AMERICA
Trump’s Jokes, Games, fake video and free tickets
1. Real or fake? Truth about Luigi’s countdown video
A YouTube video that was allegedly posted by Luigi Mangione before Brian Thompson’s murder was shown to be fake. YouTube notified Gizmodo that the video was created using a fake account that was representing Mangione, which is prohibited by their impersonation policies. The account, which was created in January 2024, appeared to have been changed to trick users after Mangione was arrested. This included changes to the handle, name, and metadata of the channel. YouTube removed the channel and three other dormant accounts linked to the suspect, citing their Creator Responsibility Guidelines.
After the video became popular, the misleading information was disseminated by social media platforms such as X. The video’s rapid dissemination notwithstanding YouTube’s confirmation that it was a fake and a part of a coordinated impersonation effort
2. PlayStation Celebrates 30 Years: 2024 Wrap-Up Marks Gaming Milestone
The 2024 Wrap-Up, a thrilling feature that allows users to revisit their gaming experiences from the previous year and celebrates three decades of Playtation’s famous legacy, is being released in conjunction with PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. The Wrap-Up, which is accessible to PS4 and PS5 gamers from December 11, 2024, to January 10, 2025, provides a customized overview. Gamers can look at their most-played titles, monthly gaming numbers, and even their gaming style.
By displaying the total number of games people have enjoyed since opening their PlayStation accounts. More interactive than ever, it also highlights important trophy milestones and offers personalized suggestions from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog.
3. “Trump and Vance’s Second Term Kickoff: Inauguration Tickets Available Through Congress”
President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance are set to officially begin their second term on January 20, 2025, with a grand swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. This historic event will mark the start of their renewed leadership, with thousands expected to attend. While tickets to the inauguration are free, they must be requested through members of Congress, ensuring a highly exclusive yet accessible experience for the public. As the nation anticipates a new chapter in the Trump administration, the ceremony promises to be a memorable occasion, setting the tone for the next four years.
4. “Trump Calls Trudeau ‘Governor of Canada,’ Jokes About Making It the 51st State”
By calling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the “Governor of the Great State of Canada,” Donald Trump sparked outrage. The remark came after a dinner at Mar-a-Lago where Trump threatened Canada with a 25% tax unless it reduced illegal immigration and drug flows into the United States. Trump even joked about Canada becoming the 51st state, which sparked amusement and outrage.
Concerning the possible economic damage of such tariffs, Trudeau said Canada would react similarly to how it did when such measures were placed on steel and aluminum during Trump’s first term. Known for his controversial past suggestions, such as purchasing Greenland, Trump reinforced his remarks in an interview, insisting that future trade talks with Trudeau would produce “spectacular” results.
ASIA
Blasts , Policy Shift, China
1. Kabul Blast Kills Afghan Taliban Minister Khalil Rahman Haqqani
The Afghan Taliban’s acting minister for refugees, Khalil Rahman Haqqani, tragically died in a terrible explosion that shook Kabul. On Wednesday, his nephew Anas Haqqani verified the occurrence.
After Western forces left Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban established an interim government, and Haqqani was a key member of that administration. Known for playing a crucial part in the Haqqani network, he was considered a senior leader. The network was added to the U.S. State Department’s list of designated terrorist organizations after it was said to have planned multiple high-profile strikes during Afghanistan’s two-decade war.
This event raises further concerns about the weak security situation in Kabul and Afghanistan.
2. US Policy Shifts Loom Over Asia-Pacific’s Economic Future, ADB Warns
According to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asian Development Outlook (ADO), economic development in Asia and the Pacific is predicted to slow down this year and the next. However, the region’s long-term economic potential may be threatened by the US government of President-elect Donald Trump. Expected shifts in US immigration, trade, and fiscal policies might stall development and create inflation in emerging Asia and the Pacific, especially if they gradually take effect.
The effects of these measures are expected to become apparent in 2026, but if they are enacted more quickly or if US-based businesses boost imports in anticipation of higher taxes, disruptions might happen sooner. The Asian Development Bank highlights the necessity for Asia-Pacific economies to stay watchful and agile.
3. Explosion in Shenzhen High-Rise Shakes Affluent District, Claims One Life
A residential high-rise in a posh area of Shenzhen was rocked by a huge explosion on Wednesday, killing one person and sending shockwaves through other towers.
When the event happened in one of the city’s well-known residential estates, local officials reacted right away. Residents of the busy southern city, which is renowned for its contemporary architecture and economic vibrancy, were alarmed as the bomb shook surrounding buildings. Safety procedures in densely populated metropolitan areas have come under scrutiny while the cause of the explosion is still being investigated. To handle the situation, the Shenzhen Fire Brigade organized a group of 80 rescue workers and sent out 16 fire vehicles.
