As people prepare to countdown to Christmas Eve on Dec. 24, the North American Aerospace Defense Command is ready to follow Santa as he delivers presents to children around the world with his sled and trusty reindeer crew.
For more than 62 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command have tracked Santa’s flight around the globe on Dec. 24.
“Santa is always on time, minus those kids, minus those kids of course that don’t go to bed on time. So thankfully he’s helped out with Rudolf’s nose, to help him guide through any sort of weather phenomenon, as we both know the story,” said Cameron Hillier, the NORAD Captain on Santa Tracking Duty, to Reuters.
Government Partially Shuts Down, Some Agencies Set to Close
A partial government shutdown was triggered on the morning of Dec. 22, after President Donald Trump and Democratic lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on budget legislation.More than 800,000 government employees were affected by the shutdown, according to a projection released on Dec. 12 by Senate Appropriations Committee staff. About half would be requested to work without pay, while others would be furloughed, or sent home without pay.
“Here’s where we are. The Senate will next meet for a pro forma session on Monday, that’s the 24th. The next scheduled session will be on the 27th of December. As I said earlier today when we opened, I’m glad that productive discussions are continuing. When these negotiations produce a solution that is acceptable to all parties -- which means 60 votes in the Senate, a majority in the House and a Presidential signature -- at that point we will take it up on the Senate floor. Senators will be notified when a vote is scheduled. And in the meantime the discussions and negotiations continue.” Senate majority leader Mitch Mcconnell said.
Turkey Says Nearly 300,000 Syrians Return Home After Military Operations
Nearly 300,000 Syrians returned to their country after Turkey conducted two cross-border operations in northern Syria.Turkey carried out two operations, dubbed “Euphrates Shield” and “Olive Branch,” against Kurdish YPG militia and ISIS terrorist group in northern Syria. Ankara regards the U.S.-backed YPG as a terrorist organization.
Turkey hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees who have fled the conflict in their homeland. Some Turks view them as an economic burden and a threat to jobs.
