These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Trump in Iraq:** The president and first lady arrived in Iraq for a surprise visit to greet troops, the first trip to an active war zone of Trump’s presidency. Speaking to about 100 enthusiastic soldiers at an airbase near Baghdad, Trump defended his skepticism over foreign intervention, saying the U.S. is no longer “the suckers of the world.” He also attacked Democrats over the border wall, a highly unusual tactic for presidents speaking to troops overseas. Read more [here](https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/trump-visits-us-troops-in-iraq-for-first-trip-to-a-conflict-zone-1.562190). * **Border Changes:** Homeland Security Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen said the border is at a “breaking point,” a day after a second migrant child died in U.S. custody. She said in a statement that border agents will now do mandatory medical checks on all children under 10 in custody and Coast Guard medical personnel will be deployed to help. Read more [here](https://abcnews.go.com/beta-story-container/Politics/nielsen-us-borders-pushed-breaking-point-seek-open/story?id=60017621). * **Winter Storm:** A major snowstorm is bringing whiteout conditions to the Plains and up through the Midwest, with blizzard conditions expected in the Dakotas today. The storm has already dumped inches of snow in some places. Parts of New England are expected to have snow, sleet, and freezing rain tonight. Read more [here](https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2018-12-26-winter-storm-eboni-snow-wind-plains-midwest-wet-new-england-christmas). * **Kevin Spacey:** There’s reportedly video evidence in the sexual assault case against actor Kevin Spacey. According to a Massachusetts State Police report, there’s video of Spacey touching the front of the alleged victim’s pants. The video is reportedly from Snapchat. Read more [here](https://www.masslive.com/news/2018/12/sexual-assault-case-against-kevin-spacey-includes-video-evidence-massachusetts-state-police-report-says.html). * **Santa Claus Rally:** The Dow broke a record Wednesday ー this time a good one ー surging over 1000 points for the largest single-day point gain ever. The massive rise follows the Dow’s worst Christmas Eve in its history. The Dow and S&P indexes are still down nearly 20 percent on the year, just shy of bear market territory. Read more [here](https://www.cheddar.com/videos/dont-buy-this-market-analyst). * **Snapchat for the Dogs:** Snapchat unveiled new filters for man’s best friend in a bid to increase use of its beleaguered app. The augmented reality lenses will make it look like there’s a butterfly on your pup’s nose, frame their head in a pepperoni pizza, or give them hipster glasses. Read more [here](https://www.pcmag.com/news/365628/snapchats-new-dog-lenses-give-your-pup-an-alter-ego). * **Serena:** Tennis great Serena Williams has been voted AP Female Athlete of the Year ー for the fifth time. Rounding out the top five were gymnast Simone Biles, basketball player Arike Ogunbowale, snowboarder Chloe Kim and swimmer Katie Ledecky. The AP Male Athlete of the Year will be announced today. Read more [here](https://apnews.com/c93b33278c8c464983db9b7a9a6c998d). * **Spotted:** Beyonce, Jay-Z and their three kids at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, showing Jay-Z’s grandmother a bench named in her honor. Read more [here](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6530829/Beyonce-Jay-Z-EXCLUSIVE-Power-couple-enjoy-Christmas-New-York-park-family.html). * **Macaulay Culkin x 2:** Actor Macaulay Culkin has a new middle name after putting it to a vote. The actor will now be Macaulay “Macaulay Culkin” Culkin. The middle name “Macaulay Culkin” beat out “TheMcRibIsBack,” which came in second and “Kieran” which came in third. Read more [here](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/12/26/macaulay-culkin-new-middle-name-poll-results/2413495002/). * **Airborne Christmas:** An Ohio father booked six flights so that he could spend Christmas in the air with his flight attendant daughter. The story went viral after a passenger caught wind of it and posted a photo to social media. Read more [here](https://people.com/human-interest/dad-booked-six-flights-to-join-flight-attendant-daughter-on-christmas/). Cheddar's Hena Doba gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).
