brigitte Macron’s team explained that her comment was not about all feminists but about the way the protesters used masks and interruptions, which they saw as too extreme. They said she supports women’s rights but not these methods. The event highlights ongoing debates in France about how to handle accusations of sexual violence, especially when famous people are involved.
In summary, Brigitte Macron’s recorded insult to feminist protesters at a comedian’s show has caused widespread outrage over disrespect to women’s rights efforts.
Russia is taking more land in Ukraine very quickly. In November, Russian soldiers captured about 200 square miles, which is twice as much as the month before. Experts say this is one of the fastest advances since the war started almost four years ago. Most of the fighting is in the east, in places like Donetsk, where Russia wants to control cities such as Sloviansk and Siversk. Russian troops are using small groups to sneak behind Ukrainian lines, which makes the battles very hard for Ukraine.
At the same time, peace talks are not working. The United States tried to make a plan to stop the war, but Russia and Ukraine cannot agree. The plan would give Russia some Ukrainian land and limit Ukraine’s army, which Ukraine refuses. European leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz say they will keep helping Ukraine so it does not lose more ground. They insist Ukraine is not collapsing, even if the situation looks bad.
Russia says it will take the Donbas region “by force or by negotiation.” It has also claimed victories in other cities, like Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, but Ukraine says those reports are propaganda and that fighting is still going on. Both sides are trying to show strength while the talks drag on. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting leaders in London and Brussels to ask for more support and weapons.
This war is not only about land. It affects the whole world because Ukraine and Russia are big producers of food and energy. If the fighting continues, prices for things like wheat and oil could rise again. That is why many countries want peace, but for now, the talks are stuck and the battles are getting worse.
In short: Russia is gaining land fast while peace talks fail, and Ukraine is asking for more help to keep fighting.
Hollywood is very upset right now because Netflix, the company that streams movies and shows online, has decided to buy Warner Bros. for about 83 billion dollars. Warner Bros. is one of the oldest and most famous movie studios in the world. It made films like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and shows like Game of Thrones. This deal is huge because it means Netflix will own a studio that has made movies for theaters for more than 100 years.
Many people in Hollywood are worried. They say this could be bad for movie theaters because Netflix usually puts movies online instead of showing them in cinemas for a long time. Some actors and directors, like Jane Fonda and James Cameron, are angry because they think this will mean fewer jobs, fewer creative ideas, and fewer chances for small companies to make movies. Some even call it “the death of Hollywood” because one giant company will control so much of what people watch.
Netflix says the opposite. Its bosses say they will keep making movies for theaters and that this deal will help bring more stories to more people. They believe combining Netflix’s streaming power with Warner Bros.’ famous movies will make entertainment better.
But many experts think the government might try to stop the deal because it could create a monopoly, which means one company has too much power and can raise prices or limit choices.
Other companies, like Paramount, are still trying to buy Warner Bros. instead of Netflix. So the fight is not over yet. Lawyers and politicians are watching closely because this decision could change how movies and TV shows are made and shared for years to come.
In short: Netflix wants to buy Warner Bros. for billions of dollars, and Hollywood is scared this will change movies forever.
An invasion of Taiwan by China would be one of the hardest operations in modern warfare. Experts say it would likely happen in three main phases.
First, China would launch massive missile strikes to destroy Taiwan’s air defenses, air bases, and command centers. This “joint firepower strike” could involve thousands of missiles hitting hundreds of targets, aiming to cripple Taiwan’s ability to fight and discourage U.S. intervention. Cyberattacks and cutting undersea internet cables might also be used to isolate the island digitally.
Second, China would try an amphibious assault across the Taiwan Strait. This means thousands of troops and heavy equipment moving by ships and landing craft to Taiwan’s beaches. It would be extremely risky: Chinese forces could suffer huge losses from mines, artillery, and air strikes before even reaching land. Picking landing zones is critical. Southern Taiwan offers easier beaches but requires a long march to Taipei, while northern beaches are closer to the capital but heavily defended.
Third, if landings succeed, Chinese forces would push inland toward Taipei. This would be a grinding campaign through cities, rivers, and mountains, with Taiwan blowing up bridges and tunnels to slow them down. Meanwhile, China might also enforce a blockade, seize small outer islands first, or use civilian ships to supplement its military fleet. Surprise and speed would be key, but large-scale preparations could tip off Taiwan and its allies unless disguised as military drills.
