News

A Palestinian man kills 2 in car-ramming and stabbing attack in northern Israel and injures 2 others

Police say that two people have been killed and at least two more injured in northern Israel in a car-ramming and stabbing attack by a Palestinian man. Police said that the attacker first crashed his vehicle into people in the northern city of Beit Shean on Friday, killing a 68-year-old man. The assailant then sped onto a highway where he fatally stabbed a teenage woman and injured another person. Israel’s rescue services said that both victims were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Two other people were injured. The attacker was hospitalized with injuries and Israel’s military started an operation in the attacker’s hometown of Qabatiya in the West Bank.

What to know about the militants targeted by US airstrikes in northwest Nigeria

The United States airstrikes targeting militants affiliated with the Islamic State group in northwestern Nigeria are a major escalation of an offensive that Nigeria’s overstretched military has struggled with for years. U.S. President Donald Trump said the “powerful and deadly” strikes were carried out against IS militants on Thursday. Although officials did not say which group was targeted, security analysts said the target is most likely the Lakurawa group, an IS-affiliated jihadi group that became more active and lethal in Sokoto and other northwestern states in the last year. Here is what to know about the militants.

TGI Solar Power Group Inc. and Genesys Info X Announce Strategic Partnership to Launch FUSED88.com, a Next-Generation AI & ASI Driven Management Platform

MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / TGI Solar Power Group Inc. (OTC Markets:TSPG), a diversified technology, energy, and environmentally sustainable real estate development company, and Genesys Info X, a premier Indian technology firm, announced the execution of a Strategic Partnership and Revenue-Sharing Agreement. This collaboration marks the official launch of FUSED88.com, a revolutionary digital ecosystem designed…

US launches strikes against Islamic State group in Nigeria after attacks target Christians

President Donald Trump says the U.S. launched a deadly strike against Islamic State forces in Nigeria, after spending weeks accusing the West African country’s government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians. Trump posted news of the strike Thursday night on his social media site. He said last month that he’d ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria following the claims of Christian persecution. The State Department then announced that it would restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians. The U.S. recently designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.

When Capital Risk Disappears: The New Valuation Lens for SMX

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / Public markets tend to anchor valuation debates to price history. A stock moves quickly, financing follows, and the terms of that financing are often treated as an implied ceiling rather than a tool. That shortcut can work when companies are dependent on frequent raises just to stay…

Nikola Jokic breaks Steph Curry’s record with 18 points in OT and Nuggets set mark with 27 OT points

Nikola Jokic set an NBA record with 18 points in overtime. His performance led the Denver Nuggets to a 142-138 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas night. Jokic’s output also helped the Nuggets set a league record with 27 points in a single extra period. Nuggets coach David Adelman called Jokic the “best player in the world” and highlights his “crazy stat line” of 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists. Jokic made 15 of 21 shots from the floor and 22 of 23 free throws. Teammate Jamal Murray says, “Sounds about right.”

Trump-Zelenskyy talks will address security guarantees and reconstruction, Ukraine leader says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that he will meet on Sunday with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida. Zelenskyy told journalists on Friday that the two leaders will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine during Sunday’s talks, and that the 20-point plan under discussion “is about 90% ready.” The announced meeting is the latest development in an extensive U.S.-led diplomatic push to end the nearly four-year Russia-Ukraine war. But efforts have run into sharply conflicting demands by Moscow and Kyiv.

Yemen separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of launching airstrikes against their forces

Separatists in southern Yemen are accusing Saudi Arabia of targeting their forces with airstrikes. The Southern Transitional Council says the strikes happened in Yemen’s Hadramout governorate. It’s unclear if there were any casualties. The Council’s satellite channel aired footage that appeared to show the strikes, with a man blaming Saudi aircraft. Officials in Saudi Arabia did not comment. On Thursday, the kingdom called on Emirati-backed separatists to withdraw from two new governorates they control. This move has threatened to spark a confrontation within a fragile coalition battling the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the north.

