Pope Unveils Vatican Christmas Tree for 2022; Urges Faithful to Stay Rooted in Jesus at Xmas

 As this year's Vatican Christmas tree and nativity scene were unveiled on Dec. 3, Pope Francis reminded the faithful to "stay rooted in Jesus Christ" during the holidays, the Religion News website reports today (Dec. 7, 2022).

"The tree teaches us about our roots; the nativity scene invites us to contemplation," he said. 

"The tree, with its lights, is a reminder that Jesus comes to lighten our darkness, our existence, which is often enclosed in the shadow of sin, of fear, of pain." Francis said during the afternoon audience. 

MI Priest Accused of Stealing $800K from Clergy; Lansing Diocese Calls Charges "Deeply Disturbing"

 A Catholic priest is accused of stealing more than $800,000 from three retired priests in the Lansing, Michigan diocese, the Crux website reports today (Dec. 6, 2022).

Father David Rosenberg was arraigned Dec. 1 on embezzlement charges and other crimes in Clinton County, north of Lansing. 

Diocese spokesman David Kerr said the allegations were "deeply disturbing." 

Cut in Pentagon Funds May End Ukraine Mil. Aid; Several Major Weapon Systems Would Be Ended

 A looming cut to Pentagon appropriations could throw a wrench in U.S. military aid to Ukraine, including artillery and ammunition, Politico magazine reported on Dec. 3, citing Department of Defense internal documents and officials familiar with the matter, the RT website reports today (Dec. 5, 2022). 

Michael McCord, the Pentagon's chief financial officer, was quoted as saying on Dec. 3 that the U.S. would have problems sending new munitions to Ukraine as the funds marked by Kiev would run out in spring. 

The slash in spending could also delay improvements in several major weapon systems , such as the M777 howitzer, which are being supplied by the U.S. to Ukrainian troops. 

 

US Hospitals Are Filling to the Brink this Fall; Surgeon General Warns of Surge in Viral Illnesses

Respirartory illnesses like COVID, RSV, and the flu are pushing U.S. hospitals to the brink this fall, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said yesterday, as he urged Americans to take precautions against all viruses, the Yahoo News website reports today (Dec. 4, 2022). 

This fall, pediatric hospitals are brimming with an unusually high number of patients who are sick from several different viruses -- predominantly RSV, flu, and COVID -- but also influenza-like viruses, such as rhinovirus and enterovirus.

As a result of this "tripledemic," many hosptals are at or near capacity. Some are far beyond it, having made room for patient overflow in offices, gift shops, play areas, and parking-lot tents. 

High Court to Hear Same-Sex Wedding Refusal; Col. Designer Declines Same-Sex Weddings

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Dec. 5 in a case involving a Colorado designer who wants to decline to create wedding websites for same-sex couples because those marriages  fly in the face of her religious beliefs, the  USA Today website reports Dec. 3, 2022.

The outcome could have profound implications for state anti-discrimination laws as well as the First Amendment. 

Colorado, like 24 other states,  prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation by businesses. 

High Court to Rule on Biden's College Debt Plan; Lower Courts Ruled Plan Was Unconstitutional

 The Supreme Court yesterday put President Biden's student loan relief program on ice for now, agreeing to hear arguments about the program in February, the NPR website reports today (Dec. 2. 2022). 

The case will be argued in the February 2023 argument session, the court said. 

The Biden administration had petitioned the court to allow the program to move forward, while various legal challenges were considered in the lower courts , including up to $20,000 in college loan relief for low- and middle-income borrowers. 

Alzheimer's Drug Can Slow Cognitive Decline; First Drug of Its Kind to Produce Such Results

Promising data shows an Alzheimer's drug can slow cognitive decline, the Yahoo News website reports today (Dec. 1, 2022). 

In a phase III clinical trial, with results published Nov. 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine, the drug, Lecanemab -- developed by Eisai and Biogen Inc. -- slowed the rate of cognitive decline by 27% in patients in the early stages of the disease, making it the first drug of its kind to produce such positive trial results. 

It is also the first drug of its kind to be FDA approved.