Court 'For You'

Good morning, curious minds,

Let's face it: headlines are heavy, life is loud, and Googling it doesn't always suffice. We're here for a fresher perspective, perhaps even a smile (or a roll of the eyes) Let's dive right in, shall we?

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Today's big picture, at a glance:

The TikTok saga is reaching a new peak: The Supreme Court has agreed to fast-track the app's First Amendment challenge against a federal ban. Oral arguments are set for January 10—just nine days before the current "divest or shut down" deadline.

This rare, rapid-fire schedule allows justices to weigh free speech and national security concerns before the ban takes effect. The stakes are high on all sides. Washington worries about Chinese control of American data, and TikTok says it violates free speech.

Love, hate, or fear it, TikTok has changed every aspect of American life. The next few weeks will decide its future and the line between free speech and government control.

Bonus: Here's a timeline of TikTok's growth and challenges.

Map of Murder

So, here's one for the "you can't make this stuff up" file: a murder suspect moved a body in a tiny, nearly forgotten corner of Spain—where the Google Street View car hasn't passed for 15 years. A Google car rumbled through Tajueco (population 50) on that rare day in October 2023. Now, two suspects, including the victim's ex-partner and her former husband, are in jail, accused of a grisly murder.

The victim's disappearance was about a year ago. They didn't think anyone would notice their bad timing until Google's roving camera caught it. It's a grim reminder that even remote backroads have digital witnesses now.

From Protector to Predator

It all began perfectly—or so the people of Maypearl believed. Kevin Coffey poured his heart into the community from day one, organizing a Christmas charity event, caring for older people, and helping troubled teenagers.

Few realized Coffey had worked for eight departments in 11 years, and fewer knew that each previous agency had its secrets. Eventually, kids who once waved to him on the way to class called him "The Creeper," and prosecutors described him as a monster.

Investigators exposed Coffey's pattern of abuse by peeling back layers of trust and adoration. In the end, Coffey was convicted of child sexual abuse; he now sits behind bars. Maypearl residents wonder how a public servant could cover up such darkness—and how they will trust another officer again.

The Great Gatsby

Welcome to the era of bookshelf wealth and literary clout. Books have gone way beyond being just something you read. New cultural chatter suggests that having a stylishly curated stack-or even a full-blown library-is the new subtle flex. BookTok, celebrity book clubs, and "literary chic" bars are to blame.

From Kendall Jenner to Dua Lipa, everyone is showing off what they're reading or what they want us to think they're reading. That curated shelf now telegraphs not only taste but also supposed depth and sophistication. Sure, some of it might be performative. If flaunting your reading list increases page turns instead of doom-scrolling, maybe we should welcome this.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

NYT recap: 2024 The Year in Pictures.

🧮 Core Count: 571

Mileage of the New York shoreline.

🗓️ Flashback:

1932 - British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) begins transmitting overseas.

1958 - First radio broadcast from space, US President Eisenhower sends a Christmas message "to all mankind, America's wish for peace on Earth and goodwill to men everywhere"

1984 - Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang and British PM Margaret Thatcher signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration to transfer Hong Kong back to China in 1997.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran