A Week of Shocking Events and Big Announcements
Manhunt Ends with Suspect Found Dead
A man suspected of killing two students at Brown University and an MIT professor was found dead in a storage unit. He was a former student at Brown and had no criminal record in the US. The six-day manhunt ended with praise for the law enforcement teams involved.
Tragic Shooting in Australia
A tragic shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach left at least 15 people dead. In response, the prime minister announced a national gun buy-back plan. States and territories will collect and process the weapons, while federal police will destroy them. Thousands gathered at Bondi Beach to honor the victims and reject hatred.
Private Jet Crash in North Carolina
A small private jet crashed in North Carolina, killing seven people, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family. NASCAR mourned the loss, describing Biffle as a champion and a beloved member of the community.
US Plans Overhaul of Childhood Vaccine Schedule
The US Department of Health and Human Services is planning to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule. The new schedule may align with Denmark’s recommendations, which do not include vaccines for RSV, rotavirus, hepatitis A, meningococcal, flu, or chickenpox. The plan is not finalized, but an announcement is expected in 2026.
Putin’s End-of-Year News Conference
Russian President Vladimir Putin held his end-of-year news conference, emphasizing that Russia is ready to end the conflict in Ukraine peacefully. However, he also claimed that Russian troops are advancing across the front line. Meanwhile, EU leaders announced a multi-billion-dollar funding plan to support Ukraine’s economy and military over the next two years.
Other Notable Events
- TikTok signs a deal to spin off its US assets.
- Congress leaves town until 2026.
- Tennessee’s governor pardons country star Jelly Roll.
- Pete Davidson and his partner welcome their first child.
- Mariah Carey’s hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has been dethroned from the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Global chart.