President Trump’s Executive Marijuana Action Exposes the Truth-How the DEA Delayed Medicine While Protecting Everything Else

“Despite clear congressional mandates and FDA authorization, the Drug Enforcement Administration failed to act within the timelines required by law, resulting in years-long delay of medical cannabis research,” said Duane Boise, President and CEO of MMJ International Holdings. “MMJ is preparing to seek relief in federal court to compel agency action unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed, so that FDA-authorized clinical…

Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak sentenced to 15 years and hefty fine in 1MDB corruption trial

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and must pay 13.5 billion ringgit ($3.3 billion) for his role in the 1MDB corruption scandal. On Friday, the High Court found him guilty of abuse of power and money laundering, linked to over $700 million channeled into his accounts. The new sentence will run after his current term ends. Najib denied wrongdoing, claiming the funds were a Saudi donation. The judge rejected this, citing evidence of Najib’s ties to financier Low Taek Jho. Najib’s lawyer plans to appeal. The scandal has been one of the world’s largest financial frauds.

Trump overturned decades of US trade policy in 2025. See the impact of his tariffs, in four charts

Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has overturned decades of U.S. trade policy — building a wall of tariffs around what used to be a wide open economy. His double-digit taxes on imports from almost every country on earth have disrupted global commerce and strained the budgets of consumers and businesses worldwide. They have also raised tens of billions of dollars for the U.S. Treasury. Still, the erratic way the president rolled out his tariffs  made 2025 one of the most turbulent economic years in recent memory.

A beginner’s guide to Kwanzaa

Founded during the Black Freedom Movement of the 1960s, Kwanzaa is a non-religious holiday that is observed by millions of Americans. It has become a nationally recognized celebration of African culture and community in the United States that is also celebrated in countries with large African descendant populations. It serves as a nationwide communal event, reinforcing self-determination and unity in the face of oppression. The holiday spans seven days from the day after Christmas to New Year’s Day. African American author, activist and professor Maulana Karenga founded Kwanzaa following the 1965 Watts Riots in Los Angeles, also known as the Watts Rebellion.

Vikings still finding value and fun in winning down the stretch despite being out of contention

The Minnesota Vikings are trying to practice the process of winning in December despite being eliminated from contention for the playoffs. The Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 23-10 on Thursday for their fourth consecutive victory to improve to 8-8. Coach Kevin O’Connell clearly believes in the carryover value of finishing strong this season. Safety Harrison Smith spearheaded the defense’s six-turnover, five-sack performance against the Lions. Minnesota finishes at home in Week 18 against Green Bay. The Packers have clinched their spot in the playoffs but could still be alive in the division race behind Chicago.

New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns and influencer Jordyn Woods are engaged

Influencer Jordyn Woods and New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns are engaged. The couple announced the news Thursday in a joint Instagram post captioned with the pun “Marry Christmas” and including 15 proposal photos taken on a rooftop in New York City. The couple have been dating for five years. Woods is a model and actor best known for her appearances on the reality shows “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “Life of Kylie,” the result of her close friendship with Kylie Jenner. Towns is a four-time All-Star who began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last year the team traded him to the New York Knicks.

Kerecis Fish-Skin Platform Broadens Coverage as CMS Withdraws Proposed Skin Substitute LCDs

ARLINGTON, Va. & REYKJAVIK, Iceland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec 26, 2025–Kerecis, the company pioneering the use of sustainably sourced fish skin in cellular therapy and tissue regeneration, today reaffirmed the strength of its fish-skin platform following the December 24, 2025 announcement by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that its A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have withdrawn the proposed Local…

From Pope Francis to Charlie Kirk, many deaths in 2025 had a wide impact

The world lost influential people in 2025, and some of their deaths had significant impacts. Pope Francis died in April, leading to the election of the first American pope. The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September sparked discussions about political violence. Virginia Giuffre’s suicide in April brought renewed attention to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and other notable politicians also died. The entertainment industry mourned the loss of Gene Hackman, David Lynch, Roberta Flack, Hulk Hogan and other stars.

Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Financial Results and Announces New Stock Repurchase Program

BERLIN, MD / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) (OTCQX:TYCB), the holding company of Calvin B. Taylor Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income for the third quarter 2025 (“3Q25”) of $4.2 million, or $1.53 per share compared to net income of $3.9 million, or $1.42 per share for the second quarter…

Christmas in Venezuela, polleras and more top photos this week in Latin America and the Caribbean

Dec. 19–25, 2025 Venezuelan migrants, who abandoned hope of reaching the United States, celebrated Christmas at their home in Maracay, Venezuela. Mountain guide Ana Lia Gonzales climbed the Huayna Potosí glacier wearing a pollera, a traditional dress of Indigenous women in Bolivia’s highlands. This gallery was curated by photo editor Jon Orbach, based in Mexico City. AP photography: https://apnews.com/photography Instagram:…

