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Cizzle Brands Corporation Announces Closing of Transformative Transaction with the Acquisition of Flow Water Inc.’s Co-Manufacturing Business

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec 24, 2025–Cizzle Brands Corporation (Cboe Canada: CZZL ) (the “ Company ” or “ Cizzle ”) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition (the “ Acquisition ”) of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Flow Water Inc. (the “ Target ”) from RI Flow Sub LLC (the “ Vendor ”).This press release features…

Dermata Therapeutics Announces up to $12.4 Million Private Placement Priced At-The-Market Under Nasdaq Rules

$4.1 million upfront with up to approximately $8.3 million of potential additional gross proceeds upon the exercise in full of warrantsSAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / December 24, 2025 / Dermata Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DRMA)(NASDAQ:DRMAW) (“Dermata,” or the “Company”), a science-driven leader in dermatologic solutions, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for the issuance and sale of…

Pantheon Resources PLC Announces TR-1: Notification of Major Holdings

LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / December 24, 2025 / TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings1. Issuer DetailsISINGB00B125SX82Issuer NamePANTHEON RESOURCES PLCUK or Non-UK IssuerUK2. Reason for NotificationAn event changing the breakdown of voting rights3. Details of person subject to the notification obligationNameMichael SpencerCity of registered office (if applicable)LondonCountry of registered office (if applicable)United Kingdom4. Details of the shareholderNameCity…

Edmunds: The best used luxury vehicles to be had for under $40,000

When shopping for a high-quality used car or SUV, who wouldn’t be against a vehicle with a luxury badge that’s loaded with features? The problem is pricing, or more specifically, the fact that simply having a fancier badge can easily add thousands of dollars more to the bottom line. The experts at Edmunds have found a fine balance between sticking to a budget below $40,000 while also splurging a bit on makes and models that deliver a refined driving experience, reasonable fuel economy, and a high degree of comfort and technology touches.

Here’s what stores are open, and which ones are closed, on Christmas

From department stores to grocers, many companies across the U.S. close early on Christmas Eve and shut their doors entirely on Christmas Day — while others opt to cut back hours. But there’s also a handful of businesses that stay open on the holiday. Before you run out the door this Christmas — whether it’s to buy last-minute gifts or simply get out of the house — it’s wise to double-check operating hours, which can range by location. When in doubt, call ahead or look up more specific schedules for spots in your neighborhood online. The following list assembled by The Associated Press shows which major chains are open during this week’s holiday.

Bridgeline Expands Footprint with Closeout Retailer Choosing HawkSearch for Its On-Site Search Experience and Personalization

WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS / ACCESS Newswire / December 24, 2025 / Bridgeline Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ:BLIN), a leader in AI-powered marketing technology, announced today that HawkSearch has been selected to power the on-site search experience for a national closeout retailer, with over 170 locations and a rapidly expanding eCommerce presence.The closeout retailer turned to HawkSearch to overcome their limitations of native search,…

Pro-Russian hackers claim cyberattack on French postal service

French prosecutors say a pro-Russian hacking group has claimed responsibility for a major cyberattack on France’s national postal service. The attack halted package deliveries just days before Christmas. French intelligence agency DGSI has taken over the investigation. The cybercrime group, known as Noname057, has been linked to other cyberattacks in Europe. Central computer systems at La Poste were knocked offline Monday in a distributed denial of service attack. Postal workers couldn’t track packages, and online payments were disrupted. France and European allies accuse Russia of waging “hybrid warfare” to undermine support for Ukraine.

’60 Minutes’ segment on Trump immigration policy accidentally airs online

A news segment critical of the Trump administration’s immigration policy was pulled from “60 Minutes” but is now circulating online. The segment featured interviews with migrants sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. The segment was removed from Canada’s Global Television Network but still appeared on its app. Copies are now circulating online while CBS tries to take them down. CBS News chief Bari Weiss said the story did not “advance the ball” and wanted more effort to include the administration’s perspective. The journalist behind the story defended its accuracy and said it was cleared by lawyers and for standards. The incident raised questions about CBS’s editorial direction.

