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First Lady Jill Biden voiced support for President Joe Biden’s controversial decision to pardon Hunter Biden during a press conference at the White House on Monday. The announcement came as the Bidens unveiled this year's holiday theme, "A Season of Peace and Light," during a gathering with National Guard families.

A new report from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic acknowledges that the COVID-19 virus "most likely" leaked from a Chinese lab.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the California State Capitol to protest President-elect Donald Trump's proposed mass deportation plans. Carrying banners with messages such as "Not one cent for mass deportation" and "MAGA out of California," protesters urged state legislators to oppose federal immigration enforcement efforts.

House Republicans are poised to start the new year with a razor-thin majority, potentially reduced to a single seat. This slim margin could complicate governance during the 119th Congress, especially as President-elect Donald Trump plans an ambitious agenda for his first 100 days in office.

NATO has inaugurated an amphibious warfare center in Sørreisa, Norway, near Russia's Arctic border, to enhance defense capabilities amid escalating tensions with Moscow. This facility provides specialized training for U.S., British, and Dutch forces, improving their ability to conduct operations in Arctic conditions.

Concerns over a broader conflict in the Middle East have prompted international airlines to suspend flights to the region or avoid affected airspace. The cancellations impact major hubs like Tel Aviv, Beirut, and others, with timelines varying by carrier. Here is an overview of current airline decisions:

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a willingness to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport illegal immigrants who have committed crimes in the state. Her remarks follow revelations that approximately 58,000 illegal immigrants charged or convicted of crimes reside in New York City, a self-declared "sanctuary city" in a "sanctuary state."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to cut funding to Texas Children’s Hospital after a Houston doctor, Dr. Tony Pastor, posted a TikTok video advising patients to disregard a new state law requiring hospitals to inquire about patients' citizenship during intake. The executive order, effective November 1, mandates that hospitals accepting Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) payments collect this information.

Chicago residents are voicing their dissatisfaction as the city grapples with a billion-dollar budget deficit. During a city council meeting Monday, public comments reflected growing frustrations with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s policies, particularly his approach to sanctuary city initiatives and proposed tax increases.

Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View, came to President Joe Biden’s defense during a tense debate over his recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, on Tuesday’s episode. Goldberg clashed with Alyssa Farah Griffin, the show’s sole conservative voice, as the panel discussed the controversial decision.