p dir=”ltr”>President Trump has announced the Navy will begin building a new class of warship named after himself. A federal judge has ruled the deportations of more than 100 Venezuelan men to El Salvador were illegal. And, a number of staff members have left the think tank behind Project 2025 to join a group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence.
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p dir=”ltr”>(00:00) Introduction (04:09) Trump Announces ‘Golden Fleet’ (07:56) Judge Rules Deportations Illegal (11:45) Heritage Foundation Exodus
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p dir=”ltr”>Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
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p dir=”ltr”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Anna Yukhananov, Jason Breslow, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woefle.
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p dir=”ltr”>It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
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p dir=”ltr”>We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.
For a long time, if you wanted to watch a movie on TV at home for free, you simply had to watch with a few commercials.
Well, if you don’t feel like shelling out the money for Netflix or HBO Max, you’re in luck: movies with ads still exist, they’re just on ad-supported streamers.
Platforms like Tubi, Pluto TV and even YouTube carry thousands of quality free movies in their libraries. This December, Watch With Us is highlighting some of the best.
Whether you want a big-budget comedy like Barbie or a prestige superhero movie like Batman Begins, you can watch it all for free at your fingertips.
Barbie (Margot Robbie) lives in the perfect dreamworld of Barbieland, where Barbies hold positions of power while all the Kens have to do is spend their days at the beach. However, when Barbie starts to experience an uncharacteristic existential crisis, she learns she must travel to the real world to see what’s going on with the girl who’s playing with her. Accompanied by a Ken (Ryan Gosling), Barbie searches for her owner while Ken gets some unsavory ideas about a newfangled concept called “the patriarchy.”
The Barbie phenomenon was certainly helped a bit by the “Barbenheimer” double-feature craze back in 2023, but make no mistake — Barbie is a fantastic and ingenious comedy film with or without the help of Christopher Nolan. Robbie and Gosling are the film’s standouts (Gosling in particular able to show off his comedic chops), but the entire cast works wonders: Will Ferrell,Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu andMichael Ceraall give hilarious performances.
Thirty-five years following the events of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049 stars Ryan Gosling now stars in this sequel as LAPD Officer K, who hunts down and kills rogue replicant models — while also being a replicant himself. When K discovers a box containing shocking information following a mission, it threatens to destabilize the relationship between humans and replicants. K’s discovery is linked to missing blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), whom he goes on a quest to find.
While Blade Runner 2049 didn’t do so great at the box office, it was critically acclaimed and received a number of Academy Award nominations, winning two: Best Cinematography for Roger Deakins and Best Special Visual Effects. Ultimately, director Denis Villeneuve (Dune) expands upon Blade Runner in thoughtful and exciting ways, and the film manages to be an impressive visual feat distinct from the original as well.
The final installment in Daniel Craig‘s iteration as James Bond sees 007 finally leading a peaceful life in Jamaica, having since left active service in MI6. But, of course, that respite is merely momentary, and Bond is pulled back into his former work when an old CIA friend (Jeffrey Wright) shows up in need of his help. Bond must rescue a kidnapped scientist, but the mission becomes more arduous than expected and sends him down a dangerous path.
This epic conclusion to Craig’s chapter as Bond was met with warm response from fans and critics, praising the film not only for its exciting action sequences and slick style, but its ability to oscillate between comedy, drama, horror and romance with ease. In the end, the thrilling and visually stunning film is a fitting sendoff to Craig that ends up being far more moving than most people might expect.
This Batman origin story follows Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) from developing a fear of bats to his parents’ grisly murders, to his time in Bhutan training with the League of Shadows. But when he discovers the League’s intent to destroy the “corrupt” Gotham, he returns to the city intent on cleaning up crime sans killing. With the help of his butler (Michael Caine) and tech expert Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), Batman takes on bad guys like the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy).
Christopher Nolan’s take on Batman is credited with having revitalized the character after the poor showing in Batman & Robin from 1997. Nolan moved away from the camp of Joel Schumacher and the gothic kink of Tim Burton and turned Batman into a prestige drama film — and it paid off. Critics applauded Batman Begins for understanding the core of the character while bringing him into exciting and intelligent new territory. In the end, Batman Begins spawned a legendary trilogy.
The grand conclusion to the John Wick story (or is it?), John Wick: Chapter 4 follows the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 —Parabellum. Wick (Keanu Reeves) hides out in New York City with the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) as he recovers from having been shot. Now seeking revenge against the High Table, who want him dead, the price on Wick’s head grows higher and higher. But Wick’s final battle now goes global, as he finds himself targeted by assassins around the world in service of a powerful enemy.
