The 96th National Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place on the Ellipse in President’s Park on Nov.28.
Standing in front of the National Christmas Tree, President Trump wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He then asked First Lady Melania, dressed in a coat of wintry white, to light the National Christmas tree as the crowd counted down from 10.
The US Army Band began to play “Joy to the World” as the green and golden lights began to shine against the dark evening sky.
The host of the ceremony was Antonio Sabato Junior, who has been a model, an actor, and a small business owner. He became active in politics in the recent years.
Melania Trump Calls Opioids ‘Worst Drug Crisis’ in US History
First Lady Melania Trump on Nov. 28, called opioids the “worst drug crisis” in United States history.
Speaking at a town hall, she said that she and President Donald Trump are “committed to fighting the opioid epidemic.”
Trump described in her speech how she’s traveled across the country visiting hospitals and facilities that are dedicated to helping people suffering from opioid addiction, including people who are addicted, babies born addicted, and families coping with the addiction of a loved one.
“What has struck me with each visit is how this epidemic has touched so many people—whether it is because of personal use, or that of family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbors—opioid addiction is an illness that has truly taken hold of our country,” she said.
Many Migrant Caravan Members Are Deciding to Return Home
Days after trying to rush US-Mexico border, some central American caravan migrants have chosen to return to their countries, while others are choosing to stay in Mexico to find work.
“A decrease asylum requests reflects on the fact that people have realized the difficulty of this trip and they have also realized about the possibility that Mexico is offering [to give them work]. Mexico has opened its doors, Mexico is offering asylum, Mexico is also offering jobs,” a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said at a shelter for migrants in Tijuana, Mexico.
President Donald Trump said over the weekend that the migrants would have to wait in Mexico until their individual asylum claims were resolved in the United States. That would be a significant shift in asylum policy that could keep Central Americans in Mexico for more than a year.
The migrants have traveled through Mexico in large caravans. There are more than 7,000 at the U.S. border in Tijuana and the city of Mexicali, with more than 800 others still moving toward the border.
Norway’s Carlsen Beats Caruana to Defend Chess World Title
Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen defended his chess world championship title by beating American challenger Fabiano Caruana on Nov. 28.
The pair met with draw results in 12 out of 12 games in November.
Carlsen wrapped up the victory with three straight wins in a best-of-four rapid format tiebreaker.
Carlsen has won the last three championships and is the world’s top ranked player. He became a chess grandmaster at 13.
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