Today Briefly

[ ENTER A SUBJECT TO BUILD YOUR FEED ]
What is Briefly?
Your 20-Minute News Fix, Made Just for You!
Stay in the loop and make it your own, with personalized updates that match your interests and style. Get the scoop, get it quick, and get on with your day!
Log In / Sign Up
or continue with
Twitter/X
or
Blue Sky
US news
fromwww.independent.co.uk
3 hours ago

Call of Duty creator Vince Zampella dies in Ferrari crash aged 55

Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty and Infinity Ward cofounder, died at 55 in a single-car crash that caused a fatal fire.
#privacy
fromZDNET
7 hours ago
Digital life

Stop putting your phone screen-side up on the table - why you'll be glad you did

fromZDNET
12 hours ago
Privacy technologies

I left Google Maps behind for a free alternative that doesn't track me (or drain my phone battery)

fromZDNET
7 hours ago
Digital life

Stop putting your phone screen-side up on the table - why you'll be glad you did

fromZDNET
12 hours ago
Privacy technologies

I left Google Maps behind for a free alternative that doesn't track me (or drain my phone battery)

Wellness
fromBusiness Insider
20 hours ago

Martha Stewart, 84, still works out every weekday - and says her routine hasn't changed much in decades

Martha Stewart, 84, maintains a consistent fitness routine centered on Pilates, strength training, walking, gardening, and morning green juice.
Digital life
fromZDNET
9 hours ago

I'm a tech reviewer, and these 5 tech gadgets surprised me the most in 2025

Five 2025 gadgets—including Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Huawei FreeClips 2—deliver refined design, improved battery life, comfort, and dependable overall usability.
Wellness
fromPsychology Today
2 hours ago

Leave Diet Culture Behind and Reclaim Your Life

Diet culture equates worth with thinness, demonizes food, and harms physical health, mental well-being, and social connection.
Digital life
fromThe Nation
15 hours ago

Are Cell Phones to Blame for the Youth Loneliness Epidemic?

Cell phones embody an isolated yet always connected lifestyle and serve as portals to monetized digital worlds that depend on and amplify youth loneliness.
Wellness
fromMiami Herald
4 hours ago

How to Tell If That Probiotic Drink Is Actually Worth Your Money Or Just Expensive Marketing

High consumer interest in gut health coincides with widespread misunderstanding of the microbiome, prompting confusion and potentially wasteful spending on marketed products.
OMG science
fromwww.scientificamerican.com
4 days ago

Is the Klein Bottle the Perfect Holiday Gift for Math Fans?

A Mobius strip is a nonorientable band with a single surface and edge, producing unique mathematical, physical, and practical implications such as slower-wearing conveyor belts.
OMG science
fromLondon Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
2 weeks 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.
EU data protection
fromTheregister
14 hours ago

Europe gets serious about cutting US digital umbilical chord

Europe's digital sovereignty is undermined by reliance on US cloud infrastructure and the US CLOUD Act, creating legal conflicts that prevent GDPR-compliant data control.
EU data protection
fromTheregister
10 hours ago

EU offers UK early gift: Data adequacy until 2031

EU renews data adequacy with the United Kingdom, permitting GDPR-compliant personal data flows between the EEA and UK until 27 December 2031.
UX design
fromMedium
1 day ago

Data-intensive apps for work don't need to be UX-hostile and butt-ugly

Poor design makes data-intensive enterprise, healthcare, and public-sector apps unusable; applying user research, information architecture, design patterns, and plain language makes them actionable.
UX design
fromMedium
2 days ago

UX portfolio: Using craft and AI to rise beyond the crowd

UX portfolios should prioritize clear reasoning, decision-making, collaboration, and measurable outcomes over visual decoration to communicate value quickly.
UX design
fromMedium
6 days ago

Part I: From scenic to semantic

Design must shift from scenic, path-driven interfaces to semantic, intent-aware systems where AI interprets user meaning and provides contextual responses.
Privacy professionals
fromData Matters Privacy Blog
4 hours ago

The 12th Edition of Lexology In-Depth: Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity is now available | Data Matters Privacy Blog

