Good morning. This is 1% Better. Unbiased news and practical life advice that makes you a little better every day.
Today we're covering capitol riots updates, whether or not Superman can save DC, and a few ways money can buy happiness.
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Top Headlines
January 6th Penalties
A federal judge ordered Jan. 6 rally organizer Caroline Wren to pay $2,000 daily until she complies with a subpoena for event records. Judge Donald Middlebrooks cited Wren's "pattern of disregard" that has delayed Capitol Police officers' lawsuit against Trump over the attack.
The Republican fundraiser must provide documents about rally planning, fundraising, and communications regarding security and VIP sections. Officers accuse Trump of spurring the Capitol attack in their four-year-old lawsuit, which also targets right-wing groups like Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. Capitol Riots timeline here.
Middlebrooks warned additional sanctions including incarceration remain possible if Wren continues non-compliance. Trump ally Rudy Giuliani has similarly defied subpoenas in the case, with officers seeking court orders to compel his participation. See more on Wren here.
Green-Card Sponsorships
Job postings offering green-card sponsorship have nearly quadrupled since 2021, according to Indeed's Hiring Lab analysis. The share of ads mentioning visa support peaked at 0.16 percent in October 2024, representing a 285 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels, officials said.
Medical fields dominate visa-supporting positions, with physician and surgeon roles comprising 3.2 percent of sponsorship offers in May 2025. New York leads geographically with 20 percent of such postings, followed by California and Illinois, the analysis shows.
The Trump administration's immigration crackdown may impact future sponsorship trends, as green cards face increased revocation rates. Processing times for card replacements are also surging, affecting both employers and applicants. Meanwhile, New Hampshire judge pauses Trump’s birthright citizenship order nationwide via class action lawsuit (More).
DC’s Last Hope?
Warner Bros. launches a $225 million Superman reboot this week, marking the studio's "last, best hope" to revitalize DC Comics after decades of failed attempts. Director James Gunn leads the newly formed DC Studios, tasked with creating a cohesive cinematic universe to rival Marvel's success.
The film needs to gross over $500 million globally while generating audience enthusiasm for upcoming projects including Supergirl, Green Lantern TV shows, and Batman films. CEO David Zaslav has called DC "one of the biggest value creation opportunities" as the company prepares major restructuring. Every Superman movie here.
Prerelease surveys predict a $125 million opening weekend, but previous Superman films disappointed despite strong starts. With Marvel Studios struggling recently, this could mark DC's first box office victory over its rival since 2008. Director James Gunn talks about the project here.
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4 Ways Money Can Buy Happiness
Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks analyzed thousands of people to crack the code on money and happiness. There are exactly five things you can do with money, but most people focus on the one that makes them miserable.
The happiness killer: Buying stuff. We're biologically programmed to accumulate possessions, but material purchases don't create lasting wellbeing. They satisfy an ancient survival instinct while leaving you emotionally empty.
Here are the four ways money actually buys happiness:
Buy Experiences. These memories compound over time through storytelling and reminiscing, unlike possessions that lose their novelty.
Buy Time. Hire help to eliminate time-wasting activities. Every hour reclaimed for relationships and personal growth directly increases happiness.
Give It Away. Donating to causes you're passionate about triggers measurable wellbeing boosts. Generosity creates what researchers call "helper's high."
Save It. Simply having money saved creates more happiness than spending it. Brooks: "savings feels like progress, and all happiness comes from progress."
The warning: Spending money you don't have on consumption is "one of the best ways to get unhappier" because debt represents regression, not progress. Focus on these 4 categories rather than just accumulating stuff.
Embrace “Garbage Time”
All time spent with people you love is quality time.
Most people chase perfect moments and curated experiences, thinking relationships require constant entertainment. Jerry Seinfeld destroys this myth: "I don't want quality time. I want the garbage time,” like watching someone read, late-night conversations over bowls of cereal, mundane car rides. Your job isn't to perform relationships; it's to show up consistently.
Market Pulse
> Lawyer Alan Dershowitz claims he knows Epstein client list names but says confidentiality orders prevent disclosure (More).
> Bitcoin hits record $116,781 on institutional demand and Trump administration's crypto-friendly policies this year (More).
> Olive Garden new menu launches Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini, first new pasta in years (More).
Speed Read
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