Why is this occupation different from all other occupations?  —  The EU insists that Turks in Cyprus and Moroccans in Western Sahara ‘cannot be compared’ to Israelis in the West Bank.  Two legal scholars are fighting a losing battle to find out why

Judge Who Once Called Rape Victim ‘In Control’ Sentences Abusive Boyfriend To Write ‘Boys Do Not Hit Girls’  —  Montana District Judge G. Todd Baugh's controversial remarks about a 14-year-old rape victim inspired a national petition and protests when he suspended the rapist's jail sentence in August to a mere 30 days.

Edward Snowden's Christmas message  —  ‘Together we can find a better balance.  End mass surveillance,’ said Snowden.  AP Photo  —  Close  —  NSA leaker Edward Snowden is offering an “alternative” Christmas Message, saying a child born today will “never know what it means to have a private moment.”

House Republican vows to defend Christmas from ‘offended’ minority  —  Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) on Tuesday vowed to protect Christmas against what he called a “vocal minority” offended by its symbols and traditions.  —  “There is a vocal minority that is offended at the rest of us …

Iran's top leaders praise spirit of Christmas  —  Iran President Hassan Rouhani is endorsing the spirit of Christmas.  —  Rouhani on Tuesday retweeted two tweets, one by Iran's supreme leader and one by its foreign minister, that focused on the spirit of Christmas.

Sign-Up Period Extended Again for Health Plan  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Tuesday that it would provide more time for people to complete their applications for health insurance if they could show that they missed the deadline because of problems with the federal health care website.

Pope Francis calls for peace in Syria, Middle East in Christmas address  —  The popular pontiff also singled out South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Nigeria during his message to tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans who gathered below the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Appeals Court Refuses To Halt Utah Marriages For Same-Sex Couples  —  A Christmas Eve order from the 10th Circuit.  Update: State officials say they will ask the Supreme Court to step in.  —  Nicole Barnes, left, and her partner Tarah Camarillo exchange rings as they get married …

Royal pardon for codebreaker Alan Turing  —  Computer pioneer and codebreaker Alan Turing has been given a posthumous royal pardon.  —  It addresses his 1952 conviction for homosexuality for which he was punished by being chemically castrated.  —  The conviction meant he lost …

Bill de Blasio daughter reveals drug, alcohol abuse  —  In an unusual and moving Christmas Eve video, the college-age daughter of New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio is revealing for the first time her struggle with alcohol, drugs and depression — and is urging others in need to get help.

Obama's albatross: Transparency  —  Five years into his presidency, Barack Obama might have been reaping kudos for ushering in a new era of transparency in government.  —  Instead, he's under fire for his administration's secrecy.  —  The White House has faced a fusillade of high-profile complaints …

In fundraising pitch, Hillary Clinton says Bill will match donations  —  Hillary Rodham Clinton fired off an end-of-the-year fundraising solicitation to supporters of her family's charitable foundation - and she offered an intriguing pitch.  —  Her husband, former president Bill Clinton …