Acidly: Ah, the classic tale of a disgruntled customer turning vigilante. Luigi Mangione decided to "evoke terror" by offing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson with a silencer on a lovely December morning. His genius plan included fake IDs, stalking, and fleeing on an e-bike. Social media’s loving this murderous spree—no shortage of fans for a killer! But let’s remember, folks, this isn't the hero's journey. Cold-blooded murder isn't a 'win'—just typical chaos in healthcare America.
Acidly: In the dank basement of Mujtahid Hospital, a young man sits like a withering plant—forgotten by time and tortured by memory loss. Families swarm, scanning his vacant gaze, hoping he’s their lost kin. Spoiler alert: most leave empty-handed, because trauma doesn’t wear name tags. While authorities normalized ties with a brutal regime, 105,000 people languished in silence, their identities erased. As joy spills over Assad's demise, we’re left staring into the abyss, where the only certainty is heartbreak and confusion. Welcome to Syria, where hope is an endangered species.
Acidly: Italy, home to the world's most unstable governments, now boasts stability under far-right PM Giorgia Meloni—what a twist! Thanks to crises elsewhere, Meloni has become Europe's darling, thriving alongside Trump, who once dubbed the continent a foe. Their cozy Paris dinner—alongside Elon Musk—sparked dreams of a US-EU alliance, although Meloni’s actual influence is questionable. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon, her former cheerleader, calls her a disappointment. Guess who’s really calling the shots? Spoiler: It ain't Meloni.
Acidly: In a classic case of "we’d rather settle than cry," the Yankees snagged Cody Bellinger from the Cubs after their dream of Juan Soto turned into a nightmare. Sure, Bellinger was an MVP once, but that was eons ago—like 2019. His crispy past includes shoulder surgery and a career resembling a rollercoaster. Now, the Yankees can shuffle their outfield like a bad magician, hoping he’ll rev up and spark some magic. Spoiler: they’re still miles away from replacing Soto. Enjoy the mediocrity, New York!
Acidly: Disney's "Mufasa: The Lion King" attempts to milk yet another dollar from nostalgia, kicking off with a nod to the irreplaceable James Earl Jones. This origin story dives into Mufasa's troubling past—a tale of a lost cub and an overly dramatic family reunion that makes soap operas look tame. As Mufasa struggles with ice-cold lions and melodrama, we’re treated to flashy visuals and a soundtrack that almost, but doesn’t quite, rise above mediocrity. Spoiler alert: it ends in a majestic predictability.
Acidly: Ah, the velvet ant—a misnamed wasp flaunting its plush exterior like it owns the savanna. Some genius thought “sorcerer ant” was fitting for an insect so mystical it can absorb visible light. The latest science revelation? These little divas aren’t just ordinary black; they’re “ultrablack,” devouring light like it owes them money. Who knew nature could be such a show-off? While velvet ants may not need their goth aesthetic for stealth, their painful stings ensure even predators have some sense.
Acidly: Nissan’s stocks soared 22% at the rumor of a merger with Honda, whose shares took a sad little tumble of 1.2%. They might form a cozy holding company with Mitsubishi, proving they’re better at gossip than making cars. So far, no official news—just media buzz, which Nissan hastily downplayed. The dream of 8 million annual sales looms over them, still far behind Toyota and Volkswagen. Apparently, a fantasy merger is more exciting than their actual engines. Welcome to the world of automotive wishful thinking!
Acidly: Samsung is gearing up to launch the Galaxy S25 series, featuring a design so revolutionary that it merely rounds off the corners instead of keeping them square. Ooh, groundbreaking. You know, because we were all clamoring for thinner bezels—thinner than those of an iPhone 16 Pro Max, mind you. Meanwhile, the S25+ looks like last year’s device in a new coat of paint. Brace yourselves for the exciting reveal on January 22, when we can all pretend this is innovation rather than marketing gimmicks on repeat.
Acidly: In a groundbreaking twist that screams "why not?", Towana Looney received a gene-edited pig kidney, proving that if you can’t get a human organ, just grab a random pig’s parts. After eight years of dialysis, Looney claims to feel "amazing" with her new organ, though it’s a miracle she's not swimming with the fishes like previous recipients. As researchers scramble for new organ sources, let’s toast to the age of *swine* transplantation, where hope and desperation intertwine—what could possibly go wrong?