Global News
'Good food, good folks and great fellowship': Church continues Christmas tradition
The community meals gave people a chance to enjoy some festive company, and some good food. Andro said the dinner costs about $3,000, paid through donations of cash as well as hams from Second Harvest food bank, pies from Hubbard Avenue Diner in Middleton and an array of foods brought in by church members and the community. [Full Article...]
Haley announces $285M cut in 2018-19 United Nations operating budget
Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Sunday night announced a historic reduction in the U.N. biennial operating budget . "(W) e reduced the UN's bloated management and support functions, bolstered support for key USA priorities throughout the world, and instilled more discipline and accountability throughout the United Nations system", Haley said in a statement. [Full Article...]
RaGa's temple visit and potshots at BJP
The meeting will be held at Gujarat University Convention Hall at GNBC ground in Ahmedabad. Vaghani said the Congress will always end up doing introspection. He termed the Gujarat campaign as unique and "a real eye-opener", where he got to know how the BJP designs campaigns and "uses hatred and untruth" to fight elections. [Full Article...]
Vijay Rupani sworn-in as chief minister of Gujarat
Rupani and Patel have also been chosen as leader and deputy leader of the BJP legislature party in the state, respectively. A total of eight cabinet ministers and 10 minister of state to take oath, DD News reports. He was the minister of state for agriculture and energy. With 99 MLAs, the BJP has a simple majority in the 182-member assembly, 16 less than its 2012 tally of 115. [Full Article...]
North Korea says 'pipe dream' it will end nuclear weapons program
Experts have said such launches are likely aimed at further developing the North's ballistic missile technology, and as such would be prohibited under United Nations resolutions. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the door remains open for talks. North Korea said those who voted for the sanctions would face its wrath. [Full Article...]
Guatemala says it is moving embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
Kızılırmak said they had no knowledge of when and why they would be deported, as Turkey's Embassy to Tel Aviv and Consulate to Jerusalem are monitoring the issue. On Dec. 21, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution against the Trump decision by a vote of 128-9. Guatemala and Honduras are both reliant on U.S. [Full Article...]
White Christmas happening now in Olympia and there's hope for Tacoma
The good news for many in the Northeast and Midwest is that it was a white Christmas. To find comparable percentages at West Virginia's latitude you would travel west to Colorado - with even further south New Mexico seeing high percentages in that state's northern mountains. [Full Article...]
Vietnam braces for storm as Philippines death toll rises
Romina Marasigan of the government's disaster-response agency earlier said authorities have reported at least 75 deaths due to landslides and sudden surges of floodwaters but added those initial reports needed to be confirmed. It struck the southern section of western Palawan province late Saturday and is forecast to blow away from the southern Philippines on Sunday toward the South China Sea. [Full Article...]
A man has been killed after fire in NYC high-rise
The cause of the fire is under investigation. A 76-year-old man has been killed in a wind-whipped fire at a NY high-rise apartment building. The fire broke out on in a building at West 56th Street near Broadway. [Full Article...]
Two young men drown as auto crashes into river in Co Mayo
All three were on their way home when the accident occurred in a remote area. Gardai confirmed the bodies of the two victims - aged 26 and 27 - were found on Monday afternoon after a major search operation involving Garda divers and the Coastguard. [Full Article...]
Status yellow weather warning for parts of the west and northwest
There is also a risk of spot flooding and hail showers are likely in the northwest later today with a risk of thunder. The warning is valid until 6pm on Monday, 25 December. "Afternoon temperatures of just 5 to 7C, in mainly moderate west to northwesterly winds, but fresh near coasts". Tomorrow will be cold but mainly dry and bright in many areas with some spells of sunshine. [Full Article...]
Gen Bajwa visits Rawalpindi church, participates in Christmas celebrations
Residential colonies have been decorated with twinkling lights and stars, and baubles such as bells, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons bedecking trees, streets, houses and churches. In her message, the Chief Minister expressed the hope that the holy occasion would be an omen of communal harmony, love for humanity and compassion for all across the world. [Full Article...]
UAE has information Tunisian women may commit 'terrorist acts', Tunisia says
The United Arab Emirates has information that Tunisian women or women traveling on Tunisian passports might commit "terrorist acts" in the Gulf country, Tunisia's state news agency TAP said. The UAE had said on Sunday that "security information necessitated taking specific procedures" without mentioning a possible terrorist attack. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, in a statement, called for... [Full Article...]
Mitch McConnell Mocks 'Political Genius' Steve Bannon for 'Throwing Away' Alabama
Republicans may plan to reach across the aisle when it comes to legislation, but McConnell was very clear about where he hoped to take the country. Bannon publicly rallied on behalf of an unfit candidate and the GOP establishment backed down off the moral high ground once it became apparent that a Republican in a state Trump won by wide margin actually stood the chance of losing. [Full Article...]
Christmas celebrated across city, Arvind Kejriwal urges for communal harmony
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu participated at Christmas prayers , held in St Paul's Cathedral church, near Benz Circle here. Further, church groups are also conducting enactment of scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. [Full Article...]
Police investigate parental abduction in Springfield; believe toddler in danger
Investigators believe Viktor Bandurovskiy stole the auto while fleeing with the child. Police described the child as a white boy, weighing about 32 pounds, with blond hair, hazel eyes, and was last seen wearing a thick navy cardigan with two horizontal red stripes and large buttons. [Full Article...]
Queen Elizabeth praises husband's humour in Christmas message
The queen echoed that sentiment toward first responders in her Christmas broadcast by mentioning the Grenfell Tower fire as well. In her 3pm speech, The Queen will say: "This Christmas, I think of London and Manchester, whose powerful identities shone through over the past twelve months in the face of appalling attacks". [Full Article...]
CHP officer killed in Hayward freeway crash
The driver was still in the hospital Monday morning, but was believed to be under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, assistant chief Ernest Sanchez. Walcott said the agency wasn't immediately releasing the name of the officer who died. The CHP declined to release the name of the driver who hit the patrol vehicle. [Full Article...]
Car Rams Into German SPD Party Headquarters in Berlin
Police said the man had told investigators that he meant to commit suicide. No one other than the driver was hurt. "Around midnight, a man drove a vehicle toward the entrance of the SPD party headquarters in the Willy-Brandt-Haus in Kreuzberg". [Full Article...]
20 dead as bus collides with van in northern Philippines
They were travelling in a small bus, called a jeepney, to an early morning service at the famous Our Lady of Manaoag church in northern Philippines. Among the fatalities identified were: Pepito Antolin; Virgie Antolin, 34; Mark Jerson Cabero, 7; Cecilia Antolin; Johnny Cabradilla, 43; Chita Cabradilla; Florence Cabradilla; Vicky Antolin; Adela Antolin; jeepey driver Rolando Perez; Hanna Ramirez,... [Full Article...]