Today Briefly
Today Briefly

Redneck pride takes the holiday spotlight in Southern towns

Rural Southern communities reclaim 'redneck' identity with humorous, improvised Christmas parades that celebrate outdoors culture and raise money for local children.

Wellness

fromCN Traveller

10 best sex toys to pack discreetly in your hand luggage

Choose discreet, ergonomic, versatile, and waterproof sex toys; bring them on holiday to reduce stress and reconnect with your body.

Digital life

fromIndependent

fromSearch Engine Roundtable

Mary McCarthy: I love our new landline - my kids can always reach me and we're off the screens

Restoring a home landline can simplify daily life, improve family safety, and reduce problematic screen time.

Digital life

Google Maps Share Button Removes X For Reddit & Facebook

Google Maps removed the X share button and added native Reddit and Facebook share buttons.

Wellness

A 79-year-old woman shares her 3-step longevity routine - including 11 workouts a week

Consistent, varied physical activity, social engagement, mental stimulation, and low-intensity cardio support longevity and vibrant health into older age.

Wellness

fromPsychology Today

fromLondon Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Belonging as a Framework for Health

A sense of belonging strongly supports health, longevity, and well-being through social connectedness and community norms as seen in Blue Zones.

OMG science

5 days ago

Harvard scientist believes alien 3I/Atlas could have been sent to 'seed' life on Earth - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS shows anomalous comet-like behavior prompting speculation about possible non-natural origins, including deliberate seeding by advanced life.

OMG science

fromThe Atlantic

Day 3 of the 2025 Space Telescope Advent Calendar: A Galactic Cluster

Galaxy Cluster Abell 209 contains over 100 galaxies about 2.8 billion light-years away whose combined mass gravitationally lenses and stretches background galaxies.

EU data protection

fromTheregister

GDPR failures in Home Office eVisa rollout in spotlight

The Home Office's digital-only eVisa system has systemic errors and design failures that expose personal data and leave migrants unable to prove lawful status.

UX design

fromMedium

3 days ago

Thought-shaped UI, sigma () shaped designers, Figma's new DS features

Designers must choose software that represents human thought from the ground up rather than layering thought-shaped interfaces atop existing kludgy systems.

Privacy professionals

fromArs Technica

Chatbot-powered toys rebuked for discussing sexual, dangerous topics with kids

OpenAI prohibits use of its LLMs to exploit, endanger, or sexualize minors and enforces developer policies, runs classifiers, and investigates suspected API misuse.

UX design

fromFast Company

48 minutes ago

Gen Z is leading a visual communication revolution. Here's what leaders need to know

Gen Z's visual-first communication is reshaping work; organizations must adopt visual, collaborative, intuitive tools to unlock Gen Z productivity and future-proof skills.

UX design

fromThe Verge

43 minutes ago

YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs

YouTube redesigned the TV watch screen: title moved, Description button added, controls reorganized, and new Multiview and Display Mode features introduced.

Privacy professionals

fromData Matters Privacy Blog

Your boss has more ways than ever to monitor what you're doing at work

Employers increasingly use updated surveillance tools to monitor employees' locations, messages, logins, and activity, shifting power back toward managers.

Privacy professionals

fromWIRED

19 hours ago

Doxers Posing as Cops Are Tricking Big Tech Firms Into Sharing People's Private Data

Spoofed emails and forged documents allow attackers to impersonate law enforcement and rapidly extract highly sensitive personal data from major tech companies.

EU data protection

EU Digital Omnibus: Implications for MedTech Companies | Data Matters Privacy Blog

The European Commission proposed targeted amendments and a Digital Fitness Check to reduce overlap, smooth implementation, and assess cumulative impacts on EU digital regulation.

Information security

fromThe Hacker News

React2Shell Exploitation Escalates into Large-Scale Global Attacks, Forcing Emergency Mitigation

Critical CVE-2025-55182 enables unauthenticated remote code execution via unsafe deserialization in React Server Components, prompting CISA to require patching by December 12, 2025.

Marketing tech

fromForbes

56 minutes ago

The 2026 Media And Marketplace Trends Brands Can't Ignore

Media buying and e-commerce in 2026 will center on AI-driven precision, first-party data activation, integrated marketplaces, and cross-channel analytics to deliver personalized experiences.

Information security

fromTechzine Global

Three new vulnerabilities discovered in React Server Components

React Server Components have three new vulnerabilities—two DoS and one source-code leak—requiring immediate updates to patched versions.

