
Big Lots just received a last-minute lifeline
Big Lots says a new deal could preserve thousands of jobs at stores and distribution centers and certain corporate roles. The Big Lots story isn’t over yet. The discount chain said on Friday that it had reached a deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners that would preserve at least 200 stores across the US and…

Trump will test the extent of his power over congressional Republicans after failing to raise the debt ceiling
President-elect Donald Trump’s support may help House Speaker Mike Johnson put down a conservative rebellion against his leadership. President-elect Donald Trump has set up another quasi-loyalty test for House Republicans before he formally reenters the White House. On Monday, Trump endorsed Speaker Mike Johnson to remain as speaker when the House votes on its next…

Year-end weakness in stocks reveals nervousness heading into 2025. Here’s what 3 market pros are saying.
Investors, starved of a year-end rally, may need to brace for further bouts of disappointment as 2025 kicks off, market analysts say. After US indexes were catapulted to double-digit gains through 2024, momentum has sputtered in the final days of the year. The market has been struggling in the days that typically see investors enjoying…

I faced my most difficult parenting decision this year during a hike with my teen. I’m still not sure I handled it right.
The author (left) climbed the mountain with her daughter (right). When our family moved to Colorado 18 years ago, I made it my goal to hike a 14er one day. Colorado has more than 50 mountains that soar 14,000 feet or more above sea level. Your options for hiking them range from strenuous day hikes…

Shoppers can’t stop talking about the $78 Walmart bag that resembles a $10,000 Hermès Birkin
Walmart is selling out of Birkin dupes listed by third-party sellers. Attention, Walmart shoppers: You can own a lookalike of one of the most exclusive handbags in the world — and for less than $100. The Hermès Birkin is coveted by many luxury shoppers, and the handmade bags start at around $10,000. The hefty price…

Finland detained an oil tanker it says was part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ helping fund its war in Ukraine
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo raised concerns around Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers after a vessel was seized on Thursday as part of an investigation into a ruptured undersea cable. Finnish authorities said they’ve seized an oil tanker on Thursday as part of its probe into the cutting of an undersea cable in the…

Taiwan is preparing more than just the military for a China invasion
Taiwanese President William Lai is preparing the island for emergencies amid rising tensions with China. Taiwan’s Presidential Office held its first-ever tabletop war games on Thursday in a sign of heightened tensions with Beijing. The exercise simulates a military escalation with China, which claims Taiwan as its territory. It took place at the island’s Whole-of-Society…

North Korean soldier captured by Ukraine as it says Russia is trying to hide Pyongyang’s losses
A North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces has died from his injuries, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said on Friday, per Yonhap news agency. The NIS had earlier confirmed reports that an injured North Korean soldier had been taken prisoner by Ukraine. “Through real-time information sharing with a friendly nation’s intelligence organization, (we)…

Flights are avoiding Russian airspace after the Azerbaijan Airlines crash
Wreckage of the Azerbaijani Airlines plane, which crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25, 2024. Airlines are avoiding Russian airspace after an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 passengers. The Embraer 190 jet was bound for Russia from Azerbaijan — but veered off course after sustaining some kind of damage over Russia. It managed…