Greenland Riff, Minimum Wage, & Collectible Toy Horse Treasure

News without the noise

Adam Rogers
January 07, 2026

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Seven major European allies warned the United States on Tuesday that they "will not stop defending" sovereignty and territorial integrity after President Trump threatened to seize Greenland, a Danish territory.
France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark issued a joint statement declaring, "Greenland belongs to its people" and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide their future.
Trump told NBC News on Monday he is "very serious" about taking control of the Danish territory. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said "obviously Greenland should be part of the US," and claimed "nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over Greenland."
Denmark is a NATO member. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said if the US attacks a NATO country, "everything stops."

The trial of a former school police officer accused of failing to protect children during the 2022 Uvalde school shooting began Tuesday in Texas. Adrian Gonzales, one of the first responders, faces 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment. Officers waited 77 minutes before confronting the shooter, who killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School.
Prosecutors said Gonzales failed to distract, delay, or impede the gunman while waiting for backup. Defense attorneys argued he did the best he could in a fluid situation while trying to assess where the gunfire was coming from.
Gonzales and former police chief Pete Arredondo are the only two officers facing criminal charges among the 400 who responded. Gonzales could serve up to two years in prison if convicted.

Twenty-two states raised their minimum wage in 2026, with most increases taking effect January 1. In total, 88 jurisdictions boosted wage floors, most to $15 per hour or more, according to the National Employment Law Project.
Washington State now has the highest state minimum wage at $17.13 per hour, followed by New York at $17 for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. California set its rate at $16.90, while Connecticut reached $16.94. Three additional states—Alaska, Florida, and Oregon—plan increases later in 2026.
The federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009 despite repeated attempts to raise it.

Deaths of on-duty US police officers dropped nearly 25% in 2025 to 111 total, with firearm deaths falling to 44—the lowest in a decade, according to a new report. (More)

The State Department just added seven countries to a list requiring visitors to post bonds up to $15,000 to enter the US, bringing the total to 13 nations. (More)

Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California died at 65, shrinking the GOP's House majority to just 218-213. The seven-term congressman was a reliable Trump ally. (More)

Pope Leo XIV closed the Vatican's 2025 Holy Year after 33 million pilgrims visited Rome, denouncing consumerism and anti-foreigner sentiment in only the second pope-to-pope Jubilee handoff ever. (More)

A Swiss bar where 40 people died in a New Year's fire hadn't had safety inspections since 2019, according to investigators. (More)

The US and Europe will offer Ukraine legally binding security guarantees—including troops and military aid—if there's a peace deal with Russia, a draft statement says. (More)

US stock markets closed higher on Tuesday (S&P +0.62%, Nasdaq +0.65%, Dow +0.99%). The S&P and Dow notched new record highs. (More)

Hyundai will deploy humanoid robots at its Georgia plant starting in 2028 to handle dangerous and repetitive tasks, with plans to expand them across all factories by 2030. (More)

Meta is delaying its Ray-Ban smart glasses launch in four countries because US demand has been so high that waitlists now stretch into 2026. (More)

NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps resigned after 20 years, months after court filings revealed he made derogatory comments about team owner Richard Childress in text messages during charter negotiations. (More)

The Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh, their winningest coach, two days after a missed last-second field goal against Pittsburgh knocked them out of the playoffs for the first time since 2021. (More)

The X-Men join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a new Avengers: Doomsday teaser trailer, featuring Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto, and James Marsden as Cyclops. (More)

Scientists watched a sunspot continuously for 94 days using orbiting spacecraft, a record that helped explain the May 2024 solar storms that lit up skies and disrupted farm equipment. (More)

Jellyfish sleep about a third of each day like humans, a new study finds, showing that even brainless, boneless animals need rest despite radically different biology. (More)

A German study found that intermittent fasting schedules don't improve metabolic health markers like blood sugar or cholesterol when people eat the same total calories, suggesting calorie reduction matters more than meal timing. (More)

Toy horse collectibles are worth thousands.

Why orange juice tastes bad after brushing your teeth.

Comparing men's and women’s New Year’s resolutions.

10 frugal living tips from the 1950s.

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