Devil goes up in flames in Guatemala Christmas tradition

Associated Press
Hungary's Orbán blames immigration and EU for the deadly attack in Germany
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Saturday drew a direct link between immigration and an attack in Germany where a man drove into a Christmas market teeming with holiday shoppers, killing at least five people and injuring 200 others. During a rare appearance before independent media in Budapest, Orbán expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims of what he called the “terrorist act” on Friday night in the city of Magdeburg.
CBS News
An owl came down a chimney and perched on a Christmas tree: See the video
A Virginia family had an unexpected visitor come down their chimney this week.
Associated Press
Biden signs bill that averts government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval
President Joe Biden signed a bill into law Saturday that averts a government shutdown, bringing a final close to days of upheaval after Congress approved a temporary funding plan just past the deadline and refused President-elect Donald Trump’s core debt demands in the package. The deal funds the government at current levels through March 14 and provides $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural assistance to farmers. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had insisted lawmakers would “meet our obligations” and not allow federal operations to close.
AFP
Chinese ship linked to severed Baltic Sea cables sets sail
A Chinese ship linked to the recent severing of two undersea cables and anchored off Denmark's coast since November 19, departed Saturday, Sweden's coast guard said.Ship tracking site Vesselfinder showed the Yi-Peng 3 steaming north out of the strait on Saturday and Sweden's coast guard confirmed that the vessel had lifted anchor.
USA TODAY
CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione to be arraigned on state murder charges Monday
Luigi Mangione is expected in New York State Supreme Court on Monday to be arraigned on charges he murdered CEO Brian Thompson as an act of terrorism.
CNN
Here’s what’s in and out of the government funding agreement
The Senate approved a slimmed-down, temporary government spending plan early Saturday morning, averting a shutdown of the federal government. The legislation now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature.
AFP
US Congress passes bill to avert shutdown
The US Congress averted a Christmastime government shutdown early Saturday after weeks of tense negotiations that went down to the wire, passing a bill to fund federal agencies through mid-March.Trump had been clear that he was willing to see a shutdown if he did not get his way, and the passage of funding legislation without his priorities included demonstrated that even his great influence over Republicans in Congress has limits.
CNN
Death toll rises to five with more than 200 injured in German Christmas market attack
At least five people were killed and more than 200 injured after a car plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg on Friday, local authorities said.
CNN
Bronze Age mass grave reveals grisly massacre in which victims were likely eaten
This week, explore a violent episode in British prehistory, discover dark comets, ponder the prospect of mirror life, marvel at an owl’s moon connection, and more.
The Conversation
A Nazi magazine regularly published manipulated photos and misinformation, long before the age of AI
The Nazis routinely shared altered photos in their official publication, the Illustrierter Beobachter, causing readers to question what was real or fake.
CNN
Durbin uses new report to accuse Justices Thomas and Alito of violating disclosure laws
A top Senate Democrat on Saturday accused conservative Supreme Court justices of violating federal disclosure laws in a lengthy report that caps a monthslong investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee and comes weeks before Republicans take control of the chamber.
Reuters
Suffering from heavy cold, Pope Francis to lead Sunday prayers from residence
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis, who has just turned 88 and has been suffering from a heavy cold, will lead the regular Sunday Angelus prayer from inside his residence as a precaution, the Vatican said in a statement on Saturday. The decision was taken in view of cold weather in Rome and the pope's commitments in the coming Christmas week, it added. Francis, who has been pope since 2013, had complained about the effects of his cold during an audience on Friday, but earlier on Saturday he was well enough to deliver his annual Christmas address to cardinals.
Yahoo Finance
Holiday superfans: What it’s like to be the baddest Christmas decorators on the block
A growing community of super-decorators spend months each year plotting elaborate displays and computerized light shows. Their motivation? Pure holiday cheer.
Associated Press
Top-ranking NYPD officer abruptly resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations
The top uniformed police officer in the New York Police Department has resigned amid allegations he demanded sex from a subordinate. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch accepted the resignation of Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey Friday night, effective immediately, according to an emailed statement from the department Saturday. John Chell, the department’s chief of patrol, will take over as interim chief of department and Philip Rivera will assume Chell’s duties as the head of the patrol division, the department said.
CNN
What we know about the suspect behind the German Christmas market attack
A driver who rammed a car into a crowded Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg, killing at least five people and injuring more than 200, has been identified by authorities as a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian citizen who had lived in Germany for more than a decade and worked as a doctor.
AFP
France's most powerful nuclear reactor finally comes on stream
France on Saturday connected its most powerful nuclear power reactor to the national electricity grid in what leaders hailed as a landmark moment despite years of delays, budget overruns and technical setbacks."The last time a reactor started up in France was 25 years ago at Civaux 2," he said, referring to the Civaux power plant in southwestern France.
Associated Press
Vatican advances beatification process for Belgium's king who abdicated rather than approve abortion
The Vatican has taken the first main step to implement Pope Francis’ wish that Belgium’s late king be beatified for having abdicated for a day rather than approve legislation to legalize abortion. The Holy See’s saint-making office on Dec. 17 established a historical commission, made up of experts in Belgian history and archives, to begin investigating the life and virtues of King Baudouin, the Vatican said in a communique Saturday. Francis surprised and even enraged some Belgians when, during his September visit to Brussels, he prayed at Baudouin’s tomb, denounced Belgium’s abortion laws as “homicidal” and announced he wanted to beatify the late king.
Associated Press
Here's a look at the $100 billion in disaster relief in the government spending bill
Congress is allocating more than $100 billion in emergency aid designed to address extensive damage caused by disasters after this week's scramble to find consensus on a government spending bill. The money comes after back-to-back hurricanes — Helene and Milton — slammed into the southeastern United States this fall, leaving havoc in their wake. The disaster funding looked set to pass earlier this week until President-elect Donald Trump issued new demands that tanked a compromise and threatened a pre-Christmas federal shutdown.
The Conversation
Drinking during holidays and special occasions could affect how you parent your kids
Even parents who don’t drink much throughout the year may have a few extra eggnogs at a Christmas party or beers while watching the Super Bowl. And that has implications for how they treat their kids.
The Conversation
Why does the Senate confirm Trump’s picks for key posts — and how? A legal scholar explains the confirmation process and the ‘constitutional loophole’ of recess appointments
Senators have the power to approve or reject a president’s cabinet nominees. A loophole allows presidents to do an end run around the Senate – but Senate leaders have to agree to it.

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