A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order denying birthright citizenship, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional,” as Trump aims to redefine the 14th Amendment to curb illegal immigration. In Southern California, the Hughes fire has burned 10,000 acres, forced 31,000 residents to evacuate, and is 24% contained, while the smaller Sepulveda fire was quickly limited to 40 acres; worsening weather this weekend poses challenges for firefighters. Pete Hegseth, a controversial Defense Secretary nominee, moved closer to confirmation after a narrow Senate vote despite allegations of misconduct, which he denies. Scientists are concerned after the NIH canceled meetings and paused public communications pending review by a Trump appointee. Finally, President Trump signed an executive order to declassify files on the assassinations of JFK, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., calling it a long-awaited move.

Judge blocks Trump’s citizenship order (AP)

SoCal Hughes fire update (CNN)

Pete Hegseth passes Senate vote (NBC)

NIH cancels key meetings (NPR) 

Trump orders release of JFK files (CNN)

A “last-minute crisis” with Hamas delayed Israel’s vote on a Gaza ceasefire, Biden signed an executive order boosting US cybersecurity and anti-hacking measures, a report accused Trump’s AG pick Pam Bondi of undermining voting rights, Southern California wildfires claimed 25 lives, and destroyed over 12,000 structures with winds expected to worsen next week, and Rudy Giuliani settled his defamation case, retaining his World Series rings and apartments in exchange for undisclosed compensation and a vow to cease defamation.

Netanyahu delays Cabinet vote on Gaza ceasefire deal (AP)

Bien signs cybersecurity order (NPR)

NAACP report finds Pam Bondi undermined voting rights (The Hill)

LA wildfires continue to burn (CBS)

Giuliani to keep World Series rings, apartments after defamation settlement (ABC)

Trump’s defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth faced scrutiny from senators about past comments and misconduct in his confirmation hearing. Hamas agreed to an early Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal draft, making the end of the 15-month conflict imminent. South Korean law enforcement officers entered the presidential residence to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The White House announced that Biden will remove Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism as part of a prisoner release deal with the Caribbean country. Princess Kate Middleton announced her cancer is in remission and that she will be making a gradual return to public-facing engagements.

Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth is grilled by senators in confirmation hearing (NBC)

Hamas agrees to draft of Gaza ceasefire and hostage plan (AP)

South Korean law enforcement enters presidential residence to arrest impeached Yoon (AP)

Biden removes Cuba’s designation as a U.S. state sponsor of terrorism (BBC)

Princess Kate says her cancer is in remission (AP)

Wildfires in Los Angeles have killed 16, left 16 missing, and destroyed nearly 40,000 acres, with firefighters partially containing the Eaton and Palisades fires as strong winds threaten progress. President-elect Donald Trump was convicted in the New York hush-money case, receiving an unconditional discharge that upholds the verdict but imposes no punishment. Ukrainian President Zelensky offered to trade two captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian POWs held by Russia, with support from South Korean intelligence. President Biden and Israeli PM Netanyahu discussed Gaza hostage and ceasefire agreements, with a potential deal expected before Biden’s term ends. Italy released Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini, charged by the U.S. with conspiring to export sensitive drone technology to Iran, following his December arrest in Milan.

16 dead, 16 missing in LA wildfires (New York Times)

Trump sentenced in NY hush-money case (AP)

Zelensky proposes exchange of N. Korean soldiers (BBC) 

Biden and Netanyahu in talks about Gaza ceasefire, hostage deals (Axios)

Italy releases Iranian man wanted for drone attack that killed 3 US soldiers (NPR)

President-elect Donald Trump called for Congress to abolish the debt ceiling, while the House rejected his new government funding plan, risking a government shutdown if no deal is reached by Saturday. Luigi Mangione was escorted to a NYC federal court, facing multiple charges including federal stalking, weapon and murder charges that could lead to the death penalty. A Georgia state appeals court removed DA Fani Willis from Trump's election interference case, citing an "appearance of impropriety" due to her relationship with the special prosecutor. All 51 men in France's Gisèle Pelicot rape trial were convicted, with Dominique Pelicot sentenced to 20 years for drugging, raping and facilitating the mass rape. The Teamsters went on strike at Amazon facilities across the U.S., marking the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history.

Trump tells Congress to abolish debt ceiling, House rejects Trump funding plan (NBC, AP)

Luigi Mangione appears in federal court in NYC (CBS)

Fani Willis removed from Georgia Trump election case (AP)

All 51 defendants found guilty in Gisèle Pelicot rape trial (New York Times)

Teamsters begin ‘largest strike against Amaazon in U.S. history’ (ABC)

Police identified the suspect in Monday’s Wisconsin school shooting as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who killed a fellow student and a teacher before turning the gun on herself. Suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione was indicted on a first-degree murder charge as an act of terrorism, potentially facing life in prison without parole. Russia's chemical weapons chief Lt. General Igor Kirillov was killed in an explosion claimed by Ukraine’s SBU security service. A mass grave found outside Syria's capital could contain thousands of remains, many showing signs of execution and torture, since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Congress released a short-term funding bill to avoid a government shutdown, including provisions for disaster relief and economic help for farmers, with lawmakers set to break for the holidays on Friday.

