Starting January 1st, 2026 New York will become the first state to ease the burden and tear down financial barriers, decreeing that it is a requirement that insurance companies cover the cost of scalp cooling treatments for breast cancer patients.   Lawmakers and assembly members Linda Rosenthal and State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky have been making progress over a span of six years, towards putting this law into place, and thanks to them, their hard work and effort has contributed to renewing the confidence and boosting the self-esteem of cancer patients by giving them a more easily accessible way to preserve their hair as they go through the rigorous process of chemotherapy. 

Maureen Green who was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and has made the decision to go through with scalp cooling treatment expresses, “I was really afraid I would look in the mirror and really not know who I was and that I wouldn’t recognize myself.”  And for many women, not just Maureen, hair is a valuable aspect to their sense of self and without it they feel as though they are no longer themselves, this new law inspires a sense of motivation and hope in cancer patients during a difficult and strenuous time in their lives. 

Scalp cooling is a procedure utilizing a machine which freezes the scalp causing follicles, the cells that cause hair loss to not reach your scalp, saving your hair.  Although the machine works great, with success rates higher than 65 percent, it can be very expensive. Luckily this new law will introduce compassion, and equitable care for cancer patients, by extracting the financial barriers.  

As Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal expresses, “Undergoing chemotherapy doesn’t mean you have to lose your hair or your identity…Before this legislation was signed into law, far too many health insurance companies treated hair preservation as nothing more than a cosmetic procedure. Let me be clear: no one should have to convince multi-billion dollar companies that their hair, and by extension, their life, is worth saving. This law will give cancer patients the privacy and the control they so deserve…” 

By introducing this law New York legislation provides more comfort and control to their patients, during this rough time of their life and eases the weight on their shoulders even just a little bit, helping them feel normal again as they see themselves with hair.

SOURCES: optimistdaily.com , nysenate.gov , abcnews.go.com , nysenate.gov
IMAGE: The Optimist Daily 

Danny Baker went to a “No Kings” protest and was interviewed by Douglas Isham. Douglas Isham was at the protest to see how differently other people think. And while Isham was there he got into a little argument with Protester Emily Jibson, 19. 

The story connects to Donald Trump mass deporting of people. Danny Baker gives a first hand view since he was interviewed about his experience.

SOURCE: Detroit Free Press

IMAGE: freep.com 

During the previous quarter, Mattel saw a 6% decline in sales worldwide, with North America leading with a 12% decrease. Primarily because of the tariffs that president Trump imposed on imported goods since the tariffs were first put in place, many retail stores have delayed their holiday orders until they have had a chance to evaluate the effects. 

However, this fourth quarter has seen accelerating sales as retailers now rush to get toys in for the festive season. Hasbro’s revenue climbed 8%, despite having to raise the prices of their well-loved toys. Driving forces include Peppa Pig, Marvel toy brands, and the Wizard of the Coast. Together with Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks have emphasized the market for toys is still high, with iconic brands continuing to sell well. 

    
Additionally, Hasbro announced that it would be diversifying its supply chains from high-tariff countries. In a statement made by Hasbro, they explained that by 2026, approximately 30% of the company’s game revenue would be based in the U.S. Companies must now find strategic solutions to turn tariffs to their advantage, not against them.

Toy corporations like Hasbro and Mattel are preparing for the holiday despite having to face tariffs, like many American businesses that are affected by trade disputes under Trump’s administration. Many companies have been struggling ever since the tariff's hit. However, only some may be in a lucky position like Mattel and Hasbro, where they are able to raise costs for their merchandise without losing customers.

SOURCE: nbcnews.com 

IMAGE: toybook.com  

The five suspects have been accused of stealing royal jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris worth over 100 million dollars.. The five suspects have been found and arrested but police are still trying to recover the stolen jewelry.

This robbery is similar to the King Charles X sword theft in 1976 when thieves stole the sword carried by King Charles X. It was also worth several million dollars and many people were affected by it.

SOURCE: abcnews.go.com  

IMAGE: nbcnews.com 

 On October 22nd,  when Trump suggested pausing the war, Putin told his  country to be prepared in case of a nuclear bombing.In response to this latest suggestion, Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, stated that, “simply stopping would mean forgetting the root causes of this war.”.The causes, according to Lavrov, are Russian demands that would undermine Ukrainian sovereignty. 

Tensions rose against Russia and Ukraine previously  in 2014, but the war broke in 2022. Russia then invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the latest conflict, which has been going on for 3 years despite numerous sanctions on Russia.

In the past, Soviet Russia included Ukraine and other countries, but after its collapse the countries became independent, and Russia specifically wanted Ukraine’s territory, because of its resources. Trump has said he does not want a “wasted meeting”, but insists that both parties want the war to end.

SOURCE: theguardian.com 

IMAGE: www.reuters.com 

German elections are very strange election because there are actually eight candidates running for office. For example, Frederich Merz, a German politician who is the president of the CDU/CSU party, and Alice Weidel, a far right conservative who was a member of the Bundestag and party leader, were leading the pack. Frederich Merz won, however the question of Germany's economy and voice against Russia remains.

The final results show that the CDU/CSU has 208 seats. The votes for the CDU are14,158,432 votes. Then we have the AfD which has 152 seats. The total has 10,327,148 votes.

SOURCE: www.reuters.com 

IMAGE: www.reuters.com 

Musk has been confronting various companies for different reasons and has been drawing attention throughout the business world. He has clashed with NDP MP, Nicolai Tangen, X, Tesla, Visa, and Canada over the past few weeks. These events took place online with companies in Norway, the US and Canada. 

Elon Musk had a dispute with another company, which caused some major conflict between the two. He is involved with Norway's wealth company, NBIM, which said it had chosen to publish the exchange "in light of the increased interest in the case". 

Charlie Angus, a member of the New Democratic Party, is concerned about potential interference by Elon Musk in the next federal election. Angus wrote, “He has formed alliances with right-wing populist leaders, amplified extremist influencers and spread hate disinformation towards marginal groups. Musk is getting involved in Canadian politics. Praising the current leader of the Conservative Party, aligning himself with far-right influencers and their platforms and criticizing the current prime minister."

SOURCES: cnbc.com ,  cbc.ca ,  reuters.com
IMAGE: elearncollege.com

On January 25th, Trump was interviewed, declaring to have plans to buy Greenland and make Canada America's 51st state. He said this during a 20-minute interview with reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Miami. This sparked a conflict between the US and the two countries. Greenland’s and Canada’s prime ministers have both confirmed that none of the things he said are going to happen.  

Earlier in 2019, Trump first made claims of his plans to buy Greenland. However, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Greenland disagreed, saying “Greenland is not for sale‘. However, once again, Trump stated that Greenland will soon belong to the United States. He claimed that he could provide Greenland with security to the island and beyond.

SOURCE: npr.org 

IMAGE: npr.org