Author: Robert Kinney

As markets enter the second half of the decade, BlackRock is adjusting its investment playbook to reflect a world that looks very different from the one that drove returns over the last ten years. The firm’s outlook heading into 2026 centers on sharper positioning, more intelligent risk control, and a move away from one-size-fits-all portfolio construction. Rather than betting on broad market momentum, BlackRock is emphasizing targeted growth, dependable income, and more resilient diversification as economic conditions and market behavior continue to shift. BlackRock believes the era of simply owning the entire market and letting concentration work in investors’ favor…

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a Republican-backed legal challenge that could significantly alter how political parties fund federal election campaigns, a decision with potentially far-reaching consequences for future U.S. elections. The case was brought by Republican campaign organizations challenging long-standing federal limits on how much political parties may spend in direct support of their candidates. Among the plaintiffs is a former Senate candidate who has since risen to national office, adding to the case’s political significance. At the center of the dispute is whether federal restrictions on party spending violate the First Amendment’s protections for political speech…

Several major publicly traded companies saw sharp stock price movements after the closing bell as investors digested earnings reports, regulatory disclosures, and high-profile political signals. Here’s a closer look at the biggest after-hours movers and what’s driving the action. Shares of General Motors fell roughly 2% in extended trading after the automaker disclosed it will record $7.1 billion in special charges during the fourth quarter of 2025. The charges are tied primarily to two major strategic shifts: a pullback from specific electric vehicle initiatives and a restructuring of its operations in China. The filing signaled that GM is reassessing its…

A new documentary is shedding light on the disturbing case involving Nick Reiner, who remains behind bars accused of killing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, while raising serious questions about mental illness, medication changes, and long-term treatment failures. The film explores Reiner’s belief that he is the target of a conspiracy, despite reportedly acknowledging that he carried out the killings. According to those close to the family and individuals familiar with his condition, Reiner understands what he is accused of doing but does not comprehend why he is incarcerated, a mindset described as deeply delusional. The documentary suggests Reiner’s…

Bob Weir, the legendary guitarist, vocalist, and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78, his family confirmed. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, following complications related to lung issues after previously overcoming cancer. In a statement shared by his family, Weir was remembered as an artist whose life revolved around the open road, creative freedom,m and an unwavering commitment to music and community. They described his passing as the end of a journey defined by resilience, generosity, and an enduring devotion to the fans who followed him for generations. For more than six…

Chris Pratt revealed that Christmas at the Schwarzenegger household comes with gifts that are anything but ordinary. The actor recently shared that his father-in-law, Arnold Schwarzenegger, went far beyond the usual holiday present, delivering something so significant and personal that it left Pratt both amused and slightly baffled. Speaking during a talk show appearance, Pratt explained that Schwarzenegger’s approach to gift-giving is intense and deeply enthusiastic. According to Pratt, this year’s standout present was a massive hand-painted portrait measuring roughly six by eight feet. The artwork features Schwarzenegger himself portrayed as Santa Claus, with Pratt’s three young children peeking around…

Michael David McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon, has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shootings of his ex-wife and her current husband inside their Columbus, Ohio, home. Authorities took McKee into custody on Saturday in Illinois after investigators traced his movements through surveillance footage and vehicle data tied to the night of the killings. McKee now faces two counts of murder and is awaiting extradition back to Ohio, where prosecutors are preparing to move forward with the case. Police were called to a residence in the Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus on the morning of December 30…

A dramatic act of defiance unfolded Friday outside Iran’s Embassy in London when an anti-regime protester climbed the building’s balcony, removed the Islamic Republic’s flag, and replaced it with Iran’s historic pre-1979 “Lion and Sun” emblem. The bold move drew loud cheers from a crowd of demonstrators gathered below, many waving signs and chanting against Iran’s clerical leadership. Video circulating online shows the individual scaling the embassy façade in the Kensington area before tearing down the current national flag and hoisting the symbol associated with Iran’s monarchy before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Demonstrators widely viewed the act as a decisive…

Amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Minnesota, an unexpected and deeply human moment unfolded when a Border Patrol agent and a protester shared a heartfelt hug during a standoff. The brief exchange, captured on video, offered a rare glimpse of empathy and mutual respect amid anger, grief, and division. The interaction took place during a federal security operation, where Border Patrol agents were positioned in formation as protesters gathered nearby to voice opposition to immigration enforcement actions. What began as a tense encounter quickly transformed into a conversation grounded in shared experience. Finding Common Ground Through Military Service The…

Iranian authorities have imposed a near-total nationwide internet shutdown as protests against the ruling regime continue to expand, a move experts say is designed to suppress information and limit visibility into the government’s response to unrest. Internet access across Iran reportedly dropped to a tiny fraction of normal levels as authorities escalated from regional disruptions to a centralized, countrywide blackout. The shutdown has affected mobile networks, fixed-line connections, and digital services critical to daily life, including banking systems, emergency communications, and government platforms. Cybersecurity analysts described the blackout as among the most extreme ever implemented in Iran, signaling a significant…