Watch: Melania Trump reveals White House Christmas decorations

The White House has distanced itself from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding allegations that he ordered military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of all individuals on board. A spokesperson clarified that while Hegseth gave the order for strikes, he did not instruct to 'kill everybody.'

Donald Trump has accused Honduran officials of attempting to manipulate the presidential election results as the vote count stalls, with right-wing candidate Nasry Asfura in a technical tie. The electoral court cited technical issues for the delay, while Trump warned of severe consequences if his preferred candidate does not win.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has proposed a new travel ban on visitors from certain countries following the fatal shooting of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. This incident has reignited discussions around national security and immigration policies, echoing the hardline stance of former President Donald Trump.

A U.S. delegation, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss potential peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has expressed openness to negotiations but insists that its war objectives must be met, raising concerns about the sincerity of its commitment to peace. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is engaged in discussions with leaders from the UK and France, emphasizing the international dimension of the conflict.

Costco has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government to secure refunds for tariffs if the Supreme Court rules against former President Trump's authority to impose such tariffs. This legal action comes as the retailer faces a December 15 deadline that could impact the recovery of duties paid on imported goods.

A shooting incident near the White House resulted in the death of one National Guard member and critical injuries to another. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, was reportedly experiencing a personal crisis at the time of the attack. A U.S. official has disputed the White House's account regarding the circumstances surrounding a separate deadly boat strike in the Caribbean.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, following optimistic statements from the White House regarding potential agreements to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and adviser, is also expected to participate in these discussions.

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have escalated as President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, suggesting he can choose to resolve the situation 'the easy way or the hard way.' This comes amid a significant military buildup by the U.S. in the Caribbean, reminiscent of Cold War-era confrontations.