The NYPD identified Debrina Kawam, 61, as the woman set on fire in a New York subway by Sevastian Zapeta-Calil, an illegal Guatemalan immigrant. The incident, which was captured on video, occurred on December 22. Zapeta-Calil, who re-entered the US after deportation in 2018, faces multiple charges of murder and arson.
Canyon ISD reversed its decision to remove the Bible from school libraries after clarifying with state officials that it should not be classified as containing 'sexually explicit' content. The district faced backlash from parents and community members, including elected officials, underscoring the Bible's perceived moral and educational value.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent Christmas in California with their children and Meghan's mother despite an invitation to the UK. Meanwhile, the rest of the royal family attended Christmas mass at Sandringham. This year has been challenging for the royals due to health issues faced by King Charles and Kate Middleton.
President-elect Trump accused Democrats of paying millions to celebrities like Beyoncé and Oprah for endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris. He questioned the legality, citing campaign donations to organizations linked to these figures. Trump criticized Harris’ media coverage and the transparency of donation practices.
Destiny USA in Syracuse temporarily closed due to a security concern. Authorities are actively investigating the potential threat, and entrances are blocked by New York State Police. Visitor, employee, and tenant safety remain the highest priority. Updates on the situation and reopening will be provided once available.
Social media users claimed that Vivek Ramaswamy was a con artist who purchased an Alzheimer's drug that had already failed clinical trials four times. Vivek rebranded it, added his mother psychiatrist Geetha Ramaswamy on the board, took the company public through an IPO and cashed out before the drug failed again.
A woman at Los Angeles International Airport shocked TSA agents with over 80 prohibited items in her carry-on, including fireworks, knives, replica firearms, and pepper spray. The TSA seized the items and emphasized the importance of travelers double-checking their bags to avoid such incidents. TSA recommends using the 'MyTSA' app to verify permissible items.
Pakistan's military courts have sentenced 60 more civilians for their involvement in the violent May 9 riots, bringing the total to 85 convictions. Key locations, including military sites, were targeted. Convicted civilians, including Imran Khan's nephew Hassan Niazi, received sentences from two to 10 years. International entities criticized the trials for lack of transparency and judicial independence.
A woman was stabbed in the throat by a man at Grand Central Terminal on Christmas Eve. She received no assistance from bystanders or police, who were absent despite usually being present. The attacker, identified as Jason Sargeant, was later arrested by MTA police. The victim said her fellow passengers just froze after the attack and police were seen nowhere in sight.
46 civilians, mostly women and children, are reported killed in airstrikes by Pakistani jets in Afghanistan's Paktika province. The strikes targeted alleged TTP camps, with Kabul condemning them as barbaric aggression. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are likely to worsen following the incident.
David Sacks and Sriram Krishnan, who helped restore MAGA Twitter accounts with Elon Musk in 2022, are now in conflict with MAGA activist Laura Loomer over green card policies. Loomer criticized Krishnan for suggesting the removal of country caps on green cards, while Sacks clarified the aim is fairness for applicants like those from India.
Former US President Bill Clinton, 78, was discharged from Georgetown University Medical Center after treatment for the flu. He was in stable condition throughout his stay and is expected to return home before Christmas. Clinton has faced several health challenges over the years but remains active in public life.
Social media was quick to observe that his lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo was wearing a matching outfit like Mangione. It's not known whether it was just a coincidence or whether Agnifilo chose to wear a matching outfit in solidarity with his client as she issued some strong statements against the ongoing treatment of the case.
Pakistan plans to acquire 40 J-35 stealth fighters from China, marking the first export of Beijing’s fifth-generation jets to a foreign ally. The J-35A will publicly debut after the PLAAF anniversary. This move is expected to shift the military balance between Pakistan and India.
Two children, 7-year-old Selene Zavala and 2-year-old Osvaldo Sebastian, were abducted from King City, California, prompting an Amber Alert. Suspect Jacqueline Guajardo, 28, was last seen driving a black 2016 Nissan Altima. About an hour later, police confirmed the children were found safe and Guajardo was arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
Jeff Bezos dismissed rumors of a lavish $600 million Aspen wedding with fiancée Lauren Sánchez next weekend as "completely false." The rumors detailed a Christmas wedding celebration at Kevin Costner's ranch and rented venues. Bezos and Sánchez, engaged since May 2023, began dating in 2018 after Bezos' divorce.
