Friday, December 26, 2025

US forces hit Islamic State militants in Nigeria after Trump warnings

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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Fri Dec 26 2025

Jane Onyanga-Omara
Audience Editor

Morning! Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Here's what's breaking this morning:

•	First it was Clinton, now it's Trump's time in the Epstein files spotlight.
•	A $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot is on the table.
•	The white Christmas forecast gets a big update.

Jane Onyanga-Omara here, bringing you the news to know on Wednesday, from how to enjoy the holidays to the latest trove of Epstein files. 🎅 And a look into Santa's workshop.

Cue the cozy vibes in 3, 2, 1...

It's Christmas Eve, and whether you're celebrating the holiday or just taking a moment to slow down, today is an opportunity to make the most of family, friends or doing something you love. Don't have the day off? Here's how to score the PTO next year.

USA TODAY has a list of ways to celebrate the season (and we've checked it twice!). Perhaps give back to a charity you care about this time of year, or be like these folks and gather neighbors to cover the street and your cars with beautiful lights. Better yet, follow in Gen Z's footsteps and host a DIY holiday party with paper chains and dried orange garlands. Eggnog included.

Watch the classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas" while donning Mrs. Claus-approved sweaters, or recreate Christmas recipes from eras past. Listen to holiday tunes — but please, skip these songs . There's no pro football tonight, but get ready to cheer on the NFL's Christmas slate that will feature Broncos at Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET), Cowboys at Commanders (1 p.m. ET) and Snoop Dogg in the halftime performance for Lions at Vikings (4:30 p.m. ET). Speaking of dogs, your pup will be happy to watch the Grinch.

More news to know now

•	American exit bonus? DHS is offering $3,000 to undocumented immigrants who self-deport by 2026.
•	It's time to have the Talk with your adult kids. It's not about sex, but it's just as hard.
•	A league of her own: Little League star Mo'ne Davis joined the new women's pro baseball league. An outfielder at age 24, Davis will be one of the major attractions as the WPBL begins play next August with four teams – Los Angeles, Boston, New York and San Francisco – competing at a neutral site in Springfield, Illinois.

Take a look

Look inside Santa's workshop

Toys for Tots volunteers preparing for Christmas in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on Dec. 16, 2025.

Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Tucked away at the end of a narrow industrial park, inside the former warehouse of a heating and air conditioning company, sit piles and piles of Barbies, Legos, toy trucks, art kits, stuffed animals, baseballs and basketballs, board games and books. This operation in Montgomery County, Maryland, is one of more than 800 local Toys for Toys campaign centers across the country, where volunteers receive, sort, bag and distribute tens of millions of donated presents to children in need each year. See how they ensure every child has a gift.

Something to talk about

Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming Willis opens up about holiday 'grief'

Emma Heming Willis has penned a powerful essay about the grief that comes with celebrating the holiday season amid her husband Bruce Willis' dementia battle. In a post on her website, titled "The Holidays Look Different Now," Heming Willis, 47, opened up about living through what she described as a "web of grief" during the holidays.