Plus, US government shutdown averted at the last minute

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Good morning,

In case you were busy filling up on eggnog instead of catching up on the news this weekend: The U.S. government avoided a shutdown.

On Saturday, President Biden signed a funding bill extending government operations through March 14.
- Yes, that was past the Friday night deadline. But, since both chambers of Congress passed the bill before midnight all operations continued.
- The measure extends current government funding, provides $100 billion in disaster relief funds, and allocates $10 billion in aid to farmers.
So what’s the difference? Republicans trimmed the original 1,500+ page bill down to 120 pages. Some of the add-on legislation, including health care reforms, a crackdown on junk fees, pay raises for lawmakers, and restrictions to deep-fake porn were cut from the legislation.
- It also does not include President-elect Trump’s last-minute demand to suspend the debt ceiling.
- Other measures, like millions in funding for pediatric cancer research and changes to a Washington, D.C. football stadium site’s lease were passed as separate legislation.
Bottom line: House Republicans will maintain a slim majority in 2025 and the Senate will flip to GOP control. But, this bill was passed with more Democratic support than Republican. The chaos of last week may just be a preview of the challenges ahead.

This will be our last newsletter this week, and we’ll be back on the 30th!

We wish you happy holidays ❤️

Mosheh, Jill, Sari, & Lauren

PS: Don’t forget to lock in a Mo News Premium annual membership at 2024 prices before they go up in 2025!

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🗞 2025 LOOK AHEAD: WHAT WE’LL BE PAYING ATTENTION TO IN THE NEWS

With all of its highs and lows, 2024 has been a year to remember. As we look back, we’re also looking ahead, to how this year’s biggest stories will shape headlines next year. (At least, the ones we can predict — curveballs expected!)

Want to take a walk down memory lane? Here’s what we thought 2024 would look like one year ago today!

🇺🇸 POLITICS PREDICTIONS
2024 was the year of elections — and it delivered some once in a generation surprises. The assassination attempt against then-candidate Donald Trump, followed by President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the presidential race… 2024 brought shocking political headlines that will reverberate into 2025.

Watching Trump’s New Administration: Trump has nominated key allies to his cabinet, and former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal as attorney general might not be the only candidate to go down.

Republicans hold a 53–47 edge in the Senate, but figures like Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and RFK Jr. face uphill battles for Senate confirmation.

We will watch Trump’s first 100 days in office – a symbolic marker that gives Americans an indication if he will act on campaign promises. He takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.

Trump is expected to focus primarily on a massive fiscal package, tax cuts, tariffs, large-scale deportations, negotiating an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, bringing hostages home from Gaza, and pardoning Jan. 6 defendants.
- Another person Trump said he would consider pardoning: New York Mayor Eric Adams. The Democrat — who could switch parties? — faces a corruption trial set to begin April 21. If Adams makes it through local primaries a couple months later, could he be the first indicted mayor to get reelected? It did not stop Trump!

Then there’s the Trump administration wild card: Elon Musk. The richest man in the world backed Trump after the Pennsylvania assassination attempt, pouring nearly $300 million into GOP elections. Since Trump’s victory, he has been by the president-elect’s side – spending most of his days and nights at Mar-A-Lago – and using his access to shape politics and policy.

Aside from being crowned co-head of the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency, he has also been called Trump’s “First Buddy.”
Since the election, Musk’s wealth has grown by an additional $170 billion.
But will the relationship last? Trump is known to cut ties with allies if they appear to be more powerful than him, and Musk seems to be teetering the line these days… We’re not sure Musk has the restraint to stay in Trump’s good graces.

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Alongside the incoming Trump administration, newly elected leaders across the globe are stepping into office with major challenges, including inflation and other economic issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic that began five years ago. In addition, from the U.S. southern border to Europe’s refugee crisis, immigration continues to test policies, infrastructure, and international cooperation.

JP Morgan predicts that the global economy will experience “robust growth” in 2025, with the exception of a sharp slowdown in China.
The Hague will host the NATO summit for the first time. We’ll be watching Trump’s stance on U.S. membership and Ukraine’s hopes to join.

Wars in the region: Speaking of Ukraine, Feb. 24 will mark three years of fighting against Russia’s invasion.

Zelensky and Putin have both said they are open to negotiating a peace deal.
The other major war in the world, between Israel and Hamas, revealed Israel’s technological and tactical prowess in 2024. The IDF wiped out top leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah, and even an Iranian general.
- The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ally Hezbollah brought hope of a larger regional deal. Officials are said to be edging closer to an agreement that could lead to de-escalation of the war in Gaza, and a return of some of the 100 remaining hostages (including 7 Americans). We’re watching to see if that happens before Trump takes office.
We’ll also be monitoring Syria’s rebuilding, following the end of its 13-year civil war and the brutal 50-year Assad regime. Will its new leaders, the rebel group HTS, stand by its more moderate tone? And if so, will the U.S. take the group off its terrorist list?

📲 TECH-TONIC SHIFTS

AI: In the world’s third year using Artificial Intelligence en masse, the technology will further integrate into daily life in 2025 — from TVs and cars to grocery stores.

