December sales provide little cheer for retailers

A 64-year-old Houston man, Jesse Ruffer, faces second-degree felony charges for allegedly attempting to run over his neighbor, Blaine McShaw, while shouting racial slurs. Ruffer, who has a prior arrest warrant for a terroristic threat, was granted a $20,000 bond with conditions after a bail hearing, and if convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Need More Context? 🔎

Angelina Nicole Therese Avisado Reyes, a nurse at Waikato District Health Board, defrauded three colleagues out of over $100,000 by fabricating stories about her mother's death and her father's illness, using the funds for gambling and trips, including a Taylor Swift concert in Sydney. One victim, manipulated by her claims of suicidal distress, transferred $107,000 over six months, draining his savings and inheritance. Need More Context? 🔎

A selection of the week's best photos from across the African continent and beyond:Highlights include women harvesting seaweed in Zanzibar, a biking contest in South Africa, and a concert featuring Angelique Kidjo in France. Other notable images capture forest fires in Cape Town, the burning of illegal firearms in Kenya, and vibrant street life in Togo. Need More Context? 🔎

Israel's UN ambassador declared that attacks on Iran will continue until its nuclear capabilities and military operations are dismantled, amid escalating tensions highlighted by warnings from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Iran's representative condemned Israeli airstrikes and emphasized their right to self-defense, while discussions between Iranian and Western officials yielded no immediate breakthroughs, with both sides maintaining firm positions. Need More Context? 🔎

Drita, a widow from Kosovo, recounts her horrific experiences of sexual violence at the hands of Serbian forces during the 1998 war, which targeted thousands of women. This issue is not isolated, as rape has been used as a weapon throughout history in conflicts worldwide, with recent reports indicating ongoing sexual violence in the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Need More Context? 🔎

A report by Cybernews reveals a massive data breach involving 16 billion passwords, affecting major platforms like Apple, Google, and Facebook. Cybercriminals have accessed 30 datasets containing sensitive login information, posing significant threats to online accounts; users are urged to check their credentials and implement two-factor authentication for security. Need More Context? 🔎