In 2017, we witnessed tragedy and scandal. We celebrated a theological anniversary and said goodbye to a gifted Reformed communicator. As Christians, we responded to issues concerning our origins and the way God made us. As Americans, we fought for our rights to life and liberty. WORLD covered these stories throughout the year in our magazine, on our website, and on our podcast. Here are the Top 25 articles and columns that grabbed your attention the most.

Disney and 21st Century Fox shocked the media world Thursday with the announcement of a sale that will divide the Murdoch family’s media empire. Disney will buy about $52.4 billion in stock and acquire film businesses including Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, and Fox 2000, and on the TV side, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Productions, and Fox21.

If you’re an aspiring writer celebrating the 12 days of Christmas later this month and into January, here are 12 tips that can serve as one-a-day vitamins:

1. The world suffers from overwriting more than under-writing. Make every word count by avoiding throat clearing (introductory paragraphs) and dress ups (lots of adjectives and adverbs).

Mark Twain’s advice: “When you catch adjectives, kill most of them—then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together; they give strength when they are wide apart.”

A New York moment:

The media watchdog group Project Veritas has come under fire after The Washington Post caught a woman affiliated with the group trying to fool reporters with false sexual assault accusations against U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama. James O’Keefe, a conservative activist who leads Project Veritas, said in an email to supporters that one of his colleagues “had their cover blown” inside the Post.

Media powerhouse Meredith Corp. announced Sunday it plans to buy Time Inc. for $1.8 billion. The sale created a stir in the publishing and news industries not just because of its magnitude but because of the company backing the deal. The private equity arm of Koch Industries, whose owners are known for advocating for conservative causes and financially supporting Republican political candidates, provided $650 million for the Time purchase.

UPDATE: CBS News fired Charlie Rose on Tuesday from his positions as a host of CBS This Morning and contributor to 60 Minutes. The accusations of sexual harassment against Rose was the lead story on CBS This Morning on Tuesday, which was hosted by his former colleagues Norah O’Donnell and Gayle King. “This has to end,” said O’Donnell. King, who considers Rose a friend she held in high regard, said, “Charlie does not get a pass here.