4. South Korea in Turmoil: Yoon’s Martial Law Bid Rejected Amid North Korean Silence
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to impose martial law on December 3, citing threats from North Korea and “anti-state forces,” was rejected by Parliament. Yoon justified the move as necessary to protect the nation but is now under investigation for insurrection and mutiny after his offices were raided on December 11. North Korea has remained silent on the political turmoil, a calculated strategy to watch the South’s chaos unfold, according to experts.
MENA
Celebration, Ceasefire and Airstrikes
1. “Tragedy in Gaza: Israeli Strike Kills 19, Including a Family of Eight”
An overnight Israeli airstrike on a home sheltering displaced individuals in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, claimed the lives of at least 19 people, according to medical officials at Kamal Adwan Hospital. Among the victims were a family of eight, including four children, their parents, and grandparents.
The conflict has resulted in severe casualties, with over 44,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, including women and children, according to local health officials. Israel, meanwhile, asserts that it has killed over 17,000 Hamas militants but has not provided evidence for these claims. The war continues to devastate lives on both sides, with hundreds of hostages still unaccounted for and humanitarian conditions worsening daily.
2. UN General Assembly Calls for Immediate Gaza Ceasefire and Lifts Support for UNRWA Amid Crisis
In a decisive move, the UN General Assembly adopted two landmark resolutions during an emergency session, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging Israel to lift its ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Triggered by a veto in the Security Council, the Assembly’s overwhelming vote reflects the global community’s growing concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis and underscores the urgent need for international solidarity and action to protect Palestinian refugees
3. Historic Night in Damascus: Celebrations Erupt as Curfew Ends Following Assad Regime’s Fall
For the first time in years, the streets of Damascus came alive with hope and jubilation as Syrians celebrated the fall of the Assad regime. Waving the three-starred independence-era flag, a symbol of resistance and freedom, men, women, and children flooded the square, their chants echoing across the city. Fireworks lit up the sky, and the sound of drums and music filled the air as people danced, sang, and embraced one another, marking the dawn of a new era.
The first night without a curfew in central Damascus became a powerful testament to the resilience of a people longing for peace and freedom. The celebrations extended well into the night, with hopes for a brighter, unified future taking center stage in the hearts of those present.
4. Israel Intensifies Strikes on Syrian Military Targets
Israeli warplanes have launched a series of airstrikes on military sites in Syria’s coastal Latakia and Tartus provinces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Key targets reportedly included the Latakia port and warehouses in Tartus. The UK-based war monitor stated that this marks the fourth consecutive day of strikes, as Israel continues to dismantle remnants of Syria’s military arsenal following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The attacks signal escalating tensions and a sustained effort to neutralize perceived threats in the region.
EUROPE
European tensions escalate
1. 11-Year-Old Girl Survives Mediterranean Shipwreck
In a tragic Mediterranean shipwreck, an 11-year-old girl from Sierra Leone emerged as the sole survivor after spending three harrowing days at sea. The overcrowded boat, carrying over 40 migrants, capsized near Italy’s Lampedusa island. The girl was rescued by a charity organization, which reported the devastating loss of all other passengers, many of whom remain missing and are feared dead. The incident highlights the ongoing migrant crisis and the perilous journeys undertaken in search of safety and a better future. Rescuers described her survival as nothing short of a miracle amidst overwhelming tragedy
2. Russia Vows Retaliation After Ukrainian Missile Strike
Moscow has accused Kyiv of launching US-supplied ATACMS missiles at a military airfield in Russia’s southern Rostov region, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack on Wednesday, labeling Ukraine’s actions as “destructive” and a barrier to any peace negotiations. The strike, which marks another bold use of Western weaponry by Ukraine, has prompted Russia to issue strong warnings of retaliation, signaling a potential intensification of hostilities in the region.
3. Ukraine Strikes Russian Border, Oil Depot Ablaze, 22 Wounded”
Ukrainian forces launched a powerful attack on Russian border regions, setting an oil depot on fire and leaving 22 people injured, including a five-year-old girl, according to the interior ministry. Photos from the scene show rescuers recovering victims and providing psychological support to traumatized survivors. The attack comes amid heightened tensions, with Ukraine warning of Russia’s military buildup in Zaporizhzhia and increased aerial bombardments ahead of potential offensives along the southern front
4. Farmers Protest Inheritance Tax Hike, Warn of Ruin for Family Farms
Farmers are rallying against a proposed tax increase that will remove a longstanding 1990s tax exemption on farm properties. Starting April 2026, farms valued over £1 million ($1.3 million) will face a 20% inheritance tax when passed to the next generation. Protesters argue that the policy will devastate struggling family farms, making it harder to sustain agricultural livelihoods and pass on their legacies. The demonstrations reflect growing frustration with policies perceived as threatening the survival of small-scale farming communities.