A former Tennessee teacher, Alissa McCommon, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole after pleading guilty to multiple sex crimes against minors, including raping a 12-year-old student and fathering his child. McCommon exploited her position, building relationships with students before abusing them. The victims' families expressed outrage and relief at her sentencing.
Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi's fallout is not a secret, as Nancy Pelosi publicly acknowledged that she had not spoken with her long-time friend Biden after Biden had opted out of the presidential race. Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama were the main driving force behind the decision. Jill Biden now wants Joe Biden to take revenge on the Democrats and pardoning Hunter Biden was a part of that, a report claimed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with European leaders the possibility of deploying European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine as part of a potential ceasefire or peace agreement. Zelensky emphasized that peacekeepers alone wouldn't guarantee long-term security, asserting that only NATO membership could provide that assurance.
Former CNN analyst Chris Cillizza admitted he downplayed concerns about President Biden's health, influenced by the White House's dismissal of such inquiries and fears of "age-shaming." Cillizza now acknowledges he should have pressed harder, citing a Wall Street Journal report revealing how Biden's aides concealed his decline.
Pakistan condemned new US sanctions targeting four entities involved in its missile program, alleging double standards and discrimination. The US State Department cited proliferation concerns, but Pakistan's foreign ministry argued the sanctions destabilize regional security and exacerbate military imbalances.
Amidst ongoing royal tensions, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will spend Christmas in California, while King Charles has extended a notable invitation to his stepson, Tom Parker Bowles, for the Sandringham festivities. This marks a significant shift, as Parker Bowles has previously declined such invitations. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson will also be absent from the royal gathering this year.
Tech consultant Nima Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee. Prosecutors argued Momeni, enraged over a dispute involving his sister and Lee, planned the attack. Momeni's defense claimed self-defense during an altercation, but the jury rejected this.
Radio host Charlamagne tha God condemned the celebration of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's murder by Luigi Mangione. Psychologists weighed in on Mangione's mindset, citing grandiosity and lack of empathy. Mangione, arrested with fake IDs and a manifesto, targeted Thompson due to frustrations with the insurance industry.
"For some reason, they don't want to comment. And I think they'd be better off saying what it is. Our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense. I can't imagine it's the enemy because if it was the enemy they'd blast it out even if they were late. Something strange is going on. For some reason, they don't want to tell the people," Trump said.
Peak Design faced backlash after CEO Peter Dering confirmed contacting police about the murder suspect carrying their bag. Dering's action angered supporters of the suspect, who labeled him a "snitch" and threatened him and the company. Peak Design clarified they hadn't provided customer information without a subpoena and emphasized their commitment to customer privacy.
Luigi Mangione's attorney in Pennsylvania Thomas Dicky declined to say if Mangione’s prominent Baltimore family is fronting his legal bills, though he said that members of the public had offered to contribute but he also mentioned that it's highly unlikely that the aid fund would come to use. Meanwhile, Mangione now has another attorney in New York who also declined to comment on who is paying her.
"Drones have no use at night unless you are doing some intelligence work, looking for some bad guys or looking for a victim or doing some type of military project. Drones can see stuff unless they have thermal optics. You need mapping during the day. The only reason will be if you are looking for something -- a person, or a gas," Ferguson said.
“I have lived in New Jersey my whole life. This is the first time that I’ve noticed drones over my house. And I was in a restaurant in Monmouth County on Friday night, had people at the bar coming up to me and saying, Governor Murphy won’t tell me anything. The president won’t tell me anything. Do you know? Like, well, I don’t know,” Christie said.
A 22-year-old man surrendered to police after a shooting spree near Dunkirk, France, that left five dead, including two migrants and two security guards. The attacks occurred in Wormhout and a migrant camp in Loon-Plage. Multiple weapons were found in the suspect's car. Authorities are investigating the motive and have increased security in the area.
Unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York are raising concerns. Authorities, including the NYPD with its own drone program, are investigating. These mysterious drones, some large and fixed-wing, have evaded tracking efforts, prompting speculation about their origin and purpose. The Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved in the ongoing investigation.
A migrant boat capsized off Crete, Greece, leaving five dead and around 40 missing. Thirty-nine survivors, all men, were rescued. Separate rescue operations near Gavdos saved an additional 135 migrants. Greece has experienced a surge in migrant arrivals this year, with several similar tragedies occurring recently.
