Merry Christmas

Good morning. Merry Christmas even if all that means to you is that the streets are empty and you got to work in record time. Go see “Little Women” in the afternoon and hit up the Chinese restaurant after: beef and broccoli, moo shu pork, dumplings, green beans with ginger and garlic. Ho ho ho!

Recipes you might need today, regardless: waffles, pancakes (above), chocolate chip cookies, glazed ham, potatoes roasted or mashed. Eggnog! Mulled cider! Peppermint bark. How about an omelet mousseline?

Me, I’m going to eat a ham sandwich and play with my new toys. Have a wonderful holiday. I’ll see you on Friday.

Brazilian president Bolsonaro says he suffered partial memory loss after fall

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday night that he briefly lost his memory after falling at his presidential residence in Brasilia, the capital, earlier this week.

2019: The Queen’s toughest year since 1992?

It’s been a bumpy 12 months but how will Her Majesty look back on this year? We reflect on the events surrounding the royal family in 2019 and discuss what next for them in 2020.

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Trump and Alan Dershowitz Chat at Mar-a-Lago Christmas Eve Party

President Donald Trump spoke briefly on Tuesday night with Alan Dershowitz amid speculation the veteran trial lawyer and longtime Harvard law professor could join his legal team.

The two men were spotted by reporters chatting at a Christmas Eve dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The White House did not comment on the conversation.

Dershowitz was an outspoken defender of the president during the investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and supported him during the recent impeachment proceedings in the U.S. House. The New York Times reported this month that Trump’s lawyers were considering adding Dershowitz to their team for the Senate impeachment trial, citing unnamed sources.

Earlier in the evening, the president and first lady Melania Trump attended a Christmas Eve service at the Family Church Downtown in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The service featured a band playing electrical instruments, a choir and artificial snowflakes. The pastor, Jimmy Scroggins, referred to Trump’s presence during the homily while speaking about the birth of Jesus.

“There was no Secret Service. There was no motorcade. There was no gaggle of press,” he said of the Nativity.

Mirum Pharma Surges 190% In 3 Days

Mirum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (MIRM), which topped the list of Biggest Percentage Price Gainers among healthcare stocks on Monday, topped the list again on Wednesday – gaining 44% to close at an all-time high of $23.76, before touching an intraday high $27.28.

On Monday, the Company had announced that a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA for Maralixibat was successful.

Maralixibat has been evaluated in a long-term phase IIb study in Alagille syndrome, dubbed ICONIC, and updated results were presented in April of this year. The study demonstrated that Maralixibat treatment led to a profound and durable improvement in pruritis, xanthomas (lipid accumulation in the skin) and bile acids over 48 weeks.

Following the successful discussions with the FDA, the Company is planning a rolling NDA submission for Maralixibat in Alagille syndrome, which will be initiated in the third quarter of 2020.

Mirum licensed Maralixibat from Shire last November.

Based on Wednesday’s closing price of $23.76, Mirum shares have gained an impressive 190% in just three days.

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From $7 To $22: Did Mirum Pharma’s ICONIC Jump Make Big Money For You?

Iran launches rescue after military plane crashes

GENEVA (Reuters) – An Iranian MiG-29 fighter jet crashed in the northwest of the country on Wednesday, prompting a rescue operation for the pilot, state media quoted Iran’s armed forces as saying.

The military said in a statement that rescue teams were sent to the remote mountainous area but that they faced bad weather and snow-covered terrain, the state broadcaster IRIB reported.

Earlier reports by local news agencies said the plane had two pilots who were both killed.

Egypt's central bank postpones policy meeting to Jan. 16

CAIRO, Dec 25 (Reuters) – Egypt’s central bank said on Wednesday that its monetary policy meeting had been postponed to Jan. 16 from Dec. 26.

The central bank said in a statement the postponement was to await the formation of the bank’s new board. (Reporting by Ehab Farouk; Writing by Alaa Swilam; Editing by Edmund Blair)

Oil discovery raises stakes between Israel and Lebanon

Prospect of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah heightens after the discovery of oil and gas reserves in waters disputed by the two sides.

People in south Lebanon fear another war between Israel and Hezbollah.

In the last conflict in 2006, more than 1,000 Lebanese civilians had died compared with 23 on the Israeli side.

But as Al Jazeera’s Tony Birtley reports from southern Lebanon, the discovery of oil and gas reserves in waters disputed by Lebanon and Israel has raised the stakes.

Ari Behn dead: Norweigan Princess Martha Louise’s ex-husband dies aged 47

Geir Hakonsund, Ari Behn’s manager said: It is with sadness in our hearts that we, the closest relatives of Ari Behn, announce today that he has taken his life. We ask for respect for our privacy in the coming time.

Additional reporting by Amalie Henden.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. MORE TO FOLLOW.