Siren obtient un investissement pour faire progresser les enquêtes basées sur l’IA pour la sécurité nationale

GALWAY, Irlande–(BUSINESS WIRE)–déc. 24, 2025–Siren, la société d’enquête tout-en-un, a annoncé aujourd’hui un investissement stratégique de la part d’ Elastic (NYSE : ESTC), la société à l’origine d’Elasticsearch. Cet investissement consolide un partenariat de dix ans entre les deux sociétés et accélère le développement de la plateforme basée sur l’IA de Siren, notamment le tout nouveau K9 AI Companion, utilisé…

Siren sichert sich Investition, um KI-gestützte Ermittlungen für die nationale Sicherheit voranzutreiben

GALWAY, Irland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dez 24, 2025–Siren, das All-in-One-Ermittlungsunternehmen, hat heute eine strategische Investition von Elastic (NYSE: ESTC), dem Unternehmen hinter Elasticsearch, bekannt gegeben. Mit der Investition wird die jahrzehntelange Partnerschaft zwischen den beiden Unternehmen vertieft und die Entwicklung der KI-gestützten Plattform von Siren vorangetrieben, einschließlich des neu eingeführten K9 AI Companion von Siren, der bei nationalen Sicherheits-, Strafverfolgungs- und Finanzkriminalitätsbehörden weltweit…

AEON Bank通过应用程序提供便捷的Personal Financing-i 助力缓解佳节期间预算压力

吉隆坡,马来西亚 – Media OutReach Newswire – 2025年12月24日 – 随着马来西亚人民在未来数周乃至数月内的多项财务支出做准备,包括年终假期、开学季及双佳节期间,马来西亚首家数码伊斯兰银行——AEON Bank (M) Berhad,通过提供便捷的Personal Financing-i(简称 PF-i),进一步强化其对金融普惠的承诺。 KV 从 2025年12月至2026年3月,多个高消费季节陆续来到令许多家庭面临多重支出需求。对此,AEON Bank认识到市场对灵活流动资金的需求,因而推出 PF-i 作为解决预算压力的方案。这是一项包容性强、手续简便的融资服务,可通过其数码银行应用程序轻松申请。 AEON Bank采用基于风险的定价(RBP)框架来确定具有竞争力且个性化的利润率,确保符合条件的客户能够在线无缝申请PF-i。申请人需为18至55岁的马来西亚公民,月总收入至少2500令吉,无论是受薪雇员、自雇人士还是零工经济工作者均可申请。 符合伊斯兰教法银行原则的PF-i,提供1000令吉至10万令吉的融资额度,还款期限灵活可选,从3个月至84个月不等,允许根据个人预算需求定制还款计划。接受融资后,适用的固定利润率低至年化3.88%起,另加象征性的1令吉代理费。 从申请到资金发放的整个流程均可通过AEON Bank应用程序在线完成,无需实体文件或前往分行,大幅简化手续。申请 PF-i 只需按照以下步骤操作: 步骤1:先开储蓄账户-i 在申请PF-i之前,请先下载AEON Bank应用程序并激活Savings Account-i。步骤2:资格审核与就业资料 申请人须为18岁及以上的马来西亚公民,月总收入至少2500令吉,可以是受薪雇员、自雇人士或零工工作者。步骤3:选择融资方案 选择所需的融资额度,范围从1000令吉至10万令吉,并选择灵活的还款期限,可选3至84个月。步骤4:提交证明文件 上传最新的雇员公积金(KWSP)结单,显示最近连续6个月的缴纳记录(受薪人士),或最近连续6个月的银行对账单(自雇人士/零工工作者)。步骤5:审批与资金发放 申请将即时处理,一旦获批,资金将直接存入申请人的AEON Bank Savings Account-i。还款将通过每月自动扣款方式进行。 PF-i使马来西亚民众能够获得符合伊斯兰教法的融资服务,以应对各种需求,无论是紧急财务支援、家庭预算紧张、小型装修、车辆维修,还是弥合临时现金流缺口所需的财务援助。 有关Personal Financing-i (PF-i) 的的完整详情及条款与细则, 请点击此处浏览官方网站 ,并扫描二维码下载AEON Bank应用程序: https://www.aeonbank.com.my/api/qr-handler Hashtag: #AEONBank #DigitalBanking #IslamicDigitalBank #ShariahCompliant #FinancialInclusion #IslamicFintech #PersonalFinancing https://www.aeonbank.com.my/https://www.linkedin.com/company/aeonbankmy/?viewAsMember=truehttps://x.com/aeonbankmyhttps://www.facebook.com/aeonbankmalaysiahttps://www.instagram.com/aeonbankmyThe issuer is solely responsible…