America250 Announces Celebration of America Turning 250 on New Year’s Eve in Times Square

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec 26, 2025–As the clock strikes midnight in Times Square, America will celebrate turning 250. America250, the nonpartisan organization charged by Congress with leading the celebration and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, together with One Times Square and the Times Square Alliance, today announce a surprise second post-midnight moment on New…

Processa Pharmaceuticals and 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals Interviews to Air on the RedChip Small Stocks, Big Money(TM) Show on Bloomberg TV

ORLANDO, FL / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / RedChip Companies will air interviews with Processa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:PCSA) and 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SXTP) on the RedChip Small Stocks, Big Money™ show, a sponsored program on Bloomberg TV this Saturday, December 27, at 7 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Bloomberg TV is available in an estimated 73 million homes…

Welfare Solutions for Jobless Growth in the AI Era: Seoul Stepping Stone Income

SEOUL, South Korea–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec 26, 2025–The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the overall outcomes of the three-year Seoul Stepping Stone Income Project (SSIP) at the Seoul International Forum on Stepping Stone Income 2025 (SIFSI 2025) on Tuesday, December 23. Alongside world-renowned economics and welfare scholars, the city government presented policy effectiveness evaluation and discussed the future direction of income security systems.This…

Aptevo Therapeutics Announces 1-for-18 Reverse Stock Split

SEATTLE, WA / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:APVO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel immune-oncology therapeutics based on its proprietary ADAPTIR™ and ADAPTIR-FLEX™ platform technologies, today announced that it will conduct a reverse stock split of its outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), at a ratio…

How the Terms of SMX’s $111 Million Capital Facility Shape the Valuation Discussion

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / Public-market capital raises are often interpreted through a narrow lens, especially in the small-cap universe. They are frequently treated as retroactive signals, with the assumption that issuing capital below the prevailing share price creates a gravitational pull back toward that level.That framework can be relevant for companies that rely…

Japan’s Cabinet OKs record defense budget that aims to deter China

Japan’s Cabinet has approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen for the coming year. The approval on Friday aims to fortify strike-back capability and coastal defense with cruise missiles and unmanned arsenals as tensions rise in the region. The draft budget for fiscal 2026 beginning April is up 9.4% from the previous year. The increase marks the fourth year in Japan’s five-year program designed to double annual arms spending to 2% of gross domestic product. It comes as relations between Japan and China worsened over remarks about Taiwan.

ICYMI: Close out 2025 with these great reads from AP

As 2025 wraps up, The Associated Press has curated a list of memorable stories and enjoyable reads published this year. You may have missed them in the flurry of news and the busyness of living. There are storybook endings and heartbreak. Some are stranger than fiction, and others take you behind the scenes. Even if you read them the first time around, the stories on this “in case you missed it” list are worth revisiting.

A Christmas Message to the DEA’s Diversion Anti Marijuana Cabal

This Christmas season, President Trump’s executive action to advance rescheduling and medical research has finally exposed the truth: the DEA marijuana obstruction was never about public safety. It was about ideology. Control. And a refusal to accept science that challenged long held dogma.WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire…

QAT Community Sets QuantumTrade 5.0 for Public Beta Testing in March 2026

QAT Community has confirmed that QuantumTrade 5.0 is scheduled to enter public beta testing in March 2026, with Ethan Caldwell noting the importance of real-world usability and structural evaluation during the upcoming testing phase.NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / QAT Community has confirmed that QuantumTrade 5.0 is scheduled to begin full public beta testing…

NIA Joins Forces with TAT to Reignite ‘Amazing Thailand’ Through Innovation Power, Transforming Thai Tourism and Leveraging Creativity and Culture to Drive a New Tourism Economy

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 December 2025 – Tourism remains one of the most important engines driving Thailand’s economy. Beyond generating revenue, it plays a vital role in job creation, nation branding, and even influencing investment decisions. However, fostering sustainable growth in the tourism sector is far from straightforward. The industry continues to face multiple challenges, including…

