“The Minnesota Vikings’ team plane was forced to turn around during the team’s flight to New Jersey for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Their team plane experienced mechanical issues shortly after departing Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport while en route to Newark Liberty International Airport, according to a team spokesperson. The Vikings were expected to arrive in Newark later Saturday night after boarding a second plane. ‘Shortly after departing, the team plane experienced mechanical issues that required a return to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The team will board a second plane momentarily and is now expected to arrive at Newark International Airport later tonight,’ the team said in a statement. Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers commented on an Instagram post of the news, writing, ‘We’re ok.'” (12/20/25)
“Elon Musk’s 2018 pay package from Tesla, once worth $56 billion, was restored by the Delaware Supreme Court on Friday, nearly two years after a lower court struck down the compensation deal as ‘unfathomable.’ The ruling overturns a decision that had prompted a furious backlash from Musk and damaged Delaware’s business-friendly reputation. It assures Musk greater control over the company, which he has said is his main concern, even after shareholders recently approved a new pay package that could be worth $878 billion if Tesla meets certain targets. The Supreme Court said a 2024 ruling that rescinded the pay package had been improper and inequitable to Musk. The remedy of total rescission ‘leaves Musk uncompensated for his time and efforts over a period of six years,’ the 49-page ruling issued on Friday stated.” (12/20/25)
“Political factions in Iraq have been maneuvering since the parliamentary election more than a month ago to form alliances that will shape the next government. The November election didn’t produce a bloc with a decisive majority, opening the door to a prolonged period of negotiations. The government that eventually emerges will be inheriting a security situation that has stabilized in recent years, but it will also face a fragmented parliament, growing political influence by armed factions, a fragile economy, and often conflicting international and regional pressures, including the future of Iran-backed armed groups. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s party took the largest number of seats in the election. Al-Sudani positioned himself in his first term as a pragmatist focused on improving public services and managed to keep Iraq on the sidelines of regional conflicts.” (12/20/25)
“The Australian state of New South Wales is proposing to ban public displays of Islamic State group flags or extremist symbols after a mass shooting driven by antisemitism killed 15 people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Under draft laws to be debated by the state Parliament, publicly displaying the IS flag or symbols from other extremist groups will be offenses punishable by up to two years in prison and fines. The state’s premier, Chris Minns, also said chants of ‘globalize the intifada’ will be banned and police would be given greater powers to demand protesters remove face coverings at demonstrations.” (12/20/25)
“Two theme parkgoers were trapped more than 100 feet in the air for more than 30 minutes this week after a roller coaster in Texas malfunctioned. The Circuit Breaker roller coaster at the Circuit of the Americas near Austin unexpectedly stopped at the first drop, leaving Matthew Cantu, 24, and Nicholas Sanchez, 20, dangling at a 90-degree angle Wednesday night, KXAN-TV reported, citing a publicist representing the two men. ‘For more than 30 minutes after the ride stopped, family members reported receiving no clear updates, while witnesses said staff provided conflicting explanations, including comments that the riders ‘weren’t strapped in currently,’’ the publicist’s news release said, People magazine reported. ‘A sensor triggered a ride delay,’ the Circuit of the Americas told Fox News Digital in a statement Saturday. ‘It was resolved, and the ride proceeded without incident.'” (12/20/25)
“Republican U.S. House Rep. Elise Stefanik on Friday announced she was ending her run for New York governor after 1 1/2 months and won’t seek another term in Congress. On Nov. 7, Stefanik launched a campaign bid in an effort to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in November 2026. ‘While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek re-election to Congress,’ Stefanik, 41, wrote on X. … Stefanik has represented the rural conservative upstate New York district since 2014, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at that time.” (12/19/25)
“Waymo halted service in San Francisco as of Saturday at 8 p.m., following a power outage that left approximately 30% of the city without power. The autonomous cars have been causing traffic jams throughout the city, as the vehicles seem unable to function without traffic signals. ‘We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services given the broad power outage in San Francisco,’ Suzanne Philion, a Waymo spokesperson told SFGATE via email Saturday night. ‘We are focused on keeping our riders safe and ensuring emergency personnel have the clear access they need to do their work.’ Pedestrians posted videos on X Saturday of Waymo cars stuck at intersections with their lights flashing. The widespread power outage is affecting around San Francisco 130,000 customers and began as early as 9:40 a.m. in parts of the city.” (12/20/25)
“A Paris court on Friday rejected the French government’s request to suspend Chinese online platform Shein. The government made the request for a three-month suspension after public outcry sparked by the presence on the platform of child-like sex dolls and other illicit items. Besides child-like sex dolls, illegal weapons and banned medications were also found on the platform. The court said in its Friday ruling that suspending Shein would have been ‘disproportionate,’ as the offending products had been removed from the platform.” (12/19/25)
As Christmas and the new year approach, our daily editions will likely get shorter — not because we’re not willing to do the work, but because many of our sources take some time off this time of year. Content is still rolling in, though, so we’ve got a short (10-item) “weekend special edition” for you this morning.
THANK YOU to supporter CS, whose $15 donation yesterday brings our year-end fundraiser total to $2,108.84!
We’re $641.66 short of our goal — once we’ve raised $2,750.50, supporter GL will “match funds” to get us to the $5,501 finish line. We’re reader-supported, so please weigh in with some holiday reader support cheer at:
Yours in liberty,
Tom Knapp
Publisher
Rational Review News Digest / Freedom News Daily
PS: A couple of asides …
My family’s in the process of moving house, and I decided to purchase an old (1990), cheap ($700) “pop-up camper” to use as a home office. This is my first morning working from it, and I’ve only got one complaint: It’s COLD. Well, cold for Florida — it’s 44 degrees outside and not much warmer in the camper. I’m gonna have to run a bigger space heater. Anyway, this marks the first time since RRND started in 2002 that we have our own dedicated office space! Huzzah!
Also as part of the move (further out into the country, outside cable Internet reach), I switched to Starlink satellite Internet, and after a month I have to pronounce myself VERY satisfied with its price, quality, and reliability. If you’re looking for Internet service, please try Starlink through the link below. You’ll get a free month and so will I:
“The US says its military has carried out a ‘massive strike’ against the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria, in response to a deadly attack on American forces in the country. The US Central Command (Centcom) said fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery ‘struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria’ Aircraft from Jordan were also involved. It said the operation ’employed more than 100 precision munitions’ targeting known IS infrastructure and weapons sites.” [editor’s note: If American forces weren’t in the country, where they have no business being, they wouldn’t be getting attacked there, would they? – TLK] (12/20/25)
