US regulators 'need to get with the program' on cryptocurrencies: Ripple exec

Associated Press
Congress is looking to ban Chinese drones that are widely used in US. What to know about the debate
The economic and technological rivalry between the United States and China has come to the drone market, where Chinese-made flying devices are a dominant player. Lawmakers in Washington are seeking to ban new sales of drones from two dominant Chinese manufacturers, arguing they could be used to spy on Americans and that the low-cost models are hurting the U.S. drone industry. A defense bill that passed Congress last week would bar new Chinese drones from DJI Technology and Autel Robotics should a review find them to pose an “unacceptable” risk to U.S. national security.
Reuters
Syria's Christians fearful of new Islamist leaders as Christmas approaches
Syrian church leaders are advising Christians to scale back Christmas celebrations this year, despite assurances from the Islamists who have just taken power that they are free to practise their religion. The self-imposed constraints highlight one of the main challenges for Syria's new Islamist rulers: establishing mutual trust among a myriad of minorities, all scarred by decades of brutal dictatorship and 13 years of pitiless civil war. De facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa has told Christians and other groups that they will be safe in a Syria run by his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate.
Reuters
US House report finds Matt Gaetz violated law with sexual misconduct, drug use, CBS reports
The U.S. House Ethics Committee has found that former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz violated state laws by paying a 17-year-old girl for sex and purchasing drugs illegally, CBS News reported on Monday, citing a final draft of the panel's report. Gaetz, who has denied wrongdoing, resigned from the House of Representatives last month after he was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to be attorney general. Reuters was not immediately able to reach Gaetz for comment.
USA TODAY
Three remain on federal death row after Biden commutations: Who are Roof, Bowers, Tsarnaev?
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Robert Bowers and Dylann Roof were the only three prisoners on federal death row whose sentences were not commuted Monday.
AFP
Mali singer Traore child custody case postponed
A Belgian court Monday postponed the trial of Malian singer Rokia Traore to January 8 over an outstanding two-year prison sentence handed down in a child-custody dispute.The 50-year-old singer and guitarist was sentenced in absentia by a Brussels court last year on charges of parental abduction, in a long-running fight with the Belgian father of her daughter -- now aged nine.
CBS News
The Container Store says it's filing for bankruptcy protection
The Container Store said it is filing for bankruptcy protection after years of losses and declining sales.
Associated Press
A Maui program kept Lahaina families together by paying households to take in fire survivors
The Lahaina home Tamara Akiona shared with 10 people was never quiet, and she loved it that way. Akiona, her husband, uncle, stepdaughter, and her best friend’s family filled the house once owned by her grandparents, with four bedrooms, two living rooms and a spacious backyard. “That’s the stuff I miss,” said Akiona, 51.
Associated Press
How faith communities can be welcoming of believers with disabilities this holiday season and beyond
The Rev. Shannon Blosser sees how his son loves church — the music, the singing, the communion. At one point, Blosser’s wife and the couple’s two sons stopped attending in-person services at a church where he served. Many people with disabilities, advocates and families want more religious congregations to know that there are ways to be accommodating and inclusive of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities this holiday season — and year round — and to fully embrace them and their families.
AFP
Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
Just 12 trucks distributed food and water in northern Gaza in two-and-a-half months, aid group Oxfam said on Sunday, raising the alarm over the worsening humanitarian situation in the besieged Palestinian territory."Of the meager 34 trucks of food and water given permission to enter the North Gaza Governorate over the last 2.5 months, deliberate delays and systematic obstructions by the Israeli military meant that just twelve managed to distribute aid to starving Palestinian civilians," Oxfam sa
Associated Press
The Container Store, buffeted by rough housing market and competition, seeks bankruptcy protection
The Container Store has filed for bankruptcy protection as the storage and organizational goods retailer with roots dating back to the 1970s grapples with mounting losses and cash flow shortages. Under Chapter 11 protection, The Container store will continue to operate while it restructures. The company said Sunday that it had filed for bankruptcy protection in Texas.
AFP
Jordanian, Qatari envoys hold talks with Syria's new leader
Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa held talks Monday with senior Arab diplomats expressing support for the Syrian people and discussing future cooperation, in the latest high-profile visits since Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.Visiting Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed his country's support for Syria's reconstruction in a meeting with Sharaa on Monday, in the first trip to Syria by a senior Jordanian official since Assad was toppled.
Associated Press
Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it's a painstaking process
A New York subway line rumbled overhead, then an officer's voice crackled over the radio. After watching for about two hours, he said, “I think that's Tango,” using a term for target. The immigration officers surrounded and handcuffed a 23-year-old man from Ecuador who had been convicted of sexually assaulting a minor.
Associated Press
AP PHOTOS: Girls will be part of St. Paul's Cathedral choir on Christmas Day for first time
For the first time in its 900-year history, girls will form part of the choir performing at the Christmas Day service on Wednesday at London’s majestic St. Paul’s Cathedral. The choir, which is made up of both adult and child choristers, will perform at services on Christmas Day under the 365-foot (111-meter) dome of the cathedral, designed by architect Christopher Wren after the 1666 Great Fire of London destroyed its medieval predecessor and much of the surrounding old city. The first two girls to become full choristers officially joined the choir in June.
Yahoo Finance
Stock market today: Dow futures slump, Nasdaq ticks higher as Wall Street assesses Fed's 2025 rate path
Investors considered the path of interest rates next year after the Fed hinted they would stay higher for longer.
AccuWeather
Top 3 lightning videos of 2024
As the year draws to a close, AccuWeather unveils the top three lightning videos that have mesmerized audiences around the globe. Featuring electrifying scenes from volcanic eruptions to strikes at iconic landmarks, these breathtaking displays of nature's raw power are guaranteed to captivate you. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AccuWeather (@accuweather) Kicking off our countdown is a breathtaking video from Guatemala, where a volcanic eruption produced an incredible lightning disp
Associated Press
France observes a national day of mourning for victims of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte
France marked a national day of mourning Monday for the victims of Cyclone Chido, which devastated the French overseas department of Mayotte earlier this month. Flags were flown at half-staff across the country, and a minute of silence was observed. The cyclone, the most destructive to hit Mayotte in 90 years, caused extensive damage to the island, known as France’s poorest territory, and left 35 dead and around 2,500 injured.
CBS News
Luigi Mangione due in court on state murder, terrorism charges
Luigi Mangione is due in a New York courtroom to face state charges in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Associated Press
The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse?
The emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce novel and detailed online reviews with almost no work has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory, watchdog groups and researchers say. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. The deceptive practice, which is illegal in the U.S., is carried out year-round but becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to help them purchase gifts. Where are AI-generated reviews showing up?
AFP
UK economy stagnant in third quarter in fresh setback
Britain's economy was stagnant in the third quarter, according to revised official data released Monday, dealing a fresh blow to the Labour government.The ONS also revised down its second quarter growth reading to 0.4 percent from 0.5 percent.
CNN
‘Like going to the moon’: Why this is the world’s most terrifying ocean crossing
The Drake Passage, between the southern tip of South America and Antarctic, is infamous as one of the most dangerous journeys on the planet. But why is it so rough – and how can you cross safely?

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