DECEMBER 27, 2025
- U.S. Conducts Strikes on ISIS in Nigeria: President Trump announced U.S. forces launched airstrikes on Islamic State targets in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, targeting militants accused of attacking Christians. The operation was coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
- Holiday Spending Exceeds Expectations: Retail sales surged during the 2025 holiday season, with higher-than-anticipated consumer spending despite economic concerns, boosting luxury and affordable brands alike.
- Marijuana Rescheduling Advances: President Trump initiated steps to ease federal restrictions on marijuana, potentially leading to immediate changes in classification and access.
- California Drops High-Speed Rail Lawsuit: The state withdrew its challenge to Trump's decision to pull $4 billion in federal funding for the project.
- Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Scheduled: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will meet President Trump in Florida to discuss territorial issues, security guarantees, and a potential Ukraine peace plan amid ongoing talks with Russia.
- Putin Signals Flexibility on Ukraine: Reports indicate Russian President Putin may be open to territory swaps in Ukraine negotiations but insists on retaining full control of Donbas.
- Democrats Reposition as Disrupters: With Republicans controlling Washington, Democrats are rebranding themselves as challengers to the status quo ahead of midterms.
- U.S. Strikes on ISIS Highlight Foreign Policy: The Nigeria operation underscores Trump's focus on counterterrorism and protecting religious minorities abroad.
- Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire Signed: The two nations agreed to a ceasefire following recent border clashes, easing tensions in Southeast Asia.
- Israel Recognizes Somaliland: Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as independent, prompting condemnation from Somalia and regional actors.
- Russia-Ukraine Developments: Kremlin aides discussed U.S. peace proposals; Zelenskyy pushes for progress before year-end.
- Yemen Detainee Release: Houthis and the Yemeni government exchanged nearly 2,900 detainees in a UN-mediated deal.
- Placements and Awards Highlight Achievements: Institutions like Plaksha University reported strong 2025 batch placements; student teams won NASA challenges and IEEE awards.
- Digital Literacy Push: Educators, especially in California, are advancing media literacy classes to teach students about navigating social media and AI-generated content.
- Budget Challenges Persist: Many U.S. school districts faced cuts, layoffs, and leadership changes in 2025, impacting K-12 and higher education.
- Positive Initiatives Emerge: New superintendents and programs brought fresh energy to districts like Milwaukee Public Schools.
- Strong Q3 GDP Growth: U.S. economy expanded at a 4.3% annualized rate in Q3 2025, driven by consumer spending, exports, and AI investments.
- Holiday Retail Boost: Spending records on Black Friday and Cyber Monday contributed to resilient economic performance despite tariffs.
- Labor Market Mixed Signals: Weekly jobless claims fell, but continued claims rose, indicating a "no hire, no fire" environment amid policy uncertainty.
- AI Drives Wealth Gains: Tech leaders saw massive increases in net worth due to the AI boom.
- Nvidia-Groq Deal: Nvidia agreed to license Groq's AI chip technology in a $20 billion deal to enhance competitiveness in AI hardware.
- AI Boom Dominates: Massive investments in AI infrastructure by companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Meta; superintelligence pursuits by Meta and Microsoft.
- Tech Billionaire Wealth Surge: AI-driven stock gains added over $500 billion to top U.S. tech founders' wealth in 2025.
- China Funds 'Hard Tech': Launch of venture funds targeting quantum, biomedicine, and other advanced technologies.
- Climate and Health Threats Rise: 2025 reports highlighted worsening impacts, including record heat-related indicators.
- Breakthroughs in Disease Prevention: Advances in detecting pancreatic cancer early, shingles vaccine links to lower Alzheimer's risk, and new therapies for obesity (GLP-1).
- Insurance Costs Strain Families: Rising ACA premiums forced tough choices, with some delaying care or switching coverage.
- Global Progress: WHO noted disease eliminations (e.g., trachoma in several countries) amid ongoing conflict-related health crises.
- World Junior Hockey Championship Begins: U.S., Sweden, and Canada opened with wins; tournament underway in Minnesota.
- NFL Playoff Races Heat Up: Key games like Bears-49ers and Packers impacts; standout performances in recent matchups.
- College Football Bowls: Multiple bowl games scheduled for December 27, including Military, Pinstripe, and Fenway Bowls.
- Premier League Action: Manchester United's gritty win over Newcastle highlighted Boxing Day fixtures.
What Should Mayor Mamdani Do to Improve NYC’s Public Schools? | Diane Ravitch's blog https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/26/what-should-mayor-mandami-do-to-improve-the-public-schools/
- Bob Lubetsky and Bill Stroud, veteran educators, provide recommendations to improve NYC public schools under the incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has promised to end the autocratic mayoral control implemented in 2002.
