From the Surf to the Sermon: The Christian Surfers of Costa Rica

A group of missionaries who surf have expanded to a remote part of Costa Rica, where people come from afar looking for the “perfect wave.” And maybe a little Jesus?

Germany Searches for Motives in Christmas Market Attack

The authorities said they were struggling to understand the motives behind ramming a car into a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg, which left a 9-year-old boy among the five dead.

Small Plane Crashes Into Buildings in Brazilian City, Killing 10

At least 17 on the ground were hurt, officials said.

‘Nutcracker’ Is a Casualty of a ‘Quarantine’ of Russian Culture in Lithuania

Lithuania’s national opera house had stopped showing Tchaikovsky’s 1892 masterpiece in solidarity with Ukraine over the war with Russia. Then a new minister expressed fondness for the Russian composer, igniting a furor.

U.S. Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Red Sea by Apparent Friendly Fire

A U.S. Navy ship mistakenly fired at the F/A-18, whose two pilots were safely recovered, the military said.

Inside the Final Days of the Assad Regime in Syria

President Bashar al-Assad, who wielded fear and force over Syria for more than two decades, fled the country under the cover of night — and a fake political address.

Niger Buckles Under Relentless Jihadist Fire

In the West African nation of Niger, killings by insurgents have surged since the military seized power in a coup, expelled U.S. and European troops and stopped negotiations with Islamist groups.

Iran’s Energy Crisis Hits ‘Dire’ Point as Industries Are Forced to Shut Down

Although Iran has one of the biggest supplies of natural gas and crude oil in the world, it finds itself in a full blown energy emergency, coming just as it also suffers major geopolitical setbacks.

How Canada’s Voters Turned on Justin Trudeau

Canada’s prime minister gained global renown 10 years ago for his unabashedly progressive politics. But at home, voters turned sour on him long ago.

A Restaurant Is More Than a Workplace for People Often Shunned by Employers

A popular restaurant in Buenos Aires is staffed almost entirely by workers with neurological challenges, tapping into often-overlooked talent and harnessing their skills.

Pope Uses Christmas Message to Chide Advisers About Gossiping

Francis urged the Vatican inner circle to bless more and talk less badly of others. It wasn’t the first time he had used the occasion to scold them.

Yemeni Missile Lands in Tel Aviv

The Israeli military said several people were lightly injured after its air defenses failed to intercept the projectile, which struck a playground in the city.

Amid Russian Attacks, Ukraine Seeks New Ways to Power Its Cities

The Ukrainian energy network has been so battered by Russian attacks that officials are seeking out new options to prevent a crisis, like renting floating power plants and scavenging scrapped ones from the region.

Monday Briefing: Al-Assad’s Final Days in Power

Plus, parody as protest in South Korea.

Removing Carbon From the Sky Could Be the Next Climate Gold Rush

Investors are betting that they can make a dent in global warming, and healthy profits, with companies that alter the atmosphere.

Germany Bulked Up Christmas Market Security. An Attack Still Happened.

The latest deadly assault on a beloved German tradition illustrates the challenge of holiday safety.

Your Favorite Things

Today, your highly personal, hyperspecific best-ofs of 2024.

In Top Minister’s Resignation, Shades of an Earlier Political Crisis for Trudeau

Chrystia Freeland’s departure this week recalls the 2019 SNC-Lavalin affair, in which Jody Wilson-Raybould quit Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet after a demotion.

3-Minute Christmas Market Rampage Shakes Germany

At least five people, including a 9-year-old child, were killed in the attack, which took place in the eastern city of Magdeburg. The authorities are still seeking a motive.

Pakistan Faces Resurgance of Terrorism

Political instability, dwindling public support and economic constraints are eroding the costly gains that the country made in combating militancy after a school attack in 2014.

Raid on Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Compound in Guatemala

The authorities said at least 160 children and teenagers might have been the victims of human trafficking and other crimes on a farm run by Lev Tahor, an ultra-Orthodox sect.

Cyclone’s Death Toll in Mayotte Is Still Unclear

Officials have said that the death toll in Mayotte, currently at 35, could end up in the thousands. But in the capital, there were no scenes of public mourning and little talk of searches for missing loved ones.

Toronto Jewish School Attacked Again, Prompting Canada to Investigate Antisemitism

Canadian ministers will convene a meeting with the police to discuss antisemitism, after attacks at Jewish establishments in Toronto and Montreal this week.

Why Have So Many Canadians Turned on Justin Trudeau?

Allies and opponents alike are calling for him to resign as prime minister.

Jagmeet Singh, Key Trudeau Ally, Abandons Him in Fresh Blow to Canada’s Government

The leader of the party that supported Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party vowed to bring down the government, saying Mr. Trudeau had failed Canada.

Driver Rams Into Christmas Market in Germany, Killing at Least 2 and Injuring Dozens

Video showed a car plowing into a large crowd in the city of Magdeburg. The driver, identified as a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian citizen who worked as a doctor, was arrested.

French Court Convicts 8 People Tied to Events Leading to Teacher’s Beheading

Samuel Paty was beheaded in 2020 by an Islamist extremist after showing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad to his students to illustrate free speech.

Five Books That Explain the Chaos of 2024

And one to read for fun.

Matteo Salvini Acquitted After Blocking Rescue of Migrant Boat

The deputy prime minister and the leader of the far-right League party claimed he was a victim in the fight against illegal immigration that has swept across Europe.

Musk Expresses Support for Far-Right Party in Germany’s Election

It was not the first online intervention by Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and adviser to Donald Trump, on behalf of once-fringe anti-immigrant parties in Europe.

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