Business leaders have invested in AI to boost productivity and customer service, but workers are lagging behind in its adoption and usage — that could change next year.
Apple launched its AI assistant, "Apple Intelligence," and released its Vision Pro headset in 2024. Next year, we expect more powerful Macs and possibly a cheaper, thinner iPhone.

Tech and Kids: From discussions sparked by the book The Anxious Generation about kids and social media, to Gen Z’s fascination with Luigi Mangione, 2024 brought critical conversations about technology’s impact on youth to the forefront.

The TikTok ban is set to go into effect Jan. 19 if ByteDance does not divest. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on it Jan. 10.

Even if the law goes into effect, Trump could decide not to enforce it.
- Despite trying to ban the app his first term, Trump has met with TikTok’s CEO and has indicated he does not want Meta to benefit from banning TikTok.

🔬 SCIENCE FORECASTS

NASA: Will the two American astronauts, who were meant to spend eight days in space, finally come home in 2025?

Due to issues with Boeing’s spacecraft, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’s return to Earth has been moved again to March… or April. We hope they packed enough underwear 😉
In July, there will be a solar maximum — the middle of the solar cycle when the sun is most active — which happens every 11 years.
- It can bring brilliant auroras, but also potential electrical outages.

Climate: 2024 will be the hottest year ever and broke a Paris Climate threshold for the first time. 2025 is expected to be slightly cooler, but extreme weather events are not expected to slow.

While the Trump administration plans to “drill baby drill” for fossil fuels, the world is projected to see a significant increase in renewable energy usage in 2025 as well – with solar and wind power contributing to a large portion.

📺 ENTERTAINMENT WORLD

Movies: 2024 saw two billion-dollar box-office films: “Inside Out 2,” which became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, and “Deadpool & Wolverine.”

Global box office revenue is expected to hit $33 billion in 2025 — a projected 8% increase from 2024.
What’s on the docket: “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” expected to be the biggest grossing film of 2025, will hit theaters Dec. 19. Sequels to “Mission: Impossible,” “Jurassic World,” “Zootopia,” and (of course) “Wicked” are expecting big numbers.

Sports: Streaming platforms will continue to gamble on live events. Mike Tyson’s fight with Jake Paul this year was the most-streamed sporting event ever.

On that note, if you can’t make it to Mexico in January to watch the first Formula E race (an electric car racing series), you can stream it.

Music: Taylor Swift wrapped her historic Eras Tour in 2024. We don’t predict anything in 2025 to bring in that much $, but Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar + SZA will be on tour.

On American Independence Day we will see if the brothers in the band Oasis officially reunite, 15 years after their split, or if they will stay… independent.
In Vegas, Black Eyed Peas will debut a Taylor Swift-inspired AI member onstage.

Plus…

Lawsuits: Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial is set to begin on May 5, 2025. Jay Z was recently accused of rape as part of the lawsuit. Will more celebrities be revealed?
Celeb look-alike contests exploded in 2024 — from Timothée Chalamet to Jason Kelce.
Engagements? Speaking of the Kelce family… We’re just putting it out here: Taylor and Travis 2025?

⏳ SPEED READ

🚨NATION

📌 Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal (AP)

📌 Senate confirms Biden's 235th judge, beating Trump's record (NBC)

📌 ‘Missing’ GOP congresswoman not seen for six months finally found living at dementia care home (GATEWAY)

📌 Top-ranking NYPD officer abruptly resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations (AP)

📌 Lara Trump withdraws name from consideration for US Senate (BBC)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

📌 Germans mourn the 5 killed and 200 injured in the attack on a Christmas market (NPR) Anti-immigrant anger rises at scene of attack (CNN)

📌 Biden approves $571M in defense support for Taiwan (FOX) China says US is ‘playing with fire’ (AP)

📌 Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident (FOX)

📌 Cyclone Chido kills 94 people in Mozambique (BBC)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

📌 Party City to close its stores as company files for bankruptcy (AP)

📌 FDA updates the definition of 'healthy' foods (ABC)

📌 When people finish holiday shopping (AXIOS)

📌 FDA approves weight loss drug Zepbound to treat obstructive sleep apnea (NPR)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

📌 Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation (NBC)

📌 Colin Jost, Michael Che get personal with annual SNL joke swap (DEADLINE)

📌 ‘The Lion King’ prequel scores $87 million internationally, $122 million globally (VARIETY)

📌 Charlie Woods hits hole-in-one at PNC Championship in front of dad Tiger (USA TODAY)

🗓 ON THIS DAY: DECEMBER 23

1815: British author Jane Austen published her fourth novel, Emma. The story follows a precocious young woman whose overconfidence in her matchmaking abilities leads to several romantic misadventures.
1823: The poem “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” was published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel in New York. Later popularly known as “The Night Before Christmas”, the poem was eventually attributed to Clement C. Moore.
1972: In one of the greatest plays in NFL history, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Oakland Raiders, 13–7, in a playoff game. Rookie running back Franco Harris completed the "Immaculate Reception" play, catching a deflected pass and scoring the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds.
1987: The film “Good Morning, Vietnam,” starring Robin Williams, premiered in theaters.