- Mamdani’s election signifies a shift in New York City politics, breaking traditional political assumptions and focusing on democracy and innovation in education.
- The current hierarchical structure of the NYC Department of Education (DOE) is criticized for stifling teacher enthusiasm and failing to improve student achievement.
- The authors advocate for a reorganization of the DOE to create democratic structures, empower teachers, and focus on student potential and enthusiasm for learning.
- The article outlines five core ideas for the new Chancellor: deepening democracy, inverting decision-making hierarchies, decentralizing the DOE, creating a Division of Research & Innovation, and prioritizing portfolio-based assessments over standardized tests.
- The authors emphasize addressing systemic issues such as school segregation, inadequate special education services, and outdated teaching methods while promoting evidence-based change and innovation.
- The article concludes with optimism for transformative change under Mamdani’s leadership, emphasizing the need for a democratic and inclusive approach to education reform.
Heritage Foundation Staffers Resign to Join Pence https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/26/heritage-foundation-staffers-resign-to-join-pence/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Heritage Foundation staffers resign and join Mike Pence’s nonprofit, Advancing American Freedom, due to turmoil in the organization.
- The blog criticizes MAGA extremism, highlighting its disregard for constitutional principles and democratic values.
- Mike Pence is commended for his refusal to overturn the 2020 election results, despite pressure from Trump and MAGA supporters.
- The author views the shift of sane conservatives away from MAGA as beneficial for democracy and the Republican Party.
- The blog expresses interest in the future actions of other prominent conservatives like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.
Cruelty is not Part of the Christmas Spirit https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/26/cruelty-is-not-aligned-with-the-christmas-spirit/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The article criticizes the Trump administration's immigration policies, highlighting that many deported individuals lack criminal records and are hardworking immigrants.
- The piece highlights the lack of a legal pathway to citizenship for many immigrants, despite their contributions to society.
- The author condemns Stephen Miller's alleged intent to remove immigrants, particularly those with brown skin, regardless of their positive contributions.
- The blog describes the current state of immigration policies as one of the darkest periods in American history.
Big Education Ape: HAIRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAIRY HANUKKAH TOO! https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/hairy-christmas-and-hairy-hanukkah-too.html
"Hairy Christmas and Hairy Hanukkah," reflections on global winter celebrations, and critical commentary on education, politics, and public health systems.
### Key Points
- A whimsical holiday-themed series by the "Big Hairy Education Ape" emphasizes joy, togetherness, and peace during December's festive season.
- A detailed overview of 10 global winter celebrations, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, and Winter Solstice, highlights their cultural significance.
Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS YEAR 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-news-stories-this-year-2025.html
The article provides an extensive overview of the top news stories, events, and developments of the year 2025, covering various domains such as politics, world affairs, education, economy, technology, health, and sports. Key topics include Donald Trump's second presidential term, global political shifts, breakthroughs in AI and health, environmental crises, and significant cultural and sports milestones.
glen brown: Lawmakers Who Deserve Recognition https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/12/lawmakers-who-deserve-recognition-for.html
- The article discusses the challenges and responsibilities of writers, emphasizing the need for independence from societal doctrines and the importance of resisting oppression.
- It highlights the commendable actions of Democratic lawmakers who have stood against the Trump administration, including speeches, investigations, and advocacy for social justice.
- Specific lawmakers such as Cory Booker, Jeff Merkley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chris Van Hollen, Jamie Raskin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Robert Garcia, and Elizabeth Warren are praised for their courage, activism, and efforts to expose corruption and uphold democratic principles.
- The article criticizes the Trump regime for corruption, attacks on democracy, and policy failures, highlighting its impact on issues such as climate change, healthcare, and social justice.
- The blog also touches on various topics such as pensions, education reform, healthcare, social justice, and international issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Ukraine.
- The author emphasizes the need for continued resistance and support for political and social movements to counteract the effects of the Trump administration.
Sign our petition today calling for a moratorium on AI use in NYC schools! | Class Size Matters | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes https://classsizematters.org/sign-our-petition-today-calling-for-a-moratorium-on-ai-use-in-nyc-schools/
### Key Points
- The NYC Department of Education is expanding AI use in schools without sufficient guidelines, raising concerns about its impact on students' privacy and cognitive development.
- A petition is being circulated to Mayor-elect Mamdani, requesting a two-year moratorium on AI use in schools to address these issues and develop proper safeguards.
- A Dec. 6 forum discussed the risks of AI in education, and links to related research and video materials are provided.