AEON Bank Bantu Ringankan Kekangan Bajet Musim Perayaan Melalui Pembiayaan Peribadi-i

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 Disember 2025 – Menjelang musim cuti hujung tahun, sesi persekolahan baharu dan perayaan berganda tahun hadapan, ramai rakyat Malaysia mungkin berhadapan dengan komitmen kewangan yang agak mencabar. Demi membantu meringankan tekanan kewangan tersebut, AEON Bank (M) Berhad, bank digital Islamik pertama di Malaysia tampil menawarkan penyelesaian pembiayaan yang mudah diakses menerusi…

AEON Bank Helps Ease Festive Season’s Budget Constraints with No-Hassle Personal Financing-i

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 December 2025 – As Malaysians gear up for multiple financial commitments in the upcoming weeks and months, especially during the year-end holidays, back-to-school and double festive season, AEON Bank (M) Berhad, Malaysia’s first digital Islamic bank, strengthens its commitment to financial inclusion by offering accessible support through its Personal Financing-i (PF-i)….

Accenture to Acquire Cabel Industry, Strengthening its Financial Services Capabilities in Italy

EMPOLI, Italy–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec 24, 2025–Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has entered into an agreement with the Fibonacci Group to acquire Cabel Industry, an Italian technology company that provides specialized core banking and IT managed services to mid-size financial institutions.This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251222709690/en/Accenture has entered into an agreement with the Fibonacci Group to acquire Cabel Industry,…

Empowering Website Operations Across ASEAN with AI and Teamwork

Japan’s MONJI+—A WebOps Enablement Platform Inspired by Voices from 77 Countries—Launches Its English EditionOSAKA, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 December 2025 – ALAKI Inc., celebrating its 15th anniversary, has officially launched the English edition of MONJI+, an evolution of its 2018-born feedback tool MONJI β, now reimagined as a comprehensive WebOps Enablement Platform. MONJI image Alongside its free…

Tabelog, le plus grand (*1) service de recherche et de réservation de restaurant au Japon lance une application multilingue pour les visiteurs internationaux

TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–déc. 24, 2025–Tabelog ( https://tabelog.com/en/ ), le plus grand service japonais de recherche et de réservation de restaurants exploité par Kakaku.com, Inc., a lancé son application pour smartphone multilingue (iOS/Android) pour les voyageurs internationaux le lundi 17 novembre 2025.Ce communiqué de presse contient des éléments multimédias. Voir le communiqué complet ici : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251221598728/fr/L’application multilingue Tabelog pour les voyageurs internationaux, le…

Tabelog, la plataforma de búsqueda y reserva de restaurantes más grande de Japón (*1), lanza una app multilingüe para viajeros internacionales

TOKIO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–dic. 24, 2025–Tabelog ( https://tabelog.com/en/ ), la plataforma de búsqueda y reserva de restaurantes más grande de Japón, operada por Kakaku.com, Inc., lanzó el lunes 17 de noviembre de 2025 su aplicación móvil multilingüe (iOS/Android) para viajeros internacionales.Este comunicado de prensa trata sobre multimedia. Ver la noticia completa aquí: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251221685950/es/La app multilingüe de Tabelog para viajeros internacionales: la plataforma…

Cunningham, Duren and Harris lead East-best Pistons to 136-127 win over Kings

Cade Cunningham had 23 points and 14 assists, Jalen Duren had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons beat the Sacramento Kings 136-127. Tobias Harris scored 24 points for the Pistons, who have won nine of 11. Duren’s double-double was his fourth straight and 17th of the season. Ausar Thompson had 19 points for Detroit, and Isaiah Stewart added 16 points off the bench. DeMar DeRozan scored 37 points and Russell Westbrook had 27 for the Kings, who have lost 10 of 12.

« Healing Journey Thailand » (Partir en Thaïlande pour se ressourcer) – Le TAT lance une campagne mondiale pour présenter la Thaïlande comme une destination pour le ressourcement et les expériences inoubliables.

BANGKOK, THAÏLANDE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 décembre 2025 – Dans le cadre de sa nouvelle campagne intitulée « Healing Journey Thailand » (Thaïlande : un voyage pour se faire du bien), l’Office national du tourisme de Thaïlande (TAT) lance le projet « Experience Thailand : Celebrity & Lifestyle Stories » (Explorer l’art de vivre thaïlandais avec les célébrités)….

