Biden commutes 37 federal death row sentences. And, a push to understand long COVID

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The House Ethics Committee revealed "substantial evidence" that former Rep. Matt Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl in 2017 and paid women for sex while in Congress. The panel's final report also found Gaetz used illegal drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, multiple times between 2017 and 2019. Full Article

Brits are once again facing the last-minute Christmas shopping rush, with ailing high streets struggling to attract shoppers who now prefer online shopping. Iconic stores like Woolworths and Debenhams have closed, leaving town centers deserted and full of boarded-up shops. Despite nostalgic photos from the 1980s and 1990s showing bustling crowds, recent images reveal a stark contrast with deserted shopping centers like Evesham, prompting concerns about the future of traditional retail spaces in the UK....

In Magdeburg, Germany, mourners paid tribute to the victims of a deadly Christmas market attack, as investigators worked to uncover the motive of the Saudi doctor suspect who killed five people and injured up to 235. The suspect, who expressed far-right views and criticized Islam, did not fit the typical profile of extremist attackers, prompting concerns about societal divisions and misinformation ahead of the upcoming national election. Authorities are considering security architecture changes, while urging...

Magdeburg is mourning the loss of five individuals, including a nine-year-old boy, after a car attack at a Christmas market. The suspect, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, faces charges of murder and attempted murder, sparking political promises of increased security. Tensions rise as far-right demonstrations clash with candlelight vigils, raising concerns about the upcoming German elections and the influence of extremist ideologies. Full Article

Children from the evacuated Kibbutz Be'eri play in water outside a temporary classroom in Ein Bokek. The kibbutz, heavily impacted by an attack that killed over 90 residents and took 30 hostages, evacuated to a Dead Sea hotel. Residents worked to maintain unity and establish educational frameworks to help children recover from trauma. Alice Shahar, a kindergarten teacher and coordinator, played a key role in this effort. Full Article