Jack Smith: Capitol riot ‘wouldn’t have happened’ without Trump

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Former special counsel Jack Smith told congressional lawmakers in a Dec. 17, 2025 deposition that the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol “would not happen” without then-President Donald Trump, calling him the “most culpable and most responsible person” in the conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee released a … Read more

Greene County Teen Marks Ohio’s First Pediatric Flu Death of the Season

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Ohio health officials confirmed that a teenager from Greene County became the state’s first pediatric influenza death of the 2025–26 season, recorded in late December. State data and public health guidance say flu activity in Ohio typically rises from November and peaks between December and February. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reiterated vaccine and … Read more

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adjusts Imports of Timber, Lumber, and Their Derivative Products into the United States

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Lead: In December 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to postpone a scheduled tariff increase on certain wood-derived products. The measure keeps the existing 25% tariff on specified upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities in place and delays a planned rise that had … Read more

Worldwide New Year’s Eve 2025/26: Fireworks, Traditions and Global Gatherings

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Across time zones from Sydney to New York, crowds gathered on Dec. 31, 2025 and into Jan. 1, 2026 to welcome the new year with fireworks, bell ceremonies and public gatherings. Iconic backdrops — including the Elizabeth Tower and London Eye, the Pyramids of Giza, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate — provided focal … Read more

Big Tesla News To Start 2026 After Market Tests Key Levels – Investor’s Business Daily

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Lead Investor’s Business Daily reports that investors should brace for a major Tesla announcement at the start of 2026, coming after U.S. markets tested critical technical levels in late 2025. The coverage signals heightened attention on Tesla’s upcoming disclosures — likely to center on deliveries, guidance or product updates — and notes that traders repositioned … Read more

Alleged Smugglers Jumped Overboard After Pacific Boat Strikes, U.S. Military Says

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U.S. military officials said Dec. 30, 2025, that people aboard three suspected drug-smuggling boats in international waters of the eastern Pacific abandoned two vessels by jumping into the sea after a separate strike on a third boat. Southern Command reported an initial attack killed three people and said follow-up engagements later sank the remaining two … Read more

‘Stranger Things’ Crashes Netflix As Series Finale Debuts – Deadline

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December 31, 2025 — 5:30 p.m. As the two‑hour series finale of Stranger Things premiered on Netflix, viewers across the globe reported playback problems and app failures while attempting to watch the episode on New Year’s Eve. Social posts showed frustrated fans unable to load the finale; the episode follows Season 5, Vol. 2, which … Read more

Packers claim CB Trevon Diggs off waivers

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Lead: The Green Bay Packers claimed cornerback Trevon Diggs off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday after Dallas released him, the team said. Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer described the move as “a culmination of multiple factors,” citing on-field performance and unspecified off-field issues. Green Bay will assume Diggs’s Week 18 base pay of $472,000 … Read more

Trump pulls back National Guard from L.A. and other cities, Newsom claims win

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Lead: President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he is withdrawing federally controlled National Guard troops from Los Angeles, Portland, Ore., and Chicago after recent court actions raised legal doubts about federal authority to keep the forces deployed. The removal followed a U.S. Court of Appeals order that returned control of California’s Guard to Gov. … Read more

Trump Media to issue cryptocurrency to shareholders

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Lead: Trump Media and Technology Group announced it will distribute a new digital token to shareholders, issuing one token per share via a partnership with Crypto.com on the Cronos blockchain. The move was unveiled on Wednesday and prompted a rise in Trump Media’s shares; the company said tokens will arrive “in the near future” and … Read more

Times Square Ball Drop 2026: How to Watch, Where to Go, and What to Expect

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Thousands gathered in New York City’s Times Square on Dec. 31, 2025, to watch the iconic ball drop at midnight and usher in 2026. The event followed a long-running tradition that began in the early 20th century and is now paired with a special America250 semiquincentennial moment after midnight. Organizers staged a daytime confetti test … Read more

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2026

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Who: Major studios and high-profile filmmakers including Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, the Russo brothers and Alejandro G. Iñárritu, plus star talent from Zendaya to Tom Cruise. When: releases span January through December 2026, with tentpole clustering in summer and a heavy year-end slate on Dec. 18 and Dec. 25. Where: wide theatrical rollouts, several films … Read more

Binnington to ‘dig in’ after Blues goalie is named to Team Canada Olympic roster

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Lead On Dec. 31, 2025 in Minneapolis, St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington was notified he is one of three netminders selected for Team Canada’s roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Binnington, emotional when he received the call, said the selection motivates him to redouble his focus with the Blues in the … Read more