A deep dive into five major stories shaping politics, technology, and society:

• Why “rage bait” is the Word of the Year, and what it says about online manipulation
• The science behind why early smartphones harm kids
• Why young workers are heading back to the office
• Bipartisan warnings that Pete Hegseth’s Caribbean strikes may be war crimes
• Oregon’s governor threatens to prosecute federal agents enforcing immigration laws

Plus grab bag stories including Steve Bannon’s Epstein ties, Netanyahu’s unprecedented pardon request, and the “gray rock” method for defusing holiday conflict.