Kari Lake, newly appointed Director of Voice of America (VOA), vows to combat "fake news" and overhaul media norms. Her controversial appointment by President-elect Trump sparks concerns about the potential politicization of the federally funded broadcaster, given Lake's history of criticizing journalists and advocating for unbiased reporting.
Pakistan's Supreme Court conditionally allowed military courts to deliver verdicts for 85 civilians involved in the May 9 riots. These verdicts remain subject to the court's final decision on the constitutionality of military trials for civilians. The trials stem from protests following Imran Khan's arrest, with concerns raised by human rights organizations about due process.
President-elect Trump criticizes US long-range missile deployment in Ukraine, calling it "crazy" and escalatory. He vows not to abandon Ukraine, aiming for a swift peace agreement, but remains vague on details. Concerns arise in Kyiv over potential peace terms as the war intensifies with Russia's hypersonic missile deployment and increased US arms support.
22-year-old Indian student Rittika Rajput tragically died in British Columbia, Canada, after a falling tree struck her during a bonfire with friends. A GoFundMe campaign aims to repatriate her body to India and support her grieving family, who are struggling with the sudden loss and associated financial burdens.
Both Kimberly Guilfoyle and Bettina Anderson were present at the Republican National Convention and were snapped together. At that time, Kimberly sat beside Don Jr while Bettina was sitting in a row behind. Kimberly was sitting between Don Jr and her son Ronan Anthony Villency whom she shares with her second husband Eric Villency. Before Villency, Kimberly was married to Gavin Newsom.
A fast-moving wildfire, the Franklin Fire, erupted in Malibu, California, forcing thousands to evacuate and threatening numerous structures. Driven by strong Santa Ana winds, the fire quickly spread across over 2,200 acres. Firefighters battled the blaze, hampered by extreme winds, while Pepperdine University and surrounding areas faced significant threats.
It's extremely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people and the lived experience," he said as he was led into a Pennsylvania courthouse. Dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, Luigi was seen screaming to send out his message. He will have to be transferred to New York City where he coldbloodedly shot Thompson dead.
Luigi Mangione calmed down at the police station when officers shared with him a square slice of pizza which was his first meal after his arrest. The police released new footage of the 26-year-old suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in which he was seen having a hash brown at McDonald's minutes before he was arrested.
Sources told the New York Post that 26-year-old Luigi Mangione had a personal interest in hating the medical community -- his grandmother died in 2013 and grandfather in 2017. A manifesto was found on him apart from the gun, a silencer and four fake IDs with names that he used in New York City. The manifesto rallied against the US healthcare industry.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty in his address to the company staff said their duty to prevent dubious health insurance claims would continue and that drew flak on social media after Brian Thompson's death and social media users openly called for Andrew Witty's killing and said he should be the next target.
Photographer Hannah Kobayashi, who disappeared from Los Angeles, was seen spending nine hours with a man before traveling to Mexico. Police cleared the man of any involvement, confirming Kobayashi left alone and voluntarily crossed the border. A possible marriage scam involving an Argentinian man and family tensions further complicate the situation.
Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran, expresses reservations about Pete Hegseth's nomination for defense secretary, citing concerns about his views on women in combat and past allegations. Hegseth faces scrutiny over sexual assault accusations and a lack of Pentagon experience, while other Republican senators also seek further information before confirming his nomination.
Bashar al-Assad and his family have found asylum in Moscow after fleeing Damascus as Islamist-led opposition forces took control of the Syrian capital. Celebrations erupted in Syria following the rebels' swift advance, ending the Assad family's five-decade rule.
A video of a man claiming to be the winner of a UnitedHealthcare CEO killer lookalike competition has gone viral. The competition, allegedly inspired by the recent murder of Brian Thompson, has sparked outrage and disbelief on social media. Participants wore similar hoodies to the killer and displayed posters with slogans matching the bullet casings found at the crime scene.
Elon Musk was inside Notre Dame as the cathedral reopened its door five years after it was ravaged by a fire in 2019. Musk was not a surprise guest as he was scheduled to land at 3.20 pm (1420 GMT) at Le Bourget airport today on his private jet. A viral video of the event shows Elon posing for a selfie with a woman.