Israel Recognizes Somaliland, Drawing International Rebukes

israel-recognizes-somaliland

Lead: On Dec. 26, 2025, Israel formally recognized Somaliland, the breakaway region in northwestern Somalia that declared independence in 1991. The move — the first formal recognition of Somaliland by any country — was announced as part of a reciprocal diplomatic agreement and quickly provoked protests from Somalia and several neighboring states. Somaliland has administered … Read more

Kennedy Center Seeks Damages After Musician Cancels Jazz Show Over Trump Renaming

kennedy-center-musician-canceled

Lead: The Kennedy Center’s president, Richard Grenell, sharply rebuked musician Chuck Redd after Redd canceled a Christmas Eve jazz performance when the White House announced President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the building. Grenell said he will seek $1 million in damages, calling the last‑minute withdrawal a costly political stunt that harmed the … Read more

Southern California Records Wettest Christmas on Record as Drought-to-Deluge Cycle Intensifies

socal-wettest-christmas-drought-deluge

Lead: Over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2025, many parts of Southern California saw their rainiest holiday stretch in the modern record, according to the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. Mountain sites reported nearly 18 inches in multi-day totals, while widespread urban and foothill flooding forced closures, evacuations and at least five storm-related deaths. … Read more

Trump Backers Call U.S. Nigeria Strikes an ‘Amazing Christmas Present’

us-nigeria-strikes-trump-supporters

On Christmas Day, the United States carried out cruise-missile strikes in northern Nigeria against Islamic State (IS) affiliated targets in coordination with the Nigerian government. The action was publicly framed by administration officials as a response to IS-linked attacks on Christians in Nigeria; those strikes drew loud praise from several prominent supporters of former president … Read more

Murmurs in courtroom as Ashlee Buzzard pleads not guilty

ashlee-buzzard-not-guilty

Lead On December 26, 2025, Ashlee Buzzard appeared in a California courtroom and entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Melodee Buzzard. Video from the hearing, sourced to KSBY and circulated by national outlets, captured audible murmurs among attendees as the plea was recorded. … Read more

Thousands of US Flights Disrupted as Northeast Storm Looms

us-flights-winter-storm

Lead On Friday, 26 December 2025, a major winter storm disrupted holiday travel across the northeastern United States, cancelling and delaying thousands of flights and threatening up to 9 inches (23 cm) of snow in the New York area. Flight-tracking data showed nearly 1,500 cancellations and roughly 5,400 delays by Friday afternoon, with New York-area … Read more

The Official Website of Governor Phil Murphy – NJ.gov

nj-winter-storm-state-emergency

Lead Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a statewide State of Emergency effective 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, as a severe winter storm moves into New Jersey. The order covers all 21 counties and responds to dangerous conditions driven by heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Forecasts expect 5 to 8 inches of snow … Read more

Powerful storms threaten flooding and mudslides across waterlogged Southern California

southern-california-flood-mudslides

Lead Southern California braced on Christmas for another potent storm system that forecasters warned could produce more flooding and destructive mudflows, a day after heavy rain and gusty winds were linked to at least two deaths. The system — part of a series of atmospheric rivers — arrived over areas already saturated by rain and … Read more

New Jersey declares State of Emergency ahead of winter storm – 6abc Philadelphia

new-jersey-state-emergency-winter-storm

New Jersey declared a State of Emergency on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. across all 21 counties as a winter storm approached the region. State officials warned the storm would create hazardous road conditions and disrupt holiday travel, prompting activation of NJDOT crews and roadway restrictions. Forecasters expected light snow to begin between … Read more

Mint Hill mayor confirms two officers shot during custody exchange

mint-hill-officers-shot

On Friday morning, Dec. 26, 2025, two Mint Hill Police officers were shot during a reported custody-exchange at an Edible Arrangements on Matthews‑Mint Hill Road in Mint Hill, North Carolina. Officials said the officers were critically wounded in a shootout with a suspect, who was shot and killed at the scene; the suspect’s name has … Read more

Dangerous Winter Storm Threatens NYC, New Jersey and Upstate New York

nyc-new-jersey-snowstorm

A powerful post-Christmas winter storm is sweeping the Northeast on December 26, 2025, bringing heavy snow and hazardous travel from Pennsylvania through New England. Forecast models show the snow reaching New York City Friday evening, with the city expected to see about 7 inches — the most in nearly four years — and heavier totals … Read more