Z.ai、現場での開発向けに設計された新世代の大規模言語モデル、GLM-4.7をオープンソース公開

シンガポール – Media OutReach Newswire – 2025年12月26日 – Z.aiはクリスマスを前に、オープンソースの大規模言語モデルの最新版、GLM-4.7をリリースしました。当社はこのモデルを実際のソフトウェア開発や本番環境での利用に適したモデルとして位置づけていく取り組みを強化しています GLM-4.7はWebDevで6位、オープンモデルで1位 最新モデルは、実際のエンジニアリング業務を想定して開発されており、長時間かかるタスクの実行、安定したツール呼び出し、他段階推論などを重視した設計となっています。このような機能は、開発者が大規模言語モデルを複雑なエージェント型システムに展開する中で、ますます重要になっています。 GLM-4.7は前モデルのGLM-4.6と比較して、コード生成、複雑な推論、エージェントの実行が大幅に強化されています。Z.aiによると、このモデルは長大なタスクでも、より制御しやすく一貫した性能を発揮し、無駄のない簡潔な文章を出力し、多くのオープンソースモデルにありがちな弱点を克服しています。 Z.aiは実際に近い環境で性能を評価するために、Claude Codeなどの本番に近い環境において、フロントエンドからバックエンド、コマンド実行まで、100の実際的なプログラミングタスクでGLM-4.7のテストを実施しました。Z.aiによると、GLM-4.7はGLM-4.6よりタスク完遂率が高く、安定性も向上しており、GLM Coding Planの標準モデルとして採用されています。 ベンチマーク結果においても、GLM-4.7は現在提供されているオープンソースモデルの中でトップクラスの性能を示しています。BrowseCompで67.5、τ²-Benchで87.4のスコアを達成しており、特にτ²-Benchの結果はオープンソースシステムとして過去最高です。SWE-bench VerifiedやLiveCodeBench v6などコーディング能力を測るベンチマークでも、総合的な性能はClaude Sonnet 4.5に迫る水準となっています。また、Code Arenaの大規模なブラインド評価において、100万件以上の比較による投票の集計結果でも、GLM-4.7はオープンソースモデルの中で第1位となりました。 Z.aiによると、このモデルはBigModel.cn APIを通じて利用可能であり、Z.aiのフルスタック開発プラットフォームに統合されています。世界の技術エコシステムにおいてオープンソースモデルがより重要な役割を担うようになる中で、Z.aiの歩みは、このようなシステムが今後どのように進化していくか、そしてどのような可能性を実現するかを明確に示すものです。 Coding Planの標準モデル: https://z.ai/subscribe 試してみる: https://chat.z.ai/ 重み: https://huggingface.co/zai-org/GLM-4.7 技術ブログ: https://z.ai/blog/glm-4.7 Hashtag: #ZAI The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Categories: US & World News

Z.ai Open-Sources GLM-4.7, a New Generation Large Language Model Built for Real Development Workflows

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 December 2025 – Z.ai has released GLM-4.7, the latest version of its open-source large language model, ahead of Christmas, as the company steps up efforts to position its models for real-world software development and production use. GLM-4.7 ranks #6 in WebDev and is the #1 open model The new model is designed around…

Jokic’s 56-point triple-double powers Nuggets past Timberwolves in OT

Nikola Jokic set an NBA record with 18 points in overtime, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 142-138 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas night. Jokic recorded a 56-point triple-double, adding 16 assists and 15 rebounds. Jamal Murray scored 35 points as the Nuggets improved to 3-0 against the Wolves this season. Anthony Edwards scored 44 points for Minnesota but was ejected in overtime. The Nuggets won despite missing three starters, including Cameron Johnson, who injured his knee Tuesday night.

Minnesota looks to stretch bowl winning streak to 9 when it faces New Mexico in Rate Bowl

In an era of bowl opt outs, Minnesota still finds plenty of reasons to embrace the postseason experience, even when the chase for a national championship ended long ago. The Gophers are pretty good at it, too, heading into Friday’s Rate Bowl against New Mexico on an eight-game bowl winning streak. That’s the Football Bowl Subdivision’s longest active streak, the longest ever by a Big Ten Conference team and the fourth-longest in college football history. New Mexico will arrive in the desert trying to cap a resurgent season. Coach Jason Eck has led the Lobos to their first bowl game since 2016 in his first year after closing the season on a six-game winning streak.