The stakes are enormous. A full-scale war would be devastating, killing tens of thousands, wrecking the global economy, and reshaping geopolitics. Whether China will actually attempt this remains uncertain, but its military buildup and increasingly realistic exercises suggest it is preparing for the possibility. U.S. involvement would be decisive. Without it, Taiwan’s chances drop sharply.
In short: If deterrence fails, expect missile barrages, amphibious landings, and a brutal ground fight for Taipei—one of the bloodiest and most complex operations of the century.
Paganism is growing fast in Britain. For a long time, Christianity was the main religion, but now fewer people go to church or follow traditional faiths. Many are looking for something more personal and flexible. Paganism offers that. It is not one single religion but a group of spiritual paths inspired by ancient traditions from Europe and the Near East. These include gods and goddesses from Greek, Roman, Norse, and Celtic myths. Modern Pagans often honor nature and celebrate seasonal events like solstices and equinoxes.
Unlike big religions, Paganism has no central authority, no fixed temples, and no strict rules. People can practice alone or in small groups, often outdoors or even online. Rituals are important because they help people feel connected to the divine. There is little focus on holy books or commandments. Instead, Pagans believe in personal growth and living in harmony with nature. Many also like that Paganism values both male and female deities, which feels more balanced and inclusive.
Why is it becoming popular now? There are three main reasons. First, it gives people a sense of freedom: you don’t have to follow strict rules or fear punishment. Second, it connects people to nature, which matters in a world worried about climate change. Third, it encourages creativity and self-improvement. Social media has helped too. Platforms like TikTok have communities where people share rituals and spells, making Paganism easy to explore without joining an official group.
The numbers are still small compared to Christianity, but they are rising. In England and Wales, about 74,000 people called themselves Pagan in the 2021 census, up nearly 30% from 2011. If you include Wiccans and Druids, the total is even higher. This shows that Britain’s religious landscape is changing: instead of big institutions, more people prefer spiritual paths that feel personal and connected to nature.
In short: Paganism is growing in Britain because it offers freedom, nature-based spirituality, and community without rigid rules – something many people want in today’s world.
On December 21, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky undertook his first trip abroad since Russia’s full-scale invasion – a journey executed with military-level secrecy.
The operation began after Zelensky visited Bakhmut on December 20, signaling the upcoming mission. He then traveled overnight by train to Przemyśl, Poland, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink and security personnel, because Ukraine’s airspace was too risky for direct flights due to Russian missile threats.
From Poland, Zelensky boarded a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-40B at Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport, a key logistics hub for NATO aid to Ukraine. The flight was protected by a NATO reconnaissance aircraft scanning the North Sea for Russian submarines and an F-15 fighter jet escort from a U.S. base in England. The transatlantic leg lasted nearly 10 hours, landing at Joint Base Andrews near Washington around noon local time.
Security protocols were extraordinary: encrypted communications, decoy strategies, and multi-agency coordination ensured the route remained undisclosed until Zelensky was airborne.
The visit had been planned for months but finalized only after a December 11 call with President Biden, with confirmation coming three days later. The secrecy reflected the stakes.
Zelensky’s mission was to secure advanced U.S. weapons, including Patriot air-defense systems, and reinforce bipartisan support for Ukraine ahead of a $45 billion aid vote in Congress.
In 1989, court documents from Donald Trump’s divorce proceedings with Ivana Trump revealed a surprising detail: the former president underwent scalp reduction surgery, a cosmetic procedure designed to shrink bald spots by removing sections of skin from the scalp.
This revelation came to light during testimony related to the couple’s high-profile split, making headlines decades later as part of Trump’s long-debated hair mystery.
Experts in hair restoration have since speculated that Trump’s distinctive hairstyle may also involve hair transplants along the frontal hairline, combined with a meticulous comb-over technique.
These procedures were common among wealthy individuals in the late 1980s, long before modern follicular unit extraction became the norm.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a modern hair transplant technique. It involves removing individual hair follicles from a donor area (usually the back of the scalp) and implanting them into thinning or bald areas. Unlike older methods (like scalp reduction or strip harvesting), FUE leaves minimal scarring and looks more natural because hairs are transplanted in their natural grouping.
The war with Israel may be over, but Gaza’s next battle is already here – and it’s clan against clan, gun against gun, in a fight that could decide who rules the ruins
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For nearly two years, Hamas was locked in a brutal war with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). While its fighters were pinned down in tunnels and bombed from above, a new power structure quietly emerged in Gaza: rival clans and militias, some reportedly armed and funded by Israel.
These groups filled the security vacuum, seized aid convoys, and carved out fiefdoms in neighborhoods abandoned by Hamas.