Soudah Development signe un accord historique d’une valeur de 1,3 milliards de SAR avec National Grid pour alimenter le projet Soudah Peaks en électricité

Al Soudah, Arabie Saoudite–(BUSINESS WIRE)–déc. 24, 2025–Soudah Development, une société du Fonds d’Investissement Publique (FIP), présidée par SAR le prince héritier Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Héritier et Premier ministre de l’Arabie Saoudite, a signé un accord historique avec National Grid, filiale de la Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), principale compagnie d’électricité du Royaume d’Arabie Saoudite. L’accord, d’une…

AST SpaceMobile Announces Successful Orbital Launch of BlueBird 6, the Largest Commercial Communications Array Ever Deployed in Low Earth Orbit

MIDLAND, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec 24, 2025–AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications, today announced the successful orbital launch of BlueBird 6.This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251222922862/en/The BlueBird 6 mission lifted off at 10:25…

Explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home kills at least 2, governor says

Pennsylvania’s governor says an explosion at a nursing home just outside Philadelphia killed at least two people. The explosion Tuesday collapsed a part of the building and happened just as a utility crew had been on site at Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bristol Township looking for a gas leak. The extent of the casualties was unclear several hours later. Bucks County officials say a portion of the building collapsed. Fire officials said they were in “rescue mode” five hours later, with rescuers still digging by hand and using search dogs, earth-moving equipment and sonar to locate potential victims.

Cholame Finance Academy Releases Its Annual Digital Intelligence Report

Cholame Finance Academy has released its Annual Digital Intelligence Report, with founder Rupert Ellington commenting on how the organization reviews digital structure, information flow, and system development on a yearly basis.NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 23, 2025 / Cholame Finance Academy has released its Annual Digital Intelligence Report, a publication that documents how the organization reviews…

Steven Stamkos scores in OT to give the Predators a 3-2 win over the Wild

Steven Stamkos scored 53 seconds into overtime to give the Nashville Predators a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Stamkos got a step on his defender as he raced down the slot, and Erik Haula found him with a pass that Stamkos deflected past goalie Filip Gustavsson. Ryan O’Reilly had a goal and an assist, Roman Josi also scored and Juuse Saros stopped 30 shots for the Predators, who have won three in a row and four of five. Brock Faber and Joel Eriksson Ek scored for the Wild, who have lost two straight following a seven-game win streak. Gustavsson made 26 saves.

Timberwolves beat Towns for first time as Edwards scores 38 points in 115-104 win over Knicks

Anthony Edwards scored 38 points to help the Minnesota Timberwolves beat former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns for the first time and hold off the New York Knicks 115-104. Julius Randle had 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and Rudy Gobert contributed 11 points, 16 rebounds and his reliably fierce rim protection as the Wolves won their 10th game in 12 tries. Towns scored a season-high 40 points before fouling out in the final minute for the Knicks in the absence of fellow All-Star Jalen Brunson. Tyler Kolek had 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in Brunson’s place.

Porter, Rollins guide Bucks past Pacers 111-94

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 24 points, Ryan Rollins had 23 and the Milwaukee Bucks, playing their seventh consecutive game without the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo, beat the Indiana Pacers 111-94. Kyle Kuzma scored 15 and Bobby Portis had 14 points and a team-high nine rebounds as the Bucks shot 51% to snap a three-game losing streak. T.J. McConnell led the Pacers with 16 points off the bench. Pascal Siakam had 15 points and team-high nine rebounds for the Pacers. Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, is nursing a right calf strain.

Castle Danger rolls out “Trailblazer” THC drink amid national ban speculation

Two Harbors, Minn. — As speculation continues at the national level surrounding a potential ban of THC and CBD-based products in the future, Castle Danger, true to their name, have decided that now is the perfect time to show the world their version of the popular beverage. “We’re launching our new brand of THC and CBD infused drinks called ‘Trailblazer’,…

Minnesota Power presents grant to Hartley Nature Center

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Power showed their support for the Hartley Nature Center with the presentation of a new grant for the center. The gift is for $6,000, and will be used to help build classroom enhancements, which will help support the center’s outdoor education for thousands of area students and their families, many of which have their own roots…

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has a fractured throwing hand. Max Brosmer to start vs. Lions

J.J. McCarthy has a hairline fracture in his throwing hand that will keep him out of Minnesota’s upcoming game against Detroit and make Max Brosmer the starting quarterback this week. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said further examination of McCarthy’s right hand revealed the small fracture. Initial X-rays at the stadium were negative for broken bones after McCarthy was injured late in the second quarter against the New York Giants and unable to properly grip the ball. Brosmer started for McCarthy on Nov. 30 at Seattle and threw four interceptions in a 26-0 loss. The Vikings host the Lions on Thursday.