BondwithPet Expands B2B Offering with Custom Pet Memorial Product

BondwithPet, a brand of Vergent Technology Limited, expands its B2B program to offer custom pet memorial products. The program supports retail and distribution partners globally.HONG KONG, HK / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / BondwithPet, a brand under Vergent Technology Limited, is expanding its global footprint by introducing a new B2B program offering custom pet memorial products.The initiative is…

Best Crypto IRA Companies (Rankings Released)

IRAEmpire has released a new and updated list of the best crypto IRA companies in the US to help consumers make better-informed decisions.DALLAS, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / More Americans are rethinking how they approach retirement savings. Instead of relying solely on traditional assets like USD, stocks, and bonds, they’re increasingly looking to diversify their portfolios….

Eon Prime Intelligent Alliance Office Unveils New Brand Identity and Completes Website Upgrade

Eon Prime Intelligent Alliance Office announced a new brand visual identity and website upgrade, with founder Augustus Sinclair noting the importance of digital consistency and global accessibility.NEWARK, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / December 26, 2025 / Eon Prime Intelligent Alliance Office has officially introduced a new brand visual identity and completed a structured upgrade of its official website. The update…

A Holiday Christmas Magic: Coca-Cola Bridges Miles by Bringing “Sound of Home” to Overseas Filipino Workers in Australia

In partnership with SBS, Australia’s multicultural and multilingual public broadcaster, Coca-Cola delivered a 24-hour Christmas Day broadcast of heartfelt carols and messages of gratitude, bringing Filipino families closer to loved ones working in Australia this festive season.SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 December 2025 – For millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Christmas carries a quiet longing: another…

Lions eliminated after Goff’s uncharacteristic giveaways in loss that sends Packers to playoffs

Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions have gifted the division rival Green Bay Packers a spot in the playoffs. With six turnovers in a 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, Detroit was eliminated from postseason contention. That clinched at least a wild-card berth for Green Bay. The Lions took the past two NFC North titles. They fell to 8-8 with their third straight loss. The Lions had only eight turnovers over their first 15 games for the fewest in the league. Goff nearly matched the season total he entered with by throwing two interceptions and losing three fumbles.

Vikings eliminate Lions with defense-dominating 23-10 victory, racking up 6 turnovers and 5 sacks

Jordan Addison took a jet sweep handoff 65 yards for the game-sealing touchdown with 3:43 left after the Minnesota Vikings forced six turnovers and eliminated the Detroit Lions from contention for the playoffs with a 23-10 victory. Harrison Smith had one of the two interceptions and one of the five sacks of Jared Goff as the Vikings won their fourth straight game. Goff was charged with three lost fumbles, once on a sack and twice on errant snaps by backup center Kingsley Eguakun. The Lions lost their third straight to clinch a wild-card spot for the Green Bay Packers.

New storm hitting waterlogged Southern California could bring mudslides and high surf

Another powerful storm system that could cause more flooding and mudslides is rolling across Southern California. Officials issued evacuation warnings in mountain towns and warned of possible high-surf conditions along the coast. Forecasters say the region could experience its wettest Christmas in years, increasing the risk of debris flows in areas scorched by wildfires in January. Heavy rain and gusty winds were blamed for at least two deaths on Christmas Eve. On Wednesday, a falling tree killed a San Diego man. Farther north, a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy died in what appeared to be a weather-related crash.

Mohammad Bakri, renowned and controversial Palestinian actor and filmmaker, dies at 72

The family of Palestinian director and actor Mohammad Bakri says he has died at 72. Bakri was known for exploring Palestinian identity through works in Arabic and Hebrew. His 2003 documentary “Jenin, Jenin” focused on an Israeli military operation and was banned in Israel. He also acted in the 2025 film “All That’s Left of You,” alongside his sons. Born in northern Israel, Bakri held Israeli citizenship and studied at Tel Aviv University. He faced backlash for his work, including legal battles over “Jenin, Jenin.” His family said he died Wednesday from heart and lung issues.

The Kremlin says Moscow made an offer to France regarding a French citizen imprisoned in Russia

The Kremlin is in talks with French authorities about French scholar Laurent Vinatier, who is serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly faces new espionage charges. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, arrested last year for collecting military information. Peskov refused to provide details. The French Foreign Ministry had no comment. Vinatier was arrested in June 2024, accused of failing to register as a “foreign agent.” His sentence has been criticized as “extremely severe.” Detentions on similar charges have increased in Russia since the Ukraine invasion.

