Videos of the Day: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ Is Theme of Pence Holiday

Christmas at Vice President Mike Pence’s official residence literally jumps out of the pages of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Every room on the main floor of the Naval Observatory represents a verse from the poem by Clement Clarke Moore, officially titled “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” Pence has a family tradition of reading the holiday classic to his three children every Christmas Eve even though they’re adults now and the gang includes a daughter-in-law.

Stockings hung by the chimney with care? Nine red ones hang from the fireplace mantle in the dining room: Six for the Pences and three for pets Hazel, Harley and Marlon.

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US Begins to Withdraw Troops From Syria

Having completely defeated the ISIS terrorist group in the territory, the United States has begun to withdraw troops from Syria, according to the White House.

“We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency,” Trump wrote on Twitter on Dec. 19.

The U.S. started operations in Syria in late 2014 with the goal of eradicating ISIS. Gains against ISIS accelerated dramatically under President Donald Trump. Trump adopted several policies that have empowered the military, including the delegation of decision-making from the White House to commanders in the field, according to the State Department.

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Fed Lifts Rates for 4th Time This Year but Sees Fewer Hikes

The Federal Reserve has raised its key interest rate for the fourth time this year to reflect the U.S. economy’s continued strength but signaled that it expects to slow its rate hikes next year.

The quarter-point increase on Dec. 19, to a range of 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent, lifted the Fed’s benchmark rate to its highest point since 2008. It will mean higher borrowing costs for many consumers and businesses.

The Fed’s move came despite President Donald Trump’s attacks in recent weeks on its rate hikes and on Chairman Jerome Powell. The president has complained that the moves are threatening the economy. At a news conference after the Fed’s announcement, Powell said Trump’s tweets and statements would have no bearing on the central bank’s policymaking.

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Third Canadian Detained in China Amid Huawei Dispute

A third Canadian has been detained in China but the incident does not appear to be linked to the detention of two other citizens over the last week, a Canadian government official in Ottawa said on Wednesday.

The official said Canadian authorities were aware of the detention but gave no details.

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