More information on deadly attack on Jewish community in Australia continues
Australian officials continue to release information about an attack on the Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration. Authorities report 16 people were killed and over 40 were injured in the attack. The shooting was carried out in part by a father and son who intentionally targeted Jews after being radicalized by a terrorist group. The father was killed by a bystander who fought and overpowered him during the attack. The son was arrested and taken into custody. He is currently in the hospital under police guard. The attack was condemned by Australian, Israeli, U.S., and other governments around the world. Members of the Jewish and Christian communities are pledging to unite and speak up concerning rising antisemitism around the world. SNBC NEWS will update you on this story as it continues to develop.
Parents sue after daughter asked to room with trans identifying student on overnight trip
Parents in Colorado have filed a lawsuit after their daughter was assigned to share a room with a biological male student on a school trip. Joe and Serena Wailes claim in 2023 the student, who claimed to be transgender, was allowed to share a room with their then 11-year-old daughter, because he identified as a female. The daughter was allowed to change her room after she objected but was instructed not to disclose why she changed rooms. The family says school officials asked them not to disclose the situation to protect the privacy of the other child. The parents later filed a lawsuit, claiming their rights were violated. Attorneys for Alliance Defending Freedom, who are representing the parents, are pushing for more rights for parents who wish to protect their children from bad policies.
UNITE US launches outreach to high school students
The ministry group UNITE US has now extended its witnessing of the Gospel to high school events. Students gathered at a local arena last week to worship and hear the Gospel of Jesus. Organizers report being asked repeatedly to extend the outreach to high school students, so an inaugural Unite High Schools event was launched in September, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. The group reported more than 1,000 students gave their lives to Christ during this event. The campaign to witness the Gospel to college students has reached over 100,000 students on 18 college campuses around the U.S. The response from college students is what led to the high school outreach. The organization is giving God praise and reports they will continue to witness to college and high school students with more outreach events.
SNBC Health report: What’s in Your Morning Cup of Coffee?
Coffee is beloved for its caffeine kick and flavor, but it also helps reduce risks from chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, thanks to high levels of antioxidants and other bioactive compounds. However, other lesser-known compounds may actually be harmful to your health.
A September review of 11 studies of more than one million participants published in Arterial Hypertension found that moderate coffee intake may promote good cholesterol levels, while excessive intake may be associated with bad cholesterol and total cholesterol levels.
Pesticides and herbicides used on coffee plantations may have harmful effects on the endocrine and nervous systems, but residues in coffee are generally within safe limits, according to Julia Kop-czyń-ska, microbiologist and doctoral candidate at the Polish Academy of Sciences.
Pod-type coffee, or K-cups, which come in plastic containers, can leach chemicals that are linked to a host of health concerns. Artificially flavored brews like French vanilla, hazelnut, or caramel can reduce coffee’s health benefits. Methylene chloride, an industrial chemical used in the decaffeination process to extract caffeine can also be harmful to the body.
Typically, nondairy creamers contain partially hydrogenated oils, which are high in trans fatty acids and emulsifiers which may alter the gut microbiome.
The artificial sweetener aspartame has been linked to gut biome disruption, and erythritol may increase the risk of blood clots, a March study suggests. In one studay, researchers found that drinking black coffee lowered the risk of death from all causes and heart disease.
If a person is concerned about what’s in their coffee, researchers suggest purchasing whole beans from suppliers who control drying and storage, and storing them in airtight containers in a cool, dry location to slow the breakdown of the beans and inhibit mold growth.
Kopczyńska suggests switching to filtered coffee and buying organic coffee, if possible, to minimize cumulative pesticide exposure.
By carefully choosing the type of coffee and being mindful of storage and brewing practices, a person can significantly reduce the presence of unwanted chemicals in their coffee long before it reaches their morning cup.