UN agencies: Famine pushed back in Gaza but fragile gains risk reversal without sustained support — WHO

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Lead On 19 December 2025, FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO said the latest IPC analysis shows no area of the Gaza Strip currently meets the technical threshold for famine after the October ceasefire and improved humanitarian and commercial access. The agencies welcomed the finding while warning that gains are extremely fragile given massive infrastructure damage, … Read more

Taipei metro knife attack kills three after smoke-bombing

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On Friday evening in Taipei, a 27-year-old suspect set off smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station and then moved about 800 metres to Zhongshan metro station, stabbing commuters during the city’s rush hour. Authorities say three people died and nine were injured; the suspect, identified by officials as Chang Wen, later fell from a multi-storey … Read more

Wisconsin judge found guilty of obstruction after allegedly helping immigrant evade ICE

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In Milwaukee on Thursday, a jury convicted Milwaukee County circuit judge Hannah Dugan of obstruction after finding she impeded federal agents attempting to arrest a Mexican national at her courthouse in April. The panel deliberated for six hours before acquitting Dugan on a related concealment charge; she faces up to five years in prison and … Read more

Investigators seek motive for shootings of MIT professor and Brown students – The Guardian

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Lead Investigators on Friday turned their attention to finding a motive after the linked killings of two Brown University students and an MIT physics professor in New England. Authorities say the prime suspect, 48-year-old Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in a New Hampshire storage unit on Thursday … Read more

Strava puts popular “Year in Sport” recap behind an $80 paywall

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Lead: Earlier this month (December 2025), Strava rolled out its annual “Year in Sport” animated recap but, for the first time since the feature’s 2016 debut, made it available only to paying subscribers. The recap — a short, shareable video highlighting a user’s rides, runs and social interactions — is now gated behind Strava’s $80-per-year … Read more

Harry and Meghan Share Christmas Photo with Archie and Lilibet

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Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, released a new family photograph and seasonal message showing the couple with their two young children in a woodland setting, shared via Instagram and their Archewell channels. The image, circulated in mid‑December, shows six‑year‑old Prince Archie embracing his father while four‑year‑old Princess Lilibet holds her mother’s hand on … Read more

Heavy Rain Floods Clackamas County as Flood Watches and Road Closures Spread

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Dec. 19, 2025 — Heavy December rain from an atmospheric river pushed the Clackamas and Sandy rivers above their banks on Friday, flooding homes and prompting widespread flood watches across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Authorities issued evacuation notices for low-lying areas along the Clackamas River, while thousands of customers faced power outages and major … Read more

Wisconsin judge convicted for aiding Mexican migrant during ICE arrest

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Lead: A Milwaukee County judge was convicted in April of obstructing federal immigration enforcement after directing a Mexican defendant away from a courtroom exit during an ICE arrest attempt. The incident involved Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national facing misdemeanor battery charges, who was removed by immigration agents and later deported. A jury found Judge Hannah … Read more

Hudson’s 29 Kills Sends Kentucky into Sunday’s National Title Game – UK Athletics

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On Thursday night in Kansas City, senior outside hitter Eva Hudson delivered a match-defining performance, recording 29 kills as top-seeded Kentucky edged third-seeded Wisconsin 3-2 (12-25, 25-22, 21-25, 26-24, 15-13) to reach Sunday afternoon’s NCAA National Championship. The Wildcats will meet SEC rival Texas A&M in the title match at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. … Read more

Riots Erupt in Bangladesh After Killing of Student Leader

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Lead: The death on Dec. 19, 2025, of 32-year-old student leader Sharif Osman bin Hadi, flown to Singapore after being shot on Dec. 12, touched off violent unrest in Dhaka. Protesters poured into the streets late Thursday and targeted newspaper offices and several politicians’ homes, prompting fears the unrest could further destabilize an already fragile … Read more

Brown University Suspect Found Dead as Epstein Files Deadline Nears

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Lead: Authorities say the suspected gunman in the December shootings linked to Brown University and the killing of an MIT professor was found dead in a New Hampshire storage unit, days after two students were killed and nine others were wounded on the Providence campus. The suspect has been identified as 48-year-old Claudio Manuel Neves … Read more

U.S. says 2 strikes on alleged drug boats killed 5 in eastern Pacific – NBC News

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Lead: The U.S. military announced on Thursday that it conducted two strikes against boats in the eastern Pacific it described as carrying contraband, saying five people were killed. U.S. Southern Command posted videos and a statement claiming the vessels were moving along established narcotrafficking routes and engaged in illicit operations. Officials said three people died … Read more

E.U. Loan Shields Ukraine’s Budget, Strengthens War Plans

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Lead On Dec. 19, 2025, European leaders approved a $105 billion, interest-free loan to Ukraine that officials say will avert an immediate budget shortfall and underpin Kyiv’s war effort over the next two years. The loan is expected to cover roughly two‑thirds of Ukraine’s financial needs during that period and gives Ukrainian negotiators greater leverage … Read more