Three former Holiday Station Stores in Duluth to be permanently closed

Circle K Logo DULUTH, Min. – Holiday Station Stores around the northland recently went through rebranding to Circle K stores. Now three of those newly branded stores have closed with caution tape placed around the buildings or gas pumps. Those closures are permanent. A Circle K spokesman tells FOX21, “After a recent review of our operations, we made the business…

Gas explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home traps people inside, authorities say

BRISTOL, Pa. (AP) —An explosion at a nursing home just outside Philadelphia collapsed part of the building and left people injured and trapped inside, authorities said. A plume of black smoke rose from Silver Lake Healthcare Center in Bristol Township, as emergency responders across the region gathered there. Bucks County emergency management officials reported that there were injuries, but had…

Voluminous new Epstein document release includes multiple Trump mentions, but little revelatory news

The U.S. Justice Department has released tens of thousands more documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a tranche that included multiple mentions of President Donald Trump but added little new revelatory information to the long-anticipated public file on the disgraced late financier. The documents also contain apparent correspondence between an Epstein co-conspirator and the U.K.’s former Prince Andrew. Many of the mentions of Trump come from news clippings. There is also an email from a prosecutor pointing out flights Trump took on Epstein’s private jet. The two men were friends for years before a falling out. The Justice Department said the release contained “unfounded and false” claims made about Trump before the 2020 election.

Treecycling drop-off sites are open

DULUTH, Minn. — Resource Renew’s Treecycling program opened up over the past weekend. Drop-off locations have been set up around the area. People can just drop off their Christmas trees free of charge for composting. Because they can only process organic material, the tree must be real and not flocked. Wreaths, garlands and other evergreen decorations made with wire cannot…

Venus Williams weds Andrea Preti in Florida as part of a 5-day celebration of their union

Venus Williams and Andrea Preti are married. The tennis great announced the union Tuesday on social media. Williams and Preti became wife and husband over the weekend in Florida as part of a five-day celebration. After becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in July, the 45-year-old Williams gave thanks to her fiance, who was in the stands at the DC Open. Preti is a Danish-born Italian model and actor, according to the website IMDB. The seven-time Grand Slams singles champion plans to play in a 33rd straight season on the WTA Tour, starting in Auckland in January.

Christmas Day sports: Here’s a look at the premier matchups on the holiday

The evolution of the Christmas Day sports calendar in the U.S. has given fans a respite if they need a break from family gatherings or just some entertainment while they sip on eggnog. This year’s major events include five NBA games and three NFL games, with games spanning more than 12 hours. The NBA games include the Spurs at Thunder, Rockets at Lakers, Timberwolves at Nuggets, Cavaliers at Knicks and Mavericks at Warriors. In the NFL, it’s the Lions at Vikings, Broncos at Chiefs and Cowboys at Commanders.

Wisconsin judge sends Slender Man attacker back to mental health institution after group home escape

Morgan Geyser, one of two Wisconsin girls charged with stabbing a classmate to impress the fictitious horror character Slender Man, sits in a Waukesha County Courtroom for a status hearing Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin woman who almost killed her sixth-grade classmate to please the fictional horror villain known as Slender Man was ordered back…

US drivers are seeing lower gas prices this holiday season

This holiday season, many U.S. drivers are getting the gift of lower gas prices. According to data from motor club AAA, December has been the cheapest month for prices at the pump this year. The national average for unleaded gasoline has stayed below the $3 mark since Dec. 2, falling to its lowest level of about $2.85 a gallon on Monday. Relief at the pump is welcome for consumers who have been feeling higher prices in other parts of their budgets — as worries about the costs of goods ranging from groceries to holiday gifts rise amid ongoing inflation and U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign imports.

