USA

Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich celebrated Mass at Cook County Jail on Christmas morning, urging detainees to embrace their humanity and not be afraid of their mistakes. He emphasized the importance of including everyone in holiday celebrations and offering second chances to belong to a community. Pope Francis also addressed global conflict in his Christmas message, while Rev. Jesse Jackson held a service at the jail following the Mass, promoting peace and unity. Full Article

The power cable linking Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea experienced an outage, leading Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to announce an investigation. Despite the interruption in power transmission through the Estlink-2 cable, authorities assured that electricity supplies in Finland would not be affected. This incident comes amidst concerns about undersea infrastructure in the Baltic, following previous cable damage and sabotage incidents in the region. Full Article

Dog owner Emily took her golden retriever, Jolene, to meet Santa for the first time, only to be disappointed when Jolene didn't look at the camera in the professional pictures. However, Emily soon realized that Jolene was focused on her, as they shared a special bond that melted her heart. Originally a foster dog, Jolene has become a beloved part of Emily's life, bringing comfort and joy to all who meet her. Full Article

Burger King is spreading holiday cheer by offering free chicken sandwiches and bacon cheeseburgers to Royal Perks rewards members who make a purchase of $1 or more as part of their "31 Days of Deals" promotion. In addition to food deals, customers can also enjoy free delivery with a $5 minimum purchase and other non-food-related promotions like buy-one-get-one medium Coke and special Burger King-themed merchandise. The chain has released limited edition holiday items like a BK Holiday Tree Skirt, Sesame Seed Bun Mittens, and miniature houses, with some items already sold out. Full Article

A body was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Hawaii, discovered after landing at Maui's Kahului Airport on Christmas Eve. The person accessed the well from outside the plane, and it remains unclear how and when this occurred. United Airlines is collaborating with law enforcement to investigate the incident, while the Maui Police Department is also conducting an ongoing investigation into the deceased individual found on the incoming flight. Full Article

In Week 17, Danny Parkins provides power rankings featuring the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs. A trailer for "Happy Gilmore 2" dropped, featuring Travis Kelce, who expressed excitement to see Mr. Gilmore back. Kelce, who is also venturing into acting, has had a productive season with the Chiefs, who are vying for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Chiefs play the Steelers in a Christmas doubleheader, with a win securing their top seed position. Full Article

Bird flu has devastated a Washington state wildlife sanctuary, resulting in the deaths of 20 big cats, including African servals, cougars, bobcats, and lynx. The sanctuary declared the losses as a "significant loss" and confirmed that over half of their animals had contracted avian influenza, with symptoms progressing rapidly. The sanctuary is under quarantine and closed to prevent further spread, as zoos nationwide take precautionary measures against the virus. Full Article

Rod Serling, creator and host of "The Twilight Zone," suffered from PTSD after serving as a paratrooper during World War II, which influenced his writing. Ahead of his 100th birthday, his daughter Anne Serling and TV writer Marc Scott Zicree reflected on his life and legacy. Despite his wartime trauma, Serling was not a broken man and coped with his PTSD symptoms as best he could, wearing his paratrooper bracelet throughout his life. Full Article

Starting Jan. 1, older adults on Medicare will have a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs, offering major relief to those struggling with high costs, such as cancer patients like Diana DiVito, who spent $56,000 on Imbruvica. The new cap, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, applies to Medicare Part D drugs, benefiting millions of enrollees and easing financial burdens on patients like the Scotts, who faced skyrocketing costs due to serious health issues in 2023. Full Article

A man named Sean Farr was arrested for stealing over 300 gift cards from Northern Kentucky stores during a traffic stop conducted by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. The stolen gift cards and a ledger containing serial numbers were found in his possession. Farr admitted to stealing the cards and numbers, with investigators determining most were taken from the Florence and Newport areas. He is facing multiple charges and is currently held at the Carroll County Detention Center. Full Article