A night meant for holiday cheer turned violent in downtown Chicago. Two shootings erupted just hours after the city’s official Christmas tree lighting at Millennium Park. One person was killed and eight others injured, including seven teenagers aged 13 to 17. The first attack happened near the Chicago Theater around 9:50 p.m., followed by another incident blocks away where an 18-year-old was wounded and another victim died at the hospital. Police say five guns were recovered, and no arrests have been made. Witnesses described chaos as crowds fled in panic.
Hamas warned that the ceasefire with Israel is “over” and it is ready to fight, according to Saudi outlet Al Arabiya. The statement came after Israeli forces thwarted infiltration attempts along Gaza’s Yellow Line and killed senior Hamas commander Abu Abdullah Al-Hudaydi in an airstrike. Hamas insists the truce must be mutual and vowed that “Gaza will not become another Lebanon.” Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue as Hamas sends a delegation to Cairo to coordinate with Arab states, signaling tensions despite ongoing talks on Trump’s peace plan.
Ukraine faces unprecedented pressure on multiple fronts. Donald Trump has given Kyiv less than a week to accept his 28-point peace plan, which demands Ukraine cede territory, renounce NATO membership, and limit its military size – conditions widely seen as favoring Moscow. Zelensky called this “one of the most difficult moments in history,” warning the choice is between losing dignity or losing a key ally. At the same time, Ukraine is suffering heavy battlefield losses, a harsh winter looms, and a $100 million corruption scandal involving Energoatom and close associates of Zelensky has shattered morale. European leaders back Kyiv, but Trump insists, “He’ll have to like it. And if he doesn’t, they should just keep fighting”.
Since Donald Trump returned to the presidency, U.S. assistance to Ukraine has been inconsistent and significantly reduced compared to previous year. Trump froze all military aid in March 2025, then briefly resumed shipments after ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia. Another pause occurred in July, followed by partial resumption under a NATO cost-sharing arrangement.
Despite fears of an exodus following the new NYC mayor Mamdani’s proposed tax hike, Manhattan’s wealthy are staying put. Luxury rental prices jumped 20%, and overall sales rose, driven by strong stock markets and lower mortgage rates. Mamdani’s propositon to raise top earners’ city tax rate from 3.9% to 5.9% sparked debate, but experts say tax-induced mobility is minimal. Most affluent New Yorkers value proximity to culture, business, and networks, making a mass flight unlikely.
In the U.S., city tax rate usually refers to the local income tax imposed by a city, separate from state and federal taxes. Not all cities have an income tax – only a few do, like New York City, Philadelphia, and some Ohio cities. These taxes apply in addition to state and federal income taxes, so high earners in NYC pay all three layers.
