Here at F Newsmagazine, we know how hard it is to stay up to date during the holidays. Between family dinners and taking on extra work shifts, it’s easy to take the opportunity to unplug. For those who wish to tune back in, News in Brief is here to bring news to your screen, covering major Chicago, U.S., and global events. We gather our information from reputable sources like NBC, NPR, CBS, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and other journalism organizations. We’re here to be a trusted source for students to disseminate news that we feel is important to students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and our community.

So while you wait for the train — or for your parents to let you borrow the car — briefly catch up on the news.

International

Gaza Descends into Wet Winter

For the Gazan strip, the weekend of Dec. 27 was filled with rain and flooding. Puddles have been described as “ankle deep.” According to Qatar News Agency, the Government Media Office in Gaza released a statement on Dec. 28 that said 49 previously damaged buildings have collapsed due to the weather, killing as many as 20 people. These conditions were created by polar lows, which create strong winds alongside heavy rain and predicted hail. At least 15 people have died from hypothermia. Tents already frayed by months of use are at risk of blowing away or having trees fall on top of them. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning a visit to Mar-a-lago to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire, which has held despite Israel’s repeated violations.

National

Viral ‘Realistic’ White House Portraits by Vanity Fair

On Dec 16., Vanity Fair released a two-part portfolio of Trump’s inner circle. Written by Chris Whipple, the article features a compilation of exclusive interviews with Susie Wiles, President Trump’s chief of staff. It quickly went viral, not only for Wiles’ words, but for the photos that accompanied them. With some news outlets framing the internet’s reaction as ‘furious,’ the photos depict Trump’s staff uncomfortably close and intentionally framed in the White House background, showing details such as lip injection marks on Karoline Leavitt’s face. Several youtube videos have been uploaded in the aftermath praising the shoot, such as Shawn Grenier and Matt Richardson. Jessica Stansberry argues this is “some of the best photo journalism of our time.” Even “Late Night with Seth Meyers” spent a show talking about them. Vanity Fair has been quick to prop up Christopher Anderson, the photographer in question, who states his photos are about “photographing honestly and thoughtfully,” and are in line with his previous work. Susie Wiles responded to the interview with a long tweet, concluding “None of this will stop our relentless pursuit of Making America Great Again!”

Knitters calmly protest ICE in Portland

Since October, a group of elderly knitters called Knitters Against Fascism has been engaging in ‘craftivism’ — that is, being an activist through craft. Sitting in front of South Portland’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, this group is protesting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Fiber artists sit in lawn chairs and work while spreading awareness — all they have are knitting needles, which they call their “weapons of mass destruction.” In the months since, the group has gained more followers and traction on social media thanks to individuals such as blogger PDXKnitterati and crocheter Vincent Green-Hite, who attracted younger crowds to the protest by posting free crochet lessons on his Instagram. Knitters Against Fascism reminds us that there are innumerable ways to protest — especially with art.

Local

Operation Midway Blitz, an unlawful ‘Reign of Terror’

Despite resistance from Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson, on Oct. 8, the Trump Administration deployed the national guard to Chicago as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown. The increased enforcement became known as “Operation Midway Blitz.” The officers were deployed despite an ongoing lawsuit against the action, which in December was ruled to not have a lawful basis.

While the Trump administration said again and again they were arresting the “worst of the worst,” most of the 4,500 arrests were ordinary people. Despite the law interfering, chemical weapons were used against Chicagoans at least 49 times, according to Block Club Chicago, a news organization focused on Chicago’s neighborhoods. The Department of Homeland Security retaliated against Block Club Chicago by accusing the coverage of being “shockingly inaccurate,” while being unable to cite examples of false reporting.

On Dec. 28, the Chicago Tribune released a detailed overview of the 64 days of federal incursion, covering the violence that occurred, the sangfroid of officers despite their actions, and the effect it has had on Chicago.