Marketing tech

fromDigiday

In Graphic Detail: What to expect in media in 2026

Shoppable commerce media will outgrow traditional TV as retail, finance and travel ad spend, interactive TV formats, political ads and sports events drive investment.

Remote teams

fromForbes

19 Employers Hiring For Work-From-Anywhere Jobs And How To Find Them

Work-from-anywhere roles provide employees location independence and flexibility while enabling employers to access global talent, leverage time zones, and support outcome-based cultures.

Marketing tech

fromExchangewire

The Stack: Global Ad Tech Shifts

AI partnerships, major acquisitions, and upgraded data tools are accelerating consolidation and platform-driven dominance across global tech, media, advertising, and content ecosystems.

Major League Baseball

fromBattery Power

59 minutes ago

This Day in Braves History: Braves acquire Sean Murphy

Key legal rulings, major player contracts, trades, organizational initiatives, and draft moves mark pivotal moments in baseball history from 1887 through 2022.

Environment

fromLos Angeles Times

14 hours ago

L.A. County sues oil companies over unplugged oil wells in Inglewood

Los Angeles County sued four oil companies for failing to plug 227 idle wells in the Inglewood Oil Field, creating health and environmental risks.

National Football League

Ranking the top nine NFL head coaching candidates: Which coordinators could land an open job?

Several NFL head coaching jobs open each year, driving a competitive hiring cycle and a shortlist of top candidates influencing franchise futures.

National Football League

fromMusket Fire

Patriots finally won't have to deal with NFL's biggest headache vs. the Bills

John Hussey's low-penalty officiating crew offers hope for fewer flags in the Patriots-Bills game, reducing referee influence on a high-stakes matchup.

Social media marketing

fromInc

Social Capital: The Best CFOs in the Business Share How They Turn High Follower Counts Into Higher Valuations

Consumer-focused CFOs quantify social media and influencer impact using ROMI, daily tracking, and SKU-level metrics to optimize marketing spend and drive measurable sales.

Food & drink

Meat-free under the mistletoe recipes

A festive selection of plant-based starters, mains, sides and desserts featuring bold condiments, winter flavours and make-ahead options for Christmas entertaining.

Privacy technologies

fromBoston.com

12 hours ago

Cambridge ends contract for license plate cameras after 'breach of trust'

Cambridge terminated its contract with Flock Safety after two license-plate reader cameras were installed without city awareness, citing breach of trust and privacy concerns.

Environment

6 hours ago

As the UK looks to invest in nuclear, here's what it could mean for Britain's environment

Implementing the Fingleton review would accelerate infrastructure building while weakening environmental protections, threatening wildlife and risking legal conflict with the EU.

Media industry

fromwww.mediaite.com

Washington Post Staffers Slam Error-Packed AI Podcast Launch: Total Disaster!'

The Washington Post's new AI podcast tool generated errors, fabrications, and editorial intrusions, sparking strong newsroom backlash and demands to halt the rollout.

Food & drink

fromMiami Food Pug

Nom News: December 12, 2025 - Miami Food Pug

Romeo Room, a velvet-draped speakeasy above Babette in Coral Gables, opens offering live music, cocktails, sophisticated small plates, Japanese whiskies, and Estrella Damm.

Media industry

fromDigiday

Digiday+ Research: Publishers' growing focus on video doesn't translate to social platforms

Publishers are investing in vertical video but prioritizing distribution on their own sites and apps while social platform usage shifts, with Instagram and YouTube rising.

Environment

fromwww.mercurynews.com

Walters: Cap and trade is now a backdoor tax on California consumers

California's cap-and-trade program generates multi-billion-dollar auction revenues that function like general tax revenues and face legislative changes shifting focus toward spending, not emissions reduction.

Social media marketing

fromInc

The Best Brands on Social Media Have This in Common

Brands succeed on social by embracing rapid, imperfect experimentation and cultural relevance rather than chasing polished, risk-averse perfection.

Books

fromThe New Yorker

14 hours ago

"Wake Up Dead Man": A Murder Mystery with God in the Details

Rian Johnson's new whodunnit stars Josh O'Connor as a Catholic priest confronting a murder-tainted church, drawing on Golden Age locked-room-mystery traditions.

Media industry

fromThe New Yorker

America's Betting Craze Has Spread to Its News Networks

Major news networks are partnering with prediction-market platforms like Kalshi, integrating wagering-based odds into political and news coverage.