Who Are These Rivals?
The most notorious is the Abu Shabab clan, based in Rafah. Led by Yasser Abu Shabab, this Bedouin faction recruited hundreds of fighters with cash incentives and operated openly in Israeli-controlled zones.
Israeli officials admitted providing “limited aid and weapons” to Abu Shabab’s militia as part of a strategy to weaken Hamas and save soldiers’ lives.
Another heavyweight, the Doghmush clan, long infamous for kidnappings and smuggling, turned its guns on Hamas during the ceasefire. In Gaza City’s Sabra district, clashes left over 27 dead, including eight Hamas fighters and a local journalist caught in the crossfire.
The Crackdown Begins
Since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect last week, Hamas has launched a ruthless campaign to reassert control. Its elite “Arrow Unit” executed eight Doghmush members in a public square, branding them “collaborators.”
Videos of blindfolded men shot at point-blank range have flooded social media, sparking global outrage.
In Khan Younis, Hamas raided al-Majayda clan strongholds, killing several and offering a one-week amnesty for others to surrender weapons.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a turf war – it’s a geopolitical time bomb. Israel’s gamble to arm anti-Hamas factions has fractured Gaza’s social fabric, creating militias that now refuse to disarm.
Hamas, battered but unbroken, is betting on fear to restore dominance. Analysts warn that unless a credible security force replaces both Hamas and the clans, Gaza could spiral into a full-blown civil war.
In a White House press briefing on October 15, 2025, President Donald Trump mistakenly referred to Iran as a nuclear power while recounting his role in averting a conflict between India and Pakistan. Defending his tariff policy, Trump said:
“I was in the midst of negotiating a trade deal with Iran and Pakistan. I heard they are shooting at each other. Two nuclear powers.”
The gaffe quickly went viral because Iran is not a nuclear-armed state, unlike India and Pakistan.
Trump claimed his threat of a 200% tariff ended what he described as a looming “nuclear war,” asserting that both nations backed down within 24 hours. Critics noted that he likely meant India, as Pakistan and Iran have not exchanged fire recently.
Trump has repeatedly boasted that tariffs helped him stop “five or six wars,” including the May 2025 India–Pakistan standoff, though Indian officials deny any U.S. mediation, stating the ceasefire was negotiated directly between the two countries’ military chiefs.
The remark fueled speculation about Trump’s cognitive sharpness, with commentators calling it “another dementia red flag,” while the White House insists he is in “excellent health”.
154,000 federal employees accepted buyout offers and were removed from the payroll last month, alongside 105,000 regular retirements, marking an 18% increase from the previous year.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is currently processing over 35,000 retirement cases, but only 13,000 have been completed. Last fiscal year, OPM processed 104,800 cases, compared to 88,608 the year before.
Retirement processing times jumped from under 50 days in spring to 76 days in September, driven by the unprecedented wave of departures.
OPM has lost about one-third of its workforce since January, dropping from more than 3,000 employees, which has worsened delays and workload pressure.
Federal retirement spending is up roughly 16% this year compared to last year, according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model.
Among the nearly 2,000 freed Palestinians are around 1,700 detainees from Gaza who Israeli troops seized during the war and held without charge.
Israeli forces detained thousands of Palestinians in raids on shelters and hospitals and at checkpoints.
Also among those released were 250 Palestinians sentenced to prison terms, most of them convicted for deadly attacks on Israelis dating back decades as well as others convicted on lesser charges, according to Israel’s Justice Ministry.
Of those, Israel exiled 154, sending them to Egypt, where officials said they will be sent to third countries.
The bodies of 28 other Israeli hostages were also due to be recovered and released under the terms of the deal, although Hamas said it would return only four on Monday. The group had warned during negotiations that it would be unable to find all the bodies by the 72-hour deadline because of the destruction in Gaza.
In Israel, the hostages’ families have emerged as a political force, with many channeling their agony into calls for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to bring their loved ones home and end the war. The hostage crisis had cast a long shadow across Israeli society, with hundreds of thousands joining demonstrations calling for a deal to secure the captives’ release.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have publicly feuded with Swift ever since the infamous 2009 MTV Video Music Awards incident.
On Reddit, one poster titled a thread, “Kardashian Diss Track.”
“’They want that yacht life, under chopper blades / They want those bright lights and Balenci’ shades /And a fat a– with a baby face They want it all,” the Redditor quoted the song’s lyrics. “ ‘And then that video taken off the internet / They want it all.’”