Feds accuse Minntac of violating pregnant woman’s rights

US Steel Corporation Logo DULUTH, Min. –  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Steel – the company that runs Minntac. The lawsuit says the violated a pregnant woman’s rights. During her pregnancy she needed to avoid working on the most physically jarring machinery as an accommodation during her high-risk pregnancy. The lawsuit claims, “Instead…

Consumer confidence slides in December to lowest level since US tariffs rolled out in April

U.S. consumers were less confident in the economy in December as Americans remain anxious about still-high prices and the impact of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell 3.8 points to 89.1 in December from November’s upwardly revised reading of 92.9. That reading was 85.7 in April, when Trump rolled out his import taxes on U.S. trading partners. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market remained stable at 70.7, but remains well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. It was the 11th straight month that reading has come in under 80.

US economy expands at a surprisingly strong 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter

The U.S. economy economy expanded at a strong 4.3% annual rate from July through September as consumer spending, exports and government spending all grew. Tuesday’s report from the Commerce Department said U.S. gross domestic product — the economy’s total output of goods and services — up from its 3.8% growth rate in the April-June quarter.  Analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet forecast growth of 3% in the period. However, inflation remains higher than the Federal Reserve would like. The Fed’s favored inflation gauge — called the personal consumption expenditures index, or PCE — climbed to a 2.8% annual pace last quarter, up from 2.1% in the second quarter.

Ukraine’s own ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is back on for a special episode with wartime heroes

Ukraine’s own “Dancing with the Stars” show is back on, just for one special episode. This time, the stars are the country’s wartime heroes, underscoring the nation’s resilience in tough times. Before the war, the Ukrainian version of the international franchise was hugely popular. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — then an actor — won the dance competition in 2006, its debut year. Today, dancers in the show perform with prosthetic limbs, showcasing their strength in overcoming adversity. Like the whole country, the show has to deal with wartime challenges such as power outages or generators failing. Creative producer Volodymyr Zavadiuk says “Tantsi z zirkamy” — as the show is known in Ukrainian — is creating something special during tough times.

Parents are divided on whether their girls should return to flood-scarred Camp Mystic in Texas

Nearly six months after a roaring flood killed 25 girls and two counselors at Camp Mystic in central Texas, the 100-year-old camp will begin enrolling new campers in January. The decision is dividing families who’ve sent their children there. Fast-rising waters swept away two cabins next to the Guadalupe River over the July Fourth weekend. The campers who are expected to start arriving in May will bunk on higher ground. Some families say their daughters’ return to Camp Mystic will be a key step in their healing. But others who lost their daughters in the floods say the decision to reopen is insensitive.

Medicaid paid more than $207 million for dead people. A new law could help fix that

A new Department of Health and Human Services report reveals Medicaid programs made over $200 million in improper payments to health care providers between 2021 and 2022 for people who had already died. The inspector general report, released Tuesday, suggests that a new mandate in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill could help reduce these kind of payments. The bill requires states to audit Medicaid beneficiary lists against the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File. Privacy laws currently restrict access to this file. The report recommends states comply with the new mandate to conduct quarterly death checks to prevent further improper payments.

A look at aging baby boomers in the United States

The oldest baby boomers are turning 80 in 2026. This generation known as a cultural and political vanguard is now contributing to America’s aging population. By the end of this decade, all baby boomers will be 65 or older. Driven by longer life spans and lower birth rates, the U.S. population will begin shrinking in five years without any immigration. During the baby boom from 1946 to 1964, about 76 million Americans were born. Now they’re the second-largest age group and the influence of these octogenarians will continue to impact America’s society and economics.

Ex-aide says Netanyahu tasked him with making a plan to evade responsibility for Oct. 7 attack

A former close aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that immediately following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, he was ordered to figure out how the premier could evade responsibility for the security breach. It was an explosive allegation from former spokesperson Eli Feldstein, made during an extensive interview with Israel’s Kan news channel Monday night. Netanyahu has been long accused of avoiding taking the blame for the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, one that kicked off the two-year war in Gaza. But little is known about Netanyahu’s behavior in the days immediately following the attack.

Gaza’s tiny Christian community tries to capture the holiday spirit during the ceasefire

Gaza’s tiny Palestinian Christian community is trying to capture some of the Christmas spirit under a fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. One 76-year-old Christian finds hope in his faith while sheltering at Gaza’s Holy Family Church compound. Attallah Tarazi says joy over Christ’s birth must surpass the bitterness of war. But for some, the toll is inescapable as grief and uncertainty dampen Christmas cheer. Community members say many Christians have fled Gaza during the war. That has raised concerns about the community’s future in the Palestinian territory.