Books

fromThe Walrus

Souvankham Thammavongsa Doesn't Mind If You're Jealous of Her Career | The Walrus

Ning, a former boxer and nail-salon owner, confronts casual racism and sexism amid public assumptions about Southeast Asian women and immigrant hardship.

Books

Joanna Trollope, bestselling chronicler of ordinary life, dies aged 82

Joanna Trollope, a prolific British novelist known for candid contemporary portrayals of domestic life, died peacefully at home at age 82.

Social media marketing

fromFast Company

Home Depot's 7.5-foot Christmas Chewbacca is the next Skelly

Home Depot sells life-size animated Chewbacca and R2-D2 holiday figures that sell out quickly and spark viral social-media demand and reseller markups.

Wine

fromTravel + Leisure

This Magical Italian Island Has Dramatic Landscapes, Hot Springs, and Scenic Vineyards

Pantelleria is a volcanic Mediterranean island ideal for restful nature escapes, offering dammusi homes, thermal springs, vineyards, capers, olive oil, and understated luxury.

Wine

20 hours ago

As a sommelier, there are 5 wines I always have on hand for guests

Keep a versatile selection of wines—Champagne, Italian reds, grocery-store labels, and small family bottles—to suit any meal, occasion, or guest.

#remote-work

fromFinanceBuzz

Remote teams

10 Work-From-Home Jobs That Pay at Least $52 an Hour

Remote teams

I was wasting hours commuting in LA traffic. Here's how I convinced my manager to let me work from home.

fromFinanceBuzz

Remote teams

10 Work-From-Home Jobs That Pay at Least $52 an Hour

fromwww.pressdemocrat.com

Remote teams

I was wasting hours commuting in LA traffic. Here's how I convinced my manager to let me work from home.

more#remote-work

Wine

23 hours ago

The Michelin Guide debuts new rating system for wine

Michelin launched Michelin Grape, a three-Grape rating system evaluating wineries on agronomy, technical mastery and other quality-focused criteria.

Privacy technologies

fromMUO

22 hours ago

I don't trust Chrome anymore - here's what pushed me over the edge

Manifest V3 removes real-time ad-blocking capabilities from Chrome, handing filtering control to the browser and undermining effective content blockers and user privacy.

Privacy technologies

fromMUO

You're ignoring Firefox's best security feature

Firefox's Total Cookie Protection isolates cookies per website, preventing third-party trackers from linking browsing across sites and reducing cross-site profiling and targeted advertising.

Writing

fromwww.nytimes.com

17 hours ago

I Think This Poem Is Kind of Into You

A stark winter landscape moves from rigid cold and stasis to a sudden, fiery emotional breakthrough through precise, sonorous language and compressed imagery.

Writing

fromIndependent

2 days ago

John Downing: From 'fon poca' to 'burrito' - new Irish dictionary is a milestone in revival of our native language

For the first time, anyone can find definitions of Irish words without relying on English dictionaries.

Writing

fromNature

2 days ago

But only just

Helis carries unresolved trauma from Daoud while continuing hazardous fieldwork and isolation, receiving quiet, imperfect support from Isla over many years.

Europe news

fromwww.dw.com

2 days ago

Ukraine's Zelenskyy ready to send revised peace plan to US DW 12/09/2025

Ukraine plans to send an updated peace plan to the United States while Zelenskyy engages European and Vatican leaders amid ongoing military developments.

Europe news

fromwww.npr.org

Belgium rejects EU plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

Belgium rejected using frozen Russian assets as collateral for a reparations loan, citing major economic, financial and legal risks and potential legal action.

English Premier League

fromwww.bbc.com

Time to take a punt on Wirtz - FPL team of the week

Short turnarounds and injuries made Gameweek 14 difficult for FPL managers; five free transfers will help manage AFCON-related absences.

#liverpool

English Premier League

Slot: Teams expect to 'get a result' from Liverpool

fromRush The Kop

English Premier League

Liverpool's mixed night at Sunderland shaped by good, bad and ugly displays

English Premier League

Slot: Teams expect to 'get a result' from Liverpool

fromRush The Kop

English Premier League

Liverpool's mixed night at Sunderland shaped by good, bad and ugly displays

Belarus weather balloons force repeated closures of Lithuania's main airport

Belarus-launched balloons repeatedly closed Vilnius airport, causing major disruptions and prompting Lithuania to call the incidents deliberate hybrid attacks amid Belarus-Russia tensions.