Abundant Life Christian School identified as teenage female student (NBC)

Luigi Mangione indicted on first-degree murder charge (New York Times)

Russia's chemical weapons chief and mouthpiece killed in Moscow (BBC)

Mass grave discovered near Syria’s capital (Al Jazeera, BBC)

Congress releases funding bill to avert government shutdown (NBC)

ABC News agreed to pay Donald Trump $15 million to settle a defamation suit over statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos. The Israeli government approved plans to double Golan Heights settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. Cyclone Chido caused severe damage in Mayotte, with the death toll expected to reach thousands. Karen Friedman Agnifilo will represent Luigi Mangione in the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case. Lawmakers are calling for action on drone sightings in the northeastern U.S., though officials maintain the drones are not a threat.

ABC settles Trump defamation suit for $15 million (Al Jazeera)

Israel plans to expand settlements in Golan Heights (BBC)

Death toll in Mayotte is ‘several hundred’ in aftermath of Cyclone Chido (AP)

Luigi Mangione retains Karen Friedman Agnifilo as defense attorney (NPR)

Federal response to drone sightings prompts bipartisan criticism (CNN)

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced he will resign at the end of President Biden's term next month, citing a desire to avoid further entangling the Bureau in political controversies. New evidence in the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case revealed that Luigi Mangione’s fingerprints were a match to those found at the crime scene, as the city also saw a surge of "Wanted" posters targeting corporate executives. Luxury real estate brokers Oren, Tal, and Alon Alexander were indicted on federal sex trafficking charges for allegedly running a scheme involving drugging and assaulting women from 2010 to 2021. The Franklin Wildfire devastated Malibu, forcing celebrities like Cher and Dick Van Dyke to evacuate, with Van Dyke, who turns 99 this week, urging prayers for his missing cat, Bobo. In a positive development, Hannah Kobayashi, who had been missing after missing a flight connection, was found safe, though her family has not provided further details on her recent situation.

FBI Director Christopher Wray set to resign at end of Biden’s term (NPR)

Updates on Mangione case (BBC, ABC)

High-profile real estate brokers indicted on sex trafficking charges (CBS)

Franklin fire pushes out celebrities like Dick Van Dyke, Cher (New York Times, ABC)

Hannah Kobayashi found safe, family says (People)

The 26-year-old man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Luigi Mangione, challenged his extradition to New York in a Pennsylvania court on Tuesday, as the Manhattan DA's office plans to forcibly extradite him. Israel launched a major military campaign in Syria, deploying ground troops and airstrikes while destroying the Syrian fleet in what Defense Minister Israel Katz called a “great success.” The Franklin Wildfire in Southern California forced evacuations and threatened Pepperdine University, with over 40,000 residents losing power due to fire concerns. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, 82, suffered a sprained wrist and facial injury after a fall at the Capitol, adding to his series of public health issues. An internal DOJ investigation revealed that the Trump administration secretly seized phone and text records from 43 congressional staffers and two Democratic lawmakers, raising concerns about the impact on Congressional oversight.

Luigi Mangione challenges extradition to NY (ABC, NYPost)

Israel launches campaign in Syria (CNN)

Franklin wildfire update (AP)

Mitch McConnell falls (CNN)

Horowitz reports Trump DOJ seized 40+ phone logs of congress. staffers (NBC)

Donald Trump, in his first network interview since winning the 2024 election, vowed to pass major tax cuts, pardon the Jan. 6th rioters, deport all illegal immigrants, and end birthright citizenship, though he did not explain how he would bypass the 14th amendment. Syrian rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in a swift takeover, with the capital Damascus falling and the president reportedly seeking refuge in Moscow. In the wake of Syria’s collapse, Israel seized the Golan Heights demilitarized zone, with Prime Minister Netanyahu calling it a temporary defensive move. Jurors in the Daniel Penny trial failed to reach a verdict on second-degree manslaughter charges, leaving them to consider a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely. Notre Dame held its first inaugural mass since the 2019 fire, attended by dignitaries like French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Jill Biden, marking the cathedral's official reopening.

President-elect’s first network interview (NPR, Politico)

Assad regime crumbles (NYT)

Israel seizes Golan Heights buffer zone (BBC)

Daniel Penny jury deadlocked (NYT)

Notre Dame inaugural mass (NBC)