A Venezuelan family’s Christmas: From the American dream to poverty

Mariela Gómez and thousands of Venezuelan immigrants have faced a challenging Christmas after Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. Gómez, her partner, and two sons returned to Venezuela in October after being deported from the U.S. They spent the holiday in northern Venezuela for the first time in eight years. Gómez struggled with unemployment and poverty, managing only a modest dinner. Her journey back was perilous, involving a dangerous trek by boat. Over 14,000 migrants have returned to South America since Trump limited migration. Gómez hopes for a better future, praying for health and a job.

Lamar Jackson doubtful and Jordan Love questionable for Ravens-Packers game Saturday

Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful for Baltimore’s game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night as he continues to deal with a back injury that knocked him out of the game against the New England Patriots last weekend. The two-time MVP quarterback hasn’t practiced this week after getting hurt in the second quarter of Baltimore’s 28-24 loss. Green Bay has its own quarterback issues after Jordan Love left the Packers’ 22-16 overtime loss at Chicago last weekend because of a concussion. Love and Green Bay backup quarterback Malik Willis are both listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

Christmas Eve winner in Arkansas lands a $1.817 billion Powerball lottery jackpot

A Powerball ticket purchased at a gas station outside Little Rock, Arkansas, won a $1.817 billion jackpot just before Christmas. The winning numbers were announced on Christmas Eve, ending the lottery game’s three-month stretch without a top-prize winner. The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number being 19. Final ticket sales pushed the jackpot higher than previously expected. Organizers say it is the second-largest pot in U.S. history and the largest Powerball prize of 2025. The jackpot has a lump sum cash payment option of $834.9 million.

Photos of Christmas celebrations around the world

From Bethlehem to Beijing, people around the world are celebrating the Christmas season. A polar bear mascot boards an elevator during holiday revelry. Swimmers plunge into frigid waters off Northern Ireland for a charity event. Singers fill a stadium in Indonesia. Associated Press photographers have captured diverse, mesmerizing images such as these as they chronicle a holiday period abounding in…

Pope Leo XIV urges the faithful on Christmas to shed indifference in the face of suffering

Pope Leo XIV, during his first Christmas Day message, has urged the faithful to shed indifference toward those who are suffering. The first U.S. pontiff highlighted the suffering in Gaza, Yemen, and that of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea and the American continent. Addressing 26,000 people from St. Peter’s Square, he called for peace, justice, and stability in troubled regions like Lebanon, Ukraine, and Syria. The pope emphasized that everyone can contribute to peace through humility and responsibility. He received especially warm cheers when he made his greetings in his native English and Spanish, the language of his adopted country of Peru, where he served as a missionary and then as archbishop.

Turkey detains dozens of IS suspects planning attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations

Istanbul police have launched simultaneous raids at 124 locations, detaining over a hundred suspected members of the militant Islamic State group. The raids took place on Thursday. Authorities say the suspects were allegedly planning attacks against Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. The Istanbul public prosecutor’s office said the militant group had issued a call for action against non-Muslims during these celebrations. Warrants were issued for 137 suspects, and 115 have been detained so far. Officers seized firearms, cartridges, and organizational documents during the raids. The police counter-terrorism operation is still ongoing.

Northwestern and Central Michigan are heading for a defensive showdown in GameAbove Sports Bowl

Christmas bowl games often turn into scoring bonanzas, where the first team to 40 points is the winner. The GameAbove Sports Bowl might be an exception to that rule — 20 points could be more than enough. Friday’s game in Detroit pits Northwestern and Central Michigan, two schools that combine strong defenses with low-scoring offenses. The Wildcats are 34th in the country defensively, allowing 20.9 points per game, but 103rd on offense at 22.5. The Chippewas rank 50th on defense at 22.7 points per game and 93rd offensively at 23.8.

Saudi Arabia urges Yemen’s separatists to leave 2 governorates as the anti-rebel coalition strains

Saudi Arabia has called on separatists in southern Yemen to withdraw from two governorates they now hold. The move could spark tensions within the coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who control the country’s north. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday urged the Southern Transitional Council to leave Hadramout and Mahra. The separatists are supported by the United Arab Emirates while Saudi Arabia supports the forced of the internationally backed government, the National Shield Forces. The kingdom stressed the need for Yemeni factions to cooperate and avoid destabilizing actions. The council’s actions have strained Saudi-UAE relations as they both seek influence in the region.