LOOP: US cuts aid funding to UN

The LOOP TUESDAY DECEMBER 30 US CUTS AID FUNDING TO UN, PRESSING FOR REFORMS  The U.S. announced yesterday that it will pledge $2 billion for UN humanitarian programs, a reduced level of funding compared with recent years, as the Trump administration continues to cut overall foreign assistance while pressing for reforms within the UN aid system.

View in browser TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30 US CUTS AID FUNDING TO UN, PRESSING FOR REFORMS  The U.S. announced yesterday that it will pledge $2 billion for UN humanitarian programs, a reduced level of funding compared with recent years, as the Trump administration continues to cut overall foreign assistance while pressing for reforms within the UN aid system.  READ SIX TAKEAWAYS FROM NETANYAHU'S MAR-A-LAGO VISIT  Just days after Pope Leo XIV drew renewed attention to Gaza's humanitarian suffering in his Christmas Day homily, President Donald Trump assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a meeting at Mar-a-Lago that the U.S. would escalate military action if Hamas does not back down.  READ ADMIN DOUBLES DOWN ON CHRISTMAS MESSAGING   After the Washington Post published a report raising objections, the Trump administration doubled down on using official government social media accounts to mark Christmas this year with explicitly Christian messages. "Christmas is a Christian holiday," said a White House spokesperson, "whether the Washington Post likes it or not."  READ LAWMAKER: NIGERIA STRIKES SEND POWERFUL MESSAGE   Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, said over the weekend that the United States' airstrike against ISIS terrorist camps in Nigeria on Christmas Day sends the message that persecution of Christians and other religious groups has "profound consequences." The strikes "also put the radical Islamist terrorists in Nigeria on notice that the United States will never condone or turn a blind eye to religious persecution and violence," he said.  READ BORDER PATROL HEAD BLASTS DEM'S ANTI-ICE XMAS POST  U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino went after Rep. Eric Swalwell on social media after the California Democrat posted an image showing ICE agents closing in on the Holy Family. Bovino stated that he hoped this will be "the last Christmas where un-American pedantic dolts choose illegal aliens over US Citizens."  READ ST THERESE'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE  St. Thérèse of Lisieux was described in her mother's letters and diaries as a cheerful, bright child, but after her mother's untimely death when Thérèse was just 4 years old, the girl became sullen, withdrawn, and sensitive. She wrote that she needed a miracle to help her grow out of her behavior. And that miracle came on Christmas, when she was 14. READ REP. EMMER CONFRONTS TIM WALZ OVER SCANDAL   "Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), the House Majority Whip, has issued a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz demanding answers and immediate action following allegations of large-scale fraud involving Somali-run, publicly funded daycare and healthcare centers," according to an exclusive Breitbart report.  READ AD: THE 2-MINUTE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION (REQUESTED BY JESUS!) FREE DOWNLOAD with 2 prayers that fulfill 2 direct requests from Jesus in the Gospels—and they take less than 2 minutes a day! For 2026, commit to praying for your enemies AND praying that you can forgive those who trespass against you. Get your FREE DOWNLOAD with these 2 simple prayers from a Saint and an exorcist, PLUS get 2 other ideas for your family's New Year's Resolutions.  NEW YEARS PRAYER DOWNLOAD CHARLOTTE PARISHIONER ON KNEELING FOR COMMUNION   Andrew Dunn, a Catholic Massgoer in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, recently published a column in which he argued that the altar rail is more than a structure — it represents awe for the divine. "Traditions like that are more important than they appear, especially in a time when even many Catholics seem unsure about what the Church actually teaches about the Eucharist," he wrote.  READ DIOCESE BEAUTIFULLY MARKS END OF JUBILEE YEAR   As the Church around the world observes the closing of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, a diocese in eastern Pennsylvania marked the occasion Dec. 28 with a powerful 11-movement choral presentation of Father Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria" in its cathedral, an hour of Confession availability, and Mass celebrated by the local bishop.  READ THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS   We hope your Christmas lights are still up! The Christmas Season is still ongoing, after all. But where did Christmas lights originate? Is there a deeper meaning hidden behind their joyful twinkling? Find out here.  READ CATHOLIC 101  The Catholic faith literally makes no sense without service to the poor," writes Tom Hoopes. "All of its high truths and beautiful liturgies and rich customs are nothing without real love that serves." Here are 15 reasons why serving the poor is non-negotiable.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today the Church honors St. Anysius, an early Greek martyr who gave generously to the poor. Rather than submit to pagan gods, she gave her life.  READ DAILY PSALM  "Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!" (Psalm 96)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ LOOPcast IS BACK!  What is going on in Minnesota?! A massive fraud scandal is exposed, raising serious questions surrounding local leadership, immigration, and the use of American taxpayer dollars. Meanwhile, is #NeverTrump over? And finally, Pope Leo is "very disappointed" by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's latest decision. All this and more on the LOOPcast!   WATCH Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization., PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082 (317) 669-6127 Unsubscribe Manage preferences