Comprehensive global overview of legal and regulatory regimes governing data privacy, covering processors' obligations, data subject rights, transfers, cyber-risk mitigation, enforcement, and future developments.
EU data protection
fromeuronews
13 hours ago

Italy hits Apple with 98m fine over app tracking policy

Italy's competition authority fined Apple €98 million for abusing App Store dominance by imposing App Tracking Transparency rules that unfairly burden app developers.
Privacy professionals
fromThe Drum
3 hours ago

Data deluge: 'Marketers (treated it like) a candy shop... it was too much'

Marketers must prioritize consented, trust-based data and embed privacy into the user experience to convert compliance into competitive advantage.
Privacy professionals
fromBloomberglaw
10 hours ago

Horizontal Integration Evades Worker's Lawsuit Over Data Breach

A former Horizontal Integration employee lacked legal standing to sue after failing to allege that his personal information was compromised in the July 2024 data breach.
Media industry
fromAdvocate.com
44 minutes ago

All about the infamous CECOT prison - on which CBS's Bari Weiss pulled a story

Bari Weiss halted a 60 Minutes CECOT prison report for alleged unreadiness; reporter Sharyn Alfonsi says it was legally cleared and calls the pull political.
Books
fromThe Mercury News
1 hour ago

Former Alameda author Tracey returning to town to discuss new book

A forty-something librarian takes a prairie pilgrimage, falls in love, confronts her mother, and uses footnotes to break narration and engage readers.
Books
fromwww.eastbaytimes.com
1 hour ago

Former Alameda author Tracey returning to town to discuss new book

Nelly, a single librarian in her 40s, travels to a Laura Ingalls Wilder site, discovers prairie realities, falls in love, and confronts her overbearing mother.
Environment
fromwww.bbc.com
51 minutes ago

The showers and baths keeping data centre tech cool

Data-centre chips require advanced liquid cooling to manage intense heat, enable constant overclocking, and mitigate environmental and operational risks amid rising demand.
#antisemitism
Food & drink
fromTasting Table
1 hour ago

Boston Market's Worst Frozen Meal Is A Textural Disaster - Tasting Table

Boston Market's frozen meatloaf and mashed potatoes have poor texture and flavor, ranking as the worst among nine frozen Boston Market dinners.
Food & drink
fromTasting Table
51 minutes ago

8 Gas Station Chains With The Best Pizza, According To Customer Reviews - Tasting Table

Several gas station chains serve unexpectedly high-quality pizza, with some locations offering pies good enough to order whole pizzas like dedicated pizzerias.
Artificial intelligence
fromInfoWorld
15 hours ago

6 AI breakthroughs that will define 2026

Improved context windows and memory, combined with self-verification, will enable autonomous, scalable agentic AI that uses English natural language for coding and long-term tasks.
Marketing tech
fromMarTech
11 hours ago

What efficiency-first martech gets wrong about creativity | MarTech

Marketing technology increases output and efficiency but often undermines creativity by creating cognitive load, data friction, and unused complexity that prioritizes volume over value.
Marketing tech
fromAdExchanger
20 hours ago

Programmatic's Transparency Problem; ChatGPT Backs Into An SDK | AdExchanger

Ad tech suffers distrust and opacity while platform giants dominate ad spend; ChatGPT builds an app store and Axel Springer seeks digital media acquisitions.
Information security
fromThe Hacker News
12 hours ago

Weekly Recap: Firewall Exploits, AI Data Theft, Android Hacks, APT Attacks, Insider Leaks & More

Attackers increasingly exploit trusted infrastructure and everyday tools—firewalls, browser extensions, and smart devices—to create numerous low-profile breaches from unpatched or overlooked systems.
Writing
fromBustle
4 hours ago

The Author Of 'Hamnet' Once Got An Hour-Long Voice Note From Chloe Zhao

Maggie O'Farrell and Chloé Zhao condensed a 400-page novel into a 100-page screenplay, blending Zhao's voice-note-driven approach with O'Farrell's solitary, prose-focused sensibility.
Social media marketing
fromForbes
12 hours ago

Social Media Marketing For Real Estate: Key Strategies For Success

Audience-tailored social media marketing generates high-intent real estate leads and builds relationships that close deals, outperforming other technologies for lead attraction.
Social media marketing
fromLindsey Gamble
1 day ago

