U.S. strikes ISIS targets in Nigeria and a vaccine additive is scrutinized: Morning Rundown

In today’s newsletter: The United States strikes ISIS targets in Nigeria. Health Department scrutiny of a vaccine additive could signal changes coming next year. And a new generation of Pelosis, Kennedys and other powerful families are running for office.

Here’s what to know today.

President Donald Trump said that he ordered “numerous” strikes on alleged terror targets in northwest Nigeria yesterday.

The president said the “powerful and deadly” strikes were directed at Islamic State terrorists whom he accused of targeting and killing Christians in the country.

A video posted by the Pentagon showed at least one projectile launched from a warship, though the precise target was unclear.

U.S. and Nigerian officials confirmed the two countries had cooperated on the strikes, a shift in tone from Trump’s past criticism of the Nigerian government.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that he was “grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”

Read the full story here.

With Robert F. Kennedy’s Health Department expected to make more immunization changes in 2026, scrutiny of one vaccine additive in particular — aluminum salts — may offer a clue about what’s to come.

Aluminum salts are added to vaccines to help boost the body’s immune response, allowing for a smaller dose to be used. Nearly a century of evidence has found it to be safe for this purpose.

But in recent months, skeptical or negative statements about aluminum have cropped up repeatedly during federal health announcements and meetings. Members of a key vaccine advisory committee suggested digging into concerns, and Kennedy has made unsubstantiated claims that the additive is linked to allergies and autism.

Some public health experts worry that the investigation into aluminum is part of a broader push to restrict access to or approval of some childhood shots.

Read the full story here.

• A handful of health care policy changes will go into effect next year. Here’s a look at who will pay more and who will save.

Dozens of members are nearing the end of their congressional careers and hanging up their voting cards. But for some, their family’s political legacies will continue, as their kids and relatives run for office in 2026.

Nancy Pelosi’s daughter Christine and John F. Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg are among the political scions running next year, from local races to competitive gubernatorial primaries. Hailing from a prominent political family comes with benefits, including name recognition that establishes trust with voters and fuels donations.

But the ties can also bring a unique set of challenges. In a political environment where there’s a thirst to replace the establishment, being associated with a politician could backfire — and fuel accusations of nepotism.

Read the full story here.

• Record rainfall is dousing California, forcing evacuations and rescues from floods. Meanwhile, the Northeastern U.S. is bracing for a snowstorm.

• Federal agents shot into a van during an immigration operation in Maryland in an incident that left two men hospitalized, federal authorities said.

• TikTok said it removed a swastika necklace from one user’s shop after people reported seeing the product advertised in their feeds in the days after Hanukkah.

• With a ceasefire in place, families flocked to Gaza’s only Catholic church for a Christmas celebration that marked hope for an end to suffering.

• The Detroit Lions were eliminated from the playoffs on Christmas Day after losing 23-10 to the Minnesota Vikings. Snoop Dogg brought holiday magic to the game’s halftime show.

• The holiday spirit took a political turn with Trump’s flurry of posts denouncing perceived foes and casting doubt on the 2020 election.

From “analog bags” filled with hobby supplies to phone-free parties, 2025 marked a shift in how much time people are willing to spend online. Consumers are turning to nondigital activities for entertainment in an effort to unplug, reclaim their attention spans and find renewed fulfillment in real-life experiences. If you’ve ever been trapped in a doomscrolling spiral, you get the sentiment.

Ironically, those who choose to step away from the internet have also turned to social media to document their digital detox journeys. Reporter Angela Yang unpacks the changing attitudes on and offline, and how internet culture is shifting ahead of the new year.

— Kayla Hayempour, platforms editor

Pinterest’s 2026 trend predictions are here — and these are the ones we think are worth watching. Plus, nobody likes to clean their toilet, but these expert-approved products do all the work for you.

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