News From Around the Web
#1 Presidential Message on Christmas - The White House, Mary Margaret Olohan, Latie Jones, Chad Pecknold, News 4 San Antonio, and The Content Factory on X
The First Lady and I send our warmest wishes to all Americans as we share in the joy of Christmas Day and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The story of the Christmas miracle begins more than 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, when angels appeared to humble shepherds to share the good news of a child born to bring hope to the world, declaring, “Glory to God in the highest.” Guided by a magnificent star, the shepherds traveled a great distance to gather around a crowded manger where, in the dark of night alongside Mary and Joseph, they knelt before the Light of the World, the source of eternal salvation, and the living Son of God...
#2 Trump Orders US Military Strike Against Islamic State Militants in Nigeria - News Nation, The White House, Department of War, Pete Hegseth, oseni rufai, The Red Headed Libertarian, and Nigeria Stories on X
The United States carried out an airstrike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria’s government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region. “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social...
#3 Pope Leo XIV Revives Tradition During First Christmas of His Pontificate - Victoria Cardiel for Catholic News Agency, Mario Nawfal, Pope Leo XIV, Wall Street Mav, Rich Raho, and Joshua McElwee on X
Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his first Christmas at the Vatican by reviving the tradition of offering Christmas Mass on Dec. 25 in St. Peter’s Basilica, something no pope has done since 1994. The Christmas celebrations — which will be marked by the closing of the Holy Doors — will begin on the evening of Dec. 24, when the pontiff will celebrate Christmas Eve Mass at 10 p.m. local time in St. Peter’s Basilica. The schedule represents a change from recent years, when, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Christmas vigil Mass was moved to 7 p.m. Before 2009, it took place at midnight, until Benedict XVI decided to move it to an earlier time...
#4 Judge Blocks Enforcement of West Virginia Food Dye, Additive Ban - Steven Allen Adams for Herald-Star, Covfefe Anon/Leading Report, The Conservative Alternative, The Calvin Coolidge Project/Dave, Trash Discourse, and Thinker on X
West Virginia’s new law banning certain food dyes and additives in food sold in the state doesn’t go into effect until 2028. But a federal judge issued a halt on the law while the case moves through the court system. House Health and Human Resources Committee Chairman Evan Worrell explains House Bill 2354, banning certain products from food in West Virginia, prior to a floor vote on the bill on Feb. 28. In a memorandum opinion and order issued Tuesday evening, U.S. District Judge Irene Berger granted a motion for a preliminary injunction sought by the International Association of Color Manufacturers prohibiting the state Department of Health from enforcing the provisions of House Bill 2354, banning certain products from food in West Virginia...
#5 Aluminum Salts Emerge as Likely Target as Health Officials Scrutinize Childhood Vaccines - Aria Bendix for NBC News, Genetic Literacy Project, EBamusementMatteo Bassetti, Dr. Annie Andrews/ StargateGirl, and ron jean on X
With further changes to the U.S.’ recommended vaccine schedule likely in the year ahead under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership, his agency’s recent scrutiny of one vaccine additive in particular — aluminum salts — may offer a clue about what’s to come. Earlier this month, members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee — whom Kennedy selected after firing the previous group — suggested digging into concerns about aluminum salts, though large studies have found them to be safe. Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, told NBC News that the committee is “reviewing the body of science related to aluminum and other possible contaminants in childhood vaccines .”
#6 Biden Family Christmas Photo Draws Mixed Reactions Over Framing and Placement - Greg Wehner for Fox News, BPR based, Jason the Argonaut, Fearless45, GELDORF EDWARD, and WORLD LEADER 1 ARTHUR GEORGE CARTER on X
Former President Joe Biden shared a family photo on social media on Christmas Eve, sparking online criticism after he appeared partially visible in the image while his son Hunter stood front and center. The photo shows several members of the Biden family standing in front of a decorated Christmas tree, with Hunter positioned prominently in the foreground. Former first lady Jill Biden is also in the image, standing in front of the former president with her head partially obstructing his face. All other family members appear fully framed and clearly visible...
#7 DOJ Says “Over a Million More Documents” Potentially Related to Epstein Case Have Been Found - Kaia Hubbard for CBS News, The Epoch Times, alexkennedy,
@mbalter — investigations and commentary, Dameer, and Let's clean up DC on X
The Justice Department said Wednesday that it was informed by the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI that "they have uncovered over a million more documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case." In a post on X, the Justice Department said it had received the documents for review, noting that the process of releasing the files may take "a few more weeks" due to the volume of materials. "We have lawyers working around the clock to review and make the legally required redactions to protect victims...
#8 Marijuana Rescheduling Would Bring Some Immediate Changes, but Others Will Take Time - Bill Chappell for npr, The Dank Informer, MJBiz, Cannabis Seed Bank of ME • R&D, and Marc Landers on X
President Trump's long-anticipated executive order to loosen U.S. restrictions on marijuana promises to bring immediate relief for cannabis businesses — but only in some respects. And although rescheduling it as a lower-risk drug is touted as opening a new era for cannabis research, experts say it's not as simple as flipping a light switch. "It's hard to see the big headlines of, 'Marijuana rescheduled to [Schedule] III; marijuana research will open,'" says Gillian Schauer, executive director of the nonpartisan Cannabis Regulators Association, which includes agencies from 46 states. "You know, those things are not true as of now."
#9 Another Storm Slams California on Christmas Day With Flooding Rain, High Winds and Mountain Snow - Andrew Freedman and Hanna Park for CNN, Annie Pistol Packin Oakley, FOX 11 Los Angeles, News 4 Buffalo, ABC7 Eyewitness News, and Chicago Tribune on X
Another atmospheric river-fueled storm lashed California on Christmas Day, setting records in parts of the state and keeping homes under evacuation orders amid the ongoing threat of life-threatening flooding and debris flows. And the rain is expected to continue into Friday. After a harrowing Christmas Eve with rescues and evacuations because of widespread flooding in parts of the state, a line of severe thunderstorms moved into Northern California early Christmas morning, with wind gusts in excess of 70 mph. Heavy rain set off flash flooding in the San Francisco metro...
#10 AI Boom Adds More Than Half a Trillion Dollars to Wealth of US Tech Barons in 2025 - Anna Isaac for The Guardian, Leonard Brecken, Jonathan Ryland, Agi Agenzia Italia, The Kings Ark™ and noahMWHD on X
A stock market boom in artificial intelligence companies has added more than half a trillion dollars to the wealth of America’s tech barons in the past year, data shows. The top 10 US founders and bosses of some of the world’s largest technology companies saw their finances swell to nearly $2.5tn, up from $1.9tn, in the year to Christmas Eve, according to figures from Bloomberg. Elon Musk, already the world’s richest man, has again proved to be one of the biggest winners as the AI gold-rush has pushed US stock markets to record highs...
