The following is a rundown of the day’s news drawn from other media sources with topics curated just for Money and Markets readers: Christmas dysfunction, personal security and freedom, and world news.
Christmas delivery drama
Late Surge in Web Buying Blindsides UPS
Americans tend to go online for a bigger proportion of their Christmas shopping than for their buying during the rest of the year. This year, the trend’s acceleration apparently took some stores and carriers off-guard.
Thousands of UPS Packages Will Arrive After Christmas
“I feel bad because I see that UPS workers are being worked to the bone. There is something that needs to be done higher up. They shouldn’t be promising something they can’t deliver.”
FedEx Scrambles to Deliver Delayed Christmas Packages
“Our 300,000 team members were focused on safely delivering our customers packages this holiday season and we are proud of their efforts. We operated with very high service levels — over 99 percent at FedEx Ground, for example — during our busiest time of the year.”
Senator Urges Refunds for Late Gifts
“I am disappointed to learn that so many consumers in Connecticut and across the country made purchases this holiday season expecting their gifts to arrive in time for Christmas, but instead were left empty-handed,” Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal said.
‘Reverse Shopping’ Lays Bare the Ongoing Struggle in the U.S.
“You may want to consider returning some of your unopened purchases that may not seem as appealing as they did,” said a website set up for employees. “Selling some of your unwanted possessions on eBay or Craigslist could bring in some quick cash.”
Personal security and freedom
Hospital Bans Christmas Carolers from Singing Religious Songs
“This is not a religious proselytizing, evangelistic issue. Christmas songs are broadcast during the holidays on area radio stations and in local retail outlets. The song “Joy to the World” is as much a part of the holiday spirit as the Christmas tree.
Professor Admits Faking AIDS Vaccine to Get $19 Million in Grants
Dr. Dong-Pyou Han spiked a clinical test sample with healthy human blood to make it appear that the rabbit serum produced disease-fighting antibodies, officials said.
Wall Street Adviser Recommends Guns, Ammo for Protection in Collapse
David John Marotta, a Wall Street expert and financial adviser and Forbes contributor, said in a note to investors: “Firearms are the last item on the list, but they are on the list. There are some terrible people in this world. And you are safer when your trusted neighbors have firearms.”
Woman Arrested for Stealing Toys Donated to Neighbors
On Christmas Eve, police say a 49-year-old woman gave neighbors a ride to pick up donated toys for their five children at the Independence House. The victims say she abruptly left the Independence House without them after filling her trunk with approximately $500 worth of toys.
Citizens Take Law into Own Hands After Oregon County Guts Sheriff’s Office
The major crimes unit closed, dozens of prisoners were released from the county jail and the department reduced operations to Monday-Friday, eight hours a day.
World news
Chinese State Media Touts New Bomber That Can Nuke U.S. Bases
“With a range of between 1,500 and 2,000 kilometers, the CJ-10 meets the requirements of the PLA Air Force to possess the capability to launch strategic missile attacks against U.S. military facilities and those of its allies in the Western Pacific,” states the report.
Arafat’s Death Not Caused by Radiation
Last month, Swiss scientists said they had detected high levels of radioactive polonium but could not say if it had caused his death. A French inquiry is also said to have found he was not a victim of poisoning.
Egypt’s Government Declares Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Organization
The announcement was a stunning blow to the decades-old Islamist organization, which survived for years in the shadows and in prison cells under then-President Hosni Mubarak but reached the height of political power after his ouster in the 2011 uprising.
Iran Says It Is Developing New Centrifuges
Under a deal reached last month in Geneva, Iran promised not to bring new centrifuges into operation for six months, part of temporary limitations on its uranium enrichment program in return for the easing of some sanctions. But the deal does not stop it from developing centrifuges.
Okinawa Governor Gives Go-Ahead for New U.S. Base
“What the governor has done is unforgivable,” said Yuichi Higa, the head of the assembly in Nago city, where the new base is to be built. “Residents who are opposed will surely resort to the use of force, such as blocking roads to stop this from happening.”
Best wishes,
The Money and Markets Team
