US is in full festive mode two days ahead of Christmas. Cities are decorated with holiday lights and Christmas trees to celebrate the festival.
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A fire at an Islamic school in northwestern Nigeria killed at least 17 children and injured 17 others. About 100 children were at the school when the fire broke out in the Kaura Namoda district of Zamfara state. Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by a stockpile of sticks used for oral hygiene. President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences and urged schools to prioritize safety. The government had previously failed to enforce safety measures despite a 2014 initiative.
A tragic attack in New Orleans' Bourbon Street left 15 dead and 30 injured. Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the attacker, confessed in videos before the incident, planned to kill his family, and claimed ISIS affiliation. Authorities found an ISIS flag, weapons, and possible IEDs at the scene, investigating further ties to terrorism.
An Upper East Side mansion once owned by Jeffrey Epstein was defaced with slogans supporting Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The vandals wrote 'Deny, defend, depose' and other slogans on the facade. The mansion, an infamous site, was bought in 2021 by Michael Daffey, a former Goldman Sachs executive.
A federal judge stopped the Trump administration's effort to close the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, preserving its function until a final verdict is reached. The court's intervention aims to prevent irreparable harm, helping maintain consumer protections established after the 2008 financial crisis.
President-elect Trump is likely to grant TikTok a 90-day extension to finalize a deal and prevent a U.S. ban. He indicated that a decision would be made after taking office on Monday. The new law barring app stores from distributing TikTok begins Sunday, and TikTok has requested assurance from the Biden administration regarding law enforcement.
UN high commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, requested an additional $500 million in 2025 to address global human rights challenges. His office, which monitors violations in crisis zones like Gaza and Ukraine, released over 3,100 detainees and assisted 49,000 survivors of torture. Despite requesting $500 million last year, only $269 million was received. While several countries supported funding, the US has yet to confirm its 2025 contribution amid policy reviews.
Russian special forces infiltrated a gas pipeline to launch a surprise attack on Ukrainian units in the Kursk region. The operation is part of Moscow's efforts to reclaim areas taken by Ukraine's earlier offensive. Fierce fighting continues, with heavy losses reported on both sides.
The recent killing of Cambodian dissident Lim Kimya in Thailand and the potential deportation of Uyghur refugees highlight Thailand's inability to protect political refugees. Thailand's membership in the UN Human Rights Council might increase scrutiny on its human rights record and its handling of transnational repression.
Luigi Mangione, suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was arrested in Pennsylvania. Police believe Mangione targeted Thompson due to UnitedHealthcare's size and influence, not a personal connection. Mangione, found with a "ghost gun," awaits extradition to New York on murder charges while resisting extradition. He faces additional charges in Pennsylvania.
Alex Bruesewitz, a 27-year-old advisor to Donald Trump's campaign, collapsed onstage at New York Young Republican Club gala. While introducing Dan Scavino, Bruesewitz fainted after his speech got slurred and he uttered "sham impeachment." As wishes poured in for him, several MAGA influencers informed on social media that he was well and he even asked whether he looked good in that viral video.