Why it matters: This year, the shopping holiday is less about "online-only deals" and more about AI-assisted gift-hunting — a shift experts say is transforming how shoppers discover products.
Black and Latino men are trading in hoodies and sneakers for quarter-zip sweaters, tailored suits and fedoras — a sharp, self-assured look that signals dignity, intentionality and a reimagined masculinity in the post-COVID era.
Why it matters: It's pushing back against decades of narrow stereotypes that linked urban masculinity to athletic gear and reclaiming pride through presentation.
Most Americans (78%) believe elected officials should avoid aggressive communication over concerns it might inspire violent behavior, a new Pew Research Center survey found.
The big picture: President Trump and lawmakers in both parties have leaned more heavily on inflammatory language to attack opponents' policies and viewpoints as the nation's politics grow increasingly polarized.
Americans' social media habits are splintering in ways that echo the fractured traditional news landscape, according to a new Pew Research Center report.
Why it matters: The same fragmentation that reshaped news is now reshaping social media, making it harder for companies, brands and public figures to reliably reach large swaths of the public.
Celebrity Xcel is Royal Caribbean Group's latest bid to reinvent cruising as an experience — one that blurs the line between ship and shore.
Why it matters: Major cruise brands are in an arms race of new ships and destination experiences, pushing past traditional itineraries toward curated, immersive travel.
Hailing a taxi in some parts of America comes with a growing chance that when the car arrives, no one will be behind the wheel.
Why it matters: Once the stuff of science fiction, robotaxis are now regularly plying the streets of Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco, and will be coming soon to at least a dozen more cities.
Black Friday kicks off this morning, and retailers are banking that millions will still show up in person — even as AI-powered tools fuel a surge in online shopping.
Why it matters: Big chains are leaning hard on early-bird doorbusters, limited-edition merch and giveaways to pull shoppers back into stores after weeks of online deals.
Fresh U.S. efforts to stop suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers will take place on land "very soon," President Trump said Thursday.
The big picture: There's been a buildup of U.S. military activity in the Caribbean as Trump outlined next steps in his push toward toppling Venezuela's Maduro regime, as American forces strike alleged drug boats.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade saw crowds brave chilly New York City winds and an estimated 3.5 million people tune in to be treated to a series of balloons, floats and star-studded performances Thursday.
The big picture: The 99th annual parade along the 2.5-mile route from the Upper West Side to Midtown featured iconic characters like Spider-Man alongside Netflix phenomenon "KPop Demon Hunters" and a Labubu float.
