Here's what teens want for the holidays

AFP
Liberian ex-warlord Prince Johnson dies aged 72
Former Liberian warlord Prince Johnson, a key player in the country's back-to-back civil wars from 1989 to 2003, died Thursday aged 72, officials from his party and the Senate told AFP. Johnson, who was seen sipping beer in a video as his fighters tortured then president Samuel Doe to death in 1990, went on to become an influential political player in Liberia.Johnson was a key militia leader during the civil war, initially allying with Charles Taylor, the future president of Liberia who was late
Associated Press
One Tech Tip: Home for the holidays? Show relatives you care with some tech support
It's time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they’re still rocking an aging modem and router.
AFP
Taiwan president's plan to stop over in Hawaii, Guam angers Beijing
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te will stop over in Hawaii and the US territory of Guam during a trip to the Pacific, his office said Thursday, eliciting a fresh vow from China to "resolutely crush" any attempts for Taiwan independence. "The Chinese (military) shoulders the sacred mission of safeguarding national sovereignty... and will resolutely crush all secessionist attempts for Taiwan independence," Wu told a press conference.
Reuters
Putin says Russia would use all weapons at its disposal if Ukraine got nuclear weapons
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would use all weapons at its disposal against Ukraine if Kyiv were to acquire nuclear arms. The New York Times reported last week that some unidentified Western officials had suggested U.S. President Joe Biden could give Ukraine nuclear weapons before he leaves office. In this case, we will use all, I want to emphasize this, precisely all means of destruction available to Russia.
NBC News
Ukraine's power grid under 'massive attack' from Russia as frozen temperatures set in
Russia launched cruise missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's energy sector, leaving 700,000 homes and businesses without power amid frozen temperatures.
Reuters
Italy revokes over 3,000 applications from non-EU workers in smuggling crackdown
Italian police said on Thursday they had blocked and revoked 3,339 applications for the arrival of non-EU workers in Italy as part of an investigation into the smuggling of illegal immigrants by organised crime. The alleged false requests to hire non-EU labourers were submitted by 142 different Italian companies in the agriculture, construction, and home care sectors, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza police said in a joint statement. According to an investigation by anti-Mafia prosecutors in the southern city of Salerno, the companies were being used by several local criminal groups - from which one million euros ($1.05 million) in cash was already seized in July - to smuggle non-EU migrants into Italy.
AFP
French luxury mogul Arnault defiant at ex-spy chief trial
France's richest man, LVMH chief Bernard Arnault, testified Thursday in the influence-peddling trial of the former head of France's domestic intelligence agency, denying any knowledge of an alleged scheme to protect the luxury group.Bernard Squarcini, the former head of the DCRI security service (since renamed the DGSI), is one of 10 men on trial and charged with using his security contacts for private gain, including obtaining confidential information on behalf of LVMH. Squarcini faces 11 charg
CBS News
3 Americans held for years in China released and back in U.S.
Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung have been released from detention, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said.
Associated Press
Germany's top court rejects renewable energy producers' case against use of windfall profits
Germany's highest court on Thursday rejected complaints by renewable energy producers against a government decision in 2022 to use their “excess profits” to help finance a cap on electricity prices. A submission to the Federal Constitutional Court by 22 generators of wind, solar and biomass energy argued that dealing with the energy crisis that followed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was the responsibility of the state and should therefore have been financed from taxes. “Excess profits” that many electricity generators ran up as a result of high energy costs were used between December 2022 and June 2023 to help finance an “electricity price brake,” capping the cost of part of the power households and businesses used.
CNN
Russia’s overnight attack on Ukraine a response to strikes with US-made missiles, Putin says
Russia’s widespread overnight attack targeting critical energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine was a response to strikes on Russian territory using US-made ATACMS missiles, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
Associated Press
Notre Dame primps for its grand post-blaze return. But why does the cathedral look unfinished?
The bells of Notre Dame are chiming again, but scaffolding still clinging to the cathedral's exterior is puzzling some Parisians, who question whether its grand post-blaze reopening is more symbolic than substantive. When French President Emmanuel Macron inspects the rebuilding work on Friday, in his final tour of the construction site, he'll see the renovated interiors with his own eyes. The day after the April 2019 blaze that destroyed the spire and roof, Macron pledged that “we will rebuild the cathedral to be even more beautiful, and I want it to be completed within five years."
CNN
‘Tik Tok taoiseach’ in the spotlight as Ireland heads to the polls
Ireland’s youngest ever prime minister, Simon Harris may have thought he had a victory in Ireland’s upcoming general election all but shored up.
Associated Press
Romanian court orders recount of first-round election won by far-right outsider
A top Romanian court on Thursday asked the official electoral authority to recount and verify all of the ballots cast in the first round of the presidential election, which was won by a far-right outsider candidate, sending shockwaves through the political establishment. The Constitutional Court in Bucharest voted unanimously in favor of the recount, and said the decision is final. The Central Election Bureau is expected to meet on Thursday afternoon to discuss the request.
Associated Press
Regulators cracked down on sweet vapes after use by kids spiked. Now the Supreme Court is wading in.
Vaping is coming before the Supreme Court next week as federal regulators ask the high court to uphold its block on sweet, flavored products following a spike in youth e-cigarette use. The Food and Drug Administration has denied more than a million marketing applications for candy- or fruit-flavored products that appeal to kids, part of a wider crackdown that advocates say helped drive down teen vaping after an “epidemic level” surge in 2019. Republican Donald Trump's administration could take a different approach after he vowed in a September social-media post to “save” vaping.
AFP
Former UK soldier found guilty of spying for Iran
A former British soldier who escaped prison ahead of his trial was found guilty at a UK court on Thursday of spying for Iran but cleared of a bomb hoax charge.A jury at Woolwich Crown Court in southeast London found army soldier Daniel Khalife, 23, guilty of espionage and terrorism charges, including eliciting or attempting to elicit information likely to be useful to a person preparing an act of terrorism.
Associated Press
The outlook is uncertain for AI regulations as the US government pivots to full Republican control
With artificial intelligence at a pivotal moment of development, the federal government is about to transition from one that prioritized AI safeguards to one more focused on eliminating red tape. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to rescind President Joe Biden’s sweeping AI executive order, which sought to protect people’s rights and safety without stifling innovation.
CNN
Israel has agreed to a truce in Lebanon. Here’s what that means
Israel and Lebanon have accepted a proposal to end the 13-month border conflict that spiraled into an all-out war with Hezbollah. Here are the details about the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal
Popular Science
13 marvelous images from the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards
A polar bear sits seemingly unbothered by a heavy snowstorm pummeling down. Photographer Daniel Valverde Fernandez captured the moment (seen above) the bear gave a vigorous shake to send the powder flying into the swirling winds. The image earned runner-up honors in the Mammals category of the 2024 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Spanish […]
NBC News
Democratic-controlled cities are finalizing plans to oppose mass deportation
LOS ANGELES — The resistance promised by blue state governors after the election of Donald Trump is beginning to take shape as city leaders, advocacy groups and the nation's second-largest school district launch efforts to oppose mass deportations.
NBC News
Here's where consumers could feel the price pain if Trump's tariffs go into effect
President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on tariffs.

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