Dec 25, 2009

1. Gov't Promises Unlimited Assistance to Fannie, Freddie
   In a Christmas Eve announcement, the Obama administration said the mortgage giants could receive as much taxpayer money as needed, even if it exceeds the current $400 billion limit.
   Read original story in The Washington Post | Friday, Dec. 25, 2009

2. Pope Attacked at Christmas Eve Mass
   A woman jumped over a barrier at St. Peter's Basilica and knocked down the 82-year-old pontiff, who was unharmed and continued with the late-night service.
   Read original story in The Associated Press | Friday, Dec. 25, 2009

3. Taliban Release Video of Captured Soldier
   A U.S. soldier who was captured more than five months ago in Afghanistan criticizes American military operations in a 36-minute undated video.
   Read original story in Los Angeles Times | Friday, Dec. 25, 2009

4. Auschwitz Sign Stolen To Fund Swedish Terror Attacks
   A Swedish Nazi group wanted to sell the infamous sign to fund attacks against the country's prime minister and parliament.
   Read original story in The Times (of London) | Friday, Dec. 25, 2009

5. For Many, Big Benefit of Health Reform Will Be Peace of Mind
   If health-care legislation makes it through Congress, tens of millions could get health insurance, but millions of others will continue as they were.
   Read original story in The New York Times | Friday, Dec. 25, 2009

6. China Sentences Dissident to 11 Years in Prison
   The harsh punishment for criticizing the government is seen as a warning to activists that Beijing is ready to crack down on dissent.
   Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Friday, Dec. 25, 2009

7. Military Drops Pregnancy Ban
   The hard-to-believe policy that left open the possibility of jail time for soldiers who got pregnant while serving in northern Iraq has been dropped.
   Read original story in Stars and Stripes | Friday, Dec. 25, 2009

8. Central U.S. Hit Hard by Holiday Storm
   Many found themselves stranded on Christmas, as snow and ice continued to accumulate across the nation's midsection today.
   Read original story in The Associated Press | Friday, Dec. 25, 2009

9. Madoff Wasn't Assaulted
   The Bureau of Prisons says the disgraced financier is being treated for "dizziness and hypertension."
   Read original story in Reuters | Friday, Dec. 25, 2009

10. How Did a Nevada Gambler Con the CIA?
    In a feature piece in Playboy, Aram Roston investigates a Nevada gambler who managed to trick the CIA into believing that Al Jazeera was secretly conspiring with al-Qaida to organize terrorist attacks.
    Read original story in Playboy | Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009

11. Pakistan Sanctions Third Sex for Identity Cards
    Pakistan's Supreme Court has passed legislation allowing transvestites, hermaphrodites, and eunuchs to identify as a third sex on national identity cards.
    Read original story in Reuters | Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009

12. Scientists Uncover Key to Memory Formation
    In a development that could revolutionize treatment for Alzheimer's and dementia, researchers have discovered how the brain forms memories.
    Read original story in BBC | Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009