New York Islanders

fromEyes On Isles

9 hours ago

Anders Lee and Simon Holmstrom lead NY Islanders in 5-2 win over Anaheim Ducks

Anders Lee scored two power-play goals and added two assists to lead the Islanders to a 5-2 win while David Rittich made 31 saves.

London music

fromDeep House London

20 hours ago

Ministry of Sound Celebrates 35 Years with First Names of 2026 | News | Deep House London

Ministry of Sound launches a year-long 35th Anniversary programme with major legacy and emerging artists and plans a major club redesign from January 2026.

New York City

fromStreetsblog

Friday's Headlines: Blue Highways Edition - Streetsblog New York City

New York launched 'Blue Highways' to move middle-mile freight via water and finish deliveries with cargo bikes, reducing truck traffic, pollution, and improving street safety.

National Hockey League

fromThe Art Newspaper - International art news and events

Inclusion of Parekh, Misa is a step in right direction for Canada at World Juniors

Hockey Canada consistently prioritizes role balance over selecting the best players, often leaving high-end offensive talent off rosters and hurting performance.

National Hockey League

fromMaple Leafs Hotstove

9 hours ago

Craig Berube on the Leafs coughing up the lead vs. SJ: "We turned pucks over... We were passive... We didn't finish them off"

The Maple Leafs lost 3-2 in overtime after third-period defensive lapses and must cope with further lineup challenges due to injuries.

Arts

fromThe American Conservative

'Lust for Life': The Van Gogh book designed to fit in pockets of US soldiers during the Second World War

A 1944 Armed Services Edition of Lust for Life became a scarce, heavily worn wartime book, reflecting troop distribution practices and the novel's wartime appeal.

Right-wing politics

fromThe Art Newspaper - International art news and events

The NSS Is the Strategy We Have Waited For

National Security Strategy centers American national interests through pragmatic, state-centered, prioritized security policy emphasizing clarity, cautious power use, and survival-focused strategy.

Arts

Taichung's new 'Museumbrary' expands Taiwan's culture credentials

Taichung's new Taichung Green Museumbrary fuses a SANAA-designed art museum and public library to create integrated cultural, educational, and civic spaces within Central Park.

East Bay (California)

fromThe Oaklandside

Sheng Thao joins motion to toss evidence from Oakland FBI raids

Former Mayor Sheng Thao and three associates seek to suppress FBI-seized evidence, alleging the FBI ignored a key informant's extensive criminal history.

FC Barcelona

fromBarca Universal

Portuguese defender shuts door on Barcelona move with long-term renewal with current club | Barca Universal

Gonçalo Inácio renewed with Sporting Lisbon until 2030, keeping a €60m release clause and substantially reducing Barcelona's chance of a favourable transfer.

Dallas Cowboys

fromBlogging The Boys

Cowboys news: CeeDee Lamb sounds like he'll play on Sunday

George Pickens received criticism after a subpar game, but teammates and coaches publicly express confidence and note a strong practice response.

FC Barcelona

fromBarca Universal

Flick talks Ferran, Lewandowski, Eric, Ter Stegen, Frenkie, Rashford, Xabi Alonso ahead of Barcelona vs Osasuna | Barca Universal

Barcelona possess squad depth and positional versatility, fostering internal competition and providing multiple options in attack and defense during a decisive season phase.

Manchester City

Erling Haaland inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - not only for their goals...

Erling Haaland cites Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s exceptional longevity and professionalism as inspirations for sustaining elite-level performance.

Europe politics

5 hours ago

Von der Leyen rebukes Trump over suggestions US could influence European elections Europe live

Von der Leyen defended voter sovereignty against US interference; Europe pursues US role in Ukraine talks while debating frozen Russian assets' permanent freeze and use.

fromLondon On The Inside

Plaza Khao Gaeng Borough Yards Review | "Even More Thai to Go Around"

After opening a second outpost of Speedboat Bar in Notting Hill in the summer, Luke Farrell wasted no time in expanding his other Thai restaurant Plaza Khao Gaeng. The new location in railway arches by Borough Yards is a much bigger site than the original at Arcade Food Hall on Tottenham Court Road but it's kept the same bustling canteen vibe. And it looks even more striking thanks to bold signage, strip lighting, and a blue tarpaulin canopy connecting the main dining space to the adjoining area in front of the open kitchen.

London

fromwww.timeout.com

This major London train line will close for 11 days over Christmas

Mildmay Overground will close for 11 days over Christmas and face additional weekend partial closures in Jan–Feb 2026 for track, points, and drainage replacement.

Germany news

fromwww.dw.com