John Wick: Chapter 4 manages to be more grandiose, violent and excessive than the previous three John Wick films, and yet the movie doesn’t suffer for it. Instead, this fourth film in the action franchise proves that there can never be too much when it comes to watching Keanu Reeves’ kick people’s butts. With fantastic set pieces, mesmerizing fight choreography, and genuinely solid performances, John Wick: Chapter 4 stands as a highlight in modern action blockbuster filmmaking.
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The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. is one step closer to being called the Trump-Kennedy Center.
On December 18, 2025, the White House confirmed the board of the Kennedy Center voted to rename the building that is in honor of President John F. Kennedy.
“I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center, some of the most successful people from all parts of the world, have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote via X at the time. “Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation. Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur.”
Soon after the news broke, several Kennedy family members spoke out against the board’s decision.
Maria Shriver questioned why Trump has been so interested in having his name be part of the cultural center.
“Next thing perhaps he will want to rename JFK Airport, rename the Lincoln Memorial, the Trump Lincoln Memorial. The Trump Jefferson Memorial. The Trump Smithsonian. The list goes on,” she wrote via Instagram. “Can we not see what is happening here? C’mon, my fellow Americans! Wake up! This is not dignified. This is not funny. This is way beneath the stature of the job. It’s downright weird. It’s obsessive in a weird way. Just when you think someone can’t stoop any lower, down they go…”
According to NBC News, Trump told reporters at the White House that he was “surprised” and “honored” by the board’s vote.
Keep reading to see how other Kennedy family members reacted to the news:
Jack Schlossberg
Jack SchlossbergJoseph Prezioso / AFP
JFK’s only grandson vowed to fight back against the Kennedy Center’s new name.
“SEND ME TO CONGRESS TO SMOKE THESE FOOLS — MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR,” Schlossberg, who is running for New York’s 12th Congressional District, said via Instagram on December 18, 2025. “I won’t back down or be drowned out.”
Joe Kennedy III
After seeing Leavitt’s announcement about the Kennedy Center, JFK’s nephew decided to speak out on social media.
“The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law,” he wrote via X on December 18, 2025. “It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.”
Maria Shriver
Maria ShriverEmma McIntyre/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media Foundation
The journalist and niece of JFK expressed her disappointment at the Kennedy Center being renamed to the Trump-Kennedy Center.
“The Kennedy Center was named after my uncle, President John F Kennedy. It was named in his honor. He was a man who was interested in the arts, interested in culture, interested in education, language, history,” she wrote via Instagram on December 18, 2025. “He brought the arts into the White House, and he and my Aunt Jackie [Kennedy Onassis] amplified the arts, celebrated the arts, stood up for the arts and artists.”
Shriver continued, “It is beyond comprehension that this sitting president has sought to rename this great memorial dedicated to President Kennedy. It is beyond wild that he would think adding his name in front of President Kennedy’s name is acceptable. It is not.”
After workers installed Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center building, Shriver spoke out again.
“This will always be the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” she wrote via Instagram later that month. “A great man would have said to his hand picked board, ‘Thank you, but the building already has its name. Let it stand. Let it be. I don’t need that.’ But then again…”
Kerry Kennedy
“President Trump and his administration have spent the past year repressing free expression, targeting artists, journalists, and comedians and erasing the history of Americans whose contributions made our nation better and more just,” JFK’s niece Kerry wrote via X on December 18, 2025. “President Kennedy proudly stood for justice, peace, equality, dignity, diversity, and compassion for those who suffer. President Trump stands in opposition to these values, and his name should not be placed alongside President Kennedy’s.”
One day later, Kerry reacted to Trump’s name being installed on the building.
“Three years and one month from today, I’m going to grab a pickax and pull those letters off that building, but I’m going to need help holding the ladder,” she wrote via X. “Are you in? Applying for my carpenter’s card today, so it’ll be a union job!!!”
“Perhaps the board isn’t aware that the Kennedy Center is 𝗧𝗛𝗘 memorial to the president of the United States, John F. Kennedy. Would they rename the Lincoln memorial? The Jefferson? That would be an insult to great presidents. This too is an insult to a great president,” JFK’s nephew Tim wrote via X in December 2025. “ Notwithstanding their short-sighted action, it is and will remain the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.”
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We’re embracing the festive spirit this summer, and from 4 to 19 December 2025, you can win some of the best experiences in Cape Town.
Win a R5000 V&A Waterfront gift voucher, R3000 dining voucher at Coy Restaurant, and one-night stay for 2 people at the Radisson RED Hotel valued at R2750.