- Advocacy for smaller class sizes continues, with updates on a 2022 NY State law requiring NYC schools to phase in smaller classes.
- The article promotes donations to Class Size Matters, an organization focused on reducing class sizes, protecting privacy, and ensuring human interaction in education.
- Additional resources include petitions, surveys on class sizes, newsletters, and updates on advocacy efforts.
Trump’s Response to Tragedy Shows How Moral Decay Spreads in American Politics https://www.changethelausd.com/trump_s_response_to_tragedy_shows_how_moral_decay_spreads_in_american_politics
### Key Points
- Trump’s response to Rob Reiner’s murder exemplifies a lack of empathy and the moral decay in U.S. politics.
- Trump’s comments about Reiner and other deceased figures like John McCain and Colin Powell show an inability to set aside personal grievances, even in the face of tragedy.
- The article highlights the broader erosion of civility, with both political sides exacerbating divisions and disregarding social norms.
- Trump’s presidency has deepened political polarization, raising concerns about the future of American democracy.
Most Depressing Blogs of 2025 | Teacher in a strange land https://teacherinastrangeland.blog/2025/12/26/most-depressing-blogs-of-2025/
### Key Points
- The author reflects on decades of blogging about public education, emphasizing teacher leadership and the importance of democracy, human rights, and shared prosperity in schools.
- Public education is facing serious challenges, including political polarization, lack of funding, and disregard for equity and diversity.
- Teachers’ insights and experiments are valuable for improving education, but research and development are often influenced by politics and funding.
- The federal government’s actions threaten public education by reducing funding for equity and diversity programs, banning certain subjects, and promoting authoritarian policies.
- The author argues against abandoning public education infrastructure, calling such actions "vandalism" and emphasizing the need to preserve what’s valuable in schools.
- Boys need positive role models and civically engaged figures, but current societal and political climates fail to provide these examples.
- Teachers are often subjected to demeaning professional development exercises, reflecting a lack of trust and control by administrators.
- The article critiques the removal of arts, media literacy, and health education, as well as limitations on language diversity in schools.
How “Low IQ” Became Trump's Political Weapon — And Why Its History Should Raise some flags The fascist rationale for genocide MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/how-low-iq-became-trumps-political
### Key Points
- Donald Trump's use of "low IQ" as an insult traces back to a history of weaponizing intelligence as a measure of human worth, with parallels to ideologies used in oppressive regimes like Nazi Germany.
- IQ tests, while measuring certain cognitive abilities, are limited and do not represent overall intelligence. They have been criticized for racial, cultural, and socioeconomic biases.
- The far-right and white nationalist movements have revived discredited theories linking race, genetics, and IQ, often using them to justify exclusion and domination.
- Trump uses "IQ" rhetoric both to elevate himself as uniquely intelligent and to demean critics, disproportionately targeting Black women. This language taps into historical racist pseudoscience.
- The real danger lies not in the insult itself, but in the worldview it perpetuates—one that ties intelligence to human worth and has historically justified catastrophic acts of exclusion and violence.
Much Ado About Something – Accountabaloney https://accountabaloney.com/much-ado-about-something/
### Key Points
- The article discusses the controversial "Schools of Hope" program in Florida, which allows charter schools to co-locate rent-free in underutilized public school buildings, with public schools covering operational costs for charter students.
- The program was initiated in 2017 by then-Speaker Richard Corcoran and was supported by Governor Ron DeSantis and Speaker Daniel Perez. It aims to attract corporate charter school chains like New York's Success Academy.
- Critics argue this policy disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities, shifts costs to public schools, and strips local school boards of authority, while benefiting corporate entities.
- The law was passed without proper legislative hearings, inserted into the budget at the last minute, and fast-tracked by the Florida Department of Education, leading to a surge in co-location applications.
- Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas and other state officials have defended the policy as innovative and efficient, but critics label it as gaslighting and argue that it undermines public education.
- There is a call for citizens and school board members to protest, demand accountability, and push for changes, including cost-sharing, transparency, and local control.
Teacher Tom: Auld Lang Syne http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/auld-lang-syne.html
### Key Points
- "Auld Lang Syne" symbolizes farewells and the passage of time, emphasizing the human experience of loss and reflection.
- Teacher Tom shares his personal reflections on looking forward to the new year with hope despite the inevitability of loss.
- Teacher Tom discusses his dedication to play-based learning, his blog with over 4,000 posts, and his efforts to promote high-quality preschool education.
- The blog includes resources, personal insights, and opportunities for readers to support his work or invite him for events.
- Teacher Tom provides a downloadable compilation of his favorite blog posts and offers ways for readers to stay connected.
