12/25

• The death count of the winter storm in the U.S. increased to 26 (see 12/23).
• Russian President Putin said that Russia was open to negotiate the Russo-Ukrainian War and blamed Kyiv and Western supporters for the lack of discussions.
• 5 people were arrested in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old in the Mall of America.
• 12 people died as a result of the blizzard in Buffalo, New York.

12/26

• According to the National Health Commission, China will not enforce mandatory quarantines and will require a negative COVID-19 test results within 48 hours of departure from visitors starting Jan. 8.
• The U.S. winter storm death count increased to 37 (see 12/25).
• China flew 71 warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense zone, with 47 crossing the defacto maritime border between the regions.

12/27

• Approximately 180 Rohingya refugees are feared dead after their boat went missing in the Andaman Sea.
• Republican Congressman-elect George Santos George Santos admitted to lying about his biography, adding that he still aims to serve in Congress (see 12/19).
• The U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Biden Administration from ending Title 42 indefinitely (see 12/19).

12/28

• U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg warned Southwest CEO Bob Jordan that he will hold the corporation accountable for over 80% of flights being canceled this week with no indication when passengers may rebook.
• Russia banned oil sales to countries and companies that agreed with Western price caps.
• The leader of the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Whitmer, Adam Fox, was sentenced to 16 years in prison, and another member of the plan Barry Croft Jr. was sentenced to over 19 years in prison (see 12/15).
• The House Way and Means Committee announced that former President Trump’s tax returns will be made public on Dec. 30.
• David DePape pleaded not guilty to state charges (see 10/31).
• The U.S. will require travelers from China to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before flying.
• Hundreds of U.S. rabbis signed an open letter protesting Israel’s incoming far-right government.
• Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly opened an investigation into Congressman-elect George Santos (see 12/27).
• The U.S. winter storm death count increased to 70 (see 12/26).

12/29

• Southwest Airlines announced that normal schedules will resume on Dec. 30 (see 12/28).
• Israel’s new government was sworn in, initially the most religious and hard-line government in the country’s history (see 12/28).
• The House Jan. 6 committee formally withdrew its subpoena of former President Trump as the investigation concludes days before the next Congress enters (see 10/21).
• The head of the United Nations Humanitarian operations, Martin Griffiths, will fly to Kabul to attempt a resolution in the Taliban’s decision to ban women from working at NGOs. 

12/30

• Former President Trump’s tax returns from the last 6 years were released (see 12/28).
• Controversial online influenced Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, were arrested in Romania following a human trafficking and rape investigation.
• Russian President Putin invited Chinese President Xi to make a state visit to Russia next spring.
• Bryan Kohberger was arrested in connection with the murders of 4 University of Idaho students.
• Barbara Walters died at age 93.
• According to the South Korean military, North Korea fired 3 ballistic missiles toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula.

12/31

• Former Pope Benedict XVI died at age 95.
• Russia fired more than 20 cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets, killing at least 1 person.