this is Shades of the Day — bringing you different shades of opinion in news & culture so that you can see the big picture quickly. We believe that seeing multiple POVs is the best way to stay informed.

It’s Saturday, January 25 — here are today’s three featured stories:

1. Trump’s policy has led to a freeze on much of American foreign aid.

2. Graeter's Ice Cream and Skyline Chili team up to create a chili-flavored ice cream.

3. The US may be in the midst of a massive loneliness epidemic.

1) Israel freed 200 Palestinian prisoners under a ceasefire deal, but accused Hamas of breaking the agreement by not releasing an Israeli hostage first.

2) Pete Hegseth confirmed as Defense Secretary in divisive 50-50 Senate vote, with JD Vance casting the deciding vote.

3) Federal agencies reduce DEI resources after Trump's executive order, raising concerns about discrimination and sidelining workforce diversity.

4) Trump fires 17 Inspectors General, sparking concerns about oversight and potential law violations.

5) Trump tours disaster sites, criticizes FEMA as "bureaucratic," and advocates for more state-led disaster response.

6) DJ Unk, the rapper who made several notable hits like "Walk It Out" and "2 Step," has passed away at age 43.

Trump’s foreign aid freeze

Yahoo says Trump's “America First” policy led to a freeze on almost all foreign aid. Exceptions? Just emergency food and military aid for Israel & Egypt.

Dawn adds this freeze is affecting crucial aid programs like Pepfar and anti-malaria efforts while Israel and Egypt still get military funding.

Meanwhile, NBC says new aid's on pause for efficiency reviews. State Department's nearly 100-day review will check if aid matches Trump's policy goals.

Economic Times highlights how this fits Trump's “America First” policy: Foreign aid cuts focus on domestic interests, with just a few allocations allowed.

AP rounds it off saying the global aid freeze reflects a significant shift in US priorities, with widespread impacts felt across various countries.

Chili ice cream

Graeter's Ice Cream and Skyline Chili -- a Cincinnati-based chili resaurant -- teamed up to create the Skyline Spice Ice Cream! PR Newswire says the flavor combines chili spice mix with Graeter's French Pot ice cream and crunchy oyster crackers!

Dayton Daily says the new offering has sparked a lot of social media buzz: The news was met with mixed reactions -- some were immediately interested in trying it. . . others wrote it off as a flavor abomination.

Fox 19 says VP JD Vance joined in on the buzz surrounding the new offering — jokingly posting that he'll work with President Trump to “stop this”.

For what it's worth, this TikToker thought it tasted really good! Check out their video for yourself here.

Loneliness epidemic?

Medcity News says America is in the grips of a massive loneliness epidemic, exacerbated by the Covid pandemic: It's a major public health crisis -- loneliness worsens chronic disease management, raising treatment costs.

But wait -- this blogger isn't convinced: The loneliness epidemic narrative lacks strong empirical data. Loneliness levels have fluctuated over the years, but there's no clear surge.

The Atlantic was similarly skeptical: Maybe we aren't all lonely. Maybe modern life is just changing our perception of companionship.

An NYT Op offered yet another take: Maybe we are all lonely. But that's not all bad! Rather than fearing loneliness, society should embrace it as a natural emotional experience.