10 Trends That Shaped the Creator Economy in 2025 - Lindsey Gamble

Creator-driven platforms will surpass traditional media in ad revenue, forcing legacy outlets to adopt personality-led, short-form, and creator-centric strategies.
Information security
fromThe Hacker News
7 hours ago

Fake WhatsApp API Package on npm Steals Messages, Contacts, and Login Tokens

A malicious npm package named 'lotusbail' functions as a WhatsApp API while stealing authentication tokens, messages, contacts, media, and creating persistent account access.
Information security
fromTheregister
3 hours ago

Poisoned WhatsApp API package steals messages and accounts

A malicious npm package named lotusbail functions as a WhatsApp Web API, steals authentication tokens, messages, contacts, media, and backdoors user accounts.
Food & drink
fromTasting Table
11 hours ago

The Hot Dog In Pensacola That Comes Topped With Fruity Pebbles And Sriracha - Tasting Table

A Pensacola eatery tops hot dogs with sweet cereals and bold condiments, creating surprising sweet-savory-crunch combinations that appeal visually and flavorfully.
Marketing tech
fromThe Drum
11 hours ago

Influencer commits to guaranteeing business results with appointment of head of paid media

Influencer appointed Maya Jundi head of paid media and guarantees clients maximum ROAS with refunds if agreed outcomes are unmet.
#remote-work
fromTODAY.com
2 days ago
Remote teams

Would Parents Rather Work Remote for $120K or In Office for $240K? The Internet Is Divided

fromTODAY.com
2 days ago
Remote teams

Would Parents Rather Work Remote for $120K or In Office for $240K? The Internet Is Divided

Major League Baseball
fromDodger Blue
10 hours ago

Teoscar Hernandez Calls Wrigley Field Most Iconic Ballpark In MLB

Wrigley Field remains an iconic MLB ballpark admired by players like Teoscar Hernández, who idolized Sammy Sosa and withdrew from WBC 2026 for health.
Writing
fromAnildash
2 weeks ago

They have to be able to talk about us without us - Anil Dash

Effective communication to large groups is vital and achievable across diverse domains using transferable skills despite challenges in reaching every audience member.
Social media marketing
fromThe Drum
2 hours ago

What was social media's 'word of the year' for 2025?

The word 'aura' dominated 2025 social media, jumping to 31.9 billion impressions and becoming a global cultural and marketing phenomenon.
Major League Baseball
fromDodgers Nation
1 hour ago

Dodgers Star Mookie Betts Invests in Baseball Entertainment Company

Mookie Betts leverages athletic versatility and invests in Home Run Dugout to expand baseball accessibility through batting-simulator entertainment.
fromZacks
5 hours ago

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot.
Privacy technologies
fromZDNET
11 hours ago

What are passkeys really? The simple explanation - for anyone tired of passwords

Passkeys replace passwords, enabling biometric, phishing-resistant sign-ins that sync across devices for easier, more secure authentication.
Writing
fromDefector
9 hours ago

The Crossword, Dec. 22: Spinning Tops | Defector

Rebecca Goldstein and Rachel Fabi constructed the Monday crossword, edited by Hoang-Kim Vu; Defector crosswords run every Monday with submission guidelines available.
Europe news
fromwww.dw.com
2 days ago

Ukraine battles new Russian incursion in Sumy region DW 12/21/2025

Ukrainian forces are resisting a new Russian incursion in Sumy while diplomats meet in Miami to discuss a US peace plan and European consultations.
Wine
fromTasting Table
2 days ago

What To Look For If You Want A Buttery Chardonnay - Tasting Table

Buttery chardonnays gain creamy, buttery flavor primarily through malolactic conversion, producing aromas of brioche, ripe yellow apples, and pears.
Europe news
fromwww.aljazeera.com
4 days ago

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,394

Ukrainian and Russian strikes killed civilians, devastated energy infrastructure leaving 180,000 without power across regions, and Russia deployed a new Oreshnik hypersonic missile.
Wine
fromSan Francisco Bay Times
4 days ago