The V&A Waterfront is one of Africa’s most visited destinations. Set in South Africa’s oldest working harbour, with the majestic Table Mountain as its backdrop, this iconic destination is a firm favourite among locals and international travellers.
Start your adventure with a R5000 shopping spree, giving you access to hundreds of stores, restaurants and attractions across this world-class neighbourhood.
Then tuck into a fine-dining feast at Coy Restaurant, overlooking spectacular Table Mountain views. Then unwind with a one-night stay for two at the Radisson RED Hotel in the heart of the Silo District.
The competition ends on 19 December 2025, at 23:59 pm SAST. The winner will be announced on Monday, 22 December, at 9am.
The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
Gift vouchers cannot be redeemed for cash.
The hotel stay prize at Radisson RED Hotel can be redeemed between May 2026 and September 2026. The stay is subject to availability and is not valid over block out dates.
The hotel stay is for two guests in a Mountain View room with breakfast.
In addition to the above, please view our T’s and C’s here.
Investigation Discovery’s The Curious Case of… is coming back with a new set of episodes for season 2. While season 1 shared new insight and firsthand experiences from the people who knew most about the Natalia Grace case, the sophomore season is expected to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as the team dives into a handful of new surprising cases.
In anticipation of the show’s return, Us Weekly details what the true crime show is about, shares a glimpse into the cases that will be broken down and reveals when the new episodes will air.
Investigation Discovery Announces Season 2 of ‘The Curious Case of…’
Investigation Discovery announced that The Curious Case of … is coming back with eight new episodes in early 2026.
The new episodes promise to tackle bizarre cases filled with twists and shocking revelations as they’re told through first-hand accounts by those who know the stories best. Guided by legal analyst and expert Beth Karas, the new season will take an even deeper look into shocking crimes full of deception and obsession.
“When we launched The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, we never could have imagined how that story would take the world by storm, sparking headlines everywhere and even inspiring scripted versions on other platforms. The response was overwhelming and it quickly became ID’s highest-rated series, cementing its place as a cultural phenomenon,” said Jason Sarlanis, President of ID, said in a statement. “Knowing there were so many other ‘Curious Cases’ to tell, we expanded the franchise into an anthology that continued to captivate audiences and became our top-rated series of 2025. Now, with Season 2, we’re diving into even more stranger-than-fiction stories, each one a high-stakes puzzle full of twists, turns and unforgettable characters.”
Each episode promises to uncover deceit, greed and manipulation while proving the truth behind each mysterious case.
What Cases Will Be Discussed in ‘The Curious Case of…’ Season 2?
Following the success of season 1, the new batch of episodes will break down even more mysterious true crime cases.
The premiere episode will be called “The Curious Case Of… Death by Detox?” and will unpack the crimes of Dr. Robert O. Young after he created a platform amid the success of his pH Miracle book series.
The synopsis explained that Young’s pH Miracle book series pushed “an alkaline diet, the tentpole of which is an avocado-based green smoothie, that grows in popularity.” Young’s business quickly took off, and he found success selling books and holistic supplements. As his roster of wealthy, high-profile clients grew, his fans quickly learned that the health tips he was sharing weren’t the “miracle” cures he pitched them to be.
Other crimes that will be documented on the season will include one about a Russian woman who tried to steal the identity of a salon employee, an intense rivalry between two beauticians, a teacher who hypnotized his students that was faced with deadly consequences, a woman who committed several crimes while pretending to have cancer, a town impacted with several Tourette’s Syndrome diagnoses and a woman who took care of her late husband and sister’s corpses.
When Does ‘The Curious Case of…’ Season 2 Premiere?
Season 2 of The Curious Case of … will premiere on Monday, January 12, at 10 p.m. ET on ID, with each episode premiering weekly in the same time slot. Those who miss the live episodes will be able to stream them later on HBO Max.
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One of Cardi’s most talked about looks came in January 2023. In a carousel of photos, the rapper’s nails were elongated with acrylics and filed into a square shape. Manicurist Jenny Bui — who has worked with Cardi for over a decade — adorned her nails with colorful rhinestones in various shapes and sizes.
In 2025, influencer Emilie Kiser gave Us major holiday inspo with her Christmas-inspired set in December. Her mani featured a clear base with red and silver gingham stripes, resembling festive wrapping paper. “When you want holiday nails, but ones that aren’t too crazy✨✨✨,” she captioned a TikTok video featuring her new claws.
Keep scrolling to see these celebrities and more wildest nail designs of all time:
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