Trial begins in archdiocese of New Orleans’ $230m settlement for abuse survivors

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated an immigration enforcement operation named Operation Catahoula Crunch in New Orleans, targeting what it describes as 'criminal illegal aliens' who are allegedly benefiting from sanctuary policies. This operation marks a continuation of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration stance, following similar actions in other Democratic-led cities like Charlotte, North Carolina.

US private payrolls unexpectedly declined by 32,000 jobs in November, following an upwardly revised increase of 47,000 jobs in October, according to the ADP employment report. This decline contrasts with economists' expectations of a 10,000 job increase for November, highlighting a potential slowdown in the job market.

A Russian court has sentenced US citizen Robert Gilman to an additional two years in prison, following his initial incarceration in 2022 for a drunken assault on a police officer. This development was reported by state media on Wednesday.

Renny Martyn, a former contestant on Big Brother, testified in bankruptcy proceedings of the New Orleans Catholic archdiocese, revealing that she was sexually abused by a priest at the age of six. Her testimony adds to the growing number of survivors coming forward about decades of abuse within the church.

President Donald Trump has publicly stated his opposition to Somali immigrants, asserting that the U.S. would be heading in the wrong direction by allowing them entry. His remarks coincided with plans by ICE to conduct operations targeting the Somali community in Minnesota, amid ongoing discussions about immigration enforcement and social services fraud linked to this group.

The Malaysian transport ministry has announced that the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will resume on December 30, 2025, after more than a decade since the aircraft vanished. The marine robotics company Ocean Infinity will conduct the search operations over a period of 55 days, focusing on the seabed in the Indian Ocean where the likelihood of locating the aircraft is deemed highest.

Pope Leo has emphasized the critical role of European nations, particularly Italy, in mediating peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, amidst stalled negotiations between Russia and the US. The pontiff's remarks come as tensions escalate, with Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing Europe of obstructing peace efforts.

After five hours of peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. negotiators, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, no signs of compromise were evident, with Putin emphasizing a firm stance on territorial issues related to Ukraine.