Wine Trends for 2026 - San Francisco Bay Times

Wine trends for 2026 include preservation technology, low/no-alcohol options, and Zebra Drinking habits that support varied, moderated consumption.
Wine
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

A fresh take on wine pairings for Christmas dessert

Fortified and sweet dessert wines—LBV port, Pedro Ximenez sherry, recioto della Valpolicella, rivesaltes and banyuls—make excellent after-dinner drinks and pair beautifully with cheese and chocolate.
Europe news
fromwww.npr.org
5 days ago

A photographer discovers miles of dinosaur tracks near Italy's Winter Olympic venues

Thousands of Late Triassic dinosaur tracks were discovered on nearly vertical dolomite walls in Stelvio National Park between Livigno and Bormio in the central Alps.
#liverpool
#manchester-city
fromBluemoon
19 minutes ago
Manchester City

Manchester City vs West Ham United: Blues without seven first-team players for visit of Hammers

fromBluemoon
19 minutes ago
Manchester City

Manchester City vs West Ham United: Blues without seven first-team players for visit of Hammers

LGBT
fromAdvocate.com
1 hour ago

Daily newsletter 12/22

Massachusetts removed foster-parent non-discrimination rules protecting LGBTQ+ youth; the FDA warned chest-binder sellers; a Texas judge sued to challenge marriage equality; related political and cultural controversies continued.
New York Islanders
fromEyes On Isles
1 hour ago

NY Islanders not taking any chances with nagging Ilya Sorokin injury concern

Islanders rested Ilya Sorokin and Bo Horvat for the holiday break, starting David Rittich and recalling Marcus Hogberg as emergency insurance to prioritize long-term health.
FC Barcelona
fromBarca Blaugranes
1 hour ago

Hamza Abdelkarim eager to make Barcelona move as talks continue with Al-Ahly

Hamza Abdelkarim wants to join Barcelona this winter, but Al-Ahly demand higher fees, significant performance variables, and a 20% future sell-on clause.
Miami
fromMLB Trade Rumors
37 minutes ago

Ronny Henriquez Undergoes UCL Surgery

Ronny Henriquez underwent UCL reconstruction with an internal brace and will miss the entire 2026 season, leaving the Marlins thin in late-inning relief.
Film
fromwww.independent.co.uk
5 hours ago

Is Die Hard a Christmas film? The Independent finally settles the argument

Die Hard's classification as a Christmas movie is debated despite its Christmas Eve setting; the 1988 Bruce Willis action film is evaluated for festive-classic status.
SF politics
fromsfist.com
3 hours ago

Supervisor Mahmood Calls For Hearings Into Waymo After This Weekend's Mass-Stalling Shambles

Waymo autonomous vehicles stalled at intersections during a San Francisco PG&E power outage, causing gridlock and prompting calls for official probes into their safety.
Film
fromPortland Mercury
49 minutes ago

Film Critic Dom Sinacola on His 10 Favorite Features of 2025, and Where You Can Watch Them

Portland's independent cinemas maintain a vibrant repertory culture despite studio consolidation, shrinking theatrical windows, and the rise of streaming platforms.
New York City
fromThe Verge
1 hour ago

The 60 Minutes report on CECOT that Bari Weiss censored is now internet contraband

CBS News pulled a 60 Minutes segment about deported men sent to El Salvador's CECOT prison; it surfaced online showing alleged torture.
#toronto-maple-leafs
Film
fromwww.independent.co.uk
14 hours ago

James Ransone, actor who starred in The Wire and It 2, dies aged 46

Actor James Ransone died by suicide at 46; known for The Wire, Generation Kill and horror films, survived by his wife and two children.
Gadgets
fromZDNET
30 minutes ago

This $12 gadget quietly became the most useful thing on my keychain - here's how

The DotterPod Mini iSesamo Spudger is a durable, versatile keychain tool that reliably opens gadgets and handles everyday tasks without damaging components.
New York City
fromTime Out New York
2 hours ago

Mamdani is throwing a massive block party to celebrate his January 2026 inauguration and you can attend

Zohran Mamdani will be inaugurated as New York City mayor on January 1, 2026 with a seven-block Broadway street party for 40,000 spectators.
[ Load more ]