CONCORD, N.H. — Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow might be enough to brighten some homes this holiday season. But others are adorned with thousands of blinking lights synched to blasting music, drawing crowds and bolstering both holiday and community spirit. In a cul-de-sac in Mesa, Arizona, 14 homeowners...
Bethlehem Marks a Second Subdued Christmas During the War in Gaza
BETHLEHEM, West Bank — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza. The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank on Christmas were nowhere to be found: The festive...
The Fastest Spacecraft Ever Heads for Its Close-Up With the Sun
This Christmas Eve, a vehicle is traveling at incomprehensible speed around a celestial object to bring wonder to the people of Earth — and it’s not Santa’s sleigh. On Tuesday at 6:40 a.m. Eastern time, the Parker Solar Probe, a NASA spacecraft, is passing within 3.8 million miles of the...
Survey: Small Businesses Are Feeling More Optimistic About the Economy After the Election
A recent survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses' Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to...
Heavy Travel Day off to a Rough Start After American Airlines Briefly Grounds All Flights
WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical issue just as the Christmas travel season kicks into overdrive and winter weather is threatening more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour...
Global Monitor Says Famine Is Weeks Away in North Gaza. A US Diplomat Calls Warning ‘Irresponsible’
WASHINGTON — Deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in northern Gaza as soon as next month owing to Israel's "near-total blockade" of food and other aid, the U.S.-created global food-crisis monitor said on Tuesday. The finding by the Famine Early Warning System Network appeared to expose a rift...
California Residents on Edge as High Surf and Flooding Threats Persist on Christmas Eve
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Persistent high surf and flooding threats along California’s coast have residents on high alert a day after a major storm was blamed for one man’s death and the partial collapse of a pier, which propelled three people into the Pacific Ocean. The National Weather Service on...
Stock Market Today: Wall Street Holds Near Breakeven Ahead of Christmas
U.S. stock indexes edged higher in morning trading Tuesday, as gains for some Big Tech stocks made up for weakness elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 14 points, or 0.1%, as of 9:58 a.m. Eastern time. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite...
Fresno Authorities Seeks Public’s Help to Locate Family of Deceased Man
The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office is requesting assistance from the public in locating the family of a Fresno man who recently passed away. Jalal Tantash, 87, died of natural causes on Dec. 15 at a local medical facility. Despite efforts to locate his relatives through personal records, staff at the...
Opinion: Does Jesus Want Christians to Be Environmentalists?
As Christmas approaches, I know that my Christian friends will ask me why I chose to work for the environmental nonprofit Earthday.org instead of engaging in hands-on field ministry. My answer — look at the headlines. Wildfires, rising oceans, coral bleaching, species extinction, deforestation, climate refugees — all part of...